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Street Dogs - State of Grace
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I got the promo for this album about a month and a half ago, but like most bands I have never heard of, I put the CD to the side and looked down my nose upon it for a couple weeks. That was a mistake.

I hate long reviews that sit there and drone on and on about the members of this band being in this other band or how if these two bands made love while driving a `56 Chevy that this would be the baby they aborted. Reviews in general are a bit monotonous these days. It seems like everything on this site either scores a perfect or at an 8 out of 10 (which is exactly how I am rating this). I am not rating it this high because everyone else does or for any other reason except that this album rules.

According to the Bloodshot site, this is their sophomore release, but since it is my first experience with them and it is a self-titled record I will pretend that they are a brand new band from Chicago that just made a great impression on me. If I was to make one of those rather lame stickers that end up on the front of every CD these days with a funny acronym (FFO [for fans of] or RIYL [recommended if you like]) it would say the Jam, Belle and Sebastian, and the Thermals.

The first song, "Aspidistra," starts off the album starts off mod-ish/punk and is very reminiscent the early Jam releases. "In Hospital" is like a better version of anything Belle and Sebastian have ever done: really mellow, down-tempo stuff with amazing female vocals. The track is sung by Ellen O’Hayer, who also appears in Bright Eyes' touring band. (Yes, I realize I just made a reference to someone being in another band...a really crappy band at that). "I Never Thought I Could Feel This Way for a Boy" and tackles sexuality and complications that can arise.

Overall, the album is very witty , dark , and just extremely well-written.



People who liked this also liked:
Matt Pond PA - Last LightBlack Helicopter - Invisible JetALL - Allroy's Revenge.Mass Movement of the Moth - OuterspaceVerse - From Anger and RageThe Draft - In a Million PiecesWorld/Inferno Friendship Society - Red-Eyed SoulThe Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!Against Me! - is Reinventing Axl RoseTriumph of Lethargy Skinned Alive to Death - Helpless



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    Posted by mystery on 2007-12-20 16:17:22

    "Who is driving car?
    Aborted fetus is driving car.
    How can that be?"

    hahaha gotta love the Clerks cartoon reference!

    Posted by mystery on 2007-12-20 16:15:54

    *recognizing satires, that is!

    Posted by mystery on 2007-12-20 16:15:22
    My Score:

    Hahahaha.... you people suck at satires.

    Posted by HonestAbe on 2007-12-20 14:31:33

    Kinda cool, but these dudes are obviously bummed that they're from Chicago and not England. They have kinda a weaker Libertines vibe goin' on

    Posted by R3vengeTherapy on 2007-12-20 11:01:14

    You suck at writing. Tell me about the music, not about how bored you are with reviews. You're writing one, so do something about it to make it interesting.

    Posted by AphasiacIIc on 2007-12-19 15:01:58

    "I got the promo for this album about a month and a half ago, but like most bands I have never heard of, I put the CD to the side and looked down my nose upon it for a couple weeks. That was a mistake.

    I hate long reviews that sit there and drone on and on about the members of this band being in this other band or how if these two bands made love while driving a `56 Chevy that this would be the baby they aborted. Reviews in general are a bit monotonous these days. It seems like everything on this site either scores a perfect or at an 8 out of 10 (which is exactly how I am rating this). I am not rating it this high because everyone else does or for any other reason except that this album rules.

    According to the Bloodshot site, this is their sophomore release, but since it is my first experience with them and it is a self-titled record I will pretend that they are a brand new band from Chicago that just made a great impression on me. If I was to make one of those rather lame stickers that end up on the front of every CD these days with a funny acronym (FFO [for fans of] or RIYL [recommended if you like]) it would say the Jam, Belle and Sebastian, and the Thermals."

    the vast majority of this can be cut out. its worthless, says nothing about the album, and is a waste of time to read-- besides the last few words.

    and thats like 85% of the review!

    Posted by Holy_Balls on 2007-12-18 23:09:59

    wood u lyk sum chickon knaggits?

    Posted by JonDaley on 2007-12-18 18:31:24

    the stuff on their myspace sounds fun if a bit too ramshackle. Can one be too ramshackle? hard to say.

    Posted by Icapped2pac on 2007-12-18 16:11:56

    ...or better yet, the fetus is driving the car.

    "Who is driving car?
    Aborted fetus is driving car.
    How can that be?"

    Posted by Icapped2pac on 2007-12-18 16:10:15
    My Score:

    "two bands made love while driving a `56 Chevy that this would be the baby they aborted"

    Score is for that phrase. I just picture an aborted fetus in the back seat of a convertible '56 Chevy going down the road, and it makes me laugh. I know I know, there's something terribly wrong with me. I like it that way.