Well, I accidentally made the mistake of saying these guys made the SECOND best album of the millenium elsewhere, only after "Kid A" by Radiohead. I can safely say that that's probably the most-inconsequential MAJOR fuck-up in history, but I still have to mention it.

The Soundtrack of Our Lives, even if you only mention their last two albums, "Behind the Music" (2001) and "Extended Revelation for the Psychic Weaklings of Western Civilization" (1998), has to qualify as one of the greatest bands working today. The lyrics are mind-bogglingly honest and the singer ranks as one of the all-time greatest. That leaves the music, which is intense, INTENSE and INTENSE. I think that pretty much covers it. When is this awesome Swedish band putting out a NEW album?

kid a is a f... up???

what have u been drinking?


(try not to be quite so literal with the f-bombs, Imprezu... MGE)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Metacritic Games Editor,

quote:

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Originally posted by mark f:
Well, I accidentally made the mistake of saying these guys made the SECOND best album of the millenium elsewhere, only after "Kid A" by Radiohead. I can safely say that that's probably the most-inconsequential MAJOR fuck-up in history, but I still have to mention it.

The Soundtrack of Our Lives, even if you only mention their last two albums, "Behind the Music" (2001) and "Extended Revelation for the Psychic Weaklings of Western Civilization" (1998), has to qualify as one of the greatest bands working today. The lyrics are mind-bogglingly honest and the singer ranks as one of the all-time greatest. That leaves the music, which is intense, INTENSE and _INTENSE_. I think that pretty much covers it. When is this awesome Swedish band putting out a NEW album?

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Well, mark, according to the latest list of release dates from ICE:

http://www.icemagazine.com/dates/release209.asp

there's a new record out this Tuesday, but I've not seen any other confirmation of that from any other sources.

And Imprezu...I think mark meant HE fucked up, not Radiohead. But that's a good way to start a hot thread!!!

yeah i got it...my appologies

No apologies necessary. I was drinking Tecate. I just checked the band's website which linked me to a Rolling Stone article from last month. That says that a new album will be out in February. Apparently they've recorded 40 songs and decided to put out two separate albums using the material. That's good news.

On the down side, I had forgotten that their albums are released through Universal, so they had a link to that Street Team Shiite. They better not dare...

Last year, a good friend with whom I share quite a few favorite bands recommended Soundtrack of Our Lives to me along with Calexico. I borrowed Behind The Music and Feast of Wire from him and spent the next week trying to find something nice about both so as to not offend him by coming right out and describing them as dull, dull, dull.

Earlier this year, I heard several tracks from both albums at various times streaming on a couple of radio stations I listen to online. I can only wonder now what I was drinking last year.

Soundtrack of Our Lives in particular is a real favorite of mine right now. "Mind the Gap" in particular has found its way on to several of my mix CDs lately.

Y'know, I was thinking just the other day that we haven't been obviously spammed lately. I wonder if they've changed tactics or if we're just off their list. Either way, I'm happy about it.

Now Playing: "Les forains" Henri Sauguet (perf. CBC Vancouver Orchestra/Daniel Swift)

I guess I need to hear some of their recorded work, as my opinion is the same as LinnTate's original. I got some free tickets to see them live a couple of years ago, and was very excited as I had heard quite a lot of hype about them. I ended up progressively moving further and further away from the stage until I was in the balcony, in a corner, having a conversation. Dull, dull, dull, explained my feelings perfectly. They brought Randy Bachman out to finish the set, playing Taking Care of Business with him, seriously cheesy, but also majorly upstaged the band and became the only memorable portion of the evening. I am always open to giving a band a second chance, and perhaps some of their recorded material will capture my attention when I give it the chance.

Hey, S, if you ever get free tickets to see them live in a club, let me know. I'd probably pop for airfaire (if they weren't coming here, that is), and we could both go, and if you still didn't like 'em, I'd "reimburse" you for the tix.

The only reason I even heard of them was because I happened to read a three-paragraph review of a club show in the L.A. Times which sounded like they were interesting, so I got "Behind the Music", and so far, everyone who's heard it (on my end), loves it. The earlier-one is just as good, if a little more tripped-out. Then I saw them on David Letterman, playing "live" (well, it was different from the album, even it didn't seem to line-up perfectly.)

shut up, mark.

quote:

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Originally posted by mark f:
No apologies necessary. I was drinking Tecate. I just checked the band's website which linked me to a _Rolling Stone_ article from last month. That says that a new album will be out in February. Apparently they've recorded 40 songs and decided to put out two separate albums using the material. That's good news.

On the down side, I had forgotten that their albums are released through Universal, so they had a link to that Street Team Shiite. They better not dare...

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Hey mark...

According to the latest issue of ICE and to the Metacritic Release dates, the new TSOOL is out October 12th!!!! Maybe a second half will follow in February?

Please beware of the hype:

Pitchforkmedia review 1/21/03
Soundtrack of Our Lives
Behind the Music
[Republic/Universal; 2002]
Rating: 3.0

"Behind the Music is derivative and bland, and though the former quality isn't always a bad thing, the Soundtrack of Our Lives are in large part a classic rock cover band; their derivation is tedium. Take the greatest bands of all time, and excise any quality that could scare listeners off. Take the Rolling Stones, remove their sexual power and soul, and you have Behind the Music's "Sister Surround". Dispatch Pink Floyd's mystique and experimental bend, and you'd be listening to "Broken Imaginary Time". For all the kids who lied when they said they understood Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts' Club Band, listening in mental stasis as it drifted over their heads, may I present the Soundtrack of Your Lives."

I'm glad to see that this thread still has a pulse, at least besides talking about when and if a new album is coming out. Hey, musical taste is subjective. After reading that Pitchfork review, you know what, they're right, I'm going to go slit my wrists because I can't live anymore since I lied when I was 11 years old (and ever since) about "Sgt. Pepper". I was wrong when I thought that the Rolling Stones turned into a "classic rock cover band" about 30 years ago (and ever since), but without a finger-snap of the wit and heart that TSOOL has produced in their last two albums. Let's see, Pink Floyd was the be-all and end-all of psychedelic rock back when I was teenager. Yes, I believe you should fall down and worship at their altar, as long as you understand that they too turned into a cliche of themselves.

Hey, I love all the bands which some snot-nosed Pitchfork reviewer used to emasculate a band whose biggest crime seems to be that they believe that there's actually a place in modern music for bands who know how to rock and roll. I know nothing of the history of Pitchfork, but they "reviewed" the album more than two years after it was recorded and much more than a year after it was released. Maybe, Pitchfork is the one trying to un-"hype" something, long after the fact. Yes, I admit, I was shocked and embarrassed that "Behind the Music" was nominated for a Grammy for "Best Alternative Album" before that review was written. They were nominated along with Beck, Coldplay, Clinic and Elvis Costello and the Impostors. ( I don't place much faith in the Grammies.)

I totally agree with "Don't Believe the Hype!" Prove ALL things! Peace, Gators.

P.S.--Lola, are you a Lola like Marlene Dietrich's Lola Lola in "The Blue Angel" or a Lola like Ray Davies' whom I used to listen to tooling around in my dad's '65 Mustang when THAT song was tres cool?

P.P.S. I love Shane McGowan. "If I Should Fall From Grace With God" was the best album of its year, just as "Behind the Music" was, at least to these ears which are beginning to fail from loss of blood. One of my wife's favorite songs is his Christmas duet with Kirsty MacColl (RIP) with the immortal lyric, "You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot" (it's a love song.)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mark f,

quote:

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Originally posted by mark f:

I totally agree with "Don't Believe the Hype!" Prove ALL things! Peace, Gators.

P.P.S. I love Shane McGowan. "If I Should Fall From Grace With God" was the best album of its year, just as "Behind the Music" was, at least to these ears which are beginning to fail from loss of blood. One of my wife's favorite songs is his Christmas duet with Kirsty MacColl (RIP) with the immortal lyric, "You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot" (it's a love song.)

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I'm in agreement with you, yet again, mark. I think there was a conscious effort at Pitchfork to take down a rising star. They generally do a decent job at Pitchfork, but they fall victim to "indie-coolness" at times, and TSOOL was a band who, when unknown, was indie and cool. When they suddenly got a little publicity, they instantly became bland classic rock.

I will say this though: it took me several listens to "get" Behind the Music: I really didn't like it at first. So, maybe the reviewer just didn't give it a chance. Who knows? But I've grown to love it, and the other records (which I purchased in reverse order) quite a bit. And FYI...they are a GREAT show live...

And, as far as Shane goes: he's a brilliant songwriter (both with the Pogues and solo) and an interesting singer. I love me some Pogues..."Fairytale of New York" is a Christmas classic. He's an odd bird, though: he bemoans his visit to Atlanta with the Popes because the American south is racist, yet he tends to use racial slurs. I'm not sure what his deal is...but he's a talented musician and I hope he keeps his drinking under control long enough to make more music...

I'm probably the only member who has the new album "Origin Vol.1", so I guess I should leave my first impressions. It's currently available as an import only. It is very much along the lines of the earlier albums, so if you like them, you'll like this. Of course, if you didn't like them, this probably won't convert you unless you prefer the fact that this album has a higher-percentage of loud, fast rock-outs with layers and layers of hooks, musical and vocal riffs, and jams thrown into several songs.

I would immediately put it into my top album list, but the fact that the album tries SO hard to be SO good is temporarily holding my overenthusiasm in check. I can't really explain it, but I think I read somewhere that Vol. 2 will have the more spacy, psychedelic songs (not that there aren't a few here), so maybe I just like the way they usually mix up their albums a little.

Now, I don't want anyone to think that I'm saying there's anything REALLY wrong with this album. All the songs are very good and the production magnificently showcases all the talents of the various band members. I love it, but I want to tell everybody that I'm not a robot on autopilot. I can listen and consider other people's opinions. I can listen to a song on the new album which is basically a great rock song with at least three solid original hooks of its own, and then wonder why did they need to have a long intro into the song which sounded a bit too much like "Won't Get Fooled Again"? Maybe they feel underappreciated (I would agree), or maybe they don't trust people to care unless there's an obvious reference.

There's nothing about this album which changes my "overboard" declaration of them being the best band in the world. Nothing, of course, except for Radiohead, Wilco, Camper van Beethoven, White Stripes, fill in the blank, etc. If you have no experience with them, try to check them out.

Any word on when this is getting a US release? Or should I shell out for an import copy?

I posted earlier that I got this through the internet for $16.25 (that's what the transfer rate turned out to be) with free shipping, and it took about a week to arrive. The site is called CD WOW!, although I actually got it through a search of "TSOOL Origin" at Google. I'm always happy to hear new TSOOL songs, so I'd recommend picking it up. The only thing I know about a U.S. release is that thing from Rolling Stone about Feb.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mark f,

I read this story last week, but forgot to post it...

Thanks to "America's oldest living teenager," Sweden's the Soundtrack of Our Lives now have one of the longest band names. At the behest of Dick Clark, they will be known in the U.S. as "The Soundtrack of Our Lives (T.S.O.O.L.)," beginning with the release of their fourth album, Origins, in March.

For those curious about what constitutes an acceptable band name vis a vis Mr. Clark, be forewarned:

"He also trademarked phrases like "New Year's Rockin' Eve" and "I like the beat," as well as his "America's oldest living teenager" nickname."

Now Playing: "Danko/Manual" The Drive-By Truckers The Dirty South (New West)

I've listened to the new "Origin Vol.1" import several times, and I'd like to add some other thoughts before somebody beats me to it and claims that they're just rip-off artists. I will say that they have obviously studied up on or channeled several rock and roll classics, but I still find way-more-than enough creativity and music-making joy to forgive any inspiration they may have taken from the past. (In reality, even bands which YOU believe are TOTALLY original probably have borrowed much more than anyone believes.)

The opening song "Believe I Find" starts with a slowed-down tweaking of the riff to Syd Barrett's "Lucifer Sam", but I don't actually think it's a rip-off. "Transcendental Suicide" begins with something that "sounds like" strummed lutes from the Renaissance before it dissolves into its Who fetish section (which eventually disappears completely, and they certainly aren't as slavishly-indebted to the Who as another of my faves, Guided By Voices.)

"Heading For a Breakdown" somehow combines the classic riff of "For What It's Worth" with a change-up to the bassline of "Come Live With Me" from "Let It Bleed." Now, if it's starting to sound like EVERYTHING is spot the influence, I guess it all depends on your perspective. Most of what I've mentioned takes the references and proceeds to bury them under a ton of new riffs and hooks. To me, it's not a distraction, but others may look upon it as a form of creative bankruptcy. They might think it reaches a nadir with what almost sounds like the Association doing backing vocals on "Lone Summer Dream" (one of my faves.)

Well, I've got this album at #6 on my Best of 2004 List because the entertainment level is extremely-high throughout, including all the songs I've mentioned. Yes, I can hear the influences, and although I would LOVE for them to craft a mind-blowingly original work, I still have to enjoy what they come up with, especially "Wheels of Boredom" (favorite chorus of the year, just don't tell me it sounds like Chris Martin) and "Borderline" (blah title, great song.)

I realize that this comes across as an apologia, but it's more for any critics, if any, who attack this album than for me. I just thought I'd beat them to the punch. I highly recommend this band and album to anyone who loves rock and roll.

P.S. Dorian Gray, aka Dick Clark, didn't have "Our Lives", he had "your life." Whatever.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mark f,

:: falls over ::

Are you serious? Kid A is definately not the second best album of the millenium.

As for TSOL: They're okay, in moderation. I dug the album that had all their faces, moulded from plaster.

quote:

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Originally posted by Paloalto45:
:: falls over ::

Are you serious? Kid A is definately not the second best album of the millenium.

As for TSOL: They're okay, in moderation. I dug the album that had all their faces, moulded from plaster.

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Actually, if you read the post, Mark said Kid A was the BEST album of the millenium with TSOOL coming in second.

According to the latest issue of ICE, the new TSOOL record (out in the US in March) will feature two tracks not on the import version.

And, according to the band, they've already got 70% of Origin Part 2 finished, and may have as many as 2 more volumes after that...