The One AM Radio

The One AM Radio: On The Shore Of The Wide WorldOn The Shore Of The Wide World (2005)
Level Plane Records

Reviewer Rating: 1.5

Contributed by: JesseJesse
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on May 13th 2005Well, let me tell you, I was stoked when I saw the record label on this puppy. Level Plane put out one of the best records of 2004 that I didn't hear until 2005, namely, Coliseum's full-length debut. Now, Level Plane has put out some other stuff that I don't like; namely, screamo. But the label hold.

Well, let me tell you, I was stoked when I saw the record label on this puppy. Level Plane put out one of the best records of 2004 that I didn't hear until 2005, namely, Coliseum's full-length debut. Now, Level Plane has put out some other stuff that I don't like; namely, screamo. But the label holds my respect, and so I came into this not knowing to expect.

The first thing to note about this release is that it is a remix album. That triggered my warning senses. Hardcore bands don't put out remix albums. Neither do screamo bands. Maybe there was a side to Level Plane I didn't know about…

The press sheet cleared things up by letting me know that yes, this was an electronica act, and yes, these were electronica remixes of an electronica album. Hunh. Well, this leaves a little bit of a problem for me. I've never heard the original One AM Radio material. So bear with me, I'm doing the best I can. And don't leave comments like, "why did yuo reveww this if you dont know it you jerkface blah blah." I'm reviewing it because it's my job. See the little yellow button there? Yeah. Represent.

The featured remixers on this EP are John Tejada, alias, Daedelus, and Caural. And there's even one song remixed by Hrishikesh Hirway himself. That's neat. But in accordance to the songs, I'm not quite sure where the original starts, and where the remix begins. Oh well. The general tone of this album is poppy and upbeat, featuring what you'd expect from an general indie/electronica album. And nothing really sparked my interest too much. In fact, the only track that grabbed me was "Drowsy Haze (Jane's Blocked Out Interlude)," which was the only song even resembling the press sheet's claim of the One AM Radio being a combination of Iron & Wine and the Postal Service. Because, well, that's what it sounds like. I mean, damn near exactly, Sam's voice and all.

But other than that song, nothing grabs me. Your general slew of artists trying to make their own brand of general electronica. People emulating Everything But The Girl or Sigur Rós. Okay, I lied. "Under Thunder And Gale (A Black And Blue Sky By Daedelus)" is also really good, and sounds a lot like the Iron & Wine / Postal Service comparison. But "Buried Below (Gasp And Sputter Remix By Hrishikesh Hirway)" is so chopped up that all that remains of the vocals is layered harmonies just holding a pitch without lyrics. And "Fever Dream (Calling Out By The Wind-Up Bird)" is just a noisy mash of dreamy melody that, while sounds like a good Sigur Rós rip-off, doesn't sound like what I expect the One AM Radio to sound like based off of the few tracks on here that resemble the comparison given to them in the press sheet. HIM. Sorry, it's just one guy. A guy who can't even remix his own song to sound good.

Now, I liked two songs out of seven on this puppy, and those two songs were really good. But I don't think this is worth buying unless you're a huge One AM Radio fan, then it might be fun to collect. Two out of seven translates into just about a 3 out of 10, if you generously round up. So that's how the score works for this release.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (May 25, 2005)

Posted by Jesse on 2005-05-13 02:54:54
"Yeah, I should check out the earlier stuff, but I'm waaaay too lazy."

this pretty much sums up your whole review. get a clue. it's too bad people whose job it is to write about music can't put a little effort into it. either do your homework, or don't write about it. instead, you just put up a review that makes you look ignorant.

Anonymous (May 22, 2005)

Is this fucking kid still reviewing albums? I think I'm going to have to change sites for my reviews at this point... I always thought that the people who ran punknews.org would at least be able to choose decent staff to review albums but apparently I was mistaken.

Anonymous (May 20, 2005)

the two songs fromt the ted leo split are great. are the other cds like that, or is that the only acoustic stuff?

score is for the split.

Anonymous (May 15, 2005)

Shikari are Level Plane "screamo" and they are fucking awesome.

-BSD

boldredletters (May 15, 2005)

i saw them a while ago and didn't get the hype. thought they were kinda boring.

Anchors (May 14, 2005)

I'm going to respond to this before Jesse does, because he'll be a lot less kind about it. Rightfully so, but anyhow:

For the last time:

STAFF DOES NOT.. still with me? Okay, good, keep going. PICK THE ALBUMS... alright almost there, hope you're still comprehending. THAT THEY REVIEW. I know it's a lot to take in at once, but Jesus Christ, it's been said more times than Oprah has eaten doughnuts.

soulbleed (May 14, 2005)

jesse, you're more than ignorant, you're retarded. don't review bands you don't know.

sweetsugarpezz (May 14, 2005)

somebody liked the cool boarders series!

Anonymous (May 14, 2005)

i love this band, haven't heard this cd yet though

kenjamin (May 13, 2005)

One AM Radio isn't the most exciting thing I've ever heard but it's a nice mellow jam. solid.

Nietzsche (May 13, 2005)

Good review, even though I like these guys.

Inspection12e (May 13, 2005)

For a remix cd this cd is pretty good. All of the other One Am Radio cds are great. Including the split with Ted Leo.

Benjasaurus (May 13, 2005)

The screamo that level plane puts out is the original shit, and it's fucking amazing.

Jesse (May 13, 2005)

Ooooooh, they named the title with the last two letters not in italics?

Or maybe I'm just being an asshole about the fact that you missed a space. Heh. I'm losing things to get in arguments over. Yeah, I should check out the earlier stuff, but I'm waaaay too lazy.

Anchors (May 13, 2005)

I think you'd like the first two albums that Scott mentioned. They had an EP in there somewhere called An Assemblyas well that was the same lo-fi indie stuff.

I haven't heard this so I can't say anything, but check those out.

kenjamin (May 13, 2005)

A Name Writ in Water for you lazy folks.

maverick (May 13, 2005)

In the words of Michael Jackson, "That's ignorant."

The One AM Radio is one of the most talented groups I've heard in the past few years. This remix CD, while not mindblowing, is a good companion to their last full-length. Check out either of their two full lengths: The Hum Of The Electric Air! on Alone Records, and the newer one (the name of which I can't remember) on Level Plane.

-Scott