Customer Reviews

The Rebels Not In

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

 

 

Each song on this album is consistently good especially virginia reel around the fountain and foggy bottom which rival don't touch my bikini as the band's biggest hit. You get doug martsch's always loveable boyish harmonies and calvin johnson's deep baritone all in one fantastic album, how can you go wrong? Though some have said they don't like calvin johnson's voice; it really doesn't bother me. In fact I find even a little comical and fun, but that's just me. All in all you will not be disappointed if you buy this album.

This side project for Built to Spill's Doug Martsch and Beat Happening's Calvin Johnson, in the past, has been like most side projects: Good but don't quit your day job. On The Rebel's Not In, however, they finally release an album that can stand on its own merit. It is by far their best put together and sounding album. The songs seem less like their almost spoken-word earlier material and more like, well, songs. The odd pairing of Martsch and Johnson's voices achieve a kind of strangely appealing harmony. The dynamic duo are in no danger of ever waking to find this album in the Top 40, but it possesses a quirky sensibility that is, at the very least, unique.

"Virginia Reel" alone thrills me, but then the rest of the album goes and blows my head apart: spacey atmospheres, exceptionally strong and imaginative playing, and that beautifully befuddling vocal pairing (johnson and martsch). i admit that i'm neither a Halo Benders nor Built to Spill maniac, but this record solidly thrusts me towards continued Martsch-ination. it's interesting, intelligent, intensely layered and SURPRISING rock & roll...

this is a good offer of catchy tunes sexy songs medium fidelique sounds and back bending rhythms. as the other person who reviewed this recording I like the harmony vocals. theyre not exactly sounding like csn&y, the byrds or grateful deads acoustic periods, but there's probably less booze & drugs involved (and also less violence than in the case of csn&y). I just love that album. if that's to weak yor you ha'dkorers out there check out "dub narcotics sound system"

If you like rock, buy it. If you like experimental indie pop, buy it. Brilliant album. Doug Martsch rocks. Calvin Johnson is the man. This album is so good I own two copies.

Hasn't Doug Martsh done enough? He left "Treepeople" (another amazing band) to start "Built to spill", and is now doing a side project turned real band called "Halo Benders". Why he decided to enlist Calvin Johnson you have to hear for youself. I had to listen to this album a bunch of times before I could really appreciate it, but if you like Built to spill already, it probably won't take long.

If it weren't for Calvin Johnson's "singing", this might actually be an enjoyable album. The composing, arranging and playing are interesting and enjoyable; and I really enjoy other efforts by Doug Martsch (Built to Spill) and Steve Fisk (Pigeonhed, solo, Negativland). However, I don't see how anyone who's not entirely tone deaf could enjoy listening to a song where Johnson is tunelessly croaking. Doug Martsch doesn't have the world's most amazing voice, but he sounds like Pavarotti next to Johnson.

The first song, Virginia Reel Around The Fountain, is pretty good, mostly because Johnson only provides some tuneless chanting rather than pretending to sing. There are two instrumentals where you can take a break from that voice (and one of those is actually interesting); also, you can almost ignore Johnson in the last song.

If you like the Virginia Reel song and it's worth the price of a full cd, buy this. If you're a Built To Spill fanatic completist, you'll want to have it. If you're tone deaf, you might enjoy it. Otherwise, save your money, sanity and ears!

I was so excited when I saw the CD sleeve arrive in the mail. I hadn't listened to The Halo Benders before, but assumed that with the brilliant cast it had to please. I would rather brush my teeth with a crescent wrench than have to listen to the vocals of this album one more time. Isn't there a process in the studio where styles may be appreciated for there creativity, but fail horribly against the standards required to make it on a CD? Come on, Doug. The music is wonderful, but the "voice" makes me want to drown myself. Didn't anyone learn from the Crash Test Dummies ...?!