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The Plastic Constellations

Mazatlan (2004)
2024

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Jesse
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on January 11th 2005

The Plastic Constellations are some pretty big-hitters in Minneapolis, so I was surprised when I learned that they were getting known the whole country over. Pitchfork gave them an 8.5*. And do they deserve it? Hell yes! Why not?

How to describe The Plastic Constellations? Well, poppy, chaotic, fun, and hugely influenced by two things: LifterPuller and hip-hop. Think it sounds goofy? Well, it is, to a certain extent. They're fun! When's the last time you actually listened to a band that was fun? Fuck, the first track on the CD is called "We Came To Play." And I don't think there could be any better opening track to sum up this band.

And that's what you mostly hear about this band when anyone goes to see them live. That they're fun. And that's what is really lacking in most music these days. So many groups just don't have fun. Whatever. I first head this band when I heard the live version of "Beats Like You Stole Something" on the Fireball venue comp. And now it's on this album as a fully recorded song. And it's fucking awesome. I don't know how or why, but all the drums on this album are totally hip-hop-influenced, and they pull of it off smoothly. Like you wouldn't be able to tell unless I told you. And then the half-spoken lyrics seem to hover between Craig Finn and Russell Jones.

The production on this album is a bit too muddled for my tastes, but you get a very raw feeling from it. The ever-changing guitar riffs blend together regardless of how different they are. The drumming is impeccable, and well, sounds live. And in the end, you realize that it just fits this album better than ultra-slick production. And then you realize that The Plastic Constellations are truly unique and kickass.

*sidenote – No, I'm not saying that I listen to this band because Pitchfork reviewed them. I was just surprised that people outside of Minneapolis had heard of them. And no, I don't read Pitchfork regularly, that fact was on a sticker on the album. Now stop bitching like Pitchfork, like I know half of you are going to do, and go listen to this album.

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elvisdechico (March 5, 2005)

we got the movement is 7 songs... i guess i always thought of it as an "album" and not an ep, but i guess in terms of running time, you and allmusic are correct... it's a shortie but a goodie

Anonymous (January 28, 2005)

Don't forget their little record. I think they only made like a hundred of them or so back in 10th grade, but I like it. It came with little glow in the dark stars, kind of cheesy but cute for 10th graders. Check out their website theplasticconstellations.com and their label's site 2024records.com

Anonymous (January 17, 2005)

pitchfork has given 10's to dozens of cds. the flaming lips, wilco, 2 pavements, 2 radioheads, bonnie "prince" billy, the fall, xtc, television, velvet underground...tons of stuff.

slippy (January 15, 2005)

I think I am gonna check this band out.

Anonymous (January 15, 2005)

i am in the know, for absolute sure, that the plastics have released in this order- we got the movement (ep), lets war (lp), mazatlan (lp). just to clarify thingsm and all the realeases are fucking brilliant

Anonymous (January 15, 2005)

"Their debut ep even scored the only perfect 10 in Pitchfork history."

The Rhino punk box set, the London Calling reissue, and the ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of The Dead debut also scored perfect tens.

My name is Daniel, and I'm a pitcforkmedia junkie.

Jesse (January 14, 2005)

Claudio aka elvisdechico would be the one to ask about it. His AIM is the same as his punknews handle.

jheisel (January 14, 2005)

Jesse, what was the full-length? Allmusic says We Got The Movement was an EP, and that the only two full-lengths are Let's War and Mazatlan....I'd be interested in finding the other full-length, if one exists!

Anonymous (January 14, 2005)

This band is pretty good. I plan on picking this up sometime soon.

12 Rods (rip) is another MLPS band that most people don't know of but Pitchfork whacks off. Their debut ep even scored the only perfect 10 in Pitchfork history. They're on the same wavelength as the plastic constellations, I would say.

Anonymous (January 13, 2005)

im also a proud minnesotan and am happy to see a great band get some press... how bout some askeleton or any of the other excellent bands in the burgeoning mn scene

Jesse (January 13, 2005)

There was a full length before Let's War.

SilentStorms (January 13, 2005)

I just listened to the mp3s, and damn! This is sweet. It kinda reminds me of The Impossibles.

jheisel (January 13, 2005)

Elvis, correct me if I am wrong, but Let's War was their first full-length. They only had one release before that, an EP (I believe called We got the movement, but I am not near my CD collection and am too lazy to look on the internet...)....

Jesse (January 12, 2005)

As a fellow/former Minnesotan (I think once you're a Minnesotan, you're always a Minnesotan), I was extremely glad to get this CD to review.

Anonymous (January 12, 2005)

Thanks for the review, so happy to see that they're getting some national press. This was #1 on my top lists for 2004.

-Tyler From Minnesota

Anonymous (January 12, 2005)

Pitchfork sucks, well they don't suck, but I believe their reviews should be taken with a huge grain of salt, especially for people who frequent this website. Peep their reviews of Jawbreaker and you'll see what I mean. Jawbreaker is a band many of us love and respect and they basically say their pure shit.

elvisdechico (January 12, 2005)

jheisel, let's war was their second cd... but, yeah, fucking awesome... as is this new cd...

sickboi (January 12, 2005)

Wow, the elitist returns.

jheisel (January 12, 2005)

Back in the fall of 2000, I drove 6 hours to Minneapolis (and had my radiator practically explode on the way back) to see the Plastic Constellations play and it was worth it! Their first album rocks too! Good to see this band finally get some appreciation.

Anonymous (January 11, 2005)

Best album of the year as far as bands I've never heard of before 2004, I wish they would tour more though... have they ever been to Texas.

inagreendase (January 11, 2005)

It's indie rock, but it's FUN. With, basically, rapping. This record confused me. In a good way.

maverick (January 11, 2005)

This album rules.

-Scott