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Bad Religion - New Maps of Hell (Deluxe)

How's this for an analogy: if Friendships Often Fade Away was Audio Learning Center's Blue Album, than Cope Park is the trio's Pinkerton.

Now, I don't mean to say that Audio Learning Center is or will be as influential as Weezer has been to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. In fact, I don't even mean to imply that they sound anything like the Weez - they most certainly don't. But the purpose of my analogy is to explain that the band has undertaken a maturation process rarely seen since Rivers' drastic moments of unexpected introspection on Pinkerton.

ALC frontman Christopher Brady still penetrates each song's hypnotizing melody with his raw, throaty tenor - a voice that is quickly making a run for the "Best Worst Voice in Indie Rock" award, currently held by Tim Kasher. While he used to sound nasally and off-key, Brady has discovered some power behind his throat, really belting out his brooding thoughts on tracks like "Car" and the album's title track.

The band matches this newfound aggression with songs that push the group's sound in new directions. "You Get That From Your Mother" features a Middle Eastern sounding instrumental melody, bringing to mind Engine Down. "The Neverwills" contains a purely hypnotic dual bass/guitar melody. "Cope Park" features two songs in one, with Brady belting out "Don't you turn away / come on, I'm right here in front of your face" at the three-minute mark, turning the song into a Sonic Youth-inspired freakout.

Audio Learning Center has already begun the process of maturation this early into their career, and that can only be a good sign. Thus far, they're 2-for-2. More good things can only be coming.

MP3
Stereo

Stream the entire album here



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    Posted by bemused on 2005-01-15 01:31:00
    My Score:

    This guy sounds way to American- in the irritating, nautious sense. Hope I can get past that cos the music is really good

    -Chris-

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 at 12:15 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    What about J. Mascis for best worst voice?

    ...evildeadalive

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 at 1:57 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Whoever said the songs aren't complex is either stupid, not a musician, or some combination thereof.
    This band is EXTREMELY talented and all the members have great chops, especially the bassist and drummer. Listen to the drumming on Winter from Friendships Often Fade Away. That isn't simple by any stretch of the imagination.

    Posted by MaJolie on 2004-04-12 16:28:33
    My Score:

    Oberst's voice is just plain awful. It's not good/bad at all.

    Best worst voice is Travis Shettel.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 12, 2004 at 4:06 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    when you say oberst puts you to sleep, i have to imagine you are talking about bright eyes. you might dig it in desaparecidos. lyrics and vocals are both better in that band.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 12, 2004 at 3:30 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    At least Kasher knows how to write interesting songs.

    Oberst's material puts me to sleep.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 12, 2004 at 2:42 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "I think Conor Oberst's voice is way more deserving of that award than Tim Kasher."

    I agree. I don't really think of Tim Kasher's voice as being bad/irritating at all, whereas I can see why people complain about Conor Oberst, even though I personally like his work.

    First track on this album is horrible (vocals suck). Hopefully the rest is better.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 12, 2004 at 2:26 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This would be cooler if it was called Cop=Pork.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 12, 2004 at 12:07 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    what a good band. these guys are plain and simple good songwriters. they aren't pretentious like most of their indie peers. their songs arent complex or really arty, its just good music like its supposed to be. this album is better than the new modest mouse.

    -benz

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 12, 2004 at 2:46 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this score is for "friendships..."
    i have to find this first, but as soon as i see it, i will purchase it.

    Posted by gatecrasher on 2004-04-10 22:41:39
    My Score:

    Finally picked up the album. I can't find a song on it that I don't like.

    I hope Vagrant does a better job promoting this album than their last one.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 10, 2004 at 5:22 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Conor Oberst...although somehow his voice doesn't irritate me when I listen to Desparecidos. Can't stand Bright Eyes though.

    Posted by jacobe on 2004-04-10 14:34:29
    My Score:

    "Best Worst Voice in Indie Rock"

    that honor belongs to Paul Westerberg.

    Posted by slippy on 2004-04-10 13:12:56
    My Score:

    I think Conor Oberst's voice is way more deserving of that award than Tim Kasher. In fact I think Tim's voice sounded a lot less "bad/good" on The Ugly Organ, because the production seemed to smooth out his voice.

    Posted by sethcohen on 2004-04-09 21:16:12
    My Score:

    Paulie Shore is the weez

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 8:26 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This is fuckin' crap!

    Posted by gatecrasher on 2004-04-09 16:31:49
    My Score:

    I'll probably buy it this weekend. I really enjoyed Friendships Often Fade Away. Hopefully they don't disappoint me.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 3:32 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    see, this record took me a couple listens to get into...at least for me, it wasn't as bad as i had initially thought.

    Posted by xmolemanx on 2004-04-09 15:11:56
    My Score:

    The mp3 I heard from the first record was terrible, but maybe this is good.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 2:47 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    First again!

    Eric

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