Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Career zenith of a band with many great albums, August 17, 2004
Unlike many bands, the more albums Beat Happening made, the better they got. This is the way it is supposed to be, but unfortunately it doesn't usually happen that way. You Turn Me On, to date the final Beat Happening album, shows a level of maturity that the average listener would have had no right to expect, based on their previous, more fun-oriented, recordings. To start with, the songwriters have all but eschewed the three-minute song, and three tracks exceed six minutes, with "Godsend" topping out at nine.
Jangly guitar starts off "Tiger Trap" with a mellowness that we've not seen before in the Happening. Calvin restrains his signature baritone's usual forcefulness but keeps the loving disposition of yore during the one-line chorus of "when I saw you." This song, along with several others on You Turn Me On, have not one but two (count 'em: two!) guitars playing in harmony. The heavier production from regular producer Steve Fisk (with Stuart Moxham of the influential Young Marble Giants) benefits the band wonderfully, also giving Heather's "Noise" vocals an ethereal quality they lacked previously.
The subject matter has not changed dramatically from Beat Happening's previous releases: there are still the love songs and the death songs, sometimes in the same song. How Calvin connects the idea of a children's DIY race ("Pinebox Derby") into the death dirge of that other "pine box" is a prime example of the creativity that comes from this band, and a major reason that they are one of my favorites. The title track combines love and death in one with its Beatles "Paul is dead"-inspired chorus (reportedly what could be heard while playing the beginning of the White Album's "Revolution #9" backwards). Calvin growls "Turn me on dead man" repeatedly and with an intensity that belies the band's surface innocence. (For more dark songs, see Black Candy and selected songs from the rest of the BH oeuvre.)
During repeated listens of these albums, I have come to appreciate Heather's contributions to the band's mix (it's difficult to know what Bret adds, as his offering is understated). Her You Turn Me On songs are no different. "Sleepy Head" is beach music extraordinaire and "Godsend" is, quite simply, an epic of minimalist proportions. Had Calvin sung "Sleepy Head" (which would normally be expected, since he wrote it), it would be an entirely different song. This way, its inherent sweetness shines through. "Godsend" continues this tack, with lyrics that most folks would love to hear being sung about themselves by the one they love -- idealized portraits of love's rose-colored vision. Despite its extreme length, a shorter running time would not have achieved the same blissful effect. I'll even posit that it could go on for six more minutes will no ill effects. It represents the fruition of Beat Happening's musical progression. They have learned the persuasive power of repetition and are not afraid to use it.
"Teenage Caveman" is a rumbling beat-driven romp, featuring Heather's backing of Calvin on the chorus, that allows the band to truly "rise to the top" while they "trade spit till it hurts." Calvin sings Heather's lyrics on "Hey Day" and this is the first song that really sounds like a song from the 1990s, with its heavy melodic-yet-grinding groove. "Bury the Hammer" is solid as well, but I would have preferred it to be placed somewhere else in the mix. "Hey Day" is the ideal ender for this album.
You Turn Me On is the qualitative hight point of Beat Happening output, showing that much more could have been expected from this Olympia trio, had they the interest to keep it going. In that case, we'll have to stick with what we've been given and see Beat Happening as the epitome of the understandably influential, utterly groundbreaking, never overstated, eros-thanatos indie punk band.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Really cool album,, August 10, 2007
just too repetitive for me, lyrically and otherwise. It's one of the only albums where none of the songs are "skip-tracks" in themselves but I find myself skipping ahead on most songs eventually because I can only listen to a lyric so many times...The music is really catchy though. My favorite tune is "Godsend"...If you're new to Beat Happening, I'd start with their album, "Dreamy"
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5.0 out of 5 stars
"Turn Me On - Deadman", May 2, 2007
Ahhh...Beat Happening! Fun. Deep & Lazy(beach-like)Music.
They just kept getting better with each album they released. Although I do Love their s/t debut with the Bonus tracks - "You Turn Me On" may be my Favorite - all songs just sound warm and full of life!
All throughout Beat Happening's catalauge you notice the same subject matter, which hasn't changed much: Love and loss and Death - kind of similiar to The Vaselines. Both bands have a guy/girl duo with wonderful vocals. Although The Vaselines bring up drugs and religion a bit more. Both bands at times sound Punk to me. The Vaselines sound a bit more Poppy and grungy.
"Tiger Trap" starts off this album with a Grunge shinin'-shoegazin'- guitar sound and Calvin Johnson's mellow inviting voice, not seen as much in earlier releases.
- Although Calvin wrote "Sleepy Head" - Heather sings this song so beautifully. Definitely one of my Favorite Beat Happening songs. A simple & beautiful indie song and a trademark for the Band at least IMO after hearing all of their albums.
Another reviewer wrote the fact that "Hey Day" should close this album and I would agree. It just seems like the Perfect closer. That would be my only gripe on this otherwise perfect release.
"Godsend" and "Noise" may be my other favorite songs; both also sung by Heather who really adds beauty to Calvin's deep vocals.
"You Turn Me On" released in 1992 is Beat Happening's Final album and to me it is their Best!
This Olympia trio begun in the early '80s and released their debut in '85.
Beginning with a lo-fi minimalist sound and slightly progressed with each LP after.
-"You Turn Me On" just sounds more complete with substance and maturity. Simply Beautiful and Oh so Relaxing.
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