Customer Reviews

Now Hear This

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

 

 

We have every reason to believe that Sumack may not excell to the heights they deserve, because while "Now Hear This," the sophmore effort (but first major label release) of these Los Angelenos, is accessible, catchy, and instantly infectious, v2 and other forces just might bury what is otherwise a tres promising career.

The album, "Now Hear This," is a tour-de-force of found sounds, trippy sampling, superior songwriting, and masterful, even grand, production. Stand-out cuts include "Metaphysical" (the first single, and fittingly so, for it is pop perfection with witty lyrics and snarky delivery), "Superdome" (a thunderclap of white-boy rap set among the Louisiana swamp lands), "Burn This Town" (funk excoriating Los Angeles life, name-dropping talent agency ICM among others), and "The Ballad of Frank and Charlie" (sublime in its beauty and simplicity, a folk song disguised as otherwise). Every note is layered and bright, and though the melodies stick with you for days on end, the pop leanings of this "junk rock" music don't tarnish the complexity of the music at all. At it's best it is original work that raises the stakes of bands like Soul Coughing and Sukpatch, giving more credence to the belief that the increasingly out-of-reach esotericism of precursers isn't a necessity for making a strong, creative, original album that blends funk, soul, and sampling with good old-fashioned rock. At its worse it's musical confection, a pastiche of pop that takes us on a party-inducing ride that doesn't let up until the last keg is tapped.

Now why might this be a crowning achievement as well as a devestating blow? Press hasn't gotten behind the group and they've barely registered a blip on v2's catalogue. PR is light and marketing may even be lighter, and though the band has been touring tirelessly this winter and look towards more touring in the future, radio isn't jumping on the bandwagon either. It'll take a spot of divine intervention for this album to get the airplay (and notes) that it deserves, but maybe the forthcoming video (or will there even be a video?) might cure all those ailments.

Appropriately enough (since Sumack hail from LA), a friend had this disc with him when we took a trip to California together. In fact, it was the ONLY disc we had with us for five days, so I got to know its every detail-and with Sumack there are so, so many wonderful details: intelligent, heartfelt, sometimes completely whacked lyrics that surprise with each listen, an artful mix of sound effects and samples that make you wonder "what the heck IS that?" Many months later I'm no closer to tiring of Sumack's "junk pop"; even with "Do-Si-Do" or "Metaphysical" playing on this stupid iMac I'm working on in a boring job I took for few weeks in the heart of midtown Manhattan, I can close my eyes and transport myself back to sunnier days cruising down the Pacific Coast highway with the top down and Sumack turned up. Almost. The point is: highly recommended.

...nor do I really wish to.

My wife heard these folks on local alterna-radio and immediately bought the record. What a delight! Sumack sorta sounds like a melding of Beck and Wilco with arcane and oddly metered lyrics which recall early Camper Van Beethoven. All this wrapped around some killer pop hooks. "Re: Saturday" and "Hey Professor" stand out on a consistently enjoyable album.

What the world needs now is Junk Rock. Sumack's got the stuff and this CD is better than all those KROQesque bands. Get this CD you won't regret it. I've already bought a few. Do-Si-Do, Superdome, Burn This Town, Emphysema, et al are great tracks. If you like it, also pick up "This is Junk Rock" which has a few duplicate songs (different recordings that are a bit rougher), but has some other great tracks like 'Crystal Man').

I was lucky enough to obtain an advanced copy of this record and it has not left my player since! Suamck blends an amazing sound with very catchy lyrics to achieve something that very few new bands of today have, a distinct personality. No homogenized stuff here. If you want to catch onto a truely talented act while they're still on the way up, BUY THIS CD! Tell a friend, you'll be glad you were the first. They have definitely got something here, they call it "junk rock", but it is so much more than that. After seeing them live, you appreciate the layered intricacies of their sound as opposed to most of the "three cord and scream" bands that are out there now. Sumack will not disappoint!

I caught a show in, of all places, Jonesboro, Arkansas this spring. This is an amazing album. I rocked and grooved and was moved. Metaphysical made me laugh at the bar scene and the freaks in Calif. I had Do-si-do on track repeat for the entire ride to work and back for days on end. And The Ballad of Frankie and Charlie almost brought me to tears--if you've ever left home to set out on a new life, you will understand. An incredible disk. A lot more than cool lyrics or an "in" sound. SUMACK is the real deal. It's only a matter of time before they're everywhere.

I have been listening to Sumack for several years now and I think this new album is great. I love the mix of sounds that these guys produce and their songs are fresh. I had trouble listening to anything else for the first couple weeks I had this disk. Don't even get me started about their live show. Impressive is the only way I can describe it. Although I'm not sure if I'll be allowed to attend any shows for a while. Put this disk in, play it loud, and tell your friends about SUMACK.

Okay, this is cheating, but I haven't heard the CD. But I have heard them live in concert, and they are amazing. Great writing and music playing. And a really great concert. I plan to buy the CD very soon. During one song, they trade instruments five times, each member playing each instrument and singing. All of them are extremely talented. I recommmend buying this CD right NOW! If you read this Sumack, put me on your mailing list, I didn't get a chance to give my address at the concert. chaosdsl@hotmail.com Thanks!

I know I am listening to a GREAT album when a particular twinge, in the base of my stomach, lurches electrified chills up my spine. Guess what? This is one of those times. If you thought Indie-pop couldn't be sumptuous and intelligent you are VERY wrong. With the rise of indie bands on the big labels (Modest Mouse), while keeping their unique sound, you will see the face of pop adapt into sounds *close* to what Sumack masterfully handles here. Catchy tunes with intelligent lyrics flow throughout the album. This surprising "Major Label" sound comes off artistic and interesting. Never ducking the punches but rather firing back with happy sing-along tracks like "Metaphysical" "Burn This Town", "Superdome" & "Emphysema" vocals reminiscent of Soul Coughing and melodies only Sumack could create. The album is not without it's mellower tunes, those of you with the previous album will see that, but this time through you get insight and beauty that was not present before. Check out "Moment At A Redlight" and "The Ballad Of Frank & Charlie". Maybe there's room, in the mainstream, so these guys can make some money. It seems that V2 (their new label) believes they can. Take the advice of the band & "Now Hear This".

This is an excellent CD!

I had the pleasure of seeing these guys live and they sound as good live as they do on CD.

These guys are going to make a big noise!