Customer Reviews

Slomotion

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As it turned out, 'Slomotion' was The Watchmen's swan song. It's really too bad, because although the band was less one member after the departure of drummer Joey Serlin, the new direction in which they were headed sounded good. I heard the first single 'Absolutely Anytime' and wondered when Daniel Greaves left to join an electronica outfit? I bought the album as soon as I heard whose it was, and I wasn't disappointed. At only nine tracks, it's a little short, but it works beautifully. The standout track is 'I Like It', with Greaves' vocals floating over an ethereal electronic soundscape. The first two tracks, 'Holiday' and 'Absolutely Anytime' definitely rock. The rest, while not as strong, definitely aren't filler. Disc two is a retrospective of singles, which gives one a good sampling of their earlier work. As an American who hadn't heard much before 'Boneyard Tree', it was nice to hear earlier tracks I might have missed. I'm definitely loking into buying 'In The Trees' and McLaren Furnace Room' now.
I was looking forward to a follow-up when I heard of the band's breakup, which almost makes this album a teaser. Buy it anyway- you won't regret it.

I can't say enough great things about this album! If you haven't heard the Watchmen before it's because US radio is too bland to recognize real talent without a big record label pushing them. Take the plunge -- everyone I've bought this album for has come back to me saying they love it.
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In some ways I hope The Watchmen don't catch on in the US; it'll be our secret!

I normally avoid best of CDs like the plague. That's why Slomotion by The Watchmen is a real treat. Instead of just releasing a simple best of, this Winnipeg now trio mixes ostensibly a new record with a greatest hits album in a fun unique package.

The first CD dubbed Fast Forward showcases a brand new Watchmen sound that is fresh and vibrant. Tracks like Absolutely Anytime mix the bands rock songwriting abilities with electronic elements to create a very atmospheric, textured sound.

Daniel Greaves vocals are very much aided by the new electronic elements as his voice becomes the human link in the atmospheric soundscapes created on such tracks as I Like It. Greaves performance anchors the record preventing the sounds from becoming too alien, keeping the songs anchored in the world of rock.

Where the band succeeds in mixing electronic elements to their rock pedigree that is the song structure for each track is solid. You could easily see the band playing such songs as Holiday live in concert with just bass-guitar-and-drums. The electronic elements add another dimension to the tunes that really make the songs unique.

The second CD is Rewind; a collection of Watchmen singles. Anybody who calls it a greatest hits package would be mistaken as certain radio familiar tunes in Canada have been left off (where's Wiser, where's Lusitana?) and why Zoom and Cracked made the cut I'll never know. The end result is a nice showcase of the bands previous work that really highlights the guts these guys had in taking the leap in style they did for Fast Forward.