Search - Radar Brothers :: Surrounding Mountains

Slow-core at its best.

dresneer | Basking Ridge, NJ United States | 07/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After 9 years, the Radar Bros have finally landed a deal with a respectable indie label, that being Merge. After two previous LPs, two EPs, and two singles, the Bros have managed to do in music with their third album that most groups fail at- retaining the same sound while changing it just enough that it doesn't sound the same to previous releases.With the opening track "You and the Father", it is already apparent that the Bros have adopted a somewhat newer, upbeat sound with out abandoning the slow tempos that they love. The follow up is "On the Line" which all I can say about it is that the chorus is very un-Radar Bros, (it is a good song, don't worry.) By the way, the introduction to "You're Still Evil" will scare the ... out of you. It sounds like the introduction to the Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want", only with demon children singing it instead. You'll see what I mean.Otherwise the album has the Radar Bros consistency, soothingness, and saturation of 3/3 and 3/4 measures. The albums biggest highlight goes to Mountains. First off, I think this band couldn't be any more sick of being compared to early Pink Floyd, but something about this track reminds me of Breathe in the Air from Dark Side of the Moon, particularly the piano interludes. The song excels from its rather eery sound, the out-of-time repeated lyrics, the 7/4 (7/8?) time measure, and the wonderfully placed whistling of frontman Jim Putnam.The Radar Bros are definately not for everyone. If you're not sure whether or not to check the band out, give the EP a shot before delving into the LPs. If you are a fan of Radar Bros and loved the Singing Hatchet, by all means, why are you wasting your time reading this? Buy it already!"

Scrumpdiddly-umptuous

Admiral Poop | Savannah, GA United States | 06/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"more like a 4.7 actually. the only reason i had to deduct those oh so crucial .3 points is because of the albums lack of variety. the tempo is virtually the same on every song! there are accounting jobs that are more exciting than being the drummer for this band...maybe hes been with the group so long they just dont have the heart to get rid of him. despite the lackluster achievments in percussion the band makes up for this by writing some really beautiful songs. honest to god..there isnt a single bad track on this album. oh..please don't listen to anyone who says this band sounds like pink floyd...i would say more like grandaddy minus the synthesizers. oh and just a hint of beatles (just listen to the first track)buy this one before getting anyof their other albums...this one is the best."