Slowreader

Slowreader: SlowreaderSlowreader (2002)
Fueled By Ramen Records

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: maverickScott
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on November 29th 2002What 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 w.

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]

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (August 21, 2003)

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

Imposs1ble (August 2, 2003)

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

Anonymous (January 15, 2003)

good review..

but irregardless isn't a WORD.

Anonymous (December 3, 2002)

Twat rules.

-sickboi

Anonymous (December 3, 2002)

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

Anonymous (December 2, 2002)

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.

Anonymous (December 1, 2002)

I got ya, I was just checkin.
-Eamonn

maverick (December 1, 2002)

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

Anonymous (December 1, 2002)

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.

Anonymous (December 1, 2002)

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?

Anonymous (December 1, 2002)

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.