Customer Reviews

Trying to Never Catch Up

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

WMMF was indeed a breath of fresh air. They are one of my new favorite bands. After they rocked the stage at SXSW this year in Austin I have loved them. They manage to mix and match so much of what is good out there. Check them out if you wanna hear good tunes.

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.

WMMF are certainly one of the most creative and distinctive bands around today. They were the first unsigned band to play on Austin City Limits and they deserved it.

"Trying to Never Catch up" sounds like it could veer into some kind of vapid neo techno-pop on the first few seconds of 'Idecide,' but that Nintendo synth line is slowly built around and touches on several styles of music, at times sounding somewhat like Tripping Daisy, or Nada Surf, or Built to Spill, or Wilco, or Grandaddy, or Interpol, or Spoon, or Spiritualized, or Modest Mouse. "Somewhat Like" is the operative phrase because WMMF sound all their own.

'Mercy Me' ambles along beside reverbed guitars, eventually gaining speed to a rocketing finish. 'Always Never' is a memorable, delectable, sacharrine pop song.

From start to finish WMMF prove that they can effortlessly and successfully meld many different influences and styles into a potent brand of truly independent music.

'Next to Him,' eventually pogos out of control, 'Trying to Never Catch up' begins all weightless before the band rips some awesome fills that echo everywhere and then creep over the song; every song on this album is done to perfection and proves big things are on the band's horizon (esp. after Lollapalalazoozoo).

Plus they sent an autograph with the CD. Can't fault anyone for that. Music fans are about to catch up with What Made Milwaukee Famous.

...and cheese Made Milwaukee Famous. What Made Milwaukee Famous' first CD "Idecide," comes across as a unique sound, indie enough to be intriguing and pop enough to keep you coming back for more.

Austin's own Milwaukee rises above a music scene dripping with talent and actually comes off not sounding like every other indie band out there these days. The music on "Idecide," is equal parts Modest Mouse, Canada's Acorn and Besnard Lakes, and even a little of Austin's Okkervil.

The big hits here are track 1, "Idecide," and 3, "Hellodrama." "Idecide," almost has this cool math rock thing going on of Pinback but then lead singer Kingcaid's voice gets the distortion treatment and the song trangresses to this weird wonderful place. "Hellodrama," starts off sounding much like Austin's other Okkervil River but the chorus kicks in and transforms the song into this Modest Mouse meets Clash meets My Sharona and there is suddenly dance club bliss...quite unexpected mind you.

Althought the last part of "Trying to Never Catch Up," finds the songwriting talents of Michael Kingcaid, John H. Farmer, and Drew Patrizi, ventures out into eclectic teritorry it loses a little focus and cohesion. Watch for Milwaukee playing a club near you while you can, they'll be moving up to larger venues. --mmw

I loaded many albums by many new artists on my car's multi-MP3 CDRW player. Of those, Trying Never To Catch Up really stands out everytime it comes around.

What Made Milwaukee Famous straddles European pop and US indie. Every song is special. Buy it and find out for yourself.

[DW]

I agree with what everyone has said, this is truly a strong cd with almost every (if not all) track being excelent. I heard one of their songs on independent radio and spent a little time tracking it down about two years ago and haven't regreted it yet.

This album is simply awesome. I would describe this album a mix of the Strokes meets Spoon. They have never gotten the credit that they deserve, but this is one of the top albums for 2005 and released again with more songs in 2006. If you get this album you won't be disappointed.

I heard these guys on Austin City Limits and really enjoyed the music. It is melodic yet quirky and unpredictable. I am in my 40s, so I rarely buy music, maybe 3 times a year. After I heard these guys, I decided to buy the CD and I am glad I did.

This is such a great band - saw them live and they are so awesome - catch these guys any chance you get!!!