Customer Reviews

No Silver No Gold

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

 

 

In an interview, Chris Flemmons says that anyone who would listen to this album on repeat is "sick". I guess that's me. The first cut shows that Flemmons has 1) a keen sense of melody 2) the lyrical sensibilties of Roky Erikson 3) a voice whose intensity obviates the need for virtuosity 4) one hell of a temper. Some, though certainly not all, of 4) can be explained by the next song "Alcohol", without doubt, the best drinking song ever written in 5/4 time. A casual listener might write them off at this point as a novelty. As for production value, "lo-fi" is an understatement. I could get a better recording on my answering machine. Somehow, through the haunting, roots-inspired (which roots? appalachian? blues? gospel?) "Going Back Song" to the trash-rock "Burning", Flemmons' incendiary voice and lyrical direction (sometimes too obscure) burn through their pawn shop instruments, revealing, I say, without irony, a transcendent vision. "St. Christopher's Medal", written about his recently deceased father, could be placed in the John Lomax's archives of the earliest, rawest folk music ever recorded, and no one would notice for a long time. It alone is worth the price of the cd. Many people will HATE this album. The rest of us sickos will have this on repeat-- on the stereo or in our heads-- longer than is good for us.

Get it, the BG's? These guys are pure genius. OK, so that one was probably accidental, and why would a subtle BeeGees reference be laudable or considered clever anyway, but I digress. This is an amazing album. Track 11, "Diminished," is a must-have for anyone who still hauls out side 2 of Neil Young's 'On the Beach' on vinyl because sometimes you want to hear the most achingly beautiful (yet fully unpretentious) rock and roll ever made. If you qualify, buy this album. It's comparable to 'On the Beach' in many ways, including the fact that it isn't perfect from start to finish, but also in the fact that the moments when they get it right are absolutely irreplaceable, unique, beautiful moments that simply must be heard. By the way, if you scrounge through the many online reviews of this album and notice the plethora of GBV comparisons, I would say that they're wrong. The missing link between the Baptist Generals and forgotten college radio playlists is the late great Chicago minimalist band Souled American. Chris Flemmons, however, is a little less at ease than any band that would record a Little Feat cover. It works. Stick together, BG's, please.

This is the most difficult album in the world to describe. Equal parts acoustic madness,shards of electric guitar peeking out occasionally, some country flavor thrown in(though definitely not a country album), informed by punk and laced with the sick, psychotic vocals of lead General Chris Flemmons. He sounds like the cross between Daniel Johnston and Roky Erickson (both Texans, as it turns out)fronting the acoustic version of the Butthole Surfers or an acid fried version of the first Modern Lovers. Generally, the lo-fi production does nothing to obscure any of this and the highlights as they are are "Alcohol (Turn and Fall)" and the opening track with its mad, sudden stop ending in profanities and God knows what is being destroyed. Psychedelia for the madman in all of us.

I think it's beautiful, so rawly emotional. I like the music. Maybe I'm just damaged enough to appreciate it. It's not easy listening. Songs like "Alcohol" will probably be disturbing for most people, but I find it easier on the ears than any Yanni record. The record rocks. The first song is unlistenable, I'll give you that, but basically becomes a shaggy dog joke by the end when the singer has a hilarious meltdown. Everyone deals with their pain in different ways. 500 is a sweet song. I like it when people sing about being true to whats in your heart.

Chris Flemmons and company are a giant sledgehammer in the hand of a toddler god in a Lego dinosaur park. This album is what music is supposed to be: authentic, unpretentious, playful joy to original melodies, and it apparently takes this sort of form to shake people awake now. Few newer bands have been so original or from the heart in the past 10 years (Funeral, The Walkmen are almost on a par). The obvious standout single is "Alcohol" though there is much more depth here to be explored. "Feds on the Highway" is a classic example of why this album is respectfully reflective mountain man spiritual revelation every bit as much as it is creative tongue-in-cheek indie rock roman candle. Reducing this album to "underdeveloped potential" is blasphemy in the highest degree to everything that doesn't suck in safely pre-packaged cellophane. "Diminished" peels back another side of Flemmons' songwriting as he relates what appears to be a self-reflective condemnation and self-chastisement at feeling like a splintered has-been self, while "Going Back Song" paints bittersweet thoughts of a relationship lost forever. Clearly these songs come out of the seeming midpoint of a personal and collective era and contain excitation, prophetic glow and sorrowful moanings that put most contemporary tune-turning, both popular and less so, to shame. Portrayal of genuine personal darkness can be found in "Creeper" in seemingly innocuous lyrics whose frightening character is known only by their accompaniment. Coffee House Faux-Folk Virtuosity, run and hide thy face. Roots-influenced music has soul again. On No Silver/No Gold, not a track, not a note, not a lyric, not a vocal twist or thump on the guitar is wasted. Chris Flemmons and the BGs have made their Testament in their time.

"No Silver No Gold" is mostly a solid album. The main argument against it is the production values. At times, the singer's voice is all but unlistenable. But it doesn't really ruin the album, but rather gives it a certain character. These are heartfelt folky songs that are beautiful in and of themselves, evidenced by how they shine despite the lack of studio gloss. Some might draw comparisons to Jeff Mangum both in voice and style, and while this might be slightly warranted, The Baptist Generals are no Neutral Milk Hotel knock-off by any means.

If you are considering this album, there is no doubt you have an eccentric taste in music. "No Silver/No Gold" definitely sticks to the Baptist Generals' formula of ultra lo-fi recordings with rambling vocals and a looping, powerful guitar. Though stand-outs or singles may prove difficult to get into, they exist. Make sure you enjoy this album with a pair of headphones and an open mind.

I first read about this band in a local publication and I purchased the CD because of the favorable article and the fact that they are on Sub Pop. I immediately fell in love with the first listen. But having said that, this record is not for everyone. It's definitely an acquired taste. The production quality is poor (most of the songs soud like they were recorded live) but this does little to take away from the music. I would recomend this band to anyone interested in Neutral Milk Hotel, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, or Modest Mouse.

Some bands are underground for a reason. Anybody who can find anything remotely tolerable on this album does not deserve their sense of hearing. With the lack of musicianship and song writing ability on this record, these guys are definitely raking in the indie-cred.