Customer Reviews

Bed Is in the Ocean

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Of all what I've heard of Karate's catalog(which is sans two albums, In Place of Real Insight and Some Boots which I both salivate over ever day), Bed is In the Ocean is best the synthesis of the two major elements of Karate. Its either lite-jazz rock or indie rock with jazz influence. Either one works because neither element overshadows the other. From that perspective, I think Bed is their most coheisive album yet(though not my favorite). Its got all the elements of their earliest album. Terrific musicianship and interplay between the band(very few trio's function as tightly as Karate does). A great tone and melody that fits in perfectly with Geoff's one-tone delivery. I think if there is one reoccuring element that works better here than most any other Karate album is Farina's cryptic lyrics actually are more coherent here then they are on any other album. If there were any place to start in Karate's ever morphing catalog, Bed Is In The Ocean is by far the best place to start. It covers the widest spectrum and is the best way to be eased into their sometimes confusing catalog.

All I can say is that this is one of the best CDs I own. Its one of those CDs that sits in your player all week, and each time you hear it, you think that you should probably change it (because it's been in there for so long), but of course you don't cause it's so good. The only word I can use to describe the songs is "beautiful". They are wonderfully lyrical, and the guitar work is some of the best I've ever heard. BUY THIS CD!

tHis album captures Karate's sound at the cusp of thier musical evolution. The mellow-to-vigorous bedtime rockin' that trademarks their earlier work embraces the jazzy riffs and emotive atmospheres that the band has mastered on recent releases, creating a surreal musical experience in each of the nine songs that the album has to offer.

sMooth bass lines, subtle-yet-solid drumming, and calculating guitar blend together through an onslaught of musical ideas, each one experimental and each one working.
Farina's freewritten lyrics conjure up sublime imagery and seem to mean something different every time you hear them, and his trademark beat-poet style of delivery only adds yet another facet to the flood of originality recorded onto this disc.

bUy it and enjoy!

As a musician, I am most impressed by Karate's restraint on this album. That said, there are some all out smoldering tracks on this record; Diazapam, for instance has more raw angsty energy than 99% of punk rock. But listen to Bass Sounds: a haunting track that performs the only real magic of music - transmuting mundane experiences into revelatory statements. Now, I have tried to play every instrument on this track and I can't do it, but not because the music is to complicated, but because it is to simple. Long, langorous melodic phrases and metronomic intensity don't have the proper effect if you fill in the space with noodles or variations or whatever. It just doesn't sound right. But for the life of me I can't play this song without adding to it. So, props to Karate's phenomenal feats of restraint. My conclusion is that the members of Karate are monks, and this album is their treatise. Also, There Are Ghosts is one of the best songs ever written.

I could simply write down some references to bands like Slint, Shellac, Seam, and even Cell but this album deserves more than references. This album stand for its own! First time you here it you'll probably ignore it but at that right moment you already discovered the beauty of it without knowing! Play it again and again and again and find yourself back as a junky of your own cd-player. The lyrics are like poems that goes from ears to toes up and down. The music rocks your heart out of your body but still leaves you feel jazzy-alive. After a full night of listening you only want one thing : Buy all records Geoff Farina, Karate's lead singer, ever made! Wake up and buy them!

All I can say is that this album is amazing. I have been known to listen to nothing else except for it. It is the perfect music for any time, place, or situation. This is the kind of music that makes you want to crank it up, or curl up with the head phones. Everything about the music is a complete masterpiece, the lead singer has the most amazing voice and is equally as talented during his lead guitar rifs. Love It.

Yep, that was me when it came to this band. I still have no clue where they're from, how long they were around, if they're still together etc...The music rings back to a more-polished version of Boys life, especially the 'departures'...era. Boys life were amazing and likewise for Karate.

This is one of the best CDs I own. I would definatley recommend it to anyone who has an open mind to music. They are jazzy rock and roll. Most people say they remind thenm of Steely Dan. So check it out. Their other CDs are excellent also.

Karate is a decent band, and they'll certainly grow on you, but they're just not amazing or anything. Pretty good, pretty much sums it up...

I was introduced to Karate by a friend, and got huge recommendations as well. I was looking for something original, mostly in Indie/Lo-Fi genres, infact as i heard/read different reviews of Karate and especially this album it seemed like they've done to Indie world the same as "Tool" did to metal music. Anyway, probably because of high expectations i didn't like the album, there are some excellent bits here and there, but mostly music-wise its just-another indie act + not smart lyrics.
If you want to pick yet-another indie album which will satisfy your hunger for music for couple of months, its highly recommended but it got no staying power. I'll recommed "Dredg" and "Iron & Wine" to anybody who is looking for exceptional stuff.