Search - Brian Jonestown Massacre :: Who Killed Sgt Pepper

Submerged in their own artiness

Julian A. Schulz | Boston, MA | 02/24/2010

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Once upon a time, BJM released engaging albums with actual songs, that showcased songwriter, Anton Newcombe's collision of 60's psych rock and sonic shoegaze.

This hybrid presented the band as definite stylists, lighting the way to a musical movement that never fully took hold.

Sadly, the signature sound has given way to Newcombe's current obsession with indulgent instrumental experiments that meander without purpose, and much worse, chirpy disco beats (Feel it).

As BJM's ringleader & one-time mastermind, all blame should be laid at the feet of Anton.



What makes a record like,"Who kiled Sgt. Pepper?" so frustrating, is the fact that Newcombe could pen better material in his sleep.

One spin of BJM's two disc retrospective from 2004, confirms the abundant talent of the songwriter, a talent spread through a multi-tude of releases & peaking with 2001's, "Bravery, repetition & noise."

Even their tour in 2009 showcased a newer song (Pre-fab Ambulation), that pointed in the direction of the classic Brian Jonestown Massacre sound.

However, The material on "WKSP" seems to gleefully sacrifice melody & sharply layered instrumentation, for electro beats & droning soundscapes.



In the end, art is entirely subjective, and maybe, as a listener, i'm conflictd by my own interpretations of what i consider BJM to be as a musical entity.

It's also entirely possible that Anton's homespun electro-experiments, should remain boxed in Iceland, allowing room for the "real" songs to emerge.

Maybe, one day.



"

BJM returns with another fine album

Paul Allaer | Cincinnati | 02/23/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Brian Jonestown Massacre came back from the music wilderness with a very fine 2008 album "My Bloody Underground", and Anton Newcombe & Co. have been busy ever since, with several other EPs since then, and now comes the band's 10th proper studio album. Of interest is that this album marks the return of original guitarist Matt Hollywood.



"Who Killed Sgt. Pepper?" (13 tracks; 72 min.) departs from the earlier sound at times, less psychedelic, and with good result. The opener "Temp 116.7 (Reaching for Dangerous Levels of Sobriety)" is a mostly instrumental, grooving track, of which there are plenty on this album. It is followed by "Tunger Hnifur", which is an all-out rocker. "This Is the First Of Your Last Warning (Icelandic)" is another heavy instrumental. "This Is the One Thing We Did Not Want To Have Happen" somehow reminded me of Joy Division, of all things. "Detka Detka Detka" is the lightest tune on here, and irreverent at that. "Feel It" is another rolling tune, and one of my favorite tracks on here. As with many BJM albums, there is also a lot of excess (and isn't that exactly the point of it?), none more than the 10+ min. closer "Fett Tipped Pictures of UFOs", which goes nowhere and is simply unnecessary. Cut a couple of the weaker tracks, make it a 50 min. album and we're talking 4.5 stars. But then again Anton Newcombe is gonna do what he's gonna do.



BJM's touring has been sporadic over the years, although it's getting better in more recent times. I saw the band for the first time in 2007 at the Monolith festival at the Red Rocks in Colorado in 2007, which was tension-filled from start to end, Anton was not having a good day apparently and it wasn't clear they would make it through the entire set but somehow they made it through. Saw them again at Coachella last year (with Matt Hollywood in the line-up) and that was a much more relaxed affair, with great result. BJM is starting a massive world tour in support of this album shortly, and they'll make a stop in Cincinnati in June. You can bet I will not miss that. Meanwhile "Who Killed Sgt. Pepper?" is a fine album, and a must for any BJM fan."

Feel It

withheld | withheld | 03/22/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this is a gatefold double LP, the vinyl is cream with a raspberry splatter, physically the presentation is just gorgeous. but even better: this is mastered and pressed exceptionally well. the bass is deep, the tonalities are rich, the sound is completely fabulous. if this music were a church then the mp3's take you to the porch/foyer and the vinyl is a venture through the temple into the sanctuary. it is high quality.



that's it for the physical specs. as for the album itself, it flows. it's an arrangement of songs that create a semblance of a whole. i'm not going to describe song by song, because you can listen to it in full length at the band's web site via a series of entertaining youtube videos, streamed for free. so decide for yourself. personally i find the entire album completely enjoyable, cohesive and strong. try "feel it" for an introduction. some of the songs are super heavy, some clearly experimental, and just layers of influences, nods, and conceptual artistic exposition. overall very engaging. there are interviews etc all over the web if you are interested in deconstructing the material, as for me, i'd rather just spin the vinyl and feel it."