Distant Relative

Mysteries Of Life | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 23, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: No Nostalgia Records
• ASIN: B00005QDC9
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #393,484 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Just Bet

2. It's True

3. When I Let My Guard Down

4. Talk to Me Then

5. Success Story

6. All My Might

7. 3 Things at Once

8. T - 1

9. Back and Forth

10. Boy-Girl-Boy-Girl

11. Distant Relative

12. Native Tongue

13. This Seat Is Taken

14. Unknown

15. Unknown

16. Unknown

17. Unknown

18. Unknown

19. Unknown

20. Unknown

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat of a departure from their last album, November 26, 2001

By 

Vinnie Oliveri (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Distant Relative (Audio CD)

If you liked their last album, Come Clean, you will probably like this one as well, but since their departure from RCA, their sound has changed slightly, or at least the production. The first track, "I Just Bet," is a good indication of this. On top of the familiar strumming we're used to hearing on an MOL record are drum machines and other electronic gurglings. To their credit, this usually does not detract from the melodies on the record. There is also more attention to establishing strong foundations for the songs. "T-1" is a great example. Layers of instrumentation are added, one by one, followed by a distorted vocal track, until it all comes to a stop, pauses, and then builds up again. This track also demonstrates part of the problem with this record. While some of the tracks are really strong ("I Just Bet," "When I Let my Guard Down," "All my Might"), some never seem to transcend an average melody. Also, sometimes the lyrics are disappointing. This was sometimes a problem on the last record, and unfortunately, is more of a problem on this one. But I gave it 3 stars because it is still a good listen -- I would even say an exciting record for fans of MOL, as they succeed on many tracks in expanding their sound, creating engaging rhythms, and most importantly, not embarrassing themselves. Hopefully, whenever the next album comes out, everything will fall into place.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nicely distilled pop, December 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Distant Relative (Audio CD)

Jake Smith, Freda Love, and Co have streamlined their sound away from the deeper string-accompanied pop tunes and more towards a stripped-down catchy pop melodic, with electronic highlights. This album takes a few listenings to (don't they all) but is well worth the purchase. For TMOL fans this is a must buy. Sounds like they would be good live with these tracks.