Customer Reviews

The Shredding Tears

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

 

 

I haven't been able to take this absolute masterpiece from going repeat for the past month, it's seriously been the only thing I've been listening to. Every song is beautifully crafted with delicate precision, huge hooks, and a lot of those loud "DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN..." parts, you know what I'm talking about. Singing is quiant and so is the music even though the lyrics are mainly on the darker side. Average time of each song is about 4 minutes each. Perfect opener and closer, the closer is what makes me want to listen over again, I think, just how it slowly fades the album away and then the beginning fades it back in.

STRONGLY recommended for fans of Sgt. Pepper.

Ok, let's get this out of the way: you can hear influences of Sgt. Pepper, Frank Zappa, theatre rock, glam rock, prog rock, mix in some kazoos, some heavy lyrics, add just a hint of bubblepunk and enjoy.

How ironic that the most ORIGINAL sound of the year has so many tags to it? It's because you really need to HEAR it. It's not a mish mash of sounds, it adds up to a completely inventive experience. You'll be amazed at the sheer audacity of the songwriting ambition and yet...it's really fun and catchy.

Tracks #1&2 are passable, but after that buckle up for the ride. "Operaland", "Mrs. Gracy's Revenge", "Ceiling on the Wall", "Blood Club" and "Bottom of the Grave" are excellent on their own, but this album works the best as a cohesive whole.

A wonderful CD gapping styles and sounds together into a truly unique and enjoyable experience.

I was typing a whole huge review of this and then I found this article that summed it up perfectly:

While it is true that Scary's stylistic approach, both instrumentally and vocally, is comparable to a vast number of classic pop artists, this obstacle in becoming a notable innovator is merely a component that should be overlooked to get the most out of The Shredding Tears. Those who expect complete innovation in every modern release are of a foolish nature. Music is an art that has lasted thousands of years and with each passing year it becomes more difficult to push creativity to a new level without being labeled as outdated. Despite the unavoidable comparisons, the most impressive aspect about Scary that causes him to stand apart from the generic mold is, simply, his natural ability to write a memorable pop song. Apart from the drums, Scary writes, sings, and plays all the instruments in every song on The Shredding Tears. Personally, he is one of the most talented musicians I have stumbled across in the past few years. While his multi-instrumental ability is extremely impressive, it is his songwriting that shines with the most brilliance. The majority of the tracks contained on the album implement a similar approach with an emphasis on unavoidable hooks, mostly dragged on by vocal melodies and piano-laden key changes. Scary's most attributable instrument is the piano, also the one that he has clearly mastered to the most significant degree. Incorporating a variety of electric guitars and keys is the norm throughout The Shredding Tears. Solos on both fronts are supplemented by a variety of production effects, whether it be the throwback shrill organ in "Mrs. Gracy's Revenge!" or the contemporary usage of synths in "Misery Loves Company". It appears safe to say that Scary is a knowledgeable student of successful pop music. He flawlessly incorporates the techniques of past artists like The Beatles and Queen into his own creative approach, resulting in an album that pushes the limits of present-day virtuosity and musical aptitude.

Full review at the Obscure Sound Blog

Tracks 8 thru 13 are just amazing. If you like Queen or even Dylan there's something for you on this CD.

This album by Bryan Scary is quite a bit to listen to. If you are expecting to put it on and listen casually while you do something else, you will be disappointed. It is so complex that it demands that you give it your full attention. It is disjointed much of the time and like a sonic version of a film with a very quick cutaway edit times, there is always something new just a few seconds away. BUT, it is a most remarkable musical landscape that Scary had journeyed across. The sound is miraculous, and the recording just jumps at you with amazing presence. The whole work is just about an hour, and it is work to give it the attention it deserves. I have not heard anything quite like it, and while I am glad that I bought it, I won't listen to it over and over as it just demands so much of the listener's attention. I will however, come back to it time and again to marvel at all of the musical flavors, bitter and sweet that are here. Scary's voice reminds me very much of Emitt Rhodes, a little known artist from nearly 40 years ago. The voice is very list enable, the production is, at times, overbearing. If you like an adventure, and have some time to devote to some detailed listening then get this.

I found these guys on myspace a while back. I will admit I torrented the album, but then I felt so bad because they were so good. I went ahead and bought both albums. Well worth it. Took a while for amazon to get this particular album as a digital download though. I really want to see these guys now. Great album.

I must keep this brief, but suffice it to say that Bryan Scary wears his loves proudly, not just on his sleeve, but all over his pancake-clad face and anachronistic top hat. Everything in the sound of this brilliant, production-drenched prog-pop tour de force wants to make me declare this guy the most original voice in rock these days... but of course, I can't do that. His delicious, brilliant pop licks are SO reminiscent of so many things that we've all heard before, he must be simply declared a master of pastiche and genius arranger who knows how to stand tall on the shoulders of giants.

ELO, Queen, Beatles, Todd Rundgren, early Genesis, Pink Floyd, Mike Oldfield, Beach Boys, vaudeville acts... almost direct references pepper this entire album from start to finish, unapologetically. And unlike many artists, I respect his mastery of the form and ability to put these pieces together into something wholly unique and very satisfying. Is it a concept album? It might be, with the character-based songs and repeating themes that run through the songs, but the back-story is hard to determine, if there is any, from the evocative but often abstract lyrics. And while you are absorbing the layered production values, bear in mind that Brian (Bauer?) Scary wrote, arranged, performed and recorded every element of this album himself in his home studio with the exception of the drums, which were electronic and he re-tracked later with a studio drummer. That is inspirational.

Whatever the case, I listened to this album front-to-back probably six times this past weekend, and it only got stronger for me. This album gets my highest recommendation - I am now only counting the days until the release of the full-band Sophomore release, the concept album Flight Of The Knife!

Love it... Such a spectacular fusion of sounds, but without the fuzzy muddled vibe. The album has it's own direction and character and more than does justice to the various inspirations that seem to have gone into it's creation. Fantastic!