After hearing a preview version of this album it just flew up to numero uno on my to buy list. I'd been holding off due to AMG savage protrayal of this effort but I'm here to tell you that it isn't as bad as they state. Not only that, I'll go so far as to state that I love it.

Things were looking bad when AMG begin their diatribe with this first sentence: "Sometimes all the blame for a disaster can be traced to a simple bad decision." Disaster? Not hardly. Basically it boils down to the fact that this critic reduces this album down to what he calls a cold and calculated decision. Sure it's slicker than snot on a hot rail, that's the appeal. I personally don't think that in order to be cool that an album is required to be recorded to four track in a heroin addict's bedroom. This album exudes an invigorating dance floor vibe that starts early and ends late. I don't see the harm in getting a little hyped up on the ride to work. Oh, but there's an egregious use of synths, something that can't happen and remain indie. Oh well, I like it. I'll use Absolute Affirmation on my year end comp for sure and to be fair, the reviewer cuts that particular track a bit of slack.

Lyrically I can agree that perhaps the songs aren't especially strong. They don't inspire me to greatness or answer any of life's perplexing problems. If you require that out of your entertainment, this will fall way short. If you just want catchy, danceable post punk bliss that is a bit poppy, it will be enough to make you smile and bounce along 'cuz it just sounds good.

RIYL Interpol although this is much brighter, or perhaps a better comparison would be The Stills.

jc

it's bad, real bad. seems like when bands sign to astralwerks, their drummers buy drum machines. it just smells of a sell out considering their past work.

I don't like this whole electronic-ish, punk-ish dance thing that's going around.

Not enough guitars. I need to listen to it again, but after Gotham! this new one has been a complete disappointment.

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I have no problems with drum machines, wanting to get people to dance, or signing to bigger labels. I do, however, have a problem with albums that are incredibly dull, chock full of terrible lyrics, and same-y from beginning to end. I felt like I was listening to a scrapped Miami Sound Machine album the first time I listened to this. It was one of my least favorite, most unpleasant listens of the year. Now their music is in a Toys-R-Us commercial. Hurray for them - it looks like they've made it.

this album bummed me out a lot. gotham was at the top of my 2001 best-of list. this one wouldn't make a top 100 for this year. too slick, too boring.

April fools! (shuffles his feet, eyes blinking, back peddaling out of control) You didn't really think I liked it did you?

OK, I'm a dork, I really like it but then I was never very cool to start with, but Miami Sound Machine? I don't recall ever hearing them but I know that can't be right.

jc

exactly. i seriously think this is the worst album i've heard this year.

Liking it is ok, but have you ever heard any of Radio 4's earlier work? If you haven't, you should, as those two albums put this one to shame.

well, there are two problems with this album, the first being that i and a lot of other people wanted something like their previous ones and radio 4 went and made a dance album instead of a post-punk one. sadly, the other problem is that it's a shitty dance album in its own right.

Me too.

Hmmm, either I'm going to really really hate this one or really really like it because Gotham was a pretty big disappointment to me (after seeing them live).

You've got plenty of reason to dislike the album, which of course is fine. I get your point with the Toys R Us commercial, however, The Shins had music in a MacDonalds commercial, The Doves were used during the Olympics commercials and the list is a long and reasonably distinguished line of similiar incidents that to me don't factor into whether or not I'm going to like an album.

jc

To respond to both you and gesus I do have the previous albums and agree that it's obviously different. I'll just say that it's a tough spot to be in for a band. I am recalling several reviews I've read of the last Clinic album and last years Massive Attack album. While I enjoy both there were many who dismissed both because they were "something like their previous ones".

jc

What he said.

My take on it is that they were obviously trying to meld electronic and rock which has been done before. Sometimes the two can create a success, but in this case, mostly because of the over-production and mid 90s techno beats, they made a stinker.

just re-listened to this one and I don't see all the hate that it's getting...it's not gonna make my Top 20 or anything, but I still found it to be an enjoyable listen

I liked the music video for "Party Crashers" to an extent.

It's like I don't know who any of you are anymore.

I dig the hell out of this record. To me it's a great pairing of post-punk and dance music and is a damn sight better than that Rapture record everyone was creaming over last year.

And I don't get the claims that it's "samey" sounding either. Hell, "Absolute Affirmation" sounds like the best song The Strokes never wrote and is way different than the rest of the record.

Top 5 material for me, and I heard a lot of stuff this year.

Commercials aren't necessarily a deal-breaker for me, although they are always annoying. I used to love New Slang, but I've heard it so many times now that my appreciation for it is gone. It's a good thing I've always hated U2, because I'd be really sick of them right about now.

Phoenix called, they want their album back.

Good post and I like your description of this album. The above part was really funny. I believe a band needs to grow and change in order to keep things fresh. Like what you like, no need for a retraction around here.

I never got into them but bought a single a while back for a buck. I had no idea they were this popular and can stir up so much passion.

np: Winged Life - Shearwater

that's the thing, they weren't very popular until they moved to astralwerks. i have always thought they were a much better live band than on record. though i really dislike the new record, i don't dislike the songs for the most part. live, most of them sound real good. the record just sounds too cheese, and i like cheese for the most part, but not bad cheese. i was so disappointed with this album because that electrify EP was off the chain.

How can one little CD cover produce so much laughter. Well, I've heard it.

(/vitriol)

i like it but don't remember ever having a desire to listen to it again since back when i first heard it. meh. on an A to F scale, i give it a 5.