Customer Reviews

Upside of Down

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

 

 

Upside of Down is a solid pop release which is thoroughly enjoyable in it's own right. Why people feel the need to compare it to Jellyfish is beyond me. I have not experienced The Tories' first release (Wonderful Life, which I am told it is considerably better), but this album seems quite increadibly bland when contrasted to the magnificent Spilt Milk. So - Jellyfish lovers beware: this may not be the album you've been craving! If you are a fan of good pop generally, then Upside of Down is no dud. The guitars are rich and the vocal harmonies are impressive, but in no way are they as complex, intelligent or quite as beautiful as anything from the Sturmer/Manning catalogue. Perhaps you shoud try The Sun Sawed In 1/2 'Fizzy Lift' if this album leaves you a little bit cold.

After seeing the band perform in Sacramento last weekend, I bought the CD. I really enjoyed their performance, and I love the CD too. (Now I just have to go find their first one too!)

I find the music on this CD to be really enjoyable. There is a range of sounds from fun and pop-y (the Jesse theme song) to mellow songs, with some harder, more aggressive sound thrown in there too.

It's hard to describe what they sound like, but both my husband and I really enjoy their music. He's into much harder music (Tool, Slipknot) than I am (80s & alternative) - so maybe that will help you decide if you'll like them too!

The Tories hit it right on again with their second release. Every bit as tight musically as 'Wonderful Life', yet with a more mature tone and even smarter lyrics. If these guys don't hit a home run with this cd and break through in a big way, I'll be very surprised. Buy it. Then play it at 11. See them live. And all of your rock fantasies will come true.

not as good as the first cd(wonderfull life) Still a must buy, for their great sound, vocals, and guitar work.

I really dig The Upside of Down and my favorite song right now has to be Would You Notice. It's so great to see Rock coming back, especially like the sound of The Torries which I LOVE! I highly recommend this CD, I can't take it out of my player

Alright, so they sound like Jellyfish. (A *lot* like Jellyfish, the truth be told.)

First of all, this album is, at the very least, excellent listening music. If you like any of these artists, give it a spin: Jellyfish, Matthew Sweet, The Grays, Brendan Benson, Jason Falkner, Ben Folds Five, Jon Brion, The Argument, or other related derivatives.

Now, if you're a Jellyfish fan that enjoys taking time out to rip a band like the Tories for sounding too much like Andy and the boys...please. Take a deep breath. And look the other way.

Jellyfish was in itself a hybrid Beatles/Queen/Beach Boys/T-Rex combination. They were brilliant, granted; they also weren't original. Complaining that one band ripped off another is fruitless and pointless. Everyone ripped off the Beatles, and even they ripped off countless international artists no one will ever hear of. So relax, put your feet up. Enjoy the new music.

The Tories have done what Jellyfish weren't going to do: release a new album. And unless Andy Sturmer stops making that horrid country pop schlock, Tories albums are the best new music that Jellyfishers are going to get for a long while.

Who knows why things turn out the way they do? If the high-rated sitcom "Jesse" had stayed on the air, this band might have stayed together and become more successful. But it was mysteriously canceled and along with it the raging power pop theme song "Time for You." This is a worthy album although it has its share of weak tracks. The good ones: the title track, "Come Unglued," "Superconductor," and "Time for You" make up for a general sense of blandness. Many of the "soaring" choruses sound too similar and seem rote. The band should have varied their song structures more with some ballads, some non-anthemic songs... But sparkling Beatlesque moments like "Come Unglued" make this worth buying or downloading.

I consider this CD the most perfect quintessence of power pop experience.
(The voices, the lyrics, the arrangements and the tunes).

My secret will is that this CD had been released by me!

The songs vary from slow ballads to upbeats rocks. Beautiful and inspired voices chorus.

They didn't intend to create a new musical style but I don't care, because Tories was a great Californian band that has released just two CDs.

Tories and many other great power pop bands (Big Star, Badfinger, Fountains of Wayne, Teenage Fanclub) or great indie rock bands (Tonic, Phantom Planet) or until good and happy teenager bands (Busted, McFly) are very grateful that Beatles have existed!

This CD is a little bit more mature than "Wonderful Life".

Two songs are very special for me: "All The World's For Sale" and "The Upside of Down"

I totally love this CD. This are great stars. I can't beleive you don't hear them on the radio.

I was so impressed with the CD, it's the first CD i've enjoyed in a long time. Right now my favorite song is Would You Notice, I guess it fits with the mood I've been in lately.

I'm glad to know that Rock is coming back... especially the sound of the Tories.

I would recommend this to everyone! RockerChick