Trying to Never Catch Up

What Made Milwaukee Famous

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 22, 2006)
• Original Release Date: August 22, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Barsuk
• ASIN: B000GH3CT8
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #94,648 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
So they're not actually from Milwaukee but coming from Austin, TX you get the feeling these guys can certainly appreciate a good 12-pack of beer (the quartet actually named itself after a line in a Jerry Lee Lewis song). Freshly signed to Barsuk, the indie home to the likes of John Vanderslice and Nada Surf, the best this quartet can muster is to reissue its two-year-old debut, Trying Never To Catch Up. Not that anyone would complain--the album has ideas to spare, veering from scrappy noise rock ("Selling Yourself Short") and blurry power pop ("Hellodrama") to a couple of Jeff Buckley-inspired flights and something called "Bldg. a Boat From the Boards in Your Eye," a psychedelic romp that is either meant to pay tribute or torment fellow Texans, the Polyphonic Spree. Through it all, the group affirms that it's never too shy to hit on a solid melody. --Aidin Vaziri

Product Description
This Austin band defies convention by combining an uncommonly gorgeous pop sensibility with a finely-honed post-punk attack. Look for them at both the Lollapalooza and the Austin City Limits festivals this summer and fall, along with a national tour in September supporting The Long Winters.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent CD. Don't Miss Them!, September 6, 2006

By	L. Wierzbicki "Taurus 66_Houston" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I accidently ran across them when flipping the TV remote and caught their Austin City Limits show on 11/19/05 with Franz Ferdinand. Immediately, I was captivated by the lead singer's, Michael Kingcaid, voice on I Decide. I caught the show again, (I already had the CD) at a later date and found it to be a great show all the way. You can clearly tell who their influences are. The last song performance in the Austin City Limits show, Bldg. a Boat from the Boards in Your Eye, had a Beatles "All You Need is Love" feel. I missed them in Houston last year, but will catch them in the Sept 19th show! Grab this CD and you will not be disappointed.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing. Pick this one up!, September 6, 2006

By	Jeremiah Garza - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What Made Milwaukee Famous is a true treat to experience. Although the album was only recently released, they've had the exact same album (plus and minus one or two songs) out that they promoted and self-released many years earlier. I had the joy of listening to them live at Stubb's Bar-B-Que when they were one of the opening bands for Snow Patrol. However, it should have been the other way around that night with Snow Patrol opening for them.

So if you feel like taking a chance on a new band, do not hesitate to try 'Trying to Never Catch Up,' you will be so happy that you did.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Barsuk Rides Again, October 9, 2006

By	P. Petterson (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I can't believe these guys were hanging out for two years with most of this album self-released. This album is not merely the sum of their influences. They may not be the next Shins or Death Cab, but I do think this band has the same "it factor." Beware those who get hung up on repetitive lyrics, because most of this album is about failed relationships. But instead of freshening up or glossing over depressing and angst-ridden lyrics, musically they shift gears and mix it up. They find a way to make it work, and the more I listen to this album the more I like it.

Already my number two album of 2006 behind Silversun Pickups and just ahead of another new Austin band, The Sound Team.