Customer Reviews

Acre Thrills

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There seems to be some debate -- don't ask me how this debate was initiated -- as to whether U.S. Maple are virtuoso musicians constructing amazingly complex musical pieces or whether they are a bunch of amateur hacks randomly scraping guitar strings and rattling drum kits. The first time I saw them in performance I had already been convinced that the former was true . . . any thorough listening to any of their works reveals the not-so-hidden genius of their musical artistry. After seeing them live for the first time, performing SANG PHAT EDITOR in its entirety, I was stunned to a point of speechlessness. One might say that they have an antagonistic relationship with the audiences in front of whom they play their utterly unique style of rock; I say that it is more of a display of musicianship not often witnessed by typical music fans, especially in the small clubs and the various holes in the wall in which these guys typically play. That night, U.S. Maple replicated every seemingly random musical event that occurs on SANG PHAT EDITOR, leaving a room full of innocent patrons speechless out of either awe or confusion . . . it was simply amazing. More recently, I've had the privilege of witnessing two similar live replications of ACRE THRILLS, and my feelings haven't changed a bit. It seems that U.S. Maple does the impossible every time they play one of their structurally warped songs note-for-note, warble-for-warble, rattle-for-rattle . . . but, let me tell you, that is exactly what they do . . . and in unbelievable fashion. In a tired environment of indie-rock posturing and imitation, these guys have somehow invented a new type of music. Their style is definitely not for everyone, but -- for interested and curious music lovers -- ACRE THRILLS is a fine place to start.

I like offbeat music, but not usually non-music. US Maple is NOT nonmusic, and this CD is fun to listen to. I love "Open a Rose" - it has a beat! Mmm, good CD. Keeps on giving.

ok all you usmaple virgins, lets get started! this is a good place to start. id say this is an improvement on talker, which was hurt slightly by its murky production. this has something for every aspiring art rocker. it has some catchy material(open a rose, troop and trouble) and the complete redefinition of the ballad(chang, youre attractive) if you didnt like usm before, you prolly wont like them now, but thats ok cause we dont need you. it is hard to explain why usmaple are so good(every fan has the same plight when explaining them to friends). i will let someone else attempt this feat. what i will say is that usmaple is easily the most important rock group of the last 5 years. it is both a spoof and sincere statement on rock. it is both a joke and the most serious music you have ever heard. unlike improvised music, it is full of references, but unlike most bland indierock, it doesnt have boundaries sincerely

I "heart" U.S. Maple!! I must take exception with Mr. Bellur's review, however. I think Acre Thrills is wonderfully appropriate in ones walkman while Jazzercising or while practicing Tae Bow. As Kooter and The Boy would say, "U.S. Maple is the Matza on our Balls!" Viva La Maple!

Unlike U.S. Maple's earlier albums, there's quite a bit of variety. I couldn't get through _Talker_ or _Long Hair In Three Stages_ without getting a feeling of "same old same old" 2/3 of the way through. This one, though, by varying melody vs. non-melody, regular beat vs. no beat, chaos vs. obvious pattern, manages to sustain my interest all the way through.

If you are a U.S. Maple fan, you already know you need to own this piece of musical artistry. ACRE THRILLS is more explicitly melodic than anything they've done before . . . there are three songs that could pass for ballads. The production is pristine throughout, though the methods of deconstructing various musical forms are ever-present. While LONG HAIR IN THREE STAGES re-invented rock music, SANG PHAT EDITOR cleverly manipulated the re-invention, and TALKER focused on the terror of silence and musical space, ACRE THRILLS seems to celebrate the joy of stuttering, sparkling melody. In terms of both mood and musicological structure, the album is closest to SANG PHAT EDITOR, though it is difficult to say that it is stylistically close to anything at all. This is a must-purchase album for a fan of interesting and confounding music. This review comes with an important warning, though: BEWARE! The top spots on your list of all-time great albums are in danger.

so good it hurts. rock music that sounds like nothing else. will confuse you at first, but if you keep at it, it will reveal itself to be one of the best catchy, noisy, indie rock records you own. yes, catchy.

'Acre Thrills' has some really memorable tracks - "Open a Rose," "Make your Bedroom Great," "Rice Ain't Afraid of Nothing" - but there isn't much variety. 'Talker,' on the other hand, is thoroughly engaging the whole way through. Also, while every other Maple album stands out in my mind as having it's own distinct feeling and sound, 'Acre Thrills' kind of lacks an identity - 'Sang Phat 2?

This is the 4th US Maple record, and if you are a first time listener, this might be a good place to start. Perched somewhere between the mellowness of Talker and the sporadicness of Sang Phat Editor, this album shows why US Maple are one of the most unique and essential bands in rock music today. "Ma Digital" has a twisted groove that snakes around the drums, sometimes veering to far, but never off the track. "Rice Aint Afraid Of nothing" manages to balance tenderness and tension in a way only seen by this group. Songs such as "Chang, You're Attractive," and "Babe" also play like a drunken ballad, but with understanding of tone and time that songs seem blow in the wind like a ship's sail, sometimes rough sometimes smooth, but always beautiful. "Open A Rose" is pure genius as it balances a sort of dance-y rhythm with a sped up guitar part, and manages to take a rickety rhythm that turns into a jam and then explodes at the end into a beautiful mess. "You Don't Have To Wait" is twisted blues soul that makes you wanna bob with the broken beat. US Maple is at the top of the list for strange guitar rock, but also a wonderful take on the sound and presentation of a song, all the parts played, but not as you think they should be, some faster, some some slower, some stuttered, but always in time. There is only one US Maple, and you will realize this after hearing this wonderfully twisted assortment of songs.

I have to give those lower stars not for the band, but for the lack of lyrical contribution. The music can meet The Magic Band of Beefheart and seem to be takin further the concept but mister singer still likes YEAH too much and the sometimes "easy" lyrics. NOT that this is bad, but if Maple's singer would take as much time for the lyrics (since that's all he does) as do the gtr-ists etc. in the band (see other reviews) then they could be something special.