Filed under: Uncategorized
Last month, the Capitol Years released Dance Away the Terror, their great new record. Some thoughts on it here, plus some words about Dr. Dog.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Island / Oct. 3, 2006
* NOTE: I also wrote a review of this for Prefix. What follows here, though, is a “reaction,” not technically another review. Still, compare the two and see which is more truthful.
1. “Sam’s Town” / Great, great opener; jumpy and soaring and with a line about being born on the 4th of July. The guitars actually feel electric, unlike that Rapture record. Chorus is really, really loud, and not as good as the verses. Still managed to be my favorite track on the album after the first dozen listens or so. 8.5/10
2. “Enterlude” / The first thing I notice about this is that it sounds like something from Lou Reed’s Transformer. The second thing I notice is that it’s all piano, no spaceship synthesizers or banging rhythm sections. The last thing I notice is that it’s called “Enterlude,” which I hope becomes the new buzzword in place of “intro” on rap albums. 7.5/10
3. “When You Were Young” / The life-changing first single, which was amazing the first 15 to 20 times I heard it, then unbearable, then pretty amazing again. The beginning of the video for this, where the chorus is isolated and it’s just the words, naked, is really gutsy, because it’s not like Brandon Flowers is known for writing lyrics that stand on their own without any help. The band is a lot like Coldplay or Oasis in that sense. 8/10
4. “Bling (Confession of a King)” / This might be the most interesting song on the record, because nothing about it makes sense. You’d expect that from the lyrics, but here, the title is especially awkward and head-scratching. The “higher and higher” bit at the end holds up, but the rest of this is actually really moving, too. 8.5/10
5. “For Reasons Unknown” / The beginning is annoying, but a strong recovery as the verses build toward the bridge makes this another standout. Very glammy. 7.5/10
6. “Read My Mind” / The most Springsteen-sounding thing here, which is saying something. Trite, vapid lyrics, maybe more noticeable since this is a decidedly toned-down number. Touches of the Cure. Heavy on the synths. Needless to say, I like it. 8/10
7. “Uncle Johnny” / A book you can judge by its cover. With a title like “Uncle Johnny,” an irritating, grinding riff, and a line about doing cocaine, it’s hard not to completely hate this. Warms up some, but a real sore spot on the album. 5.5/10
8. “Bones” / Grand and orchestral, with operatic singing and a horn section; something Queen would be up to if they were still around. When the band performed this on Saturday Night Live, Flowers was dressed like the leader of a big band, and I think there was a giant clam shell on stage, cradling the microphone. An “under the sea” theme that was very fitting. Love the chorus. 7.5/10
9. “My List” / The ambient intro (and outro) sounds like something I can’t quite put my finger on; I’ll just say it’s like Depeche Mode, which it kinda is, actually. Real whiny but strangely melodic. Once this thing gets going, it reminds me a lot of Night Ranger’s “Sister Christian,” which you’ll remember from the drug deal-gone-bad scene in Boogie Nights. It’s a beautiful piece of music through and through. 9/10
10. “This River Is Wild” / A real balls-out rocker, with more Springsteen flourishes. Tom Petty’s ’80s work with the Heartbreakers was supposedly another influence during the making of this album, but I don’t hear much of it leaking into the songs. It’s more ’80s in general, Trans-Ams and slutty bars and mullets and drinking beer near the train tracks. And running, lots of running. Think Footloose. 9/10
11. “Why Do I Keep Counting?” / A song about Flowers’ fear of flying, which I can totally relate to. But it’s wrapped in this beautiful melody, and the “help me get down” refrain at the end just kills me. It should be noted that nearly all of the melodies on the album are absolutely gorgeous. 9/10
12. “Exitlude” / A bit longer than the “Enterlude,” and for good measure. Neither one is all that necessary; it’s not like there’s a discernible narrative at work, a la Zen Arcade or, more appropriately, Nebraska. But “Exitlude” is a nostalgic, yearning finisher and quite different from anything else on Sam’s Town. Makes you want to start all over. Playing the record, that is. 8.5/10
96.5/120 = 80/100
