Customer Reviews

Dirty Wake

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Collapsis puts out a fantastic pop album. Some of the songs here just grab you by your voicebox and force you to sing along. And I hardly like pop. Collapsis does it so well though that the fact that it is a pop album is easy to bypass. "Automatic" opens and come chorus time, the melody is unstoppable and begging to be sang along to. "Tell me everything" is a pretty pop song with another sing along chorus. "Believe in you" is another delectable little pop tune that starts out with a bittersweet vibe that I completely dig. "October" is next, a definite standout. When Garrigan sings "All I have is candy bars and costumes to defend me" one can hear the emotion dripping off his voice. "Wonderland" is a beautiful ballad. The pop fare continues. "Stumble" contains some wonderful harmonies. "Radio Friendly Girlfriend" is another fabulous pop rock candy. Indeed, it is radio friendly. "Dirty Wake" builds up and sounds very days of the new-ish until the pop kicks in. This is proof that collapsis can do more than pop. When the pop on this song kicks in, it fits. "Pure Triangles," another more diverse cut closes the disc. The Pop fair is over and there was plenty of cotton candy and rides. Collapsis needs to grow on one a little, but once it does, it is irresistible. I'd reccomend this disc to those who like athaeneum and vertical horizon. There's even a tinge of late counting crows.

I at first, like so many before me have stated, was weary of this new CD when I first began to listen to it. The band seems to get in a rut with continuously playing the typical love songs, but soon each song takes on a life of its own. "Stumble" stands out for its outstanding harmony, "Automatic" is just enjoyable, and "Wonderland" is just exceptionally beautiful. For any person looking for a new hard alternative group may not enjoy this album, but I still find myself drawn to the singer's gorgeous voice and the memorable songs.

In the past several years, it seems there is one power pop group from North Carolina who emerges on the scene each year in search of a national audience. There was Lustre in '97, Jolene in '98 and Athenaeum last year. Collapsis is this year's NC power pop model, trying to capture the stardom that eluded the aforementioned bands, not to mention other NC power pop purveyors like Dillon Fence and Superchunk (who actually had potential stardom thrusted upon them).

So do Collapsis deliver the goods on "Dirty Wake"? Well, the results are hit and miss. Basically, the band hits when they turn up the tempo a notch and rock out, as they do on "Automatic" and "Two Egrets". The guitars are decent, singer Mike Garrigan has the requisite muscular voice to carry these tunes and resourceful drummer Scott Carle provides a strong groove.

The results are less compelling when the band takes it down a notch, concocting a completely bland and unremarkable batch of acoustic-tinged midtempo tracks.

Still, overall, "Dirty Wake" is the product of a fairly competent band. If the band plays more to its strenghts the next time around, they may be remembered as more than another NC power pop also-ran.

All I have to say is that in the current atmosphere of sappy, crappy pre-teen pop, this is an album and, moreover, a band that really delivers. The music is a bit poppy, but has a lot of substance too. I might add that I have seen Collapsis live and they are awesome. They don't take themselves too seriously onstage and aren't at all shy about talking to fans afterwards. They're just some laid back fellas with a lot of musical talent. I think that if anyone on the current music scene deserves a little stardom, it's Collapsis.

I discovered Collapsis online. Then one day I was in the record store desperately wanting to buy a new Cd & had Collapsis strong in mind. So I hunted around & couldn't find it therefore asked for assistance & got told to look in the 50% off pile. I searched & after a while I had found it & as an added bonus it was a cd with the label of 50% off thus I consider myself to be quite lucky on that occasion.

Anyway after my purchase I went & sat on a bench opposite a fountain, something struck me odd. Odd = I had been charged wrongly & back I went to get this matter sorted out. (Just a little side note).

Right moving on I decided to go to the Cafe & put Collapsis's "Dirty Wake" Cd in my Discman to have a listen. So I sat there & listened to it following the lyrics (which happen to be rather well done might I add). I was instantly hooked to songs such as:

(1). Automatic, (2). Tell Me Everything, (3). Believe In You (Love the bit that goes: "I hear your whispers in the dark. I hope your head won't tell your heart to turn away; or wake up in flames"), (4) October, (5) Superhero (Crunchy Guitar Work), (6). Wonderland - very beautiful, (7) Two Egrets (Awesome beats along with more Crunchy Guitar Work) & (8). Stumble (Great starting).

As for the remainder of the songs, tracks 9-12 I enjoy them as well but I must admit that side of the Cd took me a few listens to get into it. Also the vocalist is one of a kind in this Pop/Rock category. He really sings like he means every word.

This Cd will serve you well especially if your bus rides are a long journey to the required destinations for those of you that have discmans to keep yourselves occupied.

Well Collapsis are really 1 of the best band I've heard this year...If u are bored with bands like Stroke9, Nine Days, SR-71. this band will revitalise your interesting in hearing pop-rock. The cd booklet is really amazing too...my favourite songs are October and Automatic.

Collapsis was Mike Garrigan's band prior to his joining Athenaeum, and the two bands sounds are complementary, but this cd has slightly more edge than the other band and really showcases Garrigan's melodic grasp. The cd is routinely strong, all the songs show nice development and structure. "Automatic" got quite a bit of attention when the cd came out and was a college-radio favorite; it's a great opening tune. "October" is almost anthemic, heard Mike sing it with Athenaeum live and was just blown away. IMHO it's the best song. "Dirty Wake" is sinister in the verses yet hooks the listener with a well-resolved chorus; top notch stuff! If you can find this cd, grab it.

A wonderful alterna-pop album from Collapsis. My personal favorites are "automatic," "two egrets," "superhero," and the title track. This cd is an absolute jem to own.

Dirty Wake is a great album. Song after song is a hit. Unfortunately, October was overlooked by the record label as a potential release. Wonderland is moving, and Two Egrets rocks. This band has a great range. Mike Garrigan will go places.

Ok so the single (Automatic) is pretty good, but after that...there's nothing but extremely soft alt. rock on the not-so-catchy side. Also, I think I lost even more respect for the band when I discovered that it's in fact the lead singer on the cover coming out of the ground...and here's the bad part...what you don't see on the Amazon picture is that on the back cover you can see his fat pale @$$ cause he's lying on his stomach naked on the back cover...it's enough to make me wanna sell the cd even if it was the best thing I'd heard. I'm sure they thought it was "artsy" but I think it's just plain stupid. If you want some truly great alternative pop-rock then forget this and pick up Neve, Strange Celebrity, or July For Kings.