Search - Frog Eyes :: The Folded Palm

Manic insanity at it's best

doug | Rocky River, Ohio United States | 09/28/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Frog Eyes is pure insanity. Nothing I know of modern day sounds anything like these guys. The lead singer, I think his name is Carey Mercer, has a vocal range that has to be heard as he goes all over the place throughout most of the songs. You would think such vocal masturbation would detract from the music, but it only helps the manic energy of the record. Not all of the songs have bounce-off-the-walls intensity though, as some songs are rather slow and oddly pretty. Not a "classic" record by any means, but a very good one all the same. There are no real obvious standouts, maybe with the exception of "The Oscillator's Hum", but this is a record worth listening to, if only to make you wonder what direction music will go in next. For fans of Johnny Society and bands pushing the limits of pop music. Also worth checking out if you want to stay current with the great bands coming out of Canada."

Eat your russian berries, eat them in the monasteries.

Antonio A. Urdiales | NYC | 01/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I feel bad for Frog Eyes, they go relatively unknown in a music world in which many bands seem to sound like a dead version of them. This album is absolutely fantastic. Drawing upon equal amounts Philip Glass, Iggy Pop, and David Bowie, Frog Eyes have created an absolutely thrilling and fresh sonic momento. Many indie rock bands seem to lie with their inspirations and leave it at that, but Frog Eyes inject such a convincing personal artistry and passion into their presentation that they rip themselves from petty comparisons and stand alone in their genre. The equipment and recording could get a little better on first listen, but the bugginess of it all shifts into a part of Frog Eyes charm. The songs themselves are mini epics with diverse instrumentation, lyrics dealing with snipers, nuns, monasteries, dead children, all delivered in a streaming panicked screech backed up by a mad organist Door's-style and a rock orchestra that could be under a mattress. Minimalism has been chucked out the window here. Forget all other indie rock purchases this year, this is the album that secretly inspired them all. Get this album."

The mighty frog eyes

Daniel Jircitano | pa | 01/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"hop aboard the frog eyes bandwagon before they become the indie sensation they deserve to be. when bands like arcade fire and wolf parade (a band featuring former/sometimes frog eyes keyboardist spencer krug) are getting a lot of mainstream press, frog eyes remain comfortably under the radar. they make more exciting music, artsy and original without sacrificing important elements like accessibility (catchiness). could you ask for more? frog eyes are also the best live touring act around today.



a band in the same caliber as neutral milk hotel, they already made their own In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (2003's flawless The Golden River) and follow it up with the almost as good The Folded Palm. you need both!"