Customer Reviews

Marshmallow Coasting

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

 

 

Concept albums can get really bogged down by over-reaching narratives. And if you try to follow the cartoon storyline for the new MotH CD, you'll probably get stuck or lost, even with a 2-page libretto, a 24-page B&W comic book and expressive song titles. Suffice it to say, the real focus is the music, which has an endearing 60s vibe rich with harmony singing and low-fi arrangements. The songs are infectious and catchy, and spin smoothly alongside anything by the Vaselines, the Pastels and most of the Elephant 6 brood. A bit strange, but a nice break from the mainstream.

this cd is absolutly awesome, and i agree with all the positive reviews for the most part. but a friend and I both ordered this album from {this website} and niether of us got the 24-page comic booklet that comes with the cd, im working with amazon to return it and see it was just a one time thing (err.. i mean two time thing), but i would suggest not expecting the comic-booklet with it. but the cd is awesome that it shouldnt even matter!

I first bumped into Masters of the Hemisphere with Pitchfork when I reviewed their self-titled debut - - the finest Athens jangle pop since early REM. I am not a Freemdoom is their sophomore effort. I wanted to be disappointed by this concept album about a cartoon dog named Freemdoom who pollutes the reservoirs of Krone Ishta, I really did. But the songwriting and storytelling are too compelling. With an impressive array of instrumentation, Masters of the Hemisphere etch a jubilant, coherent and catchy pop record - one that I couldn't get out of my car all summer long. Apples In Stereo aim for this kind of psychedelic 60's pop sound, but come off sounding stilted and emotionally under-invested. In stark contrast to the Elephant 6 collective, so much care went into making this record, with shocking sincerity and lack of artifice, that you can't help but embrace the tale of Freemdoom the evil dog.

This is a strange experience. If you didn't have the comic book that comes with the CD, you'd swear these MF's were some kind of freethinking anarchists. Since you do have the comic book, this is a really great (and weird) concept CD. The tunes are simple and catchy, they even break into a Beach Boys harmony mid-album. Probably the best combination comic book/CD I'll buy this year.

All of the songs on this CD follow the storyline of the accompanying comic book. The comic book is endearingly simple and straightforward, and the music is a fine companion to it- an excellent record, rife with superb harmonies and warm instrumentation.