Customer Reviews

Myths Of The Near Future

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After seeing the music video for "Golden Skans", I just had to investigate this band further, and I am sure glad I did. This is one amazing indie/space rock/psychedelic/pop record. There are some amazing songs on here, with soaring melodies and some awesome instrumental work. I can only hope that Klaxons go up from here. I can't even describe it, you just need to give this record a listen. Even if it doesn't hit you on the first listen, give it a few spins. This is one of the best new bands I have heard in quite a while.

in each song and idea klaxons bring to the table it just seems like i've heard an echo of it somewhere in the independent music scene before. yet i can't pin it down. i love it for it's energy, and i'll continue loving it for its layer upon layer approach to a scene that needs depth in a major way. i don't regret my purchase in the least.

From start to finish, this album is ace. Just got it yesterday and haven't stopped listening. Will definitely be a fave for all time.

"Golden Skans" is my personal favorite.

Don't let them be pigeonholed by a genre of music. "nu/rave" or whatever. They're innovative and catchy, with a dose of 80's influence, yes. However, I grew up in the 80's, and we didn't have anything close to Klaxons.

Buy it.

It seems that hype within the music industry develops earlier and earlier. Consider the case of UK group Klaxons who were featured on the cover of NME a whole three months before their debut album even hit record store shelves. At the time of attaining the coveted cover spot on the UK music bible the group had existed as a band for less than a year, and had released only one EP to go along with the countless remixes of their songs floating around on the Internet.
It would seem that the case of Klaxons can also be cited for revealing the limited number of responses people use to approach highly touted next big things: 1) Unquestionably buy in (dumb idea) 2) Backlash (dumber idea) 3) Buy in initially only to backlash a few months later all the while claiming `you were there' from the start (dumbest idea) 4) Thank Ms. Hype for the kind tip, then go hide in the corner alone with a set of headphones and decide for yourself (good idea, no?). And indeed the Klaxons seem to be experiencing all the potential responses. But the Klaxons are a band to take note of, and Myths of the Near Future is indeed a worthy and memorable endeavor that is likely to be one of 2007's best releases. Despite the bands short existence the growth between their EP Xan Valleys and Myths is quite remarkable. If you've never heard Klaxons picture a more daring version of Bloc Party with not one but three Justin Timberlake's providing the vocals. Intrigued? Take the risk, because the rewards are indeed great.

I had a friend who told me a bit about these guys, mainly that they were a good mix of electronic and rock. Being that I am a fan of industrial, d&b, grunge, and yes - getting into some of the new prog like Muse these days; I thought this cd would be worth checking out. I'd of course Youtubed, heard Golden Skans, Its Not Over Yet, and I liked the dissonant and glitchy flavor of it matching the more 70's and 80's punk type flairs that a lot of British bands like to pepper their sound with.

Listening to this cd on the first round, glad I got it but wasn't sure if it was something I'd listen to a lot. By second listen I was pretty certain of one thing at least - they do have an addictive element. Any band that has something coherent about their music emotionally and has something to offer, it may not sink in immediately but as you listen to it off an on and have it grip with your every day life a little; it finds a context of its own. In essence, this is one of those cd's that will grow on you.

My take in the end - they have talent, they have good ideas, you can hear it in the music, but at the same time I think their style will most likely go through a lot more refinement. That and I would imagine that the next cd they drop, whether it happens in 2009, 2010, will probably be much improved and a lot of the fray points on this cd will be shored up. I don't think the critics jumped the gun on touting these guys, the potential is definitely there, I just think that they're in the same spot that Alice In Chains was with Facelift - the best of their potential is still in the offing.

There has been a plethora of great British bands over the last few years; Kaiser Chiefs, the Kooks, Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Franz Ferdinand, and Hard-Fi to mention a few. Add to that list Klaxons, winners of the 2007 Mercury music prize (they beat out Amy Winehouse's "Back to black" as well as the Arctic Monkey's "Favourite worst nightmare").

"Myths of the near future" (named after a short story collection by J. G. Ballard) is the debut album from the English trio and it comprises 11 energetic (often raucous) songs running just over 35 minutes in total. Everything on this CD is upbeat, and their sound (a hybrid of rock, dance, and electronic) has been labelled Nu rave. Opening cut "Two receivers" has some insistent piano tinkling, set to a hard hitting beat and a buzzing riff, while a klaxon sound runs through the tempo shifting "Atlantis to interzone".

Next up is my favourite, "Golden skans" (fell in love with this when I saw the video), a shimmery song with a very catchy chorus (love those Ooo ooo ooohs running in the background). Lovely! A #7 hit in the UK, this was the biggest hit of the singles.

"Totem on the timeline" is more urgent with buzzing guitars, the Blur-like "As above, so below" sets distorted guitars to a Motown beat, the fuzzy laid back "Isle of her" wouldn't sound out of place on a Gorillaz album, "Gravity's rainbow" has skittery beats, electronic effects and chanted vocals, "Forgotten works" (with a groovy bassline) is dance rock, "Magick" features drum-machine-demolishing beats alternating with a quieter eerie feel, "It's not over yet" (similar to "Golden skans", this is actually a remake of a dance song by Grace), and closing is the fuzzy upbeat apocalyptic "Four horsemen of 2012" with spoken lyrics.

Catchy, danceable, fun filled music, the album made #2 in the UK. Look out for their collaboration on the Chemical Brother's Grammy winning CD "We are the night" (on the song "All rights reversed").

This cd is incredible.
From start to finish it's fun to listen to.
I haven't even had it for a month yet and I think I can sing every single lyrics.

If you like their myspace songs you'll like this CD. The whole CD is fast paced which is good for "rockin out". There are a few songs which I personally dont like mostly because they are so repetitive but all in all it is very original and "new rave" (which really isnt a genre but whatever, ha) and its deff worth the 10 bucks.

from their mythical lyrics to their fantasy-themed videos, anyone can tell the Klaxons have a style all their own. coining the genre "nu rave," has only garnered more attention and support, smart move. and it's the perfect description. i really can't get enough.

order of preference: golden skans, interzone, not over yet, and gravity's rainbow are my top picks from the album.... but others are soon joining the list. honestly, turn on Interzone and crank up the volume. you won't be able to sit still.

lately most of my favorite music has came out of the UK. please, keep it coming!!

I first read about this band in Spin Magazine while on the train, and the genre quite intrigued me,so upon arriving at home, I went and checked them out online.

I downloaded a couple of there songs and I most liked them all.
However other than Atlantis to Interzone and Magick, I don't find them to be as "New-Rave" as the critics are calling them.

Anyways, if you have the chance to listen to them and if you like british music, I would definitely recommend this band.
My favourite songs are.....
Atlantis to Interzone, Golden Skans, Totem on the Timeline, Isle of Her and Gravity's Rainbow.