RVCA

Well, everyone will know eventually when reviews start getting posted.

That's funny because it's true...

The Fascinating Turnip

Again, I'm ashamed for being this late...





I had read Anteater’s review before I listened to the album in its entirety, so I can’t say it completely took me by surprise, but I have to say that after the first song, despite it being rather short, I had no idea what was going to follow besides the snippets I knew.

The following track, (The Courtryard), sucked me into Finn’s hypnotic, disturbed world. His voice seemed far away and every little word had hints of disdain and bitterness, like the man was a step away from insanity, and believe me, he reaches a sate of disturbed bliss which one cannot help but feel in awe at.

In any case, here and there popped up some refreshing little folk ditties that merely let one rest his ears until he'd be ready to get his mind blown to bloody bits all over again.

Jerusalem is an incredible song, it stands out like a giant, ready to tell you a twisted tale and lose all sense of sanity and inhibition admidst it. Perhaps I’m just partial to screaming, but for some reason I feel flabbergasted every time I finish listening to this song.

I can also swear Where Has Your Master Gone reminds me of a well known pop song which I can’t for the life of me remember.

A honourable mention: Big White Car, Children’s Eyes.

Expect Psychadelia and Folk, all performed by a mad vagabond.
This is Simon Finn.

Thanks, Ant.

Husky McDump

James supplied the music.


The Beta Band - Three EPs


When I first put this cd on play it was something different than I had expected. For some odd reason I thought The Beta Band was an instrumental hardcore band like Dub Trio or something like that. Anyway, these three eps have a sooth, mellow, clean tone to them. Wonderful focus on the drums in the production of these three EPs. There is a constant driving force from the rhythm section.

The vocalist from The Beta Band isn't my favorite, but it does not off-set the quality of music they deliver. Perfect example of my love and hate relationship with this band is on the track "Dogs Got a Bone". At times it feels like you're listening to a few friends aimlessly jamming in someones basement, but in no way is that a bad thing for me but it sounds a little rough. The Beta Band uses subtle samples that dress up their sound beautifully, which separates them in my book from several other bands that are essentially the same. There was a perfect balance of sound between organic and electronic ambiance created on these three EPs.

Personal pros and cons:

Pros: Use of samples, Up right bass on some songs, sound quality and atmosphere that their sound sets, unique blend of genres.

Cons: Length of songs, vocalist(s), overall a "dull" sound for a band not extremely appealing to me, at chaotic points in their songs (such as 1:00 into the song Dr. Baker) seem to get overwhelming for me. I like music with chaotic climaxes but to me they didn't choose the most "tasteful" way I guess.

But these are my own opinions. Overall solid music, a lot better than the majority of music that is out there.


verdict: 6.8/10

Thanks James for showing me The Beta Band's Three Eps!

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not everyone can make it to the pros,
some rise to the top, others down low.

bob.

trade with OctaneHugo....


having really only heard 'Dear God' and 'The Ballad of Peter Pumpkin Eater' this album was a real surprise and quite a treat

it's weird just how out of place 'Dear God' actually is on this album...after a bit of research i found out that is was never originally intended to be on the album but was actually the b-side to the first singe 'Grass' (actually my favorite track on the album)....and then added to the first american pressing

i was told to not judge the band by this album....but rather to just enjoy the psychedelic pop music....and i must say i found it impossible to not enjoy this

this whole album resonates with Sgt. Peppers era Beatles....but not so much in a "ripped" of way but a progression...hyper intelligent lyrics mixed with surreal landscapes that honestly just warm the soul....i can see why many people consider this a great 'summer' album

even the more melancholy songs like 'Ballad For a Rainy Day', 'Dying', and '1000 Umbrellas'....have this wonderful pop optimism...at least in the music

it's a real treat to find an album that is this good in its entirety...and with this version (the 2001 remaster) from the opening track of 'Summer's Cauldron' which is like a warm blanket on a cool evening...to the infamous atheist anthem of 'Dear God' this album is just full of great music

many thanks OctaneHugo

i was able to get a few more albums by XTC but have not listened to any of them....i think i'll start that now

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OctaneHugo

glad you liked it. gonna get around to your review soon, spent the past 2 days laying in bed ill.

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Anteater

sent by crash_override:


Progressive metalcore is always a surprise in some ways for me: I never know if there's going to be little avant elements that creep into the atypical angst or if I'll be merely astounded by the technicality of what blares from my speakers.

Anyway, As Cities Burn seem to be somewhere in between these two expectations I normally have, which is interesting in and of itself. Time changes abound nicely throughout tracks such as 'Of Want And Misery' which reflects the "prog" part of the tag, whilst a piece such as 'Love Jealous One' proves they aren't averse to playing things straight either. In other words, there's a nice balance in some ways between certain ideas within the compositions.

On a final note, the melodic elements are reminiscent to me of certain mainstream acts that you associate with -core anything, but that's not bad at all really. As one who has outgrown a need for angsty music to serve as an outlet of any kind, the fact this bunch can vary their tempo is quite welcome indeed to these jaded ears.

Fun album, so thanks Crashy!

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Dr_Rez

Do you think you or the sender could throw me a link? It looks like a cool album. Thanks

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Connair

Hey i know i don't meet the post requiremento, but this sounds like a really really good idea. So maybe when i get 75 or somthing?

Husky McDump

rules are 100, just be active on the forum for a few days you'll get to 100 posts easy.

__________________
not everyone can make it to the pros,
some rise to the top, others down low.

Connair

alright sounds good,.