Customer Reviews

Run to Be Born

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

 

 

I know nothing about Walter's previous bands. I mean NOTHING! Meet Mr. Clueless. Maybe that helped since I had no expecations when a friend handed me this recording. All I can say is that it's one heck of a good rock project. The vocals remind me of Sondre Lerche, but the whole affair rocks along with catchy punch. Strongly suggested for people who are into bands like the New Pornographers... basic rock that is anything but bland.

Ok, this is not QUICKSAND.
This is not Gorilla Biscuits
This is not Rival Schools.

What this is, is the most vibrant, poppy album you'll hear in 2004. It has everything good about music it in. Witty lyrics, great melody and that certain something that can't be described, which I shall call KILLER!!!

This is such a great album, I can't say enough about it. If you like Walter's other bands, and can still appreciate bands like the Jam and the Kinks, than you will fall head over heals in love with this!!!

rule #1: DO NOT listen to this album in hopes of hearing anything close to Quicksand. Take off your hardcore costumes and leave all your silly labels at the door. Instead, listen to it on it's own. Walter has definitely gone pop with this release. And on some of these tracks, that's not such a bad thing. Well, the first track, 'What's Your New Thing', could of easily been one of Rival Schools more pop sounding songs. A short catchy song with somewhat RS sounding guitar and melodies. This release shows a different side of Walter. One we've all seen coming over the past few years. Songs range from slightly country influenced on 'Run To Be Born' to Almost Beatles like sounds as heard in 'Girls In The Field'.The greatest tracks are 7 & 8. 'The Animals' and 'Audrey'. Musically,Audrey might be one of the best pop songs Walter has ever written and one of the catchiest I've heard in years. The kind of song you listen to 3-4 times before talking yourself into moving on and listening to the rest of the cd. The pace picks up a bit on the rockin 'Mustang ford'. Then get ready for 'Calypso Slide', an almost 80's , slightly beatles sounding number. While as a whole I didn't care for the CD too much, there are some excelllent tracks on here ( The Animals and Audrey ) that make it worth picking up.

Having had the opportunity to see the band before hearing the album, I had a basic idea of what to expect. However, I was surprised to find a lot of differences between the recording and the live set. It's still VERY good, but additions such as a string section were unexpected, even for an album that showcases Walter's new musical direction. The album is quite good: I listened to it several times through and enjoyed it more each time. I found myself replaying tracks 11-13 ("Mustang Ford," "Calypso Slide," and "A Lot to Expect") over and over again. It's a really nice three-song block, which, in my opinion, sums up what this band is all about: interesting, sophisticated rock. There's flavors of The Smiths, REM, and The Lemonheads mixed in there, but twisted around in a way that's uniquely Walter's. Fans who are familiar with the Worlds Fastest Car song "Requiem" should have a pretty good idea of what this stuff is like... sort of.

Given the way television and film are becoming the new launching pad for many bands, I really would not be surprised to hear something from this album on the next episode of The O.C. And I mean that in the best way possible! I can't see how this album could not---- be picked up by some producer looking for the next new thing - and that's fine with me. It's about time Walter got some decent commercial success, isn't it?

Well, regardless of what happens, he and his band have a great record here. But what do I know? Go buy it and decide for yourself. I think it will be money well spent!

I loved Quicksand. It was alive like nothing I had heard till then. The guitar, the way each instrument meshed, moved and built tension was remarkable. There were no epiphanies here but a good album nonetheless. The way Walter's voice dives into and out of the guitar kept me interested. I enjoyed the variety of songs and post-punk/pop vibe on this album. "Hands Up", "Run to be Born" and "What's Your New Thing" really stood out.

Walter Schreifels is proving to be a hard nut to crack. His 1989 album with Gorilla Biscuits is still a hardcore reference point and Quicksand needs no introduction for the number of bands who have tried to copy Manic Compression. Then he opens up and lets us in with his amazing United By Fate album as Rival Schools. Now we have this Walking Concert thing. Yes, it is a new band and if you are a Schreifels junky then let me prepare you. This ain't no Quicksand, Rival Schools and definitely not a Gorilla Biscuits. Walking Concert is a pop album. Not post-pop, post-rock, post-punk but pop proper. There are a few times where you hear a Pavement-esque sound like on "Audrey" or "Hands Up". Walter is a much better singer than Malkmus has ever been. "The Animals" really reveals a similarity to Canadian pop-smith Sam Roberts. There are times where you might even recall the Flaming Lips. But rest assured Walter and the rest of Walking Concert have their own sound. These are well crafted pop tunes that don't grate at all. There isn't even a nod to Schreifels past on the entire album. A left curve that provides a home run.
Sadly, as almost happen to me, Walking Concert has met with little notice. This is one of the finest pop albums this year, filled with catchy hooks and some beautiful and amazing musicianship and songwriting. Run, don't walk, to find this album. It will be definitely worth your time and money.

I'll admit that only after a couple of listens I kinda said 'eh, it's ok'. However, the more and more I listend to it and came to the realization that Walter is not going to try to re-create Quicksand or Rival Schools (I'm aware of his other contributions to Youth of Today and Gorrilla Biscuits but that was a different style all together) I can't seem to get the CD out of my player. Again, Walter has put together a talented supporting band.
Last night I had the opportunity to see them live at The Saint in Asbury, NJ and was very impressed. They played some tunes that aren't available on Run To Be Born CD and I was blown away by them. I was also fortunate to talk to Walter, cool guy btw, after the show and he said that they were going to work on some new stuff this summer. Hopefully a follow up to RTBB. God knows I waited along time for a follow up to Rival Schools(Which never came).

I saw these guys live in concert last night. They were pretty good. Interesting songs titles and good music. I especially like the bassist. He had great bass lines and the energy of the band was overall good. Good. But not the best. They are just an average band from New york but I wish them luck.