Indie and Lo-Fi music reviews

This is probably The Magnetic Fields most uneven release, but this is, of course, due to the fact that these are Merritt's first records. Most people seem to complain about the track order more than anything, but I can see why The Wayward Bus was put first. If Distant Plastic Trees were up first, most people probably would not be able to sit through the whole thing.

Distant Plastic Trees feels very different from all other Magnetic Fields releases and comes across sounding more like Enya singing folk songs. Even worse, the synthesizers sound especially fake with some really annoying sound effects. That said, the songwriting here is still pretty good. To echo a similar theme other reviewers have noted, some of these songs would have been better if Merritt had just sung them himself, but Susan Anway is able to do things Stephin couldn't have. For example, listen to the clips for "Josephine" and "Tar-Heel Boy."

The biggest annoyance here is the fact they left off "Plant White Roses" which was the best song on the album. Merge's compilation Six Rows of Teeth has a Merritt-sung version which is very good, but the Anway version is better. That was on the Harriet Records "Long Secret" compilation, which is (trust me) unavailable.

The Wayward Bus is exponentially better than Plastic Trees. It is a brilliant tribute to Phil Spector. The synthesizers are reverberated, combined with real instruments, and put through filters, so they sound much more natural than Plastic Trees. It still sounds quite muddy though, but that's how it is supposed to sound. The songs are irresistibly catchy and the lyrics are less pretentious. There isn't a bad song in the ten as far as I am concerned.

If you were wondering how Merritt's music got so good, this is an interesting start. This will help you understand just where this guy came from. Buy this for The Wayward Bus, but lower your expectations when you get to Plastic Trees.

I usually detest indie pop like this: low fi, precious, sentimentally gloopy songs with detached singing and little or no guts to the music. But damn if this doesn't work in an odd, magical way. The songs don't rock for sure, but the melodies and lyrics pack a delicate punch that can be either soothing, cathartic or just bittersweet. Songs for after the breakup with the love of your life.

I can't even get into a lengthly explanation - listening to all of the magnetic fields songs make me happy to be alive.
simple.

First of all, this album is not the classic a lot of people here seem to claim it is. This is a cd for Ween fanatics only. If you don't like or care about Ween, you won't like this cd. It is mainly an hour of screaming, yelling, and disjointed singing over fast guitar riffs and jangly pop sounds. While some of the songs are really creative and good, most is just white noise. I really love Ween's later, poppier albums like "Chocolate & Cheese" and "White Pepper", so I thought I'd like the earlier stuff as well. But be warned...this sounds TOTALLY different from their post-C&C stuff. Personally, I'd recommend all Ween albums from "Pure Guava" onwards because they are all brilliant, but this one really dissapointed me.

I have all of Ween's albums, from their less ferocious, more approachable "Mollusc" to the hazy, floating "Pod", to this biting, fearsome beast known as "GodWeenSatan: The Oneness" Is this a good album? No, not in the sense that you can turn it on and listen to it the whole way through with a smile on your face. Is this a challenging album? You bet. If you listen to "top 40" radio, you'll miss a lot, and won't understand most of this album. In fact, you'll probably turn it off after a few seconds. There are a lot of rewarding moments, though, to be had by the discerning - don't laugh (I love you), and the quintissential "Nicole." Make sure to listen to Nicole all of the way through, without distractions.. there is a LOT going on there. If you are looking for something different, give this a shot.

This is Ween's psycho-punk first album. It's more prone to screeching guitar and throat shredding yelling by the Lennon and McCartney of our generation than the murky two albums that follow it. This band has the ability to be cute, offensive, touching, violent, and just flat out funny under the cover of one recording. Don't make Dean and Gene send Fat Lenny to your house-get this necessary Ween immediately.

The main thing that has been in the way of Barlows excellent songwriting were other bandmembers. Now also only half of the songs are from his hand while the others were penned by Jason Loewenstein. Loewenstein certainly not is a bad writer, he just is not in the same league as the fragile songs of Barlow.

There are some great faster songs like 'Ocean' and 'Beauty of the Ride' but it's the slower songs like 'Too Pure' and 'On Fire' and most of all 'Willing To Wait' that are among Barlow's best.

It doesn't have the overall quality of Bakesale (Loewensteins best Sebadoh songs are on there) but Barlow's songs make it worthwhile.

For every fan of great songwriting.

After the semi-success of Folk Implosion in 1995 with the song Natural One. Fans were eagerly waiting to see what Lou Barlow would do next. The result is this.

Harmacy is a total indie sound. No more low-fi, no more Eric. We're in the NORMAL stage now. With songs like On Fire, Willing to Wait, Beauty of the Ride and Open Ended making this seem more like an almost different band but the songwriting is still there as is the hard rock/punky songs to fill in for these more pop sounding songs. The harder songs are actually the better ones, but something comes to mind. Without Eric writing these, they sound disturbingly close to Mudhoney or Nirvana especially Crystal Gypsy and Love to Fight which have the grungy guitar sounds and the Mark Arm-like signing. Then there's Can't give up, Worst thing and Nothing like you which sound like Nirvana-esque tunes. Can't give up actually reminds me of Pearl Jam a bit in some cases. A few instrumentals on here also, Weed against Speed (I'd take speed), Szforando! (don't quite get it) and Hillbilly II (hilarious Mudhoney-type song) which make for some jammin songs with no signing. The whole album is worth listining too if you're a new fan to Sebadoh (This was the first I got from Lou) the sound is there and so is the soungwriting but it does lose a star for the lack of ANGER. The past albums had more emotion and anger to fill the void of these depressing love songs goen wrong. And without Eric there, I think half the anger is gone (if you don't believe me, then listen too "As the world dies from Sebadoh III). But still Sebadoh snowballs as you progress into their catalouge of music.

What's next after this? Try the Freed Weed or Bakesale if you're a new fan.

I highly recommend this awesome piece of indie rock.

Prior to purchasing this album, I had heard so much exasperated to-do from other fans about how it was "below" anything else Sebadoh had put out, that I became all the more attracted to it, and knew it was likely to be favored by my unconventional self.
Likewise I was correct. Anymore it seems like albums aren't worth taking a chance with, but this little treasure clearly defied that weary statement. Putting the collective opinions aside, and focusing on the pinnacle of the music, the tragically restless crooning of Lou and glimmering guitar strums magnifies, the catchiness prevails and Jason sanctifies his frustrated cries.
"Prince-S" conveys amusingly honest lyrics, but the music that supports it is an intangibly firm ballad of the lonely, cool quality that is indie rock. My personal favorite on the album :)

I always wanted to be a writer - but my dreams were dashed when I had abuse heaped on me by everyone I ever came across - teachers, ministers, friends, parents, lovers - one day I found myself looking out the window and saying whre did my beautiful life go - I went to the store on foot - my then-husband had taken the car keys away - I was an abuser of alcohol and oxycontin - and I bought a book that helped me and on an impulse buy, this album - the songs made me tap my toes nd reminded me of the happiness i felt dressed up in my Sunday best and tap shoes - my mother let me wear them to church - before we stopped going - trouble with the priest - but oh how I loved to dance - and this record made me feel that way again - I would love to buy more - but I am on public assistance - but thank you for the happiness in your tunes

I haven't actually got this album - or listened to it. What a cheek then to muscle in with a glowing review!!

I love to listen to VH1 internet radio's Pop for Sale station, which regularly plays "Desert Island". The song has become one of my all-time favourites. Listening to it, I am instantly transported in my mind to a heavenly beach where time is meaningless and the sunny days present endless relaxation, fun and frolics. It doesn't matter what kind of a day I might be having - as soon as "Desert Island" comes on, I have the biggest, most wistful grin on my face. Sometimes I need a daily dose to keep going!!

I have decided I'm going to buy this record simply to ensure that I always have a copy of this song. It should be mandatory listening for anyone with the blues.

This is probably my favorite album. This title along with 'Get Lost' is Magnetic Fields at it's peak. The title Holiday is a play on words because the album is both elating and depressing at the same time.

The lyrics are sad, brilliant...

i can show you sadder poetry
than you ever dreamed there could be
i know all the saddest people
most of them are dead now

...and are interesting play off the sometimes upbeat hooks. But, usually, the hooks also play off upbeat/downer off each other. Easy to say, hard to do.

There is so much texture and richness in this CD, I still hear new aspects in it after dozens and dozens of plays.

Also worthy of mention is the work with Susan Anway as vocalist on The Wayward Bus/Distant Plastic Trees albums. But, I recommend starting with this one.

Personally, I was less excited by Stephen's recent 'i' CD.

If you don't own Holiday...buy it.

-Pete

First of all, its an EP but it has LOSER on it which I already have. Then it also has SOUL SUCKIN JERK which I already have. So what am I paying for? Well first off, SOUL SUCKIN JERK is even better than the one you know (and that song was flippin awesome in the first place).
Well, consider a few things. How much of a BECK fan are you? Do you like the LOSER song? Are you into BECK because you just heard that E-PRO song on the radio?
I like the songs on here a whole lot, personally. I wouldn't have just bought this myself on a whim, I knew ahead of time that I wanted the songs... Like FUME. This is a very raw, old school BECK song, about locking yourself up in a vehicle with your friend and huffing gas to get high. This song has one of the greatest BECK hooks ever....

Theres a fume, in the truck
and I don't know if I'm dead
or what the f*ck

Great stuff. Beck doesn't sware like he used to. He used to sware alot. He had a lot more piss and fire in his songs, this stuff may seem very strange to new fish. CORVETTE BURNER is another raw rowdy peice and ALCOHOL is a folksy ONE FOOT IN type of song. If you've never heard the ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE album, this one may seem kind of strange too.
Beck has a lot of ultra rare stuff, B-sides, soundtrack cuts, indie records... One of these days it would be nice to see some sort of anthology be released. Theres so much great stuff by this loser.

As for this one, try and get it cheap, as it IS only three songs that you wouldn't be able to find else where.

My favorite tune on this CD is Soul Suckin'Jerk (Reject). Most people who reviewed it, do not like it. But the fact that it is a reject, makes it likeable. But, I really do love the version.
Also, Alcohol is down right good, as is Corvette Bummer. These are the best alternatives on this CD.
Peace
Dirk-David

With the price of this EP being so cheap, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't buy this. Especially considering that, in my opinion, two of Beck's top ten songs to date are featured as b-sides here. Those songs being the Reject version of "Soul Suckin Jerk" and "Fume". On top of that, "Alcohol" and "Corvette Bummer" are equally as pleasing to the everyday or diehard Beck fan. And although I don't necessarily believe Beck has better b-sides than a-sides, his b-sides are definitely worth checking out (at all costs), and outdo most other band's a-sides in that.

"Corvette Bummer" is a rap/rock laugher that features trademark quirky lyrics and pumping bass, while "Alcohol" is more of a serene, acoustic gem in the vein of tracks from Beck's unknown album, One Foot In The Grave. Next, being my second favorite Beck track ever, "Soul Suckin Jerk (Reject)" takes the two main verses from the original, switches them around, and makes the rapping a bit more distinguishable and amiable. The part that jumps in with 'I got a job making money for the man/throwing chicken in a bucket/with a soda-pop can...' always makes me want to rap along. It does carry on for a long, long time (six minutes), but I think the music is catchy enough to keep it tolerable. The final b-side, "Fume", is a hilarious narrative of a guy and his friend who drive around in their truck and get high enough on broken pencils to say 'and I don't know if we're dead/or what the fxck'. For the first 2:25 or so it's musically simple, but thereafter it goes into endless screams of the aforementioned line. And that's Beck for you.

This really is the greatest Beck single/EP on the market, even after all the years and his latter releases. "Soul Suckin Jerk (Reject)" and "Fume" alone make buying this a no-brainer, while the other two b-sides only add to its greatness. That's four songs you can't find anywhere else. If you love Beck you are going to love this EP, and you shouldn't even think of buying anything else. The toast is ready.

For anyone who's interested, here are the hip hop songs from the movie:

Pow-Beastie Boys
In 3's-Beastie Boys
Sabrosa-Beastie Boys
Whutcha Want-Nine
Da Bichez-DJ Premier & Jeru the Damaja
Word is Bond-Brand Nubian
Wrong Side Of The Tracks-Artifacts
Crooklyn (Inst.)-Crooklyn Dodgers
Oh My God-A Tribe Called Quest
Listen Up-E Rule
Time's Up-O.C.

This disc is pretty much dominated by Lou Barlow. Nothing like his former band "Dinosaur Jr.", but plenty from "Folk Impolsion" and a track from "Sebadoh". There's a few other tracks here, but mostly it is all lo-fi stuff. The "Casper the friendly ghost" song is cool. Most of this is good for just chillin' though. The big song here, and probably the best, is "Natural One". That's incredibly addictive. I do agree with another reviewer that "John Frusciante's" solo stuff is much like this, and mostly good. In the end, this might not be as entertaining as the movie, but it is pretty cool.

I love this album. I can listen to it when I work out (it's very beat driven), I can listen to it when I'm falling asleep or hanging out (it's very mellow) and I can listen to it after I watch Kids and love it love it love it. Although I can listen to the whole thing without skipping any songs, I think the stand-out tracks are "Jenny's Theme" and "Natural One" both by Folk Implosion, "Spoiled" by Sebadoh and "Good Morning Captain" by Slint. I think my parents like "Natural One" even more than I do, maybe it reminds them of seventies rock? I'm too young to know. All are deliciously guitar-y backed with wonderful drumming and Slint is a marathon long, which I always enjoy. "Daddy Never Understood" is the song featured in the previews and is punky, but not overwhelmingly so and the Daniel Johnston songs are especially wonderful... two of the few songs that have lyrics. I think the weakest parts are "Simean Groove," only because the wolf howl is a bit cheesy, and "Mad Fright Night" becuase it is the only rap track on the album. This album opened me up to a whole new world of music, as cliche as it sounds, and I'm planning on buying many Sebadoh and Slint cds now, haha. Everyone who loved Kids should immediately purchase this.

In the past, Smog has created dark and introspective releases, relying too much on meloncholy and self absorbtion to try and convey emotion. On this album, he takes a witty, almost cheeky, approach to much of the subject matter.

Definitely his most accessible and most light hearted release, Smog brings together his best collection of tunes on Knock Knock.

His southern drawl and lazy performances give the album a real personality, but dont detract from the obvious enthusiasm he has for his work.

Callahan (on this album) kinda comes off like a Bonnie Billy who takes himself less seriously. This can be a welcome change in the alt. country genre, and lifts Smog outta the pack and shows him up to be the crafty songwriter, and character, that he is.

I'm specifically referring to the third track, River Guard. He makes every sparse line jump out in importance. He starts by "taking the prisoners swimming," which immediately puts him in the role of providing comfort to all of us having been found guilty. Of course that is part of the human condition as Kafka, Camus and others have suggested. We're born into this. Callahan, the philosopher. His Guard sits "in the tall grass" and looks "the other way." Wonderful simplicity. How conscious he is of this aspect of being in an embarrassing situation and not wanting to be constantly watched. To be given a moment of reprieve. Even without these poignant lyrics, it's a beautiful song. With them, it's a masterpiece of popular music. The chorus seems to ask the question, would we know what freedom is if we weren't born into this existence? No, freedom would have no meaning. He continues the theme within the guitar crunchiness of No Dancing: "there's always some bird dog snufflin'... always some turtle snappin'." Later in the album he sings, "I don't know where I'm going/All I know is I'll hit the ground runnin'." It's the secular humanist and the singer/songwriter at his very best. Listen to this album along with his other moments of brilliance found on the albums Dongs..., Supper, The Doctor..., A River..., and Red Apple... Not only does he continue these same themes, he does it in a very catchy, musical, emotional and often rocking way. And go see (Smog) live. He might provide the "cold blooded clarity" we all need.

Yep. That's right folks. Bill Callahan to be exact. The man who calls himself Smog on all his records. A hero to the lo-fi world. An obsessive four tracker in his early days. A soothing easy listening singer/songwriter as of late. Most people don't know that he's been making albums for the past 15 years. A very prolific artist indeed. This album, in particular, is his pinnacle. The best overall work by him. He's come full circle from the early days of the Julius Ceasar LP. I'm not sure what the highlights are to me. Each song flows so well, it almost works as a rock opera epic to me. If I had to pick one I'd say its "Teenage Spaceship." Although being downtrodden it has this tender feeling that not many other Smog recordings have had in the past...or future for that matter...since I'm writing this now and not when it came out. This album is one of his more eclectic works in his extensive collection. He has a band backing him on some songs this trip around. We hear a childrens choir, bill dabbling with alt-country, sax's, and strapping on that plugged in electric. He often gets described as a depressing artist, but this is his most hopefull release or certainly in the running for first place. I don't think Bill will ever dissapoint me. Which is fightening not only from a musical standpoint, but for my wallet as well. If you haven't bought a Smog record yet, make this your first.

This is a compilation album of songs by Wesley Willis that are about rock and rollers. All the songs have a similar pre-programmed backing track, over which Wesley speaks/shouts/sings his repetetive lyrics. This album is even more repetetive than most Wesley Willis albums, since the songs all have a similar subject matter. About two-thirds of the songs here are reviews of concerts that Wesley attended. Wesley will say where the concert was held, how many people attended the concert, and that the concert was "awesome". Apparently, Wesley never went to a bad concert in his life. However, in the song about "Lotion" he does mention that the lead singer was a "stupid jerk" who was "not nice at all". That's the only critical thing he ever says here. There are a few song here that are not concert reviews, where you can learn things like "Kurt Cobain was the singer in Nirvana" and "Jello Biafra used to sing with the Dead Kennedys". And so on and so on. But, if you like Wesley's music, you will enjoy this album.

The year was 1997, the month was June, the day was the 12th and on that day I had hit bottom. My wife had left me, my great uncle died and I had been diagnosed with carpel tunnel syndrome. Life was not looking up, until that night, around my friend Boon's mahogany coffee table during our usual thursday night bridge session, when all of a sudden from his foyer, the magical sounds of what seemed like a obese homeless musical artist were being ommitted. I had to investigate. So I went in to the hall where these enchanting and strangely seducing tunes were coming from. And sure enough my instincts were correct. It was an overly obese homeless man who was creating this auditory artwork. Immediately after this experience, my life completely turned around. The next day I met a bolemic french supermodel, my great uncle rose from the grave and my doctor said that not only had he mistakenly diagnosed me with carrpel tunnel syndrome but that I actually have a new release of a certain type of hormone that will never allow me to get sick ever again. So buy Wesley Willis I recommend it.

Well, this music is just barely music, and definetly not genius. On the other hand it is one of the most hilarious things I have ever heard. It really is amazing how hilarioius Willis' out of tune yelling and one-man-band keyboarding can be. Seriously, it is soooooooo funny. And if you are somehow offended by the singing about the bands, thinking that it is insult to those he is singing about....lay off, it's funny. I love some of those bands but I don't get (upset) about it. It's hilarious

"Speak Kindly" may not quite rival the very best GBV albums, but it certainly stands alongside "Not in My Airforce" and "Choreographed Man of War" as the cream of Robert Pollard's solo work. Lots of great songs and very little filler here. Doug Gillard's outstanding work on all instruments proves what an asset he is as a sideman for Pollard. Highly recommended. Soul train college policeman!

there will never be a record like this again. every song is great. the production is simple and relaxed. doug's musicianship is utilized here better than on anything he's ever been on (with the possible exception of do the collapse, on which he dominates.) pop zeus. that was my ex-wife's favorite pollard song. god, i miss her. there will never be a record like this again.

I truly am sick of hearing of "indie purists" whining. I dig all phases of GBV but you know what? I would rather this (if forced) than anything in Guided By Voices vast catalog.
The guitar solo in Slick as Snails--where the hell did that come from? "Life Is Beautiful" is something else... I saw them live the night before this album came out--Bee Thousand? Pah. This album is beyond belief. Gillard (Death of Samantha, Cobra Verde, solo) recorded the basic tracks and Pollard laid some vocals from what I understand. The result? One of the best albums ever made. It is that inspired, that good. Move over, Whos Next, Pet Sounds, Loveless, Nevermind, Daydream Nation....If you are even reading this please do yourself a favor. I have a life to live too besides posting crap on Amazon--I just want to tell you that this album just needs to be heard. No hype, not opinion, just fact.

2 1/2 stars

An album that basically states "we're hear, we're unique, we have some talent", rather then accomplish anything on it's own musically-sadly this indulgent but perceptive band left this as little proof of even existing and hopefully are articulating some of this unfocused talent into more memorable projects. The over indulgences with 4/4 sound manipulation, casio beats, overtly quirky vocals distract from their talent at deconstructing and undermining a catchy pop song with respectable guitarkid-chops to boot. This is an interesting footnote if you have time and energy invested in the independent scene, or if you just really loved warped, but play full lo-fi druggery. Interestingly enough the rough cuts of these songs ("Unicorns are people too" is what those are called) capture the essence of what they were going for on this album better then the actual disc did.

This music is pretty cool, but I want to comment on the band's name. So many people refer to unicorns as mythical creatures, but they definitely exist, or at least existed at one time!

If you believe the Holy Bible is the word of God, then you are obliged to believe in unicorns. Numbers 23:22 in the Bible reads: "God brought them out of Egypt, he hath as it were the strength of a unicorn." God is compared to a unicorn. God must be very strong indeed and this proves that unicorns existed! I don't think the Bible would lie or misinform human-kind! The Bible also claims that satyrs and cockatrices existed as well, so it has to be true! There are so many things in the Bible that people want to just sweep under the rug and ignore, but they should never ignore the word of God! God also commanded, "Thou shall not suffer a witch to live" (Exodus 22:18) and informs us that it's OK to kill our slaves because, after all, they are only our money (Exodus 21). Yet people want to pretend that witches don't exist and that God never condoned slavery - shame on these fools who want to "pick and choose" which passages from God's word they will follow!

I'd like to thank the Unicorns (R.I.P.) for choosing a holy name that has lead many people to God's truth!

If you loved the works of Nick and J'aime as much as I did, then you'll love their new project called, 'Islands' - "Return To The Sea".