artbaretta

It looked like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyp90bQDQdI
It was really bad.

It's spelled out for you pretty clearly.

If anything, it's not negative enough. And to anyone complaining about the language used, you probably need to read more. I think it reads fine.

But so far, I've been lucky. Hopefully I can get some more interesting Australian written here while I'm in the country. There's some great stuff from experimental (the monthly Sound Series at Hardware Gallery is pretty ace www.hardwaregallery.com.au - check out Toydeath for complete insanity) and independent indie RAWK (showcases at Black Wire Records - check their blog at blackwiretocommonground.blogspot.com) to the Paul Kelly jazz/gospel Sydney Opera Hosue show, and perhaps a piece on indigenous music and how it's being supported and even influencing current bands. I mean, this is what I would LIKE to do. We'll see.

I did.

I'd say 50 odd years of white boy guitar music is "overload".

I really enjoyed the album and it was good to hear some of his perspective on it. I wouldn't say it changed the way I listened to it, but I appreciated it even more I think.

Glad you found it as interesting as I did.

Really enjoyable to do. Tom's a great guy and pretty sharp too.

It's the English way.

Yeah this is done for a tonne of albums. I've had up to three months to absorb an album for past reviews. Of course you have your initial gut instinct, which tends to be right most of the time, but some records really reveal themselves over time so it's only fair that the albums that don't click or get rejected instantly are given more time to sink in.
I'll agree with you though: three listens and my opinion after that third try hasn't really altered much. I like it. That's about it.

are truly brilliant albums. I'd say Baths deserved to be somewhere in the Top 75, for me a Top 10 album of the year. Also The Wants is the equal to High Violet, if not better.

Much appreciated. There's a tonne of acts worth looking into, all listed on the website. As well as those above try these lot, as they all had something I liked about them, just not as much as the above six:
Barbara Panther, Black Earth, Boy, Champions, Clara Bow, Elin Ruth Sigvardsso, Féloche, Frida Gold, Game Ove,Hans Unstern, Heroes & Zeros, High Quality Girls, Hundreds, Imaad WasifI, Jochen Distelmeyer, Johnossi, klein, Leilanautik, Minna von Bahrenfel, Mother-Unit, Murmansk, Parfum Brutal, Petula, The Megaphonic Thrift, The Mountains & The Trees, The Rumour Said Fire, Tim Neuhaus, To All My Friends, Videoclub, Wax Tailor, Who Knew.

I give up.

Right? ;)

Gimme a break :( I changed it anyway :)

Wut?

This is incredible. I wish all my interviews were like this ie. well fun. They are lovely people and have proved so on each encounter I've had with them. So no need to worry if you do get round to meeting them.

I give up.

not thin. Stupid fingers.

for various reasons, not least having to mention the Chi thin which I'd rather leave to a space adequate to discuss such things. Youare right of course. It's safe to say it definitely has a bearing (not least because of the escapist imagery and replacement bassist) but its an unspoken one. Having talked to Chino and Frank recently about the record it seems that it was almost like going back to the beginning where they'd rehearse songs outside of a studio til they had nailed them all perfectly, very different to the last three records. Hence they're amazing live shows at the moment. It added to the cohesion of it all, hence the album feeling less experimental yet more solid.

but you could probably hear another three or four of their back catalogue in this instead.

You'll be fine.

But having finally got round to listening to the record just once through - loud - it's ace and fully deserving of an 8 or 9. Really a massively pleasant surprise.

They're very good interviewees, very honest and generally excellent people.

It's a BIG sounding record, something that demands to be played at a high volume. It's definitely their most conventional record, but it's also distinctly Liars. Scarecrows is, as everyone probably will agree, one of the best things they've done. You can enjoy it for what it is but if you pull yourself into the whole discomfort in LA idea, listen to Angus' rantings closely, you realise how unsettling the album is, which is what we all want from Liars innit. Nice review sir.

It's all so incredibly fluid and vivid. Some of the 'lazy' rhythms draw out an immense amount of tension. The sounds, the ideas, it's all so exhilirating.

No other choice really. It's stupidly good.

Don't think Liars have ever used bassoons and grime beats. I'd also argue that Liars have mastered nothing at all, and they'd probably agree wholeheartedly.

The money is going towards paying for a tour. It's not being collected into a little money pile to be admired and thrown up in the air. What have scruples got to do with a fair exchange of incentive and cash?

Really good point about the awful lyrics vs. conviction. He means it. Great record, as per usual. Yay!

Death By Audio is connected to one of the members of A Place To Bury Strangers. I think he may well have designed the Fuzz War pedal Mark talks about.

These reviews are excellent indeed. In depth, interesting and well-researched. Almost like a labour of love. Refreshing to read content like this now and again. All we need now is more exceptional back catalogues like this one to wade through!

...it's full of little melodic hooks, ace little vocal melodies and rhythmic shifts - all the things I like in this type of music. There's a lot going on in the songs and though there are a couple of drfting numbers I'd argue Propeller is amazingly catchy, Stacey's Left Arm is an indication of a deviation from their sound and Night of the Pencils was always one of the best EP songs. It sounds like Kev gave it a really good shot and fair play for that, it took me a few listens too. Hearing the acoustic arrangements recently made me appreciate the songs even more. Yeah, so to sum up I've enjoyed this a lot, but I can see them doing far more in the future.

The fact remains they are exactly the same people they've always been and they're playing music they love, and now other people love it too. Brilliant. I'm really excited that a band like this can make it into the public eye without completely smoothing out their odd tendancies. That Golden Rule really isn't a typical Top 10 single is it?!

which is who the review is about. Pablo - what? Pretentious is a word thrown about as if people don't actually know what it means, which is probably the case here. I still agree though that handclaps aren't outdated, they're timeless and awesome in most contexts.

It's still twisted pop music, just more obvious and less murky. It's a lot happier too, but this doesn't mean the skill they've always had for writing a melody and fixing appropriate (or inappropriate) dynamics around it has disappeared. I didn't mean to imply the whole of the record is watered down either, I don't think it is. This is just how they're writing now. It's a very different record to Puzzle but their least cohesive aswell. Nevertheless it still represents the same band you used to love. I'll restate: I genuinely enjoy this record. It's a very good record. There are a handful of good, direct lyrics on here, but I had to point out the bad ones, as they are exceptionally bad. Sorry Simon! Finally, they sound nothing like the Foo Fighters. The Foos were never this adventurous.

Certainly initial disappointment gives over to admiration and I think there's a lot to cherish here. The songs are downbeat and emotive yet the flourishes dotted about give rise to a flood of feelings. It's a very clever 'standard' songwriting record. Nicely dissected Mr Slater.

and the fact that they're Irish of course. Which is what you really meant isn't it? I included them because they tour with the same bands, have a similar attitude and explosive sound and because of the proximity and intimacy Irish bands have with British bands on tour. It wasn't meant to be a strict geographical/national statement, though it is technically incorrect. Pedantry accepted.

I really like them. Yeah. You can add you own suggestions too! Do it!

Finally vindication for my use of Zelda-like. It's true, isn' it? I really like this album. It's brilliant fun, totally deserving of the 7/10 I gave it (which is a GREAT album, not average in case anyone was wondering). Exogenesis is just a let down to me - I KNOW it could've been incredible, but it was just okay. Carry on. I already said my opinion isn't THAT important ;) (Guy at the top really didn't get the point did he?).

I think Black Holes pretty much made them a household name in the UK BUT America is untested and I really think this album will definitely punch a hole in that glass ceiling. Their post-Wembly Stadium epilogue is looking bright.

I have to say it's mighty interesting to see people separate Exogenesis from The Resistance as if it's a separate entity. Is this an acknowledgment that it shouldn't really have been on the album?

I suppose in trying to branch out (as on Richard Divine) he is spreading his original charm a lot more thinly. Certainly, I can see where you're coming from - I adored Sleep for a long time, but I just can't help but love the newer stuff more. I think the band does bring something a bit rawer to proceedings (such as the guitars on RD and Our Lady of the Campfire). Funny that the most emotive tracks are the ones where it is mainly just Frank (Dan's Song, Journey of the Magi). You might have a point. Still, I think the lyrics are spot on espeically the title track and disagree with the blander/less affecting thing below. You know, different strokes and all that. Would like to see him shift significantly as no doubt he's gonna have a LOT more time between albums now.

I think it's his best record. Songwriting is much stronger, the whole album has a strong message across pretty much all of the songs bringing them together a lot more. Each of his band contributed the parts this time round, as opposed to Frank playing everything, I personally think the piano parts on, for instance, Our Lady of the Campfire, make the song.
As for character - surely Frank's voice and lyrical standpoints are enough? I think it varies enough throughout to eschew boredom. Sure, it doesn't break any boundaries but it doesn't pretend to. I think his earlier work is an embarassment compared to this. Thatcher Fucked The Kids? Fuck off.

*joke about Download this year

*fetish

Kev is a ledge, and his writings are better than should really be allowed. He needs to curb his nu-metal festish though ;)

Really interesting reading. Games criticism has often been part of my regular reading. A very intriguing piece and definitely a worthy part of this week. Especially liked the comparisons being made and the constant worry of 'games=art' (they are). EXCITING STUFF!

"Simply expressing an opinion on your blog does not make you a journalist no more than cutting your arm with a blade makes you a surgeon. You are a typist." Ace.

Totally agreed with all of this. Especially that last bit.