it's not bad, it's just different.
people can't seem to get their musically close minded heads out of their asses and listen to bands who change their sound.
these guys are my favorite band, but holy crap i'm glad they actually learned to play their instruments. their self titled debut LP was more grindy crust punk/metal with a Roland added, while this is more of an acid trip.
thank you JP, Bobby, Gabe, and Joey for bringing this amazing record to the masses. probably one of my favs of 2007.

If it's fake "powerviolence" (one of my least favorite subgenre names), then maybe it's not "powerviolence".

Score's for the phrase "powerviolence".

-benz

Score is for fake powerviolence. I wonder if the Locust would get the reference if I said, "Hey, guys, I 'Despise You'!".

I'd rather have MC Hammer take a shit in my ears than listen to this band.

where's the Poison the Well review?

People who like The Locust also like The Anniversary and Say Anything? Weird...

tee-to-the-hee to Jones.

also, this sucks more than usual.

theres at least one simpsons reference in just about every review's comments on this website.

score is forgetting to score

- j the be

the locust is one of the bands where you are supposed to listen to the notes theyre NOT playing

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

- i can do that at home (without the cd)

- score is for the snobby dude at the jazz show

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 4, 2007 at 10:22 PM (EDT)
My Score:

this band is seriously a joke.

On one hand, people like the Locust.

On the other hand, people do not like the Locust.

-benz

I don't even play an instrument, and I love this album. Sure it may be an acquired taste, but the Locust is quite danceable.

and Japocore is awesome.

You have to be a musician to appreciate this, right? I mean, no kid in their right mind wants to listen to abrasive music in 7/4 at 190bpm without being able to hear or comprehend the lyrics or melody, right? It's pretty much reserved for the musical masturbatory urges inside of our musician hearts, right?

so am I the only one wondering where the Poison The Well review is? Especially since it was posted online in full stream several days before it was released. Well, it's something else that is for sure. Good shit.

The fact that the last Holy Molar EP was so ridiculously great in every single way kind of stole this records thunder for me.

"i remember some comedian with a bit about the olympic sport of luge. he was saying that its the only sport where the outcomes would be the same no matter if its a trained athlete in the event or just some jackass off the street...

well, thats pretty much what the locust is. you can just get a bunch of jackasses off the street who have never held an instrument, tell them to record and be noisy/thrashy....and you get any locust album. the only variable is how much keyboard you allow them to use"

waaaaittttt... what?!?

dude. have you actually listened to locust records. they are more technically proficient than most of the bands that call themselves "tech" whatever they want afterwards. its controlled chaos and there is no way any nobody off the street can even come close to playing like the members of the locust do. listen to the locusts drummer, one of the best drummers i've ever heard.

Dude, I'll take Charles Bronson over most anything.

And yeah I yeah i did say that Jap-core bands are uniformaly Grarlacious. This is a known fact. Asian bros are fucked up.

eh...i will take charles bronson over this

the mp3's epitaph tossed out for this album are pretty killer, but definitely a hair less abrasive. i will purchase this shortly.

I doubt some normal jackass off the street can luge.

i remember some comedian with a bit about the olympic sport of luge. he was saying that its the only sport where the outcomes would be the same no matter if its a trained athlete in the event or just some jackass off the street...

well, thats pretty much what the locust is. you can just get a bunch of jackasses off the street who have never held an instrument, tell them to record and be noisy/thrashy....and you get any locust album. the only variable is how much keyboard you allow them to use

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

its ridiculous to say anything completley negative about this band. if you don't respect the style of music they play. then you at least have to respect the fact that they are very skilled with their instruments.

"bro, name me one Jap-core band that aint' burly as shit. You can't, because they are all good."

i hope this was written seriously, cause its the gnarliest thing ive ever read

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

bro, name me one Jap-core band that aint' burly as shit. You can't, because they are all good.

I can't decide what is more embarassing: kids who scavenge and hoard everything this shitty band has ever put out or the kids who scavange and hoard every hardcore record that has ever come out of Japan simply because "its japanese, dude."

-Ken

FatTony: Is that just the latest record or also pre-piano island blood brothers? Because if you like those records you shouldn't have a problem with this, especially this new one since it's very easy to listen to.

A good review but:
A)It sounds nothing like Mastodon on the sludge parts. Or Converge, for that matter
B)This is not PS or The Locust, but do we really need another one?
C)This record is their most accessible record, and that says a lot about their music; still, If you've never heard these guys, or count yourself as a hater, give it a shot and prepare to change your mind. I've been introducing people to New Erections, and have gotten good feedback.
D) There is some classic Locust on this CD, and even the "shortest song ever".
E) I'm liking the new costumes...

Yes, the reviewer was answering my questions without me asking a question, AMAZING!

i enjoy the brief moments of almost sludge/doom metal they've put into this record, myself.

good album for sure. superior in all ways to "Plague Soundscapes" imho.

the blood brothers have nothing to do with the locust.

Posted by FatTony on 2007-04-03 18:15:26
My Score:

Bleh. Can't stand this stuff, and I love The Blood Brothers.

No, I totally like this review. Lots of reviews (on any site) are quick to be like, "Compared to other works this is a virtual sarcophagus of conundrums and scalawags", none of which tells me what they sound like or gives me a solid base of comparison for their older works.
This reviewer actually cites how the band has changed and what they like and what they don't like about the new album. I've never been a Locust fan myself, but I really respect what they do as far as pushing musical boundaries and often times that is extremely difficult to put in a review (and often times it's done poorly). I think this review sums up the sound of the new album without being too, "OMG The Locust rule!"or "It's too strange for words".
-Dante

Dante, i'm sorry if your sarcasm was supposed to be obvious, 'cause i'm not sure. So if you read this, please tell me, where you trying to be an asshole or was that sincere?

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at 5:06 PM (EDT)
My Score:

what this fuck? is this music?

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at 5:05 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Pure shit. No more.

...but what's the huge change in production? Plague soundscapes was an incredibly huge step from what they'd done before, because sonicality, it's absolutley amazing, but what's so different about this one except it's a bit more easy on the ear and dare i say "normal"?

anybody ever listen to that spastic emo band called angel hair? i believe they have a few members who went on to the locust. same with swing kids also i think. it's cool stuff.

Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2007-04-03 15:50:59
My Score:

Great review.

There's no secret how much i like this band. I've really liked their earlier output, but Plague Soundscapes was just amazing and one of my favorite records (recently got a related tattoo). Follow the flock was just pure powerviolence and the re-recorded versions came out great. Safety Second made me a little unsure about the full-length, i was expecting way to much pretentiousness and something like three ten minute songs, but turns out this record went in the opposite direction, again.

The songs aren't short, but in my opinion, they're definently not as solid as Locust songs used to be, and the songs are very structured (by their standards). I respect the record a "between" record and there's definently a few homeruns on this one but all in all it's dissapointing, but it's ok because atleast they didn't go as pretentious as i thought they would.

This is definently the most "easy on the ear" stuff they've done, and it's pretty good, i like it, definently a grower.

just got the lp in the mail yesterday, its good but i agree that it's not really up to par with my previous expectations

I'm with 88 Fingers Tony. Each time I listen to this I like it more. I really like the progression they've taken.

Posted by wentz_equals_death on 2007-04-03 14:52:28
My Score:

yes, this is a good review.

no, i don't agree with everything said.

no locust album is easy to get into, with immediately memorable 'hooks' and 'catchy parts.' each one presents a challenge to the listener, and this record is no different. i would even venture to say that there ARE more instantly catchy parts in this one than, say, plague soundscapes. but generally it takes a number of listens to absorb and distill those moments of goosebump-inducing awesomeness like that amazing bit in the middle of 'how to become a virgin.'

while there may be no 'sonic arc' to be found, there is indeed a lyrical one. the subjects addressed (in the always-entertaining, verbose, metaphor-laden locust fashion) stay within the theme of the album's excellent title and fitting cover art. it helps this become more than a collection of songs.

this is a fully-realized work of art as far as i'm concerned, and deserves your attention. and for shit's sake, see them on tour.

Posted by 88-fingers-tony on 2007-04-03 14:36:46
My Score:

i love this album more with every listen

This is a really good review. It let's me know the writers history with the band, their experience with past albums and what they liked and disliked about this album.
Additionally it gives me an idea of what The Locust sound like (in case I didn't know). I really liked this review.
-Dante