To Force a Fate

The Reputation | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 20, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Lookout Records
• ASIN: B0001Z36BO
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #267,483 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Same As It Ever Was, and That's a Good Thing, July 14, 2004

By 

WrtnWrd "Hankman" (Northridge, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Force a Fate (Audio CD)

There's no sophomore slump with The Reputation's To Force a Fate. Fronted by Elizabeth Elmore (previously of Sarge) and assisted by a trio of able gentlemen (Joel Root, Sean Hulet, and Steve VanHorn), To Force a Fate is ten more songs that dissect the ups and downs of modern love, or sex, or some combination of both. Elmore has always known her likes and dislikes; she pulls no punches and would never resort to a cliché like the one I just used! Her thin voice holds up against sui generis rock and sets her words up for major impact, which takes a few plays to sink in. Elmore's songs, with Sarge and The Reputation, feel unassuming upon contact. And then: whomp. "Let This Rest" is what happens after she's tired of the fighting. "Follow-Through Time" takes bad choices to a new level. And "Some Senseless Day" might be the sequel to Talking Heads' "Once in a Lifetime", where the passage of time strips all illusions beyond the reach of denial. Same as it ever was, indeed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Why isn't this band better known?, September 6, 2005

By 

priusmobile - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Force a Fate (Audio CD)

With all the hype that the latest New Pornographers CD is getting, I need to stand up and shout about The Reputation's CD, "To Force a Fate". Elizabeth Elmore, lead singer of The Reputation, is at least as interesting a singer as New Porno's Neko Case. And the songs here are more interesting and varied, with better hooks. The songs alternate between rocking power pop tunes, and some lovely mid-tempo ballads ("The Lasting Effects" is particularly haunting and melodic).

I think it was one of the best power pop CD's of 2004. So why is there only one other review on Amazon? Perhaps it's because they're on a small label (Lookout?), or perhaps it's the band's name -- The Reputation. Huh? Sounds like the name of a corporation, or a bad movie title. If you dig New Pornos, try this CD.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Sarge fans beware, December 8, 2006

By 

J. Klein (SF, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To Force a Fate (Audio CD)

Yes, this is Elizabeth Elmore's latest project, but unless you liked Sarge solely for her lyrics or vocals I would think twice before buying this album. You will not find Sarge's punky indie pop here -- the closest thing is the album's best track, "Face It," and even that song has a modern rock polish far removed from Sarge's rawness. Apparantly Elmore has entered her Lilith Fair phase. Sometimes law school does funny things to people . . .

A rotten tomato to Lookout! Records too for releasing something so slick and market-oriented.

Rating: 3 out of 10.