Customer Reviews

Title Tk

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

The new album Title TK may be a new direction for the Breeders, hardly avoidable with an almost completely new band, but the song quality and brilliant pop ingenuity hasn't lessened a bit. In fact, though deeply sincere, the Breeders sound quite content and comfortable in their new setting casting an air of cynicism or mellowness in their knowledge that this is not merely a last splash followup for everyone who loved cannonball. While the Breeders previous work is great in its own right, this album really proves that they are a devoted band and not merely a one trick pony that is related to the Pixies, such as other popular band offshoots (ie The Foo Fighters). Furthermore, the basement, sub studio production really aids the once crisply mixed breeders using the biting guitars, solid rythm section, and dissonant but sweet vocals to propel the songs forward as appossed to churning production. The lack of studio sheen also allows for the songs to truly cast their own mood and revel in the sincere subtleties and human imperfections created by the Deal sisters. Although every song is good both within the album's context and on its own, some real highlights include the guitar frieght train attack of Son of Three, Kim Deal's snarl on Full on Idle, the beautifully atonal Too Alive, and the deeply emotional and touching Off You. Not only is this a great album with every track as good as the last, but this is a CD from a band that hasn't even existed since the mid 90s, and when overrated ripoffs like the strokes or weezer can't get true rough pop right, it's nice to see the Breeders come back and so effortlessly put them back in their places.

Listening to the Breeders' collected works is like listening to a band de-evolving. Play "Last Splash" and "Title TK" back to back and you'll wonder if it's the stereo or your hearing that has messed up. However, add in the punk-pop atom bomb that is the "Head to Toe" EP, plus the lo-fi coolness of "Pacer" (by Kim's side project, the Amps), and one can draw a fairly straight line between the two albums. The sound may have changed, but that Kim Deal magic is still there. You just have to listen harder to hear it.

Be sure to check out the singles as well. They usually have different (and better) versions than the album, as well as some kickin' B-sides.

...Unfortunately, this is a pretty paltry record, nine years in the making---yes, nine years, I said. Such an observation will likely spark a quality versus quantity debate, but Title TK has neither; in its short running time of about 35 minutes, the Breeders cover an Amps song needlessly---the version is not much different at all from the Amps, except it sounds more watered-down---and finally put down songs that have been recorded before and have been lingering around for years (Climbing the Sun). People are saying they like the clumsiness and sparseness of this record, but instead of believing this intentional, I think it's the result of a massive writer's block that has kept the Breeders silent for almost a decade. Deal's excuse was that she was striving for the "perfect sound," shorn of studio gimmickry, an ageless, no-frills rock sound, but I don't know if they even achieved this. The production is dry and a little lifeless, and the songs sound---well, almost stillborn. Of course there are moments that redeem some parts of the record---this is the Breeders, after all---but, overall, this record will be remembered as a curio in their discography. Hopefully, it's not going to be remembered as "The Last Gasp" too, because I like the Deal sisters as people---they're very friendly and approachable in person---and I do think they have much more talent than this record would lead most to believe.

This album simply rocks. Not in a Rock and Roll fashion, nor a classic 70's or punk 80's fashion. Title TK is the perfect combination between folk and punk, where the atmosphere is created by a revolution of riffs and bass leads. The tone of the record is kept top-notch even if sound quality is meant to be non-digital. I have not heard any of The Breeders last albums yet, but im really impressed with the work theyve done here. The Deal sisters eerie singing and monotone backups are wonderful. I love that whole singing-without-moving-your-tounge-punk thing. The guitars create melodious backup, while the drums are kept below simplicity disregarding the time here and there, lifting the whole basement-type-recording a step.
Probably the thing you could condemn about this album is the fact that there are only two types of songs. The gloomy-stmospheric type where voice melodies and bass play the lead roles, and the more edgy and rocking ones, where guitars set the tone, followed by playfull vocals such as "ah-ah-ah-ah."
Songs most notable on the record are "Little Fury," the "title track" that sets the atmosphere for the whole record (my personal favourite) guitars here are pretty cool, especially the high toned ones in the background that come out every once in a while, they give te song a whole happy thing. "Too Alive" which is the edgy type of song, "Put on a Side" which resembles some sonic youth musically, but is set aside by the sisters vocals, simple. "Sinister Foxx" the gloomy tipe where the sister's accent is dramatized by a punk-type pronunciation where certain syllables are pronounced tongueless. And last but not least "Huffer" which is the fastest song of the record.
Ive found that no matter when i listen to this record it puts me in a lively mood. If punk was meant to get you agressive, this is meant to get you awake. Title TK has proved to be one of the best records of the year, and it certainly has moved up the standards in the alt-scene.
My recommendation?
This album is a must!

Wow. I didn't realize how much people didn't like this one until I started reading the reviews today. You can see, though, that the reviews are getting better and better with time. That says something.

This is one of those recently rare albums that you listen to all the way through, maybe on repeat, until it seeps into your surroundings and infuses your world with its rhythms and colors. For the sake of comparison, other albums I put in this category include Dylan's "Desire" and The Velvet Underground's third, eponymous release. "Title TK" is a mood, and a complex mood at that: melancholy yet whimsical, impressionistic yet precise.

I think this one is going to sneak up on people and become a cult classic in 15 years. Just a hunch.

I'm not going to try and convice anyone... I just had to put this into words. I feel like I'm hearing The Breeders for the first time again. "Title TK" is wonderful.

When "Pod" came out I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever heard. It was eerie and poppy and it rocked. I was a teenager lusting after Kim Deal, her voice and her bass. I dug "Last Splash" too, but that album belongs in the mid-90s, when we were eating up stuff like Belly and Dinosaur Jr (epic produced indie pop). This album is perfect. It's moody, beautiful, cleaver and it rocks in a way I haven't heard anyone rock since Modest Mouse on "Lonesome Crowded West"(not that they sound remotely similar). Kim Deal even mumbles beautifully. It just sounds like they know how damn good every song is, and they love teasing you as they play them. All that teasing pays off because, in case you missed it everytime I've said this so far... it rocks.

This album needs about four listens. It all starts to click into place. They've been away a while, and while most people were probably expecting Cannonball mark 2, they came back with something that sounds like a band getting back together and making music again, rather than Kim Deal and her twin sister plus three punk types. Which has to be applauded after the problems getting a band together again, after The Last Splash pretty much killed The Breeders as was. Sure, we got the vinyl only Head To Toe ep, and we got the Amps album so we knew where Kim was going musically.

Little Fury starts with Kim and Kelley's vocals and you know they're back. Heartstoppingly back, Wonderful. Simple, Space. London Song has a hook that stays in your head and makes you hum it for weeks afterwards. Off You - a tale of lost love? Maybe the prettiest song The Breeders have ever written? So sad, sparse and beautiful. the line "I am the makeup on your eye" may well be my line of this year. The She, the noises in Kim's head put on record. Too Alive, one of the older ideas on this album that mutated into this hopeful positive guitar sound, Son Of Three which could be a Guided By Voices song if you let it, who knows.. maybe Robert Pollard will... Put on a Side is the Mad Lucas of this album, the weird noises. Full On Idle re-recorded from Pacer with additional Kelley vocals, you can finally hear the words, Sinister Foxx being the weird stoned noises they do sometimes, Forced to Drive being the second pretty song on this album, T and T one of their musical interludes and Huffer being that two minute pogo around being happy and glad and loving it and thankful they're back.

But maybe that's what its all about. They're back. Don't expect the world. But expect a really good ride along the way. Its a short ride though. Lets hope its not too long till next time...

Let me say up front, Kim Deal could release a 70-minute album of herself humming over a dub track of her own farts and I'd probably still buy 2 copies. I'm a fan.
Having said that, Title TK is a sweet reward for those of us who've been waiting 7 years for even the smallest peep from Miss Deal. (Did you buy "The Mod Squad" soundtrack? Me too. "Love & a 45"? Me too.) But for the average person it will probably be something of a dissapointment. Title TK has little in common with Last Splash, and a lot in common with Kim's brilliant solo effort "Pacer" (as The Amps.) There is even a song from Pacer on the new album (oh come on Kim, you stoner! Can't we have all new songs? "Forced To Drive" has been around the block as well. Never mind, forget I said anything. Release an album with the same songs on it every month, I'll keep buying.)
To this fan, Last Splash is a Breeders low-point. One mega-hit, a few other decent tracks and a lot of filler. Pod and Pacer are works of art that can be enjoyed fully. I'd place Title TK somewhere inbetween. If you adored Last Splash, Title TK will take some getting used to.
Another oddity: The presence of Steve Albini and Vaughn Oliver smack of the Pixies past Kim says she longs to leave behind. Maybe Mr. Rapeman is the only person who could make her sit still in the studio long enough. Whatever, I'm just glad it's finally here.
Now join me as I pray to the rock gods: Please oh please don't make us wait 7 years again. I'll be listening to Lawrence Welk in the old folks home and won't be able to enjoy it.
Best Tracks: "Little Fury", "Son of Three", "Sinister Foxx", "Huffer"

I'm suprised that so many people did not enjoy the newest offering from the "Breeders" (though they should be more accurately refered to as the Deal sisters featuring Fear). I can see how people may see it as a lesser offering than previous albums, but then again you have to remember that this is a different band than appeared on those albums. keeping that in mind, this album is very entertaining and satisfying, if not a bit dull towards the end. I also really enjoyed Albini's production. Maybe 4 1/2 stars, not quite 5. But good, and worth it, at least pick up a used copy.

The album is a definite must for hardcore Kim Deal fans. It is a departure from previous efforts with the Amps and Breeders - the sonic plane they create on Title TK is much more open and unconstricted as they veer away from the typical rock/pop formula of previous efforts. Contrary to previous reviews, it is not "low fi" - there's great production on this recording - rather it's a pared-down version of the band, very intimate and engaging - as if you were sitting in a basement studio with the band while they experimented with song structures and recorded each song live in a single take.

Because of the lack of formulaic songwriting and instrumentation, Title TK may at first seem a little obscure and inaccessible. However, great rewards come to those who give this more than a couple half-assed listening attempts - after a few listens (particularly with headphones), the entire disc (perhaps with the exception of "Sinister Foxx") will definitely grow on you and become a much needed oasis of sound in the desert of today's generic rock/pop efforts.

Also note that this effort includes a interesting reprisal and remake of "Full on Idle," previously recorded with the Amps.