Customer Reviews

Broom

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

 

 

BROOM is clever and unique from start to finish. An eclectic mix that reminds me of catchy Beatles pop meets the lyrical wit and stylings of Weezer. I find myself singing along and wishing there were even more. I'm living in the busy music scene of downtown Seattle, and am astounded to find one of the best releases of '05 from Springfield, Missouri. You won't be disappointed.

I know practically nothing about Boris Yeltsin. The things I know would hardly form a paragraph. The details are bleak. I know he is Russian, still alive, and was a big piece in ending the communist regime in Russia. I have recently learned that he broke his femur this last September, his major in college was construction, and, of late, has stated how he wishes to return to the centrally run political apparatus of the Soviet-era.

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin is easily stated as an odd name .For a while there I did that thing where I questioned how a band with such a long name could even be relevant. This idea seems extraneous but I must questions stupid things like this. If I don't, I have this idea that I could be missing the point. I assume the band wished to communicate something with this title they have taken. At the moment that point seems unclear.

I read about SSLYBY online. I was going through my usual music blogs with their free MP3's. While on Catbirdseat, I came across a write up on `House Fire' and `Lower the Gas Prices, Howard Johnson' was attached. I picked up both and both came to me at the perfect time in my life.

The band has released 2 EP-ish things, to my knowledge. They had Gwyn and Grace then something else with Michael Holt. There is also another album that I have that doesn't ever seem to be mentioned; though I guess it could be Gwyn and Grace. It was given to me by my soccer coach Colby Elbert and features a couple of members who are no longer involved with the band, for whatever reasons. Their work has been consistently solid but each album seems to take it up another notch (<--isn't that such an overused phrase??)

Broom is sad in a happy way, like at a funeral when old stories of a glorious life a relived with tears and smiles. Each track on this album deserves its own little description and anecdote but I just can't do it. `Pangea' is the fun happy jump-off tune. `What'll We Do' causes rain to pour on Saturdays in September. `Anna Lee' puts off the same tone as Elliot Smith's `Needle In the Hay'. `Anne Elephant' feels like vaudeville with the indie touches, but in a good way. `Gwyneth' is the song that embodies the time when you've been on a long successful voyage and you've finally made it home, and you get to tie down the ship after the celebration the whole ride home. The best song on the album, `House Fire', will someday end a Wes Anderson film.

SSLYBY is a solid band with a great future. They've got the right mix of pop influences, including The Shins, Of Montreal, Damien Rice, a little Bill Withers, and the spaciousness of Spoon. They also used handclaps, which is a huge plus in my book. Broom is easily on my top 10 for the year 2005.

This is one of the greatest albums to be released in the past few years. If you're a fan of The Shins, Wilco, etc, then Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin's (SSLYBY) album Broom is a must buy. Every song is terrific, and you'll find yourself listening to the entire album on repeat.

Thank the stars for the third best band on Weller Street in the Queen's City. SSLYBY, in this re-release by polyvinyl, delivers genuine American indie pop in the face of orchestrated coporate manipulation. While other bands agonize over concept albums, rock operas, perception, and image, "Broom" reminds us that the muses still speak to those that listen. This record sheds both the pretense of the indie scene and the mainstream monotony, and instead favors a tangible reality. From girlfriends that inspire to living in a middle-sized, mid-west town, this album provides as much life as any multi-producer album (this record was self produced, recorded, etc). And don't let the snappy sugar tones fool you into thinking this is "good guy" rock, as the soul of the record runs much deeper. This record is one of the best from 2005 and definately one of the best from this year as well.

Every once in a blue moon, a record will fall into my lap that will, not redefine musical creativity for me, but reinforce my love and appreciation of independent artists and beautiful, lo-fi recordings. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin's first full-length album, Broom, is one such record. It's nothing groundbreaking or terribly innovative, but gorgeously crafted; the type of music to which you can stare at absolutely nothing for hours with your headphones on (I like to call it bus stop music). But don't let the mammoth moniker trip you up before you can get your first listen. Instead, take its lighthearted tone as a theme for the wonderful indie-pop this Missouri group yields in every track. Their song stylings range from the toe-tapping "Anne Elephant" to the dreamy, longing "House Fire".

Broom is full of sweet melodies and strained, delicate vocals. An excellent addition to anyone's CD shelves from a group of kids who claim to be the third worst band on Weller Street in Springfield (the Missouri one). Check out their website www.morawk.com/boris.

im not just saying this is one of the best cd's ive heard in awhile because im a hardcore fanboy and/or because i know the lead singer's mom or any other stupid biased reason like that. i listen to a lot of music and this has been one of my most satisfying purchases in the last year easily. i judge an album's quality by how many tracks i skip, and i only skip three on average (oregon girl and the last two). that's a pretty fantastic album in my mind.

the tracks are emotional but not in a whiny-emo way. i liken them to having more of a rainy sunday feel.

this album is a real unique treasure in my opinion.

Believe me I listen to a lot of music particularly pop rock and this album is awesome. It's a shame they won't get the credit they deserve outside the indie circuit. SSLBY have a delicate sense for melody, hook after hook after hook and guess what......they can play as well. Their first was really good too but this one is JUST PERFECT, the kind that we will listen in years and will still sound fresh and well done, just as today. CHECK AT LEAST "THINK I WANNA DIE" and you're most likely to buy it right away.

I was very much anticipating this album before I received it. The samples sounded good and the reviews were good also. When I received it I discovered a couple of things. First, the band is very good. A cross between the Shins, Weezer, and a few other influences you will probably recognize. But the production was muffled making everything sound very neutral- you can never tell this kinda stuff from the samples. Maybe this is what they were striving for, but it hurts the effort they have put into crafting fine songs. In the end I would recommend this album because they are clearly a good band with huge potential to create fun and original music. But this album could have been better and I hope that next time around the band sounds bigger than a basement recording.

This album feels like a true indie masterpiece. On first listen, you might not pick up subtleties like the slightly out of tune piano, or the occasional missed note, but man, that just enhances the feel of this piece. It sounds like it was recorded in a basement and by some people who weren't caught up in being professional, but just making good music. There aren't too many bands who can pull it off, but these songs are mellow, catchy, and just fun. Good for repeat listens.

Recommended if you like: Wilco, American Analog Set, Death Cab for Cutie

Track picks: "Pangaea", "Travel Song", "Oregon Girl"

I live in the "Queen City" and have attended so many SSLYBY shows. Since seeing them the first time live, I was hooked. Their music is so fun, laid back, and, once you listen, you can't help but sing (or hum) along. If you can, go see one of their shows and you'll see how amazing these boys (and their music) really are.