Punknews.orgPunknews.org Logo
Review Navigator

BackForward

Features

 




Reviews

Epitaph Records -- Millencolin

What can I say about Slowreader? I'm not too sure.

In case you didn't know, this band consists of Gabe and Rory, both formerly of the Impossibles [Rory also being in the original incarnation of the Stereo]. If one follows either of those two bands, you'd know that both men have a penchant for writing catchy, poppy rock with hooks aplenty. What set them apart from other bands, though, is their excellent lyricism - only Rory could write a song about bowling [the Stereo's "300"] and pull it off. Slowreader takes both men's incredible musical talent and hones it into this album.

In all honesty, though, this album consists of two songs - tracks 1 through 10, and track 11. Tracks 1 through 10 are very folksy, relying heavily on acoustic guitar. Think along the lines of Elliott Smith, but not nearly as Pro-Tooled [meaning it's just Rory and Gabe singing, not Rory and Gabe each singing 5 different harmonies for each song]. They also make use of electronics sparingly, and they can really make a track. "Sweetest Suffering" has a neat stuttered bass drum beat propelling the song through it's melancholy guitar and piano waltz.

The idea of quirkiness is not lost among these two men, however. Opening song "Politics, Music & Drugs" is completely made by the stomp-clap, stomp-stomp-clap drumbeat. Sure, they could've used a real drumset or a drum machine, but getting people to use their appendages naturally just sounds cooler.

For the most part, tracks 1 through 10 sound like an indie rock symphony with ten different movements. The songs all bleed into one another, and it works incredibly well.

Then there's track 11, "So This Is It." Gabe and Rory definitely turn on the rock button for this song. Electric guitars, psychedelic organs, pounding drums, and screaming distorted vocals set it apart from the other 10 songs on the album, and is a perfect ending to this aforementioned indie rock symphony. It is a complete departure from the rest of the album, but yet, it's distinctly Slowreader.

Not surprisingly, while Gabe's 8 songs are all solid, Rory once again steals the show with his three contributions [just like he did with the Stereo's first album]. "Sweetest Suffering," "Anesthetic For The Amputee," and "So This Is It" are all penned by him, and makes me pine for a solo album from him. He collaborates well with others, but I have a feeling that he could really acheive greatness on his own.

Irregardless, Slowreader is here, hot tub and all. How these songs [with their elaborate backing vocals and instrumentation] will carry over live is unknown, but as it stands this is a very solid and original indie rock album, one of the best this year.

Stream the entire album here

MP3s
Every Part Of Nothing
Sweetest Suffering [demo]



People who liked this also liked:
The Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!The Loved Ones - Keep Your HeartGreen Day - WarningThe Slackers - Live At Ernesto'sLatterman - ...We Are Still AliveMalady - MaladyThe Lawrence Arms - The Greatest Story Ever ToldNo WTO Combo - Live From The Battle In SeattleThe Clash - The ClashAgainst Me! - As The Eternal Cowboy



Please login or register to post comments.
What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
  • Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
  • Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
  • Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
  • Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 21, 2003 at 2:23 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    I concur.... It's definitely up in the top 3 for me

    Posted by Imposs1ble on 2003-08-02 17:10:56
    My Score:

    As of 8.02.2003, this is still the best cd in the world. Well, not really, but it's pretty damn close.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 5:03 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    good review..

    but irregardless isn't a WORD.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 3, 2002 at 11:15 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Twat rules.

    -sickboi

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 3, 2002 at 12:49 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Rory and Gabe are musical geniuses. I bought the record over the weekend and it has not left my cd player.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 2, 2002 at 4:19 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Best review I've read on this site in a long ass time. All I really listen to is fast punk and old metal. I picked up this album because I thought the cover photo was...well...perplexing. I have to admit, these guys are onto something. This cd will be stuck in my cd player for a long time.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 1, 2002 at 10:20 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I got ya, I was just checkin.
    -Eamonn

    Posted by maverick on 2002-12-01 20:07:20
    My Score:

    I was referring to Elliott Smith's "XO." As for the Slowreader album, I understand that it's a Pro-Tooled album but it doesn't *sound* Pro-Tooled in the vocals.

    -Scott

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 1, 2002 at 2:52 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I think this a good review and all, and I think it's a great album, but what do you mean by not as pro-tooled as Elliott Smith? I assume you are refering to Figure 8 or XO because the rest of his albums were recorded on 4 and 8 tracks. Also the Slowreader album was entirely recorded on Pro Tools. So just wonderin. Great album though.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 1, 2002 at 1:07 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Do you know how to read dipshit? I said they sounded exactly like Pinback. Is Pinback punk rock? Umm no. So that would imply that I do in fact listen to more than just punk rock huh? Moron. Somebody should’ve watched more reading rainbow when they were younger. Parents not buy you a Speak & Spell?

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 1, 2002 at 2:21 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Just because it has possibly a more mature audience than something "punk as fuck" doesn't mean it's bad. maybe you should try looking into different types of music. you might be impressed by what bands with more than 3 chords in their repitoire come up with.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 30, 2002 at 9:55 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Oh my fucking god. Please say you're joking. You people actually like this lullaby shit? Not only are they ripping off pinback, but it's FUCKING BORING. I know for a fact my mom would like this music, pretty punk rock huh? Why would you want to listen to something your mom would sip a margarita to? Let's say I'm at the dentist and I'm about to get a root canal or some shit. I'm really nervous cuz I know it's gonna fucking hurt, so I pop this in the cd player and bam, I'm out like a light. I would sleep through a fucking triple bypass if this was playing in the room. Not only is this ripping off pinback but have any of you ever had a jack in the box? This sounds just like the music that plays when you turn the fucking crank on a jack in the box. I would love to go to one of your party’s man. WHOO HOO!! My brain hurts. twat

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 30, 2002 at 5:13 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    My brain must be fried. I meant throats (see previous post).

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 30, 2002 at 5:11 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I just bought the Slowreader record and it is amazing. There is so much bad music being shoved down our throughts. I hope this is the future of music.

    Posted by shindo on 2002-11-30 16:48:54
    My Score:

    I don't think Scott said that Rory's songs toped Jamies, he just said they were good.

    adam

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 30, 2002 at 3:42 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    damnit, why did the impossibles have to break up..twice?

    Posted by kevtv on 2002-11-30 15:37:21
    My Score:

    havent heard the cd yet...

    that aside, i think the reviewer is way off saying that rory's 3 songs top jamies output on the first stereo cd. "three hundred" is a damn great song but nowhere hear as good as "count me out". don't even get me started with "devotion," easily one of the best songs i've ever heard. that's my 2 cents, couldn't not make them.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 30, 2002 at 2:08 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    the DVD has been postponed...

    Rory's harddrive crashed and that had to be repaired and whatnot....

    I think they said it's gonna be released in February maybe?

    Oh, and Rory rocks hard

    Jimi

    Posted by THAT_GUY on 2002-11-30 01:34:36
    My Score:

    Also,when is that DVD of the last Impossibles show gonna come out ? I'm nearly dying without any Impossibles around.I wish I coulda seen them one more time.Oh well,they'll get back together someday,probably June next year,and do a reunion tour.OR !! Or,the other guy from the Impossibles will join them on a couple of dates as a surprise type of thing,that would be cool as fuck !!

    Posted by THAT_GUY on 2002-11-30 01:17:05
    My Score:

    I agree with the first comment,I believe I'll probably go get this next week.

    Also,is anyone else gonna go see them at Mary Jane's January 4th(1/4/2002) ? They're playing with Solomon and Tummler.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 29, 2002 at 10:52 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    did the slowreader interview take place yet? and does anyone know whats going on with the 20goto10?

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 29, 2002 at 10:37 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    good review. makes me wanna get the cd.