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 | The Blacktop CadenceChemistry for Changing Times2003 No Idea 
 Review by: greg0rb See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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Published on August 8th 2003 When I was sent this to review, I first listened to it oblivious to the fact that it is a rerelease of a big name band’s sideproject. I heard the first tracks and was left fairly unimpressed at the mellow uninteresting guitars and slow tempos, but thinking that the vocals sound a bit like Hot Water Music. I soon found out that there were indeed ties to HWM- that it was a project of George (drums) and Chris (vocals/guitar), and that the CD has been out of print for 5 years. I tried not to let this affect my interpretation of the album and keep an objective view. Honestly the beginning of the CD is a little weak because there is fairly little going on in the music. Not only are the tempos slow and the volume at a minumum, but there is little going on in terms of melody, interesting rhythms,… and much of anything. Also, the vocals are not intense, which is why I thought at first that the vocalist only sounded “a bit” like HWM, because Chris is not singing in his normal range and character, it was rather bland. But it got better. My interest perked up with the synth in the intrumental track 5 “Forty Two” and the viola in track 6 “Sinker” (viola also appears in two other songs). “Sinker” is my favorite track, and I especially dig the ending, which winds down to merely viola and marching-style snare drumming. Another thing I liked about it was the tempo was bumped up a few notches with driving drumming, the intensity was increased with drastic shifts in volume and guitar distortion, and the vocals improved Chris letting loose here and there – aspects which continue on into the next two tracks. The CD ends back on a slow note, but still maintaining the energy of the previous songs.
So the end of this disc is much better than the start, but I may have failed in my objective view. Did I only like the end because it sounded more like Hot Water Music? No, I think that the first tracks are in fact rather bland, and the end is just better. And really, none of it sounds exactly like their main band- it is more laid-back, even in the uptempo tracks, the guitar and bass tone qualitys are less raw, the vocals melodies less “poppy,” and the songs contain extras like the viola. It’s a decent record and must have for die-hard HWM fans, but thank god these guys didn’t quit their day job.
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Took me some time to get into it, but this really is a badass album. Makes me wish there were more HWM sideprojects. these guys did quit thier day jobs, duh. OK review, excellent album. "coalition of the shitty bands" Yeah. Im in a shitty band. I bet when you actually hear it you will change your tune. GreenVandal is in a shitty band too! I think people are making fun of him for not knowing about this album EIGHT YEARS AGO when it came out. What is this kid like 14? My review. Nice try. HWM has a lot of sideprojects. Everyone making fun of him for liking ska should go go explore the many fun things that you, a rope, and tree can do. It will either entertain your dimwitted brain, or make the world a better place. I would take eitherjust as long as you shut the fuck up. My review: snap bitch? Send me the links to your reviews please. Then we'll see. Plus, who's the anonymous one here? You used to be in a ska band, didn't you? But then it became unpopular? Snap, bitch! Fuck! How many sideprojects does HWM have??? I call it as I see it, you are in a Ska band, therfore you have no valid opinion. Sorry kid them's just the breaks. Ska kids don't cry, emo kids do. Ska still fuckin' rocks, so whatever, call us what you will. Ass. HA! I win! you cried! I win! To the guy two posts down: fuck off. If you heard my band, you would not call it ska, and second, even if I was in a ska band, that doesn't make a difference. THIRD, the cd is fine, just not great. If you listened to music however insted of simply judging by the name/pictures/main band/genre (for example as you did with blacktop as well as my band), you would have realized that this cd is not as good as you thought. But still, it's just my opinion, as it is also my opinion that you're an idiot. These guys have quit their day jobs. The reviewer is in a fucking ska band... and you are gonna criticize blacktop? Anyone who wants the Crows cd, let me know, I now have an extra, unopened copy. mmmmr radon. i like the cro(w)s a little more than unitas and rumbleseat. you can't go wrong with members of as friends rust, HWM, and radon. Ah I disagree with your review. This CD is BOSS! Its great front to back and I think all of it sounds like a mellower HWM. A lot of the songs sounds like HWM slower songs did 5 and so on years ago. uhhh Rumbleseat is much better than Unitas. But Unitas does have that song about porches and basements which rocks quite hard. Their 7" is great, I love promos. House on Fire is the best hardcore band of the day. No joke. Goddamn retards! This is one of my all time favorite albums and the reviewers attempt of being overly objective forced him too think too hard therefore worrying about his opinion. Damn it! Unitas rocks pretty hard. What do you think of House on Fire? I like this record. I was totally hip back in the day so I was able to sell my original OOP! RARE! version of this record on Ebay for like $30. Suckers! Then two years after it was announced, it was finally reissued. Also, whoever said that Rumbleseat is the ultimate HWM side project has never heard Unitas. They're dudes. i kind of like this ablum. plus it has jack bailey (army of ponch, whoo!). This record is awesome. u shouldnt like a song jsut cuz it has a viola in it As far as HWM sideprojects go Rumbleseat takes the cake, this is very good though. |
