Customer Reviews

Close Calls With Brick Walls

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

 

 

All I say is I like the way AWK, our rock & roll party hero, is musically evolving. Yes, there are traces of his earlier work here, but Andrew (not Andy, haha) seems not content to repeat himself...and based on this new record, I say "The Wolf" is a bridge between "I Get Wet" and "Close Calls With Brick Walls". Dare I say, this new one is a concept record of sorts that tells a story, with a beginning, middle and end. There is a wide gamut of material here, from piano-pounding rockers like the catchy "I Want To See You Go Wild" and "The Background"; typical-but-not-typical AWK barnstormers like "Not Going To Bed", the amazing "Hand On The Place" and the dare-I say-it-Meatloaf-ish "You Will Remember Tonight"; short interludes like "Golden Eyed Dog", the sorta title-track "Close Calls With Bal Harbour", and "Dr. Dumont"; and rockers with a twist "Slam John Against A Brick Wall" (which basically repeats itself but speeds up as it goes along, to cool effect), "The Moving Room", "Don't Call Me Andy" and "Las Vegas, Nevada". He is also, dare I say it, actually SINGING (really well too), not so much tunefully shouting like your mechanic in the garage down the block!!!

AND, on the Korean edition, there are FOUR MORE bonus tracks, making the tracklist number a grand total of 22, and these 4 tunes are among the best songs on the album: "Can You Dance With Me??" (everyone should say yes), "This Is My World", "I Want Your Face", and the amazing "Let's Go On A Date" (which everyone should play for someone they like). The length of the album is still short, as it has short interludes...with the 4 bonuses, the total length is 57 minutes and change, which is a bit short but it's a full meal when you think of the big dose of innovative rock & roll you're getting by our hero Andrew W.K. Everyone should hear the brilliance he's putting out...and 2 more albums in 2007...in a way, he's as much of an auteur as Brian Wilson, in his own way.

I have no idea what stuff is on the bonus DVD on the Japanese pressing, but these 4 tunes more make up for it. Go Andrew!!!!

This album..is...beyond.. MIND BLOWING. Every song is epic beyond all proportions, It sounds like there are twice the instruments from The Wolf and I Get Wet, more wailing guitars, more synths, STRINGS?! WHAT THE HELL.

Every song sounds completely different from eachother or what Andrew has done in his life. The music is more of a throwback from the 80s, and goes to the 70s. This is music you can truly dance to and mosh at the exact same time. And in all honesty, I don't think anyone in the history of music has been able to pull that off. I have been pumping my fist while driving and listening to this cd.. That's how good this cd is.

The best tracks, When I'm High, Come Dance With Me, Into The Clear, And Las Vegas, Nevada.

Do yourself a favor..import it.. download it through torrent. DO SOMETHING! BECAUSE THIS IS THE BEST ALBUM HE HAS EVER DONE.

Those of you worried that Andrew's musical expansion on 'Close Calls' means he's discarded a winning formula, fear not. The simple, anthemic rock sound of his previous efforts hasn't been abandoned - it's been amplified into a glorious wall of melodic noise with densely layered instrumentation, audio effects, polished vocals and a better-than-ever sharpness of songwriting. There's an obvious precision to this production - songs hook you instantly, build and peak at a perfect pitch, and never outstay their welcome. My favourite moments of the album are delivered by the gorgeous, too-brief piano arrangements, especially those throughout 'I Want To See You Go Wild', the midsection of 'Don't Call Me Andy', and the intro for 'The Moving Room' (the most perfectly crafted AWK song since 'I Get Wet'). Buy the Korean version - the four bonus tracks are among the album's catchiest and most amusing. Roll on Albums 4 and 5 in the coming year!

I love, love, LOVE this album! So much better than the Wolf, and as much fun as I Get Wet. The lyrics are great and flow better with the music than in the Wolf. Not to mention AWK writes some pretty inspirational stuff on his website. It's just fun to listen to, and reminds us that life does not have to be so emo.

After a year and a half of silence, Andrew Wilkes-Krier makes a suprising comeback with his new smash hit Album, Close Calls With Brick Walls. Andrew W.K., known for being The Party Animal, switches directions with his new album, and lets the fans in on his new look and sound. The word "Party" is only said once on the entire CD, but this does not stop it from being an instant classic. Breakout singles include "Not Going to Bed" "You Will Remember Tonight" "I Want To See You Go Wild" "Into The Clear" & "The Moving Room". Andrew's new album is currently available via import, and is sure worth it. Along with CCWBW, he will have two other albums released from this year into next, entitled "Young Lord" and "The Carrier". Rumors also of a new T.V show, following his 2004 run of the series, "Your Friend, Andrew W.K." on MTV2. If you haven't heard his new tunes, definatly be sure and check them out.

Just a brilliant, brilliant album. Totally empowering in every way possible! So good it's ridiculous...

Andrew really expands musically. If you thought his other albums were good but sounded the same [they don't], you can shove this album in your face and prepare to get out of control...

Andrew WK releases yet another solid album with Close Call with Brick Walls. However, if you were looking for another classic and epic AWK sound, you wont be in store for much. Musically this CD is solid and definitely a much better approach at making the songs sound unique and more complex than just power chords with epic melodies. This CD still had me smiling the whole way through as does any AWK cd when i hear it played, but i was only left a little bit back expecting it to be the normal AWK that we are used to. Therefore 4 stars. Solid cd, catchy, and fun...just like normal!

Amazon has conflicting information on this listing that I would like to clear up. The product description is CORRECT in ststaing that this is the 18 track Japanese pressing. The track listing is INCORRECT, stating that there are 22 songs. The 22 song version is the more exspensive Korean version (that Amazon also has conflicting information for). Just thought I'd clear this up.
As for the album, I was pleasantly surprised. Not being a huge fan of AWK's other 2 albums, I was expecting more of the same. WRONG. There are so many more sounds this album. Lots more instruments and better song arrangements. I was definitely not expecting this out of him but I'm glad to see some progression. You can only sing about partying for so long I guess.

Just do yourself a favor and IMPORT this CD as soon as possible! This is musical evolution at its finest. It was strange to me at first because he was actually singing. But he does a fine job and everything is arranged so brilliantly from the very beginning. Everything feels like an epic journey that rises and crashes at the perfect time. Im just upset that he had to tease us by only releasing it in Japan. The tracks "You Will Remember Tonight", "When Im High", have alot of that old AWK sound but with more energy and more insane piano work that we love. Great album though. I just wish I had the bonus tracks from the Korean version...

Andrew W.K. just keeps reinventing himself and pure joy as expressed through music. This album has not lost the spirit of pure fun and joy. It's all right here! Just like it was meant to be! Just like all his previous works.

With CCWBC he has expanded the psychological plane of pure fun and joy (as interpreted, understood, and lived by A.W.K.). The record shows an exciting maturation of his music, especially with songs such as "You Will Remember Tonight", "Pushing Drugs" (one of my favs), "Mark My Grace", "When I'm High" and "Don't Call Me Andy".

To top it all off the album ends with "The Moving Room" which is easily the best song he has ever written. It will sending your spirit soaring and make you believe that you really can do whatever you want to!

In summary, THIS ALBUM WILL ROCK YOUR BALLS OFF (proverbially speaking)