Customer Reviews

Methodrone

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Even though this music is (as of writing this) over 10 years old, you'd SWEAR that it was a brand new record! This is how well Methodrone stands the test of time! In fact the vast majority of Anton Newcombe's music stands up well long after publication/release!

As the names imply [BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE - METHODRONE] you get a heaping serving of early Stones attitude and sound set against a solid wall of shoe gazing/droning chords. The first four tracks of Methodrone make this an absolute must for any serious rock fan.

While there isn't a bad song on the cd, the remainder of the record is merely very good. But in BJM's defense think of the last few records you bought...can you say that every track is either outstanding or merely very good? Probably not. Methodrone is a wonderful start to finish ride.

I would recomend that if you're not familiar with BJM this record is as good a place to start as any of their MANY records. Other BJM records tend to be heavier on the 60's sound that Newcombe knows and loves. That isn't bad, in fact Newcombe is a (here it goes another BJM fan overstating) a GENIUS. Really, he is. Newcombe has the ability to re-create the best the 60's and early 70's had to offer but repackage it in a very contemporary ATTITUDE.

Newcombe & BJM are receiving a good deal of notoriety since the documentary "DiG!" has come out on DVD. In it he's protrayed as an as**ole. This may or may not the the truth. But don't let the documentary get in the way of your becomming a fan of his music. After all, isn't that the REAL point? Take Richard Wagner...he and his wife Cosima were SERIOUS anti-semites. They were both outspoken and loud as**oles. But what about Wagner's MUSIC. You'd never be able to tell that Wagner was a certifiable pr*ck while listening to the Siegfried Idyll! I'm not saying Newcombe is a horse's hind end, maybe he is and maybe he isn't. All I'm saying is let his MUSIC make up your mind.

OK, off the soap box and back to Methodrone...BUY IT!

It's the Maasacre from a time when they felt things a little bit differently and measured themselves against more contemporary band movements. But this album will be sought after even 20 years from now, GUARANTEED. Timeless as they wanted it and all of their releases to be.

Not like Anton doesn't add dreampop in some of his recordings, but Methodrone can rival any My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Catherine Wheel, Slowdive, etc - as one of the most overlooked treasures to the genre. This was made in 1995, a point when shoegaze was phasing out to britpop like Blur's Modern Life Is Rubbish in 1994 (look at the transition for the band LUSH regarding catalog). What I am saying is he was a penny short of getting real success with this record, not like Anton could ever put all his eggs in one basket. He is one talented bstrd and the debut should have gave him more of a fanbase. I am happy he is getting the attention now.

While this album does not flow together perfectly, it is still an excellent listen. "Evergreen" may be one of the most beautiful rock songs I have ever heard, right up there with My Bloody Valentine's "Sometimes." This album will take you to another dimension. Methodrone is absolutely stunning.

This album along with "Take it From the Man" and "Give it Up" are sheer genius. Anton may be one dysfunctional little prick, but, to paraphrase Courtney Taylor, it doesn't matter because he makes such important and powerful albums. This is not music to listen to while driving or puttering around the house. This is music you listen to while sitting directly between your speakers (or with headphones) and no distractions. Intoxicants are optional. This is a lush, layered tapestry that deserves four or five listenings to fully appreciate. Highlights include, but are not limited to, "Evergreen", "Crushed" and "Hyperventilation". This is probably BJM's most psychedelic record. I've played this CD for several people and their reaction is always "Who is this band?" "Why haven't I heard of them before?" "Are they a new band?" Unfortunately BJM, like too many other great bands, are not part of corporate radio's narrow playlists.
I would have given this five stars but BJM can be repetitive. Anton seems to be fond of certain chord changes and phrasing that he uses a lot on all of his albums, but they can all stand on their own merits. It's just when you take his (vast) body of work as a whole that this repetition becomes apparent.

The best place to start if you are a newcomer to BJM music is the retrospective Tepid Peppermint Wonderland. This debut album as other reviewers have noted, is a product of the so-called "shoegaze" era, whereupon a bunch of mainly English bands made jumping around on stage very unfashionable. They also used lots of layered guitar sounds, ditsortion and feedback. I'm talking Jesus & Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine and the early Creation Records (i.e pre Teenage Fanclub) catalogue generally. BJM do this with aplomb, but you can sense the 60s nostalgia underneath and sometimes it brims forth in songs such as "That Girl Suicide" (the best song on the album in my opinion.) Shoegaze had given way to Britpop and Grunge when this came out, which might explain why the BJM extended their musical palette to include Dylanesque folk rock and West Coast psychedelia within a drone-rock framework... an excellent mix in my opinion.

There are enough good tunes on the album to make it worth buying but I personally like their music when they ditched being part of a trend and started approximating the music they love... all those great psychedelic bands from the west coast like Love and the Music Machine, the Seeds etc etc.

With all the years that have past since this was released I think its for fans of the band rather than newcomers, but like all of BJM stuff, it is worth listening to.

This disc is absolutely ridiculous, easily one of the best and most original discs I've purchased over the past five years. The disc is a masterpiece and well worth your time and effort to give it a spin. I've been using Amazon for years but have never written a review for anything but this disc is so good I have to spread the word.

I broowed this cd from my brother, as ive been getting into My Bloody Valentine, Labradford, and Bowery Electric. I was blown Away! Alot of really great songs, and its just a fulfilling album to listen to. try it!

.....that no one else seems to know about BJM. Its a shame how all the best talent seems to go overlooked these days, Id be willing to bet that years from now these guys will be famous. That said, Methodrone is an amazing album, although there seems to be a lot of filler here (the album is over 70 minutes) and most of the songs begin in the same feedback-drenched manner. Its hard to pick a favorite track but I think "Wisdom" may be the highlight here. Other gems are "She Made Me", "That Girl Suicide" and "She's Gone". If your a diehard fan of shoegaze then you probably already have this album, if not then Id say its definitely worth a try. After Methodrone BJM made a dramatic shift in sound, so this may not be the best place to start, but if you can find a copy, its worth listening to.

This cd is incredible. One of the best I have every heard, definitely best by BJM. Although the flow of the cd is more disjointed than other BJMs, man of the individual songs (evergreen, wisdom, everyone says) are true gems.

If you don't already own this CD, go out and get it. Its takes spaceman 3 psych out blurs in My Bloody valentine drones and mixes in the rolling stones irreverant attitude.

I can't recommend this CD highly enough.