Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best pop album of the year., December 8, 2003
The first time I put this disc in my player, I was UNDERwhelmed. "Drum kit INSTEAD of bongos?! PISH-POSH!" Having come to know and love Guster from their flawless 1999 album, "Lost and Gone Forever," I had high high hopes for where this quirky pop band with neo-Simon & Garfunkel harmonies would go next. This isn't what I expected. It's radio ready. It's slick. It's polished. And it's absolutely wonderful. "Amsterdam," the first single, is the most immediate song they've ever crafted. And "Careful," "Homecoming King" and the title track aren't far behind. But, in case you're unfamiliar with Guster's off-beat musical landscape, no instrument is ever off-limits with these guys. No matter how radio friendly they get, "Keep It Together" showcases just how inventive and daring their arrangements are. The banjo on "Jesus on the Radio," the whistling in "Long Way Down" and the lightning-speed strumming in "Homecoming King" just scratch the surface of the depth of this band's musical intuition and keen pop sense. But the two best songs here, without doubt, are "Ramona" and the stunning "Come Downstairs and Say Hello." The former track lays some Beach-Boys sunshine down on a heart-tugging chorus for brilliant - and bittersweet - effect. "Come Downstairs..." is easily the greatest song this band has tackled yet. Every moment of its glorious extended-crescendo is pure perfection. The lyrics (which begin and end with a clever nod to the myth about Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" matching up with "The Wizard of Oz") sketch out suburban isolation and introverted courage with brevity and clarity. And the arrangement - from a plodding whisper to an up-tempo sighing confection - is breathtaking. The only hindrance here is the jokey "Red Oyster Cult." It's just not that clever of an idea, and its chorus is a bit too brash for where it sits on the album. But this is obviously a band that knows how to build drama and suspense without grating nerves or getting too syrupy - as evidenced by the Crowded House-like "Backyard" and the graceful hum of "Long Way Down." And be sure to check out the charming hidden track, complete with a children's choir. If Guster can out do themselves after this, the world is in for a modern guitar-pop masterpiece. Until then, this is easily one of my favorite albums of the year - and one I return to OVERwhelmed again and again.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Guster keeps it together excellently, June 25, 2003
When Lost And Gone Forever came out, I bought it and played it constantly, amazed that it had no "skip over" tracks and that every song was so good. Now Keep It Together is delivering the same amazement, though I shouldn't be surprised anymore since I love Guster."Amsterdam," the first radio single, is excellent, but when I played the CD the first time, the songs that immediately stood out to me were "Careful," "Homecoming King" and "Come Downstairs And Say Hello" (the last of which in my opinion rivals "Either Way" for the most beautiful song they've written). Even the tracks that didn't stand out were infectious enough that I've found myself singing them to myself without realizing what I was doing. The musicianship -- or perhaps the production -- here sounds more mainstream to me than it has in Guster's past releases (with the exception of some banjo on "Jesus On The Radio"), but the songs are all interesting and well-crafted, plus they've added a piano on some tracks, which I like. I highly recommend this album to anyone who's a fan of Guster, and also to anyone who isn't (yet).
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Desert Island Disk #3, July 14, 2005
I have been with Guster since Lost and Gone Forever, and Keep It Together surpasses their superb earlier work. I am proud to say that EVERY SIGNLE person I have introduced this CD to-- I usually start with the catchy "Careful," has loved them.
This is the CD where Guster break out of their "those three guys with the bongo drummer" mold and launch into superb pop rock-- one of my friends who I convinced to go with me to one of their shows described their sound as kind of "Toad the Wet Sprocket with happier lyrics." But I think they stand on their own as one of the most unique, tuneful, and underappreciated (except by their fans-- count me as one!)/underestimated bands out there.
Keep it Together starts out with "Diane," which builds up and showcases singers Adam and Ryan's unbelievable vocal harmonies. This continues throughout the CD-- every song here is superb! "Ramona" is one of my favorites, with everyone pitching in for some Beach Boys-esque heartfelt harmonizing for a genuinely touching song.
Playing along with them on the CD, and touring with them as well, is the talented Joe Pisapia, who rounds out their sound and from what I have heard is now a permanent member of the band. Despite what many may see as a band that is no longer who they were, I see this as a band who is willing to evolve, experiment and grow, and it pays off.
If you like MUSIC at all, you will not be disappointed with Keep It Together. This is a catchy, toe tapping, sing-along CD that I had in extremely heavy rotation for two years straight.
And if you get a chance to see Guster live, GO!!!! They are great and will make you a huge fan if you are not already. I cannot recommend this CD more highly, which is why it is on my desert island list.
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