Customer Reviews

Pixel Revolt

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

John Vanderslice continues to issue an album just about every 15 months or so, this is his 5th one since his debut solo album in 2000.

"Pixel Revolt" (14 songs, 53 min.) is mesmorizing from beginning to end. If you're not familiar with Vanderslice's soundscape, think Aqueduct meets Bright Eyes, but with Vanderslice's own unique (and at times, very personal) lyrics. Track 2 "Plymouth Rock" is outstanding, and haunting. Musically the second half of the album is actually the stronger. "Radiant With Terror" is reminiscent of the Smashing Pumpkins' "Disarm". "Continuation" in another highlight. "Dear Sarah Shu" has intricate instrumentation and production. In "Angela", under distorted percussions, Vanderslice confesses to having let Angela's bunny out of its cage and then it jumped out of the windown "and hopped down Magnolia Blvd/no way he'll survive/maybe those last days of freedom/were the best of his life". The last track feels like a release of Vanderslice's pent-up fears and frustrations, catharsis-like.

With "Pixel Revolt", John Vanderslice brings another breath of fresh air into the music scene. This surely will be one of 2005's top albums. Highly recommended!

This guy can craft sound like nobody's business. The lyrics are excellent stories wrapped in event mystery. The music tone and quality are top notch on every release. The only reason i gave it 4 stars is because I just happen to love a couple other CD's of his a little better. I didn't get as "emotionally vested" in this one but that doesn't mean it's not brilliant. I can't wait to hear this on vinyl. There is no Vanderslice CD that is a dissapointment.

And here I thought the storytelling/singer/songwriter was dead. Pixel Revolt really turned me on to Vanderslice. It made me want to explore his other work. It is evident from Pixel Revolt that Vanderslice can shape a story and make it beautiful in its telling. I am neglecting to explain how his songs are part internal conversations within one's self and part reminiscent of feelings which pass through us daily. In other words he has documented and articulated these emotions that are less like events but more so like a sepia tone photograph. The songs are like people watching in a well-written book.

This latest installment by the amazing John Vanderslice is nothing short of brilliant. I bought this CD and can't stop listening to it. He has inventive lyrics and multi-layerd melodies, consisting of string instruments (like the prominent presence of the cello in Dear Sarah Shu), synth sounds, pianos, guitars, and much more.

This CD is just what I needed. The current onslaught of emo music is enough to make even the most sophisticated listener wish they were deaf, but this album provides a welcome reprieve from that world.

A definite must buy!

John Vanderslice is a very nice man who makes very nice music. Think of early David Bowie on acoustic playing Quicksand and you are approximating some of the goose bumps I feel when I listen to JV's music. The quality of all of John's records is second to none, even on CD media. He is a true craftsman in a day of mass-produced music. Not only are his records the best in sound, but the song writing is excellent. Total original! Like others have said, his songs are very cinematic. Very involving and beautiful. I love driving to work in the dark mornings listening to all his records, but this one especially. This is the shizzle icozizzle!
Get this one.

This album is simply marvelous! I love the melodies, the lyrics, the music, and just about every song on this album is a work of art. I have 2 other albums by this artist, which are both great, but this one is definitely my favorite. I think it is some of his best work and is perfect for the current state of the world.

This is bar-none one of the best albums of the year. John has proven once again that he is an indie rock icon. I think the part after the chorus in "plymouth rock" when the beautiful guitars come in and the song really gets going says it all: john vanderslice is the man!

You should certainly check out The Verve Pipe, especially "Underneath"! Great albumns.