Pretty uniformly glowing reviews here (even Pitchfork turns in something pretty positive, if it does take a few stabs at the band's perceived ego). But I'm having trouble figuring out what exactly is good about this band. They seem talented enough, I suppose, but it's difficult to remember any of these songs ten minutes after you hear the album, isn't it?

I guess the problem for me is that 'Penance Soiree' feels like a weaker, less clever 'Tomorrow Never Comes' with shouting English vocals instead of muttered Japanese ones. But 'Penance Soiree''s longer pieces have nothing on "Fatal Sisters Opened Umbrella," nor do the quicker attack-bursts compare with something like "Kyoro."

Is it the lyrics? The only lines I've been able to discern are the humorous "take off all of your clothes" on "Party the Baby Off." I catch snippets here and there, otherwise.

Am I the only one who feels this way about these guys?

If I had to guess (not having seen them myself), I'd say they are good live, and those performances have affected the album reviews.

Vykromond, I still think you're cool and you should check out my comments under "Best of 2004" and The Icarus line's user ratings. You started what I consider a great site, but since nobody cares, then maybe you're right. Wait a minute, I'm an old fart and I know the difference between hype and accomplishment. The problem is , "same as it ever was, same as it ever was" ( don't cast pearls before swine.) Well, now that I've completely confused everyone by just quoting some of the greatest quotees in the English language, I'd better sign off. Vykromond: the best to you and yours, but please explain your name. Are you some kinda Viking or what?

True, this record's main virtue is not accessibility.
But I love it for several reasons:
-Every song is carefully formed; there isn't a second wasted on obligatory material for the sake of continuity (like on some of Franz Ferdinand's tunes).
-Despite its active imagination, this album is nearly devoid of pretense (unlike Liars at times). The singer never complains, the music never apologizes. This is a goodtimes record, cocksure and excessive.
-The lyrics are not unintelligent (unlike so many other hairy LA guitar bands of yore). Furthermore, the music is ALWAYS servant to the text. How many rock songs have I heard in the last five years with a totally ignorant accompaniment to the words? I know this point is debatable.

All in all, this is a great rock record-- not perfect by any means (but I dare say it makes the list of best sleazy rock albums since Appetite for Destruction).
I'm very excited to see what this young band has coming next!

TripperRyder,

I have no idea who you are, but thank you for saying something positive about these guys. I did give them a 10, and I admit it doesn't keep me staying up, but there's something about them which seems to elude most hard rock bands. I'm not so sure that we should discuss them at alternative, maybe indie is more appropriate. I just hope that enough people have enough guts to listen to something that isn't so obviouly popular, even though in the past, they may have been.

I've got to admit this album's growing on me. I read the amazing reviews and went to their web site where you can stream the album, and while I must say it didn't immediately blow me away, I still heard enough in it to purchase it, and I'm glad I did. I'm not the biggest fan of "sleaze rock", but there does seem to be a layer of depth to the album that can be missed on the first couple of spins. I can hear a lot of their influences, especially the Stooges (circa "Funhouse" to me). Some of the reviews mentioned Trail of Dead, whom I absolutely love, but this record isn't as immediate (to me) as "Source Tags & Codes", nor does it have the epic feel of that album. In the end I had to ignore those comparisons, and when I did I really started enjoying "Penance Soiree" much more.

I listened to this again yesterday. I think I'm beginning to "get it"- I like the long one, "Getting Bright Tonight," and the song that immediately follows it is great. "Spit On It" I also enjoyed. The rest of it I'm still unsure about; they don't have a very diverse repertoire, and they still come off like an uncreative Xinlisupreme to me at times.

And I still don't understand any of the lyrics, except the ones on the last song, which I found sort of stupid ("Take off all of your clothes, take off all of your clothes"? It's in a really creepy voice, too). Is there a place on the 'Net where I can see them?

I appreciate everything anybody has to say about these guys. Hell, I'm certainly not their manager, and frankly, I never even heard of them before about two weeks ago. I would love to be able to produce a lyric sheet and I will attempt to do so. I really am an old fart, so if I like these guys, I'm pretty sure that they're worthwhile.

Penance Soiree is a major disappointment considering how much positive press it generated. The songs are buried beneath so many layers of effects and studio trickery that the result is a half-assed industrial album. And the singer desperately wants to be Iggy Pop (which is not a bad thing, mind you) but Icarus Line sounds way too calculated and slick to evoke the danger and sex of The Stooges. Anywhoo, I don't begrudge you for liking the album, but The Richmond Sluts and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club are far more worthy heirs to The Stooges throne.