Navigational

Centro-Matic | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 19, 1999)
• Original Release Date: April 19, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: IDOL RECORDS
• ASIN: B00004U4S3
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #298,755 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Essentially the first South San Gabriel album in all but name. The first official SSG record wouldn't appear until 18 months later in Europe (the stateside version was a Centro disc called South San Gabriel Songs), but Navigational is certainly the style of laid-back record that would become the norm for the Centro-Matic side project. In July and August of 1998, leader Will Johnson, drummer Matt Pence, cellist/violinist Scott Danbom, and bassist Mark Hedman accepted the invitation of Jay Farrar (Son Volt) to record at his Milstadt, IL, studio, Jajouka. The band emerged from those sessions with over 60 songs, with most of the noisier, lo-fi, anthemic tunes appearing on The Static vs. the Strings, Vol. 1, and the majority of the quieter, more emotive tracks making up Navigational. That's not to say Navigational doesn't have its powerful moments. "Ordinary Days" may begin with a gently loping pace, but as it explodes into feedback-drenched crescendo, the listener gets a great example of Centro-Matic's rare ability to mix urgent, indie sentiments with shout-along, arena rock-style anthems. "The Massacre Went Well" is another explosive song, but perhaps the most effecting of these is the transcendent "Numbers One & Three," which begins with Johnson singing over a fingerpicked electric. He's joined by Pence's march-like press rolls, a series of crashing, singalong "sha-la-la" choruses, and finally Danbom's fiddle at the four-minute mark to help accent the gorgeous outro. But, for the most part, the 16 tracks are mostly mellow sketches that begin with Johnson's plaintive voice and simple guitar strums or piano chords. Eventually they're fleshed out by Danbom's string work, Pence's rock-solid but subtle drumming, and overdubbed backup vocals by Johnson. "Ruin This With Style," "With Respect to Alcohol" (a favorite Centro theme), and "All Hail the Label Scouts" (with its wonderful major-label kiss-off: "at last this rockin' bullsh*t swindle leads to your demise") all fit this format successfully. But the piano-driven, melancholic love song "The Panacea Tonight" is perhaps the best of these, a haunting tune that adds tape loops and synth wash to its basic Centro sound without ever diluting the music's message. When Johnson imploringly insists that "when you're with me, the brighter the stars seem to shine," it's hard to argue with the intelligent display of raw emotion that Centro-Matic/South San Gabriel conjures up. Truly an underappreciated American act. ~ John Schacht, Rovi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars centro matic rocks, July 22, 2002

By 

"karate44" (nashville, tn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Navigational (Audio CD)

They really aren't the type of bands to get over-excited, a little to enthusiastic fans, but they deserve it. a solid album that will tear your eye, get you a 'dancing, and raising a fist all in the same song. Texas is better off with these guys and i hope they finally get their due credit. This album in particular is a maturing of sound that leaves behind some of the GBV influenced pop to be more lyric oriented and dare i say melancholic. Get it now!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars all due respect, June 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Navigational (Audio CD)

Everything they touch is great. The anthems on Navigational are not qiute as pop as their first effort, Redo the Stacks, but are no less magnificent. Centromatic keeps the raw unproduced sound that feels so good. "Unveil the smiles tonight, with all due respect to alchohol." They come across with the sincerity of a four year old, but the skills of the most seasoned songwriters. If you are a fan of Flaming Lips, you should lend this band an ear. Give me more!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Centro-Matic is my newest favorite band!!, February 2, 2007

By 

Tim D. Sawyer "T. SAWYER" (FT. Worth, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Navigational (Audio CD)

I have just found my newest favorite band!!! I highly recommend anyone to give Centro-Matic a listen!! You will most likely want to get more of their music once you hear this CD from this highly creative and compelling band.