Customer Reviews

Lessons In The Woods Or A City

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I love Amazon reviews because I know I'll see people connect the dots back to bands in a completely different way I would.

That said, I respectfully but fiercely *disagree* with any comparisons of Talbot Tagora to either Red Hot Chili Peppers or Primus. I can maybe understand the Primus reference due to the more indirect nod to the Residents, intentional or not. However, the Residents inspired many many groups directly and indirectly. I digress.

Talbot Tagora definitely are inspired by or make nods to many arty rock bands from yesteryear, but the most cogent connections are groups like The Ex, Sonic Youth, Thinking Fellers Union Local 282, Polvo, Deerhoof, Trumans Water, much off the New York Noise compilation series on Soul Jazz records, and some more sonically strange guitar groups from New Zealand like Gordons, 3Ds, and the rockier side of The Dead C.

Most of the songs on this album are very catchy, which is why i really love this album. The sounds and progressions are really odd and can be considered inaccessible, but there are short catchy hooks that float around the loud dissonance, making this easily replayable for me. "Johnny Lazor" is my favorite track off the album, as it shows all their sides in one song. But this whole album is one messy glorious blend of rock.

My only minor complaint would be the slightly buried, reverbed vocals... however, little faults like this exhibit more character from the album (and band.)

I would definitely recommend this album to anyone who likes Sonic Youth, Polvo, the more caustic side of post-punk, or other recent loud arty rock groups from Seattle like A-Frames or The Lights.

I was suggested this album by Amazon because I am a Joy Division fan. I'm not really sure I get that association so directly.

To me, Talbot Tagora sounds a lot like early Red Hot Chili Peppers / Primus minus the funk (see "Black Ice" and "Hidden Note" - both interesting tracks), with maybe a touch of UK-flavored dark psychedelic rock of the late '80s and early 90's. Lots of heavy, minor chords at the core of the sound.

If what I described is your thing, you'll love this album.

I just couldn't get into this album - it's a bit too chaotic for me.