Militia

1. Screenplay: I Got Shot

2. Street Life

3. Eight Million Wayz

4. Burn

5. Way - Out

6. Screenplay: We Ain't Playin'

7. Playa Status

8. Make Noise

9. Paper Chase

10. Fuck a Title

11. Screenplay: No Militia Tonight

12. Who's the Next

13. From the Gate

14. Doin' Thangz

15. Let's Get It On

16. Fuck What You're Goin' Through

17. Money Makes the World Go Round

Tracks:

Where Is My Head
Eat, Sleep, Repeat
Control
Careful Now
Love Affair
I'm Safer On An Airplane
By My Side
Cover What You Can
The Last Time He Saw Dorie
I'm A Sucker For A Kind Word
When You Thought You'd Never Stand Out

Customer Reviews:

Moving, but not in the way I expected..........2007-05-20

Coming fresh out of just getting into Copeland this year, I was still grooving to Medicine Tree and In Motion when I purchased Eat, Sleep, Repeat.
Needless to say, it was not what I expected at all.
It isn't a bad thing to say in the least. The music is just different, almost as if there is an eerieness to each track on the cd. It definately takes some getting used to, but it is still worth the buy.

Best tracks: Careful Now (amazing in concert), and Love Affair

Copeland--Eat, Sleep, Repeat.......2007-05-02

When I first heard Copeland a couple of years ago, they sounded like an okay cross between a guitar-pop group like The Gin Blossoms and the low key acoustic emo of Coldplay. Fortunately, their sound has matured. Their new album Eat, Sleep, Repeat is replete with confident songwriting ability and Aaron Marsh's lush and exotic vocals, and the band now stands among the pantheon of emo rockers, including the UK's Keane and the seminal Death Cab for Cutie.

Part of the problem with this style of music is it tends to be a little whiny at times. However, every song on Eat, Sleep, Repeat is an absolute gem. Marsh and his ensemble of Bryan Laurenson on guitars, James Likeness on bass and Jonathan Bucklew on drums, craft an album of songs that are intelligent, contemplative, and vary in mood and temperament. The album begins with the whisper of vibes on "Where's My Head", which then takes you on a journey of guitar interplay with various percussion samples while Marsh croons. It mixes splendidly with the heavy guitar effects sported on the title track, which grinds a bit too much like Coldplay, but has a much edgier, experimental feel. Other standout songs include the piano based "Careful Now", "I'm Safer in an Airplane", "I'm A Sucker for a Kind Word", and the final track, the devastatingly haunting "When You Thought You'd Never Stand Out". Each track features beautifully sludgy guitar riffs, tight rhythm sections, and evocative lyrics. In a small way, Eat, Sleep, Repeat reminds me of the developmental solo work of former Japan guitarist/vocalist David Sylvian, especially the Brilliant Trees album. The only difference is Copeland restricts their work to rock unlike the avant-garde jazz influence of Sylvian's work. Still, you can feel Copeland stretching and growing here, pushing out the inside of the envelope and daring new territories for emo-oriented rock.

Eat, Sleep, Repeat may not be for previous Copeland fans that appreciate their punchier, more energetic work and believe the down-tempo of this record does a disservice to previous releases. However, this is the softer side of Copeland and while there is still a lot of explosive music to be found here, it eschews that quick pacing of some of their earlier songs for a profoundly cynical view of the world. In this sense, Eat, Sleep, Repeat is destined to become a classic.

180 from In Motion but beautiful .......2007-03-27

This album took me a couple listens before I became hooked. Unlike In Motion which is pretty upbeat, Eat Sleep Repeat is definitely a huge turn-around for Copeland. It reminds me of Beneath Medicine Tree but it's much more polished and experimental. Eat, Sleep, Repeat has a very msytical, moodier sound than anything Copeland has recorded previously. I absolutely love this cd. At first I was skeptical and then I heard Love Affair and Safer On An Airplane and everything seemed to come together for me. The Last Time He Saw Dorie is gorgeous as well. The lyrics on this album are so well written. They're so jam-packed with emotion, love, and desperation it's beautiful and poetic as ever. I love this band ... they have yet to disappoint me. I'm really glad they chose to experiment as they have because it showcases how much talent they've really got.

a let down.......2007-03-22

one of the biggest disapointments of the year. i'm a huge, huge fan of copeland, but this cd just doesn't live up to it's hype.

if you were a fan of their first album "beneath medicine tree" you might give it a try. but it's slower and more mellow.

if you were a fan of their next album "in motion" then i wouldn't even bother. there are no noticable stand-out tracks and nothing with the calculated edge that the previous album has.

the band really has regressed into a slower, easier-listening "lull" for lack of a better word.

but if that's your thing....

but i think i'll pass.

Copeland Does it Again.......2007-02-21

This ablum is simply amazing. The only two songs I have a problem with are Where's My Head and Contorl Freak. These two are still great, but the chorus does just not do it for me. I will still never skip a track on this cd. All the tracks are amazing. The Last Time He Saw Dorie is my favorite so far in listening to the cd. Cover What You Can is another great track. BMT and IM are still both some of my favorite albums, but ESR has its own perfect place with them. I have to say as well "When Paula Sparks" is the best Copeland song out there, but of course there are 17 songs right behind that little ditty.

Average customer rating:

Jill Cunniff- City Beach
Fantastic Debut Album
Lucious Jackson lover
LUSCIOUS CITY BEACH!
Nothing Special

City Beach
Jill Cunniff (Luscious Jackson)
Manufacturer: Militia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Greatest Hits
Out of the Woods
Pocket Symphony
The Reminder
Gimme Splash

ASIN: B000MCICAQ
Release Date: 2007-02-20

Tracks:

Lazy Girls
Happy Warriors
NYC Boy
Warm Sound
Eye Candy
Apartment 3
Love Is A Luxury
Exclusive
Kaleidoscope
Future Call
Calling Me
Disconnection

Amazon.com

Luscious Jackson fans who bemoaned that group's demise in 2000 will be pleased to hear of the debut solo release by founding member Jill Cunniff. Unfortunately, this sample-and-groove-based record sounds like it was made at home with late '90s equipment, not to mention ideas. The samples are loud in the mix, and don't show much originality. The same can be said for Cunniff's lyrics, which start with "Here's a song for lazy girls and laid-back boys/ Who never quite outgrew their toys" on the track "Lazy Girls," and don't improve from there. Cunniff's voice sounds as clear and melodic as ever, and the few songs that reveal a Brazilian influence are pleasant. Let's hope that next time she can either bring back some of the layered, multicultural funk of her former band or find a way into Hip Mama territory with a touch more invention, or soul. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews:

Jill Cunniff- City Beach.......2007-05-02

During our long, hot summers, we sun loving lizards' in the Southwest dream of cool, white sandy beaches, with spritzes of ocean water pelting our bodies. It's the only relief we can afford besides a box fan and a creaking, old evaporative cooler.

Fortunately for us, ex-Luscious Jackson front woman Jill Cunniff has crafted a beautiful slice of life album with her solo debut City Beach, offering comfort for everyone needing a break from the broil of global warming.

City Beach mixes myriad musical styles, from Brazilian jazz to alternative rock into an intoxicating brew of mood pieces. From the opening number "Lazy Girls" to the sullen ending piece "Disconnection", Cunniff paints pictures of her beloved New York City, infusing personal memories of `eating orange popsicles' to observations on how the city is changing for the worse, to deep examinations of male/female relationships. In a way, City Beach is a musical novel based on real life, the ebb and flow of carefree adolescence to the unpredictability of adulthood, much like the shifting tides of the ocean.

Cunniff has packed City Beach with powerful support, from her collaboration with music critic Vivian Goldman, and Emmylou Harris, who provides back-up vocals on "Disconnect". Cunniff contributes guitars, bass, organ and an extraordinary vocal range; handles much of the production duties and works programming on the project. Special call outs go to Rachel Yamagata for a sterling turn on keyboards on "Kaleidoscope", drummer Tony Mangurian; and Nathan Rosenberg, Sam Hollander, Dave Schommer and Jim Kissling for being Cunniff's partners in crime on the post production.

It's rare to find an album so flawless. Cunniff brings a colorful sensuality to her vocal chops, beckoning the listener with intense harmonies that add vitality to the entire album. The instrumentation is relaxed, almost lazy in a sense, rolling along with Cunniff's direct vocals. It's a change from the almost chant-like vox from her Luscious Jackson days. Ultimately, City Beach achieves a nearly impossible goal- you'll find yourself humming to these songs during your morning commute while contemplating meanings of the vivid lyrics.

Unlike so many solo projects, City Beach is not for Luscious Jackson fans only. If anything, Cunniff stamps this project with her persona. It's the kind of album for anyone who appreciates the dynamic range of female vocals and blended with the looping fun of music sampling. Listening to City Beach is a bit like listening to a tougher, edgier Sarah McLaughlin record. It's simply that good.

For my fellow Southwesterners, you don't have to wait until summer vacation to head for the Pacific. You can share a blanket on the beach all year with Jill Cunniff, but beware--she will bewitch you into staying with her on that beach long past your vacation is over.

Fantastic Debut Album.......2007-03-22

LJ fans will not be disappointed. Jill Cunniff's debut album is worth the wait! Don't be influenced by negative reviews, hear it for yourself and you'll be glad you did. This is the album I get all my friends this year.

Lucious Jackson lover.......2007-03-20

I don't believe Ive ever seen a bad amazon review. For that reason and that reason only I won't be buying this. I wanted to like it too.

LUSCIOUS CITY BEACH!.......2007-03-03

ok, I've listened to "City Beach" a zillion times and I am ready to share my views. Jill Cunniff of Luscious Jackson offers a multilayer project filled with electronic, bossa nova, jazz and many other influences. With summer quickly approaching, each track is a ray of sunshine meant to warm and energize. A concept album built around driving you to the beach, laying down your towel, putting on your sunscreen, playing a mean game of frisbee and then letting you relax and absorb all the vitamin d your body needs. Come on people, ever had a album do THAT for you? Riis Park will never be the same. Too bad you'll have to get the Pina Colada yourself.

Nothing Special.......2007-03-02

I want to like this album. Honest. That's because more often than not, Luscious Jackson provided entertaining, and ultimately, rather underrated music. Given that, it's perfectly reasonable to expect this album to offer something that's at least a cut above today's mainstream pop. Unfortunately, Jill Cunniff's solo debut straddles the fences of musical compromise that may appease the Paula's and Randy's of the world, but stops short of winning over the more critical Simon's who expect something more an artist with Cunniff's talent. In other words, a steady wash of samplings and lush vocal arrangements makes City Beach a pleasant experience for the ears - at least until you're distracted by some absolutely atrocious lyrics ("You don't have to suffocate/ because you've got a steady mate"??). To someone's credit, these lapses - while jarring - are infrequent. Overall, this ends up being an album that will provide a nice background at for a deck party this summer and not much else.

Average customer rating:

Amazing Debut
Catchy but deep... go figure!
Undoubtedly an amazing and quality album...
Plain and Simple, great album for a rising star.

The Album
Ronnie Day
Manufacturer: Militia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

This Is Where You Belong
Put Your Ghost to Rest
Brace Yourself
Anhedonia
Photographs

ASIN: B000JBXOT4
Release Date: 2006-11-14

Tracks:

Half Moon Bay (2:35)
November Storms (2:33)
Living for Love (2:50)
Insert 1 (0:08)
Written at a Rest Stop* (3:31)
String Interlude (0:35)
Coming Home Soon (3:25)
Lived Learned Loved & Lost (2:21)
Outside* (2:54)
Insert 2 (0:41)
Heroes Die* (3:40)
My Only Friend (4:45)
Call My Name (3:05)
Insert 3 (0:11)
Falling For You* (3:18)
Past Through (3:05)

Customer Reviews:

Amazing Debut.......2007-01-09

Ronnie Day is one of my favourite singer/songwriters of today and i really do not mind him singing about his heartbreak for more than half of this album because he made all the tunes super-catchy. It is really hard to choose my favourite one from this album because i genuinely love em all. But "November Storms" to me is the most special. I feel myself drifting off to a faraway land where the world is just plain perfection and it makes me forget about all the bad news we watch/hear on the news everyday. It gives warmth to my heart like no other song and it makes me feel like i belong. Its nice to know that Ronnie and probably others like me feel the same just by listening to this song. My favourite heartbreak song from this album was "Lived, learnt loved and lost". I first heard it a few times when Ronnie previewed it on his myspace and even though ive only heard it for 3-4 times, i remembered the song clearly and kept singing it in my head for like more than half a year after he removed the song off his myspace and was soooo elated when i got it on this album. The song is terribly catchy. Thats all i can say about his album really. Theres nothing to not like about it! For someone who's an anglophile, he makes me want to move to California and enjoy that sun & sand he talks about in Half Moon Bay! :-)

Ronnie Rocks! Go buy it now! :-P Im off to listen to it agaiN! Wheee!

Catchy but deep... go figure!.......2006-11-17

I'll be honest - I've been eagerly awaiting Ronnie Day's full-length debut for months and months, so I may not be the least biased person on the Earth. But even stepping back out of my own anticipation and excitement, this is a truly amazing debut record.

From the first few tracks it is immediately evident that Ronnie has a knack for catchy melodies and upbeat riffs. The front end of the album is weighted with his earliest songs, and they display a sort of hopeful optimism and youthfulness, as is to be expected from tunes he admits having written at about age 14.

What becomes apparent further into the album is that catchy isn't the only ace up Ronnie Day's sleeve. "Written at a Rest Stop" and "My Only Friend" are heartbreakingly candid snapshots of real-life doubt and despair... not to mention the piano ballad "Call My Name", which opens with the oh-so-quotable lyric "I know life and I know love... and this is neither of them..."

What sets this album apart from the many (I shudder to use the term...) "emo" releases with which it will undoubtedly be compared is the depth of the music and the lyrics. Even at their catchiest and most radio-friendly, the tracks are layered into beautiful soundscapes of guitar and keyboard. The production is impeccable, able to stack instruments upon instruments without ever getting crowded or busy, letting the songs retain a simple feel. The lyrics, too, are at once accessible and thought-provoking, as Ronnie dissects the time-honored topics of love and loss with his own deft wordplay and respectable vocabulary.

And if nothing else, the man has to be respected for his blunt and brutal honesty. "The Album" is a true-life concept album, written over years, detailing the beginning of his music career and the subsequent breakup of his first relationship. These are not new themes, but how many other artists include names, photographs, and even an answering machine message from the ex in question?

Bravo, Mr. Day.

Undoubtedly an amazing and quality album..........2006-11-15

From the very first listen you can tell Ronnie Day possesses talent. As you continue to listen however, that's when you find out just exactly how gifted this musician truly is. "The Album" contains more than just catchy songs with great music and great vocals. Each song consists of deep and meaningful lyrics which all tell a story--a story of a love resulting in heartbreak. When I say that this is one of the best CD's I've heard in years, I say it with complete conviction. I recommend "The Album" to everyone.

Plain and Simple, great album for a rising star........2006-11-15

Ive been following Ronnie for over a year now.
I purchased his EP and got unreleased stuff from him and I loved it all.
This is a great album with a lot of spunk and emotion.

Ronnie Day is going to be big I can feel it.

Average customer rating:

Simply Pop
Fantastic!
responding to a hater
rocket summer!
Rocker Summer Sizzles

Calendar Days
The Rocket Summer
Manufacturer: Militia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Indie & Lo Fi | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Hello, Good Friend
The Early Years EP
Do You Feel
The Everglow
This Is Where You Belong

ASIN: B000089IYL
Release Date: 2003-02-25

Tracks:

Cross My Heart
Skies So Blue
This Is Me
Saturday
She's My Baby
That's So You
Mean Thoughts And Cheap Shots
Movie Stars And Super Models
What We Hate, We Make
TV Family

Customer Reviews:

Simply Pop.......2006-04-04

This is one of the better truely pop albums that i have heard in a while. The song structure is quite simple and the time signature not all that complex. but it's a very refreshing change from bands that try to showcase complexity and forget their average listener. The songs are undeniably catchy without having the lyrics being too intuitive. while they don't sound exactly like copeland they are similar and if your a fan of copeland or mae it's pretty good bet that you'll like these guys too.

Fantastic!.......2006-01-07

First of all, I just want to let the reviewer a number of reviews below that I have heard Mae and Copeland (in fact I have albums from both of them right here), and I agree that The Rocket Summer DOES NOT sound like them. However, I disagree with your idea that because Bryce does not sound like Mae or Copeland than he sucks. It is close-minded to listen to not like a singer because he doesn't sound like the typical singer you enjoy. Bryce has an incredible voice. My best description is that he sounds like Michael Jackson on crack. That may sound like an insult, but Michael Jackson on crack sounds awesome! He is an amazing songwriter and has put together some incredible music here. It is unfortunate that one critic thinks that anyone who likes this music must be musically ignorant. Well, I am not musically ignorant. I am a musician and I listen to a varied music selection. Music is very deeply apart of me. I don't like every band or singer I here. This particular person, Bryce Avary, has amazing talent. The fact that there are people with closed-minds and a chip on their shoulder doesn't negate the fact that this is truly music. It makes sense that negative people would want to attack music that is extremely positive. What kind of person that is living a sad life wants to come on and congradulate someone who is full of positive energy and enthusiasm. They would most likely despise him, and thats sad. I don't mean to judge the first of the critics below, but I've seen many, many similar critiques (if they can be called that) of other artists by sad, unhappy people.

Buy this album, and the latest "Hello, Good Friend". Give it a chance to grow on you. If you are very passionate about music, like me, then I'm asking you to trust me. This one is well worth it.

(sorry for any errors. I tend to skip words without realizing it)

responding to a hater.......2005-12-10

Were it not for the fact that this album is quite listenable - and indeed enjoyable - I would be tempted to give this five stars just to spite Adam Lindsley, the profoundly closed-minded and musically stunted spawn of the 1970's music scene who gave it one star in his review. He lambasts this album, citing the decline in music sice the 90's (when, presumably, he listened to such musically intellectual bands as INXS or some such repetitive dance music nonsense).

I might feel a modicum of guilt for giving this album a good review simply for the sake of argument. Thank God that the Rocket Summer deserves the five stars it seems to be almost universally getting. What Lindsley passes off as garbage is simply a new and different style that obviously does not appeal to him. And that's just fine... or it would be if he kept his disrespect off of a forum such as amazon.

This album is quite a pleasing listen, nice, warm, and laid back. It is peaceful music, and, as another reviewer noted, it is for those who haven't been jaded into thinking that upbeat and optimistic lyrics are a sign of immaturity. I would highly recommend it for anyone searching for something new, something that they can feel good while listening to. Just say no to disgruntled 70's-music-wannabe's and pick up this album. You won't regret it.

rocket summer!.......2005-07-28

this is definitely an amazing cd. i love it so much! if you're into indie, get this. please, get this. the lyrics might be high school level but it's just an amazing CD that almost everyone can rock out to. seriously, get it. it's just a great CD.

Rocker Summer Sizzles.......2005-05-26

I recently stumbled acrossed this band a few days ago. I would have to say that I'm quite impressed with their effort. I have yet to hear their first cd or the new one that came out a fews days ago, but if they sound anything like Calendar Days, then I'll be buying them as well.

If you like the indie rock, emo sound then this is a cd to get you started.

Well most people will say and i'll agreel Lyically they aren't as good as someone such as Copeland or Mae, but then again they sound completely different all together. With the expections of "cheap shots and TV family" most of the lyrics seems to be writted for high schoolers. The song titled Saturday says it all. The tracks just have a carefree, immature style to them. But hey it still works... for the most part. It's a great cd to pop in the car and just drive.

The vocals aren't as clean as I think they could have been. Some peopole complain about the lead's whining, straining. FOr me it's actually what i liked about the songs. He sings his heart out, in tune or not. Another great thing, is something that I find rare; the music(the tempo, sounds etc) actually supplments the lyrics and the vocals. It's seems the wrote the lyrics to a track, rather than adding a track to lyrics if that makes sense.

Stand Out tracks: TV Family, Mean Thoughts and Cheap Shots, What we Hate We Make, and This is me.

There are 1 or 2 filler tracks on the cd, but tother than that, I think the cd is pretty good. I would somewhat recommend.

Average customer rating:

The best driving/chill out music
the height
Amazing
Suprised at how boring it was.....
Brilliant, Smart, Beautiful

Beneath Medicine Tree
Copeland
Manufacturer: Militia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

In Motion
Know Nothing Stays the Same
Destination: Beautiful
The Everglow
Composure

ASIN: B00008H2N0
Release Date: 2003-03-25

Tracks:

Brightest
Testing The Strong Ones
Priceless
Take Care
When Paula Sparks
California
She Changes Your Mind
There Cannot Be A Close Second
Coffee
Walking Downtown
When Finally Set Free

Customer Reviews:

The best driving/chill out music.......2007-04-24

The more I listen to this album, the more I love it.
Copeland's vocals and instrumentation are powerful and unique. There is a song on this cd to suit my every mood.
"When Finally Set Free" is my personal favorite, but "Priceless" and "Brightest" are amazing as well. I consider it to be a must have indie album.

the height.......2007-02-21

This is probably in my point of view the best copeland album so far. An amazing collection of songs filled with love, sorrow, regret and sadness, thought they are so perfectly created they can make you feel both happy and sad. but with Aaron Marsh's voice nothing gets bad. Most of the songs from this album was written by Aaron when someone he loved was sick, so most of the songs are for that person and you can really hear his honesty in them.

a true masterpiece

Amazing.......2006-12-22

Just like THis Providence's first album after changing their name from "The Sunday Best", this album has every song that is a masterpiece of songwriting. Songs like "Walking Downtown" is an upbeat song with faster rhythms. "Coffee" is jsut as smooth as a 40 oz. cup of coffee poured with 55 gallons of vanilla cream, refined with melted caramel and cocoa. That's how smooth it is. "Priceless" actually labels this CD as just what it is: PRICELESS. Another good song is. "There Cannot be a Close Second" Faster but slow rhythms make the perfect mix for a song. Just get thtis CD, for whatever price. You won't be disappointed.

Suprised at how boring it was............2006-06-05

If you want to hear a talented band that actually has lyrics that are poignant without being cliched, go listen to Muse. Far more diverse, and the most talent I've ever seen packed into three guys. Go listen to Muse and then tell me the guy in this band is a good singer.... yeah, right....

Brilliant, Smart, Beautiful.......2006-04-19

The amazingness and uniquness/brilliance of this album can be compared to something like Sunny Day Real Estate. It's just that good, and it's a work of pure genius, the lyrics themselves, while not abstract, are very touching and incredible.

Average customer rating:

A little different than Pretend You're Alive, but still good.
Slightly Underdeveloped.
Lovedrug- Everything Starts Where It Ends
Lovedrug matches up to Edward Scissorhands?
2.5 Stars... Untapped Potential

Everything Starts Where It Ends
Lovedrug
Manufacturer: Militia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

All the Houses Look the Same
Memory Man
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ASIN: B000MGBTUM
Release Date: 2007-03-06

Tracks:

Happy Apple Poison
Pushing The Shine
Castling
Thieving
Bleed Together
Dancing
Ghost By Your Side
Casino Clouds
Doomsday & The Echo
Salt Of The Earth
American Swimming Lesson
Everything Starts Where It Ends

Customer Reviews:

A little different than Pretend You're Alive, but still good........2007-06-16

Pretend You're Alive is one of my favourite CDs of all time (being beaten only by mewithoutYou's two latest cds). I was really excited about hearing this new CD... until I heard the song "Happy Apple Poison" online. I didn't think it seemed like something Lovedrug would make. When the CD finally came out, I was still a little hesitant. "Happy Apple Poison" and "Castling" seemed nauseatingly poppy, and the rest wasn't really working for me either. But after a few listens, the album has really grown on me. "Salt of the Earth" might be my favourite Lovedrug song of all time. Although there are a few tracks that are poppier songs that I don't really like that much, I realized that Pretend You're Alive was like that too with "Spiders" and even "Rocknroll" a bit. Now I think I listen to this CD more than Pretend You're Alive, but Pretend You're Alive is still better in my books.

Overall, this CD is more upbeat for the most part. They kind of headed more in the direction of "Pandamoranda" and "Radiology" with a few songs, and then more pop-type songs like "Blackout" and "Spiders" with the others.

If you're a Lovedrug fan though, DEFINITELY buy it. The music is still really original and well-written. If you're a musician, figure out some of the songs like "Pushing The Shine" and you'll appreciate it more I think. The chord progressions can be really unique, which is something I like to hear.

Slightly Underdeveloped........2007-06-10

On Lovedrug's shockingly good "Pretend You're Alive", the band did everything right. The songwriting was surprisingly talented, the instrumentation was skilled if not innovative, the melodies were inspiring, and the crooning was cathartic at times. Songs like "Blackout" and "Pretend You're Alive" hinted at greatness. That album might have been their "Pablo Honey". And of course, they did wear their influences on their sleeves.

Instead, Lovedrug made a more middle-of-the-road alternative rock album. Whereas on the first album, Matthew Shephard sounded like Thom Yorke and the drummer sounded like Eric Judy, the band now seems unsure of who to mimic - Muse, Radiohead, Placebo? I actually predicted this a few months ago - I saw them live twice during the fall/winter of 2006, and Lovedrug's new material was very jammy and almost over-emotive. There is such a thing as trying to hard.

Now, as a disclaimer, nothing I've said above discounts this record. It is good of course, as much of rock music can be passingly good. I just no longer see anything setting Lovedrug apart in contemporary music.

Rating: 6.4/10.0

Lovedrug- Everything Starts Where It Ends.......2007-05-02

I'm getting to the age where rock music trends are starting to elude me. It seems like so much of what's popular now swings wildly from bubblegum, to rap, to punk, to emo with some hardcore metal in between. So when I received Lovedrug's Everything Starts Where It End in the mail, I automatically pigeon-holed it as another band in a long line of Coldplay wannabes.

I couldn't have been more off the mark. While Lovedrug's sound does bear a resemblance to Coldplay, Copeland and many other emo bands, they've taken the form one step further, laying down extremely rich layers of swirling guitars and bright melodies which moves the emo genre forward.

Everything Starts Where It Ends is a follow up to Lovedrug's first album, Pretend Your Alive. Admittedly, I wasn't familiar with the group until now and I'm impressed with their musical tributes to some of the heady days of Seattle grunge. Michael Shepherd's vocals and the bands sonic edge bring to mind early Modest Mouse and Sunny Day Real Estate, blending ethereal lyrics with a grunge-tinged experimentalism that recalls some of the best work of Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins. Shepherd and co-guitarist David Owen offer multi-layered tracks of harmonic convergence, much like the work of David Roback's work in The Rain Parade, Mazzy Star, and Opal. The rhythm section of Korey Jones and James Childress keep the mood subdued, leaving lots of open territory for Shepherd and Owen to play in.

It isn't often that such a mélange of styles works as cohesively as it does for Lovedrug. But Everything Starts Where It Ends hangs together extremely well, with tight, masterful guitar taunts against Jones' brooding lines. Shepherds lyrical references to angels, fauna, the color red and demons are used as slightly repetitious metaphors that emphasize the pain Shepherd sees in the world we've created. Standout songs include: "Happy Apple Poison", "Thieving", "Bleed Together", and "Ghost by Your Side".

While some of us may be getting too old to follow musical trends, none of us are too old to learn from up and coming acts. Lovedrug has provided my soul with sustenance and has reminded me that nothing deserves to be pigeon-holed.

Lovedrug matches up to Edward Scissorhands?.......2007-04-14

So what is this news I hear that their new cd matches up perfectly to Edward Scissorhands? Someone mentioned that you put the CD/iPod on shuffle and repeat and turn on the movie. That's pretty flippin cool.

2.5 Stars... Untapped Potential.......2007-03-20

The first time I heard a Lovedrug song was nearly two years ago. As the opening melodies of "Blackout" drifted through my ears, I was awestruck by the painful beauty that the band portrayed so well, with Michael Shepard's artsy vocals soaring above rip-your-heart-out, beautiful guitars. That song came off of their 2004 release, Pretend You're Alive, which upon its release became The Militia Group's fastest selling album, charting at #4 and #43 on Billboard's Internet and Independent charts respectively. The band toured relentlessly in promotion of that record, and has since played over 300 shows.

Enthused by the brilliant start, Columbia Records upstreamed the band with plans for a 2005 re-release, before widely publicized instability and a revolving door of key figures at the label took its toll. Eventually Lovedrug was granted release from Columbia, taking with them new recordings began with Pretend producer Tim Patalan in between tours in late '05 and '06. The new album's title, Everything Starts Where it Ends, seems to indicate that the band is still ready, in the words of Shepard, "to become the biggest band in the world."

One of the most noticeable differences between Everything Starts is the approach that the band took to their songwriting. "The writing process was just way different this time around," Shepard explains. "There was less of the spontaneity that took place on Pretend, where I'd tend to just sit at the piano and write. On this record everything's more methodical." And while I'm all for having a focused sound, this growing trend for bands to be as methodical as possible bothers me to a point. On one hand, the result is that all of the songs on the record have a cohesive form, but sometimes the record feels passionless. Of course, in saying that I'm not referring to the lyrics, which seem to dwell almost exclusively on themes of anger, despair, and loneliness.

Many things on this album stand out more than Pretend: the music is more rock-oriented, the guitar-tones are hotter, and Shepard's vocals are all over the place. The problem is, this mixture doesn't always work. For example, the opener, "Happy Apple Poison," starts off with an off-kilter acoustic guitar riff that pulls the listener in, but sacrifices interestingness for a lackluster chorus that dabbles in a prog-rock sound that feels a little out of place. At times, "Pushing the Shine" reminds me of Blindside's more recent work (and no, I didn't think I'd ever reference those Swedish rockers in a Lovedrug review), with manic vocals and screeching guitars. The next two tracks, "Castling," and "Thieving" are more of a return to the piano rock of Pretend but are largely forgettable.

The middle of the album follows the unremarkable trend up until the final three tracks. "Salt of the Earth" opens with the haunting sound of a rattling chain and features huge ambient riffs evocative of Radiohead. "American Swimming Lesson" is the hardest rocker on the album with Shepard's frenzied vocals rising almost to a scream as the guitars rip through the song. He lampoons the American dream during the chorus:

You are following
You were hoping to find something to shine
But you are out of your mind
to be so in love with this capitol world

The album closes on a slightly more hopeful note with the title track, a slowly building ballad that shows a lot of post-rock influence as it clocks out at about seven minutes and Shepard sings:

All this will start where it ends
Wake up, you're alive
We're on your side

Although Everything Starts Where It Ends is an ambitious step for a band so young, and at times shows the brilliance so present on Pretend You're Alive, overall it feels forced and, ultimately, disappointing. Buy this album if you're a diehard fan. If you're simply new and curious, and encourage you to either buy a copy of Pretend You're Alive. One has to wonder what might have happened if the approach had been different, because the potential for greatness is obviously there.

Average customer rating:

Singer-songwriter makes music of empathy, compassion, and spirituality.
Music for Soothing
Solid Release...
just what we need
capable of more

Are You a Dreamer?
Denison Witmer
Manufacturer: Militia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Safe Away
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ASIN: B0009X75X8
Release Date: 2005-07-26

Tracks:

Little Flowers
Everything But Sleep
Ringing Of The Bell Tower
Are You A Dreamer?
East From West
California Brown And Blue
Castle And Cathedral
Worry All The Time
Grandma Mary
Finding Your Feet Again

Album Description

From Pitchforkmedia.com:

Denison Witmer Album to Feature Sufjan Stevens David Nadelle reports: Years toiling in dive bars and incessant journal-writing are starting to pay off for Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Denison Witmer. While often compared to 70s classic songwriting relics like James Taylor and admitted influences Jackson Browne and Graham Nash, his earnest, idiosyncratic style has matured and now is more akin to Damien Jurado, Pedro the Lion or even Elliott Smith at times. His new album Are You a Dreamer? will be released on July 26 and will be his first album on the Militia Group.

The album is loosely conceptual, themed around all the aspects of dreams and the sense of hope that can be derived from them. Are You a Dreamer? benefits from contributions by a gifted cast of contributors, with Sufjan Stevens, the Innocence Mission's Don and Karen Peris, Ester Drang's James McAlister, and Shara Worden filling out the sound of Witmer's personal narrative tales.

Customer Reviews:

Singer-songwriter makes music of empathy, compassion, and spirituality. .......2006-01-14

This is music to rest your spirit in, pure and simple. For me this album is like a meditation-- I feel rested and rejuvenated every time I play it. In today's slamming beat-driven music market (which has produced some wonderfully wild arrangements), that makes it the ultimate outsider album. Yet I have a feeling that with the added push of record label Militia Music, Witmer could certainly claim the cult audience he deserves. I'm a child of the 1970s, so my tendency is to compare the songs on ARE YOU A DREAMER? to the gentlest efforts by Cat Stevens (think "The Wind"), Donovan (ie "Catch the Wind" or his work on the film Brother Sun Sister Moon), James Taylor at his sweet baby jamesiest, and even Jackson Browne ("Our Lady of the Well"). Witmer's voice is serenity and sensitivity personified, while his lyrics embrace and intertwine both secular and spiritual themes so that you hardly notice or care where one ends and the other begins (dare I say it, like a dream)-- he infuses all topics he tackles with hope and possibility, which is a rare artistic niche. Musically, his finger-picking guitar style gently paces the musical approach which is rooted in the post-folk music singer-songwriter genre. His producer and accompanist, guitarist/keyboardist Don Peris (Innocence Mission), adds even more space and ambiance, and finishing touches are provided by guests like indie-rock fave Sufjan Stevens (vocals, keyboards, guitar, recorders), James McAlister (whose drumming is a surprise standout for such a gentle album), and beautiful harmony vocals by Karen Peris among others. If you resonate with these comments, I don't see how you can go wrong with this album-- it's a classic of its genre and one of the best albums of 2005.

Music for Soothing.......2005-11-23

This album is perfect as a soft folk driven release. Any fan of indie-folk will enjoy this solid collection of personal songs about life; it's not to be underestimated. This album wraps you up in comfort and leaves you quietly content, wanting more. I reccomend this album to anyone looking to just feel good as they listen.

Solid Release..........2005-10-13

As another reviewer said, "Music is such a subjective transient experience!" Truer words have never been written! My experience with Are You A Dreamer? has been the polar opposite of their 2 star review. Are You A Dreamer, Denison's tenth album, has not left my stereo since I purchased it a month ago. I become more attached to it with every listen and it has become a well-loved, if not revered, record in my circle of friends.
Dreamer is a very underestimated album. Although it takes some a few listens to fully enjoy, even the less catchy tunes eventually sink their teeth in and don't let go. Don Peris's (of The Innocence Mission and Denison's debut Safe Away) production is very shimmery and clean. The songs while very basic in structure, are layered with arrangements which bring out the best of each song without getting in the way of Denison's folksy songwriting. The arrangements mostly consist of finger style acoustic guitar, dreamy (almost jazzy) electric guitar, female harmony vocals (Karen Peris of "The Innocence Mission" on a few songs), organ, piano, and even light drums on a few tracks. Denison's vocals are up front and his voice evokes emotion like few other records of the past several years. His vocals seem to be getting better and more mature with each record he releases. Lyrically Denison has improved as well. He seems a bit less caught up in himself and able to write from a larger, perhaps older, worldview. Songs like Little Flowers, California Brown and Blue, and Grandma Mary are my favorites. I was especially excited to see Sufjan Stevens (Sufjan's reaching HUGE popularity with his own record Illinois right now) as a guest musician. He plays banjo and sings on a few of the songs.
Most of my favorite records are one's with moments that didn't necessarily strike me the first time through, yet had an element that kept me coming back until I became completely hooked on them. "Are You A Dreamer" is no exception to this rule.
If you like Paul Simon, Iron and Wine, Sufjan Stevens, Gillian Welch or even Ryan Adams, I highly recommend this record.
Denison is constantly on tour and with his warm and gracious stage presence he keeps people coming back and buying albums (very few artists are as prolific). My friends and I maintain that he translates best live, but this record has really captured the warmth in what he does best - sharing his honest, heartfelt songs about every day life. If after reading this review you are still on the fence about it check out his myspace site @ www. myspace.com/denisonwitmer to hear a couple of tracks.

just what we need.......2005-09-27

With the spectrum of crap available to customers out there, it's nice to see Denison consistently producing music that is what it is...sincere, simple, touching, and not bowing to the preference for cheese like many of the musicians he gets grouped wtih. Though this c.d. seems more complex than other Witmer albums, it still carries a soft, comforting component that he seems to have perfected over the years. And like you might expect, his music seems to go unnoticed due to its lack of bells and whistles. For those of you like me, who have failed at writing your own music, you will truly appreciate what Denison is able to do...he gives the listener a glimpse of real human emotion without becoming a greeting card commercial. And, his finger-picking guitar style really out-does most singer-songwriter stuff that's out there right now...it really is unfortunate that he hasn't gotten more exposure...I think this is one of Denison's best abulms and I can't immagine anyone being disapointed with this listen...

capable of more.......2005-09-16

Music is such a subjective transient experience! With that being noted, I am always hesitant to take the time to write a review or comment about a recording ( actually this is a first). This disc starts out with a fairly well crafted moderate-yet mellow, poetic tune that had me initially believing this was going to be a great disc. Unfortunately there are only glimpses of what I like to hear-this recording lost my attention. Mellow, laid back and reflective is fine (ie iron and wine -old elliot smith, nick drake)... Im still searching for something more.

Average customer rating:

More than what I had expected
Again, a surprise
Loved it...
Perfection surrounded by imperfection
Beautifully crafted melodies...

In Motion
Copeland
Manufacturer: Militia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Beneath Medicine Tree
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Destination: Beautiful
Never Take Friendship Personal

ASIN: B0007TFHYI
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Tracks:

No One Really Wins
Choose the One Who Loves You More
Pin Your Wings
Sleep
Kite
Don't Slow Down
Love is a Fast Song
You Have My Attention
You Love to Sing
Hold Nothing Back

Amazon.com

Singer Aaron Marsh says where Copeland's 2003 full-length, Beneath Medicine Tree, was designed to move people, its follow-up was made to make people move. It's a little distinction that's sure to rile a lot of people that didn't think there was much room for improvement after the first album's near perfect balance of raw emotion and breath-taking melody. But get past the brash punk-pop of tracks such as "Your Love Is A Fast Song" and "Pin Your Wings," and the same wounded heart that was beating behind the debut lurks underneath the noise and confusion of In Motion--in epic, orchestral songs like "Kite" and "Sleep." Marsh's dependence of lyrical clichés is slightly disappointing, as is Ken Andrew's overdone production, but overall this is the sound of a band moving forward. Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews:

More than what I had expected.......2006-12-11

I love this CD. At first, one might slap the label of same old whiney band right? I did. I saw the video for pin your wings down and pretty much made that decision. I heard the album a few months later and let me tell you what I found. This guys voice is angelic. Very soothing. At times, I wonder if you could call this Jazz Rock. Very steady drive, but with all the accoutremont to make it a melodic masterpiece. Plenty of songs you could break up or make up to.
This record is just what you need.

Again, a surprise.......2006-04-07

To begin, I tend not to listen to much indie/rock style music. The softest I usually go when it comes to music is Mae; I am more for heavy, yet melodic music. This CD, though, took me by surprise. I had many friends who are into this band, so I decided to stop listening to Bullet for My Valentine and pop this in. I must say, this is a very good album. If you don't have "Love is a fast song" or "No one really wins" in your head, then I would be very surprised. The melodies are catchy, the music well done, and the lyrics are much less corny than the genre is known for.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants a mellower-style indie/rock album.

Loved it..........2006-02-25

What can I say? Infectuous tunes, fabuluous lyrics, haunting vocals... one of the best albums I've bought in a long while!! "No One Really Wins This Time" and "Kite" are my favorite tracks.

Perfection surrounded by imperfection.......2005-10-26

When I first heard Copeland's "Beneath Medicine Tree" some two years ago, I wasn't sure how much I liked the band. That CD was mostly a low-key mix of acoustic emo and Gin Blossoms-style pop-rock. However-as is the case with most people, I'm sure-I grew to love singer Aaron Marsh's crooning and the band's two-guitar textures and song structures.

This CD seems like a natural progression for the band. The hard songs are harder and the soft songs are more contemplative. From a production standpoint, the overall sound quality on "In Motion" is leaps and bounds ahead of "Medicine Tree." The vocals are cleaner, the guitars are more punchy, the bass really growls (when called for) and the drums are very tight and sound incredible.

As far as songs go, there are a few absolute gems here. What surprises me about other people's reviews is that not many are singling out "Love is a Fast Song." The song is easily the best on the album, easily the best of Copeland's career thus far, and-truly-the best emo song I have ever heard. It is perfect in every way-lyrically, musically and technically. The opening guitar riff is heavy, sludgy and would have made Quicksand jealous. That one riff is like nothing Copeland has done before-it's a shame there weren't more like it on the album (but I'll get to that in a bit). The bass and drums during the verses are marvelously tight and drive the heart-wrenching vocals home more perfectly than any rock song I've heard. And I cannot stay still or silent when the song explodes into its power chord-laden chorus. This song alone is worth purchasing the album.

The next best song would easily be "Don't Slow Down." The song doesn't rock like "Fast Song," but it will move you like no other. This song really shows what magic singer Aaron Marsh can work with his voice and his lyrics ("You can take everything I have/Just don't leave my side now-don't leave my side") and what the band can do with their music. The chords in this song are not complex (a plus if you want to play it on guitar), but the music is smattered with shimmering, ethereal layers that complement each other perfectly. Aaron easily has the best voice in the indie rock/emo game and his tonal range and gorgeous delivery are showcased here.

Other highlights include "No One Really Wins," a very punchy and energetic opener for the album that includes some great distorted bass and mean guitar riffs. Also, "Pin Your Wings" is a great upbeat rock song.

Unfortunately, the album is not without flaws. The band did itself and us as listeners a great disservice by including too many down-tempo ballads on the album. While "You Have My Attention" works well, others like "You Love to Sing" and "Hold Nothing Back" are (gasp!) boring. Some would argue that these songs just show Copeland's softer side, but they just pale badly in comparison to the other great songs on this album. And "Kite," which invokes what sounds like an Italian love song one would hear on the canals of Venice (complete with accordian and scratchy film reel background noise), simply doesn't work.

While songs like "Fast Song" and "Don't Slow Down" deserve six stars, I won't give the album five stars based on the strength of those songs. It may deserve that, but the tracks are just too inconsistent for me to give this CD a perfect score. Copeland would do well to realize that their guitars sound best with the distortion turned up. Also, as beautiful as Aaron's voice is, it doesn't seem to do him justice to have only acoustic guitars backing him up on most of the ballads. He truly shines with the whole band pounding away behind him. With any luck, the next album will give us more pure musical brilliance in the vein of "Fast Song" and "Don't Slow Down." Until then, however, you simply must own this CD.

P.S. As a side note, I'm a graphic designer (as is Copeland's bassist), so I love the classy, understated look of the album art and typography. It just goes to show the multifaceted (not just musical) talents of this wonderful band.

Beautifully crafted melodies..........2005-09-28

Copeland's second release is quite an accomplishment, very mature, yet not missing an element of rawness that all good indie music possesses. The keys on this release are well put, the atmosphere superb. There's also a lot of "after-you-think-it's-over" music as well (Sleep, Love is a Fast Song, Sleep, Choose the one Who loves you more, You have my Attention, You Love to Sing), you can really tell Copeland really feels what they do.

1. No one Really Wins this Time--overall 10/10-the guitars hit harder on this song than most of their former works (which may come as a surprise to fans of the last album; which I've listened to a little). The lyrics "in this fight of grace and pride, I don't wanna win this time" are just so awesome. Aaron's one of the best lyricists in the industry, period. Would make an awesome single.

2. Choose the One Who Loves You More 10/10-another superb track, the keys more influential, and is more melody-sensitive. As always, Aaron's lyrics and vocals are great. I love what they do with the drums on this song, it keeps the song moving; there is also a guest singer (which was a shock the first time I heard him, as he has a much deeper voice than Aaron, and I didn't realize it wasn't Aaron, lol). For some reason it just reminds me of drinking coffee while it's raining just outside the shop.

3. Pin Your Wings 10/10-didn't like this one at first, but it grew on me, and is such a fun, light-hearted song! Anybody know who Amanda is?

4. Sleep 10/10-this song is so great. The piano is great. The vocals are great. It's just awesome. It's just one of those love songs that just have the best atmosphere.

5. Kite 9/10-It's odd to hear an accordion, but this song is clearly supposed to have a lot of atmosphere to it-the old movie reel clicking in the background is really cool. Sounds a bit like something out of the sixties. It's all accordion and piano.

6. Don't Slow Down 8/10-I love the lyrics on this song, and definitely the piano. "You can take everything I have, just don't leave my side!"

7. Love is a Fast Song 10/10-this song just plain rocks. The guitars are heavier than anything they've ever done before; as always Aaron shines. The lead guitar work is great.

8. You Have My Attention 10/10-this is one of my favorites, the lyrics are very personal, "I'll sing along, the whole day through." It nearly makes me cry. It's beautiful, the melodies just soar, especially when Aaron really let's go at the end. It's so powerful!

9. You Love to Sing 10/10-possibly my favorite song on the album... "Sing with your head up; with your eyes wide, not because you love the song, but because you love to sing, you love to sing..." is so meaningful to me. I think it's kind of a metaphor of life-live with your head up, with your eyes wide, not because you love the life, but because you love to *live*.

10. Hold Nothing Back 10/10-the shortest track; very peaceful acoustic guitars with the electric backing it up. Aaron is such the romantic; I love it, I love it. :-)

So, Copeland rocks, and makes some great emo-no-screamo, to the benefit of all who are privileged enough to experience this CD. All 41 minutes and 28 seconds are great. And they get 97 out of 100. It's hard to beat that, mates.

Average customer rating:

This is an amazing band.
Gotta agree with broski...
Overall, their best to date . . .
Same old Appleseed Cast
Appleseed Cast - circa 2006

Peregrine
The Appleseed Cast
Manufacturer: Militia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Low Level Owl: Volume 1
Mare Vitalis
The End of the Ring Wars
Low Level Owl, Vol. 2
Lost Songs

ASIN: B000EGDN4U
Release Date: 2006-03-21

Tracks:

ceremony
woodland hunter (part 1)
here we are (family in the hall)
silas' knife
mountain halo
sunlit and ascending
february
an orange and a blue
song 3
woodland hunter (part 2)
peregrine
a fate delivered
the clock and the storm

Customer Reviews:

This is an amazing band........2007-06-17

Appleseed Cast is a pillar in great music. I dont think that they have ever put out an album that is not great. I just saw them live and was amazed at their performance. They were able to play so many instrumental songs and still totally engage the listner, hard thing to pull of live. Plus I have never seen a band tune so much in my life, after every song. I also saw the Life and Times which were unreal live, check them out for sure.

Gotta agree with broski..........2007-05-27

The review below me is actually right on. However, I really like this album. I didnt at first, but it has earned its right into my CD player again. Yes, its the same formula as most of their recordings, but thats not a bad thing at all. I guess you could say it follows closely to Two Conversations, but I think that the song writing is more solid in a listener friendly way towards the back nine of the album. They do what they do best in this CD, but a new musical perspective might be a good thin for a new album.

Overall, their best to date . . . .......2006-09-28

I find myself wanting to push past the first two songs, jump right into "We Are" and continue from there. But instead, I take a breath and listen to what the band wants us to hear. And I'm not dissapointed. Well, not completely.

"Ceremony" is what one may have expected to hear come first on the Appleseed Cast's last album, Two Conversations, a gritty instrumental track following the epic Low Level Owl albums. To me, Two Conversations wasn't a hiccup, but it didn't seem like a natural progression. LLO may have just been too high of a bar to set (as many have said). Now having digested Peregrine for a while, Two Conversations seems a natural progression for the band as it's relative simplicty and more straighforward songwriting has combined with all that came before into this fairly great album, Peregrine.

Is this album completely unique and mind blowing? Not really, if you've heard the Appleseed Cast before, but this is a damn good album. "Sunlit Ascending" and "Peregrine" are probably the two standout tracks for me, though I do like everything on this album. The weakest point comes from the second song "Woodland Hunter (Part 1)" as it seems a bit contrived, but "Part 2" saves it later in the album and giving the first part a purpose.

I have given this album to any number of people who have never heard of the Appleseed Cast and I have yet to find someone who dislikes it. Obviously, some are blown away and others jump around and hit the high points, but it is hard to call this a bad album. For the Appleseed Cast, Peregrine isn't completely original, but their songwriting is strong throughout resulting in what is probably their most accomplished and listenable album yet. Highly recommended.

Same old Appleseed Cast.......2006-07-05

Upon hearing this record you would think the Appleseed Cast had been listening only to their own records for the past years.

Peregrine essentially repeats the appleseed cast formula of enigmatic lyrics over delay laden mellow guitar riffs and uneven drum rythms.The vocals are as usual buried somewhere behind the mix.Then the song rocks out at the end.Repeat.

This would all be good and well,except this is not their first or second record.I used to really like them,but these days I'm honestly getting tired of them.The mid-nineties were a long time ago after all.

Here and there the band ventures into the usual semi-electronic experimentation.They also made sure this record didn't sound as good or as polished as the last one,beacause we all know polished,well recorded albums are evil.

No,better to record half the album in a basement somewhere,and eventually mush it all up in a sonic salad of distorted guitars,overcompressed drums,"ambient" sounds and synths.Oh,and let's not forget the random sampled radio in the background.Very new.Very experimental.

And what would an AC album be without the mellow rock instrumentals?Yeah,those are there as well.

Needless to say,a lot of people are going to feel very intelligent for liking this record,but if you've known the band for some time,believe you me,you've seen it all before.

Appleseed Cast - circa 2006.......2006-05-19

Despite what different people feel about this album, I think everyone can agree on this, Appleseed Cast has evolved, albeit not in a way that alot of fans particularly care for. Honestly, I love the logical progression this band has made through the years, and just as none of their past albums should be/can be compared to any of the others, I will not even try to compare or mention any of their past works in this review. It just wouldn't be fair. Besides, if you pick up a band's new album thinking 'hmm, if this sounds like that one album they did, it should be great', you're missing the point in the first place. A band's purpose is to express themselves and put their blood, heart and soul into each album, not simply create extensions of the same sound. Even if Appleseed Cast put out a rap album with their next release, I know I could buy it with confidence, simply because I know what kind of effort Chris Crisci and Co. is going to put into an album. True, this album is more electronic and the new drummer DEFINITELY puts a new spin on things (honestly I do like the cymbal heavy sound of the old drummer quite a bit more), and at times, some of the songs can sound a little like typical indie music, but the Cast feel is still there, making almost every song sound like a galaxy in a marble, so epic and terrifyingly spacious, and yet so intimate and unassuming.

Overall, if you honestly enjoy music and the expression that can be felt from it, and you appreciate Appleseed Cast's evolution and emotional output, by all means, buy this CD, you will love it, however, if you just want to hear a reissue of something they've already done, go back to your cradle and pop LLO in for the 400th time already.