Customer Reviews

Uncivilized Area

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This album was recorded right before a massive change in their style (listen to the monster Little Betty Boop for a hint of what they sound like now). They've distanced themselves even further from Phish, and have carved out their own niche in the jamband scene. Keep in mind that they have totally updated their style since this album, which came out around May '98. Listen to any show after that and you will see. Still a good album to have on the shelf.. it sounds great, and it might have the best I-Man I've ever heard.

I heard these cats back in their Philly-only bar and frat days, and my oh my, how they have grown... while the album can't capture the live energy vibe (their instruments plug into your veins), this album still offers a whirlwind of sounds that take you in and out of hypnotic trance and pounding, knee-wobbling fervor... Acetobee has one of the greatest build-ups, MEMPHIS has a 'lil comedic thing going packaged nicely in a very catchy riff, I-Man has an almost crystaline beauty, and Vassilios gets super chunky-funky with (perhaps non-intentional but still desireable) off-note vocals. Buy this album or forever be left in the shadows of anti-climactic existential pain...

I see a lot of comparisons to Phish, and quite frankly, I think it's ridiculous. For starters, this band sounds not much like Phish to say the least. Comparing them to Phish is like comparing Phish to the Dead -- please people, there's more to classification than "yeah, dude, they jam so they must be like ____." Secondly, I think while their songs do not have much structure, it gives them a lot of freedom to groove. These guys offer the coolest blend of sound I've seen live. The interplay between Magner (keyboards) and Gutwillig (guitar) is amazing, and Altman, the drummer, can throw some crazy beats into the mix. This album really showcases the groove, particularly Little Betty Boop -- it glides through some nice territory. The Biscuits' mixture of technotrancejamrock is just what the new century and jamband scene needs -- a big frickin' wake-up call after all the mediocre crap that seems to be floating through the atmosphere. If you want to be mesmerized by techno beats that peak and glide smoothly in a spin of whirling sound, buy this album, then buy a ticket to a Bisco show.

The Disco Biscuits' second album, Uncivilized Area, shows that the stellar musicianship and improvisation of the jam bands is alive and well on the independent scene. While critics often complain that many of these bands can't put it together in the studio, this album is a musical tour de force and the songs are all very good. Tracks like "Aceetobee", which have some sick counter bass lines from Marc Brownstein, the quirky "Morph Dusseldorf", and the playful "Jamilla", are outstanding musical adventures that bounce between several genres within the same song. "I-Man" is also a great jam led by the stellar piano playing of Aron Manger and a cool chorus that you could sing along to. Also worth noting is that unlike similar bands such as The Dave Matthews Band, the band don't take themselves too seriously as evidenced by the hysterical lyrics in "Jamilla" and "Little Betty Boop." Even when the band decides to play it somewhat straight on "M.E.M.P.H.I.S." and "Awol's Blues", the band's considerable chops shine through. Another great track is the opener "Vassillios", which starts out heavy before suddenly breaking into piano jazz before returning to its original theme. The only track that doesn't work is the aforementioned "Little Betty Boop", which is great for the first 6 minutes but then becomes meandering and self-indulgent. All told, Uncivilized Area proves that today's jam bands could bring the excitement of their live shows into the studio.

listen to this cd. and go see the biscuits live.

Disco Biscuits was my first exposure to "TRANCE ROCK."
I saw them for the first time at GATHERING OF THE VIBES in 2001 and they were absolutley incredible. I'm not sure when this album actually came out but I'm pretty sure it was their first. I've seen these guys a few times and have never heard any tof these songs live.

Thats cool though, because I think this is a very cool record, although different than anything I've seen them do. This is a band that constantly evolves (so check the next ones out later.)
This one though is just some wise ass stuff. Kind of like G.Love almost, but with crazy extended jams that consist of electric pianos and other strange forms of electronica.
Its very trippy sounds that work well with any songs they do. This first album though contains JAMILIA, some dirty lyrics there... and LITTLE BETTY BOOP, not quite as dirty but with a way more lengthy tripped out jam.
If you know the "jam" scene, you've no doubt heard of these guys. If you get an album to get a feel for them live get a live album, if you just want a really cool album GET THIS!

This is a phenomenal piece of work! If your a fan of early Phish albums such as "junta" or "Lawn Boy", I think you may enjoy this one! But this band truly has a sound of its own. If your into good jam music mixed w/ a fusion jazz sound that can take to unexpected musical highs, this may be the ticket for you! I'm looking forward to seeing these guys live after hearing this cd!

Wow...well the friend says to me have you heard the Disco Biscuits and im like naw...ya know being a big fan of Phish, SCI, Hookah he said you got to check them out...so i figure what the hey ill get this cd....thinkin nothing i put it on. Vassillios(6:18) starts...im like whoa good stuff..kinda movin and shakin then Aceetobee(10:55)!!! oh my...this song is phat im thinking has to be the best...but wait Jamilla(7:39)! oh my now this is serious stuff....oh no Little Betty Boop(15:11)!!!!!!! ok thats like crazy techno jamming and them M.E.M.P.H.I.S.(4:59) oh yes "Makin easy money...." cracks me up everytime Morph Dusselsorf(7:56)..im thinking can this cd do any wrong....I-Man(13:12) WHOA! :O thats what i looked like after this song...then comes AWOL's Blues(5:44) this song could have been terrible and it would have been worth my money but it wasnt...GREAT AGAIN! I say the 3 big hitters on here are the 3 jammed out tunes but the others are alll very very good.....if you like SCI, Hookah, Phish heck even the Dead or any jam band check them out..you wont be dissapointed...lots of funk...bluesy stuff..they have got it all...the best cd iv bought in a long while!

As much as I loved their first CD (Encephalous Crime), this one is even better. Jamilia may be their best song ever and I-man is not far behind. John (The Barber) Gutwillig's guitar solos are "Claptonesque," Mark (Brownie) Brownstein's bass is soulful, Aaron Magner has the fastest keyboard hands since Greg Philiganis, and Sam Altman's drumming would make Ginger Baker take up the triangle.

These guys are very, very phat. See them in person for an even bigger thrill.

CD offers very unusual and at the same time dancing bit. Music is contagious. Be careful. Watch for symptoms. If: 1) your fingers start tapping 2) your feet start moving along with the rhythm 3) you are suddenly nostalgic for the 70ies and millennium at the same time ..then you have "bisco discuits syndrome". Possible side effect-desire to dance without a partner.

..Seriously, it is very good, full of variety and excitement.