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With their fourth release, Gatsbys American Dream has finally realized all of the potential and promise they've been playing around with and put it to a record. Volcano is the culmination of ideas and sounds that the band has been experimenting and perfecting since their formation, and it takes all of the good from each of their past releases and attaches it to some truly stellar musicianship. Whereas their first record, Why We Fight, only announced their intentions, and their second (the better), Ribbons And Sugar, merely turned some heads, and their third, In The Land Of Monsters, just confused the hell out of people, their fourth, Volcano, projects its brilliance to the world with not a single qualm.

The confidence the band presents can be heard and felt with every note and every melody. There's no one out there doing what they're doing, and they know it. Other bands try to create stunningly profound rock with a purpose (like this), but most either only scratch the surface or just dig way too deeply. There doesn't need to be a concept attached to an album to make it worthy of attention (yes, Ribbons had a concept to it, but it wasn't something that took control over the album) -- it just needs good songs and a good attitude -- and this band knows this very well. Volcano is packed with good songs. There's the amazing opener "Theatre" and the layered "A Mind Of Metal And Wheels," but there's also the short-but-sweet "Hunter" and the haunting retelling of one of their older songs, "Badlands," which appeared on their last EP in a drastically different form. The new version breeds life into a previously unaffecting track, and the addition of the enticing female vocals has done wonders to its atmospheric presence.

There's definitely something for everyone on this album. You have the eerie songs, the poppy ones, the heartfelt ones, and the introspective ones. You also have a very fulfilling listen once the album draws to a close. After three years worth of material, Gatsbys American Dream have finally hit paydirt. Volcano is definitely their best album, and it's definitely about time the band has stopped teasing everybody with their talents and just made a stunning album. This is one that hopefully propells this band to bigger and better things.



People who liked this also liked:
Brand New - Deja EntenduWeezer - PinkertonWeezer - The Blue AlbumRefused - The Shape of Punk to ComeAlkaline Trio - GoddamnitNOFX - Punk In DrublicAt The Drive-In - Relationship Of CommandNOFX - The DeclineGreen Day - DookieThe Clash - London Calling



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    Posted by chriswilson22 on 2007-09-02 03:09:33
    My Score:

    This should be on everyone's list of 'greatest albums of all time'.

    Thats all that can be said

    Posted by Problematiclogic on 2006-12-21 15:29:39
    My Score:

    Just amazing in every way. The songs never get boring and the band are all incredibly talented musicians.

    Not far from perfect to me.

    Posted by ABedForLiars on 2006-09-02 16:55:17
    My Score:

    Every song on this album is unstoppable. You have to listen to it from start to finish, you can't help it. I love it.

    Posted by HeresLookinAtYou on 2006-03-24 17:15:02
    My Score:

    My new favorite band.

    So talented. I can't deal with it.

    Posted by candicerox on 2005-12-27 20:40:18
    My Score:

    this band is incredible i love them they have a very talened drummer who plays doulbes whitch has become very normal to hear still i love them and i think theyre on of warped and taste od chaos biggest bands ever

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2005-11-12 13:52:03
    My Score:

    being a skeptic of most new music, i was incredibly impressed by this shit. the reviewer said it best: short, but sweet.

    Posted by etwiels88 on 2005-07-08 00:45:06

    I love this album and band.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 5, 2005 at 10:40 PM (EDT)

    One of the best band's in the past few years.

    Posted by Sally_Field on 2005-05-05 15:15:18

    Enjoyable album.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 30, 2005 at 8:45 PM (EDT)

    Island was better than brave new world, whoever mentioned that.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 7:06 PM (EDT)

    i really don't see how my reasons were 'problematic'. i said he was long-winded and the novel was boring and didn't interest me. you're just flogging a dead horse at this point. an opinion is an opinion -- that's what this all started as. let that be the end of it.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 11:47 AM (EDT)

    oh for fucks sake. enough already with the fucking faulkner. it's really getting old.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 10:42 AM (EDT)

    "although i do care that you said what i said was 'irresponsible' .. you act like i just drove while i was intoxicated and hit a child. jesus christ dude, there are bigger problems in the world than me saying faulkner sucked."

    I would think that someone who has "extensive knowledge" of all types of literature would be familiar with the idea of doing violence to the text. Sure, you don't care for the Faulkner you've read. A fine visceral response. But the way you said it and the "reasons" you gave were problematic.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 7:39 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    score is for shotgunning beast ice. then going on a 10 game winning streak in beirut.
    -TOBB

    Posted by soulbleed on 2005-04-27 22:49:23

    although i do care that you said what i said was 'irresponsible' .. you act like i just drove while i was intoxicated and hit a child. jesus christ dude, there are bigger problems in the world than me saying faulkner sucked.

    Posted by soulbleed on 2005-04-27 22:47:21

    i didn't bait people to respond. i didn't give a fuck. i still don't.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at 10:39 AM (EDT)

    hahahahahahaha. TOBB totally showed you guys!!! you were like a teacher asking a question in the socratic method and, in response, he made a loud farting noise against the fat of his stubby arms.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at 8:24 AM (EDT)

    "At its best, some of this was trying to stop people from being irresponsible in their postings and incisively looking at the music of the band this whole string of postings is supposed to be about" ......ummmm yeah.

    LAME.
    -TOBB

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at 12:35 AM (EDT)

    Your original comments were not just an opinion that differed from others', but irresponsible crap that baited people to respond.

    You've read "pretty much every book that's ever won some award or gotten some sort of recognition, as well as some that haven't?!?!?" That seems like an awful lot of books.

    Faulkner's writing is varied. And it's fine if you don't care for him or certain books, stories, etc. But that's not it.

    I like how you note that "it's" not that you didn't understand Faulkner. Always great to hear someone claim that they "understood it, but didn't like it." People who claim to "get" a piece of art seem suspicious. Like it's one thing that is either gotten or not gotten.

    You said an author "sucked." Sounds five to me.

    Posted by soulbleed on 2005-04-26 22:23:17

    it's good to know you have a worthless degree in literature though. i commend you, sire. you're such a better citizen than i!

    Posted by soulbleed on 2005-04-26 22:14:40

    (to the kids who commented on my faulkner comment) well, when it all comes down to it, my original comments were of course my opinion. you all are very obviously enamoured with yours and take things way too seriously. you act like you were sleeping with faulkner the way you defended him. get a life and stop insulting me personally just because i, like every one before me, made an opinion.

    and to the kid who says i 'stack books for a living', i don't. but thanks for trying to demean me and make yourself look better. i mentioned the bookstore thing to kind of let you know that i'm not some jackass who isn't uneducated in the field of classic literature. reading has always been my number one hobby, and i've read pretty much every book that's ever won some award or gotten some sort of recognition, as well as some that haven't. i stand by my opinion that there are better authors than faulkner, and to that kid who wrote about the short stories, yes, those are less long-winded than his books. but as an author he overly complicated things with a dry style and i didn't find it very interesting. no, it's not that i didn't understand them. i just didn't like them. now, stop saying i'm 'an idiot' and 'a moron' and all that just because i said an author sucked, because you're acting like you're five. it's the internet, get the fuck over it.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at 2:55 PM (EDT)

    TOBB,

    You're really fucking stupid. Do you read words and pay attention to them and what people are saying? At its best, some of this was trying to stop people from being irresponsible in their postings and incisively looking at the music of the band this whole string of postings is supposed to be about.

    If you have your own shit you need to whine about and hatchets to bury, go do it someplace else.

    Keep your head out of your ass.

    Word.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at 10:15 AM (EDT)

    me get 1210 on SAT's and graduate from University of Pittsburgh...yet me still stupid and me unable to quote any author and no remember much of anything other than beer bong w/ 2 beers and shot of vodka stronger than shotgunning single beast ice.

    paul

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at 8:04 AM (EDT)

    im glad people are enjoying flexing their intellectual muscles, name-dropping their favorite authors and what not, but give it a fucking break please? if you've taken one fucking AP english course, are waiting for june to come around so you can get your high school diploma and enroll in some overpriced private college and have scored 1100 on the SAT's...it still doesn't mean we've got to listen to banter about Virginia fucking Woolf. save it. the band has a reference to a book in their name, which is not witty and or creative. we know. whooptie-fucking-do.
    -TOBB

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 25, 2005 at 11:21 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    With all of that said, I think we can all agree that Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse is a terribly boring read.

    -Chinatown

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 25, 2005 at 7:23 PM (EDT)

    Archangel,

    That's DEFINITELY NOT what was going on and to misrepresent it like that is really silly.

    Soulbleed started making some ridiculous claims when it comes to various books. People argued. Soulbleed responded with more garbage. And people called him on it.

    It wasn't like people unfairly maligned him and teamed up on him.

    Just look at what he wrote. You have to be somewhat responsible for what you say. There's nothing wrong with that.

    Posted by Archangel on 2005-04-25 17:38:42

    I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and realize that this is the Gatsby's American Dream comment thread on punknews.org.

    I'm not saying we shouldn't get off-topic. Fuck GAD, they're boring, bring up something else.

    What I'm saying is that putting yourself on an intellectual high horse over the guy who works at Barnes and Noble is ridiculous, considering the forum.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 25, 2005 at 4:20 PM (EDT)

    1984 is a prerequisite to being the punx oi oi oi (actually, i'm only half joking about that haha)

    damn! the most dangerous game, forgot that. is that the one where the dude is the prey and he's being hunted? so rad.

    great gatsby is good "The Great Gatsby is equivalent to MTV's Cribs in the 1920's except with more killing." hahahaha. i like that.

    and how could you NOT like lord of the flies? i mean thats the shit right there.

    paul

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 25, 2005 at 4:14 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    "Gatsby's American Dream bores me. And they think they're clever for making pop-lit references. The point of it all seems to be nods to those who catch them (though they are not obscure, weighty, or even particularly intellectually complex or nuanced), rather than augmenting and improving the concept or feel of the songs. Maybe they should just write better songs"

    yes a thought similar to this went through my head on the way home from ltj in cleveland last night. I dont' think their literary references are impressive at all, and the whole album seems to come off like they think thye are genious's or something. they aren't . and anyone who picks up the lord of the flies references isn't smart, it just means you made it to 9th grade and retained at least SOME of the information they passed on to you. you are a pretty sad individual if you didnt read lord of the flies.

    4 listens, still terribly underwhelmed. the used store by me will be sporting GAD soon.

    paul

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 25, 2005 at 2:26 PM (EDT)

    It's not the fact that Soulbleed mentioned working at a bookstore (while that is somewhat neither here, nor there he was trying to say that he spends a lot of time around books and people who supposedly like books and seems to pick up on osmosis) and it has little to do with formal education.

    What he actually said about Faulkner was absurd and stupidly dismissive.

    Faulkner can seem impenetrable and opaque, at times and to some people. Quite simply, he writes differently from other writers you may like and he writes differently from himself at different times. But there is a LOT going on there. He's fucking brilliant. Beautiful. If anything, read his Nobel Prize acceptance speech (found online anywhere and it will take you no more than 10 minutes) and you'll know that he had a lot to offer to the people who were willing to try.

    Hilary Duff rules. Gatsby's American Dream bores me. And they think they're clever for making pop-lit references. The point of it all seems to be nods to those who catch them (though they are not obscure, weighty, or even particularly intellectually complex or nuanced), rather than augmenting and improving the concept or feel of the songs. Maybe they should just write better songs.

    Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-04-25 13:56:57
    My Score:

    "i really really want to hate this band. i saw them live about a year and a half ago and i was sure it would be possible to hate them. then i heard this record, and while i might still hate them, this isnt bad.
    -TOBB"

    that is exactly how i felt till i heard the monsters ep....i so wanted to hate everything about them from their name (i really dont like the great gatsby) to their look (all that backwards hair at the time) from the hype machine that is ap.net, to their whole concept album obsession (even though i like animal farm and think the music industry could be a land of monsters) but yeah, everything about this band pointed to shit, but they make some pretty good music...nothing epic and legendary, but entertaining...

    - jones the bones

    - stevejones8770@yahoo.com

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 25, 2005 at 12:55 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    score is for the guy who mentioned confederacy of dunces, which i just finished. good book.

    Posted by ThriveToFailure on 2005-04-25 12:17:28

    For once, I agree with Chinatown.

    Soulbleed: Seriously, is all the justification that you have for your bullshit opinion is that you've spent most of your adult life working in a bookstore?

    (...and I bet your careers advisor never saw that one coming.)

    Go back to school, study up and then, maybe, we'll let you talk about grownup books with the big boys. If you hadn't dropped the bookstore line, maybe you would've gotten away with it (the fact that I disagree with you and think Faulkner is great ain't much of an argument on its own).

    But saying you know shit about great literature because you stack shelves for a living is like a guy who treads grapes in a vineyard making out like he's a connoisseur of fine wine - sure, it's possible, but it isn't anywhere in the job description, so it doesn't work to justify putting forward a dumb opinion as fact.

    I normally hate getting into intellectual cock-measuring contests, but we'll put my degree in English and American Literature and my Masters in American Literature up against your x-years customer service experience and see who is in any position to tell someone else their choice of favourite books is inferior.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 25, 2005 at 11:38 AM (EDT)

    for all the hype they are mighty ok, sounds like they could be on drive thru . lord knows i loath drive thry

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 25, 2005 at 8:22 AM (EDT)

    i really really want to hate this band. i saw them live about a year and a half ago and i was sure it would be possible to hate them. then i heard this record, and while i might still hate them, this isnt bad.
    -TOBB

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 25, 2005 at 8:22 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Hey soulbleed, fuck you. You obviously haven't read Faulkner's short stories; they are anything but long-winded. Long-winded is a description better suited for contemporary writers such as Franzen and Wallace - both of whom I enjoy immensely. Just because you work at Barnes & Nobles in the highbrow section doesn't give you any kind of literary authority, bitch.

    -Chinatown

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 25, 2005 at 1:19 AM (EDT)

    It seems like your "good reason" for dissing The Sound and the Fury is that you are Benjy Compson's intellectual equal.

    Posted by swingline on 2005-04-25 00:10:57

    "Yeah, soulbleed, you're a literary genius. The saying is "breathes new life" not "breeds new life." Way to tout those literary skills, Einstein! What exactly are you breeding chihuahuas? Now kindly shut the hell up about books, you freakin' moron."

    why do you use freak instead of fuck? it's rediculous to think that is somehow more proper than just using fuck.

    Posted by Marlon on 2005-04-24 20:22:09

    I like both versions of Badlands equally.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 7:24 PM (EDT)

    anybody heard the just like heaven cover gatsbys did for the punk goes 80s comp yet? i love it.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 6:44 PM (EDT)

    "The new version breeds life into a previously unaffecting track"

    Yeah, soulbleed, you're a literary genius. The saying is "breathes new life" not "breeds new life." Way to tout those literary skills, Einstein! What exactly are you breeding chihuahuas? Now kindly shut the hell up about books, you freakin' moron.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2005-04-24 13:12:01

    R&S didnt display any band growth or song writing maturity

    Do you honestly believe that? You listened to the entire CD and sincerely formulated the opinion that the band had not come up with something miles more creative/interesting/catchy/memorable/intelligent/less derivative/everything than WWF? I can't even really fathom any fan of the band stating something like that and being completely honest.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 10:05 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Lord of the flies - best high school novel and dont fucking kid yourselves!

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 10:02 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    soulbleed, how can you say Ribbons & Sugar is better than Why We Fight? if anything they are equally as good. R&S didnt display any band growth or song writing maturity, nor any more catchiness or talent. i dont know where you get that from. personal preference i guess...

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 9:54 AM (EDT)

    i've loved this band since Why We Fight and they haven't given up their style. the guitars used to be a lot quicker and the drums more technical but for some reason they felt the need to slow it down so to speak. also in this record, they throw in a few chorus' which isn't like them. overall though Volcano is a sick record, and gatsbys american dream is by far one of my favorite bands ever.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 2:27 AM (EDT)

    Wow, the new Alkaline Trio is god awful.

    Posted by soulbleed on 2005-04-24 00:29:19

    well, to the kid that was talking trash because i dissed the sound and the fury, i have good reason.

    i've worked at a bookstore since i was 17, which means it's been quite a while, and i have a really, really extensive knowledge of all types of literature. faulkner is definitely the worst of the classic authors, and pretty much everyone agrees with that statement outside of intense literary circles. like the other guy said, everyone says to read the classics, but few do. the only people i know that have liked anything faulkner wrote are my girlfriend and my english teacher from 10th grade. he's boring and if his books were released today, no one would give a shit. he had awesome ideas for stories and had great character development, but the phrase 'long-winded' was definitely invented for him.

    as for james joyce, i'm all down with ulysses. but my stance on golding's 'lord of the flies' still stands. that book was boring.

    if you want a good classic, read a book like phineas redux, the jungle, the moon is down, tess of d'ubervilles, or even o! pioneers.

    Posted by bencarter on 2005-04-24 00:07:10

    Whoever said the Sound and the Fury sucked, good call. I don't care how intricate your writing is or whatnot, I couldn't understand a damn thing that was happening in that book. Just a lot about soiled underpants and people named Quentin. I didn't understand, why were these people so fucked up? Why are they so goddamn lazy and stupid and listless? I didn't care about any of them. God I hated that damn book.

    Great Gatsby and Catcher in the Rye are the shit though.

    Miss Lonelyhearts was sweet too.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 11:03 PM (EDT)

    what age the phantom tollbooth is written for is of no consequence. it is still one of the most well-written books out there. if anything, it proves just how it good it is that it can be written for such a young audience but enjoyed everyone. as opposed to say, harry potter, which was written for adults and only kids can enjoy on a large scale.

    Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-04-23 21:39:40

    of course you people would think ayn rand is crap, cause your all neo communists

    - jones the bones

    - stevejones8770@yahoo.com

    - not that i especially like her or anything, fountainhead was a good read, atlas shrugged was just more of the same and not worth reading...but still

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 9:01 PM (EDT)

    everyone likes to say they read joyce's masterpieces, but few really have.

    Posted by cronophrog on 2005-04-23 19:56:12

    Trainspotting is the best book ever written and The Great Gatsby is equivalent to MTV's Cribs in the 1920's except with more killing.

    Posted by mjg on 2005-04-23 18:34:09

    i don't get the hype surrounding this band

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 5:54 PM (EDT)

    Soulbleed,
    What did you expect? You're just baiting everyone. You come out and say that The Sound and the Fury "sucked" - not to mention your swipes at The Great Gatsby and Lord of the Flies? That's just utter bullshit. Maybe Faulkner is too much for you to handle- I don't know, but then you just ruin everything by proving how much of an asshole you are by heralding positivist drivel like Ayn Rand. Attacking Faulkner will get you called a "fucking moron." Why don't you say James Joyce is "dumb" next and then get all excited about Libertarianism?

    Posted by Archangel on 2005-04-23 17:21:49

    "wow that was a pretty good run for me on this site. it took a couple hours and like 30 posts to get a 'you're a fucking moron' comment.a new record!"

    Actually, Chinatown still holds that record for about three posts.

    Posted by shraps on 2005-04-23 15:37:13

    Yeah Phantom Tollbooth is for like 4-6th grades, but it is still a fun read.

    My favorites from HS:
    Haroun and the Sea of Stories
    Lord of the Flies
    Brave New World
    1984
    To Kill a Mocking Bird
    Anna Karenina
    Catch 22
    Slaughterhouse 5

    -shraps

    Posted by soulbleed on 2005-04-23 15:20:41

    wow that was a pretty good run for me on this site. it took a couple hours and like 30 posts to get a 'you're a fucking moron' comment.a new record!

    Posted by Kenjamin on 2005-04-23 13:53:36

    I had never heard of the Phantom Tollbooth before so I looked it up and it says recommended for ages 9 to 12. Granted I had to read Charlotte's Web for a college Lit course.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 12:51 PM (EDT)

    Deja Entendu.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 12:35 PM (EDT)

    Wow, Soulbleed really showed himself to be an absolute imbecile. Downright fucking stupid and full of dump.

    Posted by soulbleed on 2005-04-23 12:19:04

    the great gatsby sucked
    the sound and the fury sucked
    phantom tolllbooth is for kids in 4th grade
    heart of darkness ruled
    lord of the flies was garbage
    1984 was awesome
    to kill a mockingbird sucked
    animal farm was cool
    atlas shrugged was the shit.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 12:10 PM (EDT)

    ah, high school books. i liked these:

    animal farm
    the jungle
    grapes of wrath
    huck finn
    catcher in the rye

    i didn't like these at all:
    the scarlet letter
    song of solomon

    short stories are where it's at though:
    anything by poe
    the lottery
    the most dangerous game
    a sound of thunder

    Posted by swingline on 2005-04-23 06:31:37

    i saw it in china and it had english subtitles.. i was pretty surprised. that movie had awesome fight scenes but that's it though.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 12:26 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    score is for kung fu hustle

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 10:05 PM (EDT)

    Ahh yes...The Phantom tollbooth. I read that book in 6th grade and 7 years later, it's still a great book.

    Anyway, i really like A Mind of Metal and Wheels

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 9:59 PM (EDT)

    best HS book is 1984

    Posted by ubershep on 2005-04-22 19:50:38

    1984, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, and Brave new World.

    Posted by swingline on 2005-04-22 19:14:05

    the only book worth reading from high school is the catcher in the rye.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 6:27 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    my score is for this band, this album, and this review.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 5:37 PM (EDT)

    the great gatsby is a great book,
    however, the afore mentioned phantom tollbooth is a masterpiece.

    Posted by Archangel on 2005-04-22 17:36:27
    My Score:

    Score is for East of Eden.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 5:27 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Score is for F. Scott Fitzgerald

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 5:09 PM (EDT)

    bigwig couldnt crush a cockroach.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 3:53 PM (EDT)

    Dear Fearless,

    Stop spending money on releasing this garbage and throw the members of Bigwig in a studio and make them record enough material for 3 CDs. Take the best tracks and release a monsterous double disc which will crush all other music.

    Sincerely,
    Patrick Ewing

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 3:43 PM (EDT)

    http://www.stanford.edu/~scodary/tkam.htm

    Posted by Inspection12e on 2005-04-22 14:45:40

    I am totally off today. George Orwell would kill me.

    Posted by ElVaquero on 2005-04-22 14:34:41
    My Score:

    really good, but didn't really blow me away

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 2:03 PM (EDT)

    one dude below , thats 1984, not 1942

    great gatsby kicks ass

    lord of the fly's kicks ass

    that play on mockingbird was funny as shit

    heart of darkness bored me

    never read giver

    i suck at MLA

    i'm gonna give htis album some more spins, but after listening to the first half 2wice i'm just not feelin it

    paul

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 1:45 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This is an ambitious, brillliantly produced album that completely fails as a musical statement because of its generic themes and poor songwriting. The end result is a disc filled with the same overwrought and underbaked bleating that marks David Bowie's worst efforts. I feel completely comfortable saying that this is one of the single worst albums I have ever purchased: the only reason I haven't thrown it out is that I'm sure some record store in the D.C. area will be foolish enough to buy it (barely) used.

    OC

    Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-04-22 13:32:28

    the great gatsby is a piece of trash.

    - me the me

    - me at yahoo memail

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 1:19 PM (EDT)

    Boo Radleys is a once famous UK indie band

    Posted by sickboi on 2005-04-22 13:01:47

    Ken, I'm serious. I enjoyed the movie, but the book gives him a little more wicked side. Well maybe not wicked, but he does some messed up shit. And they don'thave the tear-jerker ending.

    Posted by moneenerd on 2005-04-22 12:50:07

    Weak review for one of the weakest bands of all time. A band whos intentions were good but unfortunately took a good concept and destroyed it.

    For something as equally as interesting, get MASTADON's new album. Literature inspired music gone good. Not this emo crap.

    Posted by maverick on 2005-04-22 12:48:21
    My Score:

    This record took a lot of spins to sink in, but once you really focus on the intricacies in each song, the whole album comes to life. Very, very well done.

    -Scott

    Posted by Kenjamin on 2005-04-22 12:46:28

    Sickboi, c'mon. I think you're just saying that to be cool. If the book was better than the movie, we'd call it the bible. That movie gets better everytime I see it.

    "your mother really cares about your education"
    "Ungh Ungh!"

    Posted by Kenjamin on 2005-04-22 12:39:00

    oooh Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man was really good in my opinion too.

    Posted by Kenjamin on 2005-04-22 12:37:37

    I wasn't angry, i just thought it was strange that a highschool curriculum included the Giver. Maybe my forgetting to close the italics tag made it look that way... and yea, i'm serious about heart of darkness. I haven't been that wrapped up in a book's imagery in a long time.

    Posted by Archangel on 2005-04-22 12:33:52

    Kenjamin, are you serious about Heart of Darkness? That might be one of the most anti-climactic books ever. Also, Marlow's narrative is borderline PAINFUL at times.

    Posted by sickboi on 2005-04-22 12:25:45

    I think the best book I read in school was Forrest Gump. (and I read it prior to the movie)

    Check it out sometime, much better than the flick. He gets hooked on weed, becomes and astronaut and gets laid a lot.

    Posted by unconcerned on 2005-04-22 12:20:36

    WHAT THE GAY??

    something for everyone on this record???

    what you meant to say was:

    "If you are a girl in her teens you will LOVE this record"

    that in a nutshell sums up the entire cd...

    Here's to hoping this reviewer is an overly hormonal, pubescent, acne covered girl in 10th grade...

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 11:58 AM (EDT)

    oo.. i liked both the phantom tollbooth and animal farm.

    and kenjamin... chill. Youre an angry little man aren't you? You should find some lovin in your life.

    Posted by Inspection12e on 2005-04-22 11:50:53

    1942 is the best book you have to read in HS. That or animal farm. I think I read them both in 9th grade.

    Posted by Kenjamin on 2005-04-22 11:41:33
    My Score:

    Score is for the comment from the guy below me. I just copyrighted that band name. To the guy who said his favorite book from highschool was The Giver; dude we had to read that book in sixth grade. Did you go to a special school? My favorite book from HS was Heart of Darkness. It was waaay more evil than Lord of the Flies. Also Paul, proper MLA states that italics should be used when the title is typed out. Underline when you are hand-writing.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 11:03 AM (EDT)

    Their name sucks. Maybe they should rename to Boo Radley's Mockingbird Nightmare.

    Posted by Inspection12e on 2005-04-22 11:02:37

    This is pretty good. I don't think it's quite as good as the last Ep.

    Posted by Anchors on 2005-04-22 10:51:39

    Best book is either Mouse And The Motorcycle, or possibly the Phantom Tollbooth.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 10:29 AM (EDT)

    haha this site never fails to amuse me

    inagreendaze i like your proper MLA recognition for lord of the flies, underlined and all haha. and yes i thought the same thing when i heard that song, sounds like a strokes riff

    this cd hasn't grown on me yet but i'll give it a chance. I tend to like more structured stuff. same reason i can't totally get into TMV. I prefer verse/chorus/verse even if it is simplistic. also, the singers voice doesnt sound original or strong enough for this band to ever really get to me. but we'll see. i picked it up on hype alone...

    and that is funny, the guy who's like 'we should review the sc ore after 6 months' its so true. sometimes i get cd's that i think are so awesome and then a few months later i'm like 'did i really think this was THAT good?' and of course, the best shit's alwasy grow on you. I'll never forget the fact that i didn't like Thrice 'illusion of safety' at first....grew to LOVE that album.

    paul

    Posted by inagreendase on 2005-04-22 10:09:32

    Which CD should I pick up?

    Ribbons & Sugar might take you a while to get into, but it's mine and most people(as far as I know)'s favorite effort of theirs.

    Posted by nineden on 2005-04-22 09:50:42

    the book is ok but i think the best book ever is, without a doubt, confederacy of dunces

    Posted by TheEvilMonkey on 2005-04-22 09:47:38
    My Score:

    Score is for a Mind Of Metal And Wheels, by far the most amazing track on this album that's otherwise only "pretty good."

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 9:41 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Score is for Joe Vs The Volcano.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 8:54 AM (EDT)

    and yes...i did just add the word 'lost' for no reason

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 8:52 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    this album is just...bleh. can't really understand the hype around it. however, i really enjoyed 'land of lost monsters'.

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2005-04-22 08:48:17

    I still don't know what the band sounds like. Which CD should I pick up?

    Posted by trailerparkjesus on 2005-04-22 08:13:14

    Fable is the one about Lord of the Flies

    Posted by Allular on 2005-04-22 03:44:56

    Wasn't really sure about these guys until I got this record a month ago. It REALLY surprised me. I love The Strokes knock-off song. It's almost a blantant enough rip off to make me laugh.

    Posted by ubershep on 2005-04-22 03:10:31

    I heard this band sucked.

    Posted by TheMarc on 2005-04-22 02:33:24
    My Score:

    Agreed.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 2:32 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This album is really really good.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 1:50 AM (EDT)

    The only high school book that i remember that was worth reading was the giver... that shit's crazy

    Posted by colin on 2005-04-22 01:18:53
    My Score:

    pass.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 12:30 AM (EDT)

    Ive never heard anything by this band.

    But if you think that The Great Gatsby is the best book ever, you are definitely still in high school.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 12:28 AM (EDT)

    There should be a rule at this site where the number of stars the reviewer gives the album shouldn't be posted until at least 6 months after the review is posted. And prior to the score being announced, the reviewer should have to go back and really evaluate whether that score was worth it.

    Actually, that's a really dumb idea, but it seems like every album every week gets 4.5 or 5 stars and is hailed as a classic.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 12:26 AM (EDT)

    "Stunningly profound rock with a purpose?"

    Surely you jest. You kids are just an endless source of laughter. These guys are about as profound as Boxcar Racer or Dashboard Confessional. This is utter shit.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 12:22 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    This took a while to grow on me, but man is it ever good. I don't know if it is truly a 5, but definitely the best album i've heard this year.

    Posted by swingline on 2005-04-22 00:11:27
    My Score:

    don't like it. nice collaboration effort though, kumar and ashton!

    Posted by bencarter on 2005-04-22 00:10:37

    I agree, best band name ever, and best book ever.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2005-04-22 00:09:50
    My Score:

    I don't think any one album towers over the other, but this is now three great/consistent releases in a row from the band. I don't know of too many others who produce like that.

    Although completely different, this and Paradise are my current contenders for album of the year.

    Also, you forgot to mention the song that bites that Strokes single from last year pretty hard. It's the one full of Lord Of The Flies references.

    Posted by MarkieStabone on 2005-04-22 00:09:34

    i heard that this sucked... but then again i haven't heard it or anything else by this band

    Posted by Archangel on 2005-04-22 00:08:38
    My Score:

    Score is for the cover.

    Also for the name of the band.