"Damage! retains Blues Explosions trademark sweat-drenched feel for soul **** (4 stars)."
Time Out London
"If variety's the spice of life, Damage! is a red hot treat ready to send your speakers up in flames."
Damage [Enhanced] [Limited Edition]
Damage,Blues Explosion,Sanctuary Records,Alternative Pop/Rock,Blues-Rock,Indie Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop,United States of America
Damage [Enhanced] [Limited Edition]
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Damage
Kosheen Manufacturer: Umvd Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000N0WY74 Release Date: 2007-04-30 |
Tracks:
- Damage
- Overkill
- Like a Book
- Same Ground Again
- Guilty
- Chances
- Out of This World
- Wish You Were Here
- Thief
- Under Fire
- Not Enough Love
- Cruel Heart
- Marching Orders
- Your Life
Customer Reviews:
!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-06-28
"damage" is , hands down, one of, if not, the best Kosheen songs ever released. It starts the album off with a bang. also worth mentioning are "chances" wich reminds me of "catch", "Guilty" and "under "fire"
It's moody, sometimes poppy, melodic, electronic music with big female vocals and deep lyrics.
deep beats, soul-filled vocals.......2007-05-19
Three is just as good..........2007-05-08
Can Kosheen be as good the third time? Yep. As awe-inspiring as ever.
Kosheen is a hard group to explain. Are they Rock? Techno? Dance? Pop? All of the above wrapped in a perfect blanket of balance and singing glee? One song may be a "meme-pop," then next a smooth lyrical flow folowed by a bit of hard rocking fun. But, every song is something to groove to - something that makes you move.
Anyone that likes their previous albums, you won't be disapointed. Much like me, you'll be singing "Guilty" at the top of your lungs in no time. For those that have never heard of Kosheen? Give them a try. You might surprise yourself and find a wonderful gem.
Dope Relaxed and Chilled Beats.......2007-04-06
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Obsessions Volume Two
Manufacturer: Malicious Damage Records/Darla ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000QGE78E Release Date: 2007-06-26 |
Album Description
2007 second volume of unreleased Orb treasures. Few artists have created such visionary and influential Electronic music as Alex Paterson and his various incarnations of The Orb. The Orb's blissed-out music helped define the emerging Ambient-Techno/House genres blending natural sounds, spoken-word, heavy dub bass lines and constantly shifting beats with a wry sense of humor, rolling rhythms and exhilarating samples to revolutionize UK dance clubs, '90s rave culture and influence a whole generation of artists now plying their trade in the 21st century. This second collection features collaborations with legendary German composer Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Thomas Fehlmann, Andy Hughes, Vincent "vin100" Crane and Alex's long-standing friend and musical accomplice Youth. Malicious Damage.Customer Reviews:
it rocks.......2007-07-26
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Glory Bumps
Manufacturer: Malicious Damage Records/Darla ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000Q7ZJ7Q Release Date: 2007-06-18 |
Album Description
2007 release from the long-serving British Alternative band led by former XTC keyboardist Barry Andrews. Glory Bumps, their 11th album, is in many ways more recognizably the descendant of Shriekback's mid-'80s Alt-Rock' classic Oil And Gold than any since. Anthems, hooligan choruses, big guitars, brass, a smattering of Psychobilly and, as usual, shed-loads of words. Glory Bumps has a curious tangential relationship with Barry Andrews' and Martyn Barker's recent improvised album Monstrance, a collaboration with XTC's Andy Partridge - Glory Bumps uses a number of loops created from the Monstrance album ['because they were there'] as well as Martyn's inimitable live drums and real-time guitar contributions from Andy. However there is no doubt that this is a Shriekback album 100% - as you will hear Wendy Partridge who has sung backing vocals on every Shriekback album since 1986 features as does Barry's son Finn Andrews (of The Veils) who lends his intense vocals to the happy-clappy title track. CD in embossed gold foil pack with lyric sheets. Malicious Damage 2007.Customer Reviews:
I'm feelin' it!.......2007-07-03
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Fantastic Damage
El-P Manufacturer: Definitive Jux ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000063VAW Release Date: 2002-05-14 |
Tracks:
- Fantastic Damage
- Squeegee Man Shooting
- Deep Space 9mm
- Tuned Mass Damper
- Dead Disnee
- Delorean
- Truancy
- The Hang, The Front, The Bush And The Shit
- Accidents Don't Happen
- Stepfather Factory
- T.O.J.
- Dr. Hellno And The Praying Mantus
- Lazerfaces' Warning
- Innocent Leader
- Constellation Funk
- Blood
Amazon.com
The debut solo album from El-P, Fantastic Damage finds the rap firebrand expanding on the confrontational themes that have characterized his career to date. As the guiding influence of influential hip-hop trio Company Flow, founder of the indie label Def Jux, and producer for Cannibal Ox's outstanding apocalyptic rap work The Cold Vein, El-P has become synonymous with the new breed of left-field hip-hoppers. But Fantastic Damage is quite possibly his most extreme statement yet: a sprawling magnum opus of broiling anger and dysfunctional angst, expressed through his abrasive production techniques and satirical rhymes. In spirit, the music echoes the revolutionary squall of the Bomb Squad, while not actually sounding like it: the blistering funk of "Deep Space 9mm" boasts a more syrupy feel than Public Enemy's tight jams, while "Dead Disnee" has more in common with the modern wave of laptop-wielding electronica artists than any traditional rap groove. Rhyme-wise, too, this is a bleak work, as El-P envisions apocalyptic futures ("Stepfather Factory") and waxes unprintable about his former record label ("Deep Space 9mm"). At 70 minutes, it's on the long side, but anyone acquainted with El-P's earlier work should lap this up. --Louis PattisonCustomer Reviews:
Sounds like metal garbage cans falling down my basement steps.......2007-03-09
Call it 4.5 Stars for Fantastic Damage.......2006-09-11
Well El-P's Fantastic Damage doesn't give reverence to black music. It's sound is more along the lines of a soundtrack to a twisted sci-fi movie. The music is dense, with many layers of production and sound for a careful listener to pick apart. If I had to compare it something else, I would compare it to the Bomb Squad, but even that isn't really accurate.
As a rapper, El-P's flow has vastly improved from his Company Flow days. His verses are dense and they come at you at tremendous speed. The subject matter ranges from typical battle rap stuff to lyrics about totalitarian regimes, sci-fi movies and conspiracy theories. The various guest stars sprinkled over the album also add to the feel and the flow of the album.
An emblematic song of the album is Delorian. The song starts out with a rapid fire verses from Aesop Rock and El-P. The two exchange raps for the first few minutes before the song digresses in to scratching for the bridge. Then the song comes back with a wallop, reprising the first verse. At the end of the song, the music desolves in to an hilarious chorus about Back to the Future (Great Scotts!!!).
If you can take a little experimentation with an open mind then you might like this album. It's dense, and takes many listens to fully understand, but once you do, it's very rewarding. If your a fan of the more mainstream stuff, then stay away. There are no raps about hos, 40s, and blunts, so you might not get your fill of ghetto culture. But if your looking for something different, this is a damn good listen.
Def Jux Classic (4.5 stars).......2006-07-14
El-P creates new heights of his album production and lyrically. When I first heard this album (with earbuds), I had a headache from listening to it, especially on the track "Accidents Don't Happen" when that loud pitch through out the song made me rip the the buds out of my ear. But listening to the album again I was able to get used to the production and actually enjoy it more and more as it grew on me. The production on "The Hang, The Front, The Bush and The S***" holds a tight beat at the beginning before it changes.
Lyrically El-P doesn't disappoint. Songs like "Dead Disnee" is a song about going to Disney World and destroying the place. I also like "Step Father Factory" where he creats a robotic step father that is supposed to be in families homes but they glitch. He comes off strong in all tracks and never looses his momentum. Not many emcees can do this here. Most of the time I have no idea what he is talking about, but I still like his rhymes.
Guest wise are mostly within the Def Jux family. My favorite is the somewhat sexual track "Dr. Hell No & The Praying Mantis" featuring Vast Aire (even though he sounds like he can't rhyme whatsoever). Mr Lif & C Rayz Walz appear on "Blood" also a great track. Aesop Rock, Ill Bill, Cage and Camutao also makes an appearance on the album.
Overall I enjoyed this album after giving it a few spins. El-P takes hit talents to higher levels and never dissapoints in this album. If you like Def Jux or just want to hear something new, I recommend this album to you.
Lyrics: A
Production: A
Guest Appearances: A
Musical Vibes: A+
Favorite Tracks: Fantastic Damage, Deep Space 9mm, Dead Disnee, Delorean, The Hang The Front..., Step Father Factory, Dr. Hell No and the Praying Mantis, Innocent Leader (no vocals), Blood
Future of Independent Rap Music.......2006-06-14
The reason for this is the production. El-P is unstoppable in the studio. He can make the most outrageous beats that only a few people in the world could ever rap over.
This music is like hard rock. I came back to rap music in late 90's after years of the industry being garbage. There was Wu and 'Illmatic' and Gang Starr and that's it. Then I found Octagon and then I was into the whole scene. I left rock music for the second time in my life (the first being in 1987-88) and can't go back to that horrid scene. And why would I with the Def Jux label coming out with harder stuff with more of a hard rock feel and sensibility than anything in rock music?
Def Jux is where it's at and hopefully they can continue and keep that dark, futuristic sound going and finding more rappers to help them out. Thank God for Lif and El P (and the other undergound masters). Real rap, for the rap fan who actually possesses brains and backbone.
One negative thing (about def jux) to be objective is Aesop's Bazooka Tooth a couple years back was sub-par. Old Aesop is far better. I hate that album.
my intro to def jux.......2006-03-18
this album is a mixture of bladerunner style sci-fi paranoia, synthesised experimental sounds, and rap that is full of disturbing imagery, pop cultural references and sheer venom spewed at the more disturbing characters in society(corporate CEOs, politicians, rapists, abusive drunks). i really like how raw and aggressive this is and the science fiction film feel to most of the beats. "deep space 9mm" and "dead diznee" take on the government and corporations. Alot of the track dead diznee describes anarchists killing mascots and burning the theme park to the ground, complete with explosions and screaming cartoon character sound bites on one line el-p spits" i slayed bambi/sprayed his whole family/destitute mad aggie/propaganda handling" showing the real hatred he has for most of american culture. the aesop rock track delorean is a back and forth between the two rappers interrupted in the middle by a barrage of dj scratching and a spoken word interlude by ill bill from the group nonphixion. other standouts include the metaphorical sci fi parable "stepfather factory" in which housewives are given alcohol fueled robotic companions which its later revealed, can short circuit and hurt you and your entirely family. i dont even need to explain the metaphor there.
the track "lazerfaces warning" is probably the albums most bizarre point, sung from the point of view of the character Lazerface, el-p crosses back and fourth between attacking the homogenized shows on MTV and tormented introspections about how the lasers in his head might"spin out of control and....melt something" im not sure what it means but the dense techno productions on the track give it a grimey cyberpunk feel.
if you like cannibal ox, or nonphixion this is sort of a combination of the two.
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The Damage
Tapping the Vein Manufacturer: Nuclear Blast Americ ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005RCG9 Release Date: 2002-04-16 |
Tracks:
- The Ledge
- Butterfly
- Sugar Falls
- Beautiful
- Again
- The Damage
- Fingertips
- Broken
- Hurricane
- Everything
- Falling In
Album Description
For fans of goth , alternative rock and metal. Nuclear Blast.Customer Reviews:
Nice.......2006-11-14
Its kinda like the music a flower would play when the sun is setting a few days before winter. Its just good music.
Exceptional.......2006-08-24
Live, studio, it doesn't matter. Heather is amazing. Not just an impressive range of notes, but an impressive range of emotions. You know she has been where she writes.
The weird people writing negative reviews here seem to be really impressed with their own wit. I imagine them typing with one hand while uh, shall we say distracting themselves under the keyboard with the other.
Sorry, wankees- TTV cannot be denied.
like wow.......2006-07-16
I'm sure most would overlook this album.......2006-05-18
As for my experience with the album and artist itself, I have heard better from their EPs. This is not to say I am disappointed in the album, as I enjoy quite a bit of it. It makes for good chillout music, and if you take the lyrics into account, I must applaud Heather Thompson for being able to convey emotions in a way that reach out to the listener.
Overall, the mood is dark and gloomy, and while one may classify such lyrics as emo, these lyrics are far from the new genre of lyrics that glorify self-mutilation and selfishness in relationships. In fact, if I have come away with anything from listening to this album, it would be that communicating your emotions, however gloomy they may be, is a good thing, especially when in this day and age, speaking of emotions other than love, lust, and anger are looked down upon.
To me, this album is truly artistic, and though the music may be rather simple in some aspects (structure, lyrics, etc.), it's what makes the album stand out amongst the crowd.
I personally enjoy bands that are able to blend genres together and become something that's not easily classifiable, and it amuses me that other people automatically generalize stuff they don't like as 'pop.' Although I must say that this album has a slight poppy undertone, there is absolutely nothing overly mainstream about it.
Goth `easy listening'?.......2006-05-17
Despite my dislike of the generic style of this band, I don't think the musicians untalented. In fact I can say that they seem to know their business and they play together well. The album is also well balanced. It's just so unremarkable it's painful. There is no excuse for this when they have the talent.
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Different Damage
Q & Not U Manufacturer: Dischord ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00006LA5B Release Date: 2002-10-29 |
Tracks:
- Soft Pyramids
- So Many Animal Calls
- Air Conditions
- Black Plastic Bag
- Meet Me In The Pocket
- This Are Flashes
- Everybody Ruines
- Snow Patterns
- When The Lines Go Down
- O'no
- No Damage Nocturne
- Recreation With
Customer Reviews:
slowly but surely.......2007-07-08
buy it.......2005-02-26
Good, maybe their best one.......2004-10-03
"No kill no beep beep" thrilled me enough to try this album, but anyway I wasn't prepared to what it would happen when I put it on the stereo.
What was that? a damn good song... Soft Pyramids, a great kick-off song (not like that A line in the sand crap), an enjoyable moment of great music, and pretty cool lyrics (I love the way they sing spelling the words and creating this almost bizarre rhythm)...
the other song I really LOVE is Air Conditions... it sounds like a little post-rock anthem, with an evanescent (and beautiful) melody and a great sound... "C'mon where are you.."
Snow Patterns makes the triad, another great moment of this album, which I consider to be the best one in Q and not U's short (for now) discography
but also in this album there are some fillers which ruin the work, giving a lack of cohesion to the album itself...
I don't like very much the faster songs...
This is one of my favorite CDs.......2004-03-08
Black plastic bag is a great song.
Different Indeed.......2003-12-13
No Kill No Beep Beep was an excellent exercise in spazzy post-hardcore in the vein of At The Drive-In and Les Savy Fav, only perhaps more fractured. There was not a hook to be found, and the time changes set Q & Not U apart from a lot of other post-hardcore bands with the so-called "Dischord" sound. On Different Damage, however, Q & Not U moves beyond their debut LP by adding in more texture, melody, and experimentation to their sound. On Different Damage, there are less hooks, less crescendos, and a potent mix of funk, jazz, indie-pop, and post-hardcore that defies any easy label. You can hear bits of Gang Of Four, Fugazi, and ESG in their sound, and the onslaught of tunes works best as a cohesive whole.
It can be argued that Different Damage is perhaps too fractured and that the band didn't develop the songs as much as they could. This may be the case, but Different Damage is a strong artistic statement either way. "Soft Pyramids" is like nothing on No Kill No Beep Beep, while "So Many Animal Calls" and "Recreation Myth" are perhaps the most immediately accessible. It's "This Are Flashes," however, that is the strongest track, a blistering bit of dancey post-punk that works excellently.
A previous reviewer referred to Q & Not U as dance punk, but Q & Not U is beyond any genre. Let Different Damage speak for itself. It's the sound of a band realizing it's potential and becoming an artistic force to be reckoned with.
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Orb Sessions, Vol. 1
The Orb Manufacturer: Malicious Damage ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000AND8KQ Release Date: 2006-08-22 |
Tracks:
- Mummie Don't
- Sail
- Yungle
- Chromatik [Orbzone]
- Eurofen
- Sun Of
- 73.5
- Steel Horse
- Something Like
- Pluto Calling [Twinkle]
Album Description
Few artists have created such visionary and influential electronic music as Alex Paterson and his various incarnations of The Orb. The Orb's blissed-out music helped define the emerging ambient-techno/house genres blending natural sounds, spoken-word, dub bass lines and constantly shifting beats with a sense of humor, rolling rhythms and exhilarating samples to revolutionise UK dance clubs and '90s rave culture. Now after the resounding success of the earlier limited edition, Malicious Damage is proud to re-release this glorious first volume of Orb treasures from Alex Paterson's spherical archives. The track "Mummy Don't" has been replaced by "angel 3 dub" Covering fifteen years of conspiracy and collaboration with some of the biggest names in electronic music including Jimmy Cauty, Andy Hughes, Thomas Fehlmann, Nina Walsh, Fil le Gonidec, Vincent McDonald, Guy Pratt, Dom Beken and Aki Omori.Album Details
Comes in a Deluxe Foil Blocked Digipack.Customer Reviews:
Mixed Bag, but that's what it is meant to be!!.......2006-07-18
The Orb hits rock bottom.......2006-05-30
Songs from here and there . . . .......2006-03-21
Treats from The Orb's Archives.......2005-11-04
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Art Damage
Fear Before the March of Flames Manufacturer: Equal Vision Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0002VEPT4 Release Date: 2004-09-07 |
Tracks:
- Hey Kid. I
Customer Reviews:
not an easy listen but that's the point..........2006-09-07
then, about three months ago i found out that "art damange" was out there and i gave a few songs some listens and i thought "wow, this is insane!" although, the music was chaotic and unstructured i went ahead and bought it anyway figuring it would grow on me. and i was right, it did. that's really the main thing with Fear before's music. you can't just listen to their albums once and form an opinion. the music is so complex and crazy that it takes a mere 10+ listens to it before you realize the talent of this band out of colorado.
out of their two albums "odd how people shake" and "art damange" i would have to say art damage is the better album. it's alot more experimental with better lyrics and is more unique than their debut due to the sing/scream vocals that alot of bands were doing at the time. in turn, there are hardly any singing on this cd and most of it is fierce shrieking and deep growls. honestly, though there is hardly any singing the musicianship is what you need to focus on here. similiar to the bled's "pass the flask", the music on here is phenomenol despite the constant screaming vocals.
all in all, fear before fans who were fans of thier debut might not enjoy "art damange as much. i can tell you it's a better album musically than their first but the singing is pretty much absent here. however, unlike their first album, "art damange" is an album that fans of norma jean, every time i die, converge, blood brothers, or maybe even botch will enjoy. that's a fact. they also have an new album coming out sept. 19 on Equal vision called "the always open mouth". the album is getting a big hype and rumor has it that the band has changed their sound once again (more atmospheric with loopholes is what i heard) and is supposedly going to be an epic album. look forward to that and to all of you fans of metal/grind core music with mathy signatures should buy this album. if you're unsure, download some first. rock on!
keeps getting better.......2006-08-04
first off, the lyrics are a lot better in art damage, a lot of the songs are really funny... i think i started liking the cd a lot more once i looked at the lyrics and could sing along...
the music is also a little more complex, which is good for some people, and not for others... if you're into math rock stuff you'll probably like art damage a lot.... if you like norma jean's second cd this will probably be up your alley - it's the kind of music that's tough to tap your foot to.
all in all i think this is a good cd who are into quirky mathy music, but can also appreciate the screaming, because there's a lot of that in this cd - it's not really much of a metal cd, more like math rock disguised as a metal cd....
and even though they are different, i'd still highly recommend odd how people shake, but it's a bit more emo, whatever that means, but you know what i mean.
Art Damage? Quite the opposite..........2006-01-05
Hey Kid, I'm A Computer Stop All The Downloading- Great way to start this album out...Great vocals...The lyrics are great as well....10/10
Should Have Stayed in The Shallows- The single from this album...Amazing song which actually features more singing than the other songs which is nice too...This song puts me on a power trip. 10/10
Consequences David, You'll Meet Your Fate In The Styx- Crazy title and one of my personal favorites on the CD. An Awesome bass line leads you right into some bone-chilling screams. Heavy and chaotic....but then out of nowhere slows down...Great song. 10/10
Whiskey Is Alright In it's Place, But it's Place is In Hell- Starts off incredibly chaotic...almost grindcore-ish in the beginning but then fades right back into a classic fear before sound. Fun Song To listen to. 8/10
The Story Of The Curious Oysters- Another whacky title, but an awesome song. I love the line "The doctor stands accused for painting the roses red/Off with his head!" This song also starts off with some great lower screams from David. 8/10
Absolutely Fabulous And Me- Another good FBTMOF tune...I know I keep saying that every song is a great song and I probably sound repetitive as hell but seriously...all the songs on this album are solid. 8/10
The Long Road To The Middle- Not much to say...Good song...8/10
The State Of Texas Vs. Fear Before- Great song, which features some more awesome sing/scream tradeoff's. Probably my favorite on the album. I always find myself singing along to this one. 10/10
The Law of Averages- Another good song...not a whole lot that stands out but a good song none the less. 8/10
A Tyrant Meets His Maker- A cool little musical interlude. 10/10
The God-Awful Truth- Some nice bass work in this song...nice way to end the album...it kind of gives a feeling of completeness. 8/10
As you can see...every song on here is completely solid...I only have one problem with this album, and that is that the songs do tend to sound the same. They all seem to blend together...After the third track a lot of the songs start to sound very similar...but that really doesn't matter once you hear how incredible of a sound this band has.
All and all Fear Before offer a very high-energy and intense album, while still being fun to listen to. Everything just seems to fit together...The vocals, the guitars, the drums...everything. At first I didn't care for their lyrics but..somehow they fit perfectly with the over-all attitude of this band. I would definitely recommend this album to anyone who is into Screamo/Post-hardcore or metalcore. I award it with Five stars. I would also highly recommend their debut "Odd How People Shake"
Well..........2005-11-08
OHPS was almost screamo in many points.
Live, the ridiculous amount of guitar overdubbage and Adam's background singing made it a mixed bag, despite their high-energy performance.
This time around, they decided on stripping the emo element almost entirely away, utilizing skuzzier production, skeletal guitar riffs and sarcastic bro-down lyrics for their own unique sound.
The vocals are definitely an acquired taste; right away, I was thinking, "Someone wants to be Jacob Bannon," but lead screamer David's style becomes more palpable with each listen.
The rhythm section is only tighter than before, which drives the songs with precision.
Now, the songs are the real issue.
Some tracks, like "Hey Kid" and "Whiskey Is Alright In Its Place" are deliciously fun to listen to, but a few tracks start hitting Crimes-era Blood Brothers-late-album-blandness.
It does finish strong (although not quite "Vegas"-style) with the "God Awful Truth," but it takes a little while to get there.
If you are an elitist Terror fan who loves your dance material, this will only annoy you.
If you're a Hot Cross/Fall of Troy/Blood Brothers/Transistor Transistor/Converge/Norma Jean fan, this might be right up your alley.
fantastic.......2005-10-26
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Cormorant
Shriekback Manufacturer: Malicious Damage Records/Darla ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000BJ7CQU Release Date: 2006-08-29 |
Tracks:
- Ronny
- Sea Theory
- Waterbaby
- Huytfi DBL Plus
- Strongest Wind That Blows
- Load the Boat
- Troublemeat
- Reason with the Beast
- Bonehead
- Voiled Karletus
- True Passage
- Mystera del Tempo
Album Description
With their eagerly awaited 10th album... provoking and seducing in equal measures... a soulful, insistent and sometimes riotous collection of songs and distracting instrumentals, the album features the ever present musical heart of shriekback - the vocal and lyrical alchemy of Barry Andrews, and the percussive bedrock of Martyn Barker along with Mark Raudva, Carlo Asciutti, Wendy Partridge, Barry Andrews' son Finn and Andy Partridge who contributes some fiery guitar work, playing alongside Barry Andrews for the first time in the many years since the early incarnation of XTC...2005 album on the Malicious Damage label.Customer Reviews:
Back into the deep, dark waters for Shriek fans.......2006-11-06
'Cormorant' is one of those rare albums that goes from strength to strength, getting better and better throughout and with every listen, with not a single weak track to be found anywhere. If you are a fan of older Shriekback, let me assure you: this album will utterly and completely blow your mind. I don't care if your favorite tracks come from Oil & Gold, Big Night Music, Sacred City, Jam Science, or Tench... you *will* find freakish amounts of sonic and lyric joy on this album, all thoroughly steeped in the underwater, aural miasma that you've come to associate with Shriekback through the years.
That being said, this is *not* just a simple re-hash of old Shriekback sounds and song structures. This album is as fresh and shiny and fundamentally *new* as the waves that break at high tide on the ivory shores of whatever beautiful stretch of coastline Barry Andrews draws his inspiration from.
I won't go into a song-by-song breakdown, outlining in linear fashion just why Shriekback deserves your money for this record- other reviewers have done that admirably enough. However, I will tell you this: 'Voiled Karletus' will make you dance in frenzied ecstasy like a devotee of Demeter celebrating the rites of Eleusis. It is savage and beautiful- sinister, classic Shriek execution, yet weirdly tied to the socio-political landscape of the modern world. If you are one of the lucky few who recognize 'Hammerheads' as one of God's greatest gifts, you will buy Cormorant for this song alone. Comparable numbers include 'Bonehead' and the art-funk laden guitar stomp of 'Troublemeat' (six-string mayhem courtesy of old XTC compatriot Andy Partridge!). On the other end of the spectrum, you have the slower songs such as 'Waterbaby' and 'Sea Theory'. The sounds employed in these numbers wash over you like a wave, layered with all the infinite complexity of a Mandelbrot set and penetrated throughout with the mind-bending lyrical genius that is Barry Andrews. Lots of folks will tell you that Andrew Eldritch or Nick Cave are the pre-eminent wordsmiths in darker rock music. There is considerable supporting evidence to back up such a claim. On the other hand, those same folks would benefit greatly from a few hours wrapped in the skin of Barry Andrews and his staggering brand of lyrical genius. The album's narrative remains throughout subtle, brilliant, caustic, vulgar, infammatory, hilarious, and absolutely unique. Andrews strings together polysyllabic couplets that make Greg Graffin sound like a rank amateur. In fact, I defy you to find any other song in the history of mankind to actually create a rhyme from the word "pessary." It's just too out of left field, yet so undeniably *Shriekback.*
Of course, at the end of the day, I can only relate my opinions and experiences, which must be received with all due caution and consumer skepticism. Given that caveat, I tell you, dear reader: buy this record, add a few dozen new wrinkles to your telencephalic landscape, and thank the shiny, reptilian gods that Barry Andrews and co. are still writing songs of this caliber for the unwashed masses. Hallelujah.
Barry Andrews/Shriekback's "Commorant"_ EXCITINGLY Blows Off All The Doors and Reverberates Your Spine from THE BASSLINE!!!.......2006-04-24
I have been a Shriekback fan since I was a young teenager in the early 80's (Coming into musical consciousness somewhere around the time of the incredible vinyl album release, "JAM SCIENCE" in 1982 (along with subsequent OIL & GOLD, Jam Science still my favorite album to date if I had to say). I very much got into the sounds of XTC and Gang of Four (Shriekback was the progeny of these bands)-but I believe were TRULY SURPASSED, PERFECTED, GIVEN THEIR MOST TRANSCENDANT & DISTURBINGLY MOVING VOICE in the ethereal sounds, hauntingly dark/soulful (ultimately electrically innervating)deep rich voice of Barry Andrews (he makes the hairs on your arm stand up-most incredible/original voice ever-has not changed or weakened AT ALL over the years), wonderful counterpoint and unity with (certain tracks where) soul-sister enhancing back-up vocals that come into play at the chorus refrains, and unparalleled really funky bass-guitar rifts carried over from Gang of Four's Dave Allen-a tradition maintained and yet transcended throughout Comorant...
...In this album, there is the addition of more recent sounds that have seeped up into the new millenium: that i.e., draw on an ambient-grooved deep base, drum-and-base, techno (infused throughout THOUGH very softly-and subsequently INSIDIOUSLY CREEP in to fill/enrich the spaces between the notes-without ever overwhelming that wonderful defining "Shriek" sound cut up by Andrews voice & jagged bass rift edginess that really defines Shriekbacks wonderfully unique style that makes them really, Really, REALLY different from anything else you've ever heard! The exceedingly intelligent lyrics and WONDERFUL WORDPLAY CONTINUE HERE...those who remember the song Nemesis from the Oil and Gold album, "Big black nemesis,parthenogenesis-No one move a muscle as the dead come home" will not be disaapointed with (amongst others) the wonderful track "Voiled Karletus" which snappily reels out a NY Times Crossword Puzzle-enhancing vocabulary, "the righteous goons, check out their runes as they caper with a taper to some acid tunes...the savage toys the lord employs make 'em snivel as they swivel like an anglepoise"...
...then on the other side of the spectrum is the incredibly ethereal/trance-like/emotionally/spiritually moving base & bass-driven TIMELESS tracks like Sea Theory, Waterboys, and The Strongest Wind That Blows, True Passage (probably my favorite tracks on this cd)..along with the song "TROUBLEMEAT" which gets me to really crank up the volume and ejects me off my arse, sends me to the floor dancing every time!!! (so does Load The Boat,Bonehead, and Voiled Karletus)Without sounding like overinflated pretentious crap, Have you ever heard of intellectual dance music? Is that even possible?...YES!!!...SHRIEKBACK BRIDGES THAT GAP!!!...
TRUST ME!!! This CD will satisfy/ultimately overcome every crack, crevice, and caveat of the deepest recesses in your soul. BUY IT!!! (Better yet become a "Shriek Freak" and buy all their past albums too...you won't be disappointed..this will be the band you and your friends remember/still affects you 20-30 years down the road!!!)
Could Have Shrieked Better.......2006-02-24
had gone unsatisfied since 1992 (Sacred City). This latest
album, while good, is significantly different from the
old work. Perhaps this isn't surprising at all.
Cormorant has some beautiful songs, while others that
seem to just stray into the weeds. Some are melancholy
in nature (perhaps fitting as the work was heavily influenced
by the passing of Mr. Andrews' father), while others
are dissonant and grating. It was the latter that somewhat
disappointed, but the former which keeps me returning for
another listen. In either case, despite the fact that
this offering embodies a reunion of some long-missed
former band members, the result is not the Shriekback
we knew and loved in the late 80s. Still, it is worth a spin !
This CD is worth it!.......2005-12-01
Thank you Barry Andrews for creating this one.
I was pulled in by your Oil and Gold CD because of the Movie Manhunter. A friend of mine told me, when I asked her whose music was playing in that film, that it was none other than YOU.
Now I have this one and from the very first song *Ronny* to the last strands of *il mystera del tempo* you have captured the music that speaks to my soul.
Your gravely voice and whispered lyrics sends me to a place where few others have taken me.
Thank you again, for sharing your talents with us mere mortals.
ginny/USA
"Did you ever get an invitation, a little window to another life?".......2005-11-30
Years after those in tune with the genius of Shriekback had resigned themselves to never experiencing the band's unique sound and vision again, Barry Andrews re-emerges with a profound brilliance that draws from and even outshines many of Shriekback's previous releases.
The overall vibe of the album is the band's signature exploration of the dark and unseen. There's a hint of mourning in some of the tracks, like "Waterbaby," and a vicious humour that rides shotgun on songs like "Voiled Karletus" and "Bonehead."
Barry Andrews deftly marries the dreamy atmosphere to driving techno rhythms, all the while teasing the listener with intelligent wordplay and nuggets of contemplation. He's assisted by longtime Shriek percussionist Martyn Barker, along with fellow XTC mate Andy Partridge and his son Finn Andrews of The Veils fame. The result is a culmination of everything that made Shriekback so dearly loved by people worldwide, graced with incredible maturity without losing one iota of the experimental gusto Shriek fans have come to expect from Mr. Andrews.
There are songs on this album that will not only appeal to the seasoned Shriekback fan, but will also bring new listeners into Shriek circles and please fans of Goth, Industrial, Techno, etcetera. Basically, anyone who enjoys wonderful, thought-provoking music that you can tap your toes along with the beat can't go wrong with purchasing this completely enjoyable CD.
If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would!
Average customer rating:
|
Severe Tire Damage
They Might Be Giants Manufacturer: Restless Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000009NTL Release Date: 1998-08-11 |
Tracks:
- Doctor Worm
- Severe Tire Damage Theme
- They Got Lost
- Why Does The Sun Shine? (The Sun Is A Mass Of Incandescent Gas)
- Birdhouse In Your Soul
- She's An Angel
- XTC Vs. Adam Ant
- Istanbul (Not Constantinople)
- Ana Ng
- First Kiss
- Ana Ng. - (live)
- Particle Man
- She's Actual Size
- S-E-X-X-Y
- Meet James Ensor
- Till My Head Falls Off
- About Me
- Untitled
- Untitled
- Untitled
- Untitled
- Untitled
- Untitled
- Untitled
Amazon.com
America's seminal geek rockers They Might Be Giants have been outsmarting every other act on the college-radio scene since the late '80s. Severe Tire Damage is the band's first live album, and surprisingly, it manages to be whimsical without being self-indulgent. TMBG's nucleus of John Linnell and John Flansburgh up the ante of fun on old favorites like "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)," "Ana Ng," and "Birdhouse in Your Soul" while also offering us more realized versions of should've-been-hits like "XTC Vs. Adam Ant" and "She's Actual Size." The Giants' backing band adds unexpected depth to the material, which also includes five new songs (and a hidden epilogue of live improvisation themed around the Planet of the Apes films). Many of the old fans who wrote They Might Be Giants off after Apollo 18 are advised to come back to the fold and see what the boys have been up to. --Jason JosephesCustomer Reviews:
Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for They Must Be Giants!.......2007-05-30
Strange album.......2005-03-15
Very good.......2004-01-03
This album fails on so many levels.......2003-11-08
As a career retrospective, it doesn't work either. They seem to have attempted a 'best of' line-up here, but left off important singles like "Don't Let's Start" and "The Statue Got Me High". Who cares? Hits that are included, like "Birdhouse In Your Soul" and "Ana Ng", are slowed down and given strained vocal deliveries.
But most importantly, it's just not a very enjoyable CD. Theres no flow, and it pales in comparison to their work in the studio. People who want a good overview of their career should get the 2-disc DIAL-A-SONG anthology. People who want to hear them live should get tickets to a show - they're lots of fun. You wouldn't know that from SEVERE TIRE DAMAGE.
I'd say it's worth it for "Dr. Worm" and the rocking "Why Does The Sun Shine?", but those made it to DIAL-A-SONG. The only thing I really pull this out for is the power-pop version of "First Kiss", later transformed into a ballad for their Mink Car album.
A Deffent MUST HAVE.......2003-08-13
"Why Does The Sun Shine" is a great song and the two best verisons of it are on this ablum and on TMBG's Direct From Brooklyn DVD (which has a live 2002 concert video of it).
"XTC VS. ADAM ANT" has a great beginning with the electric guitar.
"They Got Lost" sounds way cooler here than on the They Got Lost cd (you can check it out at tmbg.com).
"First Kiss" I think the Mink Car version of it is longer, but both are equally cool.
"Meet James Ensor" The trumpets make more sense on the John Henry cd, but this version makes me laugh when the Johns make the trumpet sounds.
For the other songs on this cd you will have to listen them yourself. It's not because the other songs on this cd are bad or anything because all the songs are great, in my opinion. I just want you to buy this cd and check it out for yourself.
And for the hardcore TMBG fans check out the They Got Lost cd at tmbg.com It's pretty cool once you get used to it.
But before you buy that cd you must buy this one!
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