Past Lives - Tapestry of Webs
Record Label: Suicide Sqeeze
Release Date: February 23, 2010
When John Lydon walked away from the Sex Pistols, the godfather of punk built a creative vehicle outside the realm of what his once loyal fans knew him to create, leading post-punk pioneers Public Image Ltd. Past Lives is like the Blood Brothers' Public Image Ltd., as their debut Tapestry of Webs will catch many an old fan off guard, and settle nicely with those who have grown just as the artists themselves have.
That is the only Blood Brothers reference I will make.
The album is a slow pop burn, building gradually, but never boiling over. It rides a thin line of indie sensationalism and late '80s underground mod buried somewhere beneath at least one Talking Heads record, if not blazed across their entire catalog. The thing about Tapestry of Webs is its return appeal. After a few listens - and believe me, it takes a few - choral lines stick and what is unconventional to the masses becomes conventional to those who understand the album's structure.
Jordan Blilie sounds sharp. His vocals are brooding in every sense of the word. He never freaks out and only heightens any feeling built by the rest of the band with the opening "Paralyzer," the choral "Past Lives" and the toe-tapping "Hospital White." The only time he seems to hit a rising mercury level is on "Hex Takes Hold," and it feels right for the salsa number's appeal.
Many will not have the patience to contend with the band's sound. Tracks such as the weightless "Deep in the Valley" and the closing "There Is a Light So Bright It Blinds," help to break up some of the motion, but could steer some from the danceable and rhythmic course most of the album lends itself to.
Tapestry of Webs makes the band's debut EP seem like forgotten practice demos. Across the board, the album displays acts of jazz, salsa and anti-post-pop (if that's a word), and it all leaves the listener coming back for more. Past Lives have built a more sound structure of the members' once abrasive behavior.
so hard for me to get into, but i really want to. i listen to a lot of experimental shit, so i hope this will grow on me.
honestly, it was for me too...again, I have to stress the fact that it takes a couple listens. it'll be a surprise if you don't have a few chorus lines in your head...then again, it may not be your cup of tea...eh...
honestly, it was for me too...again, I have to stress the fact that it takes a couple listens. it'll be a surprise if you don't have a few chorus lines in your head...then again, it may not be your cup of tea...eh...
i listened to them again today, and it was a lot better than last time. i will end up dwnlding it at some point.
I absolutely love this album, as well as the new Jaguar Love album - And those two albums couldn't be more different. These guys will make good music no matter what band they're in.