Customer Reviews

Mandala

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This band never ceases to amaze me !

I've been a long time bandit fan and I became a little skeptical at first when I heard they were ditching the horns. I wasn't sure how this band could top their last album "...And the Battle Begun" without some sort of horn in the mix. After my first listen of this album in its entirety, I must say they have done the impossible in every facet of the definition. They continue to push the envelope, album after album after album. Upon finishing the first song, I knew this album was going somewhere and I was kept on the edge of my seat to the very last note that was played. These guys know music, in and out, and I just prey that everyone is blessed with listening to this masterpiece !

If you appreciate a good album that flows from beginning to end you will love Mandala.

As a whole this album is as cohesive as Dark Side of the Moon. The songs are perfectly ordered and seamlessly blend together from track to track.

What really makes this album great however is the production. This is not a click track band, everything you hear in terms of the basic song framework was recorded live to analog tape. Even if they just added the vocals and a few overdubs on top of the live recorded guitar, bass, drums and keyboard this album would be amazing... but they didn't... they kept going.

This album is filled with so much ambiance that it creates a world of it's own, you can listen to 100 times and you'll hear something new every time.

If you are a music junkie you will love this, and if you're a REAL music junkie you'll want to pick it up on vinyl to enjoy the full effect of this masterpiece.

And since this band is doing things on their own without a major record label, almost all of the money you spend on their music will go directly to putting food in their mouths... You can't beat that!

This has quickly become one of my favorite albums of the year. I hadn't heard much from RX Bandits, and always thought they they were more of a ska band but to much surprise, Mandala is anything but Ska. The album starts with a building song that sets the tone for the rest of the album. My favorite songs have to be My Lonesome Only Friend, March Of The Caterpillar, and Breakfast Cat. In a year of absolutely great albums from bands like Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Manchester Orchestra and Silversun Pickups, RX Bandits join the list of bands that surprise with beautiful and thought-provoking music. We all need to support music like this more, so that the world knows that it matters. My biggest fear is that in the near future, it will be harder to find such great records amongst the american idol contestant albums that fill so much space.

Mandala is a fantastic rock record that i hope the world will appreciate. if you believe in promoting art and music with integrity, pick up this album and spread the word on one of the best bands so few people know about.

Fans have been anticipating this album ever since we first heard 2006's ...And The Battle Begun. After that masterpiece of an album, we all wondered "where can they possibly go from here?" or "how can they possibly top this album?"....well Mandala is where they went, as well as how they topped it. Mandala is an absolute genius piece of work, from beginning to end. There is nothing forced with this band, everything comes naturally and organically. The RxBandits are truly one of the most talented bands making music today and there is NO reason why their music shouldn't touch the ears of everyone living. Think their albums are good? catch them live....you've never seen or heard anything like it. Mandala stands as their greatest composition yet, and I am truly excited for the future of this band!

OK, I'm writing this cause I used to play with these guys when I was in The Decapitones. Those were the good ol' days...us, Channel 6 and Jeffries Fan Club. But, alas, those days are over and Rx has kept going. I'm glad they've changed...the last few albums felt like they were trying too hard to hold on to the past. This one feels different, more experimental. #1 Alternative Album on Amazon! Good job, guys. Your voice is still one of the strongest I've heard...but you've ventured a bit away from Sublime...into your own style. White lies has a great vibe.

Ladies & Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking.

In a few moments we will begin our descent into the city of Prog. Before doing so, I want to thank you for choosing Genius Air for your travel from Ska City to Prog.

For those of you on the left side of the plane, you should be able to spot The Mars Volta. This landmark is known to be slightly manic and not for everyone.

If you look out the right side, you will see the lesser known, but more accessible Grüvis Malt. This landmark is known to be a little more relaxed--a good primer for those that are new to the city of Prog!

We will be touching down near the middle of these landmarks, so please take this opportunity to familiarize yourself with your surroundings.

On behalf of all of my crew, whether your sonic journey ends in Prog or is only one stop, thank you again for traveling Genius Air.

Mandala is Amazing!!!!Rx Bandits is the greatest band of this generation.and live they are explosive !!!

The album is completely amazing and you will not regret a cent.

I believe that every pair of ears on this earth completely and utterly should listen to this album and all of Rx Bandits' music.

It would literally change the world. I truly believe in my heart it would. ^_^

May they keep on rockin the great music and never stop!

I just want to take this opportunity to thank RxB for producing another mind-boggling album. If you enjoyed any of RxBs songs off of "The Resignation" or "....And The Battle Begun" stop wasting time reading these reviews and just buy the album. It's the next page in the journey they are taking us all on. I just got the email from RxB and headed right to the link and purchased the album. I was one of the lucky ones to hear the band as they progressed from a regular ska band into the unclassifiable soul-touching band that they are now. Every new album leaves me 100% satisfied, this one being no exception. Please support the band and buy the album. Steve Choi says and I quote "We just all need to know that bands like us survive because of you the audience, and now more than ever if you want to see bands like us stick around, we are completely in this together." Thanks!

I've loved Rx Bandits since my roommate gave me "Halfway Between Here & There" in college a few years ago. I wasn't able to claim I was a fan from the start, but after that I scooped up "And the Battle Begun" and the jump between album was insane, I quickly got "Progress" and "The Resignation" so I could have a more complete view of their progression. Now they have released "Mandala" and their style continues to amaze me, and their playcount in my library has eclipsed every other artist.

Simply put, buy this album. The melodies are intoxicating and you simply feel good after listening to it. Their traditional, high-energy style blends together with a more jammy style which is able to surprise even longtime listeners. Many people say that bands changing is a bad thing, but it's been nothing but awesome for Rx Bandits. "And the Battle Begun" is still probably my favorite of the bunch because it had the most startling first impression (and I love the horns!) but Mandala is certainly as good as it and The Resignation (the albums I consider the greatest)