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| WestonThe Massed Albert Sounds2001 Mojo 
 Review by: GlassPipeMurder See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
Brief biography (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 Published on October 16th 2005
Years before keyboard-backed pop-punk bands like Motion City Soundtrack and Mêlée were gaining national attention, a humble quartet out of Pennsylvania decided to do something different. After two highly-regarded and fast-paced pop-punk releases á la early Blink 182 on Go-Kart Records, the band literally turned its sound upside-down, much to the chagrin of their loyal fans.
I have no words to start this song / But I bet you'll sing along / Stand up straight and listen close / `Cause I just quit rock and rollThe opening line says it all. This was an entirely new path for Weston. Although they didn't really "quit rock and roll" (the album is still very rockin'), The Massed Albert Sounds is a mood-swinging yet cohesive homage to loneliness, frustration, and unattainable dreams. While they do succeed on two of the slower songs, "Kiss Like an Angel" and "Volume Hater" (which begins with a beautiful a cappella intro), the vocals are usually not strong enough to hold up. Clearly the best songs on The Massed Albert Sounds are closer to the punk that they once embraced, songs like the beautiful and touching "Liz Phair," and "Summer's Over," which brings a tear to my eye nearly every fall. This album is highly recommended for those in the punk scene who are looking for a band that was ballsy enough to try something different, even if it meant alienating most of their fans in the process. The Massed Albert Sounds is tightly-knit with thoughtful lyrics and imaginative musicianship, and undoubtedly one of the best releases to ever come from Mojo Records. People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
this album is great. haven't listened to it in about 5 years though. about to put it on right now. I agree with some of the other sentiments on here. This was for the most part a big departure from their earlier sound. There are a few really good songs and some filler. Jim is in Cordova. Also Gill from Nooner. They're super good at what they do - which is indy rock. I think Jim's voice is even better live than on the records too which is really really damn impressive. some of the guys or one guy plays in this band cordova now I'm going to agree with the dude below me, they weren't the same without Chuck. Weston went down hill fast as soon as Chuck left the band. Always enjoyed this album, and never understood why it didn't catch on...probably because it was on a label known for ska (Mojo Records....Pilfers, RBF, Goldfinger) i've only heard that i got a new shirt song. it was pretty catchy. Wow..I read the post i made below this one..I really need to learn to type better..but heres to Weston..I might be 25 now, but when i listen to their albums it makes me want to relive my highschool eyars I first heard Weston when my friends took me to a convert at Lupos in Bethlehem for my birthday..it was shortly after Got Beat Up came out..I liked them then..I still do to this day. I thought Matinee was a great yet underrated album among their fanbase, but for some reason I wasn't too thrilled with Mass Albert. In the years since, I've come to like this album and really wish I could find their japanese only release "return to mono"..though supposedly a few members of the group dont' even have copies of this... score is for real life story of teenage rebellion... i don't have this one. "They never closed my giant quotation marks. I'm not sure how I feel about that." They never closed my giant quotation marks. I'm not sure how I feel about that. My comment was pretty good, but here's what I forgot: This review was pretty good, but here's how I would make it better: Bedford > Weston this album was ok but, "Matinee" and "Return to Mono" have much better songs than this one did....even though the remake of "Liz Phair" sounds better than the original version This album has it's moments. El differente is totally kick-ass. Weston and Digger are 2 of the few bands that I would let fuck my girlfriend. Got Beat Up is one of the best albums ever... even the song that kinda sounds like Toad the Wet Sproket... This album never did it for me. i didnt "jump the bandwagon," this album just sucked, and wasn't a style that appeals to my ears. weston was my favorite band all through high school. i really wanted to like this record, but it didn't do anything for me. it sounded so forced and a good half of it was halfassed re-recordings of songs from 'return to mono.' I'm so glad you posted this album. Weston is one of the most underrated pop punk bands. they are missed. Love Songs for the Retarded was pretty good. the joykiller were amazing You wanna know a great album mostly ignored by the punk communty??? Tell me you just didn't compare Weston to Blink 182... |
