Since when is a new direction a bad thing?
Indstryofweezles | California | 06/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Upon playing this album for the first time, with no major expectations, I was pleasantly surprised with the new tracks. Sure, it might not be quite as raw and repetative at their debut album (which is a decent album, and I would recommend listening to that one first if you are unfamiliar with the band) however, the Willowz managed to reinvent their style and sound with Talk in Circles, and I can't understand why people would think that its a bad thing. I mean, since when was there a rule in music that you have to wait 4 or 5 albums until you're allowed to experiment with new ideas. The whole point of music is to write what feels right at the time. If that means taking your songs in a new direction with new ideas, more f***ing power to ya! If you are looking to buy CDs from artists who are going to rehash the same sh*t album after album, then go buy a Strokes CD. But I can understand why Talk in Circles is already receiving such harsh criticism. This album just wasn't made for those with short attention spans. You really need to sit and listen to the songs with an open mind and try to grasp/understand them before you can come to any conclusions. Yea the singer is off key at parts, but thats just the style of the music. You might as well say picasso was a sh**ty painter because he didn't paint perfect little straight lines...perfection isn't exactly what makes music enjoyable. Look at Seline Dion. She sings in key, but her songs are musical chinese water torture!
As for the album...Talk in Circles explores unusal time structures (such as "shriek" with its 5/4 timing) an introduction to new instruments (trumpet/organ/and did I hear an ocorana in track 6?) and experimental guitar movements that wheep with emotion, yet the Willowz still maintains the charm and edgy-ness of their self titled album. Strongly recommended!
-Andrew"
Their noise doesn't annoy
Barrett | Washington, D.C. United States | 10/14/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Willowz may have got themselves into a tricky position. Too shamelessly postpunk for musical dabblers, you say, yet too averse to 100 percent thrash 'n' thump for hardcore punk fans? Perhaps. But that leaves a lot of listeners, and for us, "Talk in Circles" is an addictive record. Its 60-plus minutes come at you in fierce little waves, with peerlessly yowling vocals over arrangements incorporating elements of free jazz, country, folk, da blooz, and (lest we forget) large dollops of thrash 'n' thump. And it's all delivered (and produced) with the kind of sharply focused garage-rock clamor a band just can't fake. The lyrics express various shades of self-doubt, frustration, and disappointment, but the music signals the band's fierce determination to survive. On the basis of "Talk in Circles," I think they will."
A major band
alexander laurence | Los Angeles, CA | 06/12/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Willowz have been one of the cool bands playing a lot in the LA scene. This is their second record and it is great. They come from Anaheim, that ghastly place. They combine the cool sound of LA punk and the New York Dolls. This whole record has a vibe that I remember when I bought the first few Slash Records. This is twenty tracks and there is little filler. Richie James Follin is a classic frontman that reminds me of Jeffrey Lee Pierce. He is already being called the new Jack White. This guy is happening. If you just hear this music and you don't start tapping your foot, what is wrong with you? Just listen to "Dead Ears" or "We Live On Your Street" and turn it real loud. Put your ears up to the speakers. Do it now! After you buy this album!"
