Cop and Speeder

Heatmiser | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 20, 1994)
• Original Release Date: September 20, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Frontier Records
• ASIN: B000003SUO
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,406 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

1994's Cop and Speeder takes a few steps away from the hooky orientation of both the Yellow No. 5 EP and 1993's Dead Air -- the dark and only vaguely-indierock constructions is explores have the blues- and soul-based edge of bands like Afghan Whigs, lending a sense of depth and sophistication to the record that's occasionally preferable to the more punchy sound of other Heatmiser releases. ~ Nitsuh Abebe, All Music Guide --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just get it., January 18, 2001

By 

bluelight (Bonetown, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cop and Speeder (Audio CD)

The comparisons with Elliott's solo stuff are inevitable but beside the point. Though there are obvious common threads that span his entire body of work (his great voice, tuneful sensibility, and sincere perspective), this must be said with emphasis: When I want a Heatmiser album, nothing else will do it, and (IMHO) this is tied for #1 with 'Mic City Sons' (Heatmiser's final album, *not* a precursor to 'Cop and Speeder' as mentioned in a previous review). Everything about this LP is classic: The sequence of songs is fantastic, the band is tighter than hell, the production has real crunch, the performances are passionately executed, the arrangements are constantly throwing you curveballs (without sacrificing cool structures that get under your skin fast), the lyrics are tough and honest and catchy ("Your smile wraps around your head so you don't have to turn to show off your good side"), ... and there's not a bad tune in the whole bunch, not even close.

This is one of those albums that, over the years, I've just never tired of, and keep going back to when I need a good fix of gritty, smart rock and roll. And if you like the sound of this one in particular, then the 'Yellow No. 5' EP will turn your crank too. Oh, they're all good, just get em all. But get this one first.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The band grows more, the promise expands, riffs entangle, July 8, 2005

By 

John L Murphy "Fionnchú" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cop and Speeder (Audio CD)

The review by "Bluelight" expresses this album's appeal well. I first heard it after I had bought and liked "Mic City Sons." Driving home fter the funeral of a student I had taught, I put on "Cop" and it somehow worked for that moment. It mixes longing and frustration, and captures the ineffable restlessness of growing up, in Elliot Smith and Neil Gust's lyrics. Both make the band what it is, not just the more famous of the pair: intelligent but succinctly stated no-b.s. lyrics, simple riffing, and an ability to match more accessible textures to more assertive song structures revealing vulnerablity for the post-hardcore generation.

This album's sequenced so it gains speed as it progresses. For the first half, up until around song seven, it sounds much like its predecessor, "Dead Air." Respectable mid-90s, not that grungy, definitely capable, smart, punk-pop but more serious than many of its more lightheaded, addled peers. But this cd shows a jump in ability. It may be due to its new bassist, Sam Coombes (later half of Quasi). The lyrics open up, although they may not be what you listen to the first few times. As with much of the product by Smith, Gust (No. 2), and company, it doesn't grab you straight out the first time. But these musicians expect your patience.

Around the halfway point, almost subconsciously for the listener, the ambiance thickens and the rest of the ride's a wonderfully downhill rush. Listen to it and enjoy the slide.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars White knuckles on the wheel..., August 4, 2006

By 

G. Sawyer (UT, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cop and Speeder (Audio CD)

The first Heatmiser album I had was actually Mic City Sons. Since I knew it was their last album together, I figured, this one is probably as good as it gets. I might've been wrong.

If you listen to the thirty second samples of each of these songs, what's great about them might escape you. And like most of my favorite CD's, this takes a few listens to really appreciate it. But then sure enough, one day, after getting accustomed to all the songs, I was like, "I get it!" And now I think I like this album more than Mic City Sons.

Actually they're both great albums (I've yet to still purchase Dead Air). But they're both greatin their own respects. But what I love about Cop and Speeder is how solid these rock songs are. They're catchy tunes, and it's excellent music for rolling down your windows and playing it really loud.