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Bluebottle

The E.G.O. Has Landed (2001)
No Talent

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

Published on December 27th 2001

It's almost 2002. The milennium has come and gone. Music has progressed in ways that, just 10 years ago, no one would have ever thought possible. Countless genres and subgenres are born all the time. Some of the most innovative sounds in the history of mankind are being created as we speak. And yet, somehow, ska-punk music still exists. Many people scratch their heads every day wondering how such a simplistic genre is able to scrape by? In this dog-eat-rudeboy world, how can a band survive? One turns to Darwin for the answer: evolution. It's okay to keep playing ska-punk, but to keep afloat, a band must try to work something else into the mix to keep things lively. This has been the case with bands like the Blue Meanies, incorporating just about every possible style of music into their hodgepodge of noise which is lazily labeled as "ska-punk." Bluebottle also suceeds in the same area, to a lesser extent.

Bluebottle is a 7-piece band from Arlington Heights, IL. If I were a lazy critic, I would say they play ska-punk music and end the review shortly thereafter. But there's more to this band than meets the eye. Tracks like "Reassurance," "Office Help," and "Pain" take the basic ska-punk formula and throw in bits of jazzy horns, hardcore breakdowns, and "emo" guitar riffs [a more apt description would be a guitar sound akin to the majority of Vagrant Records' current roster]. "Pain" especially has a wicked breakdown that could rival most moshcore bands out there now.

The band also employs 5/7ths of the band as lyricists on the album, which spices things up considerably. Steve and drummer Greg tend to throw a political stance into their songs, whereas Victor and Tumble [both on guitar] write from more of a "jilted lover" standpoint, as evidenced on tracks like "Reassurance" and "Gone Decked Out 2 Lonely @ 25." The band's secret weapon seems to be their ultra-tight horn section [2 trombones and a trumpet]. They are present in every song, but not too much, and they really drive each song ahead instead of weighing it down. They remind me a lot of the Mad Caddies' horn section in overall originality and crispness of their sound, especially in "Pain."

This isn't saying the band is perfect, however. There are some duds on this album, most prominently being the opening track "Everything's Fine." This song just grates on my nerves after each listen. The band tries to pull off a strange tempo causing every member to sound disjointed from the rest of the band, and the vocals seem to be out of main singer/bassist Steve's normal range. "Choose Your Own Adventure" has potential to fail from this same vocal standpoint even though the song is a real melodic rocker, but Steve really nails his high notes. This kid has a good set of pipes in him, he just needs to know how much they'll allow. "There's Something Attractive About A Vomiting Man" sounds exactly like what you'd think it is - a 45 second, throwaway song. It's not all that funny, nor is it necessary. Maybe if you're NOFX you throw in something like this, but otherwise, don't waste space on the album.

"The E.G.O. Has Landed" is by no means the best album of 2001, but for what it is, it's not that bad. Sure, the band has room for improvement, but what band doesn't? I think that if they keep with it and hammer out some of the rough spots in their music, people will be bound to take notice. The stale labeling of "ska-punk" will not keep this band down. Survival of the fittest band starts now, and look for this group to evolve even more in the coming years.

MP3s
Memories Revisited
Everything's Fine

Real Audio
Everything's Fine
Pain
Choose Your Own Adventure

Visit Bluebottle at Blue-Bottle.net.

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Anonymous (January 29, 2002)

Dude, these guys rock.

Anonymous (January 25, 2002)

Recording quality isn't great on this album, but the music is really entertaining.

Anonymous (January 24, 2002)

They're not as good as they think they are, but that still makes them pretty good.

Anonymous (January 24, 2002)

I'm surprised anybody gives this band bad reviews. Even if you don't like their music much you have to admit the lyrics and harmonies are fun.

Anonymous (January 24, 2002)

Most people love them or hate them- I love them and I can tell you exactly why: They aren't ska-punk. It seems like most of the people who hate this band bought the album or went to one show under the mistaken impression that they were gonna get some piece of crap "ska-punk" outfit with catchy little numbers about growing up and coming to terms with heartbreak or some other stupid crap like every other idiotic "ska-punk" band the Chicago scene or any other scene for that matter has produced.
That's not Bluebottle, and if that's the crap you wanna hear, go listen to Reel Big Fish, but don't bad mouth a band you've seen maybe once because they don't sound like the homogenized crap the punk/ska scene has been churning out for ten years!

And that dumbshit who thinks Logan's Loss is the best thing to come out of the "Chicago" scene in years is full of crap- the only reason I can think of for anyone to say that on a public message board is that he's in the fucking band.

Anonymous (January 20, 2002)

It’s very interesting to read the various comments made by folks on this review page. Yet, I can't help defend the album a bit; for, in my opinion, its sheer wit and pure-heartedness is what draws me to the album, and in turn the members of Bluebottle. It’s a very honest album, expressing everything each member brings onto one disc.
First off, to the comment about simplicity, obviously because you listen to the Dillinger Escape Plan you happen to know everything about music. Understanding the intricate key and meter changes is something that not everyone is able to do. Actually, some big-time musicians couldn’t tell you the difference between E Flat minor and D major. My issue is, while Bluebottle might not change keys/meters as much as Dillinger, they give their far share. Anyway, is the point of all music to be controlled chaos? They're command of theory is not that of a novice. Blasting most pop/scenester bands out of their hidey-holes.
Second retort, about the suburban scene of Chicago…basically, the only thing I can think of to say is, you’re a jackass. “Except for Logan’s Loss and Break of the Day”, wait, wait, would they happen to be part of the suburban scene? Cause that would make you look really dumb, wouldn’t it. Now, to negate an entire scene (combining all types of music into one general cluster) is pretty lame. And I hate to resort to childish name calling, but, YOU SUCK! Lastly, “no talent”. That’s funny, because they’re on No Talent Records. HAHA! I really need to write on these message boards more often, their fun.

GeetarChick (January 19, 2002)

I saw Blue Bottle at the Knights of Columbus for the first time on Jan 2nd this year and I was impressed with their performance so I bought the cd. But I have to agree with the reviewer here... the songs are either ones you want to hear again or ones that you want to skip over. Not a favorite cd of my stack, but its still a good one to me.

Anonymous (January 18, 2002)

Bluebottle is an amazing band from the NW side of Chicago. Their music really gets people going and they put on a hell of a show. The latest cd is great! Everyone should go check it out.

Anonymous (January 16, 2002)

somebody needs to shove a trumpet up blubottle's collective butt.

Anonymous (January 15, 2002)

BLuebottle is weak. The suburban Chicago scene is weak. Except for Logans loss and break of day, there is no suburban chicago scene.

Anonymous (January 13, 2002)

Just because it has horns doesn't make it 'less simple'... Would you say that Less Than Jake plays more complicated music than Dillinger Escape Plan?

Bluebottle plays simplistic shit-punk-ska-crap. They are boring and have no talent.

CallingLondon (January 10, 2002)

what the fuck, this isn't ska-punk at all. In order for something to be ska-punk, it's gotta have that fast reggae riff. There's none of that in this. this is just punk with horns. I find it funny that the reviewer calls this simple music when infact it's a bit less simple than regular punk since it has more instruments. This music is alright, I find their horns pretty annoying tho, and i'm a pretty big fan of ska.

Anonymous (January 5, 2002)

Bluebottle will be playing the fireside bowl tomorrow, sunday jan 6th. The show is at 5pm and with the Cougars, and awesome band that formed from the remnants of Hot Stove Jimmy. Come hear stuff from Bluebottle's new album and decide for yourself!

Anonymous (January 5, 2002)

I saw Bluebottle in their hometown of Arlinton hts Il a couple days ago. They should do ears everywhere a favor and break up. They are not good ska-punk. I'm all for giving bands a fair chance and i wouldn't write something unless i was positive it was not good in the slightest. Dont waste your time on this album, you have better things to do with your money. I promise.

Anonymous (January 2, 2002)

Not bad, Not bad at all.

Anonymous (December 31, 2001)

All I have to say is this album is Impressive. Bluebottle is definitely one of the better bands still left in the chicago scene.

Anonymous (December 30, 2001)

I have seen a blue bottle, have you? - random man

Anonymous (December 29, 2001)

Bluebotte blows...

Anonymous (December 28, 2001)

They're not great technically, but stylistically and lyrically they can be very interestesting- and they're fun to listen to, that's what counts isn't it?

Anonymous (December 27, 2001)

bluebottle isn't very good at all. i am surprised to see them reviewed on this site.

Anonymous (December 27, 2001)

Good call. Its actually Ego while Bluebottle is E.G.O. If that matters or anything. -Rock

Anonymous (December 27, 2001)

uh...isn't this the title of that Robbie Williams record? I smell a lawsuit.