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Louden Up Now
2004
Touch and Go

!!! - Louden Up Now (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Dan Perrone
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Published on September 11th 2004

DANCE, FUCKERS.

That’s all that can be said when listening to Louden Up Now, the second full-length from disco-dance-punk band !!! (pronounced chikchikchik or powpowpow or any three repeated sounds). Yes, I’m well aware that that’s a crazy ass name, but in the band’s FAQ, they explain that it is more appropriate than a conventional name, because it shows each band member’s excitement about playing their music. If that doesn’t redefine your definition of awesome, I don’t know what would. And if this album doesn’t get your ass movin’, I don’t know what will. It’s not uncommon to find yourself dancing around like a madman in your underpants while no one’s home with this blasting. It’s also not uncommon to have a tough time getting into this kind of music (I’ll admit I did at first), but once you warm up to it, you will have a fucking blast.

Now, I know !!! are much, much different than anything found or reviewed on this site, but I felt that I had to bring these guys to your attention. This is too good to pass up. !!! play what is essentially dance music played by a full band. It is very bass-heavy, with random and scattered (and awesome) vocals by Nic Offer, a very eccentric vocalist indeed. Nic’s vocals are all over the place, and full of attitude. The entire CD is oozing with attitude, but Nic is where it’s at. The things he says are just badass, like "All you fucking squares better say your fucking prayers" and "Everybody cut, cut loose, cut, and shake that butt" and "We don’t give a fuck, we don’t give a shit about that bitch" and "You could learn a lot just by taking your pants off." His lyrics don’t make too much sense (or any at all), but the things that are said are just plain funny and cool.

Like stated before, the music is very bass-heavy, with emphasis on beat and rhythm. There is minimal guitar distortion, but the little guitar noises here and there are well-placed and only add to the funk. There is a lot of hand-clapping, and a lot of brass instruments used as well. Trumpet and sax solos are found all over the place on Louden Up Now, only further adding to the unique experience. Synthesizers, bells, chimes, and tambourines round out the insane mix of instruments. Imagine 70’s disco/funk mixed with more recent bands like Hot Hot Heat or The Rapture on a double-overdose of acid and you’re almost imagining the concoction of music that !!! plays. It’s truly awesome to listen to.

As for the actual songs, my favorite song on the album, “Dear Can,” wouldn’t sound out of place in the background of something like Grand Theft Auto. It’s got a dark, underground club sort of vibe to it, and its bad attitude is just so much fun to listen to. The two-part “Shit Scheisse Merde” is also a hit, with the first part being a bouncy, upbeat jam, and the second part being a slower, more experimental song. “Theme From Space Island” is a nine-plus minute insane jam with all different parts mixed in, complete with “ooh ooh say uhh uhh uhhh saysaysaysay’s” (okay, so that’s what it sounds like) and “do do do dodododooo’s.” The best part of the whole album is at 4:19 into this track, where the lead guitar part just sounds so good and is followed by COWBELL. YES, COWBELL. It’s so goddamn infectious. “Theme From Space Island” ends on a minute of stomping and clapping and more “doo doo doo’s,” and it really ends this song on an awesome note. This song is just all over the place, and I love it. Songs like “The King’s Weed” and “Me And Guliani Down By The Schoolyard (A True Story)” are almost completely instrumental and electronic, but they sound great, and the bongo breakdown followed by horn solo in “Hello? Is This Thing On?” makes the song one of the best the band has ever done. My only complaint is that some songs drag on a bit too much and have a little too much random stuff thrown in (see “Pardon My Freedom”), but that is very minor, and not even relevant when compared to the greatness of the rest of the songs. Every song is different, and you would be hard-pressed to find a more interesting and original band than !!!.

Without a doubt, this is one of the top albums I will hear all year. Unfortunately, this band’s exposure will be very limited, but those who get around to listening to it will be in for a real treat. If you want straight-up, no bullshit fun (and 53 minutes of it!), then pick this up. It’s very different, but once you get used to it, you learn to love it. I sure did.

Standout Tracks:

“Dear Can”
“Hello? Is This Thing On?”
“Shit Scheisse Merde (Part One)”
“Theme From Space Island”

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Posted by moneenerd on 2005-05-22 01:38:24

i cant take this review seriously when every review done by this guy is either a 4.5 or a 5.

Is it impossible to write a decent review if it isnt one of your chosen favorites?

Posted by eyvert on 2004-09-23 07:30:15
My Score:

haha! this one is so cool to play REAL loud while warming up to a party, and just have a few beers and some homemade whine while grooving in my room :) the baselines here are so awesome!

Posted by Icapped2pac on 2004-09-17 17:33:59
My Score:

I saw these guys open for Elliott and Jazz June in Minneapolis back in 01 (I think). There was like 20 people at the show, and everybody had the same "what the fuck is THIS?" look on their faces. We all figured they were just some douches from the U of MN marching band that decided to jam together. Then I read about them in CMJ a few wiffens later. I just remember wishing their set would end, mostly because there was some scary midget dude doing nothing but shaking maraccas once in a while and that upset me.

Posted by Icapped2pac on 2004-09-17 17:33:49
My Score:

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 at 3:38 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Also, since GregOrb likes them, they have to suck, but I wouldn't know since I've never heard them. In fact if you played them for me I still wouldn't hear them because my head is so far up my pretentious ass.

-BSD

Posted by yellowtrash on 2004-09-13 20:14:53
My Score:

This is pretty good for dance I would think. If I were mindless (or drunk) and saw them live, I wouldn't hesistate to bust some moves on the floor.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 13, 2004 at 5:39 PM (EDT)
My Score:

They suck, as simple as that. Sorry, dance music sucks.

Also, since GregOrb likes them, they have to suck.

-BSD

Posted by GYBE on 2004-09-13 11:29:20
My Score:

"Dismemberment Plan are easily the most overrated band of the last ten or so years."

I've never disagreed with you more.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 13, 2004 at 10:40 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Wow! BSD you seem super stupid. Sorry about that and all. I hope things turn out better in the future, but once retarded.. well you know...

Posted by greg0rb on 2004-09-12 21:47:02
My Score:

Wow, BSD, you topped your own lofty reaches of stupidity with that comment. Also, i just got this (thanks to the review) and have yet to really get into it, not bad though. I really don't think it sounds like Dismemberment Plan at all, whether you like one/both bands or whatever, the only similarity being that you could use the word "funk" in describing both their sounds. They are funky in different capacties I think.
-Greg

Posted by hey_sailor on 2004-09-12 17:59:06
My Score:

This score is for Gang Of Four...

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 12, 2004 at 5:37 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Dismemberment Plan are easily the most overrated band of the last ten or so years.

-BSD

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 12, 2004 at 1:09 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Crew cut? See you floorpunching at the next Hatebreed show.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 12, 2004 at 1:00 PM (EDT)
My Score:

These guys dress like assholes, get a fucking crew cut asshole!

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 12, 2004 at 4:31 AM (EDT)
My Score:

I saw them once with Q and not U. It was alright for a free show but you know what nothing really to drool over. Dismemberment Plan also played that. Like i said good for a free show but otherwise meh. I like Q and not U though.

- I Hate The Kids

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 11, 2004 at 8:26 PM (EDT)
My Score:

The song you describe as "Space Island" is actually "Me and Giuliani Down by the School Yard (A True Story)"

Posted by yemen88 on 2004-09-11 19:18:34
My Score:

Wouldn't a gang of four reference been appropriate even though this band comes nowhere near them.

Posted by mykindofmurder on 2004-09-11 16:15:02
My Score:

nah.

Posted by GYBE on 2004-09-11 13:10:43
My Score:

It's like !!! put on Emergency & I and made a bad version of it.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 11, 2004 at 9:18 AM (EDT)
My Score:

This fucking kife reminds me of my scenester ex girlfriend, thus I can't tolerate it or anybody who pretends to be "scene" or cares to belong to one.

Barkley

Posted by xmidipunkbastardx on 2004-09-11 05:29:28
My Score:

score is for mentioning q and not u.

still: i think the new radio 4 record sucks.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 11, 2004 at 3:53 AM (EDT)
My Score:

no magazine will think you're cool unless you love this band.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 11, 2004 at 3:24 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Dick Dick Dick

Posted by REALPUNX4LIFE on 2004-09-11 00:39:19
My Score:

I saw these dudes on the Michigan Fest DVD and we loved it. I heard some of their first record and didn't care too much. I heard the Giuliani single and was intrigued again. I finally saw them a few wiffens past and knew exactly why that Michigan Fest performance was so rad. They might try too hard, they might be pretentious, they might be awesome. Don't matter. They're a blast.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 11, 2004 at 12:18 AM (EDT)
My Score:

I'd rather listen to Q and not U - the best in dance punk or whatever you want to call it.
Radio Four is even better.
But this, is still growing on me.
More like a bigger dick than a fungus.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 11, 2004 at 12:05 AM (EDT)
My Score:

whenever the video for "hello...." comes on fuse i don't turn it off.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 10, 2004 at 10:55 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Dance music sucks. This band tries too hard, is overrated, and very unimpressive.

-BSD

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 10, 2004 at 10:36 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I have this cd,and their EP,and dont really listen to either too much.But this band is sooooooo good live. One of the most fun shows ive ever been too.The singers voice just dosnt sound that good to me recorded.So fun in concert though.

Intensified is their best song, by the way.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 10, 2004 at 10:35 PM (EDT)
My Score:

this band is actually pretty popular with the kids these days.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 10, 2004 at 10:27 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Oh yeah and that's the best opening to a review on this site.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 10, 2004 at 10:26 PM (EDT)
My Score:

That's not their website in the link.
It's actually http://www.brainwashed.com/!!!/

Yup. I think I'll be buying this soon.

Posted by TrailerParkJesus on 2004-09-10 21:59:39
My Score:

sounds alright.. I'll probably download it to check it out.