...I'm just saying..."

"This CD is ridiculously good. Sounding like Les Savy Fav meets Hot Cross..."

That was the blurb (written by the store owner) on the Bright Calm Blue disc, A Direct Approach For Casual Conversation I picked up at the local used CD emporium. AllMusic gives it 4 stars, saying this about the disc: The second album by Bright Calm Blue finds the group dealing with the loss of lead singer and keyboardist Ian Whitmore by completely reorganizing its sound for the better. Rather than replacing Whitmore, bassist Austin Skiles, drummer Javid Dabestani, and guitarists Dustin Wilbourn and Michael Bredehoft have simply divided his responsibilities between themselves, with Bredehoft adding keyboards to his guitar duties and all four pitching in on the vocals. The leaner instrumental approach suits the band; the songs sound starker and more stripped-down, sacrificing none of its previous aggression while finding room to expand into Fugazi-like prog-punk territory. None of the bandmembers are as distinctive vocally as Whitmore had been; as a rule, they remind one of why this type of post-hardcore has been nicknamed "screamo." But on the best tracks, like the alternately pummeling and soaring "Swallow Feathers Whole," Bright Calm Blue create some of the most exciting and forward-looking emo around.

Yeah, well, they gave the new Pearl Jam disc 4 stars & I think it sounds like shit.

I'll have to listen to this some more, which won't take too long- there're only 6 songs on it.
Anyone heard it? It does sound a little like Fugazi w/ some Shiner thrown in there...

No, but I'd like to.

I think AMG gave the Pearl Jam 4 1/2 stars. I've listened to it approximately 3 1/2 times less than the number of stars it got.

4.5. It deserves them all, too. Fucking great album.

What did they use to record it- tin cans and wax paper? It's a terrible sounding disc, imo.

"Life Wasted" is a great ol' holler.

Update on the original CD?

"exciting and forward-looking emo" is a phrase I'm finding hard to believe

I'm liking the music, but the singing leaves a bit to be desired. If you want to check it out, let me know- I can send you a copy.