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T.S.O.L.

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Free Downloads
2009
Hurley

T.S.O.L. - Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Free Downloads (Cover Artwork)


Review by: GlassPipeMurder
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Published on March 13th 2009

T.S.O.L. is a legendary band by any standard and nothing can change that. But what a lot of people seem to forget is that a form of the band put out a small library of mediocre-to-bad records in the 1980s and early `90s without Jack Grisham: Wham, bam, no thank you, Ma’am. So before flinging about any standard volleys of internet critique, let’s all heave a sigh of content that the name T.S.O.L. is in the right hands. And that they’re still making good music. And that they’re giving it away for free.

This whole “free-music-via-corporate-sponsors” scheme that acts like Pennywise and now T.S.O.L. are experimenting with is quite the conundrum. On the one hand, it could be argued that such a move is the epitome of selling out to corporate behemoths. However, much can be said about the bands’ willingness to offer up their music to fans free of charge, especially given this time of uncertainty in the music industry. And in T.S.O.L.’s case, Hurley has been a cornerstone of Southern California’s skate and surf community for over a decade so it makes it a little easier to swallow (even if it is now owned by Nike).

The curiously but appropriately titled Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Free Downloads is a slicker, more finely-tuned continuation of their last proper studio full-length, 2003’s Divided We Stand. The horror-punk pioneers re-emerge with “Come Into My Nightmare,” a rock and roll romp that proves 30 years of T.S.O.L. hasn’t slowed them down at all. Those familiar with charismatic frontman Jack Grisham’s outrageous narratives in the 2006 documentary film American Hardcore will find amusement in “She’s Got a Bomb,” which finds Grisham on the opposite end of an explosive acquaintance. The band dips into its first foray of a more cinematic approach on the album with “The Pain That We Go Through,” a loungey, multi-layered pop tune that bears some of Grisham’s finest crooning between bars of subtle, creepy whispering and a tempo roughly half that of the rest of the album. The drum-dominated punk rock of “We’re Together” gets things back to speed immediately before the album’s catchiest song “Go to Bed Sleepy” seems to channel the hooks of the band’s early days, as does the following track “Love That Mess.” “Someone Like You” is a classic T.S.O.L. mid-tempo rocker with atmospheric keyboards floating freely and some of the album’s smoothest vocal stylings that closes out the effort in fine form.

So T.S.O.L. has made another great album and made it available for free. Now everybody go buy a pair of Hurley surf shorts. Summer is just around the corner.



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    Posted by rrr on 2009-03-15 15:48:27

    I agree the production isnt that good at all compared to the Thom Wilson stuff. It feels really dry/digital. BUT The songs are all top notch TSOL. Give it a few more listens, it really does grow on you.

    Posted by danperrone on 2009-03-15 11:45:11

    and to be fair, if you look at the reviews tab, of the most recent album reviews i've done (all dated between 2006 and 2007 - 13 in all), 6 of them were less than a 7/10.

    Posted by danperrone on 2009-03-15 11:41:13

    "Also dan, I looked at the first page of your review list:

    http://www.punknews.org/review/writer/Dan Perrone

    You've given more 8-10 stars than GlassPipeMurder or anyone else."

    yes. i realize that. and so i stopped.

    Posted by wyzo on 2009-03-14 21:55:34

    I like beneath the shadows and oddly enough, 'change today?' very much.

    I could never get into the horror-punk thing.

    Jack's side bands that recorded records that never got full release were soooo good. The Gentlemen jack grisham sequence found their way onto that bizarre joykiller compilation ready, sexed, go, but it wasn't all of the songs that had been floating around with that title, and he had another "solo"-ish record that was super called Dear No One.

    If you can find the song, "Once Had A Face" it's really good and has a pretty killer harmonica wail melody.

    The Joykiller's last 2 records we're amazing too.

    -w

    Posted by ChrisRogueNation on 2009-03-14 14:35:37
    My Score:

    TSOL is one of my all-time favorite bands and I do like this album. The problem I have with it is the production. Their old producer Thom Wilson did a great job with their first album ("Disappear") since reuniting. I wasn't as happy with the production on "Divided We Stand", but it didn't underwhelm the album the way I feel the production on their latest one does. So, if we could only get Thom Wilson to remix their new album then I think more people would like it a lot better. I know I would.

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-03-14 10:58:30

    Also dan, I looked at the first page of your review list:

    http://www.punknews.org/review/writer/Dan Perrone

    You've given more 8-10 stars than GlassPipeMurder or anyone else.

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-03-14 10:48:05

    "is every goddamn review in the top three every week going to get at least a 7/10? christ almighty...

    this is what happens when you have too many reviewers on one site. people gravitate towards reviewing things they like. therefore the curve is destroyed, and it's bullshit."

    There are so many bands putting out music, that they can't all be classics or can't all be utter shit; 7/10 is an average score and is given to the average band that submits something decent. Most music is not going to be so polar to either direction.

    Also, I think user submitions are more inclined to review something they "like." If you look at the ratio of users who submit high scores to staff reviewers who submit high scores, the former will definitely be a higher amount -- they have no obligation (you were also sent music too, right, which usually is towards the bottom of the list).

    Bands with more experience and popularity generally create higher scoring records for whatever reason.

    Posted by blindbubbacheeks on 2009-03-14 10:17:24
    My Score:

    I'd rather light my dick on fire than listen to this again.

    Posted by danperrone on 2009-03-14 09:49:56

    is every goddamn review in the top three every week going to get at least a 7/10? christ almighty...

    this is what happens when you have too many reviewers on one site. people gravitate towards reviewing things they like. therefore the curve is destroyed, and it's bullshit.

    Posted by JayTee on 2009-03-14 02:17:10
    My Score:

    This album is pretty decent. Anyone who says otherwise obviously has never heard Beneath That Shadows or The Joykiller's stuff.

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2009-03-14 02:04:38
    My Score:

    Seriously terrible album. I really don't understand this review at all. Beneath the Shadows is a fantastic album. Get that one instead.

    Musically, this is one of TSOL's best. i'm sure they could have just made another Divided We Stand if they'd wanted to, but I'd imagine a band 25 years into existence likes to change things up a little bit(?)

    Posted by hooges on 2009-03-13 23:09:43
    My Score:

    I really don't like this album. I think it might be the worst TSOL album I've heard in quite awhile.

    (And I love REVENGE!)

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-03-13 22:18:51

    Free Down? I don't get it.

    Posted by halfcutskeleton on 2009-03-13 21:36:21
    My Score:

    I'm a fan of TSOL, but this album is bad. I liked all the old classic Jack Grisham stuff and the last 2 albums are great. This was just bad. The cover art was terrible as well. I wanted to like this one.

    Posted by BrandonSideleau on 2009-03-13 20:35:40

    I have listened to it only once and it didn't grab me....it didn't sound bad, just not as good as the last two. I will try again a couple times and see if this changes.....its possible it could...since it took me 4 times through the new Damned album to get into it....but now I love it.

    Posted by soundforlanguage on 2009-03-13 20:19:51
    My Score:

    I love T.S.O.L., but that cover art is straight up cheese....

    Posted by Einrobstein on 2009-03-13 19:09:42
    My Score:

    Seriously terrible album. I really don't understand this review at all. Beneath the Shadows is a fantastic album. Get that one instead.

    Posted by rob-o on 2009-03-13 18:52:09
    My Score:

    I wish I could live under the rocks you fuckers live under hahaha

    Posted by rob-o on 2009-03-13 18:51:10
    My Score:

    Haha, "BUY THIS RECORD". Irony.

    Fuck tha haters, this shit always sounds good in my stereo.

    Posted by JerryCola on 2009-03-13 18:12:29
    My Score:

    This album is terrible.

    I don't know what happened because Disappear and Divided We Stand are good albums.

    I guess the only positive thing I can say about this album is that at least I didn't have to pay for it.

    Posted by wentz_equals_death on 2009-03-13 16:50:47

    illegality aside, i rarely download music for this reason:

    i got this the day it came out and immediately forgot that it existed ... it just fell into a sea of folders and never came back. i will listen again.

    score is for ?

    Posted by xote on 2009-03-13 16:32:40

    I used to love this band. Will check out but not holding my breathe for it to be all that good.

    Posted by hellxblazer on 2009-03-13 16:25:57
    My Score:

    This album is absolutely GOD-AWFUL. I've never heard such crap in my life. Jesus.

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