The Lawrence Arms

The Lawrence Arms: Cocktails And DreamsCocktails And Dreams (2005)
Asian Man Records

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: AubinAubin
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on July 15th 2005In the geek hierarchy, the music geek does relatively well. Compared to say, film geeks and science fiction geeks, the music geek is almost a normal person. They have girlfriends and jobs and tend to live fairly normal lives, except for one thing: There is clearly one characteristic that imparts th.

In the geek hierarchy, the music geek does relatively well. Compared to say, film geeks and science fiction geeks, the music geek is almost a normal person. They have girlfriends and jobs and tend to live fairly normal lives, except for one thing: There is clearly one characteristic that imparts the music geek with sufficient abnormality to deserve the "geek" park of his name. That is, of course, the endless evenings and weekends spent poring over CD racks in record stores, that singular drive to root out every last piece of vinyl, every used, badly packaged compilation with that one missing track needed to complete the discography.

The B-Sides disc is the mortal nemesis of this individual. After all, half the fun of being a fan is those long hours spent in those stores, acting as what polite people would refer to as a "completist." But the B-sides disc takes that away; instead of rooting through used bins, accompanied by that comforting click of CDs and thump of vinyl as they flip through the racks, they have one nicely packaged CD which includes all those songs. Sure, it'll save some money (a lot, actually) but it does take away that thrill, that supplication to the hunter-gatherer spirit.

That said, not everyone is a music geek and Cocktails And Dreams does more than just compile a random mish-mash of songs to be loved only by that person, but instead provides a solid, coherent album and a well-appreciated entry in a solid catalog. Like many people, my first exposure to the Lawrence Arms was not their respectable debut releases, but their Fat Wreck Chords debut; a record that so wonderfully blended Chris' Schwarzenbachesque vocals with Brendan's snotty bark. Songs that oscillated between sensitive and snotty. Apathy And Exhaustion was a series of gems just made for a mixtape. And while the transformation between good and great happened suddenly, the groundwork was laid in two solid split CD releases. The first with Shady View Terrace saw the beginnings of that growth, but undoubtedly, their split with the Chinkees was so uniformly solid that it must have provided the impetus for Fat Mike to sign them to his label.

For many people who didn't hungrily search for those two splits, these solid songs were probably undeservedly unknown, and that would truly be unfortunate because tracks like "100 Resolutions" are among the best the band has ever written. Chris' assured vocals and poetic lyrics are backed up by a solid and dynamic instrumental section while Brendan's brash but straight up take on that distinctly Chicago style of punk rock on "Quincentuple Your Money" is so earnest and memorable.

Besides those two excellent splits, also present are tracks from various compilations, like their contribution to Uncontrollable Fatulence, Rock Against Bush Vol. 2 and OIL (though renamed to "Joyce Carol Oates Is A Boring Old Biddy" due to the percieved "stupid title.") In addition, the band recorded three new tracks to round out the record: the opener "Intransit" and the two closing tracks which include the terrific new recording of "Turnstiles."

Frankly, the only annoyance on the album is the frustrating need to again pack the three cover songs in the final track. Other than that, the album is sequenced remarkably well for such a disparate set of recordings and outside-of-the-home recorded cover tracks; they all sound remarkably consistent in terms of sound quality.

Typically, a compilation like this one would be best for the diehard fans, since B-sides are typically left off proper albums for a reason; however, for punk rock bands, the opposite almost always seems to be true; some of the best material of many great bands is buried on singles, 7"s and B-sides. Like Hot Water Music's Never Ender and Alkaline Trio's self-titled release, Cocktails And Dreams ranks among the best material the Lawrence Arms have committed to tape and stands alone not just as a set of odds and ends, but a worthy album in itself.

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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.

owneroperator (July 29, 2010)

nice stuff. nebraska is... there are no words to describe what it is. larry arms best track. maybe.

drugmoney (July 22, 2010)

one of my favorites from these drunken dudes

assgoblin (January 7, 2007)

Being that I am a lazy fuck it is nice to have previously hard to find tracks from various splits and EPs on one easy to buy CD. I have listened to this album over and over again and it is probably my favorite group of lawrence arms recordings. Just so everyone knows if you dismantle the cd case there is a hidden-picture of the Lawrence Arms playing with dildos.

dpotts (August 5, 2006)

This should be advertised as the "must have" album for any Lawrence Arms fan. It's pretty awesome having songs from so many parts of the bands history all on one disk.

Anonymous (March 23, 2006)

I want this sooooooo badly, but I can't find it...And I'm not a fan of buying online.

Anonymous (February 4, 2006)

I've heard this, Apathy and Calcutta, and this smites the other two SO BAD.
Fucking amazing.
*puts it on now*

skanknsmile (January 18, 2006)

I have not listened to any other lawrence arms record more than i have this one. (Apathy comes in a close second) the new one is going to rape mothers all over the map!

Bosco (August 19, 2005)

"It's a Carcass album name. I'm sure you already know this since you seem to "know wtf you are talking about"."

When TLA announced that song for Rock Against Bush, they described it as "AFI and Coheed & Cambria playing Dungeons and Dragons together." It may be a Carcass tribute, but it's most definintely a rip on C&C too.

pabstboy (August 6, 2005)

A great selection of songs here. I love the balance of gritty anger and balanced melody. This album just goes to show that their right up there with Alkaline in terms of best Chicago bands out there. If anyone says Fall Out Boy they should be forced to swallow thier own teeth.
Lawrence Arms actually reminds me of Goo's first album Jed which is amazingly a really good album.

Anonymous (July 21, 2005)

imageshack.us

It takes like two seconds.

Score is for you if you do it. ;D

AlmostPunkEnough (July 21, 2005)

i think necroticism is both an ode to carcass and making fun of jackass song title. then again what the hell do i know?

whoever asked for a scan of the album insert, gimme your aim name or e-mail and i'll send it, i'm not gonna take the time to post it somewhere.

DickAround (July 20, 2005)

""necrotism: decanting the insalburious cyborg midnight part 7" is actually DIRECTLY making fun of coheed and cambria

dont' rip on the larry arms unless you know wtf you are talking about.

paul"

It's a Carcass album name. I'm sure you already know this since you seem to "know wtf you are talking about".

Anonymous (July 20, 2005)

Somebody scan the insert, I want to see it.

Score is for whoever does it first.

Anonymous (July 20, 2005)

the 2 sounds about right.

Josiah (July 20, 2005)

and the 2 was a mistake ...my bad

Josiah (July 20, 2005)

i should probably get around to buying this soon...

Crookedsuperhero (July 19, 2005)

"Aubin, you are right about the music nerd, I've spent a fortune importing all these b-sides from us to uk in order to have all the LA tracks and I hate thi B-sides comp because of how much I spent. Although there are some things that you can still get on comps which aren't on the b-sides CD (Nebraska-live and Acoustic song called Traditional)"

Are you kidding? These songs are on 2 splits, 2 comps and a 7". I'm in the UK as well and it cost me about £15 overall.

Anonymous (July 19, 2005)

"necrotism: decanting the insalburious cyborg midnight part 7" is actually DIRECTLY making fun of coheed and cambria

dont' rip on the larry arms unless you know wtf you are talking about.

paul

Anonymous (July 19, 2005)

dude, halifax just sounds like the used/my chem romance/blahb lah that shit. larry arms arent entirely original but they are a hell of a lot mroe orignal than halifax.

paul

glamabadges (July 18, 2005)

*rock on*

Anonymous (July 18, 2005)

i know why this comp doesn't sound right, because this bands sucks ass

Anonymous (July 18, 2005)

What's going on? I've had this for over two months now.

Aubin, you are right about the music nerd, I've spent a fortune importing all these b-sides from us to uk in order to have all the LA tracks and I hate thi B-sides comp because of how much I spent. Although there are some things that you can still get on comps which aren't on the b-sides CD (Nebraska-live and Acoustic song called Traditional)

The Lawrence Arms have been my have band for almost four years and I love ALL their songs. The thing is, this b-side comp is the weakest. An album from the LA is like an epical journey full of the band's feelings. Each song has a sound that is associated with the album it's off. Now mixing songs like 'Overheated' with 'necrotism' sounds a little wrong. Maybe if they mixed the trakc s a little so they blended like a noraml album it would've been perfect. I love every track ever by the LA but this comp doesn't sound quite right

Anonymous (July 18, 2005)

"When is the *Slapstick* reunion gonna be???"

Ska died in 1997

Anonymous (July 18, 2005)

"When is the *Slapstick* reunion gonna be???"

Ska died in 199

Anonymous (July 18, 2005)

When is the *Slapstick* reunion gonna be???

Anonymous (July 18, 2005)

"Rather listen to Halifax? Wow, I guess someone loves generic music"

because the lawrence arms are so mindblowingly original. please, this band is just as generic as halifax.

SomeoneAnonymous (July 18, 2005)

Does anyone know where I could get ahold of that Daily Show segment with Brendan?

corpseofmymotivation (July 18, 2005)

You should listen to a band called Red Forty, totally awesome Jawbreakerish punk. Not as good as The Lawrence Arms, but damn good.
I like this, but I'm not hearing the Jawbreaker influence much in the song I'm listening to.

Anonymous (July 17, 2005)

"Still not Jawbreaker, but Ive yet to hear another band play Jawbreaker inspired punk so well."

Me either. I've had tons suggested, but nobody really pulled it off like they do.

You should listen to a band called Red Forty, totally awesome Jawbreakerish punk. Not as good as The Lawrence Arms, but damn good.

Anonymous (July 17, 2005)

i wish i had a cup full of lawrence arms seamen. i would dip my finger in it and lick it clean.

Anonymous (July 17, 2005)

Rather listen to Halifax? Wow, I guess someone loves generic music.

Anonymous (July 17, 2005)

this band completely sucks. i'd rather listen to halifax then the lawrence arms

corpseofmymotivation (July 17, 2005)

"Still not Jawbreaker, but Ive yet to hear another band play Jawbreaker inspired punk so well."

Me either. I've had tons suggested, but nobody really pulled it off like they do.

8dollarclarinetsolo (July 17, 2005)

they closed with L and L in indiana and it was awesome

Anonymous (July 17, 2005)

Still not Jawbreaker, but Ive yet to hear another band play Jawbreaker inspired punk so well.

Anonymous (July 17, 2005)

this band still isn't Jawbreaker, right?
--Cos

Anonymous (July 17, 2005)

"I have always wondered when i picked up the LP "The Greatest Story Ever Hula'd" by Grabass Charlestons and wondered if it was a parody of the The Lawrence Arms title."

No, Its a Simpsons reference, and a goddamn amazing album. Ive been waiting for a few weeks now for the new one to come in the mail, the wait is killing me.

Anonymous (July 17, 2005)

I love the layout for this shit. I can't wait to see their next full-length artwork. I hope they go with Holtz again.

Crookedsuperhero (July 17, 2005)

"i don't know, but that album is goddamn sweet (the grabass i mean). does anyone know if the new one is any good??"

I haven't bought it yet, but that mp3 on the No Idea is probably the most fun song i've heard all year.

Anonymous (July 17, 2005)

yes i too would like to see an Arms DVD. Better than the Against Me DVD which was really just a commercial for showing off how punk they are for not signing to Geffen

AlmostPunkEnough (July 17, 2005)

"I have always wondered when i picked up the LP "The Greatest Story Ever Hula'd" by Grabass Charlestons and wondered if it was a parody of the The Lawrence Arms title."

i don't know, but that album is goddamn sweet (the grabass i mean). does anyone know if the new one is any good??

Anonymous (July 16, 2005)

Sorry bout the bad grammer below, but yeah...

boba_fett (July 16, 2005)

i totally missed this one. i guess ill have to start looking for it.

Anonymous (July 16, 2005)

I didn't get what the fuss about The Lawrence Arms was, (i heard the track Navigating the windward passage which sounded super melodic hardcore) and i thought yeah it's not bad, nothing special, then i picked up "The Greatest Story Ever Told" today in this little record store and i have given it a listen now and i got to say i'm impressed, it made me think Jawbreaker, with hints of Leatherface and a tablespoon of Alkaline Trio..... or whatever! but yeah i'll be looking for this record.

So question,

I have always wondered when i picked up the LP "The Greatest Story Ever Hula'd" by Grabass Charlestons and wondered if it was a parody of the The Lawrence Arms title.

ChokingVictim (July 16, 2005)

I agree with the comments that say TLA and Dillinger Four are some of the most respected bands on this site. I'd probably have to throw in Against Me! too.

Their respect is well deserved, they are all great.

AlmostPunkEnough (July 16, 2005)

"Pretty average pop punk stuff, songs sound alike, heard it before."

i can see how you would think that on first listen. the thing about the larry arms is that the songs just never stop growing on you (or at least they don't for me). everytime i put on A Guided Tour of Chicago it's better than the last time i heard it. ad that goes for 90% of their material.

i can't describe what it is, but there's just something about them that makes me scream along at the top of my lungs when i hear certain songs. it's a raw emotion, or something i subconciously relate to. or maybe i have no idea what the fuck i'm talking about.

Anonymous (July 16, 2005)

Ive never seen so much positive commenting on a band or album and so little negative commenting on this site before. I guess it's for a reason, The Lawrence Arms are amazing, they have been since their first record and they still are, and The Broadways were amazing as well.

Crookedsuperhero (July 16, 2005)

"Necrotism: Decanting the Insalubrious"

It's a joke about bands that actually always use names like that.

Anonymous (July 16, 2005)

Necrotism: Decanting the Insalubrious??????

What kind of bullshit is that? I guess if that what floats your boat. This band is a poor man's Blink 183 with a singer who sounds like Rod Stewart with a cold. Overrated is the key word here. In the early 90's these fools would wash away in a sea of mediocrity.

Anonymous (July 16, 2005)

I seriously don't understand the fuss about this band. It seems like everyone on this site loves them. Not that its bad I just dont see why. Pretty average pop punk stuff, songs sound alike, heard it before.

corpseofmymotivation (July 16, 2005)

I'd respect D4 a whole lot more if they'd come out to Arizona for once.

Anonymous (July 16, 2005)

it seems like the lawrence arms and dillinger 4 are two of the best and most respected bands these days.

opivykid (July 16, 2005)

This cd is completely kickass, and would have gotten an 8 (maybe 9) easily, if they didnt completely butcher 'Turnstyles'. The old gritty feel is gone, and also, it sounds like the singer just gives up one some words (perposely even)...

i could burn this place to the *ground*...
...onto the *scene*

And so on. It makes the version damn near unlistenable. Bah.

Anonymous (July 16, 2005)

"this band sucks ass"

The truth has been spoken.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

this band sucks ass

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

great review. aubin should review all the good album and jesse should review all the bad ones. also cant wait to pick this up.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

this is taking an age to be released here in australia. but i know it will be worth the wait if only for the new song and the turnstyles cover. score is for the cute girl at the record store who's putting it on hold for me when it finally gets here.

aubin (July 15, 2005)

Sorry for going Pitchfork on you, but I think you're looking for impetus. Impetuous = rash or reckless.

Thanks, I fixed it. This is what happens when you depend too much on a spell-checker.

SomeoneAnonymous (July 15, 2005)

The Alachua cover and Never Ender cover both have a white stencil with the HWM flame logo, so they are very similiar, it's whats behind the stencil that's different. BOOM!

Anyways, yeah I too was quite surprised at the hidden picture for this cd, Cocktails and Dreams INDEED!

corpseofmymotivation (July 15, 2005)

Songs they played on 7/10 in Phoenix, AZ (I won't call it a set list because it's out of order, but it's everything they played):

Kevin Costner’s Casino
The First Eviction Notice
Porno and Snuff Films
Navigating the Windward Passage
Brick Wall Views
Intransit
Quincentuple Your Money
100 Resolutions
Presenting: The Dancing Machine
Necrotism: Decanting the Insalubrious
Faintly Falling Ashes
Turnstiles
Light Breathing
The Raw and Searing Flesh
On With the Show
Alert the Audience
Chapter 13: The Hero Appears
The Ramblin’ Boys of Pleasure
The Disaster March

AlmostPunkEnough (July 15, 2005)

"For those of you who actually own the CD: make sure you pull the tray out of the case to see the spectacular picture behind it."

two questions: a) what the fuck is that, a dildo? b) is it actually in his ass? or just kinda on the oustide? i'm too sacred to look closely.

Bosco (July 15, 2005)

For those of you who actually own the CD: make sure you pull the tray out of the case to see the spectacular picture behind it.

Thanks Lawrence Arms!

Bosco (July 15, 2005)

A fucking B-Sides comp that manages to best every other new release of the year? Doesn't suprise me a bit with these guys. Awesome CD. The only thing that bothers me is that my favorite Larry Arms song is the acoustic version of Faintly Falling Ashes tacked on to the end of Ghost Stories, and it's on this one too, only it's still a hidden track. I hate fast-forwarding through the silence.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

the arms are the bestest. but they dont do any covers on this cd. check yo facts! old mexico way is a brendan original.

AlmostPunkEnough (July 15, 2005)

"The Lawrence Arms are probably respected moreso than any other band on this site"

also Dillinger Four.

"we need to start a petition to get a lawrence arms dvd in the works."

i'll be the first to sign.

"Quincentuple Your Money is simply one of the best songs ever written about living in a city."

dear god yes. it's also one of the best larry arms songs ever written, making it one of the best songs ever. period.

and no takers on my setlist question from their nyc show a few weeks back?

jamespastepunk (July 15, 2005)

Quincentuple Your Money is simply one of the best songs ever written about living in a city.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

i think its pretty safe to say that the lawrence arms are by far the most underrated band out there right now. please tell me you agree.

we need to start a petition to get a lawrence arms dvd in the works.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

"...it must have provided the impetuous for Fat Mike to sign them to his label".

Sorry for going Pitchfork on you, but I think you're looking for impetus. Impetuous = rash or reckless.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

the 7" for alachua looks nothing like never ender

aubin (July 15, 2005)

i thought never ender was the name of the HWM rarities comp?

You're right; the 7" for Alachua and Never Ender look similar and I confused the two for some reason.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

The Lawrence Arms are probably respected moreso than any other band on this site..........word woman.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

I saw Lawrence Arms a long time ago in Ann Arbor, MI. While I was standing in the audience I tried to sneak a fart hoping nobody would notice. It turned out to be one of the smelliest farts ever, just as if I'd pooped my pants and nasty diarhea was sitting there rotting. A big section of people cleared out around me and I tried to hide but I think people knew it was me and someone was like "fuck whoever just did that".

AlmostPunkEnough (July 15, 2005)

while we're talking about setlists, does anyone remeber what they played on june 4th at tribeca rock club in nyc?

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

Saw these guys in a tiny Melbourne, Australia venue and they rocked so much I shat my pants.

Not a single negative thing said about this album in the comments for this review? Incredible, and well deserved, biatch.

ChokingVictim (July 15, 2005)

in all honesty, if you look at this as a real album, its maybe their best....so amazing

'100 resolutions' is easily chris's best song he's ever written. its up there. so is 'someones floor'

we all know 'quincetuple' owns your soul. yes. your soul. you reading this.

and the fat comp songs....damn. fun short blasts of bren agression

and the drinkin' anthem of 'a toast' ....yes.

this is in my top 10 of the year so far...even if it is a collection and not new material

paul

----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------

I completely agree with you. Most rarities and B-sides comps usually have at least a few (if not more) songs that just aren't good (see 45 or 46 songs...by NOFX - even though I love it), but this one is solid the whole way through.

soulbleed (July 15, 2005)

this band has consistently been one of my favorites for a couple of years now. '100 resolutions' has to be my favorite song by them.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

i thought never ender was the name of the HWM rarities comp?

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

grog shop is the shit

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

wow..memory lane man....

100 resolutions followed by chapter 13...arguably my 2 fav chris songs back to back...god that was moving when him and bren were doin the 'good friend! how loud do!' part in chapter 13 on the same mic

paul

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

yeah I have all the asian man splits *pats himself on back, but I'll still buy this to perpetuate my "music geekness" and fuck its the arms' they rule. Aubin: good use of "thump" when describing record browsing.

Barkley

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

thank you! that was a great show for sure! drove from pittsburgh to see it

paul

hubitcherkokov (July 15, 2005)

I've never been to Alvin's, but I love the new Grog Shop. It is my favorite venue in Cleveland.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

does anyone know if they played ghost stories at the detroit show? and i thought the detroit show was better just because alvin's is a better venue then the grog shop.
cheers

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

you're in luck amigo, cleveland set-list for the memorial day show:
1. dancing machine
2. on w/show
3. 1st eviction
4. navigating
5. all the week
6. kevin costner
7. martha plimpton/melt w/you
8. porno
9. brick
10. ramblin'
11. turnstyles
12. toast
13. raw
14. alert
15. 100
16. ch 13
17. necro
18. northside
cheers

hubitcherkokov (July 15, 2005)

"Here is the set list for last week's Lawrence Arms/A Wilhelm Scream/Methadones show at the Grog Shop (in no particular order and to the best of my recollection):

-Kevin Costner's Casino
-Northside, The L&L, and Any Number of Crappy Apartments
-Turnstiles
-All The Week
-Light Breathing (Me and Martha Plimpton in a Fancy Elevator)
-A Toast
-100 Resolutions
-Porno and Snuff Films
-First Eviction Notice
-Navigating the Windward Passage
-Brickwall Views
-Raw and Searing Flesh
-On With The Show
-Chapter 13 - The Hero Appears
-Alert The Audience
-Ramblin' Boys of Pleasure
-Necrotism: Decanting the Insalubrious (Cyborg Midnight) Part 7
-Presenting: The Dancing Machine (Il Robot Con La Testa Di Scimmia)

It was the best/most animated I've ever seen them play and, as you can tell, their set list contained more older material than usual, which rules. "

I posted that on another board. Cheers.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

Great band, but we all want a new record out of these guys.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

if anyone was at the cleveland show recently, please post the setlist!!!

paul

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

inagreendase (July 15, 2005)

This beats Terrorhawk for album of the year.

I know some of you kids hate the technical bullshit, but you can't really count this in the list as a normal album seeing as it's a compilation. At least I won't be for that sole reason, but because of all the solid-to-great comps out this year (Adolescents, Strike Anywhere, ATDI), I'll have to do a top 5 list reserved for them.

SoupIsGoodFood (July 15, 2005)

This beats Terrorhawk for album of the year.

Karasu (July 15, 2005)

The band is breaking up, forming a new band with members of Homegrown, Blood Brothers and Alkaline Trio, that will be produced on Epic. This said there will be no decent record.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

I'm looking forward to this, but releasing an album of B-sides guarantees one of three things:

1) the band is breaking up
2) the band is signing to a major label
3) the band will never, ever release another decent album

What do you folks think it is?

OC

8dollarclarinetsolo (July 15, 2005)

as ive been saying for a long time, this is their best collection of songs

corpseofmymotivation (July 15, 2005)

This is easily their best disc. I won't call it an album for obvious reasons, but this is by far the best thing they've ever put out, and that says a hell of a lot.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

5 Stars. But then TLA could put out like an album of Styx covers and i would be clapping for more. So I'm biased. But I like Track one, Faintly Falling Ashes and Overatted (it sounds sort of like an alternative version of Brickwall Views which is one of my personal favorites but much better in my opinion) If you like TLA, you'll love this.

lou (July 15, 2005)

jesusholyfuckinghell i want this. wish i had a job.

score is for turnstiles and most everything TLA.

Poison_Operation (July 15, 2005)

Everything I've heard from the Lawrence Arms, I've liked. I can't seem to find anything from them except for the Greatest Story Ever Told for some reason, though. (I bought GSET after hearing the song they put on the second Rock Against Bush comp. and have been searching for more LA material ever since.) The score isn't for this particular B-side comp., as I haven't heard anything that's on it (except for the RAB: 2 track). The score is for the Lawrence Arms themselves.

--Steve--

AlmostPunkEnough (July 15, 2005)

some great stuff on here. i had never heard the shit from the shady view terrace split, and i'm sorry i missed it until now.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

Anyone who doesn't like this band is re-tawded.

-Not-To-Regret

Kenjamin (July 15, 2005)

yea, i bet the lawrence arms are waaay funnier and much more interesting than against me so a DVD, even if it was a bonus disc on their next cd, would probably be pretty fucking sweet.

SomeoneAnonymous (July 15, 2005)

Oh yeah, I also was a little bummed that the hidden tracks weren't separated, it kind of makes it pointless for them to be there. But my goodness, the re-recordings of "Turnstyles" and "The Old Timers 2x4" are incredible. Maybe they re-record some more of their old songs, eh eh?

Kenjamin (July 15, 2005)

so you spent all that time about music geeks but you're review is flawed.

As a geek who is somewhat gay for all of the members of this band and their music and thus has all of these tracks in some form, is this worth getting?

SomeoneAnonymous (July 15, 2005)

Even though cds like this make searching endlessly for rare records somewhat moot, it's still nice to have all the songs in one place. Plus, there were a couple of new tracks on this as well, so thats a bonus.

I agree that the Chinkees split was the beginning of something "magical" as it seems like everything they've touched since then has been gold. This cd is awesome and I'd say its a great place to start if you're just getting into them because it's a great overview of what they've done so far.

Anywho, someone suggested a little while ago that the guys who made the Against Me! DVD should make one with the Lawrence Arms and I think that's a great idea. Sorry for rambling on, I just love this band.

hubitcherkokov (July 15, 2005)

Although I enjoy the re-recordings of "Turnstiles" and "The Old Timer's 2x4," I favor the originals. I'm happy I finally got to hear the Fat Club track, too. It rules.

stevejonestherealbones (July 15, 2005)

you cant hug people with nuclear arms

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

fistchode (July 15, 2005)

While I'm poor off my rocker saving up money for future travels to distant lands.. I'm having a very hard time justifying my passing of this album.

aubin (July 15, 2005)

Yeah, I forgot to mention that in my comment. Is there any logical reason it was reproduced on this?

That's what I was getting at; it seemed like something that could have been split up for the release. I ended up doing it myself using this program. (It detects the digital silence and splits the songs up)

inagreendase (July 15, 2005)

the reason they have the 3 hidden tracks is cause its the hidden tracks from Ghost Stories exactly the way they were on Ghost Stories..

Yeah, I forgot to mention that in my comment. Is there any logical reason it was reproduced on this?

bizzlebrizzle (July 15, 2005)

I agree with Aubin.

Brendan songs sound like early Jawbreaker, Chris songs sound like later Dear You Jets To Brazil.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

good review, great band, fantastic album (or whatever). WOO!

jamespastepunk (July 15, 2005)

Turnstiles made me cry the first night I listened to it. Not having heard it before this comp, I was shocked at just how sad it is.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

the reason they have the 3 hidden tracks is cause its the hidden tracks from Ghost Stories exactly the way they were on Ghost Stories..

aubin (July 15, 2005)

I always thought it was Brendan who had the Schwarzenbach inflection.

I guess you could say that; Brendan is Blake on Bivouac and Chris is Blake on Dear You and Jets to Brazil.

Listening to Apathy and Exhaustion and hearing Chris' enunciations on "Your Gravest Words," it was quite remarkable how much it reminded me of Dear You.

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

How could you compare Chris' vocals to Blake Schwarzenbach's?

colin (July 15, 2005)

good review, great album. wish they would have kept the "abortions for all" clip in there, though.

inagreendase (July 15, 2005)

I always thought it was Brendan who had the Schwarzenbach inflection.

Anyway, for some reason, these tracks sound a lot better on their own than bunched together. Maybe it's the (though expected) resulting lack of cohesivness, but still a good album, granted, and it's true, some of those split songs are the best they've put to tape ("100 Resolutions" anyone?).

Anonymous (July 15, 2005)

fucking finally....