Customer Reviews

Captain Love

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

 

 

If you ever wished Built to Spill would put out more accessible songs, then your prays have been answered with Mock Orange. They've got this 70s Jeffro Tull / Tiny Tim vibe but somehow it works. My favorites: Relax & Degrade, Captain Love and Supergang.

I'm a huge fan of "Mind Is Not Brain" and had been waiting for their next release, but also appreciated how hard it would be for them to meet my heightened expectations. Thankfully, they were surpassed. While it has less of the instant pop appeal of the previous release, the album marks a maturation of the band's sound. They seem to have more confidence in their own sound and sound less like a talented Built to Spill rip-off. Their distinctive syncopated rhythms are sharper. The production is richer without sounding over-produced. And the intertwining guitar melodies are more complex, becoming more dazzling on repeat listens. I'm not a lyrics person so I can't really speak on those, but the vocals are strong, employing judicious harmonies. I just wish they would come to L.A. someday.

"Captain Love" is nothing short of a masterpiece. The album starts off with the title track, setting a contagious mood that shifts and changes through the album, yet never strays too far from the main idea. Grisham and Asher's unique guitar stylings weave through intellectual song structure, blending with Grisham's unique vocal stylings. The drums and bass guitar provide a solid backbone that is evident in songs like "Majestic Raincoat" and "Smile On." Most songs on the album are catchy and fun, while maintaining an immense amount of creativity. Mock also shows their musical diversity in bluegrass influenced "Old Movies." If you liked "Mind is Not Brain" and "First EP," you will enjoy "Captain Love." It is one of my favorite albums of the year.

I can't place in words just how great this album is. I waited long after I bought the album to write this review, but I can't because it must be heard. Just amazing music. WOW!!!

I stumbled on a copy of this in Japan almost a year ago. Thought it was never going to be released anywhere else. Anyway, if you liked 'Mind Is Not Brain' you'll like this. It's much in the same vein. Best songs are the title track and 'Smile On', I think. More tuneful and immediately catchy than anything on the last album. Complex, off kilter rock by a very talented bunch. Not the sort of thing you can really appreciate with just one or two listens.
The one criticism I would make is the production: they've produced it themselves and whilst the guitars and vocals sound great, the drums sound kind of weak and underpowered which gives the whole thing an odd, almost top heavy feel at times.
Still, a good album and well worth your money.

then you'll go for this. It's not bad, it just seems like work to try to get to like these songs. Maybe if it had better production values, but I'm sure the budget was limited...