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This Is a Standoff

Be Disappointed (2009)
Fun Times

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

Published on August 14th 2009

Which would be an easier TIAS album to write? The first one, despite being the followup to the pure greatness of Belvedere? Or the second one, being a new episode of the new melodic skatepunk sound from Steve and co.? Upon listening to the new This Is a Standoff effort, it seems that Be Excited could have been. However, don’t fear, the title isn’t totally full of shit.

My immediate impression of Be Disappointed was, and still is, is that it doesn’t seem as natural as the previous effort. Don’t get me wrong -- it’s not hugely different. Scratch that -- the sound hasn’t really evolved at all. Whilst Be Excited was a step forward in songwriting in my eyes, we don’t get that here. I guess that’s to be expected, but what we are left with is a repeat of the first album, only not quite as good. The riffs (mostly) aren’t as awesome. The poppy aesthetic (quite) isn’t as strong. The speed isn’t (quite) as satisfying.

Things start off so well, though -- “The Light Is Still on in Broadmoor” is not only a top tune, it has the instant appeal of two years ago. However, track 6, the instrumental “Sunrise” arrives without me taking too much notice of what preceded it. Even “Sunrise” itself seems, well, disappointing. It was only the last three tracks, “No Thanks,” a short little piece of ace, “Settling the Score,” a fucking excellent track chock full of feeling, and “Trails of White,” a track similar in format to “Dream Beater” from the previous full-length that I can smile about pretty damn hugely. Normal service has resumed after all -- some great songs, some not so great. So, unless you’re expecting a classic of astronomic proportions, you should still end up excited, and not so disappointed. Ahem.

Guys and gals, you know why you’re here. Is it good as the previous TIAS effort? My opinion is no, but almost. Fans of Be Excited should also like this if they are prepared to give it a chance. Is it as good as Belvedere? Dude(tte), let it go.

The vinyl for this release was handled by Animal Style Records.

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Dycelot (July 22, 2010)

it seems the point of the comment at the bottom of the page is that the question posed is irrelevant, and was pointed at everyone would like an answer to said exercise in superfluous journalism. Pay Attention Dude(tte). I agree with the reviewer about that articulation, and would only disagree with his belief that this record is not quite as good as be excited. I liked this record a bit more, and I thought it showed a little bit more emotional honesty and frankness.

Gunner (August 21, 2009)

I like this album as much as anything Belvedere ever did, possibly more. And personally I think this is a good bit better than Be Excited. These songs are more memorable overall.

onegirlarmy (August 16, 2009)

The "good as Belvedere" thing at the bottom of this bugs me. I know when someone from a previously known band forms a new band, said previous band is going to be inevitably mentioned. But the separation ends there, new band should be judged as a separate entity. Especially when they reach their second full-length, that post-other band judgment should be over. I don't know if that makes sense.

I think This Is A Standoff is better than Belvedere (yes, I said that) and this record is better than Be Excited. Score's for the album.

Wesley_Snipes (August 16, 2009)

On "Face The Sun" the singing sounds like RX Bandits.

sexualsunshine (August 16, 2009)

inagreendase looks right here to me.

I wouldnt really like this album I just felt like getting into someone elses shit.

inagreendase (August 16, 2009)

This album is nowhere near an instant classic. I think even people who really, really like this album would agree.

I love Career Suicide but that isn't, either.

crashtester (August 16, 2009)

What a bad review (just like the SYG one), this new record from TIAS is so much better than their first one it isnt even close. The song structures are better, the melodies are better, and its a faster record.

ghpunkguy (August 16, 2009)

Loved Belvedere and really like This Is A Standoff. Good skate punk.

churFman (August 15, 2009)

Well inagreendase I knew that someone would probably question that. I originally gave five stars but my editor said that they only give five stars to instant classics. I tried to explain that this is an instant classic but he didn't understand that to some people there are albums like Choke's Needless To Say, Propagandhi's How To clean Everything, A Wilhelm Scream's Career Suicide, for example, that are instant classics in our genre and are comparable to the likes of a Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash album. Punk rock doesn't get the respect it deserves.

Also, yes the star rating might be similar but if you compare our reviews they are very different. That's a pretty high star rating for a review with such negativity towards the subject.

TheMarc (August 15, 2009)

Really really good album. "Settling the Score" destroys.

llmp (August 15, 2009)

I get the impression the reviewer didn't bother to read his own review.

As for the album, it was decent but forgettable.

inagreendase (August 15, 2009)

@ churFman

You know you disagreed by half a star, right? Roughly the same opinion..

hobbzoid (August 15, 2009)

scratch that, this is a terrible record review. Fucking confusing and meandering.

hobbzoid (August 15, 2009)

this is not a good record review. Find an editor stat.

Alien (August 15, 2009)

this is excellent.

inagreendase (August 15, 2009)

maybe if they wore girl jeans and swoosed their hair over, they might have gotten a better review.

What hair-"swoosed" bands do we exclusively give 4-star reviews to?

friokir (August 15, 2009)

so-so review, but a just score - their first WAS better, because the melodies had a hook (the vocals on this one are bland) and they didn't overextend themselves with hundreds of fills and stop-start parts in each song, although the overall instrumentation is better on this one.

punker001 (August 15, 2009)

I agree with the review, some great songs but overall not as good as the first one and not as good as belvedere! Listen to the Bastard Suns and Hit the Switch!!!

Jay3313 (August 14, 2009)

Meh, okay album.

Not nearly as good as Be Exited, or any Belvedere one, but still better than a lot of stuff that gets released.

The thing I noticed was that I could never find any songs that particularly stood out. That sort of shit only works when every song is amazing.

churFman (August 14, 2009)

I totally disagree.

Here's what I thought of it.

Assault And Battery
This Is A Standoff
Be Disappointed
(Universal)
****
I wasn’t five seconds into Be Disappointed before I was slapped in the face with the snap of the snare drum and beat down with technically flawless guitars — it was as if I’d walked into a bar fight. I quickly realize that This Would Be A Standoff, so I fought back by banging my head, tapping my feet, and pumping my fists. Really, that’s the only way to defend yourself against Canada’s punk rock champs. They’ve maintained the sound of their first release, Be Excited, but Be Disappointed has a more complex, melodic push to it that makes it a clear improvement on its predecessor. With every chord and every note working together like a Stanley Cup-winning hockey team, the album flows seamlessly from verse to chorus and from song to song. The album title could be interpreted as a band’s defensive way of beating their critics to the punch, but I think TIAS are using the type of slang where they say one thing and mean the opposite. In that case, I have never been more disappointed by an album.
JAMIE REINHART

http://www.seemagazine.com/article/music/cd-reviews/c d0430/

jeffernator (August 14, 2009)

I agree with Dante that the first paragraph is incomprehensible.

Also, in my opinion this album is better than the first and has better production. Don't take my word for it though, buy this album and see for yourself people.

skeetopunk01 (August 14, 2009)

Terrible review man! This is one of the best releases as of late. The production is top notch, the song craftsmanship is spectacular and the flow of the record is good. I be BE DISAPPOINTED in your review.

bathroom_surgery (August 14, 2009)

maybe if they wore girl jeans and swoosed their hair over, they might have gotten a better review.

rugget (August 14, 2009)

bad review, and a decent album from a good band.

OverDefined (August 14, 2009)

http://www.electronichouse.com/images/slideshow/dmb_under_the_ta ble.jpg

Almost identical. Who let that shit get by?

Dante3000 (August 14, 2009)

Maybe I'm retarded but that first paragraph makes almost no sense to me.
-Dante

ravenagainst (August 14, 2009)

What is this? A Dave Matthews Band cover?