Customer Reviews

Interventions & Lullabies

5 star:		(93)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The Format is a groundbreaking and revolutionary band that successfully combines rock, alternative, and indie music into one triumphant album, "Interventions and Lullabies". This album includes quite a diverse collection of songs. "On Your Porch" and "A Save Situation" are both beautiful acoustic ballads with moving vocals, while "Tune Out", "Sore Thumb", and "Wait, Wait, Wait" are all easy to sing to as well as just being feel good songs. The strong point of this album I believe is its stirring lyrics. They are both thought-provoking and alluring, along with poetic. "Interventions and Lullabies" is a record you can listen to time and time again, no matter what kind of mood you're in. The Format does a wonderful job with this one, creating an enduring piece of art that will be appreciated well into the future.

It would probably be easy for critics to dismiss the Format's excessively cathcy brand of pop rock for being too bland or the lyrics for not having enough depth, but that would be missing the point entirely.

The Format, like tour mate Rocket Summer, are one of the few bands out today who drop the pretensions of emo and mainstream rock. Instead of jumping around on stage and spining their guitars around their bodies, the Format stop trying so hard to be a rock band and in the process effortlessly make the perfect set of pop songs. These gems are great in the way Kool-Aid and spinning in your chair until you become dizzy are great, because they're just fun.

It's happy, drum on your steering wheel, tap your toe, sing along genius. All areas of the albums track are packed full of simple yet undeniable hooks that will stay with you for some time. They are one of the few artists that could use shakers, hand claps and tambourine in one song and pull it off flawlessly.

Think Phantom Planet, Rocket Summer, or maybe even Ben Folds. Whoever you think they sound like, you're certain to fall for the Format.

The Format is one of those bands that are hard to market, so I guess that's why Atlantic hasn't done a damn thing to promote them. This album is beautifuly put together and will definately stand the test of time. No CD collection is complete without it. Let's see how many more cliches I can use before this review is over. You know how many CDs have that one song you have to skip over because it bores you or you hate it, well, this album doesn't have any songs like that. After I bought this album it never left my CD player for a whole month. Just go buy the album and support this band so they can hopefully put out a new CD soon.

Let's start things off in general. I live in the Phoenix Arizona area. Sam and Nate (the Format) grew up here. They have played together for a long time, and have performed in such local AZ bands as Nevergonnascore and This Past Year before forming 'The Format'. They released an EP called 'EP'. Imagine that. Let's just say that Sam, Nate and then Marko and the rest of the live band are brilliant. Their musicianship is outstanding and their songwriting is some of the best I've EVER been a witness to. With the Format, Sam and Nate combine what they had in nevergonnascore (poppunk) and this past year (slower more indie/emo/punk rock). This Cd is great, and you will instantly fall in love with it. The best tracks are: The First Single (From EP), Give it Up (older song on a local acoustic cd), Tie The Rope (New), Tune Out (New), I'm ready, i am (new), On your Porch (new, and MY PERSONAL FAVORITE SONG ON THE CD. IT'S BREATHTAKING), and A Save Situation (Older Song, redone here with orchestration). This Cd is amazing, it gets a 4 as far as I go. (Most tracks are spectacular, but a couple are just merely really good). Props to the Sam and Nate for adding in eclectic instruments (Banjo, Accordion, Tuba, etc). I'm giving an extra point for them, because I'm so proud. You guys will always rock.
-Shawn http://www.xanga.com/zeppelin191181

"Interversions and Lullabies" is nothing short of amazing. There isn't a song on the CD you wont like. The Format is an acoustic driven band, with brilliant vocals containing a pop edge. Yet don't put them in a box by placing them in a genre "Interversions and Lullabies" is like nothing I've ever heard before. The songs are spiced up to go along with the bass drums and guitar by adding instruments in such as tuba, slide guitar, harmonica, an orchestra, hand claps and many other unique attributes. Members of The Format: Nate Ruess-vocals and Sam Means-guitars have collaborated to write some of the catchiest music I have ever heard (Ruess and Means write all the music and are accompanied by a full band at shows and on the CD). If The Format ever comes to your town, go see them! After listening to the CD you will be in awe, and you'll think there's no way they can sound this good live, but they do! Not kidding at all, the vocals are as pristine live as they are on "Interversions and Lullabies". Discover this band before everyone else does, Because I would say in three months this band will be all over Rolling Stone, Spin and MTV2. I can't say enough good things, just buy it even if you have never heard "Interversions and Lullabies" or of The Format

It was four thirty in the morning sometime last summer, when I first herd my first Format song played on a alt-rock tv station. I with out haste, jumped out of bed and ordered the album. My good God, this band is awesome, The Format are truely pioneers, they have blended Jangle Pop, Indie, and many other Genera's into one fantastic undertaking. You must buy this CD it has everything. If you want to rock out and dance there are tracks like, the first single(cause a scene, and Sore thumb. If your sad and want to vent you've got On your pourch, A Mess to be made, and A save stituation. Not often would you ever give a new artist five stars but damn these guys are good.

Thought Honorary Title was good but The Format is incredible.
I hope that main stream producers dont jack the sound.
This is a upbeat grassroots album with a hint of the 80's folk pop.If you like this then check out Copeland.Similar.

i literally have not taken this cd out of my car for a year. something for everyone. 'tie the rope' is my personal favorite - loud and purging. everyone i know who has the album loves it.

try it, you won't regret it.

I have been listening to the format for a year now and i still always love listening to their music. Not only are all the songs VERY different there are also plenty of great lyrics, great songwriting, just amazing in general. Everyone i know loves the cd and seeing them live has even made me more of a fan.

When I first heard The Format, I was taken aback to say the least. I was listening to their first release, an EP that contains more gritty versions of songs on their new full-length, and I was instantly hooked. The aptly-titled "First Single" was the first track I got a taste of, and I found myself singing along with the chorus even before the song had played all the way through. Point is, I am now a huge Format fan, having seen them twice already, and excited to see them again this Wednesday with Something Corporate and Rx Bandits. Undoubtedly, those two bands will get a larger draw, but I am a firm believer that this brilliant Tempe-based band will trigger alot of downloads and CD buyers after that show, and all the others in the tour. I also believe that all the songs on this CD will get frequent local radio play, and eventually, national coverage. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not, but I think it will be; everyone should have the priviledge of hearing such great, catchy music.