We Are Scientists - With Love and Squalor

[Garett Press]

We Are Scientists - With Love and Squalor
Virgin Records
{SCORE: 6.2/10}

At this point, my penchant for dancing is beginning to wear thin.

In 2005 the mainstream saw a surprising emergence of indie bands who, like a snake charmer with his flute, got the toes of American tapping with their modern dance-rock grooves. Ever since, the bass heavy sway, the semi-electronic trill, and the pick-a-minute hook with which The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, and Hot Hot Heat invaded our minds have become a major rock and roll standard. It’s been done, done, and done again and mostly to great effect.

But as we’ve seen most recently with the “emo” trend, the “ska” trend, and the “pop-punk” trend: after a while if you don’t give a genre a little creative CPR, it’s going to lose its flavor, and fast. Perhaps I stand alone here, but I feel the wave of dance-rock has not received enough medical attention. While new artists like Men, Women, and Children still send my pulse soaring, We Are Scientists haven’t found that kindling just yet.

It’s hard to point to a flaw because, as with so many records, it’s not what you hear, it’s what you don’t. The vocals are spot on, and instrumentally the foundation is rock hard. What With Love and Squalor fails to do though, is build upon this foundation. In almost every track I expected a skyscraper, and yet the elevator stopped a couple stories short. A major shortcoming in this whole dance-rock deal is the low malleability of the sound; rarely can a band effectively stretch it to envelop the girth of a full length record.

We Are Scientists have conjured 12 really good songs, championed by the more adventurous “Can’t Lose” and rarely flinching from a straight forward but successful formula. It's a good time had by all, but despite what there is to enjoy, With Love and Squalor does not manage to achieve any of the depth or importance found in the subtly heartbreaking J.D. Salinger short from which the record draws its name.

"It doesn't have to be terribly prolific! Just so that it isn't childish and silly." Esmé reflected. "I prefer stories about squalor."

[isaaccore]

how does the artwork only get a six? C'mon...

[Jason Tate]

I absolutely love their album cover, I agree with your review. It was a 3-4 plays and out album for me.

[Shatter590]

I like this album, but most likely because I have not heard much of this genre before. Since buying it, I played it maybe a dozen times, and its a welcome diversion. The music is tight, vocals do not annoy me and the lyrics are easy to sing along to. It doesnt have much staying power, but hey, for now I enjoy it.

your review is dead on!

[Garett Press]

how does the artwork only get a six? C'mon...
i hate cats :\

[burntheaction]

um, i adore this album. i think every song is worthy of being a single. definitely good pop music if anything, so i think 6.2 is a little low.

[Drew Beringer]

I would have gave this a 7 or so, I love Inaction.

[unwritten]

"At this point, my penchant for dancing is beginning to wear thin."

Amen Garrett

[GRIFFARD]

lmao. "It doesn't have to be terribly prolific! Just so that it isn't childish and silly." Esmé reflected. "I prefer stories about squalor."
that is perhaps the worst joke i have ever heard. hahaha Series of Unfortunate Events!! haaa.

[Garett Press]

lmao. "It doesn't have to be terribly prolific! Just so that it isn't childish and silly." Esmé reflected. "I prefer stories about squalor."
that is perhaps the worst joke i have ever heard. hahaha Series of Unfortunate Events!! haaa.
haha i have no idea what you're talking about... i was referencing Salinger's For Esme: With Love and Squalor, my fav short story

[MusicOrMisery]

I would give this album a 7 or an 8, Inaction is a fantastic track, and It's A Hit is also a standout for me

[fortyparachutes]

haha i have no idea what you're talking about... i was referencing Salinger's For Esme: With Love and Squalor, my fav short story
Daniel Handler got the name Esme Squalor of Series of Unfortunate Events from this short story, it's not a joke at all.

[LilRyan732]

haha i have no idea what you're talking about... i was referencing Salinger's For Esme: With Love and Squalor, my fav short story

Hahaha, fucking owned him.

I agree with the review; this CD lost my interest pretty quickly.

[fever]

i totally disagree about the staying power of this cd. i listen to it constantly, i think its awesome.

[WarpSpeedChewy]

i totally disagree about the staying power of this cd. i listen to it constantly, i think its awesome.
I agree. I've been listening to "With Love And Squalor", and I actually like it alot more than when I bought it.

[InaGreendase]

Very agreeable score, I'd give it like a 6.3.

[deja andyroo]

I thought it was the first great album of the year. It won't make my top 10 at the end of the year, and it's doubtful for the runners-up, but it was the bright spot in a stale January (and better overall than the new Strokes album).

[kazuma_ootaro28]

I think around a 3/5 score is spot on. I've heard worse bands doing this type of dance-rock music.

[SLADE775]

Great Review.

I love you Garett.

I hate cats too.
http://mouser.org/gallery/albums/ballonfiesta/dead_cat_balloon.jpg

[Garett Press]

I thought it was the first great album of the year. It won't make my top 10 at the end of the year, and it's doubtful for the runners-up, but it was the bright spot in a stale January (and better overall than the new Strokes album).
Dude, Portugal? Jenny Lewis? The Elected? Rocky Votolato?

January was a sweet month I thought

[leika]

I love kittens.

They were being smart asses when Much interviewed them. Funny guys =]
Haven't really gave this a listen though. Hah.

[crowquill]

liking the MWC props.

[GoWaitInTheCar]

I really like these guys and their cd. When I first got it, I played it tons. It's still on my playlist. "Inaction" is my favorite song.

[romantic rights]

honestly. i dont like their single... but the other songs i have heard have been alright.

[deja andyroo]

Dude, Portugal? Jenny Lewis? The Elected? Rocky Votolato?

January was a sweet month I thought
Lewis and Votolato both released solid albums, though neither has really been a revelation to me. I've not spent enough time with the Portugal yet, and I have yet to get into the Elected. Most of the reviews for the Elected's album haven't been as good as those for Lewis', and I've never liked Blake's songs as much as Jenny's on the Rilo Kiley records. Is it still worth checking out anyway?

I think your review is very well-written, but I think you should talk more about the actual album. Half of the piece talks largely about the trend of dance-rock, and the actual discussion of the album includes the mention of only one track. It doesn't seem like you were striving for critical analysis, but the majority of a review's text should concern the strengths and weaknesses of the album in question. Great quote usage, though. It definitely seems like you have a great grasp of the source material upon which the album's title is based.

To finish with a potential discussion point While I consider Hot Hot Heat's "Make Up the Breakdown" to be an excellent album from start to finish, I think We Are Scientists have made a much better album than HHH's "Elevator." Agree/disagree, anyone?

[Garett Press]

Lewis and Votolato both released solid albums, though neither has really been a revelation to me. I've not spent enough time with the Portugal yet, and I have yet to get into the Elected. Most of the reviews for the Elected's album haven't been as good as those for Lewis', and I've never liked Blake's songs as much as Jenny's on the Rilo Kiley records. Is it still worth checking out anyway?

I think your review is very well-written, but I think you should talk more about the actual album. Half of the piece talks largely about the trend of dance-rock, and the actual discussion of the album includes the mention of only one track. It doesn't seem like you were striving for critical analysis, but the majority of a review's text should concern the strengths and weaknesses of the album in question. Great quote usage, though. It definitely seems like you have a great grasp of the source material upon which the album's title is based.

To finish with a potential discussion point While I consider Hot Hot Heat's "Make Up the Breakdown" to be an excellent album from start to finish, I think We Are Scientists have made a much better album than HHH's "Elevator." Agree/disagree, anyone?
thanks a lot dude, i appreciate the helpful constructive criticism

most readers could take a page out of your book

[deja andyroo]

Hey, no problem. I'm a print journalism major, about to graduate this winter. Based on the reviews that I've read of yours, you seem to be among the best of the AP writers.

[Garett Press]

Hey, no problem. I'm a print journalism major, about to graduate this winter. Based on the reviews that I've read of yours, you seem to be among the best of the AP writers.
oh wow! i'm considering journalism, not sure yet though

thanks for that huge compliment, i look forward to hearing more tips from you in the future

[[Brendan]]

I would've given it a 7. But I respect where you are coming from. It's so funny I was looking for a WAS review on here a few days ago and couldn't find one, you must've read my mind or something :).

[jnkbondtrader]

haha i have no idea what you're talking about... i was referencing Salinger's For Esme: With Love and Squalor, my fav short story


hahaha unfortunately i dont think many people got that

thats probably my favorite short story as well.

[bikescene]

best album reviewer on the staff.

[ThisIsAName]

I haven't heard the whole album, thanks for the review! I think i'll pick it up today to see for myself!

[bummm]

I love there album art a lot too. And overall good album.

[xidon]

I really enjoyed this album when it come out. But i agree it doesn't make you want to come back for many multiple listens.