Customer Reviews

Charm School

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Excellent Cd. I'm walking around with Bishop Allen and their fab songs in my head, and I can't stop listening to them. This is indie pop at its best. From the opening hook of "Charm School" to the end of the album, I was forced to jump around happily and repeat the cd endlessly. The band is right; they DID make an album that was fun and smart, one which I would encourage anyone to check out. It is a great listen and one of the best albums I've purchased in a long time.

It seems almost fruitless to go into detail about why I love this album.

I've seen this band live, and their musical talent is only exceeded by their dedication. That 4-star Rolling Stone review was well deserved. This band is straight catchy pop, you'll find yourself unable to take it out of your stereo for weeks on end, I guarantee it.

Please don't pass up the chance to see this band live before they blow up big time, because they will.

I heard "Busted Heart" on the radio and was immediately intrigued. Checked out some of the mp3s they had on their web site and after listening to them twice, bought the album. I love it! It's in constant rotation and if I don't listen to it every few days, I crave it. Every song is great. particularly like Ghosts Are Good Company and the reprise of Things are what you make of them is gorgeous. great lyrics, fun sounds, pop with a little bit of a punk edge. If you like pop, you won't be disappointed.

I heard "Things are what you make of them" on an internet radio station and went out and bought "Charm School"--I was not disappointed. All of the tracks have awesome melodic lines, great rhythms, and a crisp simplicity that produces a quality of music that is getting harder and harder to find anymore. You can find quite a few similarities to other artists if you try, but it's a better use of your time to simply pop the CD into your car stereo and hit the road.

I'd also suggest checking out the band's version of "Bishop Allen Drive" on their website (www.bishopallen.com). It's more upbeat than the album version and has a glockenspiel on it that is great.

I like this quirky CD a whole lot. The guitar work sounds like the strongest pop songs of Luna but with quite a bit more spark. These are fun songs that seem to take many cues from 50s rock (Little Black Ache), the best 60s psyche-pop (Charm School) as well as a mixed bag of folk and rock -- and of course some of the darker and often humorous ironies found in the lyrics of bands like King Missile. Throughout the CD, the female vocals are quite lovely, and compliment the quirky, ironic, and sometimes sublime male lead vocals quite nicely. Charm School is a creative mix of atmospheric songs, pop ballads, and the like. As I learned in my years in NYC, the best things in the city - despite the rumors - usually cross a bridge or drive through a tunnel to deliver and Bishop Allen does exactly that!

I suggest you hear a few of the complete songs on the Bishop Allen web site before you buy the disk. They have some full songs for listening.

I originally discovered Bishop Allen's Charm School c.d at the library. I played it once, thought it was good, found myself wanting to listen to it again and fell in love with the whole album. The last time i liked every song on an album was at least ten years ago. (That was Voice of the Bee Hive's Honey Lingers). If you think that today's music has made a mockery of everything we babyboomers hold sacred, you should listen to this album. I'm 46, believe that the best music happened in MY ERA, BY GOLLY! but Bishop Allen has proven there are still great musicians, you just have to look harder than you used to. A true "appeals to everyone" album. I am in love with Bonnie Karin's sweet voice.

The first time I spun this record I thought it was quirky, fun, catchy -- but not much more. But, since listening to it on repeat, all the way up I-95 from NYC a month ago, I can't get it out of my head -- and not in that annoying-repetitive-pop kind of way, but because it's something much more soulful.

It's true that lots of different themes on this album sound familiar, but I've been struggling to name even one of its 'influences'.

Personal faves: the beautiful and sad "Eve of Destruction"; and the nostalgic "Bishop Allen Drive" (I now find myself checking for falling bookshelves whenever I walk down that street, which is nearby).

If you want a more descriptive review of the album, check out Jason MacNeil's at AllMusic.com: he's spot on.