Customer Reviews

Sword of God

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

 

 

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.

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.

"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!

This album is amazing! While not as brillient as Field Studies, Sword of God is still a remarkable achivement. This is the first self-produced Quasi album and Sam admits that more effort was spent on its production than the actual music itself, so don't expect anything too mold breaking from the classic Quasi sound, but hey, that's a good thing for right now. I hope they move on for the next album, but this album's noisey rocksachord and raw drums fill out nicely, with moments of awe, like the second half of the title track. If you like anything remotely different sounding or experimental, and you like The Beatles, buy a Quasi album. This album is just as good as the others.

From the "introduction", Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss take you down that road that leads quickly south. A spiraling of dirge arrangements of the most infectious pop music that eclipses all previous efforts they have made. Everyone has a sappy, screamy, whiny, die me song on the radio today. Where Sam and Janet come out as champs is their ability to observe while keeping their hearts firmly sewn on their respective sleeves. Smart lyrics, absolute gogo danceable beats, and tear jerking chords backing equally penetrating vocals, make this album one that I have waited very long in the coming, for. Indeed, there is no disappointment from this end-- Though, I would be sad if they were to now scatter.

If this is your first time with Quasi, then let me tell you that once you listen to this CD you will surely buy all of their music. Quasi's sound is simply unbelievable -you just cannot believe that they are just two people, Janet Weiss and Sam Coomes. Janet Weiss' drumming remembers me of John Bonham's (Led Zeppelin), while I agree with someone's review on them that Sam Coomes' bass playing reminds of Paul McCartney's (The Beatles, Wings). Led Zeppelin and The Beatles, what a combo!! Quasi's lyrics are melancholic, but they are not a heavy burden to listen. Au contraire, they have that nice acid / cynic attitude in their songs which makes you smile with a big grin. One last thing: you just cannot get tired of their music. Each time I listen to this CD -I must confess that that is several times a week- I find new musical textures -keyboards / bass lines communicating intensely with drum patterns- that leaves me in awe. How can two people do that? And then I find the answer: it only can be done with passion. That is what you will find in this CD if you give it a chance. So, if you need a little music in your life, check this out. Enjoy.