These days it’s not hard to find band that refers to themselves as “retro”, “old school”, or the hundreds of genres and sub-genres of music that try to sound like they are from another time. Ariel Pink and his group Haunted Graffiti have gone beyond these adjectives with their new album “Before Today”. In fact, every song on this album seems as if they were produced in a time machine where everything between 80’s synth-pop, 60’s psychedelia, and even 70’s funk collide into one crazy album.
Each song has its own identity with no song really sounding the same. For example, their song “Bright Lit Blue Skies” sounds like the Ramones experimenting with 80’s synthesizers, while the song “Butt-House Blondies” sounds like Nirvana collaborating with Syd Barrett for one crazy-ass song. However, the album’s best songs are when their sound has no band to compare to, especially the songs “Round and Round” and “Fright Night (Nevermore)”.
The lyrics sometimes feel basic and dull due to the pop nature of the songs, but usually they add a poetic resonance that you can’t really explain. The only other flaw about the album is its finale: “Revolution’s a Lie”. It’s not that it’s a bad song, for I actually like the band’s decision to try a post punk song, even if it sounds exactly like Joy Division. It just feels like an out of place song that makes the whole album seem like a collection of singles instead of an experience. Honestly, it would’ve worked better if the album had ended with the track before the finale: “Menopause Man”, the album’s most cathartic and (seemingly) personal song.
“Before Today” is an album that not only showcases Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti as insane geniuses, but also gives listeners an epic musical experience, as well as the strange and irrational feeling that you are going back in time.
Good review. The main criticism that I have is that you're writing in first person. Try writing without saying "I think this..", etc. You also say the word 'crazy' a lot, so maybe think of a different describing word? Good job!
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting review to read, and sounds like an interesting album! I like how you compared the songs to other bands, and it might be interesting to explain something more about the songs that you can't compare to a specific band. What is unique about those songs?
ReplyDeleteFirst off, great title! On a side note, I am eager to listen to their album. One thing that stuck out to me was your use of the same adjective 'crazy' and the use of first person.
ReplyDeleteYou did a good job of describing the style of specific songs. I enjoyed that you didn't just write about how good you thought the album was but what you also thought was flawed as well.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you described the album. You did a good job of explaining songs and comparing songs to different genres and eras for someone that has never heard of Ariel in order for someone to become curious and listen to the album.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your review up until you mentioned lyrics but never gave an example of them. Even including one or 2 lines of lyrics from a track would have been nice to get a better idea of where the song writer is coming from or where he is going.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you started the review alot. It grabbed my attention. Also you did a good job of describing why the album is good yet why there are flaws to it saying "The lyrics sometimes feel basic and dull due to the pop nature of the songs". Overall this review made me want to listen to the album.
ReplyDeleteGood review. I enjoyed how you really explained the feel of the music relating it to different periods of music. The only bit I criticism I have is that it is written in first person.
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