| |
| Hint: Follow a reviewer to be notified when they post reviews. | Author's Rating
Inside AP.net
| Streetlight Manifesto - Keasbey Nights | Disclaimer: Most people reading this review will be looking to see the comparison between the Catch 22 and Streetlight Manifesto versions of Keasbey Nights. Thus, less stress will be put on the songwriting; those acquainted with either band are certainly acquainted with the album’s writing. As aforementioned, the focus will be placed rather on a comparison between the two albums.
Ska definitely had its heyday, and smack dab in the middle of it was the revolutionary third-wave group Catch 22. Fronted by singer and guitarist Tomas Kalnoky for arguably their most popular record, Keasbey Nights, the group slipped into hearts of ska fans across the globe.
This, however, caused significant amounts of drama and angst as Kalnoky and much of the Catch 22 crew parted ways from the original group and started a new super-group in Streetlight Manifesto. Those same adoring fans who grew to embrace the Keasbey Nights tracks as recorded with Kalnoky’s voice cried out at shows worldwide for “Dear Sergio” and title track “Keasbey Nights.” The group, however, was largely uncooperative in performing said tracks live.
Rumors of a Keasbey Nights put out by the Streetlight crew circulated throughout the ska world; would there be a Keasbey Nights II? Kalnoky and crew cover that base on the back cover of their album: “This record contains no new material. It is a re-recording of 1998’s Keasbey Nights, as performed by Streetlight Manifesto.” Fans then wondered, and rightfully so, would there be problems with Catch 22 or anyone other offended parties? This too is touched upon in the album’s artwork: “There is absolutely no way of explaining the existence of the record you now hold in your hands without somehow offending, infuriating, confusing or alienating certain parties, so we won’t even try. Please enjoy this for what it is.”
So, without further ado, I present a look at the music that is the Streetlight Manifesto version of Keasbey Nights…
Part of the initial immediate charm attached to Catch 22 was the raw element about its music. The simple fact that production was somewhat lacking made that same production impeccable; the lack of overproduction brought out the best in a band that thrived on chaos and disorder. Rough around the edges, Catch 22 was the working man’s ska band. The revised group that is Streetlight Manifesto, it seems, has lost a bit of that ragged touch in their re-recording of Keasbey Nights. Overproduction, though hardly present, still manages to take away from the record. Had this been an original release the production would not have posed the slightest problem; however, in comparison to the earlier version, it is a letdown. Even Kalnoky’s vocals have changed. As the ever-important resource Wikipedia so aptly puts it, “Kalnoky has a unique singing voice, which slightly changed during the period between his participation in Catch 22 (throaty and raspy) and Streetlight Manifesto (slightly nasal).” This mild case of overproduction, though, allowed for “As the Footsteps Die out Forever,” before an overlooked track, to emerge as one of the most impressive on the album.
Whatever problem is presented by the daunting cleanliness of the record is overshadowed luckily by improved musicianship. Cleaner guitar and bass lines, smoother horn transitions, and more impressively ringing singing allow for a more relaxed listening experience. Lyrics are this time more easily deciphered as Kalnoky projects with greater enunciation and confidence. Most importantly though are deviations from original horn pieces. Solos and background parts alike are manipulated on the reproduction of Keasbey Nights, and this time the horns give off a much more impressive aura.
What will hardcore fans of the original Keasbey Nights and Catch 22 think of this CD? In all honesty, all opinions hinge solely on a few key preferences of the listener. Most notably, would you as a fan take the raw, genuine approach of Catch 22 or the slick, more advanced musicianship of Streetlight Manifesto? Regardless, Keasbey Nights, both the Catch 22 and Streetlight Manifesto versions, is an essential disc to the record collector’s shelves. |
|
|
Displaying posts 1 - 15 of 20. |
09:57 PM on 02/21/06 | Ya... as much as I love Streetlight, I don't know if I will buy this. I love how Victory manages to find a way to reissue every album they have. Hopefully this will be on Rhapsody so I can preview it. Good review. | | |
|
10:12 PM on 02/21/06 | Originally Posted by rashandcurious Ya... as much as I love Streetlight, I don't know if I will buy this. I love how Victory manages to find a way to reissue every album they have. Hopefully this will be on Rhapsody so I can preview it. Good review. |
I think it's definately worth a shot. I was appalled when I first listened to it but I'm starting to enjoy it a lot more now. Everyone who's listened to the Catch 22 version should give it a try. | | |
|
10:19 PM on 02/21/06 | i really dont understand the point of this re-recording.......at all. | | |
|
10:43 PM on 02/21/06 |  personally, i'm glad streetlight manifesto is taking back these songs. without the heart and soul of kalnoky (regardless of what stage his voice is in it) pumping out these lyrics, the songs just aren't the same. seeing catch 22 live now is almost a let down, especially for me since i barely got into 'dinosaur sounds' and don't really enjoy eldred's voice on the older catch songs, especially those from keasby nights.
as much as i love catch 22's keasby nights, one has to admit that the production is awful. i can respect liking that raw, emotional, and indie feel, but some things are in excusable, particularly the horn parts. there are several songs where it seems the horns couldn't even keep up the lines they wrote and fumbled through them. there's something to be said for basement-esqe recordings, but parts of keasby nights were in dire need of a tune up. Streetlight is the sort of band that has the musicianship and the talent to not only fix these songs but improve upon them. i'm very excited to hear what tomas can do with HIS songs eight years later and with a band who can keep up with him.
"if you hate me so much then stop singing my songs..." | | |
|
10:54 PM on 02/21/06 | Holy shit I've been waiting for this for a bit. | | |
|
11:28 PM on 02/21/06 | I've pretty much retired already. wow.... its really coming out?
this is like.... christmas....
but will it be a good or bad one?
we'll find out when that faithful day comes. | | |
|
12:22 AM on 02/22/06 | I'd prefer new tunes. This may be interesting, but should have been done as part of a double disc or something, one new full length album, one re-recording of Keasby Nights. I think that would have been a much much better thing to do. Streetlight's gonna be played out quick without any completely new material.
They can't live off of their past forever and Everything Went Numb is so good, the only ska album that I've liked in years. | | |
|
12:41 AM on 02/22/06 | shouldn't really mess with a cult classic
i hope they didn't bugger this up
i'll check it out though | | |
|
06:11 AM on 02/22/06 | What an awful idea. Tomas has only written about three good songs in his life and the 20 or so others are just variations on the aforementioned three. Homeboy needs to start writing new tunes and stop jerking fans of his music around. | | |
|
03:09 PM on 02/22/06 | This cd will own. If ska still held popularity like it once did, I'd vote for this and the new RX Bandits albums as albums of the year, but that's just me... | | |
|
06:50 PM on 02/22/06 | ...I always really liked "As the Footsteps Die Out Forever." It has long been one of the favorites of mine...ever. | | |
|
10:35 PM on 02/22/06 | It's not bad, but kind of pointless. | | |
|
01:16 PM on 02/23/06 | It's really good. There are a lot of different parts, listen. | | |
|
02:44 PM on 02/27/06 | They did SUCH an amazing job on this album. A lot of hard work went into it. Don't you love the bongo's in keasbey nights? | | |
|
|
| Options
More From This Author |
Browse Reviews
Write a Review
Alphabetized Listing
Popular Reviews
Best New Music
View Artist Profile
View News Articles
Stream the Music
Buy the Album or MP3s
View Signature
Posts: 21
View Profile Picture
Follow This Review
More Reviews By This Author