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Idiot Pilot

Strange We Should Meet Here [reissue] (2005)
Warner Music Group

Reviewer Rating:

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

Published on May 27th 2005

I'm sure Idiot Pilot's Strange We Should Meet Here will or already has either be(en) praised as an ambitious, original hybrid of rock, electronica, and (a skewed definition of) hardcore, or dismissed as blatant Radiohead aping with random screaming and keyboard loops thrown in. My opinion of the two teenagers from Bellingham, WA (could've sworn I just wrote this), lies somewhere in the middle.

It's quite obvious the base majority of Idiot Pilot's sound is derived from the droning, equally melodramatic and melancholic, nightmarish college rock of early Radiohead, but other than the spot-on Thom Yorke impression, it's where the comparison just about comes to a screeching halt. Where Idiot Pilot attempt separating themselves is with the early-video-game-sound palette of synthesizer effects and pathological screaming at points. It's hard to say the likely reaction a listener will elicit upon hearing these screams come into play during the droid-like moaning that otherwise makes up the rest of the remastered, re-released Strange; it'll either be a mind-blowing climactic event or hearty laugh at kitschy composition. Mine is of mild awkwardness and unsureness, because while the music certainly benefits to have these more intense moments scattered throughout, reaching them just by blatantly, randomly screaming seems like a hasty shortcut and thus somewhat out of place.

Early track "A Day In The Life Of A Poolshark" carries an infectious melody in the chorus, but it's ruined by the screaming, and that's one of the few enjoyable moments. Other times, the band seems to do things just to do them; "The Violent Tango," as well as several other tracks, occasionally carries suspiciously familiar guitar tones better appropriate for the pop soundtrack to Gen X-approved John Hughes films. The chorus to the aforementioned jumps around too much to work well, and comes off as a cluttered aural mess. "Nightlife" comes off like blatant Postal Service biting...with screams. As if that's not enough, "Militance Prom" even dishes out a verse in rap form, for about five lines. Try to imagine any mid-90's Radiohead single with a hip-hop interlude, and "unnecessary" might just be the resulting word.

There are three extremes Idiot Pilot is trying to attempt here, and seemingly, they just don't mesh entirely well. Idiot Pilot are talented, no doubt, but to put it in short, they could find their sound if they just basically stopped fucking around, because it makes for disconnected listening and extended moments of complete indifference.

MP3s
Losing Color
The Violent Tango
To Buy A Gun

STREAM
Strange We Should Meet Here

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NovaPulse (December 26, 2008)

I actually truly enjoyed this album. Do i think everyone will? not a chance! I have attempted to listen to this band twice in the past but after a minute of listening i would shut it off and dismiss it as crap. But the other day i happened across it and it truly blew my mind. it kinda makes me think this is what you get when you cross punk and classical. There truly is beauty in the chaos you just gotta be open to it.

HeresLookinAtYou (July 20, 2006)

I actually enjoy this.

even if it's just two losers with a laptop trying to rip off radiohead and throw in some screamo for selling value. it's kinda cool and dare I say...oriignal

Anonymous (February 5, 2006)

So bad...and if you have the misfortune of seeing them live, you'll realise that 90% of there music (and some singing!) is actually generated by a laptop. One of them said how it was a rock and roll concert and not electronic...well turn off your laptop then.

thejewvolta (December 22, 2005)

ummmmmmm
I really want to like these guys
but they're nothing above mediocore
'To Buy A Gun'
is an awesome song
but the rest of the album just bores me

Anonymous (August 9, 2005)

The album is wonderful in my opinion. The whole rapping thing is completely uncalled for to beat on, because of the way you put it. Sure I don't like it, but in fact, I am a huge Radiohead fan and they have a handful of songs that have "hip-hop verses" in them. Take "The Bends" for example. If I'm not mistaken, Thom Yorke definitely goes off on a "hip-hop verse" in the middle of the song. No other band is like these guys, and their music is the most original thing to come out of the last couple of years. Not that that's saying much because the industry has fallen into a pit with emo and screamo and the new punk-pop. I'm sure you emo fans are gonna strike back and claim that it's genius, but believe me when I say the lyrics, "Because you killed me, you know you do, you kill me well," are not from the brightest minds in music. These two guys, who might I add are extremely underage to be making such sophisticated music, are making themselves their own genre, and last time I checked, most bands who do that are pretty good. These guys are not followers, and by the way, the album cover is unbelievable.

Anonymous (June 22, 2005)

the album cover is poser. what meaning were they trying to convey with that advanced photoshop art project from some community college? i bet they had a bunch to choose from and were like "woa dude that one looks cool!!! lets do it omg!!" also that little rap thing is pretty gay but i can get through it. its just when i try to show my friends that song i find my self "accidently" fastfowarding through that part. but honestly these guys are talented and if they were smart they would let their musical talents mature and come out with an album in a few years. if they dont let their ego's get in the way and they understand their music better they will be one of the bigger, better bands of the future

Anonymous (May 31, 2005)

I just saw them lastnight, they were terrible, really I dont understand how people werent laughing at them once their set ended.

Anonymous (May 30, 2005)

Yeah, whoever said Bellingham is a Seattle metro area really should get a clue. Listen to Shook Ones.

AnotherxBrick (May 29, 2005)

This two-man band is astonishing. Just amazing the sound they come up with.

maverick (May 29, 2005)

Sucks.

-Scott

ubershep (May 27, 2005)

Score is for Chris Nolan as a brother.

Anonymous (May 27, 2005)

"Someone from the metro Seattle area doing the whole laptop/computer music. How fucking original."

Two things:
First thing is that Bellingham is pretty far away from the metro Seattle area on many different levels. It's like like saying a band from Princeton, NJ is from New York City.

Second thing is... Who can you name besides the Postal Service (who's electronic component isn't even from Seattle) that does "Laptop/Computer Music" AKA Electronica? I lived there for • of my life and I can think of 3 groups that (as a stretch) are doing anything similar to this.

Your opinion about the band is understandable, but don't shit on a really cool city with some amazing music just because you don't know what the fuck your talking about.

Anonymous (May 27, 2005)

oh nevermind...some of these songs sound a lot like radiohead

benz

Anonymous (May 27, 2005)

I think this review might be a little too hard on this band. From what I've heard so far these guys are a lot more interesting than most of the bands i hear these days. Also, I don't think these guys really sound like radiohead that much.

-benz

Anonymous (May 27, 2005)

Someone from the metro Seattle area doing the whole laptop/computer music. How fucking original.

piratasmuertas (May 27, 2005)

Pretty good album. I think Brian's score of this album may be a bit low but I do agree with some of the points that were made.

Anonymous (May 27, 2005)

Good review. I bought this on Tuesday w/Alkaline Trio. My reaction so far based on just a few listens has been the same (can't seem to take Crimson out of the disc player).

I'm hoping it will grow on me a bit more. I really like the Atari sounding effects that kick off track 2.

inagreendase (May 27, 2005)

is anyone going to review the new marathon record?

I already wrote something for it and I'll be posting it on the release date.

Anonymous (May 27, 2005)

I am not really a big fan of the disc overall but some parts are good. When I saw them live they tried too hard with the spooky stuff. The laptop they were using to run the video kept screwing up and it just seemed really fake.

They are from Bellingham though so they have that going for them

Anonymous (May 27, 2005)

It is all over the place, but that is one of the things I like about this album. Its different and high quality listening. Their show live is freaking wicked too.

Anonymous (May 27, 2005)

is anyone going to review the new marathon record?

aubin (May 27, 2005)

I haven't heard the whole record yet, but based on the flash player, it seemed pretty good.

Allular (May 27, 2005)

Everyone I know seem to really like these guys but I agree whole heartedly with the review.

thefirstfive (May 27, 2005)

I really loved this album. Its just like a great mixtape, and while it's a bit of a clusterfuck at times it's still interesting. To me its better to try too much than to just fall back on the same old same old. Just my two cents.

Anonymous (May 27, 2005)

I agree with this review. I like the album, though.

Score is for the new Batman movie.