Customer Reviews

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Vinyl]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first knew Tim Kasher's work through his first and other band, Cursive, which is not only still active but just released a new and very fine album, a searing and impassioned dissecting of George Bush and Pat Robertson's Christian America (I'm a Christian myself, but one who finds Bush and Robertson as horrid as does Kasher) entitled HAPPY HOLLOW. While I enjoy Cursive, especially the new album and the earlier DOMESTICA, it is not a band that is in any sense one of my favorites. The band has a very hard edge and while this is something I normally enjoy, I find the music a bit repetitious and somewhat lacking in musical originality. But Lo! and Behold! Kasher undertook a few years ago a second project, one that puts on display Kasher's softer side, instead of hard punk, light pop. I like most of the Good Life's work, but this album is in a class by itself.

If there is one genre of album that has been done to death it is the break up album, in which the songwriter in excruciating detail rehearses the bitterest moments in the break up. This album breathes fresh life into that tired theme. These are among the best break up songs I've ever heard, each song driven not merely by exquisite melodies and a wealth of musical ideas, but marvelous lyrics. All of the songs on the album are lovely but all also possess a bit of a bite. The loveliness masks a great deal of pain. I don't know if the songs are based on an actual break up, but if they are, it was not an easy one.

The album is also a remarkable bargain because you get not one but two discs. The first one is what resulted from the band going into the studio with a full production crew. The second disc consists of Kasher's original acoustic demos and shows how completely the album was conceived before the band went into the studio. Musically, there is no doubt the band disc is the more appealing one. The production is exceedingly fine and the sound excellent throughout. The guest vocal by Jiha Lee on "Inmates," one of the albums finest songs, is also a wonderful touch. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoy listening to the demos. They throw most of the emphasis onto the lyrics, and they can more than sustain attention to them. Both discs are enormously enjoyable.

Though some songs on the album are better than others, there are no truly weak cuts on the disc. It is strong from first to last. The title track is one of the very best. Equally good is the really sad "You're Not You," where the singer finds his ex changed so much since their break up that he wonders if she is being someone she is not, oblivious to the possibility that when she was with him she was not who she wanted to be. The poignantly cynical "Lovers Need Lawyers" actually appeared on a previous Good Life EP by the same name but if anything has improved with familiarity. Contextually it fits the album perfectly. But really, it's all good. What I especially love is the incredible specificity of the songs. I know no details of Kasher's love life, but each song truly does sound as if they are musical descriptions of very definite or at least idealized memories of actual encounters, real conversations. And they do a great job of communicating the brokenness and regret that accompanies the end of a major relationship.

This album is simply a gem. And anyone who primarily knows Kasher's work from his somewhat better known band Cursive should really explore this one. Most side projects sometimes get stuff with a songwriter's weaker material. That is most certainly not the case here. This isn't Kasher's "B" material, just a different set of "A" work.

First of all, this album is called "album of the year" not because it claims to be (even though it just might have the right to) but is explained in the first song when the singer tells his girlfriend, "for you, I would write the album of the year." What we're listening to is what he wrote about that relationship, which ironically takes place within one year.

This is probably the most depressing album i've ever heard. the majority of the songs are slow acoustic ballads that take apart piece by piece the intricacies of the relationship that ends in a tearing divorce. The most poignant song in the album is "Inmates" which explains in great detail why the relationship had to end, from the woman's perspective. There are two songs that are welcome breaks to the slow quality of the rest of the album, Lovers need Lawyers & Notes in His Pockets, both describing the franticness of what adulterous behavior or the suspicion of such can do to a relationship.

Its good to note that this is a true story of Tim Kasher's real divorce, and it must be incredibly hard to put something like this onto an album, that so many people can hear. This is very honest in telling what mistakes were made in the relationship that caused its downfall and thus very emotionally draining. Many of the songs in the album are like many epics that start off slow and come to a big climax, and its easy to get lost especially if you don't listen to the album as a whole. The incredible instrumentation on the songs and the change in tempo that fits the mood of the song keep you into the music, though. If are ready for a deep and emotional ride or are a fan of any of saddle creek records then you will undoubtedly find what your looking for in this album

My sister gave me this cd a while ago and I never made it past the first few tracks. Not because they bored me, but because I would keep going back to "Album of the Year". When I finally ventured on to the rest of the album, I was blown away by the entire thing. It is one of the few albums that is not a mere collection of songs but a true album that begs to be listened to from start to finish. "Album" "Notes" "Inmates" and "Needy" shocked me with just how good the song writing was and how much emotion could be poured into a song. I've never had a feeling like that except with any other album.

Tim Kasher is one of my favorite musicians. Intelligent, but not sappy, lyrics. Powerful voice that fits in the most broken down and mellow of songs or rockin anthems. The Good Life started as a way for Kasher to have an outlet for the amount he was writing. Slowly, it became a bigger thing. And I thank the powers that be for that. This album was a gift from my friend, and i forever love that friend for giving it to me.

That being said, i did hesitate to five this album 5 stars. Half of the album are AMAZING songs, mostly having to do with some form of infidelity. that just so happens to be one of my favorite topics in movies and music. The other half, however, are less than spectacular indie songs that might seem good on another album, but after being spoiled by the other tracks on this album, i find myself reaching for the skip button. the reason i DID give it 5 stars is because the good songs really ARE that good.

The first song is the title track, and it was instantly a favorite of mine. The lyrics, the way the song builds, and his unwavering voice gets me every time. The next track is another great one, very delicate with a bagpipe or something playing along with all of the conventional instruments. Under a Honeymoon and You're no fool are also quite pleasing. From there I usually skip to the power house trio of Octover Leaves, Lovers Need Lawyers, and Inmates.

October Leaves is a song about love lost and the changing of a relationship, which often is that it whilts like the october leaves. Lovers Need Lawyers is a sardonic account of the need of the law in lovelives anymore, and how it really has no place there. Inmates is actually my favorite song on the album, which is funny because as much as i love Tim Kasher, this song is sung by a woman. Sorry, I am not sure who this woman is, but the 9 minute account of a relationship is delicate, beautiful, lyrically smart, and one of my favorite songs of all time. And i am a music addict, so that is saying something.

These few great songs would almost be better on an EP by themselves, but don't let that stop you from buying the cd. Kasher's deeply personal lyrics can be found in all of the songs, and they affect everyone i know differently. So, I highly recommend this album, as well as all of their albums and Cursive's.

Take a listen to this album. Album of the Year tells the story of Tim Kasher's doomed marriage. It's bittersweet and brutally honest. Not as depressing as previous albums like Novena on a Nocturn and Black Out, songs like "Lovers Need Lawyers" and "Notes in His Pocket" boom with energy and pop sensibility without demeaning the qualms at hand. But it's "Album of the Year", "Under a Honeymoon," and "You're Not You" that ultimately encompass the mood of this record. "Two Years This Month" encapsules the entire album as one huge mess; perhaps symbolizing the entire relationship. This album is for anyone whose loved and lost. For those who haven't, prepare to have your heart broken.

Album of the Year, is The Good Life's newest album. I belive it holds up to its title and then some. What we have here are twelve perfect pop songs. It surpases anything Kasher has ever written. Black Out and Cursive's Domestica are brilliant masterpieces, but Album of the Year does one up on them both. The album starts out with the story of Tim meeting his new love interest, and ends with it all falling apart. Anyone who has ever heard The Good Life or Cursive know of these stories. These stories are why people keep coming back to The Good Life. Track 6, You're Not You, is the best Good Life song i've ever heard, let alone one of the best songs I've heard in recent memory. Inmates shows us Jiha Lee on vocals, and she mixes very well with Tim. Again this album does very much live up to its title of this year and many more to come.

This CD should be in everyone's collection. Track 1 "Album of the Year" is one of the best songs put out in a while. This whole CD has great lyrics that seem to be straight from the heart. A bit slow at times, but not boringly slow like some artists like to do. Tim Kasher is a great poet and a great talent. "Lovers Need Lawyers" is another great song with a great hook. It seems like every song is a full story with a start, conflict, and resolution. Other standout tracks are, "You're not You", "Night and Day" (a very beautiful song), "Notes in His Pockets". I could talk about this album for days and I am very excited to experience more of this wonderful band.

True, Tim Kasher is an astounding musician. Also true, TGL has tons of potential. BUT, this album seems like it wasn't quite finished. There are songs on it that are amazing and songs that don't really grab you. "Notes in His Pockets" has that same hard-charging intensity that made Cursive awesome, but songs like that almost feel out of place on this album. I'd have to say the greatest song on the album is the title track "Album of the Year." It builds on itself and really starts to catch you after 2 or so listenings. I'd highly recommend this album to fans of just about any Saddle Creek artist, but it will leave something to be desired for fans that have been following Tim Kasher's past work. Great CD, but not quite up to the standard he's set himself in the past.

Even after being in my collection for a year, this album still never fails to leave me speechless. The first song paves the way for an amazing album and The Good Life does not disappoint. The album has its weak point (Notes in His Pockets) but is overall beyond amazing. Be warned that you will not want to listen to anything else.

Its funny I work at a electronics retailer and I was recieving some CDs one day and stumbled on this cool looking CD. I thought "who is this" so I looked at the spine label and saw the Good Life. I was familiar with Novena On A Nocturn and absolutely love Cursive so I picked it up. Took it to my car and listened to it for 3 months straight. My friends were starting to get pissed with me cause I would not take it out. So in other words, buy this CD. Tim Kasher is one of the best writers in my book.