Enemies & Pitch Black

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Lookout! is proud to release and all new classic punk rock split record. Our newest model features THE ENEMIES and PITCH BLACK, two incredible East Bay bands. THE ENEMIES are a dark yet melodic trio that successfully balances pop melody with hardcore sensibilities. THE ENEMIES also features Dave Edwardson from Neurosis on bass. PITCH BLACK are a new threesome who have literally been blowing up stages throughout the Bay Area with pyrotechnics, blood spitting, and smoke machines. Featuring Kevin Cross of Big Red and Jamie Morrison of SCREW 32, their title is the perfect banner to their style of blistering wicked punk. 12 tracks, 6 by each band. 2001 release.

Tracks:

True Crime
Don't Bury Me...I'm Still Not Dead
Biz Loves Sluts
The Song We Used To Call 'Wasting Time'
On Again Off Again
The Gamblers Try Their Hand At International Diplomacy
Walk Around Me
Unicorn Shave Your Horn
The Art Of Getting F***ed
Year Of The Rooster
The Curse Of The Ivory Coast
Rent Is Due
Uh Oh!
Black Nothing Of A Cat

Amazon.com

Lots of young indie bands call the music industry on its superficiality but few do it with such obvious distaste as the Riverboat Gamblers. On the feral, catchy track "The Biz Loves Slut," the Austin, Texas punk band looks at the world through the eyes of a record company suit and, well, it's brutal: "We think your songs might need a better hook/ I promise on the good book, it won't hurt/ I won't get it in your mouth." To The Confusion of Our Enemies, the group's second release, proves that no spreadsheets are required to make an album that matches passion and attitude with crafty riffs and knockout choruses. Meanwhile, freewheeling rock tracks such as "The Gamblers Try Their Hand at International Diplomacy" and "Don't Bury Me... I'm Still Not Dead"--which probably owe more to classic guitar rock heroics than the band would care to admit--reveal why Riverboat Gamblers was named by no less authority than Rolling Stone as one of the "Top 5 bands to break out at this year's SXSW." --Aidin Vaziri

Album Description

Since 2001, Texas's Riverboat Gamblers have cultivated a fanatical following with their rowdy energetic live shows that have led to supporting slots on tours with Flogging Molly, Hot Water Music, Burning Brides, and the MC5, as well as a 2005 stint on the Van's Warped Tour. "Don't Bury Me" will be included in the Van's 2006 Warped Tour compilation on Side One Dummy, and "Walk Around Me" is included on the "Take Action Vol. 5" compilation (Sub City/Hopeless), in stores February.

Customer Reviews:

Very good stuff.......2007-04-26

I'm kinda corn-fused why some people are rating this so low? Sure, it sounds different then their previous releases. Sure it's a bit more "polished" then previous releases. But that's not to say that this isn't a darn fine slab of rock. Great writing, big hooks, lightning quick guitars. What's not to love? I'd give it 4 1/2 stars, but one doesn't exist, so 4 it is.

GFFG!!!!!!!!.......2006-11-14

The Gamblers rule, if this is an unknown fact to you, then you are either deaf, never heard them, or just dumb. If the first or last are the case, then you are screwed, if it's the second, then buy this record, and treat your ears the punk rock ear candy that is the Gamblers. An intense live act, that causes physical injury to all those on stage. Playing songs that will recall equal parts Rocket From The Crypt, AC DC, Radio Birdman, The Rip Offs, and other classic yesteryear punk rock, but make no mistake, this rock is all 100% Gamblers!

lost the edge.......2006-11-10

i have seen this band live about 5 times back during the "Something to Crow About" days. i must say they rocked the house like no other each time. In my opinion Something to Crow About is a five star album. on stage Mike Weibe used to make fun of Good Charlotte. On To the confusion of our enemies the riverboat gamblers sound more like good charlotte than themselves. wasted my money. maybe it's the new lineup changes. all three previous albums are better than this one.

High-energy punk rock.......2006-11-10

I first heard of the Riverboat Gamblers from the Warped Tour 2006 compilation CD. As soon as I heard "Don't Bury Me...I'm Still Not Dead" I knew that I had to own the CD.

"To The Confusion Of Our Enemies" is full of punk rck with attitude, but on the other hand doesn't take itself too seriously. "Don't Bury Me" is a high-speed ballad, "Biz Loves Sluts" is a thinly-veiled poke at Hollywood, and tracks such as "The Gamblers Try Their Hand At International Diplomacy" and "Unicorn Shave Your Horn" are just the band messing around and having a good time.

With a sound somewhere that punk and alternative rock lovers alike can appreciate, the "To The Confusion Of Our Enemeies" is a solid addition to any rocker's collection.

decent punk album.......2006-09-08

This is decidedly not as good as "Something to Crow About". Not as many hooks or "singalongs" as STCA had, which is disappointing. The songs aren't as memorable, which is unfortunate.
But that doesn't mean it's not worth the money. There are a few really great gems such as "Don't Bury Me... I'm Still Not Dead", "The Song We Used to Call 'Wasting Time'", and "Year of the Rooster", which has a bit of a throw back to 70's style punk.
All in all, it's good, but not great. Again, it's worth the money but don't expect it to be better or as good as STCA.

Average customer rating:

One of the finest and most creative jazz guitarist playing today
Emphatically!!! A must listen.
Best album of the Millenium
A Breath of Fresh Air
boring

The Enemies Of Energy
Kurt Rosenwinkel
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00003G1JD
Release Date: 2000-01-11

Tracks:

The Enemies Of Energy
Grant
Cubism
Number Ten
The Polish Song
Point Of View
Christmas Song
Dream Of The Old
Synthetics
Hope And Fear

Amazon.com

Guitarist-composer Kurt Rosenwinkel has a poetic spirit capable of both intriguing innovation and arty pretension. Some of Rosenwinkel's conceptions fall flat. "Cubism," for example, which he describes as "a 12-bar arrangement of the 12 major keys--one key per bar," is meant to parallel "the way cubist painters fragmented the basic elements of their art" but turns out to be a rather bland hopscotch. And "The Polish Song" is a quavering acoustic ballad sung by Rosenwinkel in a high-pitched gibberish that he imagines "might be Polish." But there's also evidence here as to why Pat Metheny, John Scofield, and especially Joshua Redman praise Rosenwinkel so effusively in the liner notes. His tunes are distinctive in ways small and large: a chiming bell on the "Number Ten" signature riff puts a cherry on that song's buoyant sundae of flavors, while "Dream of the Old," is a multihued tone poem that perfectly captures the wistful/peaceful/equivocal tenor of the aging process. At its best, Rosenwinkel's guitar work is reminiscent of Scofield's curlicue phrasing and full-bodied tone. The rest of the quintet handles the diverse material with sensitivity and aplomb, particularly saxophonist Mark Turner and bassist Ben Street. --Britt Robson

Customer Reviews:

One of the finest and most creative jazz guitarist playing today.......2005-10-16

'The Enemies of Energy' is a great album. And Scofields remark of Rosenwinkel being 'the finest en most creative jazz guitarist today' is not one of a delusional drunk, but a statement of another great jazzguitarist, one that knows his business. Pat Metheny says about Rosenwinkel that he has vision and that Rosenwinkel works hard to meet his personal criteria of what music is.

Metheny and Scofield make no false statements. Indeed, Rosenwinkel is one of the great. His skills on the guitar are tremendous, his compositions are succesfull endeavours to immortality.

Track 4 starts Scofield like and turns out to be more a Metheny kind of thing. I think Rosenwinkels style is amidst their styles, but one can not say that Rosenwinkel is nothing else but a mere mixture of Scofield and Metheney. He has his own notions and puts them on disc after disc.

The greatness of this album is not only to be found in the composing and guitarplaying Rosenwinkel. It is also a case of groupeffort.

Mark Tuner is also one of the greatest musians. His saxplaying strikes me again and again. Check his efforts on Matthias Lupri's latest album. Wauw! I saw Tuner play in the Dave Holland Big Band (NSJF 2005)! Excellent performing! 'The Enemies of Energy' is trough the interaction of Mark Tuner and Kurt Rosenwinkel one of high standard.

Ben Street and Jeff Ballard are also great artists. Just check the work the have done in the recent years. These guys are every where and all around. On this album they play a couple of very modern rhythms.

Mayby this second album of Rosenwinkel is not his best, but it of high quality and it has more than some elements that I find interesting. The usage of acoustic guitars and the 4 string stella is a new element on Rosenwinkels albums. This new element proves to be essential for this album. Especialy in combination with the piano. The acoustic guitars lift Rosenwinkel his music to new levels, it brings new meaning to his melodic poetry and makes the whole sound sound even more full, though the fullness is also smoothend by it.

Enjoy!

But note: Rosenwinkel is not a singer! Hope he will not do that again!

Emphatically!!! A must listen........2001-08-18

This guitarist's second album under his leadership is, to the greatest extent of any guitarist's album, as much about a full complement of instruments in balanced contribution as about guitar fireworks. The thematic content and development are sensitive, tight, and potent. At moments there is something reminescent of Scofield... of Holdsworth... of Abercrombie. Yet there is, in the entirety, something wholly original happening and it's utterly exciting. The phrases catch you off balance and play with your sense of timing and momentum like some heady amusement park ride. While the harmonic content is as edgy and fresh as metallic blue neon. This album, as well as his latest "The Next Step" are of that phenomenon where a sense of urgency emerges as waves of unanticipated originality in musical thought catch you in their undertow. Like the days of summer childhood at the beach... there is something innocent and joyful. Yet these are important moments.... moments you'll want to remember... You'll want to hum these tunes in your head... Your soul wants to swim as freely as these dolphins.... always!

Best album of the Millenium.......2001-01-14

Sure, its only 2001, but I suspect this album would be in my millenial top ten even in 2999. Abandon all pretense when you toss these tracks on the old stereo system, and be prepared for a great step in the evolution of jazz. Rosenwinkel's compositions and arrangements are amazing to say the least, and every solo is a pristine example of what modern jazz improvisation should be.

If Rosenwinkel's guitar virtuosity isn't enough, then just wait for Mark Turner's Tenor Sax action. Turner might be the hottest sax player out there, and he certainly argues his case well on this album. The rest of the quintet (a regularly perfroming group, so everthing is TIGHT) consists of pianist and keyboardist Scott Kinsey, Bass-man Ben Street, and drummer Jeff Ballard. These three are no slouches themselves, and deliver top-notch performances.

Mind you, this is not trad jazz, its not Metheny, and I've been unable as of yet to give it a classification. All I can say is that its fun, hip and intellectual all at the same time, and it spends a disproportionate amount of time in my CD player.

A Breath of Fresh Air.......2001-01-09

Take the cool vamps of Larry Coryell, the chord voicings of Pat Metheny, and the freedom of John Scofield, and you start to recognize the new sound of young guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. But don't stop there. Mr. Rosenwinkel has developed his own special qualities -- and it's a breath of fresh air in the very crowded world of jazz guitar.

One of the things that first struct me is Rosenwinkel's use of fast picking techiques, rather than the more common use of legatto playing that many of the young players are using. This gives his sound an edgy feel, reminiscent of early jazz-rock.

And while Rosenwinkel's playing is distinctive, it is the music that captures your attention. On the surface each track is sensitive with a hint of dissonance, but behind it is a threating storm. Take the scond track, which lulls you into thinking it is standard funk piece, until you start hearing the overlaying of complex keyboard and sax melodies, and then the raunchy guitar riffs on top.

There are very few pyro-techniques here. The musicians play in service of the music. Tenor saxophonist Mark Turner plays most of the leads, and does so with finess and grace. Scott Kinsey, from Tribal Tech, works well with the group, adding accoustic piano and synth support when needed. The rhythm section consisting of Ben Street in bass and Jeff Ballard on drums do a fine job of keeping the music on track.

This is a fine album from a fresh new voice in jazz.

boring.......2000-09-14