Customer Reviews

A HUNDRED MILES OFF [Vinyl]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

So, the first of the Walkmen's albums to completely capture my interest is also their first to be near-universally panned by critics. Maybe its me who is backwards, or maybe these critics were hasty in searching for more of the powerful refrains of Bows and Arrows. It's interesting that those who drew comparisons between Dylan's voice and the lead-Walkmen's didn't take the analogy further. Dylan put his emphasis on content and his ardent vocal-styling was drawn from the passion of personal experience-- and not so much 'emoting' as 'expressing'. In this regard, the Walkmen have raised the bar from the somewhat run-of-the-mill Strokes-inspired Bows & Arrows, and forged a singular expression that separates them at last from their indie-garage roots.

Other than the ostentatiously Dylanesque album closer "Another One Goes By" (perhaps more appropriately compared to Mott the Hoople, with a 50's-ish pop-waltz backing), the single tracks rarely stray from the album's overall sound. The melodic style of the opening "Louisiana" sounds the most like a track off of Bows & Arrows, and its also the track that regularly excites many of the indie-rock critics. Only after that do we get a sense of how A Hundred Miles Off differs from its predecessor: the focus moves from the song-writing, from the melody, to the subtler vocal changes and to the lyrics themselves. The experience of the album is more complex, challenging and in many respects more intriguing than standard indie rock. But don't let me mislead you into thinking this is some kind of masterpiece-- though a worthwhile chapter in the Walkmen's short career so far and an entertaining, listenable album in itself, it probably won't go so far as to make the top ten or fifteen in the next end-of-year lists. In short, I think the Walkmen's latest offering solidifies their standing in the genre, proves they have real talent, and promises a few more remarkable albums in the future.

This album is very different from the band's first two. Pianos and organs still linger here and there, but they are not as prominently featured in these songs which are basically guitar-driven rock songs. Hamilton Leithauser's once incredible voice has morphed into a shirll screech lacking enunciation for many of the tracks. It's a pleasant break when he explores his lower range on "Brandy Alexander". I've heard Dylan comparisons, but maybe it's closer to Faces-era Rod Stewart. "Lousiana" "All Hands and the Cook" "Brandy Alexander" and especially "Another One Goes By" are excellent. A couple more tracks like these and this album could have been great. Overall, it's not as good as "Bows + Arrows" or "Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone" but not as bad as some critics have claimed. I'd give it a B (I'm a teacher).

The Walkmen just get better and better, and always seem to have a surprise up their sleeve. I certainly didn't expect an album like this, it's equally different but equally good to Bows and Arrows and Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone.

I can't even explain why I like this band so much, I've been listening to them for years and yet I can hardly name any of their songs. I simply listen to the entire albums over and over again like one giant song. That's a rare band!

Lou-WEEZ-e-ana opens a Hundred Miles Off and the strumming game is afoot. You just can't get more esoteric than that. Just when the incredibly spot-on drumming wins you over, suddenly it sounds as if Minor Threat is reborn with Tenley Town. Other songs sprinkled amidst the album remind one of a Tarantino soundtrack, or a '70s department store replete with popcorn smells in the air...you decide.

Perhaps this album is less accessible by the mainstream, especially compared to Bows and Arrows. We'll see. No matter, it's a keeper.

I'd been eagerly anticipating a follow up to Bows and Arrows for some time, but after a couple of weeks, this one's not really doing it for me.

The first two albums (which have been in my car's CD changer for one and a half years straight) have these great subtle elements that the new album is missing. Aside from songwriting elements, a think a few of the songs are ruined by this new screaming thing Hamilton's doing. The drumming on the earlier albums reminded me a bit of the stuff from the Bad Plus, but all that seems to have mellowed out on the new album.

On the other hand, it's still better than most other stuff out there.

Have you ever listened to your favorite bands newest cd, and after you heard the last track.. . . . You wish there was more? Well, that's how I felt after I got this cd and played it over and over again. Because this band is nice! And I wanted more songs. Other reviews were right, they had changed their style just a little bit and it was more upbeat and just flat out awesome. Now I have to wait for dvd and concerts.

What strikes me on first listen is the remarkable fact that they haven't moderated their sound for the big time. One would have thought - perhaps negatively- that they may have tried to rock out a bit more on the record to mirror success they may have had for their single "the Rat" from Bows and Arrows. Instead they have stayed singular to a sound unique and ultimately inaccesibly (to most) groundbreaking. Love em for their die hard earnest approach to continuing the formula- one which I feel will bring them legions of new and fortunately- old fans. It still sounds like Tom Waits at sixteen- post Brittany Spears.

The lead singer's vocals -- a cross between a young Dylan and a young Rod Stewart -- are an acquired taste, I admit. But in these days where even "indie" rock is slick and professionally produced, it's refreshing to hear something as raw and surprisingly progressive as A Hundred Miles Off. The Walkmen have a jangly exterior that strongly evokes REM, but its guts are garage rock. Just listen to those drums on "Lost in Boston." But their song structures are very end-loaded -- they sometimes don't get going until they're halfway over. And these songs aren't long, either. It's almost always worth the wait, though, because they're able to pull out some hummable melodies and fascinating percussion (to me, at least).

As you can see, The Walkmen are most easily defined by how dissimilar they are from things that suck. They're also delightfully apathetic towards whatever the trends might be, and this makes for music that ages well, in my opinion. However, the lead singer too often tries to make his voice do things it simply can't, and I find myself wondering how much better these songs would be if they had a better vocalist. His limited range is much more suited to the closer, Another One Goes By than, well, the bulk of the album.

Favorite Songs: All Hands And The Cook, This Job is Killing Me, Lost in Boston, Danny's At The Wedding.

This album is amazing, i am a huge walkmen fan and own their other two albums which are both really good and have really strong songs that stand out.A hundred miles off provides a perfect blend of soft and hard sounding songs which provides a great flow to the album which never allows it to fall flat."All hands and the cook" has to be one of their most daring and progressive songs to date , it provides a unique hard/soft sounding intro where lead singer , Hamilton wails the opening lyrics which then kick into an impressive organ portion of the song. Other key tracks are: "lost in boston" , "tenleytown" , "louisiana" , and "This job is killing me". Dont' be fooled by critics who don't eat up the walmen's stuff just because they don't think they are the fresh and hip sounding band they were when they released their debut , this one is as good as all the others and in my opinion it's even better then their other albums , this is a classic , go out and pick it up now.

The Walkmen are one of my favorite bands. We have this third album with is a departure. It seems like they have went in a more folky and Americanadirection. There has always been a bit of Bob Dylan in Hamilton's voice. In this album, that aspect gets explored a little more. The Walkmen have always had sort of experiential lyrics. "Louisiana" has a feeling of place about it. "Lost In Boston" is another song that relates an experience. It has a wonderful guitar sound that is really new for The Walkmen. Most of these songs have to do with drinking and living. "Emma, Get Me A Lemon" has some cool percussion sounds on it. "All Hands and The Cook" sounds like Ennio Morricone. The Walkmen are a talented band. They have made a daring record. It is a breath of fresh air. I look forward to hearing these songs live again.

Listening to this makes you wonder: what causes a group of people to think they have songs in them? Because this album offers zero evidence of any discernible talent. Lured, by a halfway decent opening track I was bored by everything else that followed. The vocals were awful, the lead flailing himself and saying nothing interesting at all (was he DRUNK when he laid down his [cough, cough] "contribution"?). This is nothing but a group who - like thousands of others who think they've "got what it takes" - have wasted their time, your time, and a record company's bet that this album / group had potential to succeed. I'm here to tell you: it's snake-eyes. A total bust. Walkmen, take my advice and call it quits. Dylan should sue for damages to reputation in the extremely unlikely scenario of this album moving more than 100 copies.