Milk Famous

White Rabbits | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: March 6, 2012
• Label: TBD Records
• Copyright: 2012 TBD Records. All Rights Reserved.
• Total Length: 40:25
• Genres:
  • Alternative Rock
• ASIN: B0074G4EC8
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,676 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Less Spoon-fed March 28, 2012

By J. Loudon

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

After a debut riddled with ideas, but lacking any concrete direction, White Rabbits turned to Spoon's own Britt Daniel for assistance. The result was 2009's "It's Frightening," an album with far more focus, but less originality. In fact, with the exception of the explosive opener, "Percussion Gun," most of "It's Frightening" quickly drew comparisons to Spoon.

Now, nearly three years after "It's Frightening," White Rabbits have returned. This time, the majority of the production work was handed over to Mike McCarthy, Spoon's longtime producer.

The resulting sound is definitely more unique, but there is still plenty of Spoon mixed into "Milk Famous." What's interesting is that now, the Spoon influence seems to be more in the production itself instead of the songs.

Spoon is by no means the first or the 100th band to utilize double-tracked vocals, but White Rabbits more frequent use of falsetto coupled with the double-tracked vocal part on songs like "Heavy Metal" and "Temporary" will instantly have Spoon fans thinking of "I Turn My Camera On" from 2005's "Gimmie Fiction."

Those same tunes, however, are some of the most memorable on the album and will likely be what convinces fans to purchase this record.

What made tracks like "Percussion Gun" on White Rabbits' last record so enjoyable was the mixture of a memorable hook and Stephen Patterson's strong vocal delivery. Patterson's strained emphasis of certain words took an already excellent song and made it extraordinary.

The emotion heard in his voice, however, is somewhat lost on "Milk Famous." The doubled vocals mentioned previously give Patterson a more subdued tone which fits the more laid back nature of songs like "Hold It to the Fire" and "Are You Free," but on "Everyone Can't Be Confused" or "Danny Come Inside," fans familiar with White Rabbits' older material may find themselves begging Patterson to let loose.

What McCarthy's production style does do for "Milk Famous" is make it their most consistently strong record to date. "It's Frightening" had more potential stand-out singles, but "Milk Famous" is less likely to be criticized for containing any "filler material." From start to finish, "Milk Famous" is incredibly enjoyable even with continued comparisons to Spoon and a less dramatic vocal. In the band's weaker moments, the gaps left in the mix are filled by McCarthy's gift for unique and experimental frills as best seen on the track "It's Frightening," which has very little in common with the band's previous record by the same name.

"Milk Famous" finds White Rabbits hitting their stride after finally settling on a style, but most importantly, it shows how much potential this band truly has in the years to come. It's hard not to already get excited for White Rabbits' next record, but in the meantime, "Milk Famous" is a great place to start for listeners new to the band.

Track Suggestion: "Temporary"

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars different and good March 10, 2012

By Eric Anderson

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

Huge fan - will finally see them live in Salt Lake City on March 20th! I like the album and some of the songs that don't sound like the "old stuff" are my favorites. They are trying new things and succeeding. But I totally miss the raw vocal sound of It's Frightening and Fort Nightly. If the vocals were a little more raw and in your face I would be giving this 5 stars. Keep the music coming - and visit us in the West a little more! I still can't figure out why these guys aren't huge.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Awww Man.... March 6, 2012

By Dharma_bum

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a HUGE White Rabbits fan, and I am even the guru of them on Getglue (ladies), so I was naturally excited to download their latest cd. I downloaded it today and while I listen to it, I like it, and that's the problem. They are allowed to explore new sounds and do whatever they want, but this is.... well it sounds like everything else. It has echo-ey vocals throughout the whole cd. They are still kings of layers, but it just doesn't feel right. If you like the White Rabbits, then I would get it, but if you are new, get It's Frightening and Fort Nightly. NOW! And run far away from this page until you have memorized every lyric on those bad boysFort Nightly.It's Frightening