Customer Reviews

Lost Riots

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I hold my hands up. Guilty as charged. Yes, I have not shyed away from hyping up Hope of the States. But then, what else are you supposed to do, when an earth-shaking, orchestral, fiery, young, political indie-cum-post-rock music juggernaut comes along? Sit back and watch? Hope of the States are without doubt one of the most exciting new bands to arise within the last couple of years. They do this because they take the usual post-rock foundation of Mogwai and Godspeed You Black Emperor, and turn in on its head by allying it to limitless ambition, charisma and - yes - tunes. Their songs are compact, passionate and melodic. Their singles were divine. But does the album live up to the hype?

In a word: almost. Things get off to a cracking start with the magnificent instrumental 'The Black Amnesias', which boasts one of the hugest, more expansive sounds ever produced, with fired-up guitars and epic drumming leading a sway of strings, synths and feedback into battle. At their quieter moments, Hope of the States resemble Coldplay with balls - indeed, Coldplay producer Ken Thomas is at the controls here.

Hope of the States craft their own unique sound, loud yet beautiful, with their unique twist of having a violinist in the band. It is not just to supply traditional swaying strings to add depth to the music like most bands use the rent-a-soaring-string-section sound. Instead violinist Michael Siddell plays violin like a lead instrument, with intricate lines that weave in and out of the lead guitars, creating an incredible and inventive fusion. Hope of the States can't be written off as depressing - indeed, the soaring optimism of 'Enemies/Friends' and the excellent 'Sadness On My Back' is just to the contrary.

The real stunner, though, is debut single 'Black Dollar Bills'. Re-recorded here (and arguably not quite so good in its new form), it builds from its balladic, atmospheric origins to a spine-tingling massivity, sounding like Mercury Rev if they were contracted to write the national anthem for the future united world. Lyrically frontman Herlihy sets a political tone here, which comes out again on the more explicit 'The Red The White The Black The Blue', an angry, apocalyptic rock monster complete with Muse-esque doomy pianos. Hope of the States seem to have a strange obsession with 18th century American history, wearing army uniforms onstage and boasting song titles such as 'George Washington' and '1776' (the year the Americans wrote their constitution).

Thrillingly, Hope of the States continue to pull out tunes over the course of the album, from the rural twang of '66 Sleepers To Summer' to the upbeat rock strum of 'Nehemiah' ("people come on make a stand/come on people we can try again/you're not alone when the lights go off/we'll stay together when it all stops"). The sound gets somewhat repetitive towards the end of the album, but it is their own - and that is unusual in the rock world at the moment. The only duff track is 'Don't Go To Pieces', a boring, plodding ballad.

There is just one further gripe: Sam Herlihy's voice is not as strong as it might be, and it is much more conventionally indie-rock than the rest of the band are. It gets stretched on occasions, particularly 'Mes Ves Y Sufres'. However, there is emotion in it and it is sincere, and the music itself is so divine that, amazingly, it seems only a minor quibble. Hope of the States are genuinely special, and can really make an impact on the music scene for good, in a way that other albums by the better acts of 2004, however good they may be, cannot. I believed this could be a 5-star album. It's not quite, but it's damn close.

Hopes of the State is neither the first or the last to boast long, sweeping, epic instrumentals on a rock album. That line sounds like it should describe a three and a half hour hollywood epic.

However, Lost Riots is anything but Hollywood. The band is reminiscent of soaring sunset guitar compositions accompanied by lots of snares. If you have listened to the band Explosions in the Sky, then this might all seem familiar.

Hope of the States adds a full orchestra of violens, synths, pianos, and lyrics to the percussion and the guitars. The result is brilliant. Although vocals aren't as strong, they don't need to be with the lyrics meaning so much in today's America.

The opening instrumental is as close to a masterpiece as it gets. And these days, masterpiece is usually not spoken when it comes to music. The rest of the album continues with lyrics and long, enduring instrumentals that inspire in some unexplained way that lyrics can't touch.

I must say that the only way I found out about this album is at this website (amazon.com). I heard no hype, no nothing, just the samples here. So I really kept no expectations in mind. I didn't plan on a five star rating, but Lost Riots is such an admiration that I really can't go any lower.

But like most albums believed to be great, there are listeners out there who will dislike this orchestra of rock. All are entitled to their opinions and their own sounds.

I'd heard a lot about Hope of the States from magazines and internet sites but hadn't yet heard the band. I finally got an advance copy of the album and discovered what the buzz was all about. The first song is simply epic, huge, instrumental, perfect. The only instrumental song on the album, which leads me to my next point of discussion. At first, when listening to the vocals, it shocked me that they would purposely sing the songs out of key. At various points throughout the album, the singer either has trouble hitting the high notes or simply chooses not to. Either way, it takes some time to grow on you. But once it does, it sticks and you begin to like it. And then finally you begin to love it. As stated in others reviews, song 2 (Enemies/Friends) is beautiful. Once the soaring vocals and guitar begin towards the end of the song, you know you're listening to something great and unique. The rest of the album shines and if you're into the whole surge of bands like Modest Mouse, Keane, Snow Patrol, ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, Ambulance Ltd., etc. then you will enjoy this album. But don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself and come to your own conlcusions. Just know, this album is getting a lot of hype and it's probably worth checking out just to know what everyone is talking about. With all that said, good luck finding what you're listening for.

I had read about the buzz over this band months before this CD was released in America. I went to their web site for a listen and came across the video for "The Red, The White, The Black, The Blue," and was blown away by the incredibly propulsive drive and intensity of the music and the excitement the band displays during a live performance. And I was refreshed by the originality of their sound, especially the inclusion of a violin and an acoustic piano.

It was quite the unusual situation for me to find a band whom I liked more than the buzz had led me to expect.

There are four songs here that I consider masterpieces, anthemic pieces with strong and powerful lyrics and moments that musically send chills up and down my spine.

Enemies/Friends builds slowly but when it gets to the chorus towards the end "Come on people, keep your friends close, your enemies won't get you in the end" it just soars.

"Don't Go To Pieces" may or may not be an homage to their now dead former guitarist, but it is one of the most powerful pleas ever done in music for someone you really care about. It is a different kind of love song. The star here is the strangely twisty melody in the chorus. It never quite goes where you expect it to, but it never fails to be terrific.

"The Red, The White, The Black, The Blue" is the standout cut on the CD. It is the most intense and propulsive song you will hear this year. Its lyrics are not going to please Bush voters, but they will delight those of us who voted the other way.

Black Dollar Bills is mostly an instrumental. Like so many of their songs there is something about the structure that just makes you want to sing your own parts over the musical tapestry they are laying down - not sing with the melody, but sing a counter-melody. It is great that way.

Sam Herlihy's voice is not an object of beauty, but then neither are the voices of some of the finest singers in modern music - like Ray Davies of the Kinks and Mike Scott of the Waterboys, but Herlihy knows how to use it to best effect and his stage presence is VERY powerful. He has a very very expressive face.

I have no idea if this CD is going to catch on world-wide. It is not your typical pop music. This band has its own vision and it does not parallel anyone else's. It is not for the faint of heart at all. But if you need a lift or just want to hear something very powerful and uplifting and different, this is the CD for you. This CD will definitely be in my top five for the year and is a strong contender for #1.

Bill

I have seen Hope of The States play live a few times. They are very dramatic and passionate. They have a visual show and seem like they are doing serious music. I look at their album art and there is a lot of references to the body. Many songs are political with titles like "George Washington" and "Black Dollar Bills" and "1776." I am not really sure what they are up to. Musically they sound like many bands I have seen like Gomez and Travis. Those bands are slightly more humorous though. Once you get to some of the middle songs like "Don't Go To Pieces" and "The Red The White The Black The Blue" it's obvious why people like them. They are excellent at creating atmosphere and Samuel Herlihy is talented at ballads. I am not sure that they are as good as Radiohead and Badly Drawn Boy, but this may be a band that we have to have a few albums out to truly judge them. This record is a promise. It is a moving statement.

One amazing track after another. The video of Black Dollar Bills is one of the greatest rock efforts of the past decade. Shame they couldn't stay together and make more great albums. This will stand the test of time.

I bought it based on the many encouraging reviews, found it just average and perhaps I am wrong: but does this guy sings a little like the singer from Spiritualized? On the second listen I discover the flaws that were more evident as the minutes went by. Basically a little on the boring side once you compare it to the never ending competition, nothing to write home about or to get too excited. Call them as I see them, not a member of their fan club, either. 3 Stars for Hope of the States "The Lost Riots".

i am thinking this cd is right up there with my all time 10 best. i am sure to reconsider this with time as not much can boot ok computer or loveless or spleen and ideal off my chart....but still....RIGHT NOW...it is #10.

i read below before i bought that this is "relentless" music. i agree. i found 2 subpar songs on here. the rest are masterpieces. this music will endure, and never be repeated just so. buy it if you like musical depth, some eclectic sounds, and real musicianship in your postnewwavepunkindiepoppianoepictunes.

The mood on this album is relentless. "Beautiful" doesn't do it justice...

I am actually *scared* of listening to this album now, such is the emotional response that it produces. The only other thing I'm scared of listening to in my collection is Mozart's Reqiem...

I was watching MTV U late one night a few weeks ago here at my college dorm room, when upon my television screen came a music video for a faceless band, playing one of the most intense, and moving instumentals I'd heard in awhile. I waited until the end of the video for the bands name and song. It was of course this band, and the song was "Black Dollar Bills". Hope of the States is hard to generalize (for me anyway), but I would put their song as a cross between Sigur Ros (without the made-up language singing) and a heavier band such as Death in Vegas. I loved what I heard, and I suggest to any of you who are into indie, and any rock in general to check this band out. I know I'll be investing in this "new Hope" from now on.