Sneer's Emporium of Sound (lyric, blues, bass, psychedelic, punk)

Sneer · 02-04-2009, 09:27 AM

17

The Unicorns
Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone

"I Don't Wanna Die" – 2:03
"Tuff Ghost" – 2:57
"Ghost Mountain" – 3:10
"Sea Ghost" – 3:42
"Jellybones" – 2:43
"The Clap" – 1:26
"Child Star" – 5:21
"Let's Get Known" – 1:57
"I Was Born (A Unicorn)" – 2:45
"Tuff Luff" – 4:19
"Inoculate the Innocuous" – 5:18
"Les Os" – 3:32
"Ready to Die" – 1:42

The reasons as to why i love this album are manifold. Released in 2003, i bought it unwittingly the same year. I'll be honest, the reason i got it in the first place was the front cover and the small description the seller had stuck in the corner. I was 16 at the time, musically ignorant to an extent and head-deep in a Libertines phase. I was becoming increasingly disenchanted to the music i was listening to so thought '**** it, lets take a chance with this, might be amazing'.

When i first listened to it, i hated it. Thought it was incoherent, sloppy and uninspiring crap. It wasnt until about a year later that i really got it. I began listening to it more and more until, one fateful day, i realised it was awesome. It consequently opened me up to a whole new avenue of music i'd constantly overlooked.

Another reason why i love this is the constant shifting in mood and theme. One minute the album will linger, creep and solemnly coil around your ears, then suddenly, sometimes in the same song, it will without warning blossom into this sun-kissed, deeply joyous pop that cannot fail in bringing a smile to your face. Child Star for example has about 3 sections to it, beginning in a somewhat mournful, dark chord progression before exploding into an angst-fuelled crunch of distorted guitar based around a quiet-loud dynamic. It ends quite inexplicably in a dainty, summery twee pop as the dual vocalists coo their hatred for another. You never know what direction the music is going to take, it never bores nor becomes predictable; the band are masters in creating perfect pop songs, merging electronica with garage rock and twee pop which they then proceed in injecting with a myriad of moods, instruments and themes.

The thing about this album is you have to realise they're not altogether serious. It's basically a parody, but what came of it (I think unintentionally) are 13 tunes that not only passes as great pop rock, but can be further appreciated for its subtle irony, socio-cultural commentary and exploration into the human condition. Bottom line though, it's a fantastic listen for its assortment of musical stylizationm, uniqueness, catchy tunes, and strangely intelligent wit.

Sneer · 02-10-2009, 07:39 AM

17

The Feelies
Crazy Rhythms

"The Boy with the Perpetual Nervousness" – 5:10
"Fa Cé-La" – 2:04
"Loveless Love" – 5:14
"Forces at Work" – 7:10
"Original Love" – 2:55
"Everybody's Got Something To Hide (Except Me and My Monkey)" (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) – 4:18
"Moscow Nights" – 4:34
"Raised Eyebrows" – 3:00
"Crazy Rhythms" – 6:13

Released in 1980, this album has been cited as a major influence to college rock bands of the mid to late 80's, notably REM.

The appeal of this album to me is its exuberance and the sheer energy oozing from every beat and hook. The opening track, The Boy With The Perpetual Nervousness, jitters along at a frenetic pace, the crisp, clean guitar trundling along with the driving percussion to convey the nervous energy the song title is referring to.

I feel this 'nervous energy' sums the album up succinctly, throughout the piece there is an urgency and pace, but it succeeds in delivering the music to the listener in an almost relaxed, sun-kissed manner - it's surprisingly easy to listen to.

Saying that, this relentless energy and pace does not render the album monotonous and over-simple. It is beautifully layered, the guitar work measured and delicate as the percussion adds a dynamic that pushes the music on. A highlight for me is Loveless Love, a song that slowly builds from a slow, reflective tangle of guitars into a pulsating, sorrowful damnation of love, its a beautiful song with excellent guitar work.

There are clear influences from Krautrock and The Velvet Underground on this album, especially in the percussion and Mercer's vocal delivery, its an album that can go from quiet reflection to all out energetic spasm in a second - it is a hugely emotive piece. There are annoying pauses in between songs, maybe thats just my version, but overall, this is an album you can really get lost in, the twin guitar work, at times angular and at others haunting, will soothe you to the core, whilst the drumming is hypnotising... it helps that every song is a melodic gem too.

Bulldog · 02-17-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

17
The Feelies
Crazy Rhythms

I know these guys... kinda. There's a link to this very album on this blog I've got bookmarked, just never really been sure if it's worth getting. Judging by your review I definitely should.

Some great, albums on this list - keep 'em coming

almauro · 02-17-2009, 06:22 PM

The Feelies made a cameo in the movie Something Wild as a geeky uptight High School reunion band. They were good enough to make me check out the credits at the end of the movie.

debaserr · 02-20-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

17

The Unicorns
Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone

"I Don't Wanna Die" – 2:03
"Tuff Ghost" – 2:57
"Ghost Mountain" – 3:10
"Sea Ghost" – 3:42
"Jellybones" – 2:43
"The Clap" – 1:26
"Child Star" – 5:21
"Let's Get Known" – 1:57
"I Was Born (A Unicorn)" – 2:45
"Tuff Luff" – 4:19
"Inoculate the Innocuous" – 5:18
"Les Os" – 3:32
"Ready to Die" – 1:42

The reasons as to why i love this album are manifold. Released in 2003, i bought it unwittingly the same year. I'll be honest, the reason i got it in the first place was the front cover and the small description the seller had stuck in the corner. I was 16 at the time, musically ignorant to an extent and head-deep in a Libertines phase. I was becoming increasingly disenchanted to the music i was listening to so thought '**** it, lets take a chance with this, might be amazing'.

When i first listened to it, i hated it. Thought it was incoherent, sloppy and uninspiring crap. It wasnt until about a year later that i really got it. I began listening to it more and more until, one fateful day, i realised it was awesome. It consequently opened me up to a whole new avenue of music i'd constantly overlooked.

Another reason why i love this is the constant shifting in mood and theme. One minute the album will linger, creep and solemnly coil around your ears, then suddenly, sometimes in the same song, it will without warning blossom into this sun-kissed, deeply joyous pop that cannot fail in bringing a smile to your face. Child Star for example has about 3 sections to it, beginning in a somewhat mournful, dark chord progression before exploding into an angst-fuelled crunch of distorted guitar based around a quiet-loud dynamic. It ends quite inexplicably in a dainty, summery twee pop as the dual vocalists coo their hatred for another. You never know what direction the music is going to take, it never bores nor becomes predictable; the band are masters in creating perfect pop songs, merging electronica with garage rock and twee pop which they then proceed in injecting with a myriad of moods, instruments and themes.

The thing about this album is you have to realise they're not altogether serious. It's basically a parody, but what came of it (I think unintentionally) are 13 tunes that not only passes as great pop rock, but can be further appreciated for its subtle irony, socio-cultural commentary and exploration into the human condition. Bottom line though, it's a fantastic listen for its assortment of musical stylizationm, uniqueness, catchy tunes, and strangely intelligent wit.

good to see someone else who appreciates this album. one of my favorites for sure.

02-04-2009, 09:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,397	17 The Unicorns Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone "I Don't Wanna Die" – 2:03 "Tuff Ghost" – 2:57 "Ghost Mountain" – 3:10 "Sea Ghost" – 3:42 "Jellybones" – 2:43 "The Clap" – 1:26 "Child Star" – 5:21 "Let's Get Known" – 1:57 "I Was Born (A Unicorn)" – 2:45 "Tuff Luff" – 4:19 "Inoculate the Innocuous" – 5:18 "Les Os" – 3:32 "Ready to Die" – 1:42 The reasons as to why i love this album are manifold. Released in 2003, i bought it unwittingly the same year. I'll be honest, the reason i got it in the first place was the front cover and the small description the seller had stuck in the corner. I was 16 at the time, musically ignorant to an extent and head-deep in a Libertines phase. I was becoming increasingly disenchanted to the music i was listening to so thought '** it, lets take a chance with this, might be amazing'. When i first listened to it, i hated it. Thought it was incoherent, sloppy and uninspiring crap. It wasnt until about a year later that i really got it. I began listening to it more and more until, one fateful day, i realised it was awesome. It consequently opened me up to a whole new avenue of music i'd constantly overlooked. Another reason why i love this is the constant shifting in mood and theme. One minute the album will linger, creep and solemnly coil around your ears, then suddenly, sometimes in the same song, it will without warning blossom into this sun-kissed, deeply joyous pop that cannot fail in bringing a smile to your face. Child Star for example has about 3 sections to it, beginning in a somewhat mournful, dark chord progression before exploding into an angst-fuelled crunch of distorted guitar based around a quiet-loud dynamic. It ends quite inexplicably in a dainty, summery twee pop as the dual vocalists coo their hatred for another. You never know what direction the music is going to take, it never bores nor becomes predictable; the band are masters in creating perfect pop songs, merging electronica with garage rock and twee pop which they then proceed in injecting with a myriad of moods, instruments and themes. The thing about this album is you have to realise they're not altogether serious. It's basically a parody, but what came of it (I think unintentionally) are 13 tunes that not only passes as great pop rock, but can be further appreciated for its subtle irony, socio-cultural commentary and exploration into the human condition. Bottom line though, it's a fantastic listen for its assortment of musical stylizationm, uniqueness, catchy tunes, and strangely intelligent wit. __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show**

02-10-2009, 07:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,397	17 The Feelies Crazy Rhythms "The Boy with the Perpetual Nervousness" – 5:10 "Fa Cé-La" – 2:04 "Loveless Love" – 5:14 "Forces at Work" – 7:10 "Original Love" – 2:55 "Everybody's Got Something To Hide (Except Me and My Monkey)" (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) – 4:18 "Moscow Nights" – 4:34 "Raised Eyebrows" – 3:00 "Crazy Rhythms" – 6:13 Released in 1980, this album has been cited as a major influence to college rock bands of the mid to late 80's, notably REM. The appeal of this album to me is its exuberance and the sheer energy oozing from every beat and hook. The opening track, The Boy With The Perpetual Nervousness, jitters along at a frenetic pace, the crisp, clean guitar trundling along with the driving percussion to convey the nervous energy the song title is referring to. I feel this 'nervous energy' sums the album up succinctly, throughout the piece there is an urgency and pace, but it succeeds in delivering the music to the listener in an almost relaxed, sun-kissed manner - it's surprisingly easy to listen to. Saying that, this relentless energy and pace does not render the album monotonous and over-simple. It is beautifully layered, the guitar work measured and delicate as the percussion adds a dynamic that pushes the music on. A highlight for me is Loveless Love, a song that slowly builds from a slow, reflective tangle of guitars into a pulsating, sorrowful damnation of love, its a beautiful song with excellent guitar work. There are clear influences from Krautrock and The Velvet Underground on this album, especially in the percussion and Mercer's vocal delivery, its an album that can go from quiet reflection to all out energetic spasm in a second - it is a hugely emotive piece. There are annoying pauses in between songs, maybe thats just my version, but overall, this is an album you can really get lost in, the twin guitar work, at times angular and at others haunting, will soothe you to the core, whilst the drumming is hypnotising... it helps that every song is a melodic gem too. __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show

02-17-2009, 06:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
almauro Way Out There Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 850	The Feelies made a cameo in the movie Something Wild as a geeky uptight High School reunion band. They were good enough to make me check out the credits at the end of the movie. __________________ rock n music blog