|
|
|
BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About
LOTD
|
The October:
Push Me off the Side of the Earth
A wonderful debut rock record nearly spoiled by its own words, The Octobers Push Me off the Side of the Earth is a new spin on old 80s favorites like U2, The Cure and too many others to mention, but its saving grace is that it all sounds like it was done in 2004. The Strangest Thing kicks things off like some kind of Guided By Voices/Oasis hybrid (if you can imagine) incessant guitars, a Britpop swagger and the most obvious Liam Gallagher impression youre likely to hear; but like a lot of the songs on the album, its blessed with an engaging hook. Spine-tingling guitar lines and a sense of immediacy call to mind early U2 records, but theres been such a revival of bands like U2, Echo and the Bunnymen and Joy Division these days thats it hard to tell if Anthem for a TV Nation channels New Order or Interpol. If theres a downside to the record, its that too often Dustin Burnetts words fall short, and theres a heavy reliance on old pop song clichs. I dont mind another song about skipping town and leaving it all behind, but not with tired lines like Its just you and me and what we said/All the dreams inside our heads (hardly provocative), or I may be wrong/But tonight you feel so right. Ill have to assume hes heard a Smiths record perhaps he could find some inspiration in one. But the words travel in good company on a record that sounds fantastic (Burnett gets the credit here). Hes flavored everything with a delicious crunch, and the melodies soar over a bed of fuzzed-out guitars. Youd never think the band was short on production funds. And despite any lyrical shortcomings, theres no denying that the music can be quite moving.
This album can be purchased at Mp3 Map About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
