Customer Reviews

Picks Us Apart

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

 

 

I've been following this band for a few years and with each release they seem to mature and expand their range. This is their most developed record to date-the songs still have their signature sound of sonic layering, but more refined, saving and building and teasing. The vocals are more confident and up front, a positive move given Paul's pleasant tone and knack for sing-along melodies and phrasing. Silver Sparkler, the single (its even being played on Sirius) has a chorus at the end that makes you want sing out loud while pulling at your hair in remorse. Toast to the Happy Couple is the danciest song they've ever recorded, while Low Rent Horror is built around a a guitar melody that eggs you on to get in your car and drive fast down the freeway. The Hall Clock is a real lullaby with a string accompaniment that floats by in an almost Sigur Ros way. The only negative point about this album is it lacks the 13 minute opus that JYPU has included on other albums, always a great listen for melting into the cushions of the sofa while getting introspective about life. I give it 5 stars.

I was walking through a local record store yesterday and noticed they had about 50 copies of this. I thought "who the hell would have 50 copies of a record no one had ever heard of?", so I took a closer look. Low and behold it was released by Absolutely Kosher, one of my favorite up-and-coming labels, and home to the Wrens, Court & Spark and Frog Eyes. Certainly, I couldn't go wrong by taking a chance, and I am glad I did. There is enough here to make me want to go back to their previous records. "Jailhouse Rock" starts out as an almost cover before melting into a Disintergration era Cure-pop song. Lead singer, Paul Gonzenbach, even has a voice very similar to Robert Smith. It is like a mixture of Smith and Ben Gibbard from Death Cab For Cutie, whose fans would not be dissappointed with this. The album tends to be a bit dull towards the middle but makes up for it with the last two tracks "Beach Glass" and "Thanksgiving Grey". Overall, this is well worth the risk. If you like the Wrens or Death Cab, you will find plenty here to enjoy.

ive been trying to find this band in idependent stores for years and i never came across it ( i hate mail order, takes to long) then my brother found it in the new release section at hasting, how weird. anyway i have to say that its very original and about 3/4th of it is amazing, there are a few songs that just don't seem to do it for me but over all very well worth the money if music moves you in away one can not explain.(CHEESE)