Customer Reviews

Shakedown

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I could summarize my review in 5 words: This is an amazing album. I think the whole album is great from start to finish (no pun intended). It's very dynamic and energetic. To me, Shakedown! has the best elements of Missing Persons, No Doubt, Flock Of Seagulls, and Berlin, combined with The Start's unique style. Aimee Echo's voice does sound a little bit like Gwen Stefani of No Doubt. But Aimee is anything but a Gwen clone. Her voice is a little more raspy, and a lot less whiny. What's brilliant about this band is that they're a retro-80's post-punk/new wave ..., but yet they don't seem too dated on the current music scene. I would say that for anyone who likes the single "Gorgeous", there's a 98% probability you'll like the rest of the album. Most of Shakedown! is upbeat and in the same vein, but it never gets stale. The only song remotely balladesque is the last track "Time", which is excellent like everything else on the album. Shakedown! will be hard to top, but hopefully it's The Start of something wonderful.

theStart is fresh. There may be other bands with similar sounds, but I've yet to be exposed to them.
theStart mixes upbeat rhythms with edgy percussion and a strong dose of electronic sound to create something unusual and exciting.

I think most contemporary music is drab, cliche, and insincere. I can't say the same for theStart. They try to imbue their music with messages about pop culture, politics, and individuality, while still having fun.

I can't agree that people who like theStart would like Evanescence. I personally hate Evanescence and consider that to be some of that drab stuff I was mentioning above. theStart isn't about pseudo-depression, or not being accepted, they're really about having fun, and dancing.

As they say in their title song Shakedown, "rise up, dance to a different beat." theStart is quite a different beat, and I dance to them everytime.

(Isn't this a corny review? :-P)

If this band doesn't remember the 80's, then they've certainly done their homework.

Mixing elements of Missing Persons, The Go Gos and maybe even a little DEVO and Gary Numan, SHAKEDOWN offers a modern take on 80's style punk pop, with enough new wave style to take you straight back to the decade of Rubik's cubes and big, big hair.

Singer Aimee Echo's distinctive, hard-edged voice compliments gyrating bass riffs and video game style synthesizers, either gliding over the lyrics (Gorgeous) or jumping up and down over them (the title track). Take a short, energetic trip through retro style pop that, while inspired by the 80's, sounds both fresh and modern.

Alternative Press magazine rated SHAKEDOWN as one of their Top Ten albums of 2001. They described it as sounding like "one of the best albums of 1983" too, so as a lover of 80's music I decided to check it out. I was very pleasantly surprised. If you like the new wave sounds of the 80's, you will be too!

I saw The Start open up for Incubus in Indianapolis recently and I was impressed. Never before had I heard a new band that hooked me in on the first song. I'd never heard them and I left a fan. This album is a true reflection of their performance. I played the CD 2 days after the show and was able to recognize all the songs they did right away. Tracks 2 and 5 are real jems. Ms.Echo's slightly raspy voice is perfect and needs no improvement. The ocassianal lead synthesizer played by the guitarist,along with the standard guitar/bass/drums set-up tops off their great sound. I was able to meet Aimee Echo and Jeff the bassist briefly after their show and they didn't pull any of the typical cocky rock-star attitude either(they seemed a bit tired though. can't blame them after such an outburst of energy). As for their sound.. hmmm.. Nirvana(they did a slammin'cover of breed) meets Garbage. And that still doesn't really say it all. Get this CD.

Whether or not you will dig this disc really depends on one factor: Did you get into the 80's techno-pop/new wave scene (particularly Missing Persons)? No? Skip this. Yes? Welcome to great days gone by -- back again. The Start have succesfully captured that sound all over again with this album, and as you listen to it you'll be transported back. Great, slicing synthesizers coupled with that piercing new wave guitar form the backdrop -- the lead singer (I think her name is Amy Echo), though, is the showpiece -- with her sexy, Dale Bozzio/Gwen Stefani squeal leading you to electro pop utopia. I've heard post-80's albums capture bits and pieces of great 80's new wave, but this is the first since those years to really nail it. I know very little about this band, but I'm an instant fan. The album is completely catchy and memorable throughout. Don't worry, it's not a limp nostalgia trip -- The Start are able to bring back a classic sound with all the energy necessary for a total rebirth! Miss new wave? Buy this disc. It's new wave redux, and it's about time someone did it right!

I thank mtv2 for introducing me to the start because otherwise, sadly enough, I would have probely never heard them. I am the only one in my group of friends that knew them, which includes a 30 year old guy that loves girl singers and knows his music. When I first bought this cd, I played it over and over and over, partly because of it's intense catchy-ness, and partly because her voice is so unique.
I connect to many of her lyrics and plus the music is like nothing else. You can dance to some of the tunes, if your in the right mood, but there is I know at least 2 songs that are more serious and toned down, but they are extremly nice as well.
They quickly became one of my favorites for many, many reasons.
The only way I can think to describe the start is really good, semi poppy, rock, with a girl singer and very infectous lyrics and a different sound.
If this sounds good, go for it!!

I discovered theSTART sometime last year, and my life really hasn't been the same since. I decided to check them out because of their amazing lead singer, Aimee Echo of a great band called Human Waste Project. I was pleasantly surprised. Let me start by saying that Aimee's vocals are the only thing that connects theSTART with HWP. And that is definetly not a problem.
This album is sure to pull anyone out of a bad mood. From the title track to "Hang on Me" to "Kiss it Better," it will make you want to get up and dance. My personal favorite track is "Her Song," which also happens to be the first song I heard by the band.
In short, I would recommend this album to anyone who loves great music. And if you enjoy it, don't hesitate to check out the Death Via Satellite EP from the band's website.
"You're all dressed up and you've nothing to lose/and I see you brought your dancing shoes/well, let's figure out how to use those things!"

I have waited so long for this CD to be released and here it is. I am in no way disappointed. Aimee's singing has improved since her time with Human Waste Project and it really compliments the music on here. The songs on here remind me of mid-80's New Wave meets New Millennium, the same way maybe or Orgy and Deadsy do. Shakedown!, Gorgeous and Dirty Lion are among the best songs on here. But 'Shakedown!' is simply one of those CD's you can listen to and not skip a track. I think everyone who buys this album will be satified. Also check out Deadsy and Professional Murder Music, and try to find a copy of E-Lux by Human Waste Project.

I find The Start to be a very awesome band. I think Aimee Echo's voice is very cool. I think they are going to make it BIG very soon probably sooner than we think.

This has become my second favorite album of all time (second to the last pre-sell out album by sugar ray "foored"). Its so much better than any other band with a girl in it. its not irritting like no doubt, cuz amiee echo has a real raspy rock voice. she also writes a lot of the music, not just lyrics. my favorite songs are time and melt. anyways, a definately good album to buy.