Charm School

Bishop Allen

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 6, 2003)
• Original Release Date: April 29, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Champagne School
• ASIN: B00008E2M6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #64,746 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

TimeOut New York, February 13th, 2003
"...the quartet's cheery, peppy pop is closer to the Moldy Peaches than the Strokes."

Product Description
Said Rolling Stone, in their 4-star review:

If Modest Mouse spent a year in a Chuck E. Cheese ball pit, they might emerge sounding like the delightful Brooklyn quartet Bishop Allen. That's not to say that these indie-poppers aren't a serious band. On their debut, Charm School, the foursome blend sharp, jangly guitars with catchy melodies and big choruses. Songwriters Justin Rice and Christian Rudder write cheeky lyrics and layer their tunes with handclaps ("Charm School") and singalongs ("Ghosts Are Good Company"). And the band's carefree attitude, along with their musicianship, make Charm School as addictive as it is playful. Add drummer Margaret Miller and bassist Bonnie Karin, and they enter indie elite. Karin's ethereal backing vocals complement Rice's perfectly -- propelling already memorable tracks into charmed harmonic bliss.

See all Editorial Reviews

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

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 Good enough to give chills, fun enough to sing forever, October 19, 2005

By	Mike Smith (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.

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)

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.