As easy as it would be to lump 764-HERO in with bands like Built to Spill and Modest Mouse, they are actually taking the idiosyncratic "emo" sounds of the Pacific Northwest in a striking direction. Emo veteran John Atkins ... more »overturns this new genre's loud-soft schema and weaves a subtler cloth of glittering guitars, wending vocals, and psychedelic interludes. The ballad "Calendar Pages" creates shivering, anesthetic spaces where the silence is as present as the hollow cymbal rolls and dead-of-winter guitars. "Watch the Silverware" is raring to rock the radio with a brilliant off-center guitar riff that encodes the gushing melody directly onto the brain. Get Here and Stay is a quiet surprise--like finding a dollar on the sidewalk. --Lois Maffeo« less
As easy as it would be to lump 764-HERO in with bands like Built to Spill and Modest Mouse, they are actually taking the idiosyncratic "emo" sounds of the Pacific Northwest in a striking direction. Emo veteran John Atkins overturns this new genre's loud-soft schema and weaves a subtler cloth of glittering guitars, wending vocals, and psychedelic interludes. The ballad "Calendar Pages" creates shivering, anesthetic spaces where the silence is as present as the hollow cymbal rolls and dead-of-winter guitars. "Watch the Silverware" is raring to rock the radio with a brilliant off-center guitar riff that encodes the gushing melody directly onto the brain. Get Here and Stay is a quiet surprise--like finding a dollar on the sidewalk. --Lois Maffeo
Super soothing, but keeps you alert for the whole show.
10/09/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"No matter what kind of mood you are in, this album caters to all of your musical needs. It starts off in a mystical way and leads the listener to a land of wonder, contemplation, and happiness. If you are on the road with not much to think about, you will be engulfed by this musical odyssey and taken to a land where doziatic sensations can be maximized. The gentle guitar soothes the soul but at the same time there is enough power that you really feel this music. This is a great band and this is their best album."
Short Story to Follow
Matthew G. Wauck | Willy Penn's Forest | 03/22/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"THE FOLLOWING NARRATIVE IS TRUE:
It was the end of the spring '99 semester, I had just finished my final exams that day and was walking outside my dorm in the evening when I spotted what looked like a compact disc lying in the grass. I picked it up. It had some dirt on it, so I cleaned it off. I bumped into a friend of mine and said "look what I found". So we went into my dormroom and popped it on my stereo. I fell in love with this album right then and there. My friend didn't. I guess he might have been the one who threw in in the grass. Who knows?Anyway I really like this album alot. I recommend it highly to everyone."
Insert lame cliche title about 764-hero staying here.
smalter | College Station, TX United States | 02/21/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Anyway, this album is great, and is my favorite 764hero album. What's special about this album is the atmosphere created by the music. It's not coarse like their previous work, it's more subtle and beautiful. My favorite tracks are "loaded painted red" and "coastline." After their loud vocals and harsh music of the past, they seemed to be more resigned now, but it makes for beautiful and elegant music. The lyrics are not cliche lovey lovey junk so that makes it all the better. Anyway, buy this album, it's pretty great."
Dude, This Stuff is Tight!!
Dirk-David Todd | Echo Park, CA USA | 08/31/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"We saw these guys at Spaceland in LA, back in '99. They rock! This is one of thier best albums. Bertram is tight on the Axe.
If you love really good indie, this is it, man! So soothing to the soul while you blow...