Keep It Like a Secret
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Audio CD
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Editorial Review

Doug Martsch is enough of a guitar god to fill Keep It Like a Secret, one of indie rock's strongest 1999 major-label releases, with blazing solos. He's also ambivalent about the whole thing, which allows him to highlight the album with "You Were Right," a despairing litany of classic-rock lyrical hooks. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (106)

great cd
This is a great cd, i recommmend it to anyone checking it out.

amazing beyond words
if you don't own this album, you should probably be ashamed of yourself. i regret not having bought it sooner. i am a huge lover of music, and i feel like this album, more than any other, has made me a better person, i am not even kidding. it will change your life. do yourself a favor, get it. i guarantee that you will not regret it.

Built to Last
"Keep It Like A Secret" is Built to Spill's strongest album to date. While "Ancient Melodies" is probably just as good, "Secret" just has much more presence and is much more memorable.

Built to Spill is a leader in its genre. While other indie-rock bands quietly snooze through their records (see Death Cab, Earlimart, Neutral Milk Hotel), Built to Spill isn't afraid to make noise, to wake their listners up, and to do it all in a uniquely and sweetly melodic manner.

Every track on here is great. I especially love "Time Trap" for its hard guitars, its hard persistence, but its soft reluctance. Other great tracks include "Sidewalk", "The Plan", and "Temporarily Blind". Additionally, "Else", the absolute best Built to Spill song ever recorded, resides on this near perfect CD. And the hard rock meandering of "Broken Chairs" leaves the listener on the perfect note.

The vocal style of B2S is unmistakeable, perhaps a little grating, but a comforting sound that doesn't take long to grow to love. The guitar is what makes this band. And the songwriting is among the best in contemporary music.

I'd encourage anyone to include this in their CD collection, without hesitation or qualification. ... Read more

Asin: B00000HZFH
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Indie Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock   

This Is a Long Drive for Someone With Nothing to Think About
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (09 April, 1996)
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Editorial Review

Frontman Isaac Brock's claim that he's being stalked by his own alter ego was not the first bit of evidence that Modest Mouse isn't your usual pop band. Witness the entirety of this 1996 indie debut from the Washington trio that inspired a major-label bidding war. This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About finds Brock cruising with cohorts Eric Judy and Jeremiah Green (plus an occasional cellist) through a landscape of intoxicatingly original lo-fi tunes. Sure, Brock's early vocals make Nikki Sudden sound like one smooth crooner, but their strained quality offset the primitive elegance of his guitar work, giving a passionate vulnerability to "Breakthrough," "Custom Concern," and other treatises on life in the lost lane. --Bill Forman ... Read more

Reviews (59)

The Debut of one of the most Prolific Artists in music today
Like Many, I first got my introduction to Modest Mouse off of the "Moon & Antartica" Cd, later i began listening to "Good News For People Who Love Bad News" and honestly Modest Mouse has grown into one of my favorite bands. And while Modest Mouse has a huge number of releases that would be called great, this one is in my personal top 3. Just an all around great cd, This will be in constant rotation in your car cd player.
1.Dramamine-9/10
2.Breakthrough-10/10
3.Custom Concern-10/10
4.Might-10/10
5.Lounge-8/10
6.Beach Side Property-9/10
7.Ionizes & Atomizes-9/10
8.Head South-10/10
9.Dog Paddle-8/10
10.Novocain Stain-10/10
11.Tundra/Desert-10/10
12.Ohio-10/10
13.Exit Does Not Exist-10/10
14.Talking S4!t About A Pretty Sunset-10/10
15.Make Everyone Happy/Mechanical Birds-9/10
16.Space Travel is Boring-10/10

First Half:B-
Second Half:A

The Custom Concern of my cd player.
I was introduced to Issac and his three-part by Float On. I found this to be AMAZINGLY catchy, so I picked up Good News. Then, after that album was done with it's stay alone in my three-disc, I decided I should pick up another album. Which is when I stumbled across The Moon and Antarctica. This album got me completely hooked. I thought that album would be un-toppable. I was wrong.

About a month ago, while searching through Wearhouse Music's CD collection, I stumbled across this album. So I promptly bought it, and popped it into my CD player. So much for The Moon being the best.

This is a triumph in music. If you haven't heard Modest Mouse, and want to start, start here. But, unless you're a keen listener, don't start with Good News. It'll just mess you up.

Long drive but worth the trip
This is a long drive for someone with nothing to think about but it sure is one hell of a ride. The album is 70+ minutes long and its not easy to listen to the whole thing in one sitting, so you might think that its a little too long, but there isn't one song that I would remove from this album. It's simply one of the most amazing things I've ever heard;the mood, the sound, the lyrics are all very gripping and very intense. But of course this album isn't for everyone, I really suggest that anyone interested in buying this album listen to the samples first. You have to listen to Dramamine; beautiful intoduction probably my favorite song in this album. Definetely a great album for anyone who's just a little 'out there.' ... Read more

Asin: B000003L1P
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Emo    3. Indie Rock    4. Lo-Fi    5. Noise Pop    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. United States of America   

Now You Know
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (17 September, 2002)
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Editorial Review

Given that Doug Martsch is blessed with one of the most distinctive voices in rock, it's not surprising to find the Built to Spill frontman in a familiar place on his solo debut. But this is more than just an acoustic spin on his Boise, Idaho, band's off-kilter psychedelic noise. Now You Know is sweet and jangly, a homespun blues record made in the late hours of the night on battered guitars, in the same loose and grainy tradition as Beck's One Foot in the Grave and Paul Westerberg's Stereo. It's endearingly rustic--from the jagged and jaunty "Gone" to the winding Neil Young tribute "Impossible"--and yet another reason to count Martsch as one of middle America's most valuable natural resources. --Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Reviews (14)

There's only one thing I need to say . . .
. . . and that's that this album is as good as anything Built to Spill have ever released.Really.It's tremendously fabulous.It's so good it defies reason.

Was expecting more...
This, to me, was a bit disappointing. The change of pace is nice, but the record to me sounds same-y after a while, and it doesn't really hold much interest to me. But this is not an abject failure, and further movements in the acoustic direction by Martsch should be applauded.

Great
This is a really interesting album as a Built to Spill fan.It's obviously Doug Martsch, and his playing style plays through.There are a couple moments where the solos are all Doug the way we've come to love.What's intriguing about it, is that Doug fell in love with the blues.Where most people just say they wish they could play the blues, Doug has learned how, and has added a fantastic open tuned slide guitar to his arsenal of sounds.The album almost exclusively features this, and it's a fantastic modern take on the blues from a very Doug/Indie Rock viewpoint. ... Read more

Asin: B00006I09L
Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock   

Lonesome Crowded West
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (18 November, 1997)
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Editorial Review

The opening track, "Teeth Like God's Shoeshine," explodes out of your speakers with sharp, see-sawing guitars and shouted vocals, an irresistible melange of angular rhythms and mighty, powerful dynamics. The rest of the songs are similarly pulled along by some unseen force, driven by an energy found in classic post-punk bands like Thinking Fellers Union Local 282 or Drunken Boat. Some reviewers have referenced the Pixies, and while that's not off the mark, this is more like the Pixies undergoing dental work--without anesthesia.--Lorry Fleming ... Read more

Reviews (113)

The Pre-Cursor Of The Moon and Antarctica
Just yesterday, I finally (After searching every record store I could find) picked up The Lonesome Crowded West. So, I went home, transferred it to a MiniDisc, and sat down with a book (SHAMELESS PLUG: Lies and the Lying Liars who Tell Them by Al Franken) and this album. About halfway through "Teeth Like God's Shoeshine", I realize I'm singing along with the song, despite the fact I've never heard it before. It's THAT good.

This is a themed album, much like The Moon and Antarctica (Minus Paper Thin Walls, I Came as a Rat, and Wild Pack of Family Dogs; I could never stand those songs), It tells a story about the decline of The West, as we see in "Teeth Like God's Shoeshine" ("The malls are the soon to be ghost towns/well so long, farewell, goodbye") and Jesus Christ was an Only Child ("Working real hard to make internet cash/Work your fingers to the bone sitting on your ass"), which is what makes this their most brilliant album, and why I never really connected with Good News or This is a Long Drive, because they seemed mostly like a random collection of songs.

All in all, this is a must have. Even if you can't stand Issac's voice, you should just bite the bullet and listen to it, it's a portrait of perfection, where every single song is magnificent. And I, for one, wouldn't change a thing about this thing.

But, on another note, I do have one qualm about Modest Mouse: The outros. They last far too long. I wouldn't normally have a problem with this, but with this album, I want to listen to every minute of it, but I also want to get to the next brilliant track.

worst thing i ever heard!!!!!
who wants to listen to songs that are 5 minutes long of complete CRAP? ok maybe it's cool for all you little emo kids to be depressed and like crappily recorded music, with a guy that could not sing to save his own mother! this must be the worst band out there today and it's all because it's becoming cool to suck really really bad... dont buy this cd unless u like very terribly produce music that drags on forever and that u cannot sing to... b/c i dont think even the singer knows what notes he's singing... WORST BAND EVER!

You need this CD
As a diehard MM fan I have listened to each album through and through and must say that although this is not their most accessible and easy listening album, it is, on nearly every level, their best. It, more than any of their other works, is a theme album of epic proportions. It combines dissonant , often frantic indie with occasional folk and country influences and driving rock beats, with the occasional sadder, mellower pieces. The Lonesome Crowded West plays better and more fluidly as an albumthan any of Modest Mouses other records- the possible exception being the Moon and Antarctica. There is a distinct feeling to this album, even more so than any other Modest Mouse records, as well as a driving theme and concept behind it which is summed up by the title. Lyrically, there is an overwhelming sense of cynicism and disgust toward modern western culture, as well as a sense of alienation and sadness. "Lets all have another orange julius, fake syrup standing in lines. the malls are the soon to be ghost towns, so long, farewell, goodbye," from the opening track, "Teeth Like Gods Shoeshine," seems to sum up the perspective of this album. Isaac Brock ranges from bitter anger and resentment to sadness to apathetic observations and shows his greatest vocal depth on this album. Overall, I find TLCW to be darker and more emotional as well as "heavier" than any of there other works. Musically, many of the songs have a louder, faster, more chaotic feel to them (with notable exceptions), with blistering riffs and frantic harmonics. The album is incredibly complex though, as most of the songs are quite epic- with rising and falling crescendos and drawn out jams that build to intense climactic pieces. My favorite songs are "Teeth Like Gods Shoeshine," the very cynical opener, "Cowboy Dan," a powerful angry song about alienation in the modern world- my favorite Modest Mouse tune, the frantic, disco influenced "Doin the Cockroach," and Bankrupt On Selling, a sad, pretty acoustic piece.
The essential Modest Mouse album, along with Moon and Antarctica. ... Read more

Asin: B000003L26
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Emo    3. Indie Rock    4. Lo-Fi    5. Noise Pop    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. United States of America   

Building Nothing Out Of Something
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (18 January, 2000)
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Editorial Review

Loneliness, boredom, and random observations have been at the heart of Modest Mouse's skewered musical universe through all their releases. The Issaquah, Washington-born trio has also been able to spin very-long-playing albums that catered to the group's core obsessions, with both its full-length Up Records releases--This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About and The Lonesome Crowded West clocking in at more than 70 minutes in length. So it's refreshing to hear this supremely odd rock band at its most economical. Building Nothing Out of Something catches singles, compilation tunes, and more--none of which were ever intended to be sequenced as an album. As a narrative whole, the singles take on a visionary quality, discerning worldly, bent revelations in the everyday world. The swervy vocals that Isaac Brock has made his trademark sound as languidly distressed as ever, stricken by marvel and ghastly awakenings in equal measures. The music serves Brock well, sounding wobbly and sturdy at once, as if it barely teeters on chaos's brink at a variety of mostly midtempo paces. "Never Ending Math Equation," "A Life of Arctic Sounds," and "Other People's Lives" play the most stoutly, with the tonally clean guitars breaking across all the angular phrasings and rhythms Modest Mouse thrive on while Brock's voice goes from warpy drollery to exasperated wail in the face of his task as a singer and writer. --Andrew Bartlett ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Building Nothing
Well Modest Mouse experiments with their sound quite often, and this is one of their pinnacles of lyrical genius...It is not the broodiest or funkiest of the spectrum (moon and antarctica to lonesome crowded west get those titles), it is a wonderful middle ground, with great lyrics such as Never Ending Math Equation.
Doin the cockroach is a grody picture to your mind, but a great song to your ears

Hugely Dissapointing
I've grown into quite a Modest Mouse fan over the past year, and after listening to all their CDs, I must say this is their worst one. The music is loud, screechy, and outright poor. If this is the first CD most people hear from Modest Mouse, than I can see why many people don't find it to their taste.

I enjoyed Lonesome Crowded West, The Moon & Antarctica, Good News for People Who Love Bad News, The Fruit That Ate Itself, and many others, but this is just not up to par with the rest of it. Some might find it to their taste, as many reviewers here have, but I seriously recommend trying to borrow a copy and listen to it first before purchasing. This doesn't sound at all like the rest of their music, and I am of the personal belief this whole CD pretty much blows.

So beware, and check it out before you buy.

Make This The Next CD you buy
Modest Mouse I one of my favorite bands and I love all their CD's, but this one is my favorite.Almost all the songs on this CD are great.Best songs are Neverending Math Equation, All Nite Diner, Other People's Lives, and Baby Blue Sedan.If you are new to Modest Mouse and have only heard the new CD, buy this one next.Give it a few listens and it will grow on you.Check out all their other CD's their all good.Issac Brock's side project Ugly Casanova's CD is also worth checking out, one of my favorite CD's. ... Read more

Asin: B00003A9E2
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Emo    3. Indie Rock    4. Lo-Fi    5. Noise Pop    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. United States of America   

There's Nothing Wrong With Love
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (13 September, 1994)
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Editorial Review

Ever since Boise, Idaho, trio Built to Spill emerged on national radar with its major label release Perfect from Now On (Warner), its earlier recordings are infused with a certain prediscovery mystique. On 1994's There's Nothing Wrong with Love, the roots of Built to Spill's shimmering orchestral arrangements are present, but with a distinctly tattered edge. Frontman Doug Martsch bounds from moody balladry to primal screams, often in the same songs. Add the crunch of Brett Nelson's guitar, and you wipe the sheen off 12 songs that would be just plain pretty, if not for their garage rock soul. --Nick Heil ... Read more

Reviews (52)

There's Nothing Wrong With This Disc
This first release from Doug Martsch and company remains my favorite BTS recording. BTS aren't confined by typical songwriting structure, i.e. verse-chorus-verse-chorus-verse-bridge-chorus. Songs start incongruously - see fabulous opener "In the Morning" - and end suddenly - again, see fabulous opener "In the Morning". Rough-around-the-edges melodies, masterful guitar work, and uncanny, slice-of-life lyrics abound throughout TNWWL. Anyone who has ever been less-than-stellar at spotting constellations will smile knowingly when listening to "Big Dipper". "Twin Falls" and its reference to Thumbs Up Seven Up will charmingly harken some listeners back to elementary school, while the David Bowie "Lodger" references in "Distopian Dream Girl" will bring a smile to the most jaded music listeners. ("My stepfather looks/Just like David Bowie/But he hates David Bowie/I think Bowie's cool/I think 'Lodger' rules/And my stepdad's a fool.") And seriously, who can't identify with Martsch when he sings, "I want to see movies of my dreams" in "Car"?

I bought TNWWL on a blind recommendation, never having heard a note of Built to Spill's music. I'm grateful I did - don't be afraid to do the same.

Not the best BTS
I can't believe some people think this is the best BTS.I am a huge fan of Keep It Like A Secret and Perfect From Now On -- I think they are really, really good albums -- even "great" -- maybe even masterpieces.However this earlier record hardly provides a glimpse of how good BTS becomes on those 2 later LP's.Thank God someone heard it in them and got them their major label deal that enabled them to produce and release those 2 later records.However, on There's Nothing Wrong With Love, the songs are not as good.And where some of the songs do have potential, the production falls flat.Now I definitely don't think all good music needs slick production but to me a big part of what makes BTS so awesome is the sonic experience they provide at their perfectly recorded and produced best.Plus, there are really no great instrumental passages, intros, jams, song progressions or outros on this album and the few that do exist seem to lack something.Lastly, Doug's voice is weak on this record.I enjoy his voice on the later LP's.I think it has benefitted from production and also has truely improved.Generally, this album just doesn't put me in the place their other stuff does.But not to worry -- Doug proclaims on a later LP, "I'm gonna perfect from now on...I'm gonna be perfect, STARTING NOW."He kept his word for at least the next couple albums.

Built to Spill enter Indie Hall of Fame!
Or they should anyway!If based on none of the other long line of enduring Built to Spill records that they have so thoughtfully graced us with, Built to Spill should go down in History as one of the greatest American Rock bands of all time!Many die-hard "Spillers" (as I like to call fans) will tell you that "Keep it Like a Secret" is their best offering, but I fall in the minority when I affirm that "There's Nothing Wrong With Love" is Built to Spill at their finest!This is a disc that gets your heart pumping from the first chord to the last!

This is the Album in the BTS catalog that speaks to the heart and mind of anyone who grew up in the Mountain West (I grew up in Utah)!It takes me back to my childhood and helps me to realize that it's okay to grow up!

I have to say my favorite track is "Twin Falls."That song struck a chord with me in a way that few other songs ever have!It's brilliant way of getting to the heart of elementary crush drama is something that the sheer brilliance of still to this day astounds me.This is a song like few ever written, one so moving that even Ben Folds Five chose a cover of "Twin Falls" as means of tribute to Doug & co.

In Short:Buy this record!You won't be disappointed! ... Read more

Asin: B000003L0Y
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Perfect From Now On
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (28 January, 1997)
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Editorial Review

Built to Spill's three previous indie releases (on C/Z, Up, and K) established a new pop standard, born from lo-fi experimentation, carefully crafted hooks, plaintive vocals, and brilliant, snaky guitar lines. For their major label debut, Perfect from Now On, frontman Doug Martsch, who leads a revolving cast of musicians, has created his most ambitious album to date. Gone are the compact, simple ditties that characterized the band's recent recordings, replaced by the kind of longer epics that typified its C/Z debut, Ultimate Alternative Wavers. The songs--some clocking in at eight or nine minutes in length--combine the laidback intensity of Pink Floyd and Neil Young with a Beatles-meet-Pavement modern, pop aesthetic. It's at once dreamy, spooky, and spine-tingling and if there's any truly unexplored territory in rock music, you can be sure Built to Spill are in the vanguard. --Adem Tepedelen ... Read more

Reviews (79)

Doug Martsch's Penchant For Prophetic Album Titles....
I bought this album with Keep it Like a Secret and Ancient Melodies of the Future about a week ago and this one has imbedded itself in constant play on my iPod.This album is gorgeous.Every song (except for Stop the Show, which is really more of an 'album piece' if you understand my meaning, which is fine in the context of this album, which is an ALBUM, that takes advantage of the way it was meant to be perceived) stands up well on its own, which is an achievement to be commended in itself, but every song also coheres to form a cohesive whole, one which will grow better and better with repeated listens.Hearkening back to their last record, with its infinitely quotable lyric, "I wanna see movies of my dreams,"they have created an entire album of their dreams.In fact, this album could be seen as a dream of Doug Martsch's, brought to fruition through waves of overdubbed (to the point where you notice, but it doesn't take away from the experience) guitar and long, complex melodies.Did I mention that this is most definitely a classic guitar album?This album (along with Keep it Like a Secret, There's Nothing Wrong With Love, The Soft Bulletin, and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, not to mention Brighten the Corners and Terror Twilight) has led me to almost completely disregard Rolling Stone's list of the top 500 albums ever due to its exclusion from the list.This is an album that will leave you dreaming of it for days, with guitar that will either inspire you to work harder at playing guitar or crush your dreams because it makes you think that everything that can be done with a guitar has been done already and better than you could ever hope to attempt to try to do.The record this most reminds me of is Television's Marquee Moon, mostly because of the rampaging guitar licks, but also because of some of the lyrics (elliptical and otherwise)."I remember how the darkness doubled," from Marquee Moon coupled with "I've gotta be perfect from now on, starting now) from BTS are both similar in their underlying themes and central message.Both are statements of the fantastic (though 'the darkness doubled' may not be fantastic, just fantastically clever)that really have only one place...in dreams.

one of those divinely inspired works of artistic genius
This is a disc that you long to hear played live from start to finish just so you can get it in the purest form.I think it's a once in a lifetime achievement, though I love Keep it Like a Secret.This one is just special. 5 stars for sure.

Amazing!
This album is truly great.They sound like a mix b/t Pavement, Sonic Youth, and Modest Mouse.Which is great!Some complain about the lengths of the songs, but I never get a sense of boredom while listening to it.If you are interested in any of the bands I mentioned, then I would definately purchase this CD.A great buy! ... Read more

Asin: B000002NC4
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Indie Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock   

Built To Spill & Caustic Resin
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (24 June, 1997)
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Editorial Review

On this strange collaboration, two Boise combos collide in an unlikely alliance of noise, psychedelia, and minimalist pop. Built to Spill contribute two long, gorgeous messes called "When Not Being Stupid Is Not Enough" and "One Thing" (with some freaky Moog synthesizer work), while Caustic Resin add a groovy "Shit Brown Eyes." The two then combine for a great cover of Kicking Giant's "She's Real." The whole thing is strongly reminiscent of BTS's debut album, Ultimate Alternative Wavers, issued in the days when Caustic Resin guitarist Brett Netson was part of BTS. Definitely much weirder than There's Nothing Wrong With Love, and a dang good hello/goodbye record for both bands. --Adem Tepedelen ... Read more

Features

• CD-single

Reviews (4)

good stuff
Doug Martsch has been making amazing, yet virtually unheard of music for years.BTS and Caustic Resin make a good team.There's only a few songs, but they are vital to a collection.

It only features the most perfect song ever.
"When Not Being Stupid is Not Enough" is enough reason to buy this, though in fact every song on here is a winner in its own way.The cover of Kicking Giant's "She's Real" is another jaw-dropper; in the liner notes it is claimed that this version isn't as good as the original, "Superior" version...that's just not true, but it's nice to know that Doug & co. are mad geniuses AND modest to boot!

wish there were more songs
Since there were several reviews on other BTS recordings, I decided to review this one.Incidenly, "When not being stupid is not enough" is my favorite, favorite BTS song (I have several favorites). The song captures all I like about BTS and music as a whole (truth betold).Great, straight foward lyrics, not too much production, andexposive, explorative guitar.Doug solos for several minutes before eventhinking about singing.It brings to mind one of my favorite all timesongs, Neil Young's "Cortez the Killer".

The rest of the songsare great, as well, but no match for the opener. There are only 4 songs, sothe price is steep (thus 4 star rating).BTS beginners should start outwith one of the full length recordings, first.

I have seen BTS inconcert.Don't miss them when they come around.Because if you likemusic, they are truly the real deal. ... Read more

Asin: B000003L1D
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Indie Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock   

Fly Me to the Moon
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (24 October, 1995)
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Reviews (1)

Excelent
When I first put on my headphones to listen to this album, I did not know what to expect. I was incredibly impressed. As I listened to "spore" (An amazing song!) I would have thought I was trippingout if I did not know better. Excelent beat, rythem, vibe, all in all good. ... Read more

Asin: B000003L1B
Sales Rank: 87092
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Indie Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Space Rock   

Get Here and Stay
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 October, 1998)
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Editorial Review

As easy as it would be to lump 764-HERO in with bands like Built to Spill and Modest Mouse, they are actually taking the idiosyncratic "emo" sounds of the Pacific Northwest in a striking direction. Emo veteran John Atkins overturns this new genre's loud-soft schema and weaves a subtler cloth of glittering guitars, wending vocals, and psychedelic interludes. The ballad "Calendar Pages" creates shivering, anesthetic spaces where the silence is as present as the hollow cymbal rolls and dead-of-winter guitars. "Watch the Silverware" is raring to rock the radio with a brilliant off-center guitar riff that encodes the gushing melody directly onto the brain. Get Here and Stay is a quiet surprise--like finding a dollar on the sidewalk. --Lois Maffeo ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Short Story to Follow
THE FOLLOWING NARRATIVE IS TRUE:
It was the end of the spring '99 semester, I had just finished my final exams that day and was walking outside my dorm in the evening when I spotted what looked like a compact disc lying in the grass. I picked it up. It had some dirt on it, so I cleaned it off. I bumped into a friend of mine and said "look what I found". So we went into my dormroom and popped it on my stereo. I fell in love with this album right then and there. My friend didn't. I guess he might have been the one who threw in in the grass. Who knows?

Anyway I really like this album alot. I recommend it highly to everyone.

sleepy goodness
This is a great album for when you want some background music.Its good for sleeping, its good for taking a bath.Its good for reading and getting dressed.Definitely not party music, or even car music unless you are in a really mellow mood.Great music, very cozy and well done.

insert lame cliche title about 764-hero staying here.
Anyway, this album is great, and is my favorite 764hero album.What's special about this album is the atmosphere created by the music.It's not coarse like their previous work, it's more subtle and beautiful.My favorite tracks are "loaded painted red" and "coastline."After their loud vocals and harsh music of the past, they seemed to be more resigned now, but it makes for beautiful and elegant music.The lyrics are not cliche lovey lovey junk so that makes it all the better.Anyway, buy this album, it's pretty great. ... Read more

Asin: B00000DCTL
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Emo    3. Indie Rock    4. Pop    5. Rock   

Building Distrust from Trust
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (13 September, 1994)
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Reviews (1)

One of the best bands/albums ever!
I got a copy of this cd from my sister when I visited her in San Diego, CA.For the nextmonth I did not take it out of my cd player! I listened to it over and over and over.They have a kind of dark rock feel to them, but they're not another ...clone like so many that you hear on the radio.I have never heard a band that sounds anything like them, nor have I heard many bands as good as them.I would encourage one and all to buy this cd.You will not be dissapointed.
If you want to sample their music you can at VH1's website. ... Read more

Asin: B000003L0X
Sales Rank: 307100
Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock   

1975
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (02 November, 1999)
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Features

Reviews (1)

Slow but not boring
Duster manages to keep a rather slow melancholy sound without letting it get boring, which happens too often when bands slow things down. I highly suggest buying this album... ... Read more

Asin: B00002EPL6
Sales Rank: 248575
Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Noise Pop    3. Pop    4. Rock   

Stratosphere
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (24 February, 1998)
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Reviews (4)

Quality space rock
A lot of noise has been made recently about the lo-fi recording aesthetic, starting around the time Guided by Voices got noticed by everybody. Guided by Voices have always struck me as a band that is not necessarily helped or hindered by their lo-fi recording nature (although I think the lo-fi days for GBV are dead and gone now, which is just fine by me); Bob Pollard's sublime hooks work equally well coming from a home 4-track or a 24-track studio recording mixer. Why do I keep going on about GBV and not Duster? Well, I mention GBV because they are famously lo-fi, but Duster uses the 4-track recording method to very good effect on this album, in a way I've never heard before. That is, the home recording nature of many of the songs on Stratosphere has a very positive effect on the songs; I'm not sure I can say that about any other "lo-fi" album I've heard. The lo-fi recording techniques here add a layer of warmth to the songs that would simply be missing in a studio context.

But what about the music? In one word: amazing. There isn't a lot of complicated stuff going on here, and that's exactly the point. The chord changes are deliberate and repetitive, just like the best space rock. There is a certain emotional presence to this album that is hard to describe; perhaps it's the soundtrack to the longest rainy evening ever. Some of the best music is made from simple, carefully crafted building blocks, and Duster certainly know what they're doing. I should note that this album is, in my opinion, better than their second album (Contemporary Movement). This is not to say that Contemporary Movement is bad -- far from it; it's actually quite good; it's simply not as brilliant as this album.

Low fi-noise genius
Depressing as hell. I loved it

Good But Scattershot
This album reminded me of all the wonderful things inspired bands can do with something as simple as a 4-track.The songs are extremely hypnotic, and some (like "Echo, Bravo" and "Earth Moon Transit")are not as "Slowcore" as critics would have you believe.My onlycomplaint is that they end too soon.Track #1, for example, fades out justas its screechy weirdness and drum beat start to get interesting.Dusterwould have done well to cut a few items off this album's 17-song menu inorder give their best compositions more room to breathe. ... Read more

Asin: B0000065H3
Sales Rank: 148147
Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Noise Pop    3. Pop    4. Rock   

Boy, You Better Run Now
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 June, 2000)
list price: $11.99
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Reviews (2)

Mellow
This is a very mellow and relaxing album.You'd think that they were trying to milk some kinda indie market for what it was worth, but they do have a sincerity to the sound that is hard to find. If you've ever seen or heard at least one of these songs, then this would be a good buy.If not, or if you have to have everything mainstream, don't even bother.

Concrete Cool
At first, you are bound to feel like this album is following the huge trend in indie toward sounding pop. But there is something certainly deeper in this record than just following the general trend. Listening moreclosely to this record, you will realize the layers of organs, accordians,keyboards, violins, harmonicas underneath or on top of the languid reverbof vocals and guitars. The 60s pop sound of Teen Love doesn't last. When weget to Other Ones the sound of the band has already undergone ametamorphosis with droning, heavy, lyrics and beats that slowly move towarda dark crecsendo of reverb on vocals and harmonica--the guitars are on theverge of exploding with noise. It is simply beautiful. The seeminglyunpolished melodies or the lightheartedness are only a front as you willsoon discover. Sometimes it's as if Inger Lorre, or Gunga Din, decided tomake music with Dirty Three, sometimes with Stereolab, or sometimes evenwith Elliot Smith. Comparisons aside, The Concrete are definitely a newsound in indie, who, more than anything, parody pop and later express theboiling emotions inside them through multiple layers and experimentation.It will be interesting to watch where this band goes after their promisingdebut. ... Read more

Asin: B00004TM1E
Sales Rank: 190700
Subjects:  1. Indie Pop    2. Indie Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Swedish Pop/Rock    6. Twee Pop   

I Feel Alright
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (11 August, 1998)
list price: $12.99 -- our price: $12.99
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Editorial Review

In the esteemed and growing fraternity of melancholy male songwriters--Mark Eitzel, Mark Lanegan, Gerald Collier--Mike Johnson certainly ranks near the top. Johnson has a throaty baritone just one click above the Crash Test Dummies' Brad Roberts, and his third solo project, I Feel Alright, mines such emotive subject matter as failed ambition and romantic desire in his relentless quest for the essential ballad. All of these songs come close. His cover of Leonard Cohen's "Leaving Greensleeves" reaches a particularly exquisite delicacy when Johnson teams with backing vocalist Tiffany Anders. By the time he's rolling his gravelly verses over the melodic "Impatient and Unwilling," he's taken his craft to new heights. Despair has never sounded sound so attractive. --Nick Heil ... Read more

Reviews (6)

wow!
this album is pretty incredible, I am going through Mike's catalogue backwards, and although this is not quite as great as "what would you do" Mike's newest album, it is definitely a close contender, and some of these songs are just simply beautiful, a particular favorite would be "i don't love you" probably the most succinct post break up song I have ever heard.
man, if it were still the 60's Mike could have had a very successful career as a songwriter, along the lines of Tim Hardin, he is simply that good.

Misunderstood Masterpeice of Morbitity
Thankfully Mike Johnson has never tried to emulate the sound of his day job Dinosaur Jr. With his third solo outing he finally makes clear the humor behind his seemingly despairing music. I Feel Alright seems to be a concept album of songs of heartbreak, yet upon closely listening to the song I Don't Love You (a duet with Tiffany Anders) one hears a sly note of self deprecating humor. Johnson asks why (of a breakup) to which Anders replies "I've got another guy"...to this reviewer high comedy (as well as great songwriting). If you fancy sad sacks such as Cave, Tindersticks, Lanegan or for that matter classic singers like Charlie Rich, you need this album. It's not really all that funny in the end.

4 1/2 stars
As good as Mark Lanegan's records (on which he plays a huge role) which says it all.Great taste in covers too!The spare reworking of the Saints is wonderful, what a great song.Folked-up w/ pedal steel Message ToPretty is addicting.Turn Around, I Don't Love You, & most of theoriginals are up to his covers standards as well. Extremely LeonardCohen-influenced medody-wise ... Read more

Asin: B000009OT8
Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Sadcore   

My Pleasure
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (06 June, 2000)
list price: $13.99 -- our price: $13.99
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Reviews (1)

Sick Bees "My Pleasure"
What else can I say than it's catchy and I enjoyed what I heard. Pick it up... ... Read more

Asin: B00004TLZI
Sales Rank: 368259
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Pop    3. Post-Punk    4. Rock   

Every Night for You
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (12 March, 1996)
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Reviews (1)

GREAT album.
Awesome album: The lead guitar uses alot of phaser and chorus effects, doing some blistering spacey leads, with chunky, fuzzy rhythm guitar riffs. The dual-female vocals are soft and dreamy, with lots of reverb. The bass is pretty muscular, and the drums are at times jazzy, then tribal. They opened for Dinosaur Jr a few years ago.I saw the drummer in the grocery store the other day. Cool. ... Read more

Asin: B000003L1I
Sales Rank: 271617
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Indie Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock   

Puttering About a Small Land
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (27 June, 2000)
list price: $14.99 -- our price: $14.99
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Reviews (5)

You know what?
I just found out that Puttering About a Small Land is also a Philip K. Dick novel.Sort of odd, no?I would never normally associate the playful, child-like abusurdity of LOTL with the terrifying, disruptive absurdity of Dick, but I guess I kind of see the connection.Anyhoo, this is certainly a pleasant listen, but less amazing than Bundle of Joy.As for the Dick novel, I haven't read it, but definitely check out Ubik.

Ambient Loops
I really like this album.When I first heard Bundle of Joy (the first LOTL album) I was blown away.I had never heard such an array of odd melodies mixed with obscure samples.I could not stop listening to it.On Puttering About a Small Land, Sutherland continues making fun, trippy music, but takes the music in an ambient direction.Songs like "Patience" and "Party Pooper" leave your head swimming in dreamy images."Single Girl Summer Home" is the only sub-par track on the entire album - there can be such a thing as too many samples and noises thrown into one song.Overall a very original album loaded with great original vocals, odd snippets of obscure movie dialogue, and great ambient beats.Looking forward to the next LOTL offering.

nice
this album is very worth checking out. its very relaxed, sweet and caring!haha. song 8 (patience) is such a great song. Land of the loops reminds meof Global Goon (rephlex) because of the funny hip hop beats... i actuallylike Global Goon better production and song wise, but the vocals that Landof the Loops incorporates make it very worthwhile. the vocals also reallyremind me ofthe His Name is Alive album "stars on ESP"... whichis such an awesome album. ... Read more

Asin: B00004TCFR
Sales Rank: 167397
Subjects:  1. Indie Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock   

The Dark Fantastic
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (18 May, 1999)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $11.98
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Reviews (2)

Screaming Trees and Truly fan's delight!!!
Mark Pickerel, former drummer for the Screaming Trees, takes a break from his band "TRULY" to record a brilliant mello-psyco-aura-tapestry of moody and reflective tunes. A must have for the true fans...I bought it,I love it, do it..

COOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS THE BEST EVER!!!!!! YOU MUST HAVE IT! ESPECIALLY IF YOU LOVE PSYCHIDELIC MUSIC!!!!. ... Read more

Asin: B00000IP56
Sales Rank: 51611
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock