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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This band could kick Interpol's ass, August 25, 2006
Wow. On first listen this band sounds like a noisier, rockier Interpol, but the more times I spin this disc (usually while driving) the more convinced I am that they are absolutely doing their own thing, and that the thing they are doing is COOOOL. They merge the grimy aesthetic of, say, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club with the lush loopiness of early/mid-80s 4AD bands like the Cocteau Twins and maybe even Medusa-era Clan of Xymox. There are astounding melodies and rhythms here if you wait for them. Do give the vocals a chance - the off-key singing initially struck me as affected, but after a while it develops an irresistible charm. Sort of like Bernard Sumner's so-crap-they're-cool vocals on the early New Order records. And the DRUMMING on this record is flat-out fantastic. Just maniacal, evil, and brilliant all the way through. Give "Black Eyes" a listen if you don't believe me. Awesome. My only complaint is that the sound palette on this album gets a little wearing by the time you hit track 11 or so. Then again I'm in my mid-thirties...so maybe it's not the band's fault.
All in all, highly recommended for fans of Interpol, Stills, Cure, Joy Division, New Order - anybody with taste, really.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome, January 11, 2007
This album must be one of the best kept secrets of the year. The Interpol comparisons are inevitable, but this band has an artistic vibe going that's utterly its own. Stylish and fearless, this is one of those records that doesn't just elicit a familiar mood but creates a new, good one, ranging from the dreamy to the edgy to the somber and grand. As hard as it is to use words to describe something fresh in the world of music, I can recommend this album and band as something that is not mere derivative debutante indie rock: it's for real. I hope they don't compromise the vibe they've created with this album for their followup: it's captured in such a pure form here.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
great modern indie / alternative music, April 24, 2007
I saw this band play at the Empty Bottle in Chicago when they opened up for NME hype band !FORWARD RUSSIA! (who were absolutely horrible live and completely unwatchable). My buddy and I went randomly for something to do and went after listening to both bands' Myspace pages. The headlining NME boys could not hold our attention for more than two songs but it might have had something to do with the fact that we were still reeling from watching SNOWDEN.
We both liked Snowden so much that we bought their CD on the spot. Cheers to Jade Tree for releasing this. This band reminds me of a recent JOY DIVISION influenced band (ala Interpol, the National, etc) but with more interesting guitar sounds. Their Pitchfork review compared them to shoegazers which is not completely true for this CD. However, I thought that was definitely the case for the live show though. The singer might have been in Interpol territory but the guitarist was definitely in Chapterhouse or Catherine Wheel'sville.
Overall, this CD is great and I really wish good things for this band. Some of these songs are amazing: Like Bullets, Anti Anti, Black Eyes, Stop Your Bleeding, etc. They seemed like incredibly nice people...maybe because they are Southern? Maybe it's because the bass player is gorgeous? I hope their upcoming tour with Kings of Leon exposes them to some newer audiences! CHEERS
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