Customer Reviews

Seven More Minutes

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

When I got this disc, I had VERY high expectations. I was expecting to hear more of that hard-edged new-wave sound that made me fall in love with The Rentals. Five minutes into the disc, I was thinking to myself "What the h*ll is this?" I was barely hearing any synthesizers and violins. And not one, but TWO acoustic songs? Surely, this was a sacrilege. I promptly took the CD out of my player after it had gone through what I considered a whole album of garbage and set it aside, all the while mumbling to myself angrily. Two months later, I was in the mood for music and I couldn't find anything that I wanted to listen to. I don't know what compelled me to pick up the Seven More Minutes album, but I must thank that unseen force. What I was welcomed to was wonderfully crafted hooks in the brit-pop fashion, a soothing vocal style of Matt Sharp, and wonderful synthesizers. This album spans all sonic possibilities from the classic "Return Of..." style (Getting By), groove-laden goodness (Big Daddy C.), acoustic pop (My Head Is In The Sun/She Says It's Alright), even a punk sounding song (Insomnia), and the rest are just simple, triumphant tunes that make you wanna leave wherever you are and go to Spain and see why Matt Sharp digs the place so much. I don't know why I initially thought this album was trash, but I sure am glad that I listened to it a second time. Overall, this album proves that The Rentals are here to stay and would like to say "Hello."

Since when were artists not allowed to release albums that sound different than previous records? Seven More Minutes is definitely a departure from "Return of the Rentals." That doesn't make it a bad album. If you're going to label this album as "bad," give a reason besides "not enough moog," or "that damn fake British accent." (Which, for the record, I've never noticed.)

I've been listening to this album since last March. (I got a copy from a radio station. But don't worry, I bought it when it came out.) Even before that, I knew that Matt was going to give us something he put his entire heart behind. I didn't have expectations, because I knew they would be wrong. I feel sorry for those of you who didn't find what you were looking for in "Seven More Minutes." It's a beautifully constructed masterpiece. If you ever read this, Matt, I want you to know that you have had a wonderful influence over my life since late 1995. I just hope to see you and The Rentals live someday. Come play Knox College!

The Rentals - Seven More Minutes

Matt Sharp, ex-Weezer bassist, makes a strong case for living it up on the new Rentals album, "Seven More Minutes". Tracks like "Barcelona", "Getting By", "The Cruise", rock while maintaing catchy hooks. "My Head is in the Sun" ( co written by Weezer's Rivers Cuomo ), "Overlee", "Hello, Hello" are so melancholy that they paint you different shades of blue.

Matt Sharp, according to interviews, spent a year in Barcelona living life the European way and then went to London to record this masterpiece. The vocals are great with cutting harmonies and excellent support from Petra Haden, Maya Rudolph and others. A special guest appearance is put in by Blur's Damon Albarn on the jumping "Big Daddy C." with a chorus reminiscent of Naughty by Nature's "Hip Hop Horray".

Overall, the music is full of familiar chord structures and typical rock drumming and guitar strumming with the added color of the Moog synthesizer. The arrangements though, take those structures and furnish them unique sound twists and dynamics which weren't present in the first Rentals album, "The Return of the Rentals". Although some lyrics get a little corny, they convey a certain mood, urge and unease that fill out the whole picture. Looking at it from with out, as a whole, you see a work that expresses the freedom of irresponsibility and the sadness of instability, the futile search to reconcile the need for fun, with the need to settle down and the reality of growing old.

I can truly say that I love this album. Congratulations Matt Sharp on this picture of life.

The Rentals - Seven More Minutes

Maverick

Getting by /Hello, Hello / She Says its alright/ The Cruise/ Barcelona / Say goodbye Forever/ Overlee / Big daddy C. / Keep Sleeping / The Man With Two Brains / Must Be Wrong / Insomnia/ It's Alright (reprise) / My Head is in the Sun / Jumping Around

i bought this record right when it came out, have listened to it 1000s of times, seen different reactions from folks, but the one thing people always seem to miss is how sad a record it is. it's a deeply painful diary about the girl who likes him just fine, doesn't want more than that, doesn't care if he's gone, might get someone else...all set against the backdrop of his newfound anonymity in a foreign country, a language he doesn't speak, a freewheeling lifestyle that barely conceals the heavy thoughts (and pills) clouding his mind.
people who don't spend time with the complete story of this record (and it is a story) are missing a lot of excellent art. this record came out at the same time as the other classic "diary" records in '99, "electro-shock blues" by eels and "the proximity effect" by nada surf, which didn't actually come out at the time, though it was semi-released in promo copies and i was lucky enough to get one. these three records are highly confessional, excellently played, finely plotted, and will ALL eventually be realized as the classics they are. it reminds me of the Kinks, whose late-60s, early-70s records are only now receiving the recognition they deserve beyond their hardcore fans and fellow musicians. this record is the same. buy it, there's more going on than there seems.

Well, I've been waiting a long while for the Rentals follow-up album. I've heard rumors and hints about 'Seven More Minutes' since as early as 1997, I think. I have the feeling it's been ready to go for awhile now, but has been held back -- mastering? mixing? rerecording? Who knows. Perhaps Maverick was just trying to build anticipation.

This album is not a disappointment. It outshines Return of the Rentals in every possible way (which is certainly no mean feat). After listening to this album (repeatedly), Return of the Rentals seems amateurish and monotone (but still excellent). Matt Sharp has vastly improved as a song-writer. The sheer variety on this album is stellar. Look for cameo appearances, too, by Tim Wheeler (Ash), Donna Matthews (Elastica), Petra Haden (of course, ex-member of that dog.), and Damon Albarn (Blur). There's even a song co-written with Rivers Cuomo.

These songs are catchy, poppy, addictive, just like the songs on the last album, but utilize a much broader soundscape than the Return of the Rentals' moog-meets-distorted-bass formula. Love it or hate it, there's a lot less (obvious) moog on this album. Personally I'm glad.

A minor (very minor) complaint: two songs, The Cruise and Barcelona, both appeared in earlier formats (complete with different lyrics) as So Soon and California, respectively. (California, Barcelona, same syllable count; interchangable, see?) So Soon appeared on the friends of P single and California is, well, a rarity I found somewhere. I personally liked both of these older versions better than I did the new versions on the album. California, for example, is pure bliss: heavy distortion, falsetto vocals, a catchy refrain. Anyway, if you haven't heard these rarer versions of these songs, you won't really care.

Seven More Minutes comes out April 13, I think, and I know I'll be at the record store, money in hand, when they open. It's simply an amazing album. If you're an old fan of the Rentals, you're in for a treat. And if you're not, there's lots and lots of room for new recruits with this new album. I dare say that this album SHOULD by all means attract many a new Rentals-crazed convert, but it probably won't, unless you go out of your way to go and listen to it. Or maybe this album will find Matt Sharp et al. fame. It darn well should.

All I can say is thank God Matt Sharp left Weezer. Sure, there may have been a few teary eyes when he departed to pursue the Rentals full-time, but just remember--would this album have been written, otherwise? For what it's worth, the world has been blessed with 15 great songs.

Matt Sharp has done an outstanding job writing and producing this album! Melodious songs like "Barcelona", "Overlee", and "She Says It's Alright", show that Matt's songwriting and singing/voice abilities have matured. The background vocals in this album are also very nicely done. The acoustic ballad-like song "My Head Is In The Sun" co written by ex-Weezer frontman/bandmate, Rivers Cuomo, is excellent! The Moog-style sound that The Rentals are known for is less dominant as it was in their first album (but it still plays a nice role in creating a nice sound in this album). There is even a rap-like song "The Man With Two Brains" which Matt sings with his patented weird yet non-emotional voice. Songs like "Getting By" and "The Cruise" are great fast party atmosphered songs. Great album overall, with different varying moods. Fans will enjoy it, unless they are dumb-asses.

This is an awesome CD. I was expecting it to sound like the first album when I first got it and was shocked. But after the 3 listen I get the feel of it and started to enjoy it. Maya Rudolph sounds great and I love the Man with Two Brains it is a very funny song. This album has the feel of being a concept peice and it works. I hope to hear more in the future about this very strange, very unique band. Matt Sharp you are great!!!

this album is excellent i'll take this album over the first album anyday. the minor crutch of return (and album that i played nonstop in 1995).. is the simplicity and moog dependence of the songs -- 2 things matt sharp has completely avoided and grown out of in seven more minutes.

7mm is a lush, energetic, and strangley rollercoasterish record. at its louder moments your head will thrust to the beat, and in its quiet moments it will tune you completely out of the real world.

if the level of improvement over the first record occurs again on the 3rd record - i'd say we are all in for a serious treat. i'm sold already.

the reviews were good - most everyone i talked to liked it. its a good lp.

read

It's hard to put a finger on The Rentals' style. The one word that describes them best is 'catchy'. On Seven More Minutes, the group manages to make each song stand out in its own way. Whether it be harmonizing backgroud vocals, uptempo synth beats, or even a trombone, The Rentals do an excellent job of keeping you listening.
Most of the songs are about having a good time and being with your friend. It makes sense; the album was written in Barcelona and recorded in London. This is just a fun disc that anyone can enjoy.
My favorite tracks are 'Getting By' and 'Seven More Minutes'. 'Getting By' is about 'a girl that lives off the coast of Spain' and just having fun and partying. It's very uptempo and has a pleasant vibe. 'Seven More Minutes' is different because it's a sleepy ode to hitting the snooze button on one's alarm. And the song did make me sleepy. The Rentals excel in putting the mood of the song into you.
All in all, this CD is for anyone. It doesn't matter what genre prefer or what your favorite bands are; this Cd is for absolutely anyone. I know you'll enjoy it.

At first i wasn't sure about this album. first listen: it didn't all happy and poppy like the first album. that feeling lasted about 5 minutes because after listening to it for a little bit i realized this is the best album i have heard in a while. i listen to it through start to finish at least 2 times a week and usually more. matt sharp writes incredible songs on this album that put me in a mood like no other. 'barcelona' captures the allure of that city in an amazing way. after being there i realized why sharp was so crazy about it, it's a great place and the song does it justice. 'she says it's alright' is another amazing song. 'my head is in the sun' is one of my favorite songs ever. the album flows perfectly one song to the next and i love it...buy it because it'll make you happy.