Customer Reviews

Italian Platinum

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

 

 

Good Lord, this record is fantastic. It was my first Silkworm purchase (I've since bought "Developer," and anticipate buying more), and I have a hard time believing any of their other albums are better. If so, my brain will fry! I'm not sure that, barring Robert Quine or Marc Ribot, I've heard a better guitarist from the "alternative" world than Andy Cohen. I wish I knew which of their records had the most of his soloing, because I'd buy it instantly.

As far as "Italian Platinum" is concerned, everything works magnificently. Albini's production is stellar, the songs get their claws into you on the first couple of listens, and the additional musicians add a nice touch to the proceedings (especially Kelly Hogan's vocals). This is an early contender for my rock album of the year, and I can't recommend it highly enough. Other than Spoon, I can't think of a band right now that shows more promise - but Silkworm's been at this for years now! Very impressive stuff, indeed.

Silkworm is the modern equivalent of Mountain, a three-piece bombastic rawk band. Even when they take it down a half-notch, like in the excellent "Bourbon Beard," they retain a sense of bravado that most rock bands don't even bother with. The guitar solos aren't mindless noodling--they clang out with authority. It's rock that's both testosterone-fueled and thoughtful.

Don't miss the chance to see them live. That's when Silkworm really shines. But for God's sake pick up this disc. The boys need the money.

Look, that other guy who reviewed this album and said it sedated him, he's on crack. Literally. I know him and I know he's on crack.

Italian Platinum is a terrific album and is filled with something most indie bands eschew: guitar solos. And they're done tastefully and energetically. The album is structured in a way that reveals its elasticity and diversity; the manic songs (The Third, Dirty Air) put off an energy that will seep out of the speakers and infect you while the slower, more reflective songs ooze with sincerity and depth. The songs play off one another and give each other and the record a great intensity and liveliness. This is an album for the attached, so if your looking for detached, cute, ironic nonsense listen to an Eels album.

Right now all these goofy, trendy critics are yelling "rock n' roll's back" but they're forgetting to mention Silkworm, one of the most overlooked bands of the last decade. When half the members of the Strokes are in rehab, these guys will still be rocking out.

Silkworm were always one of those bands I avoided because I thought I wouldn't like them. Then I was convinced to give "Italian Platinum" a spin, and I couldn't stop listening.

Catchy, sloppy rock songs, with lyrics like "and 'I love you' means 'I hope you don't survive the night'", that you'll hum to yourself long after the CD has stopped playing, and guest vocals from Bloodshot Records' Kelly Hogan (also known to join forces with Neko Case from time to time) balance out this album. Also worth seeking out is an EP they did around this time called "You Are Dignified", which features covers of songs by Shellac, Pavement, Bedhead, and others.

In other words, if you always thought Silkworm wasn't for you, this album will prove you wrong.

easily the band's best, most surprising, most consistent, most well-written album...ever. and i'm a big fan, been following them since firewater.

even the experiments--i.e. "is she a sign?"--work splendidly, the band feels energized and renewed, ready to break new ground in their career. in the past, silkworm albums have tended to be either strong on the ballads or strong on the rockers. lifestyle made some headway reconciling the two, but they finally achieve equal footing on this deliciously beefy record.

..... "Silkworm" in pink colour, "Italian Platinum" in blue. What in god's name? I had, admittedly, not heard of these fellows before, but upon first, then second, and finally several dozen listens, I quite admired the record and this band in particular (despite cover art that could've been done on one's personal computer).

Quite nice songs, really, although I think even Bob Dylan would call some of the lyrics impenetrable ("Slap that meat out of your mouth/the Ram wouldn't like it in his house" from "The Ram") and rather silly ("Only a fool gives up sex for lent/when we were alive before the eagle was spread" from "A Cockfight of Feelings").

The songs are divided somewhat evenly betwixt the two tunesmiths in the band, Mr. Andy Cohen (guitar) and Mr. Tim Midgett (bass) with their contrasting styles highlighted in such an approach. A variety of musical genres are brought forth on this LP, from straight-ahead rock ("(I Hope U) Don't Survive") to drunken pub ("Bourbon Beard") on to Chicago hip-hop/reggae/ska, ("The Brain") power-poodle ballad, ("Young" as opposed to "Old") and nature/tree-hugger rock ("White Lightning" and "Dirty Air.")

Suffice to say, I was quite nackered by the end of the LP, but it's worth your pound(s).

Boring. I would write more, but I just listened to the CD and I'm so sleepy now. Well, ok, sounds like retro (70's) hard rock and power ballads with sub-par vocals. Yawn.