Search - The Rum Diary :: Noise Prints

The soft, the loud, the beautiful

03/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw this band play live once in S.F. They truly put on an enjoyable show. Two drums, two bass (ocassionally), nice film playing in the background. A very warm, pleasant sound was generated from the group, it melded very nice with the visuals of snails mating and crystals forming. The group kind of does the whole Mogwai wall of sound thing on some of the songs. While other songs simply revolve around a nice melody while bass, guitars, and drums gallop about. Aiken to Dianogah and a bit Ganger-esque, the rum diary take their influences and run wild with them. Oh, nice vocals too (soothing, soft, calm), something which the aforementioned bands hardly delve into. A nice original slice of what's good in indie rock today."

A review from Geek America

just a guy | los angeles | 09/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I order anyone who's into sad and experimental music to check out this cd right now. Bands that instantly come to mind are Godspeed You Black Emporer!, Sharks Keep Moving, Shellac, Mogwai, Sonic Youth and A Minor Forest, but the Rum Diary really doesn't sound like any of them. Their songwriting is more concise and based in post-punk/early emo than any of those bands, while maintaining the same sort of emotional intensity as GYBE. If anyone out there has heard the Fauves LP, the Rum Diary is like a less loud and more pensive version of that. The vocals (another element that sets them aside from those mostly instrumental bands) remind me a bit of Casket Lottery, except less emo-y and whiny. There are two drummers, one behind a traditional kit and one just playing cymbals and toms and stuff like that. The bass takes precedent over guitar with constantly moving lines, keyboards add texture and melody, and samples are weaved in and out of the music. As far as I know, this is the Rum Diary's first record, and if that's true it's quite a feat. The ideal setting for this music is lying in bed, unmoving, with the stereo turned up real loud. If you're into the pot, that may help you out as well. Really cool original artwork by Lane Brookshire completes the package. You should be able to find this at most stores as it's distributed through Mordam. Fantastic."

Great album, great band

pantman1210 | Sacramento | 01/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw this band play live at Capital Garage in Sac, and they were great. Surprised me because they had two drummers, and their closing set was this groove drum beat where everyone got onto the drum set and play a syncopated rhythm. This album does not disappoint, sounds very much like a version of the Postal Service, but less techno element. Definitely buy this one."