Charm School

Bishop Allen | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 6, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Champagne School
• ASIN: B00008E2M6
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #177,234 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Charm School

2. Little Black Ache

3. Busted Heart

4. Bishop Allen Drive

5. Eve Of Destruction

6. Things Are What You Make Of Them

7. Ghosts Are Good Company

8. Empire City

9. Couple Easy Things

10. Penitentiary Bound

11. Quarter To Three

12. Another Wasted Night

13. Things Are What You Make Of Them (reprise)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't let the 'pop' tag fool you., May 6, 2003

By 

"nessab" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Charm School (Audio CD)

The saddest thing about the term "pop" is that it has come to essentially mean ..., the mindless vapid profit-driven music you find on national charts by acts who disappear after having their fifteen minutes of fame. It's sad, because the best way I can think of to describe Bishop Allen's music is as 'pop', but without all the negative connotations. Christian Rudder and Justin Rice write catchy, intelligent and complex pop tunes, the stuff that will have you singing along, tapping your feet, or, in my case, listening to the album on repeat for the entirety of an eight hour bus trip. Charm School is what all albums should be: surprising and enjoyable, with that kind of built in drip-feed mechanism - that is, that each time you listen, you hear something new, whether it is a funky rhythm, a great lyric or a new favourite song. Most importantly, just listening to Bishop Allen's music, you get the sense that the band were having fun (just listen to Penitentiary Bound or the crazy disco style of Empire City) - if pop means they're only in it for the money, then Bishop Allen are most definitely not pop, but indie geniuses who deserve far longer than fifteen minutes in the spotlight.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Justin, David Byrne wants his gesticulations back..., February 5, 2005

By 

Joel McGarvey (Brunswick, ME USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Charm School (Audio CD)

Ok, well Mr. Rice fully deserves any wild hand waving rights though because this is a great album. Another live-show-bought-the-album deal (the guy on the left of the album, Mr. Rudder, actually sold me it to me. Sorry amazon) the album has only continued to grow on me. I could go on about depth of lyrics, mature sound, etc., but I can't compete with a guy from Rolling Stone who probably has a degree in journalism and critical theory. Let's just say 'Charm School' is a good buy for anyone who can stand a little bit of fun and is in the midst of the mainstream doldrums. A little Atom and His Package, a little Modest Mouse (sorry), a little Hell's Kitchen, and a little art school band all grown up! Pixies beaten with an irony stick! I could go on! Fantastic stuff.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good enough to give chills, fun enough to sing forever, October 19, 2005

By 

Mike Smith (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Charm School (Audio CD)

If you like The Shins, Modest Mouse, or even the better songs of the Rolling Stones, I can almost guarantee you will like this album. I heard a couple of their songs online, loved them instantly, got chills up and down my arms from their emotion and their innovation, and I ordered it immediately.
This is instantly likeable music, music I knew I loved the moment I heard it. That bands like Bishop Allen aren't being hounded by every major label out there is baffling to me. This album features terrific female backing vocals, simple yet rocking and friendly songs, occasional drums by Microsoft Excel, witty lyrics, a terrific tribute/thank you song "Eve of Destruction" in which the band thanks all their friends on a day that might be their last. The album's also got funny liner notes, and one of the coolest songs I've ever heard, "Ghosts are Good Company,"
Buy "Charm School" now. Listen to the samples on Amazon, and then buy it immediately. And, if you like this, check out Soltero. Good music is out there, and waiting for you.