they are memorable. they're bomb.

10

asdfghjkl;' .love it.

YAY! I LOVE BEEP BEEP!!!! they are so awesome.

Am I listening to the same album here? I think it's totally memorable. True, it isn't oozing with choruses, but that's in keeping with the idea of pointing out the absurdity of things we have accepted to be standard practice, such as in the ingenious lyrics of tracks such as "The Threat of Nature" or "Flourescent Lights."

I think the memorability of this album lies in the genius of passing phrases within it, rather than a tautology of the same concept. Isn't "Poison the trees! Barb wire the sky!" memorable? After hearing that song, can you ever again look at a squirrel and not chuckle about the thought that "[it is] mocking you, so you must kill [it]?" After hearing "Flourescent Lights," can you still sit at work with out humming "I decorate my house like a cubicle so I can feel more comfortable," or get ready in the morning without singing "I forgot to shave my face, I didn't comb my hair, my skin is pale but that's acceptable?" I have been listening to this album for a couple of months now, so maybe it has sunk in more for me, but it has invaded my everyday life, and I think it's only a matter of time before it does the same for many others.

dumbest cover ever!

Reading your review I honestly wasn't expecting too much. What I had expected was an original review. What I got was a ripped-off version of a British review of "Business Casual" written roughly 4 weeks ago. Don't believe me? Poppycock, you say? Here is a line from http://www.thebeatsurrender.co.uk/reviews/music/beep-beep-busines s-casual/ that seems strangely similar to a line in this review: "The immediate problem was that even on the 20th or 30th listen I still couldn't hum any of the tracks to myself afterwards, or even recall any of the chorus'." It's fine to have your own opinion (even if I do disagree), but make sure that it's actually your opinion, not the opinion of a British reviewer.

Lots of reviews talk about the band's record label. While superficial, this doesn't prove any sort of vendetta to crush Saddle Creek. He said his opinion of a record label. I thought this was a review, and he connected the label with the crappy band pretty well.

Saddle Creek emo-'ed out fanboys need to cool it.

-BSD

I'd first like to say that while being from Omaha, I am in no way related to Saddle Creek, since that seems to be a common assumption here of anyone who expresses a liking for this album.

That being said, I've always told people that Beep Beep was the best band not on Saddle Creek prior to them joining up. Now that the album is out, I don't think it quite does their live show justice, having seen it so many times. But as the reviewer said, "Electronic Wolves" is one of the best songs to come from a Saddle Creek band, period. And while there aren't many hooks, Beep Beep has never written poppy sing-along choruses, nor wanted to. For me, the underlying music of the guitars playing off each other is what gets me.

But I guess if you don't dig the Ex Models, or even Hot Hot Heat, then you won't dig this either. Fans of pop should look elsewhere.

Look, I don't dislike Saddle Creek as an entity. I own a number of records that they have put out, and try my hardest to see some of their better bands in concert. The problem I have is that the label has been viewed by many as representatives of the "Omaha sound," much like Sub Pop was viewed as the "Seattle sound" a decade or so ago. It's not fair to the bands, as they have incredibly diverse musical styles - but keep in mind, diverse does not equal good. The long and the short of it is, Saddle Creek has a rather subpar stable of artists outside of the four "big" ones - Bright Eyes, Cursive, The Faint, and The Good Life [and I loathe Bright Eyes, but what do I know?]. Son Ambulance, Now It's Overhead, Mayday, Sorry About Dresden... these bands are just boring rehashes of music that was done anywhere from 5-20 years ago. It just bugs me how bands like that get massive amounts of attention when their superior peers on different labels get no attention at all, simply because they're not on Saddle Creek.

In closing - Criteria rules. So does Nibb High Football.

-Scott

What about gay cowboys on the front cover? ! that was funny dammit!

Nice. Call out the record label.

I posted a few of the comments here, and I am not connected to the label as anything but an acquaintance. I've been reading this site since the beginning, and usually don't have any problem with the staff reviews.

This one, on the other hand, deserved the be commented on. It's your site, and you can write whatever you want, but prepare to be criticized for being unfair in a review.

It's only natural that these posts will come from Nebraska, as we're the only people that really know this band at all. I'm sure Saddle Creek has better things to do than post comments about a review on some website.

Joe
somedaynever.com

"Dear Saddle Creek Records: "

Although I live in Nebraska and am a fan of Saddle Creek bands, my IP address certainly is not affiliated with Saddle Creek. Nor are the other addresses that commented on the absurdity of your review.
---Sean Collier

Dear Saddle Creek Records:
If you're going to post insulting comments to me on this review [3 of the past 4 comments all come from the same IP address, and guess where that IP originates from], at least sign up for an account.

Plus, I posted the links to the MP3s in the actual review, so your most recent comment is completely negated.

-Scott

"I planned on ordering this record, but never mind. Thanks for the heads-up about its awfulness.

How are the new records by The Good Life and The Faint? Are those worth purchasing?

-Chinatown"

Try going to www.saddle-creek.com and listen to the posted MP3's to base your own opinion.

" Lastly, he sites the Promise Ring's last record as one of his favorite reviews on his personal link? I think that this fact alone explains why the Beep Beep record flew clear over his head."

Ouch!!! But so true.

Mike Sweeny isn't really in Tilly And The Wall or Statistics.

He is however in Criteria.

"if this was on another label people would be all over it"

AGREED!

I see that Scott's disliking for the label Saddle Creek has clearly affected his objectivity as a reviewer. It is not hard to recognize that Beep Beep sounds nothing like any of the other bands on the Saddle Creek catalog. Yes, the band is comprised of members from other Omaha bands but who cares? I also find it interesting to note that in a matter of days, Scott's opinion of the new Beep Beep record went from "rules" to "not memorable". Did one of his peers give it a thumbs down so now he MUST give it a thumbs don't to maintain his cred? Scott sounds a bit wishy washy. Lastly, he sites the Promise Ring's last record as one of his favorite reviews on his personal link? I think that this fact alone explains why the Beep Beep record flew clear over his head. Honestly Scott...

if this was on another label people would be all over it

Gay cowboys on the front cover....

I think Cursive/The Good Life/Whatever is the most overrated thing since the String Cheese Incident.

They compliment each other nicely, as coasters. Yes, I'm so poor I use CD's I don't like as coasters.

-BSD

That's not really breaking up. He just wants to pursue music with the Good Life right now.
Anyhow, doesn't really matter much to me. Last time I saw them they played ever song anyone in the audience wanted to hear (their set must've been at least an hour and a half, maybe more), plus I've seen them in the past, so I've had my fill.

the vocals on that first MP3 made me crack up...that was all i needed to hear..thanks for the warning!!

The actual quote from the AP piece is:

Someone told me that you haven't written a song for Cursive in over two years.
Yeah, I stopped writing for them. I'm actually writing another Good Life Record.

How come?
I feel really positive about the Good Life right now... Right now, Cursive is set to do those dates with the Cure, but after that, we're going on an indefinite hiatus. If we decide to get rolling with something in the future, we will.

So take that for what you will.

-Scott

Tim actually said that it is an "indefinite hiatus" and that he was already writing for the next Good Life record. Someone can now make the prerequisite ATDI joke about hiatus = breakup.

i like this

To say that kids wouldn't be interested in Azure Ray et al if it weren't for the Saddle Creek link is unfair in my opinion. Fair enough, many kids wouldn't be exposed to the music Now It's Overhead, Azure Ray and Mayday make so they might not like it due to ignorance, but for you to say these bands are rubbish and not worth noting is entirely your opinion, so the fact that they are on Saddle Creek may not be the only reason kids like them. It's entirely your opinion. I, for one, think both Now It's Overhead and Azure Ray are excellent.

The new Faint kicks ass. I haven't heard The Good Life, though.

I don't wanna hear it, cuz I know it's full of shit!

Did they say it was a new song, or did you just not recognize it? Either way, "new" is relative - the song could've been an Ugly Organ b-side or something, anyway.

-Scott

Cursive just played a new song last week when I saw them play...

"And Cursive is not breaking up. I don't know where you heard that at.

They are still writing new songs."

You obviously haven't read the interview with Tim in the new issue of Alternative Press. He alludes to the band breaking up, and says he hasn't written a new Cursive song in two years.

-Scott

"Is it Saddle Creek's fault that kids will buy whatever they put out? They get penalized for this?"

No, it's not their fault, and no, I'm not penalizing the label per se. I'm simply pointing out that many of their bands people wouldn't give a shit about if they weren't on Saddle Creek.

-Scott

Dude, Scott, how can you ignore the pop brilliance of Tilly and the Wall. I think they are the best band tocome out of the Omaha scene, if you don't count Rilo Kiley since theyre from LA and left Saddle-Creek now.

And Cursive is not breaking up. I don't know where you heard that at.

They are still writing new songs.

Is it Saddle Creek's fault that kids will buy whatever they put out? They get penalized for this?

I happen to really like the first Mayday record, as well as Now It's Overhead and Sorry about Dresden.

I agree with the sentiments about the Criteria record being the best Omaha release since Domestica, but I wouldn't be so quick to criticize Saddle Creek for not putting it out. Remember that Initial put out a White Octave record and may have still had Pedersen under some sort of contract. Expect some surprising news about this band in the next couple months.

There are other things going on in Nebraska, despite the media's portrayal of the scene as being dominated by Creek bands. Beep Beep is one of many bands that will be getting more exposure in the next year, much of which will not come out on Saddle Creek and most of which will not even sound like the "Omaha sound" people keep talking about.

It just sucks to read a review so critical of things beyond their control, especially when Chris Hughes and Eric Bemberger have been at it forever, first with Gabardine and with Beep Beep for the past three years. I have no problem with the reviews conclusion, about the sound wearing thin after a few listens, but dislike the banter before that.

"you made it sound like a record with no substance at all being sold on the premise that kids will buy anything that comes out on Saddle Creek. "

Kids will buy anything that comes out on Saddle Creek. Once they realize the only good bands on the label are the Faint and Cursive [and Cursive's breaking up], they'll move on.

I mean, seriously, look at some of the shit Saddle Creek has put out: Azure Ray? Now It's Overhead? Mayday? Sorry About Dresden? Kids wouldn't touch this shit with a ten foot pole if it weren't on Saddle Creek.

I dunno, I guess it just bums me out that the best record to come out of Omaha in the past few years - Criteria's En Garde - wasn't even on the label that so proudly proclaims it represents the Omaha "sound."

Remember, 311's from Omaha, too.

-Scott

What kind of review is this? Did you listen to the music or did you just write about your apparent dislike of Saddle Creek?

Had you taken the time to actually review the disc, you would have noted that Joel Peterson only recently joined the band, that the band's perversion and sound are a departure of sorts for the label, and that this record will appeal to fans of bands like the Ex-Models and that.

Instead, you made it sound like a record with no substance at all being sold on the premise that kids will buy anything that comes out on Saddle Creek.

If anything, this is a record that people who hate the "Omaha sound" would like. It's different.

the new now it's overhead was actually good. this on the other hand is not.

"Once again, the Omaha scene provides an inbred band that Saddle Creek will again try to peddle to kids weaned on import-only Cursive singles. And again, a good amount of kids will pick this up based on it's pedigree, and again, you'll probably see a good number of copies of this in your local used store alongside the newest albums from Now It's Overhead and Mayday."

Score is for this incredibly accurate comment.

You know, opinions can change. At that time, I was really digging the album, but I grew out of it.

-Scott

so as of 8/13, scott, you say "the new beep beep cd rules", but two weeks later it's a 5/10? what gives?

The new Faint CD is definitely their weirdest, and not as good as Danse Macabre, but still pretty awesome.

The Good Life album is really bad. I had high hopes because the Lovers Need Lawyers EP was so good, but it sounds nothing like it. There are two upbeat songs (an alternate take of Lovers being one of them), and the rest are droning, boring blah.

I have to agree with this CD being terrible, but I'm wondering how the new Faint CD is. Their last one was fantastic.

i don't know. i think this is a pretty shitty review.
this record actually isn't that bad they'll be awesome on the faint/tv on the radio tour.

unfortunately this record and the new faint record are under 40 minutes, so they're pretty short-players.

if i had the choice between this and the new faint, i'd buy the new faint...

because thats one of the best records of the fall --

the new good life isnt that good sadly. get the ep if you havent got it.

-i12e

I planned on ordering this record, but never mind. Thanks for the heads-up about its awfulness.

How are the new records by The Good Life and The Faint? Are those worth purchasing?

-Chinatown