Customer Reviews

Acrobatic Tenement

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You might know ATDI from their last studio album relationship of command or for bieng the mars volta's and sparta's roots, but if you dont know this album you're missing a great era on Omar Rodriguez and Cedric Bixler's musical ride, this is how it all began, 5 guys from latin america and United States met at El Paso, TX and recorded this garage gem, which goes...

1. Star Slight: it takes you away from reality and lets you in ATDI's dimenssion

2. Schaffino: great guitars intro and lyrics...TO BE ALIVE!!!

3. Ebroglio: a tribute to Julio Venegas that makes you admire him without even having known him...BUT NOTHING REALLY MATTERS!!

4. Initiation: amazing melody, great song to sing along and yell your lungs out

5. Communication Drive-In: listen at it a few times and you'll get it

6. Skips on the record: great composing, not just another punk band

7. Paid Vacation Time: great vocals n lyrics...A TANK FULL OF FUEL

8. Ticklish: best song on the album, a preview of In/Casino/Out and Relationship of Command

9. Blue Tag: strange but great...like Omar and Cedric, reminds me of 70's shows and movies

10. Coating of arms: loud, disorganized, mess, good...punk

11. Porfirio Diaz: Punk-Rock, Flamenco and melody...what else can you ask for?

All the songs this CD encompasses have a true identity; this gives them a surreal power, specially when you account for the low recording budget. This low-budget production-feel also gives the CD an endearing charm to the band; who contended with all their hardships and made a gem of an album who has the most heart and passion that I've heard in a band of this genre.
If you just gives the songs a chance you will come to the conclusion that this is a perfect album (you can neither add nor subtract to the overall experience, to emerge with a better result).

What has happened in todays world of musical bull-sh*t. Why cant a band come along and offer genuine intensity, poetic lyrics , and a lead singer whos voice echoes down from the heavens. ATDI combined rage, anger, love, emotion, raw talent beyond anything I had ever heard. Along with In Casino Out we see cedric hit pitches unbeknownst to mere mortals like ourselves (the audience). If you are a true music lover and can appreciate poetry, intensity and raw emotion/honesty combined with cedric's gift to captivate your soul through the gift of voice......i beg you buy, this album!

if you ask me, this album is their best. i have heard all thier other stuff (including relationship) but none of it seems to capture the live experience that is at the drive-in. apparently they aren't too fond of this record, and they recorded it while drunk and stoned, but i think that is maybe why it is so good. it's crazy, energetic, creative, inspiring, and totally original.

Right. You think At The Drive-In, you're gonna be pointed towards Vaya or In/Casino/Out. Acrobatic is just as good as, if not better than both of these releases. Don't get me wrong, both Vaya and In/Casino/Out are outstanding, but Acrobatic Tenement is one of those albums that grabs hold and doesn't let go. Songs like Schaffino and Communication Drive-In are a lot more punk-edged than newer stuff, but they still have a sense of depth and a "hummablity" that much of today's music lacks. Cedric's trademark vocal style is intact, retaining the intensity of ATDI's other work. This may not be the perfect introduction to At The Drive-In for new converts, but for fans of the band this is a must have album.

This is an interesting album. When I first got into At The Drive-In a little over a year ago I didn't really care that much for this album. Over time though, this album has grown and grown on me until now when oddly enough it is now my favorite ATDI album.

The first spin of this album was a strange experience for me since I was used to ATDI's later material (ROC, Vaya) and The Mars Volta. I remember my initial thoughts being (1) it wasn't anywhere near as experimental or interesting and (2) it was a bit to emo for my tastes.

Over time though, I began to realize that even though it's not ATDI's most diverse or experimental album it is (to me) their best in terms of raw emotion and really showcases the bands talent behind all the effects. I became so infatuated with the album that I rarely put on any At The Drive-In album other than this one. Just listen to track like "Star Slight", "Initiation", "Ticklish", or "Portfolio Diaz" and tell me that this album isn't amazing.

You just have to listen to it in a different way than most other Cedric and Omar material because no, it's not really an experimental album and it doesn't rely so much on effects and the electronic side of their musical exploration. This album is a straight-ahead, no gimmicks, garage record with real emotion just bursting throughout the record.

Now, let me ask you: Is there anything more beautiful than that?

'Relationship of Command' was my first taste of ATD-I - I suppose there is a multitude of people that have to say that - so upon first listen of 'Acrobatic Tenement', I was left somewhat bemused. The vox are unmistakable, but the surrounding sound is leagues away from 'RoC'. This impressed me greatly, for I believe that a band should always be trying to evolve their sound - creating new scapes all the time. ATD-I's catalogue can lay claim to this ability. This album is absolutely fantastic. Whereas 'RoC' bludgeons you into submission, 'Acrobatic Tenement' sublimely reaches into your sub-conscience and pulls a few strings here and there. 'Embroglio', 'Communication Drive-In' and 'Initiation' will stick into your soul, like a hot knife through butter. 'Songs like 'Ticklish' and 'Schaffino' force you to take repeated listens, as this whole album does. The best albums are usually those that take a few listens. Give this record it's deserving concentration and you will be enlightened. ATD-I's premature dissolution is maybe a good thing, because it would be an incredible shame if they were to release sub-standard albums after their 'Acrobatic Tenement', 'RoC' and 'In Casino, Out' records - that's not to say they would, but look at JSBX and 'Plastic Fang'. ATD-I have left us with an incredible legacy which will only grow as more people discover their ground-breaking records. Sparta and Mars Volta are pretty good as well!

I have never heard a more raw-sounding, energetic album than this. It has to be my favorite ATD-I album, simply because it captures the essence of the band so well. The guitar is mostly played clean, giving a jangly metal sound which separates this album from the rest. Cedric's voice is great on this record - he admitted in an interview that he was stoned a lot of the time while making it and at some points he just made up the lyrics on the spot, which shows on some of the songs and makes them seem more live. Songs like 'Communication Drive-in', 'Skips on the Record' and 'Ticklish' all have catchy qualities about them and they each have interesting structures, which is a Drive-in trademark. And the fact that the production isn't perfect just adds to the raw feel of every song. Like the band once said, if you want every note hit perfectly you should go listen to N'sync. ATD-I are a very live, orginal band and 'Acrobatic Tenement' captures this perfectly.

this atdi is more like the el gran orgo ep. don't expect anything like vaya or in casino out. it is much rougher in its recording and songs. this being said, however, the songs are catchy with some real nice back-up vocal work. they have more of a punk rock edge. i recommend this for atdi fans, not someone who just wants to hear them (if you are one of those people, get vaya, my favorite). it may be a little rough around the edges, but if you really like them, get this.

I first heard of At the Drive-in because of the band The Mars Volta. They are such a talented group that I had to hear the music they produced in their old band At the Drive-in. This has since become, along with Deloused in the Comatorium, one of my favorite albums. Buy this album, you won't regret it!