View Full Version : La Dispute - Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair
Blake Solomon
10/20/08, 03:00 PM
La Dispute – Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair
Record Label: No Sleep Records
Release Date: November 11, 2008
A man walks to the edge of the river. He peers into its rushing waters. The rain pours harder, creating an abyss where there shouldn’t be. He’s looking for something, someone. And while he’s hopeful, he knows the chances of survival are slim in such dire circumstances. A warm breeze blows over him, but all he can feel is the chill of loss. “She’ll never come back,” he repeats to himself over and over. His incessant talking evolves into maniacal screams. They ooze of heartbreak: “I think I saw you in my sleep, darling / I think I saw you in my dreams / You were stitching up the seams / On every broken promise that your body couldn’t keep.” A gray sky is his only comfort. There’s hope in the beyond, but for now all he feels is a “precious pain.”
Such loss brings out a ferocity the man has not experienced before. His anger and lack of understanding manifests itself in the form of throat-ripping screams and pounding, pissed-off guitars (“New Storms for Older Lovers”). It becomes angry spoken word reeking of a caged reality: “Damaged Goods” and its pessimistic view of constant recreation, “Now at the end of everyday / I lie awake at night / And wait to feel the wires of my brain / Get cut and quietly rearranged.” This mixture of brutality and smooth technicality becomes a rushing steam train. Even the quieter moments (like handclap-laden “Fall Down, Never Get Back Up Again”) barely encase the insanity: “And we will hear the seraphs cry / They still envy you and I.” This is only another opportunity to channel the pain, and it’s a breather before metal riffs soar over marching-to-hell drums (“Bury Your Flame”).
The man does not truly know what he wants. He believes Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair lie answers. If he must ultimately drown to find them, so be it: “We found out that we’re only layers of skin hiding bones!” You may see this schizophrenic fellow pacing back and forth, clearly at odds with himself (“Last Blues for Bloody Knuckles”): “My precious wife / I am in shambles / I am crumbling.” He seems to be calming, possibly accepting the circumstances. As riffs soar towards the infinite sky, they destructively descend in force mere moments before reaching their goal. The ringing is almost soothing as they fall away to be born again in the man’s anger. But his anguish has barely begun (“The Castle Builders”). Perhaps he has come to terms with her fate: “They say that death is not a problem / It’s a promise / I can only say for sure that when it makes your bed / I’ll still kiss your head ‘goodnight.’” But what of his own?
Each moment of uncertainty or fervor brings the man one step closer to the epiphanic “The Last Lost Continent.” Twelve minutes is scarcely enough time to finish his tale; meaty screams charge forth over wiry, fragile guitar licks. Each spit-out word builds upon itself into pulsing, fancy drums. Are the clouds finally parting (“Too long you’ve torn us into pieces / Firmly held onto our wrists / Today I bury you in me”)? Well, yes, but you can’t tell from the crazed breakdown. And then, in one of the more subdued and rapid-fire sections, we hear the man figure it all out. If a lowly narrator such as myself were to divulge such a thing, strike me dead. The solitude seems to be over as we hear camaraderie through gang-vocals: “Though we’re not sure where we’ll go, we keep our hopes up.”
Throughout the destruction, pain, longing and insecurity, we are still presented with a feeling of optimism. La Dispute (led by wordsmith Jordan Dreyer, aka “The Man”) have fused diversity and meaningfulness into an album that surges forward without ever looking back. It’s not just a record, but rather this is a mantra to a woe-is-me music generation. You don’t have to live it, but you should definitely respect Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair.
Recommended If You Like: mewithoutYou, Sinaloa, inspiration, Oh, Sleeper, greener pastures
www.myspace.com/ladispute
tm decomposer
10/20/08, 03:38 PM
Great review, great album.
Shrillex
10/20/08, 05:17 PM
i haven't heard it yet but their EP was amazing so prob going to check this out. Good review to.
Klatzke
10/20/08, 06:16 PM
I'm actually getting the MP3s from the band tonight to do the review for this..
This review has me even more psyched.
newfoundmichael
10/20/08, 06:44 PM
these guys are so good. i really can't wait to listen to this.
hockeyguitar99
10/20/08, 08:12 PM
The stuff on myspace is beyond phenomenal. Should be great, I need to pick this up.
youwithoutMe
10/20/08, 08:26 PM
i like this band, Only Everything Below was great, i hope this is like that.
Travis Parno
10/21/08, 05:54 AM
very cool take on a fantastic record
boykosaurus
10/21/08, 07:57 AM
Fuck, this just blew my mind...great stuff.
utgjames
10/21/08, 08:07 AM
My album of the year.
No competition.
my reviewis on Under The Gun Review
awakeohsleeper
10/21/08, 08:39 AM
Wow, I want this. I'd never even heard of them until yesterday. Well done!
tigertiger
10/21/08, 08:58 AM
This band is going to be huge.
itsjustadrian
10/21/08, 09:10 AM
Wonderful band. Vancouver was just as excellent as this one.
guitarnick20
10/21/08, 09:27 AM
This band is going to be huge.
I sure hope they don't get huge. Screaming is cool when its done tastefully, not the way this guy does it. Please put some vocal melodies together, and I wish people would stop bring up ATD-I, ATD-I had melody in their vocals, a lot of it. There aren't any melodies here, at all, whatsoever in the vocals.
LiquorAndDick
10/21/08, 09:50 AM
That mht dude is writing his review as we speak.
tigertiger
10/21/08, 10:02 AM
I sure hope they don't get huge. Screaming is cool when its done tastefully, not the way this guy does it. Please put some vocal melodies together, and I wish people would stop bring up ATD-I, ATD-I had melody in their vocals, a lot of it. There aren't any melodies here, at all, whatsoever in the vocals.
To each their own. I personally love Jordan's style. I don't think you can truly appreciate it until you see him live. That boy is a performer.
elliottsmithfan
10/21/08, 10:41 AM
good stage presence or not, it doesnt make up for lack of melody. i like them too, but keep it interesting if your gonna be compared to some of the bands that they are, listening to their songs its like waiting for something to happen but nothing comes. im glad theyre doing there thing though cause theyre a hard working band, just like to see jordan vocally change it up a bit.
That mht dude is writing his review as we speak.
i should so it gets a realistic, non inflated review.
Blake Solomon
10/21/08, 11:44 AM
i should so it gets a realistic, non inflated review.
In reality, I like this album a whole lot. I like it enough to give it the score I did. If you'd like to write a review of a differing opinion by all means do, but I don't appreciate this jab at me.
mybreakingpoint
10/21/08, 12:17 PM
One of the worst bands to come out of the MI scene in a long while. I've never played with them or seen them, but 2 of my band members have in their other bands, and they both said they were horrific. I hated what I heard on Myspace. I'm surprised they got such a good review. But I might give them a chance just because of the high rating you gave them & I respect your opinion.
looovesit
10/21/08, 12:18 PM
love this band. loved vancouver. getting it the day it comes out.
One of the worst bands to come out of the MI scene in a long while. I've never played with them or seen them, but 2 of my band members have in their other bands, and they both said they were horrific. I hated what I heard on Myspace. I'm surprised they got such a good review. But I might give them a chance just because of the high rating you gave them & I respect your opinion.
You seem to have more of a "realistic" account though, which should not be affected or influenced by internet marketing. Also anyone can sound "good" on cd. It takes that realistic experience like you have to determine the good and bad. Your post makes what I said correct though, which is awesome.
the comparisons of this band to mewithoutyou and the like is like saying Kimbo Slice is on the same level as Anderson Silva and Fedor.
In reality, I like this album a whole lot. I like it enough to give it the score I did. If you'd like to write a review of a differing opinion by all means do, but I don't appreciate this jab at me.
I didn't mean it as a shot at you. It was a very good review, all your reviews rock. I just think the score and comparisons are a little over the top/too much. But you are always spot on.
Klatzke
10/21/08, 02:22 PM
One of the worst bands to come out of the MI scene in a long while. I've never played with them or seen them, but 2 of my band members have in their other bands, and they both said they were horrific. I hated what I heard on Myspace. I'm surprised they got such a good review. But I might give them a chance just because of the high rating you gave them & I respect your opinion.
The cd is worth a shot. I've never seen them live.. so i can't really comment on that, but I do really like their work.
One of the worst bands to come out of the MI scene in a long while. I've never played with them or seen them, but 2 of my band members have in their other bands, and they both said they were horrific. I hated what I heard on Myspace. I'm surprised they got such a good review. But I might give them a chance just because of the high rating you gave them & I respect your opinion.
What do you consider some of the better bands in the MI scene?
(i personally like these guys, but I always like hearing what other locals are listening to from the area)
Blake Solomon
10/21/08, 03:05 PM
What do you consider some of the better bands in the MI scene?
(i personally like these guys, but I always like hearing what other locals are listening to from the area)
Mason Proper is easily the best band out of Michigan. Check them out.
www.myspace.com/masonproper
guitarnick20
10/21/08, 03:05 PM
I didn't mean it as a shot at you. It was a very good review, all your reviews rock. I just think the score and comparisons are a little over the top/too much. But you are always spot on.
Well minus the high vocal rating in my opinion, because unless this guy actually attempts to sing one single, miniscule, solitary, eency weency, little, tiny note on this album. I wouldn't be able to give him more than a 7, and that's being very, very generous.
For real guys, like what you like, but call it how it is. If there's no ingenuity to a vocal styling, and there's no significant progression (other than the one quiet "Geoff Rickly" talking part in this song) then I don't see how one could give it such a high score vocally.
This would be like giving mewithoutYou's Aaron Weiss high vocal scores until Brother Sister also because I love mewithoutYou, but until Brother Sister, vocal melody was so rare in their stuff. Even though his style is so apparent on the other discs, you can't deny how with so much more melody on Brother Sister, that style becomes infinitely more effective.
You have to discern when to use things at the right time and be able to really instill a sense of emotion, and I don't think this guy has reached that yet especially since his style is so much just trying to get his voice to crack when he yells and screams.
Have some variance in the scream if that's your whole style, like Aaron does y'know? Without it, it just becomes lost to the sea of generic hardcore bands, and since this band writes interesting music and seemingly interesting lyrics, it would be great if someone would just push this guy to sing something or at least try, otherwise it ruins everything they're trying to do.
Blake Solomon
10/21/08, 03:19 PM
Well minus the high vocal rating in my opinion, because unless this guy actually attempts to sing one single, miniscule, solitary, eency weency, little, tiny note on this album. I wouldn't be able to give him more than a 7, and that's being very, very generous.
For real guys, like what you like, but call it how it is. If there's no ingenuity to a vocal styling, and there's no significant progression (other than the one quiet "Geoff Rickly" talking part in this song) then I don't see how one could give it such a high score vocally.
This would be like giving mewithoutYou's Aaron Weiss high vocal scores until Brother Sister also because I love mewithoutYou, but until Brother Sister, vocal melody was so rare in their stuff. Even though his style is so apparent on the other discs, you can't deny how with so much more melody on Brother Sister, that style becomes infinitely more effective.
You have to discern when to use things at the right time and be able to really instill a sense of emotion, and I don't think this guy has reached that yet especially since his style is so much just trying to get his voice to crack when he yells and screams.
Have some variance in the scream if that's your whole style, like Aaron does y'know? Without it, it just becomes lost to the sea of generic hardcore bands, and since this band writes interesting music and seemingly interesting lyrics, it would be great if someone would just push this guy to sing something or at least try, otherwise it ruins everything they're trying to do.
There's just something about the problems in the voice that intrigues. It just fits, you know? This whole album, essentially, is about a loss, a life of mistake. It's about trying to move on even when things aren't perfect. And for me, the voice cracks that turn into hearty screams (and they can be very deep, very bellowing, i would say) accomplish this theme. It's like, you can tell he just has to get these words out by any means possible. So this lack of blatant melody (other than maybe "Fall Down") is fine, and in the context of the album, the vocals work. But I can understand the wtf's at the vocal score. He's not a great singer. Not an amazing screamer. But it is seamlessly integrated into the lyrics and instrumentals. That pain becomes something real, something that's not an act. Perhaps my favorite example of this is in "New Storms for Older Lovers" when he goes a tad insane with repetition and ends with: "But always is valueless. I wish I'd never heard a speak word...
Buried in the wreckage of your crime while you're layhing down your sins, softly leaning in to kiss your guilt goodnight." That delivery is flooring and altogether hard to take on its own. But throw in the guitar solo moving up and down the scale and you have melody in a new way. It's, to me at least, (if you couldn't tell, haha) inspiring.
Blake Solomon
10/21/08, 03:22 PM
I didn't mean it as a shot at you. It was a very good review, all your reviews rock. I just think the score and comparisons are a little over the top/too much. But you are always spot on.
I see what you mean. And I think mewithoutYou is the simplest way to get across to a newcomer what they might find. That's also why there was a tag on that exclusive that said melodic hardcore. This way a person knows they may find that sort-of intense, off-beat lyrical direction but also with some yelling. They aren't thrown off by a dude ripping his throat in their ear. So why they may not sound exactly, that isn't the point. It's to incur interest, and I think those comparisons are a logical way of doing it.
And thanks for the kind words about the reviews.
robat19
10/21/08, 03:42 PM
Great review. Great band. Glad I live close to them so I can see them live.
Travis Parno
10/21/08, 04:02 PM
There's just something about the problems in the voice that intrigues. It just fits, you know? This whole album, essentially, is about a loss, a life of mistake. It's about trying to move on even when things aren't perfect. And for me, the voice cracks that turn into hearty screams (and they can be very deep, very bellowing, i would say) accomplish this theme. It's like, you can tell he just has to get these words out by any means possible. So this lack of blatant melody (other than maybe "Fall Down") is fine, and in the context of the album, the vocals work. But I can understand the wtf's at the vocal score. He's not a great singer. Not an amazing screamer. But it is seamlessly integrated into the lyrics and instrumentals. That pain becomes something real, something that's not an act. Perhaps my favorite example of this is in "New Storms for Older Lovers" when he goes a tad insane with repetition and ends with: "But always is valueless. I wish I'd never heard a speak word...
Buried in the wreckage of your crime while you're layhing down your sins, softly leaning in to kiss your guilt goodnight." That delivery is flooring and altogether hard to take on its own. But throw in the guitar solo moving up and down the scale and you have melody in a new way. It's, to me at least, (if you couldn't tell, haha) inspiring.
i couldn't agree more here. also, as a point of order, if someone wants to argue that a vocal score cannot be high unless a significant portion of the album is sung, then it would also seem to call for a change in the way we evaluate albums. "vocals" as a categorical descriptor, does not imply a strict adherence to melody, necessarily.
i agree that the comparisons to mewithoutyou might seems off, at first, but it's definitely an easy way to get it out there up front that listeners shouldn't expect to traditional post-hardcore vox on this record.
i also appreciate that everyone who's responded to this review seems, eventually, to have done so in a very respectful manner. hurray for generating a dialogue without all the anonymous slander that's so common on the interwebz!
Blake Solomon
10/21/08, 04:03 PM
i couldn't agree more here. also, as a point of order, if someone wants to argue that a vocal score cannot be high unless a significant portion of the album is sung, then it would also seem to call for a change in the way we evaluate albums. "vocals" as a categorical descriptor, does not imply a strict adherence to melody, necessarily.
i agree that the comparisons to mewithoutyou might seems off, at first, but it's definitely an easy way to get it out there up front that listeners shouldn't expect to traditional post-hardcore vox on this record.
i also appreciate that everyone who's responded to this review seems, eventually, to have done so in a very respectful manner. hurray for generating a dialogue without all the anonymous slander that's so common on the interwebz!
haha, couldn't be more excited about the last part.
Cameronisonfire
10/21/08, 04:04 PM
This album is the sex
guitarnick20
10/21/08, 04:13 PM
There's just something about the problems in the voice that intrigues. It just fits, you know? This whole album, essentially, is about a loss, a life of mistake. It's about trying to move on even when things aren't perfect. And for me, the voice cracks that turn into hearty screams (and they can be very deep, very bellowing, i would say) accomplish this theme. It's like, you can tell he just has to get these words out by any means possible. So this lack of blatant melody (other than maybe "Fall Down") is fine, and in the context of the album, the vocals work. But I can understand the wtf's at the vocal score. He's not a great singer. Not an amazing screamer. But it is seamlessly integrated into the lyrics and instrumentals. That pain becomes something real, something that's not an act. Perhaps my favorite example of this is in "New Storms for Older Lovers" when he goes a tad insane with repetition and ends with: "But always is valueless. I wish I'd never heard a speak word...
Buried in the wreckage of your crime while you're layhing down your sins, softly leaning in to kiss your guilt goodnight." That delivery is flooring and altogether hard to take on its own. But throw in the guitar solo moving up and down the scale and you have melody in a new way. It's, to me at least, (if you couldn't tell, haha) inspiring.
I'd be more inclined to agree with you if this was a sudden shift or it was something different from what he's done in the past, but its just more of the same, that's why I'm saying the lack of progression makes me really feel like your vocal score is way too high regardless of the inspirational, emotional, or other such intangible factors.
I just think you gotta score things more fairly as opposed to doing it as a swing or bias type of thing. I know that's technically every journalist's job now, but its just becoming a little too ridiculous and no offense to you Blake cause I like your reviews, I just think being more completely truthful would give bands more. Unfortunately, musicians don't normally know how to take constructive criticism they usually resort to the "oh f that guy, we love what we're doing so we don't need any advice or incentive to really get much better at what we're doing"
Blake Solomon
10/21/08, 04:44 PM
I'd be more inclined to agree with you if this was a sudden shift or it was something different from what he's done in the past, but its just more of the same, that's why I'm saying the lack of progression makes me really feel like your vocal score is way too high regardless of the inspirational, emotional, or other such intangible factors.
I just think you gotta score things more fairly as opposed to doing it as a swing or bias type of thing. I know that's technically every journalist's job now, but its just becoming a little too ridiculous and no offense to you Blake cause I like your reviews, I just think being more completely truthful would give bands more. Unfortunately, musicians don't normally know how to take constructive criticism they usually resort to the "oh f that guy, we love what we're doing so we don't need any advice or incentive to really get much better at what we're doing"
If you're saying he doesn't sound better than on, say, Vancouver, then I'd have to disagree again. He sound older and a bit more differentiated from others now. I'd also say the songwriting has improved. Yeah, I have an emotional attachment to these songs, but that wouldn't be so if I didn't think the nuts and bolts fit together well.
And I don't quite get the last part. Are you saying I held back on the score? Or that I gave it higher than I really feel? Because that's not the case at all. The vocals are probably my favorite part of this behind the lyrics, so my score is justified just by that. I have very little in the way of criticism for these guys. The groans, creaks, little quirks (that some would call missteps) work for me.
Klatzke
10/21/08, 05:49 PM
If you're saying he doesn't sound better than on, say, Vancouver, then I'd have to disagree again. He sound older and a bit more differentiated from others now. I'd also say the songwriting has improved. Yeah, I have an emotional attachment to these songs, but that wouldn't be so if I didn't think the nuts and bolts fit together well.
And I don't quite get the last part. Are you saying I held back on the score? Or that I gave it higher than I really feel? Because that's not the case at all. The vocals are probably my favorite part of this behind the lyrics, so my score is justified just by that. I have very little in the way of criticism for these guys. The groans, creaks, little quirks (that some would call missteps) work for me.
Agreed. I think there's definite progression from Vancouver.
Jumpoff
10/21/08, 06:28 PM
Liked the first album. Didn't like this one. I had somewhat high expectations though.
It's like they tried to go the MWY route and failed miserably. I just don't like the way he sounds now that he has lessened the screaming.
Blake, by the way, what was that guy who was similiar to Son Lux that you recommended me a while back? I think it started with a D....
Blake Solomon
10/21/08, 06:31 PM
Liked the first album. Didn't like this one. I had somewhat high expectations though.
It's like they tried to go the MWY route and failed miserably. I just don't like the way he sounds now that he has lessened the screaming.
Blake, by the way, what was that guy who was similiar to Son Lux that you recommended me a while back? I think it started with a D....
Dosh
Jumpoff
10/21/08, 06:32 PM
Thanks a lot. Been hoping for more Son Lux.. at War With Walls and Mazes was my AOTY I think.
guitarnick20
10/21/08, 10:16 PM
Agreed. I think there's definite progression from Vancouver.
Not enough for me personally, I wasn't expecting a complete change in styles, but from what I've heard, its still not comparable to say mwY and definitely not to ATD-I, its a shame that they're even put as a possible similar artists as I don't hear any similarities at all vocally, and very few musically.
mogwaifearsatan
10/21/08, 11:43 PM
with la dispute, this town need guns, and gang gang dance's new record, i am satisfied for the rest of 2008.
blake, you definitely are the best writer/taste in music-er on this site. i tend to feel a little out of place here sometimes but you always keep me coming back.
Klatzke
10/22/08, 06:20 AM
Not enough for me personally, I wasn't expecting a complete change in styles, but from what I've heard, its still not comparable to say mwY and definitely not to ATD-I, its a shame that they're even put as a possible similar artists as I don't hear any similarities at all vocally, and very few musically.
I dont get the mwY comparison either. I think it's just because of the spoken vocals. Like, instead of sung ones he just pretty much speaks and it's almost like he's narrating in parts.
Have you heard the whole album? It really is different than Vancouver. At least I think so.
Not enough for me personally, I wasn't expecting a complete change in styles, but from what I've heard, its still not comparable to say mwY and definitely not to ATD-I, its a shame that they're even put as a possible similar artists as I don't hear any similarities at all vocally, and very few musically.
Then who would you compare them to?
hahasnorlax
10/22/08, 10:03 AM
Jordan is amazing, as well as the rest of the band.
The lyrics on this album are storming!
hahasnorlax
10/22/08, 01:48 PM
One of the worst bands to come out of the MI scene in a long while. I've never played with them or seen them, but 2 of my band members have in their other bands, and they both said they were horrific. I hated what I heard on Myspace. I'm surprised they got such a good review. But I might give them a chance just because of the high rating you gave them & I respect your opinion.
You seem to have more of a "realistic" account though, which should not be affected or influenced by internet marketing. Also anyone can sound "good" on cd. It takes that realistic experience like you have to determine the good and bad. Your post makes what I said correct though, which is awesome.
Realistic account?? All he has is hearsay.
And 'anyone can sound good on CD.' Most people will tell you that La Dispute is 100 times better live than on CD. See them live yourself, then decide whether you like them or not. Go youtube them, and it will give you a taste (though still not even close to the real thing).
I haven't heard the new stuff yet (other than Only Everything Below, which they've been playing live for a few years now, and a few other songs they've played live), but as far as Vancouver is concerned, I'd take the live version over the CD anyday.
natedorough
10/22/08, 02:00 PM
I've seen La Dispute about 8 times. I'm a promoter in Michigan, and they're one of my favorites. The vocal melodies aren't amazing, no, but the energy is there, and the musical ability of this band is top-notch. They're not a polished band like mewithoutYou, but they have some similar elements. And they have the explosiveness of ATDI. They're not politically charged, but they do have an amazing way of connecting with fans and non-fans alike.
I haven't heard this album, but it'll be epic for sure. This band is going to make waves in 2009.
Nathan Lint
10/22/08, 02:21 PM
What do you consider some of the better bands in the MI scene?
(i personally like these guys, but I always like hearing what other locals are listening to from the area)
It all depends on what you're into.
Some of my favorites
www.myspace.com/fireworksmi (http://www.myspace.com/fireworksmi)
www.myspace.com/theswellers (http://www.myspace.com/theswellers)
www.myspace.com/wearetheunion (http://www.myspace.com/wearetheunion)
www.myspace.com/mannaandquail (http://www.myspace.com/mannaandquail)
www.myspace.com/builtforburning (http://www.myspace.com/builtforburning)
www.myspace.com/monumentmonument (http://www.myspace.com/monumentmonument)
www.myspace.com/emptyorchestra (http://www.myspace.com/emptyorchestra)
www.myspace.com/frankwhitefrankwhite (http://www.myspace.com/frankwhitefrankwhite)
www.myspace.com/noreallyrockandroll (http://www.myspace.com/noreallyrockandroll)
www.myspace.com/whichwayishome (http://www.myspace.com/whichwayishome)
But bands come and go so often, and i'm just talking about SE Michigan, i'm not even very familiar with the Kzoo/Grand Rapids/Lansing scenes.
fordirelifesake is the only Michigan band that matters at this current point.
connorfosho
10/22/08, 04:17 PM
oh , good ole la dispute
It all depends on what you're into.
Some of my favorites
www.myspace.com/fireworksmi (http://www.myspace.com/fireworksmi)
www.myspace.com/theswellers (http://www.myspace.com/theswellers)
www.myspace.com/wearetheunion (http://www.myspace.com/wearetheunion)
www.myspace.com/mannaandquail (http://www.myspace.com/mannaandquail)
www.myspace.com/builtforburning (http://www.myspace.com/builtforburning)
www.myspace.com/monumentmonument (http://www.myspace.com/monumentmonument)
www.myspace.com/emptyorchestra (http://www.myspace.com/emptyorchestra)
www.myspace.com/frankwhitefrankwhite (http://www.myspace.com/frankwhitefrankwhite)
www.myspace.com/noreallyrockandroll (http://www.myspace.com/noreallyrockandroll)
www.myspace.com/whichwayishome (http://www.myspace.com/whichwayishome)
But bands come and go so often, and i'm just talking about SE Michigan, i'm not even very familiar with the Kzoo/Grand Rapids/Lansing scenes.
Looks like a list that would be pretty similar to mine, but you've still given me a few to check out
fordirelifesake is the only Michigan band that matters at this current point.
True, but for only about another month.
hahasnorlax
10/23/08, 10:47 AM
I'm from Muskegon, so I get a lot of the Grand Rapids scene in my area. A lot of experimental type bands along the same lines as La Dispute, at least at the shows I go to.
But just a question... I go to college at Kettering University in Flint, and is there ANY music scene AT ALL in flint??!?!? I've been to a few Definition Plexus shows, and I've been to Dirtfest the past few years, but if I really want to go to a show I pretty much have to drive to Detroit, or at least 30 minutes out of Flint. I heard the scene is returning there, so anyone know of any bands worth looking at out of Flint??
wow... after reading this review yesterday, i started to listen... and havent stopped. This album is F#$KING awesome, so refreshing. Lyrics are so good, guitars are tight as hell. Thank you Mr. Solomon for leading me to this album and pleasing my ears. Kickass review dude.
True, but for only about another month.
:-( indeed. I hope all of Michigan gives them a good send off they deserve. They had a great run.
Praetor
10/24/08, 03:51 PM
I am really loving this record. Fantastic review, one of your best. A lot different than your normal style, too. I did a double-take when I finished the review and I saw that the author was Blake Solomon, haha.
Blake Solomon
10/24/08, 04:44 PM
I am really loving this record. Fantastic review, one of your best. A lot different than your normal style, too. I did a double-take when I finished the review and I saw that the author was Blake Solomon, haha.
Appreciate it my man. Gotta switch it up every now and then, if only to keep it interesting. This band is just so inspiring on a creative level. Really spoke to me and I continue to be amazed by it
spike22988
10/25/08, 12:41 AM
I'm from Muskegon, so I get a lot of the Grand Rapids scene in my area. A lot of experimental type bands along the same lines as La Dispute, at least at the shows I go to.
But just a question... I go to college at Kettering University in Flint, and is there ANY music scene AT ALL in flint??!?!? I've been to a few Definition Plexus shows, and I've been to Dirtfest the past few years, but if I really want to go to a show I pretty much have to drive to Detroit, or at least 30 minutes out of Flint. I heard the scene is returning there, so anyone know of any bands worth looking at out of Flint??
Well there's a band that grew up in the Flint local scene with Chiodos called the Silhouette. They evolved into the predominantly Waterford band DOWNERS.
www.myspace.com/downersoftheworldunite
Praetor
10/25/08, 02:17 PM
Blake, I don't know if you know this or not, but the band linked to your review in one of their most recent myspace blogs.
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=26393952&blogID=442623877
agreeing with negativity towards the vocals, sorry. that alone is sadly causing me to stop listening.
^The vocals are what kept me listening. I'm loving it so far, and I don't listen to this kind of music too often.
Holly HoX!
11/04/08, 05:02 PM
dude....just checked these guys out because of this review. I'm really diggin' it.
Dre Okorley
11/10/08, 07:59 PM
Interesting that this band gets the 'either you love em or you hate em' vocal criticisms (it's practically split 50/50)!
I actually admit too, that I was super annoyed by the vocal style. And even though I hadn't (and still haven't) heard the first album before, when I visited their Myspace a few months ago for the first time, I felt like that's what killed their music (or reduced the quality of it for me). I thought to myself: "this music is INCREDIBLE" and I was sort of pissed because I wanted to listen more, so intrigued by the creativity of it all, hoping I could get past the style of the vocals. But I just couldn't, and so that was the end of that.
Fast forwarding to today, I give them another listen. The vocals still don't impress me, but there's something about this album that makes me feel "wow, you guys are really pushing the boundaries of your genre...whatever that may be." And you know when you get a statement like that, you're doing something right.
This band has a potential to get huge--- but as an earlier poster stated, every band needs to exhibit a certain amount of humility and take advantage of "negative" criticisms to tweak weak areas. At the same time, the sky's the limit, and I think you guys know how to get where you need to be.
:)
p.s. And come to Philly, I wanna see you guys do your thing. Streaming music will only do half the justice.
OKComputer1016
11/11/08, 12:22 PM
awesome dude, Blake you've got to see them live
dat scene kid
11/12/08, 06:16 PM
Only two tracks in and already learning this. Definitely see the relation to mewithoutYou.
Sic Transit Zeb
11/13/08, 03:41 PM
I really loved this review Blake.
Great album as well, thanks for introducing me to this.
tommy's ghost
01/04/09, 05:48 PM
Wow, I just recently started listening to this album. It fucking rules, very very powerful. The best way I could possibly describe them is mewithoutYou+Underoath, but that's just me. Nice review too.
Sic Transit Zeb
01/06/09, 10:52 PM
I absolutely adore this record.
I love the vocals/lyrics/music.
Thanks for reviewing this Blake.
Oh and the mewithoutYou comparison does make sense. Albeit, not the same bands but similar.
dancelukedance
10/16/09, 06:48 PM
This is dribble. The fact that you have tried to force a piece of obviously non-linear fictional work into the confines of a four paragraph interpretaion makes me feel ill. Well done.
what's up with the tags blues and soul? when I clicked play on 'the castle builders' I was totally expecting something else, haha.
really liked 'em, sweet tunes, awesome lyrics.
Gregory Robson
12/13/09, 07:18 PM
Not impressed by this. But probably should have expected to feel that way.
sweepthenation
01/06/10, 09:41 AM
8.75 for vocals? His screaming vocals are awful and the clean ones are worse.
Gregory Robson
01/06/10, 10:31 AM
8.75 for vocals? His screaming vocals are awful and the clean ones are worse.
Tis exactly how I feel!
sweepthenation
01/06/10, 01:25 PM
Tis exactly how I feel!
Usually I agree with Blakes reviews but this is just odd. The only thing hes right on is the "throat ripping vocals" part. This guy does sound like he is trying to hack up his lungs.
8.75 for vocals? His screaming vocals are awful and the clean ones are worse.
I disagree. The vocals are the main draw to this particular band for me, especially since this is not at all what I usually listen to.
Deadbolt23
02/03/10, 02:26 AM
This is an absolutely stunning album.
a nocturnal day
02/04/10, 03:07 PM
His screams and clean vocals aren't particularly great, there's alot of people that do it better. However, it is very fitting, and his lyrics are better then most. So I do agree with the vocal rating....
Jamos4184
02/21/10, 11:08 PM
Realizing I'm a bit late to the party on this one, I just heard about these guys and checked them out on myspace. A friend of mine described them to me as a cross between mewithoutYou and Blindside - a description I think fits very well (although Christian Lindskog of Blindside is an outstanding, not to mention underrated vocalist, and the clean vocals are really the only problem with this comparison).
brokenfallensky
02/25/10, 08:31 PM
His vocals are the main point, and are the main reason why i love this album so much. Probably one of my favorite bands of all time now.
knowthisx
02/28/10, 08:54 AM
I hear influence from screamo more than anything. You can tell these guys enjoy some Saetia.
showyourteeth
03/13/10, 09:12 PM
this is one of my all time favorite albums
and i really like how this review was written
attackyle
08/23/10, 09:58 PM
Such an awesome band overall, so good live and this album is something I can listen to for months straight on replay.
Tyler Vagyler
10/13/10, 09:32 PM
This is one of the best albums to be released in recent years, in my opinion. Every member in this band brings their own style, which makes them so unique. The vocals are so awesome and the lyrics are some of the best I've ever read/heard. This is one of the few albums I can listen to and truly hear the passion they have in what they are doing.
Good review btw.
Ryan Chadwick
03/02/11, 08:46 AM
This review made me want to listen to La Dispute so bad, They are such a talented and unique band.
therailwayhouse
03/15/11, 03:29 PM
it took me a while to warm up to these guys, and I'm still kinda surprised that I really enjoy listening to them. I'm in love with the lyrics... and well, just everything about La Dispute is awesome
I wish I'd started listening to them earlier
Love it :-d Enough said Ahahah
AaRoNpUnK
08/27/11, 09:24 AM
overhyped band is overhyped. listen to Touche, or Hostage Calm
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