I was scared to read it at first. But it seems that this person actually has a brain.

Pitchfork

i dont know why so many people are afraid of what pitchfork-or anyone for that matter-says about a band, its their opinion.

This is one of the better reviews I've read. I think they peg Death Cab pretty well in the last paragraph.

The review is pretty much right. What he forgets to meantion in that last paragraph is that after you listen to those songs that you only tolerated in the year prior, they become your favourite songs.

I've been reading Pitchfork for so long, I can even guess what they are going to rate it before even reading... Seriously, my guess was 6.7 and they were only shortly off at 6.5.

The fact is... they build up bands and then break them down (case in point, DCs highest score was their first reviewed release in 98 with an 8.6). Its just what they do... However, they can't give too low a score to a cool band with a decent lp because they'll look silly if everyone loves it. Also, they only give high scores consistently to fringe acts like Xiu Xiu and M83.

Its true, don't be scared of them. Its just their opinion, and some of the things said are valid and make a lot of sense. Its just, they're snobs and they have an obvious formula. I still dig Plans.

I thought the pitchfork review was pretty well considered... much more thoughtful than some of the nastier reviews out there...

quote:

Originally posted by DSotM073:
I was scared to read it at first. But it seems that this person actually has a brain.

Pitchfork

I was scared to read it earlier because it was right after I got home and put the album in. And hearing pitchfork rail on the new album during my first listen would only serve to taint it a bit, unfortunately.

I absolutely agree about the songs you only tolerated. After the effect of the more powerful songs that strike you on the first few listens wears off, those songs you merely tolerated really shine.

I've noticed patterns with pitchfork's reviews as well. Since Airplanes they constistenly rate their records in the 6's, but when you read the reviews it seems that the reviewer really, really enjoyed the record and the six point whatever review seems a bit low. I mean, shit man, their albums aren't anything groundbreaking but they are anything but mediocre. They could give Coldplay 5's and Death Cab can only muster one measley point more? As far as I'm concerned, Gibbard eats pieces of shit like chris martin for breakfast.

quote:

Originally posted by Different Names:
This is one of the better reviews I've read. I think they peg Death Cab pretty well in the last paragraph.

I disagree. I thought the review was actually pretty good up to that point. DCFC have demonstrated that they have evolved with every album.

They could have made Trans II with 12 songs that had commerical appeal and constantly repeated 'The Sound of Settling'. Instead they chose to write more ballads and talk about heavier themes. I think a more accurate review comes from Allmusic.

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:1q66mp909f6o

Higherness, I just don't enjoy reading a review about one of my favorite bands getting trashed. The same way I like to read positive reviews about them, I think that's pretty natural. And pitchfork is always suspect to basing their reviews on style more than content. At least thats how it seems to me.

I was wondering all day what Pitchfork thought. Pitchfork is unnecessarily powerful in the musical community. I think they're cheifly responsible for Arcade Fire's popularity.

the new one's in.

apparently those cool kats over at pitchfork are recommending this instead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obEEbhU598g

well they gave Vampire Weekend 8.8 so...

quote:

Originally posted by jacknev:
well they gave Vampire Weekend 8.8 so...

Agreed, an epic discrediting to their integrity.

kinda have to agree with the above re vampire weekend.

... and just for the record, I do enjoy that album. I think it's a fun summer album. However, it's not revolutionary. It's unbelievably simplistic, even for the genres from which they borrow. I just think it's unbelievably overhyped. Moreover, I can say from first hand experience that they are kind of dicks.