Armchair Martian

Armchair Martian: Who Wants To Play BassWho Wants To Play Bass (2002)
Fat Wreck Chords

Reviewer Rating: 2.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: BrinepacerBrinepacer
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on April 4th 2002First off, I don't like Jon Snodgrass's voice, it seems a little put on to me, but that's very subjective, so I'll work past it. Nonetheless, this CD doesn't really stand up. Imagine The Weakerthans played in a Texas bar. This is straight up drunk rock. Note: Not drinking rock, drunk rock - Music fo.

First off, I don't like Jon Snodgrass's voice, it seems a little put on to me, but that's very subjective, so I'll work past it. Nonetheless, this CD doesn't really stand up. Imagine The Weakerthans played in a Texas bar. This is straight up drunk rock. Note: Not drinking rock, drunk rock - Music for four in the morning when you're home and alone and depressed. Give me a whiskey and an armchair and we might be somewhere, but in the cold (sober) light of day, this all sounds too similar. Opener "Mexican Song" kinda threw me for six, as I was expecting pop-punk of some sort, and the slowed down tempo was something of a welcome surprise. However, drawn over the course of thirteen songs, with little variation until the closing quarter, I found myself easily distracted. But as I say, throw those hot whiskeys my way later tonight, and we might have a deal.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

brookslikesmusics (June 19, 2012)

Dearest review writer... So you listened to an album of a style of music you apparently despise, with a singer who's voice you dislike, and you seemed to have a previously low opinion of.... wow, shocker that you didn't like this album!!!

For the rest of the planet that may be an Armchair fan, or (more likely) never heard of them... This album is gritty emotional classic punk fused with elements of classic country. Jon Snodgrass is an amazing lyricist, and his unique voice is one of my all-time favorites. Their style definitely shifted from their early days by the time they put out this album, but it's all impressively unique and catchy... plus the honest self-reflective lyrics of somebody that understands the mind of a depressed introvert.

clcsqueejy04 (October 31, 2011)

Also, I adore the Weakerthans, but have no fucking idea where the "Imagine the Weakerthans..." bit is coming from.

clcsqueejy04 (October 31, 2011)

I'm pretty sure this reviewer just reviewed as much Armchair Martian as he could, spamming punknews with his unshared ill-will toward Jon Snodgrass.

nikko (December 11, 2005)

terrible review

Anonymous (September 8, 2002)

Totally disagree with this review. The album takes a few listens, and I don't think the reviewer really LISTENED to it. This album was a lot like Social D's White light album for me. While a different sound, it's songwriting genius is almost unparrelled. Very introspective. Snograss is definately at his best here. Right up there with John K. Samson and Mike Ness as far as songwriting goes.

Warning! Not for the weak of mind and emotion.

Anonymous (April 5, 2002)

Yup, horrible review, fantastic record. Good to see you're still alive, miguel...

Anonymous (April 5, 2002)

Shit, mutherfucker, I want to play bass. And I have...for Armchair Martian. And, I'll tell ya, this review comes from someone who is not familiar with the history of great records Armchair has produced. So you don't like his voice, well, like you said - subjective. If you've heard the stuff Jon and Paul do with their sorta 'alt' country band, Drag the River, (who they've been spending an awful lot of time with lately) this album won't come as such a surprise. This recording kinda floats somewhere in the middle of the two bands, softly looming overhead like a pink elephant winkin' at ya, like you got some catchin' up to do. When I first heard this record, I wasn't quite sure what to think of it. I mean, if you're an Armchair fan, you'd immediately expect something a little more rockin', but this record is moody and a lot more complex. It almost makes me feel that people aren't ready for this record, but I'm glad they did it and I wonder, man, what's next? This shit is deep. Snodgrass, is a brilliant songwriter, and knowing him, that's all he does. It's his life. This shit seeps from his pores. I'll ride shotgun with him any day.

peace,
miguel
http://www.dmnr.com

wyzo (April 4, 2002)

this is a great album, this is a horrible review.