The Sword of God

Quasi

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 21, 2001)
• Original Release Date: August 21, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Touch & Go Records
• ASIN: B00005MK7N
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #163,992 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
There are a lot of requisites to cram into a Quasi review: the duo's members were once married, he plays with Elliott Smith (and sometimes vice-versa), she with Sleater-Kinney, etc. All were easily coverable in the paragraphs scribbled about former albums, as each new Quasi release seemed to have only slight key, rhythm, and mood variations to distinguish it from the last. The Sword of God, however, finds Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss creating an album that is to Quasi what Being There was to Wilco--a loving transmogrification, if you will, of sounds the band holds dear. Zeppelinesque organ, Buffalo Springfield guitars, the intro of the 1974 Genesis song "Watcher of the Skies" (played show-tunes style on keyboard and clarinet)--all are lovingly modified to reflect Quasi's seamless combination of goof-and-gloom-rock aesthetics before being built into the duo's most eclectic single album to date. And with music that explores the sunny side of their otherwise black humor (high in the mix of the anthemic "Rock and Roll Can Never Die," over a signature Rolling Stones guitar riff, is a rollicking bagpipe, for example), Quasi makes The Sword of God a perfect fit for listeners of all dispositions. --Sarah Sternau

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I'd give it three and a half if I could, September 19, 2002

By	"blue_suede_schmooze" (out of left field) - See all my reviews

First: Quasi's "The Sword of God" is better than 99.9% of releases. Why only three and a half stars then? I just don't feel it quite measures up to the awesome "Featuring Birds" and "Field Studies". That said, "Sword" is an excellent album, one that continues to play on Quasi's considerable strengths: the wold-weary lyrics of Sam Coomes and the awe-inspiring drumming of Janet Weiss. In fact, this is probably Quasi's most musically adventurous album, with the ever-present roxichord,piano, guitar, and even bagpipes showing up in the mix. Lyrically, its a typically Commes-ian affair, with lines like: "Days will pass / any one might be your last / as you chase after your fleeting dreams" and "you've got eternity / a few short years is enough for me". But Coomes also has a great sense of humour, as evidenced in rerlationship observations like "I'm an old baboon / You're a barbery ape / Two different creatures / With a similar shape". As usual, Weiss and Coomes harmonize very well, and Janet's drumming is in top form. She takes lead vocal on two tracks, both of which must be considered highlights ("The Curse of Having it All" and "Nothing, Nowehere"). Quasi is an essential indie band, probably one of the most unique ones out there, and "The Sword of God" is another chapter in thier accomplished career. If you are looking to get initial exposure to Quasi, however, I'd recommend "Birds or "Field Studies" first.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quasi's 'Sword' Cuts a Sharp Edge, November 3, 2001

By	D. Jobe - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Let's face it, Heatmiser were a bar band. Not a "playing in a bar" band but rather a band made out of stereotypical bar types. One member, Elliot Smith, without a doubt, is the brooding guy in the corner, writing his observations on a cocktail napkin, complaining about his lack of a date. Current Quasi-man Sam Coomes, by comparison, is right in your face. He's that loud smart-alek friend who goes on and on, louder and louder about his problems...the state of the country, his feelings on religion, how much he hates his job, etc. This guy is usually a crackup at the start but his pandering can get old after awhile and there you reach my feelings on Quasi's state as of their last album, 'Field Studies.' Sure, there was good stuff, but hadn't we heard this before, and better on 'featuring "Birds"' and 'R & B Transmogrification?'

Enter the new album, which I admit I purchased with a certain amount of "well, we'll give 'em another chance" attitude. And I was glad I did. The two years between albums have been good ones for Coomes and he's made his cutting lyrics bite harder, even taking a bite at himself (in a more than self-depracating way for once) in "Genetic Science" ("I've got my defiance/you've got your genetic science," probably the best rhyme of the year). What's more, ex-wife Janet Weiss is becoming more than just a great backing vocalist and drummer. Her cut "The Curse of Having it All" is her best yet and Coomes wisely uses her vocal duties for lead on his weeper "Nothing, Nowhere." To top things off the melodies are getting more complex, and while I'll still recommend "Birds" to any who want to know where to start (along with Elliot Smith's 'Either/Or' the best Northwestern album released in the late 90's) this shows that this duo has more left in them than I thought. A spirited, edgy album that deserves the hit single it won't get. But then, you don't want Coomes to have too much success; what will be left for him to sing about? Every bar needs a personality this strong.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A near classic, August 21, 2001

By	Michael Scott "esperanca" (Nashville, Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"The Sword of God" firmly establishes Quasi as one of the best pop bands working today (I mean pop in the Beatles/Kinks sense of the word.) Yes, it is still the same sad lyrics/happy songs formula as found on their previous albums, but the songs here are much more complex, fuller and solid sound. Current favorites are "The Curse of Having It All," the title track, and "Nothing, Nowhere." It does get a tad repetitive toward the end (I'd give the album 4.5 stars, if possible), and I'm not sure how much longer they can keep up their world-weariness and cynicism that is in nearly every one of their songs. But in general Sam Coomes' lyrical barbs are still dead on, as in "Genetic Science": "You got the newest style; it won't be new in a little while / You got the future too; I don't mind leaving that to you / You got plans & goals; all I see is full of holes." Great pop/punk from one of the best bands today. Get this album, and see them live if you can. Two people can make an amazing amount of racket!