Customer Reviews

Dare to Be Surprised

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

 

 

Either that, or I can't tell what's cool anymore.Even at 30, I still think this is an unpolished alternative gem. Warm,lo-fi minimalist pluckings showcase introspective love bummer lyrics that chronicle the darker side of affection. Sure, it isn't radio friendly, but is that the measure of goodness? You'll get high mileage out of this CD-hard to tire of. Shoegazers take note, this is your record.

This album is like a drug. It puts you in a euphoric trance. This album defines Lo-Fi. Every album Lou Barlow has had a hand in has gotten better and better. This one is classic, therefore One Part Lullaby is even more so. Buy them both.

Yes, definitely One Part Lullaby made use of more instruments, but that doesn't mean that it has a better sound. If you were already a fan of the Folk Implosion, you would get bored of One Part Lullaby easily; it sounds as if trying to go mainstream. I highly recommend Dare to be Surprised because it has more of an original and lo-fi sound. Great album.

Out of "Dinosaur Jr", "Sebadoh" and "The Folk Implosion", this album definitely shows that "The Folk Implosion" is Lou Barlow's best project. After a series of slightly disappointing EPs, "The Folk Implosion" have finally made an album that deserves to be listened to. Signs of "Sebadoh" show, particularly in tracks like "Pole Position", but this is still an original album. Overall it has a relatively quiet tone with three instrumentals, along with the addictive "Barricade" and "Fall Into November", but this is not at all a bad thing. There is even a sign of the type of hip-hop, rock music that Lou Barlow composed for the film "Kids" on "Park Dub". I think that anybody who has liked Lou Barlow's music in the past should buy this album. Along with John Davis he has made an album that is very enjoyable to listen to, and is worthy of a band that before this album had kept their talents hidden.

Ok, I got this as a birthday present in 7th grade.....and that was when it came out. I still listen to it, in fact, I am right now. It is BRILLIANT. I am an avid fan of John Davis' solo work, and Sebadoh is almost my LIFE......this is a nice combo. John and Lou. <hypnotising voice> You......must........buy.......

I found this album not surprising in the least (which, I suppose, is surprising), but the short generally-catchy numbers made for a pleasant listen. The lo-fi/no-fi sound quality occasionally put me off, but generally fit the material. I especially liked "Insinuation" (which, yeah, sounds like 'that other song'), "Ball & Chain" and the title track. A few more catchy songs wouldn't've hurt. Nothing horribly innovative or essential, but a good ride while it lasts.

This is nice indie rock for teenagers as it gets. I mean, its not the Beatles, but it has its place and it does have some really good songs like Burning Paper (the best on the Cd in my opinion), Insinuation, and Checking In.

Something about playing this album in Oct or Nov when it starts to get really chilly outside and you've just broken up with someone. That's how I first heard it. Not to say it cheered me up at all, but I listen to it now and I am instantly transported to walking home one late afternoon in November as the sun was starting to weaken out, and I had on a sweater, but I was still cold and I had just broken up with my girlfriend. And of course, I am listening to this thing in my walkman. So now, forever until the end of time, that is what I think of listening to this album. Arghhhh!!

I don't have any of their other albums, except for that early one that says on the back: 20 songs in 14 minutes, or something like that. That one sounds like my ex-girlfriend's brother's band in the garage when they didn't have a bass player and they only knew three songs and the drummer couldn't keep in time!!

Oh, gee, I've just put on the CD, and here it comes, the opening bars of Pole Position and there I am walking on that sidewalk with all those kids riding bikes and laughing, and there I was dwelling on a broken heart and this was my soundtrack.

I hope you have better listening experiences than I did. Don't listen to ANY cd if you just broke up with your girlfriend. That CD will never make you think of anyone else but her.

this cd reminds me of having movie vision and terrets

A disappointment, especially compared to the superb One Part Lullaby. Thankfully, they have moved on to make better music.