artbaretta

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 I still agree though that handclaps aren't outdated, they're timeless and awesome in most contexts.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.

Man it's kinda heartbreaking to read this. All of it. Onwards and upwards yeah? YEAH?

This is probably the best thing all week and the only thing so far that hasn't made me pray for the death of music 'journalism' and everyone under it's umbrella, including myself. That John Robb article and the resulting carnage is repellent.

Both Frank and Kim had lists which were definitely taken from the assembled throng before the show as I saw Kim Deal asking Mark Beaumont and a host of others what songs they wanted. So even if it wasn't the entire set there were at least three songs (No 13 Baby, Hey and U Mass) which were requested.

This is nothing like The Holy Bible, it's nowhere near as bleak in approach, it's nowhere near as distraught in sound. This is a good thing, of course, as it would sound so contrived and ridiculous after such a long time away from that sound. This record is simply the Manics making a rock album with Richey's lyrics over the top. And it isn't worth 9/10.

It's meant to be a first listen, not a review. These sterile listening parties don't give you time to explore the innards of each track. In depth analysis comes later. Gives a fair impression of what to expect - you can make your own mind up later.

I've just hit Runaway and it's all gone a bit epic.

There's nothing here that would make me want to listen more than twice so far. A real shame. Hopefully it'll grow on me - I know how I felt about Show Your Bones when I first heard it and it was a similar feeling.

I totally endorse this article. Truly an exhilirating and skin-crawling prospect.

I don't usually do comparisons and, funnily enough, I haven't here. I was pointing out the popularity, or media hype, of what are perceived as today's punk bands. Nowhere do I mention: 'These are a bit like Fucked Up!!! WOOOP', although I do mention Sick Of It All, which was clearly a slip of the tongue.

Haha! Totally got me there.

Totally agree with this too.

Hello. According to what I've just thrown together in 5 minutes, it would be this.

Abe Vigoda - Dead City/Waste Wilderness
Why? - Song of the Sad Assassin
Instruments - Bright Eyes Make For Good Dogs
Tubelord - Obstacles
Charlottefield - Beatings
Blakfish - Carnival Carnivore
The Mae Shi - Pwnd
Mujava - Township Funk
Crystal Castles - Untrust Us
Telephathe - Chrome's On It

Down I Go? Johnny Truant? Opeth: The Roundhouse Tapes (perhaps not quite a new album but it's still great)? I'm sure Raz can help you out...

Not sure about order as it changes on a regular basis, but as it stands...

Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
M83 - Saturdays = Youth
Why? - Alopecia
Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing
Johnny Foreigner - Waited Up Til It Was Light
Shield Your Eyes - Shield Your Eyes
Abe Vigoda - Skeleton
Frank Turner - Love Ire and Song

There's about 10 amazing records I've forgotten or missed out like Down I Go, The Bug, Bon Iver/HEALTH (both technically last year but released in UK this year), Portishhead etc. I could go on for ages.

I didn't mean to imply that Offend Maggie was harder to get into - I just wasn't as excited by this as I was the previous records; but in the end it's become another firm favourite.

Lyrics, nor Albini, do not a great album make.

but I find the mess is part of its charm, personally.

He obviously sounds fuller (and brilliant) live, which I guess is the point. The records have always been much more subtle. It's always great to have an artist who distinguishes between recorded and live performances.

To say I welcome recession, financial struggle and everyone's misery for the sake of the possibility of a few decent records would be lunacy.