Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inventive, genre-defying, purely brilliant., August 8, 2006
Fugazi is one of my favorite types of bands, that being one who spits in the face of such tawdry things as "labels", or "genres". These guys take the rawness of punk and indie rock, and the complexity of jazz and prog, and strike a seemingly impossible balance between the two. This album is a wild roller coaster of layered complex rhythms, jarring time changes, loud, crashing walls of noise, and plaintive, tranquil melodies.
Nowhere is this diversity more evident than on "Nightshop" and "Ex-Spectator", both full of wild, unpredictable dynamics, all brought together seamlessly. Elsewhere, the band is ever dynamic, from loud punk anthems ("Full Disclosure", "Epic Problem"), to softer, ambient ballads ("Strangelight", "The Kill"). "Cashout" and "Life and Limb" are equally bizarre and catchy, with singable melodies superimposing odd, offbeat rhythms, once again showcasing this band's tremendous songwriting talent. Anybody can do all of these things, but to bring them together as they do is truly special.
Most bands that fall into the punk or indie genres are not well-known for their technical prowess, but Fugazi are undoubtedly an exception. The drumming is dizzyingly dynamic, going from wild and erratic to subtle and subdued, sounding completely natural either way. The guitar and bass are both raw and stylish (and "Ex-Spectator" even features some cool finger-tapping from both), and frontman Guy Piccioto is the perfect vocalist to match it all, going from hair-raising howls to Beatle-like choruses.
Simply put, Fugazi is one of the best rock bands there is, and a must for any music-lover. And better yet, the band works to keep the prices of their CD's low, so you have no excuse. Buy all their stuff.
|
|
|
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Masterpiece That I Knew They Could Do, November 22, 2001
13 Songs...Repeater...Red Medicine Fugazi has never released a bad album, each one great on their own. But each time they were just a little bit off from greatness, the next level that I knew they would achieve one day. A huge change from their first couple of albums, The Argument is very radioheadish, acoustic guitars are more prominent and much more creative song writing is used and not only does it work, creating Fugazi's masterpiece. But it also creates the cd that's the best for a new listener to pick up. Catchy songs that partialy resemble the Fugazi of old like Full Disclosure sound like they COULD become radio hits, will they? Nope not a chance, the public is too wrapped up in style over substance. Songs like Cashout, The Kill, and Nightshop show off the new more experimentive sound of the band, offering a great contrast that I never get bored of hearing in an album. This is like the OK Computer of the punk genre, complex, thought out, and extremly catchy (in a good way) not only should punk and emo fans pick this up, but anyone who enjoys music as a whole should too.
|
|
|
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fugazi's sound continues to progress, October 22, 2001
By A Customer
Fugazi continues down the sonic path that began with RED MEDICINE and END HITS. Abandoning the noise and jaggedness of their earlier albums, Fugazi's sound is now more about feel and space. Some of the songs stretch out around a few notes on the guitar or a mellow bass line--quite a change from the super aggressive songs of the past.Worth picking up, especially if you have seen Fugazi live recently. Be sure to listen with an open mind, this album may not be what you expect. If you are a big fan of the "old" sound, be sure to check out the 'Furniture' single.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
Interact With Your Music: Discover, listen to, and buy new music, all from the pages of SPIN's digital edition, free to Amazon customers.
by Fugazi 
