Customer Reviews

Mobile Estates

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You know the story. Quirky, hard-to-pigeonhole band avoids the easy pop sellout, so almost nobody knows about them, and their big breakthrough hit is inevitably the ONE mainstream, poppy thing they ever did (see also: Katrina and the Waves, Crazy Town, Len, Chris DeBurgh, etc.), and eventually they break up because the money simply isn't there. In that light, it's regrettable that this turned out to be Citizen King's farewell album, because while it isn't outstanidng our earth-shattering, it's a still a good, listenable, non-poppy or sappy album. They certainly sound like they have fun making music, and it would've been nice to see how much further they could've run with their offbeat vision.

I think the song that best encapsulates the album (and Citizen King, for that matter) is Basement Show, which is about...get this...a bunch of guys making a living doing what they love and not caring what others think about it. Long Walk Home and Billhilly give a little insight into their roots. Smokescreen, Skeleton Key, Under the Influence, and Jalopy Style are just plain cool to listen to. There's a lot of territory covered here, and I can't point to any really bad track.

No, they didn't start a musical revolution, or change the world, or get that elusive second hit. All they did was have one brief glimpse of success and produce a fun album before fading away. Isn't that good enough?

Stop with these tag suggestions!!!

Citizen King is another band that mixes rap, but with a bunch of other styles. This isn't really related to 311 or Rage, it's different.

The sound... not sure. Beck and Sublime kind of sound like a valid descripition, but since Beck has a variety of styles (it's beck, it dosen't always work), think more Odelay, only Citizen King dosen't make a bunch of vomit music, and dosen't have Beck's lifeless voice. Matt's vocals are interesting, and he raps mostly, but he can sing, Better Days is an example. He always uses lyrics that are a little surreal, maybe not, but a little like those word play writers who don't let the idea come out instantly.

The music is just, well, like nothing else, but pretty, well, funky. SO that's about I can give, it's got a lot of funky _____ in it. The sound clips should help, and I could say that this music is cool. Salt Bag Spill was the only song that was horrible, but everything else is great.

9.0/10

i'm addicted to mobile estates! i don't listen to the radio much...so unlike the rest of the mainstream world, i had heard "better days" probably once and didn't think much of it. but i was recently dragged to a random metro show where citizen king supported - their performance captured my attention. the next day, i got the vinyl and now i am hooked. if you sample, this ck album has some nice cuts to eat up. catchy tunes, smart licks, clever sampling - jalopy style is my fave. i guess i don't really need to spread the word though...it's already a known fact that mobile estates is a keeper. (and they are so cute!)

ok people, dont buy this cd for Better Days because you will be unprepared for the overall greatness. Buy it and listen to every track EXCEPT BD, then go back and listen to BD and see what I mean. It is hardly the best track, I think the best ones are Basement Show, Under The Influence, and JALOPY STYLE (that one rules). These guys are so good, it's like HOW do they come up with this stuff? I know i could never think of it...just put it in your basket and proceed to the "Checkout Line".

this is one of my favorite albums of all time. if you can you need to buy it. every song is good. but what makes me mad is how if someone hears the song "better days" they think it's Sublime. then i get into an argument of how it's not and they say it is. where the hell do they think it's Sublime?

If Beck's albums "Odelay" and "Midnight Vultures" got together and made a baby, and the Beastie Boys cut the umbilical cord while Smash Mouth sucked the mucus out of its lungs, it would sound just like "Mobile Estates." This album is brilliant. I got it used for dirt cheap last week and I have listened to it at least 15 times since. I've been searching for an album like this for years and I've finally found it. Bravo!

A solitary, first drone of feedback is heard, leading into a laser-like high pitched squeal. From underneath, a noise gives way to a jangle of alternative guitar, followed by a violent scratch from a turntable. The bass, drums, and keyboard kick in, and the song explodes into a catchy downward guitar riff. Such is the only way to describe the beginning of "Under The Influence" on Citizen King's Mobile Estates. The rest of the songs follow a formula of what can be decibed as (I know, I know) Beck meets Sublime. Throw in a little guitar sampled from Fear's Record, and top it all off with Matt Sims' smooth voice--and you have Citizen King.

I have to describe Sims' voice. He raps in most songs, except for the occasional Beck-like drone or laid-back singing style of "Better Days." His lyrics are the most amazing. Taken literally, they're gibberish, but listening to his flow and delivery, use of metaphors, and the eerie absence of profanity, and it's amazing. The amount of words he can magically string together in a sentence and have "make sense" is mind-blowing! The band as a whole are very tight, making a sweet blend of hip-hop, disco, alternative rock, and a little quirkiness. The most famous song on here is probably the hit "Better Days," but, "Under The Influence" and the other songs are all great too.

I just saw Citizen King in concert last night and I went and bought their cd today! They're an awesome band with music that just flows real smooth. If you like Beck or Sublime, you'll love Citizen King's cd, Mobile Estates.

I am a close friend of the band, Citizen King, and have seen them in concert more times than I will ever be able to count. Some say that I may have a biased opinion when it comes to reviewing their music......I will make sure to refer those who doubt me to all these wonderful music reviews......Keep listening......and spread the word......go out and BUY MOBILE ESTATES!!!!!!!

Fun, listenable, groovin' album, but you've heard all of this stuff before with other efforts from Beck, Sublime, et al. In fact, Better Days is pretty much a carbon-copy of every mainstream, played-out Sublime song you've ever heard. "I've seen better days"? Indeed. The album has a good deal of variety, so you won't tire of it that quickly. It's not bad, but it's not outstanding, either. Try before you buy.