trevor Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 There was some discussion of this in the Magnetic Fields topic, but I didn't want to completely hijack that so I decided to make a new one. Anyway, BSP's latest disc, Do You Like Rock Music?, leaked yesterday. When they announced it a couple months back, I laughed at the over-the-top title, although that's pretty par-for-the-course given BSP's theatrics and antics, but upon listening to this for the first time last nite, I can't remember a more appropriately titled CD in the last decade. This is turn-the-volume-to-11, put-on-a-helmet ROCK, especially the first half of the CD. So much so, actually, that if track 8 "The Great Skua" didn't reign in and calm down, I'm pretty sure my head would explode. I'm not a gigantic fan of the band, unlike some people on ateaseweb.com/mb which I frequent (some of the guys over there act as if BSP is the greatest musical act of all time), but something about them does really strike a chord with me. Maybe it's my British ancestry that allows me to connect with a band that is so blatantly, erm, British. The first album had major post-punk threads woven thru-out; their second one was pretty much a Smiths record; this...I dunno. In places this reminds me of early Oasis, but I can't peg why, because they definitely don't sound similar. And I think that BSP is more tapped-in and has a much broader emotional range and connection than Oasis does, but...maybe this is what Oasis should've sounded like. Maybe this is what they were going for. This is indie rock anthems mutated for stadiums and festivals (one listen to "Waving Flags" will convince you of this, it's the closest anyone's come to duplicating the brilliance of Arcade Fire's "Wake Up".) The only thing about this record that's disappointed me so far is the lyrical eccentricities seemed to be missing. Or maybe they're just better incorporated into the songs, I dunno. I've only listened to this a few times so far. Anyway, this still doesn't officially come out for a month, but I'm pretty sure that this time next year when I'm compiling my best of '08 list, this album will be very high on it. Do You Like Rock Music? Yes, I do. Any other fans? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Boots Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Picked this up today after Solace gave it thumbs up in the MF thread, and after my first listen (first intro to the band as well) I am impressed, it will indeed get plenty of play in the near future Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 hmm... a lot of people/articles keep bringing up the Arcade Fire when talking about this album and I guess i don't hear it that much myself. for one they have rock guitar, AF rarely have. maybe in the bombastic and epic-ness of some of the songs i suppose. Down on the Ground -> A Trip Out is just a sick sick combo that riff for A Trip Out kills me. it's nothing original at all, but man. reminds me of old Replacements a bit. there's maybe 2-3 songs total on here that i don't totally adore, and even those aren't bad songs. this album is a great combination of the heavier and more frantic energy of the first combined with the more lush melodies of Open Season (which i was definitely still let down by, but it's grown on me over the last 2 years). but yeah, while it's merely a shot in the dark prediction, if there's 20 better albums than this that come out in 2008, holy shit we're in for a ride Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trevor Posted December 12, 2007 Author Share Posted December 12, 2007 "Lights Out For Darker Skies" is just...wow. Listening to it again right now. The last half, after that break that sounds like Led Zeppelin's "Rain Song," just keeps building and building until it's almost too much. And yeah, it's only at the start of "Waving Flags" that I'm getting an Arcade Fire vibe. Others are going on about it being "bargain bin AF", and I'm really not sure where they're getting that from. But the start of Waving Flags, with them all singing like that...it really jumped up on me the first few times I listened to it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 It's an awesome album. The first five tracks are just complete killers - epic riffs with great lyrics. It's as if they've finally realised how good they can be - mixing the best parts of the last two albums into one perfect slice of rock. Marvellous. I echo Kyle's statement, if there's albums better than this next year it's going to be a fantastic year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
explodo Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 I'm liking it so far. Not striking me quite as hard as their first record did initially, but it's too early for me to make any solid statements. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Kinsley Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Where exactly do albums leak to? Is this on someone's blog or something? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pnêyu Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 When it rains, it pours: They're playing in San Francisco, Bottom of the Hill as part of Noise Pop on March 1. Yippeeeeee!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trevor Posted December 14, 2007 Author Share Posted December 14, 2007 just keeps getting better with every listen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 anyone else notice that the ambient organ melody during We Close Our Eyes (which is sort of a weird reprise of All In It) is basically the same as the Office theme song? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 Hmm. I wonder if/when this will be up on emusic. It seems like they pre-release a lot of stuff there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trevor Posted December 14, 2007 Author Share Posted December 14, 2007 anyone else notice that the ambient organ melody during We Close Our Eyes (which is sort of a weird reprise of All In It) is basically the same as the Office theme song? someone mentioned this on another msg board, and now the song's been pretty much ruined for me...i was listening to it on the bus yesterday and almost started laughing out loud when the organ kicked in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 that "song" was kinda bugging me anyway. i mean i "get it", but it's still somewhat pointless Quote Link to post Share on other sites
explodo Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 This is becoming an addiction. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trevor Posted December 14, 2007 Author Share Posted December 14, 2007 last track wouldn't bug me so much if it was 2-3 minutes shorter, it's pretty much dead air until the organ powers up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Welsh Rich Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 anyone else notice that the ambient organ melody during We Close Our Eyes (which is sort of a weird reprise of All In It) is basically the same as the Office theme song? I'm ignoring that... Got sent through an official release of it yesterday and it's got a very nice booklet with it full of cool photos and artwork. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chendizzle Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Yeah the bookend idea didn't really word. All In It comes off as a massive intro and then it kicks into Lights Out, but We Close Our Eyes is just begging me to put on something else rather than wait for the redundant outro. Great album though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trevor Posted December 18, 2007 Author Share Posted December 18, 2007 THERE'S THINGS THAT WE ALL NEED TO NAVIGATE can't get enough of this. the beauty of "no need to cry"-->"open the door" is multiplied exponentially by everything that comes before it... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
redjim Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Hmm -- i was listening this morning and was reminded of the Catherine Wheel in parts -- maybe it's just me though Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 OMFG. this is their first time coming to Minnesota in like 3-4 tours and 5 years... holy fucking shit... Mon 02/25/08 San Diego, CA The Casbah Wed 02/27/08 Los Angeles, CA Echo Thu 02/28/08 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland Fri 02/29/08 Visalia, CA Cellar Door Sat 03/01/08 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill Mon 03/03/08 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge Tue 03/04/08 Seattle, WA Neumo's Wed 03/05/08 Vancouver, BC The Plaza Club Sat 03/08/08 Denver, CO Hi-Dive Wed 03/19/08 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room Thu 03/20/08 Des Moines, IA Vaudeville Mews Fri 03/21/08 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock Social Club Sat 03/22/08 Urbana, IL Canopy Club Mon 03/24/08 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle Tue 03/25/08 Pontiac, MI Eagle Theatre Wed 03/26/08 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop Thu 03/27/08 Columbus, OH The Basement Fri 03/28/08 Louisville, KY Phoenix Hill Tavern Sat 03/29/08 Saint Louis, MO The Billiken Club i may do Omaha & Des Moines too Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pnêyu Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 Fri 02/29/08 Visalia, CA Cellar DoorThis one is so fucking random that I might have to go. I wish I could make those LA shows. Hey, maybe... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pnêyu Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 OH MY GOD, tix to the Visalia show are $5! That's a sign, right? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trevor Posted January 11, 2008 Author Share Posted January 11, 2008 man, i gotta make the trip back to van for that show. oh, welcome in...WE ARE BARBARIANS Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Synthesizer Patel Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 sorry in advance for most of you who will disagree with this, but i've just reviewed do you like rock music? for twisted ear. you can read it here (just to say - don't hit me in the face, i bruise easily) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 ouch... i'm curious, were you a fan of their previous records? as for the Arcade Fire thing... it's unfortunate that Howard worked with them on the album, because without that people wouldn't be making the AF comparisons (there's only ONE song on the entire album that even reminds me of AF, BSP rock way harder than AF ever have for one) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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