Customer Reviews

Our Earthly Pleasures [Vinyl]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you like the Who, the Jam ... or even the Smiths in some respects, you should try this music.

I cannot stop listening to this CD, and I don't do that often. A stack of music comes and goes from my office every month. It's a big part of my job, but I cannot listen to much of it and do my work. Ironic, I know. The cover of this CD caught my attention ~ [side-note: it looks like the same photographer over the course of their previous releases]

This is not simple pop. The songs are crafted and well-written ~ they build and turn unexpectedly. Strong tracks to sample: Your Urge; Books From Boxes and the lead track, Girls Who Play Guitar.

I'ts hard to put your finger on Maximo Parks sound,it really grows on you the more you listen. The first cd was a little herky/jerky and lacked refined production value but Our Earthly Pleasures has a much smoother sound without detracting from it's origins. I would recommend to anyone who craves original sound along with intelligent and inspiring lyrics.

There will undoubtedly be people who loved the first album that will listen to this and feel lost in the sheet of sound that fills the middle of this one. I too wondered what happened to the brilliant changes of their first release. However, anyone who loves Maximo knows they deserve more than one good listen. And so that is my advice...LISTEN. Put on some good headphones, sit back, and listen to it unfold. After a few listens you'll hear it.

Maximo Park is the most entertaining group I have heard and seen in many years. Having worn out Who records as a teen ager and grown up with the Jam, Clash, Replacements, Roxy Music, now It takes a lot for me to even care what people say in these reviews. I bought Jimi Hendrix records as they came out for gods sake! I enjoy many of the UKs' new entries Bloc Party, Rakes, Kaiser Chiefs,Franz, Hard-Fi, this record will hold your attention long after you have retired the others to the been there done that pile.
These guys are original and may require more than a cursory listen but as with all music, If you like it first time around it will probably be gathering dust in a forgotten pile soon. These songs grow on you and become part of your musical personality.The first 8 songs are the strongest lineup I have seen on any record.Our Velocity,Russian Literature,The Monument....Absolutely my Idea of what Rock is all about. Buy it Now! YOU CAN NOT GO WRONG! thanks Maximo Park!

I was blown away by Maximo Park's first album, A Certain Trigger, when I bought it last year. It was the best BritPop I'd heard since What's the Story Morning Glory, so I bought the other 2 albums a few weeks ago. Each one was a little bit more disappointing than the last. Less energy, less distinctive. Bummer, because A Certain Trigger really rocks.

Maximo Park is one of the most talented bands out there, no question. Unfortunately, while "Our Earthly Pleasures" is a decent enough album, it never really gets beyond average. Maximo Park has some great stuff, but they tend to suffer from getting too art-rocky at times and Paul Smith's vocals being a bit on the droning side. This record is a good example of that. Basically, I pretty much agree with Hercules...Doh's take on the band. Spot on.

The second release from Maximo Park finds the band heading in a slightly different direction from their first disk. I say "slightly" because Paul Smith's vocals are still great (is this guy not one of the top five male vocalists around?)and the intelligent lyrics tell of broken love. However this disc is a bit more varied than the first. Oh, there are still catchy songs, but there are also tunes that sneak up on you after a few listens.

My favorite tracks from this disc include "Books from Boxes", "Nosebleed", "Karoake Plays", and "Parisian Skies". I've yet to see Maximo Park live as they don't tour the US often. So I went to youtube and watched them perform these songs live; they hold up quite well.

i'm serious. this album is everything that is good about "current" british music. someone said in one of the other reviews that he can't stop listening to this album. it's true. it's that good.

in the linear notes they wrote:"thanks for listening to this music-it's yours"
not only an amazing record but an amazing band.

When Maximo Park are at their best, they make strikingly catchy and resonating melodies. "Our Velocity" is a myriad of spacey tunes with a pace and tempo that jumps back and forth like a pendulum. Its misguided lyrics embellished well by the panic stricken synth energy. Its Impressive. Its a complete song.

"Books from Boxes" tells a story in the same vain as Death Cab for Cutie's "title and registration". Again, Mr Maximo manages well to link the melancholy tempo and melody of the song with what he is actually singing. Its an absorbing moment on the album.

But then there are moments on this album , I find myself suspicious of the bands craftsmanship. I wonder whether his choice for words is a sincere attempt at poetry or whether its a mere sellout to make the rhyme work. "5 times 5 equals 25..."

Maximo do chorus lines well, they are catchy... but on the weaker tracks the verses sound like detached phrases of dribble. With derivative melody, mediocre at best.

A certain Trigger had hints of a one dimensional emotional Maximo and this latest release only confirms this. Maximo seem to think that life is all about one thing... relationship. They sing only about relationship, whether it be losing it, wanting it, or hating it. It seems there has been only one thing on their mind since their conception....
and it gets too much after a while.

They have great potential, and great energy but its time to get over it... and transcend to greater heights.

This album really fails to hold my attention. Nothing bad can be said for the work behind it, however I was wanting to fast foward through tracks in the hopes of hearing something that would grab me and me want to listen to it over and over.

Respect this review, realize that I'm no critic but I know what I like and this album has nothing I like...Recommending it because I own some Simian Mobile Disco merits the effort to give this album a bad review. Plus, believe me that I took a good listen to this album with the hopes of finding something good in it even if it was for the purpose of remixing/refixing for the dancefloor.