Customer Reviews

Extended Revelation

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

 

 

I Only know Soundtrack of our Lives from this one album. I got it a few years ago, after listening to it at a friend's place. I played it a couple of times, and then more or less forgot about it. Recently, I started listening to it again, and now I love it. Apparently this Swedish band had to grow on me. I now regard it as one of Swedens finest, together with Kent.

The atmosphere of the songs is profoundly '60s, but with the full sound of the '90s. Sometimes there is this massive sound of guitars and organ, but most songs are more introvert. There is a distinct psychedelic touch to many of the songs on this album, but they are never boring like psychedelic songs of the sixties tend to be after a while. This is an album that needs listening to in peace and quiet, high volume, eyes closed.

Many bands have gone back to the sound of the sixties, Soundtrack of our Lives, although sometimes reminiscent of bands like Kula Shaker, or even Black rebel Motorcycle Club, has managed to do this in their own, very special way.

After discovering TSOOL through the Behind the Music album , I decided to investigate further, and luckily for me, came across this gem. Its smart, clever and it influenced by the folkish elements of the late sixties.

The band seem to be a lot more relaxed with this affair, as opposed to the faster and more urgent Behind the Music. This does not mean that this album is all laid back folky whimslings however. It is at times meaty, rocky and toe tapping but it retains a psychedelic aura that makes this album a supreme pleasure on the ears.

Alikened to Kula Shaker, and also supporting them on tour, Crispian Mills (Kula Shaker's lead vocalist and guitarist) once declared the Soundtrack of Our Lives as the 'best band in the world ever', although this may be a little tounge in cheek, he does make the point that this band is very special, and hopefully one that can keep up its excellent musical past.

Hype can be a bad thing. Sure, it pushed The Beatles to fame but it was also the downfall of many talented musicians. The hype machine surround around TSOOL and Behind The Music may undo what years of touring and making solid albums created. It would be a pity. While these guys aren't the "saviors of rock 'n' roll" they're very talented, witty and actually know their music history.

Extended Relevation may, at first, seem like a knock off of Soft Machine or early Waters era Pink Floyd. Once you get past the doodles and music references, you'll discover a blend of rich melodies and guitar riffs worth trudging through the first couple of tracks for. ER like the follow up EP Gimme Five is less about a walk down music memory lane and more about pulling out all the stops without being ashamed about the influences the band proudly wear on their collective sleeve. It's not the band's most cohesive work nor most commerical (Behind The Music fits into both of those slots). It's clear, however, listening to the music that TSOOL have found a way of having their cake (playing hommage to their influences)and eating it, too (trying to capture a mass audience).

ER earned a five star review on the AMG site. While I think that's a bit too generous (like many of their reviews I might add), 4 stars seems appropriate once you get past the filler on this fine album. If you like 70's rock with a 21st century sensibility, you'll like EX and The Soundtrack of Our Lives. If you're looking for tuneless moaning, I'd suggest listeing to anything by the Yeah Yeah Yeah's (a band long on hype but short on substance) or The Vines (ditto).

Extended Revelation being T.S.O.O.L's 2nd album and 1998 release. The album contains of 50% leftover material from their first album and 50% new material. Allmusic gave the album a positive review and awarded it the grade 4/5. I agree with this assessment and I also give this album 4/5. All the lyrics are included in the booklet and we get a nice photograph of the group in the center of the booklet. We get a list of their birthdates but not what instruments they play which in itself is quite odd. 4/5.

Here we see a band in mid-transition from the MC5 garage-rock sound of their original incarnation as Union Carbide Productions to the Rolling Stones grooves of 'Behind The Music' as Soundtrack Of Our Lives. 'Extended Revelation' shows a band searching for an identity, falling somewhere in between 70's classic-rock and Pink Floydian keyboard noodling, yet retaining much of their guitar grit. This updated 'riff meets prog' formula works well, a tribute to the musical talent of the band itself, experimenting with sound, mood, and studio-tweaking. The stand-out track 'Impacts And Egos' truly defines this CD, pseudo-psychadelia meets guitar flash, with a touch of experimentalism and heart-felt emotion. Overall a strong album.

This will sneak up on you. After the third listening I got it, and now I listen to it all the time. You will find yourself floating away on these songs...they all flow together and there is a sort of softly psych element to it. I went and purchased their other two CD's, and one Union Carbide Productions CD. I love them all. Pink Floyd, the Moody Blues, and the Beatles all could have made this record. Its that good.