Star System Explanation:
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"Under the Western Freeway"
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Total Rating:
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My Review: |
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The first time I ever heard a Grandaddy song was when my friend and I played track two from this record on our radio show. Some dude called in and requested it. I wish I knew the guy's name so I could thank him. The sound of this album is a bit difficult to describe; it really isn't too similar to that of other bands. Prominent keyboard notes and lazy drums are common; weird noises and fuzz can sometimes by heard in the background. Of course, powerful and loud distorted guitars also make their appearance. The songs are made up of all these things piled on top of eachother in many beautiful layers. The album begins with a strong keyboard/guitar intro, followed by the soft, high voice of Jason singing some of his wonderful lyrics to a wonderful tune. "Surely you understand only gifted hands will receive the chance to touch down on fortune." Then the beat kicks in and the song goes from sad to just plain cool. Track two deserves some comments too. Coolness abounds in this rocker; keyboard beeping and distorted guitar provide the chorus, and prominent base, voice and drums comprise the softer verses. This is the song that started it all for me. Wonderful and fun. The only track that doesn't make me jump for joy is track 8. It's a short, folky song. Just not as awesome as the rest of the album, that's all. It doesn't help that it's followed by one of the best songs ever. The album ends with a number of minutes of cricket chirping. You might not think so, but it's a perfectly fitting end to this amazing lp. Wonderful, beautiful, awesome. |
"Pretty Mess by This One Band"
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Total Rating:
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Track Ratings: |
My Review: |
1. |
This ep is as hard to describe as Under the Western Freeway. As always, the lyrics are awesome. Keyboard is much less prominent. This is a more guitar-oriented release. More basic, i guess, than the lp that followed it.
The first track is a weird little slow acoustic song with talking and eerie ahh's. Track two is a kind of laid back rocker with a heavy beat, one of my favorite songs. The third song is a warped piano instrumental. Track four ROCKS! Wow, heavy base, a nice beat, cool vocals. "Kim you bore me to death." Can the lyrics get any better? Track five is a little weak, but still pretty good. The sixth song is a nice slow song, acoustic, with cool keyboard in the background, awesome when the beat kicks in. The last track is a rocking instrumental, with some harmonica and a funky beat. The ep ends with a nice hypnotic cello piece. Not as good as Under the Western Freeway, but hey, not everything can be perfect. |
= bad
= ok
= good
= spectacular
