13 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Polar opposites will always be infinitely more fascinating than any piece of the long stretch of middle ground that makes up most of the world. Mediocrity is, by its nature, very boring. So when it comes to reviews, I always find myself more interested in the four star and one star reviews than the three and two-star reviews. To give a four-star or one-star (and sometimes even the dreaded half-star) review, one must have an intensely strong feeling about whatever is being reviewed. \nFor an example, let's take Lou Reed's 1975 album "Metal Machine Music." Depending on who you speak to, "MMM" is either the world's worst album ever (and I mean WORST) or a highly misunderstood masterpiece (and I mean HIGHLY). Now if you asked someone about Lou Reed's 1974 album "Sally Can't Dance," all you are going to get is a shrug and a "I guess it's OK." It is, by most standards, a mediocre album. Which finally brings us to the new album from college rock heroes (and the best band to ever come out of Boise, Idaho,) Built to Spill, Ancient Melodies of the Future.\nAs much as I hate to say it, Ancient Melodies is just a plain ol' boring album. After the complexity of 1997's Perfect from Now On and the grandeur of 1999's Keep It Like a Secret, Ancient Melodies just seems completely lackluster. Even though it doesn't have the complex guitar lines of their previous albums, it could have at least had the great pop sensibilities of 1994's There's Nothing Wrong with Love (which it simply doesn't). \nThe album opens with the song "Strange," a very odd opening choice. It is not particular catchy, nor interesting; it just sits there like your grandmother's nice but dull poodle. The first time listening to the album I was tempted to just skip to the next track after a few minutes of "Strange." With the second track, "The Host," I was once again tempted to skip to the next track after the first minute. This is never a good sign. It wasn't until the third track, the Middle-Eastern tinged "In Your Mind," that I didn't want to immediately skip ahead. \nWith the exception of the driving "Trimmed and Burning," the dark "Don't Try" and weirdly upbeat "Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss," most of the songs on Ancient Melodies just don't stick with you after the first listen (or any number of listens, as a matter of fact). It is a two-star album. \nThe fact that Built to Spill's third true album on major label Warner Brothers (not counting last year's Live album) is disappointing is both sad and disturbing. Sad, because Built to Spill is one of the most innovative and interesting bands around today. Disturbing, because Warner Brothers will probably drop Built to Spill from the label after this -- like most major labels, Warner Brothers can smell weakness a mile away. \nIt makes me almost wish that this album was a total and complete failure.
(11/17/00 5:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When reviewing Johnny Cash's latest album, American III: Solitary Man, one must keep in mind the question: Is it better to end one's career when you are ahead or slowly but surely sink into mediocrity? Johnny Cash is a man who influenced not only country but rock 'n' roll as well. He is the Man in Black; he is the rebel to end all rebels. His songwriting and singing reminds one of both white-paneled churches and dark back alleys.
(11/17/00 3:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When reviewing Johnny Cash's latest album, American III: Solitary Man, one must keep in mind the question: Is it better to end one's career when you are ahead or slowly but surely sink into mediocrity? Johnny Cash is a man who influenced not only country but rock 'n' roll as well. He is the Man in Black; he is the rebel to end all rebels. His songwriting and singing reminds one of both white-paneled churches and dark back alleys.
(11/09/00 5:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>While the saying "Never judge a book by its cover" is usually true, the cover of the new Songs: Ohia album is a perfect representation of the contents that are held within. Ghost Tropic's cover is completely black with the exception of the title in white. The songs contained on this album are dark dirges of complete and utter melancholy, but there is a brightness that tries to fight with great futility to the surface of each of the songs.
(11/09/00 2:50am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>While the saying "Never judge a book by its cover" is usually true, the cover of the new Songs: Ohia album is a perfect representation of the contents that are held within. Ghost Tropic's cover is completely black with the exception of the title in white. The songs contained on this album are dark dirges of complete and utter melancholy, but there is a brightness that tries to fight with great futility to the surface of each of the songs.
(10/26/00 11:19am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The music force that is the Elephant Six Collective (E6) has been awfully quiet lately. Throughout the country, lovers of the quirky, retro-pop that is the specialty of the E6 collective have been going into withdrawal. They have been begging for the powerful punch of Beatles, Beach Boy and Zombies-influenced pop to get them through the long, cold weather. They need the quirky lyrics surrounded by the warm glow of the '60s and '70s. Elf Power's The Winter is Coming is just that fix.
(10/26/00 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The music force that is the Elephant Six Collective (E6) has been awfully quiet lately. Throughout the country, lovers of the quirky, retro-pop that is the specialty of the E6 collective have been going into withdrawal. They have been begging for the powerful punch of Beatles, Beach Boy and Zombies-influenced pop to get them through the long, cold weather. They need the quirky lyrics surrounded by the warm glow of the '60s and '70s. Elf Power's The Winter is Coming is just that fix.
(10/19/00 10:59am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It is rare in today's music climate to have a record that embraces both sonic power and quiet beauty. With the double disc Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven, Montreal's Godspeed You Black Emperor! has created an album of emotional power that stems from a roller-coaster ride of powerful highs and somber lows.
(10/19/00 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It is rare in today's music climate to have a record that embraces both sonic power and quiet beauty. With the double disc Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven, Montreal's Godspeed You Black Emperor! has created an album of emotional power that stems from a roller-coaster ride of powerful highs and somber lows.
(10/05/00 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>There must be something about the year 2000 that makes bands want to write songs for other bands to play. Maybe these bands are just happy the world didn't end as a result of the millennium bug and therefore are feeling generous.
Whatever the case might be, Metroschifter's Encapsulated is the second album this year, following the 6ths' Hyacinths and Thistles, with the premise that other bands would be doing all the work except actually writing the songs.
(10/05/00 2:27am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>There must be something about the year 2000 that makes bands want to write songs for other bands to play. Maybe these bands are just happy the world didn't end as a result of the millennium bug and therefore are feeling generous.
Whatever the case might be, Metroschifter's Encapsulated is the second album this year, following the 6ths' Hyacinths and Thistles, with the premise that other bands would be doing all the work except actually writing the songs.
(09/21/00 6:14am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Damien Jurado fits snugly into the category of the ultra-personal singer/songwriter. His songs are filled with the minute details of serious depression that make listeners want to turn off the lights and hide under the covers until the sadness goes away. And all this makes Jurado's Ghost of David a wonderfully haunting listen for those who can brave its murky waters.
(09/21/00 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Damien Jurado fits snugly into the category of the ultra-personal singer/songwriter. His songs are filled with the minute details of serious depression that make listeners want to turn off the lights and hide under the covers until the sadness goes away. And all this makes Jurado's Ghost of David a wonderfully haunting listen for those who can brave its murky waters.