Customer Reviews

Movie Monster

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Amidst the early swell of blogger buzz generated by Sound Team's fantastic "Work" EP (released independently in November 2005 on their Big Orange Records imprint) little did anyone know that the band would grow so quickly in the wake of that taseter set.

But the buzz continued.

Then swelled.

If "Work" was a taster for what might have been, Sound Team's debut release inches the Austin six-piece toward something far less speculative, largely due to the fact that Movie Monster is, quite simply, a rarefied gem.

It nothing less than the slightest understatement to say that they achidve something special here, something that not just any act can achieve on such a highly anticipated debut.

Whereas the Work EP often finds Sound Team venturing into masterful, Moog-driven major key cacophonies, Sound Team, this time around, explore darker, more experimental territrory whilst keeping their effortless tunefulness in tact.

Let it be know, there's diffuse territory to be traversed on Movie Monster. "Get Out," a terse, driving teaser anthem is followed by two dense pop gems, the pleading "Born to Please" and the Randy Newman meets Delfonte Gerard Boncleste ditty, "No More Birthdays."

The pulsating title track is the opening salvos to the record's middle act, which is, at times, darker and more experimental, part Neu!, part Eno, part Harry Nilsson, if that even makes sense.

It'd be otherwise negligent to overlook their influences, yet it'd be unwise to cite them as anything other than reference points: Sound Team sounds like one of those great, rare bands vigilently unique unto itself.

The record's third act meanders amongst exquisitely hazy sonics ("Afterglow Year" and "You've Never Lived a Day"), claustrophobic dance pop ("Shattered Glass"), and anthemic ennui (the epic/live staple "Handful of Billions").

One of 2006's ten best. Hands down.

I got my hands on an advanced copy of the album a month ago and am still listening to it constantly. Easily my favorite album of the year, and a real leap forward from the promise the band showed on the Work EP. The album has a distinctive sound and very cohesive feel, with my fave tracks being Born to Please, Handful of Billions, and Back in Town.

This is an indie rock kind of thing...not too wierd or exotic, but there is a seathing realism that creeps out from underneath these seemingly meaningless lyrics. There is something very creepy and real going on in these songs, along the lines of Death Cab For Cutie but with more ambiguity and with an overall sound that could tour alongside everything from We Are Scientists or the Bravery, to Single Frame or Autolux (all groups which should never be confused, or underestimated). I can't really descibe this sound, except to say that it's addictive, it ages well, and therefore I can't bring myself to take it out of my CD wallet. It's been in there for almost a year now. That single "Yr Eyes Are Liars" is a MONSTER if you have the ears to notice. So buy this if you are thinking about doing it anyway. Even though they are on a major label...come on, I mean, this label has no clue what to do with a group like this anyway...I was barely able to even find them on the record label website. Just buy it...I doubt they will be on this label for long.

Great record. Fresh sound. There are enough layers to things that new elements come through after repeated listens. Maybe the best thing about this record is how well it translates to a live show. See this band if you can, and buy this record.

Tower was closing so they had a clearance sale and I ended up randomly picking up a bunch of cds and this was one of them and I'm soo glad I got it. I've been listening to it non-stop. I'm going to pick up their other albums. Sound Team is my new favorite band.

For those lucky enough to visit it, Austin is the unofficial indie rock capitol of the United States. So it seems fitting that the lads of Sound Team met there, banded together, and started making music in -- unsurprisingly -- an abandoned record factory.

The results: Their full-length debut "Movie Monster," which has a few freshman stumbles, but overall is composed of pure rock'n'roll wit, like Spoon or the Walkmen. The vibrant sound and skilled instrumentation whirl up into a solid, intriguing debut that gets better every time you listen to it. One of the most unique rock albums of the year.

One of those freshman stumbles is the first two songs of the album -- they should have been switched. The shimmering "Get Out" kicks off the album, but the undulating synth over a soft guitar just isn't very compelling. That's left to the stunning "Born To Please," an urgent, grimy rocker with buzzing guitars and ominous waves of synth. "Do you remember the one who/who took the place/in the sun from you?/I know you do!" Matt Oliver wails.

For a few songs after that, they divide themselves between the synthier songs and the rock-ier songs. The title track is a dark, slightly creepy synth song, but then it switches to the intensely catchy, hard-rock "TV Torso." From there on, the band tries out a variety of styles that are all connected by two things -- their tight riffs, and their undertones of synth. Melodic rock, fuzz-rock, hard rock and finishing up with the energetic "Handful of Billions."

The closest comparison I can make to Sound Team's sound is Spoon -- both of them have tight, often catchy melodies and solid instrumentation. It's rock, with no pretentions. But don't think that this is simple guitar pop -- on the first listen, you're wrapped up in the tight melodies. But after listening for awhile, the hidden layers in each song start to pop out at the listener.

Guitar is the most prominent instrument here -- fuzzing, buzzing and cycling in tight, sleek riffs, or else bouncing along in mellow loops in "Your Eyes Are Liars." It's dark and gritty, and is paired with equally dark (but less gritty) synth that softens the angular edges without being too overpowering. And the whole thing is backed by sharp drumming and the occasional tambourine shake.

Oliver has a voice that takes a little getting used to, especially since he is often overpowered by the music. Personally I had a rough time understanding a word he said at times But his vocals grow on you, especially during "Born to Please," and pretty soon you won't notice the rough edges. Especially if you CAN make out the lyrics -- they're a bit bizarre, but worth it. ("When there's nine thousand neckties/and a swarm all around you...")

Unpretentious but musically astounding, the Sound Team make a tight, solid debut in "Movie Monster." If they get the attention they deserve, then they'll be the next big thing.

I heard this album and was stunned. This is a great album by a totally unknown band. Why aren't people talking about these guys? I saw them live in San Francisco and they were a great live band too. All the songs are solid and it's a unique sounding band. If they were from Toronto maybe people would say this is the next Radiohead. My favorite song is "Your Eyes Are Liars." Every song is really great. Sound Team is the band of the future. I really hope that more people can experience this band live. I hope to see them more. Spread the word. I guess they already opened for Arcade Fire, and blew them off the stage. So they have a Next Big Thing vibe. But they are from Texas. Maybe that is holding them back? This record is somewhere between indie classic and major blockbuster. It's very hot today.

This is your lucky music day, because hey, you made it here. Don't take what I say next lightly...Sound Team is an amazing band, and prepare to be blown away by their masterpiece "Movie Monster." It's a rare exception when a new band puts out a full length release like this...all who have though were destined for greatness. Even great bands which have come out with a few albums never put out as complete genius as this one. Not sure what's in the water in TX either. Is it me, or does Austin just keep cherning out the best of what alternative/indie/new rock bands have to offer? To best describe their sound, as I'm comparing them to other main-stage bands...mix: Spoon, What Made Milwaukee Famous, and the Strokes, and now you have the recipe for a killer band and sound-that's Sound Team -only there's fresh new developments building on those familar sounds I have mentioned. Killer track after track, and it's just chills, chills, chills. Don't miss your chance to own this.

I'm not usually a 5 stars guy for many bands, but I've been playing and replaying this album for weeks now. Each listen seems to reveal some new layer or sound, which I absolutely love in a band.

It is not often that a band comes along with a truly unique sound. Sure you can hear occasional influnces, but as a whole this band sounds only like Sound Team.

Pick this album up if you already haven't (and the Work EP). Sound Team has a long career in the music business ahead of them.

As a fan of their live shows, I was greatly anticipating Sound Team's major label debut. They did not disappoint--every song on the album masterfully attacks a different sound and mood. It's very easy to listen to this album over and over without getting sick of it because it's so diverse, which is rare with most albums. Every song has complex layers and a unique sound and all are very enjoyable to listen to. They have definitely mastered melody and song structure. Sound Team unquestionably has a sound all their own, but if you like Spoon or The Walkmen you will definately like Sound Team (they are actually much better than The Walkmen, in my opinion). Check out "Born to Please", "Movie Monster" and "Back in Town" on the album and you'll see what I mean. And BTW, their live shows are amazing.

September 14, 2007: This album is still in my top 5 listening rotations on my MP3 player. It's still awesome after listening to it non-stop for a year!