Cop and Speeder

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
1994 album for Portland based indie rock act featuring Elliott Smith. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Dissapearing Ink
Bastard John
Flame!
Temper
Why Did I Decide To Stay?
Collect To NYC
Hitting On The Waiter
Busted Lip
Antonio Carlos Jobim
It's Not A Prop
Something To Lose
Sleeping Pill
Trap Door
Nightcap

Album Description

1994 album for Portland based indie rock act featuring Elliott Smith.

Customer Reviews:

White knuckles on the wheel..........2006-08-05

The first Heatmiser album I had was actually Mic City Sons. Since I knew it was their last album together, I figured, this one is probably as good as it gets. I might've been wrong.

If you listen to the thirty second samples of each of these songs, what's great about them might escape you. And like most of my favorite CD's, this takes a few listens to really appreciate it. But then sure enough, one day, after getting accustomed to all the songs, I was like, "I get it!" And now I think I like this album more than Mic City Sons.

Actually they're both great albums (I've yet to still purchase Dead Air). But they're both greatin their own respects. But what I love about Cop and Speeder is how solid these rock songs are. They're catchy tunes, and it's excellent music for rolling down your windows and playing it really loud.

The band grows more, the promise expands, riffs entangle.......2005-07-08

The review by "Bluelight" expresses this album's appeal well. I first heard it after I had bought and liked "Mic City Sons." Driving home fter the funeral of a student I had taught, I put on "Cop" and it somehow worked for that moment. It mixes longing and frustration, and captures the ineffable restlessness of growing up, in Elliot Smith and Neil Gust's lyrics. Both make the band what it is, not just the more famous of the pair: intelligent but succinctly stated no-b.s. lyrics, simple riffing, and an ability to match more accessible textures to more assertive song structures revealing vulnerablity for the post-hardcore generation.

This album's sequenced so it gains speed as it progresses. For the first half, up until around song seven, it sounds much like its predecessor, "Dead Air." Respectable mid-90s, not that grungy, definitely capable, smart, punk-pop but more serious than many of its more lightheaded, addled peers. But this cd shows a jump in ability. It may be due to its new bassist, Sam Coombes (later half of Quasi). The lyrics open up, although they may not be what you listen to the first few times. As with much of the product by Smith, Gust (No. 2), and company, it doesn't grab you straight out the first time. But these musicians expect your patience.

Around the halfway point, almost subconsciously for the listener, the ambiance thickens and the rest of the ride's a wonderfully downhill rush. Listen to it and enjoy the slide.

Just get it........2001-01-19

The comparisons with Elliott's solo stuff are inevitable but beside the point. Though there are obvious common threads that span his entire body of work (his great voice, tuneful sensibility, and sincere perspective), this must be said with emphasis: When I want a Heatmiser album, nothing else will do it, and (IMHO) this is tied for #1 with 'Mic City Sons' (Heatmiser's final album, *not* a precursor to 'Cop and Speeder' as mentioned in a previous review). Everything about this LP is classic: The sequence of songs is fantastic, the band is tighter than hell, the production has real crunch, the performances are passionately executed, the arrangements are constantly throwing you curveballs (without sacrificing cool structures that get under your skin fast), the lyrics are tough and honest and catchy ("Your smile wraps around your head so you don't have to turn to show off your good side"), ... and there's not a bad tune in the whole bunch, not even close.

This is one of those albums that, over the years, I've just never tired of, and keep going back to when I need a good fix of gritty, smart rock and roll. And if you like the sound of this one in particular, then the 'Yellow No. 5' EP will turn your crank too. Oh, they're all good, just get em all. But get this one first.

Hmmm.......2000-04-16

if you are new to Heatmiser then you are forgiven, at least you are looking at their albums. Why they never made it bigger or more people new about them is beyond me. but anyway......

This album has lots of good ideas and they are held together really well with the guitar work of Nel gust and elliot smith. One thing that might make this inferior to the previous mic city sons album is the change in direction and vocals.

Much more of the songs on here have elliot singing in a style which doesnt show off his great voice, they are still good songs though. Also the music is heavier when compared to the Mic city sons outing. I think thats due to Sam Coombes drumming and lending a more chilled and trippy rhythm than J.J. on here.

They are all good musicians and use their ideas wisely. This CD should sell itself.

it's what's left of my collapsing night........1999-09-30

This record is strictly ON-POINT! To own it is to Love it. Neil Gust Roxxx!

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