Customer Reviews

Talk in Circles

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

 

 

Upon playing this album for the first time, with no major expectations, I was pleasantly surprised with the new tracks. Sure, it might not be quite as raw and repetative at their debut album (which is a decent album, and I would recommend listening to that one first if you are unfamiliar with the band) however, the Willowz managed to reinvent their style and sound with Talk in Circles, and I can't understand why people would think that its a bad thing. I mean, since when was there a rule in music that you have to wait 4 or 5 albums until you're allowed to experiment with new ideas. The whole point of music is to write what feels right at the time. If that means taking your songs in a new direction with new ideas, more f***ing power to ya! If you are looking to buy CDs from artists who are going to rehash the same sh*t album after album, then go buy a Strokes CD. But I can understand why Talk in Circles is already receiving such harsh criticism. This album just wasn't made for those with short attention spans. You really need to sit and listen to the songs with an open mind and try to grasp/understand them before you can come to any conclusions. Yea the singer is off key at parts, but thats just the style of the music. You might as well say picasso was a sh**ty painter because he didn't paint perfect little straight lines...perfection isn't exactly what makes music enjoyable. Look at Seline Dion. She sings in key, but her songs are musical chinese water torture!

As for the album...Talk in Circles explores unusal time structures (such as "shriek" with its 5/4 timing) an introduction to new instruments (trumpet/organ/and did I hear an ocorana in track 6?) and experimental guitar movements that wheep with emotion, yet the Willowz still maintains the charm and edgy-ness of their self titled album. Strongly recommended!
-Andrew

The Willowz may have got themselves into a tricky position. Too shamelessly postpunk for musical dabblers, you say, yet too averse to 100 percent thrash 'n' thump for hardcore punk fans? Perhaps. But that leaves a lot of listeners, and for us, "Talk in Circles" is an addictive record. Its 60-plus minutes come at you in fierce little waves, with peerlessly yowling vocals over arrangements incorporating elements of free jazz, country, folk, da blooz, and (lest we forget) large dollops of thrash 'n' thump. And it's all delivered (and produced) with the kind of sharply focused garage-rock clamor a band just can't fake. The lyrics express various shades of self-doubt, frustration, and disappointment, but the music signals the band's fierce determination to survive. On the basis of "Talk in Circles," I think they will.

I checked this out from the library and I thought to myself "hey this sounds alright". I even wrote down that the album was good enough to buy. I went on secondspin and bought it eventually.

It took me about a year to get around to spinning it again as there is so many other cds hogging my ear. Well, we got a problem. The album has 20 tracks and it takes an hour to finish it. I'm really disappointed here. I'm putting it back on my shelf knowing I'll never spin it again.

It sounds like the White Stripes except less interesting. There wasn't really any tracks that caught my ear. I regret this purchase. I would borrow the cd from a friend first.

I can understand people hating the singer of this group, but for some reason I did not. He sounds like Billy Corgan on helium, screeching and caterwauling with bristling energy. There are a few good songs (brevity being a good thing in several instances). If you enjoy the White Stripes then I think you'll enjoy this, so open your wallet, get out your credit card and "Add to Cart".

The Willowz have been one of the cool bands playing a lot in the LA scene. This is their second record and it is great. They come from Anaheim, that ghastly place. They combine the cool sound of LA punk and the New York Dolls. This whole record has a vibe that I remember when I bought the first few Slash Records. This is twenty tracks and there is little filler. Richie James Follin is a classic frontman that reminds me of Jeffrey Lee Pierce. He is already being called the new Jack White. This guy is happening. If you just hear this music and you don't start tapping your foot, what is wrong with you? Just listen to "Dead Ears" or "We Live On Your Street" and turn it real loud. Put your ears up to the speakers. Do it now! After you buy this album!

The songs are written in an appealing fashion, and the lead guitar and drumming work very well together. Unfortunately, the lead singer's voice just isn't going to cut it. He is off key and quite annoying. He simply can't sing. This group could do well with a decent vocalist. The lyrics are also pretty lame. Anyone over eighteen years of age will be expecting a little more from the song verses. Four stars for the music, but the vocals make this a CD I can't recommend.

This album is a failed attempt to get in the hipster dumbass club. 20 tracks of pretenious self involved crap. There actually are a couple decent songs, but it also might be good if it was their 4th or 5th album, you when bands go to the desert to find themselves. They just re invented themselves after being a band for about one year, when they should have stayed true to their roots. If you want to hear a good Willowz record, buy the first one "Willowz s/t".

Vortex 2.0