Customer Reviews

Blonder Tongue Audio Baton

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

 

 

If we lived in a just world, this band would be famous and fabulously wealthy. That's also assuming musical talent and authentic creativity were rewarded.

I am a fairly ADD type who loves to listen to complex music like Polvo, MBV, King Crimson, Yes... and the Swirlies fit right in.

As a lover of organized 'wall-of-sound guitar', just the intro to the song 'Jeremy Parker' is worth the price of the album. It's still stunning to me after a decade of listening to it.

This is one of the finest American Indie albums ever. If you like Pavement, Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine or Slowdive, you'll love this. They are a band who have not released a weak track. Buy everything of theirs.

This could be your next favorite album. I randomly saw BlonderTongueAudioBaton at a record store and decided to listen to it due to the amazing (and very indie rock!) cover art. The unique cover is an excellent reference point for the music, sharp and bent sounds all come together to form catchy, impressive, and cohesive songs. As it has been said already, it really is one of those seminal albums, the kind that challenge you, and then reward you for accepting it. For some reason (I'm going to blame the label) this album just stayed off the radar and now only a select few know of it. Swooning Distortion is laced with spontaneity, and somehow the brilliance of the swirlies make it work. After a few listens, these will be some of the most memorable and catchy rock songs you will hear. "Bell" is the best opener ever, at first a tight experimental shoegaze rock song, then an odd bridge that leaves you waiting (rather excitedly) for what will happen next. "Pancake" has been said to have been the other brilliant pop song that came out of the city of Boston, along with The Pixies "Gigantic." "Jeremy Parker" and "Wrong Tube" are the pinncales of the shoegaze aesthetic, distorted walls of sound that defy words. "His Love Just Washed Away" has some beautiful guitar haze, and "Tree CHopped Down" uses crunchy rythms that match any Sonic Youth tune. All of the songs have beautiful vocal swoons that give the album a pop song feel that is irresistable. I will always remember that day in the record store, when I found this, my new favorite album, by my new favorite band.

If you like this, I also recommend the Swirlies first collection of early EPs called "What To Do About Them"

Loud. Abrasive. Sumptuous. Ethereal. Delightful.

The Swirles do manage the mantle of MBV, then stray, nominally, away (is that a steel drum way in the back beneath thrashing guitars...?). Anyhow - thank god. This, as written by a MBV fan from jump (catch 'em at Max's in Hoboken?), Ride and the rest of the cophonous 'sonic wall of sound' crowd (I can enumerate on discography)...

The Swirles rock.

Out of all of my favorite albums, this one would be around my top five. I bought this album here from this website for about (...) from someone selling it. It is the best (...) I EVER spent on a CD. If you are feeling apprehinsive for buying this CD because at the price it is now and how long it will take for it to get to you, believe me, it is worth the wait and the money. At first listen, it did not pass through because I had a migraine. Second listen, I never stopped listening to it since. Unlike most albums, this one does not wane off and weaken like some do after listening to it after awhile, it intensifies and becomes stronger. Most of what I have to say has been said by most the reviews here. This album is unbelievably incredible. I'm still absolutley shocked that this band never became as well known as My Bloody Valintine, or even slightly popular. The Swirlies are the best next to MBV. Their styles are very different but they have that same magical allure. Buy this album. If you like shogaze, indie rock, lo-fi, dream pop, or noise, you will love this album. I have just a few words just to describe this album the best way I can: whir, whoosh, haze, and yeah swirl. The Swirlies rock.

Buy this CD for track 2-Bell: ethereal and beautiful. It starts out like a symphony then blends into a changeable, melodic blending of sounds, both uplifting and melancholy-touches one's very soul.For many songs on the CD it's difficult to hear the vocals(their lyrics can be found on their web page) but all around the music is in one word...BRILLIANCE. Their more recent releases show a maturity in their writing, yet still maintain this other-worldly quality found in this CD and that makes the Swirlies unique.

As loud and abrasive as the opening chords to this album are, they make the beautiful melodies that follow all the more lulling. A direct descendent of My Bloody Valentine, this group understands and wonderfully demonstrates the use of noise mixed with ethereal lethargy. Not to be missed by the fans of UK noise bands like 'adorable' and 'Ride.'

I may be preaching to the converted, but if you somehow wound up here and aren't sure if this CD is worth the money. Well, considering the number of times I've played it I'd say its worth double that.

Yes, I would probably concede that a few bands in the 90's were better, but no band this great was this overlooked. From the jumpoff, this band has been killed by comparisons. Their first EP paid heavy tribute to My Blood Valentine, but you do both bands a disservice by comparing them here or in "They Spent their Wild Days..."

This record (and "Wild Days") contains a delicate balance that very few bands can carry off: being highly musically complex and being utterly listenable. Listen to the chord and beat shifts, long sections of improv leading into a set chorus'--it's amazing. Musically, I think that they share some common ground with Polvo.

However you peg them, they were truly a great band. I'm continually blown away by all of their records. Now it appears that they are no longer. I can only hope they decide to record again. I don't think they could put out a bad song if they tried!!

The Swirlies were an excellent band, whom idolised My Bloody Valentine and have often been compared to them, yet I have a hard time putting them together, mainly because the Swirlies just have a cleaner sound and the vocals are more pronounced, but they definitely have that MBV sound to them. I dont know, judge for yourself, but all I can say, is this is an excellent CD that anyone could enjoy. Its a great driving CD and youll never get tired of it.

Solid beatiful album. 40 something minutes of great guitar and vocals. Nice shoegaze feel but by no means cookie cutter or boring. Really swweeeeeettttt record. Don't know why this band is so obscure. Some entry tracks are "Pancake," "Wrong Tube," and "Tree Chopped Down." I can't stop listening to the Swirlies.