Automatic City

Controlling the Famous

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 16, 2006)
• Original Release Date: May 6, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Militia
• ASIN: B000F9T6JC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #248,829 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Alternative Press
"smart, belligerent math rock with huge melodies."

Product Description
HQ: Los Angeles, CA
CHECK OUT: Automatic City (THE MILITIA GROUP; themilitiagroup.com)
FOR FANS OF: Cursive, Fugazi, Minus The Bear

On Automatic City, Controlling The Famous display their ability to combine smart, belligerent math rock with huge melodies. Produced by Alex Newport (At The Drive-In, the Locust), the disc is a concept album that attempts to immerse the listener in the frenetic pace one experiences living in Los Angels, touching on a variety of desperate cosmopolitan themes involving driving, dreams and that great equalizer: death. According to singer/guitarist Max Hellmann, CTF’s goal is to "Challenge the listener, but not to a point where [the music is] unlistenable. We want something that grows organically [by] word of mouth, and something that isn’t about the latest style or moment in time. We want to make the music timeless, if at all possible." [AMART]

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best record of the year...., June 6, 2006

By	Evan Yaffe "rock n roll geek" (Sykesville, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been waiting for this album to come out for 6 months. The wait was well worth it. This record is full of intelligent and mature songs. Indie rock never sounded so good. These guys are the huge breath of fresh air independent music has been craving. Standout tracks are "Highway Parking Lot", "Pyromaniac", and "Heart Attack." Pick up the record...you won't be disappointed. Highly recommended for fans of Minus The Bear, Cursive, The Valley Arena, and Fugazi.

4.0 out of 5 stars good modern rock, May 19, 2007

By	Ronald B. Smith "the lizard knows" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I heard "Highway Parking Lot" on the label sampler and was haunted by it

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Music ... Amazing, June 29, 2006

By	Larry D. "Music Fix Blues" (Normal, USA) - See all my reviews

Indie rock (Independent rock) label TMG (The Militia Group) gave Controlling The Famous a nod, and a blank canvas, and this is the timeless masterpiece they painted, "Automatic City". Some call their subgenre of rock "math" others "post-rock" and I've even heard "grunge", yet never "pop". They're definitively not trying to fit the cookie cutter mold of any type as not to inhibit their freedom of musical expression. They play Rock 'n' Roll with no frills, two guitarists, a bassist, and a drummer. All four members are mature, accomplished musicians in their own right, and together they transform into a rarity of unbelievable Synergy. I have a few albums where there are no bad tracks, yet I could easily tell you a favorite song or two on each of them. Not an easy task on "Automatic City", as each song equally makes up the collective whole. The lyrics social commentary can be awakening, seductive, sometimes dark, and always addictive.

If you have the opportunity, see them live, as they have commanding stage presence giving their audience a riveting performance. Live or on CD Controlling The Famous (CTF) leaves you wanting more.

Don't take my word for, read what MSNBC had to say about CTF. Still not decided, then listen to some clips at their website.

Artists are Max Hellmann (Guitar, vocals, songwriter), Johnny Collins (Guitar, vocals, songwriter), Brendan Hughes (Bass), and Mike aka "Fred" Schneider (Drums).

This is an unsolicited, independent review by someone who appreciates exceptional music, be it Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, Rolling Stones, Duane Allman and The Allman Brothers Band, Jim Morrison and The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, John Mayall, Eric Clapton, Riley King aka B.B. King, Albert King, Freddy King aka "Freddie" King (these three Kings are not related), Stevie Ray Vaughan, Steven Tyler and Aerosmith, Los Lobos, R.E.M., Bob Marley, Madeleine Peyroux, Aimee Mann, Diana Krall, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Joni Mitchell, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Milt Jackson, Gary Burton, Dave Grussin, Oscar Peterson, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong aka Satchmo, Charlie "Yard Bird" Parker, Lee Ritenour, Earl Klugh, Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, Andrés Segovia, Kevin Moore aka Keb' Mo', Chester Burnett aka Howlin' Wolf, McKinley Morganfield aka Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Eddie James House aka Son House, Robert Johnson, or Charlie Patton just to name a few ... IMHO.