The Syndicate

I'd be down

I nominate: The Family Crest - Beneath the Brine (available on spotify/yt)

I'm fine with just going through all the nominations as a queue, or voting for order or whatever.
Also, I do recommend Spotify, but ads are very annoying for listening through albums, so if you're ok with paying a subscription it's worth it for that reason. I've also heard (though haven't personally confirmed) that if you use the web player with adblock enabled it skips the ads, so that might be a good option.

I guess I still don't get why we're doing them in sets of 5? Why not just have them all in a queue? Or is it so we can get some fresh nominations so we don't just do all the unpopular ones in a row

also slight nitpick bc I just noticed this, the youtube version of Beneath the Brine is missing the last track for some reason? you have the running time correct but there are 12 tracks and I guess when it comes up I'll point it out if anyone uses youtube.

Sweet! I'm excited that you all get to hear what has been my favorite band for the past year If this strikes your fancy I also heartily recommend their other album The Village as well as their two EPs. I love every bit of music they've ever made all of it is amazing and I never get tired of it I'm obsessed and should shut up now and let you form your own opinions

PSA for anyone using youtube, the video linked is missing the last track which you can find here. Also, the times listed for the tracks in the description are messed up, but there's a comment with the correct ones.

Can't say I'm a fan of "SARS" either lol. What about "Album Sharing Shenanigans" or ASS for short?

Yeah the whole point of this is to share our tastes and we won't all agree. I can see why this album won't be everyone's thing, I totally know what you mean by it being kind of over the top. I just happen to like that Fwiw I'd say that The Village is notably less over the top/"epic" than this album while still containing a really interesting blend of influences.

Golden wrote:I listened to a few more tracks while getting ready for work. The fourth? Track, with its New Orleans and charleston influences is completely gorgeous, it may enter my play list.

Yeah I love Howl

juliets wrote:For nutella (and anyone else who wants to see them playing) here is their npr tiny desk concert:



(I am just a lurker in this thread.)

I just watched this the other day, it's great! They also have an Audiotree one which I haven't watched yet.

Llama, I also love The Water's Fine, and yeah I do get what you mean about the tone of those tracks toward the end but I still enjoy it also lol that first interpretation of make me a boat never occurred to me

Glad to hear you're enjoying it!

Ooo fascinating review Rico!! The comparisons to other artists were especially insightful and interesting. Nice analysis.

Just starting now. Pretty excited for this one -- I've listened to a fair bit of Fishmans since MP posted about them a couple weeks ago, and have really liked what I've heard.

Re: live recordings: I also tend to prefer studio recordings, but there are some exceptions; some live versions are far superior to album versions. One example that comes to mind is Paul Simon's Concert in the Park, especially "The Cool, Cool River" -- I love the live version of that song and the original album one just really pales in comparison. Also, same goes for all of Stop Making Sense -- obviously the visual component of the film and David Byrne's crazy antics go along with that, but even with audio only the SMS versions are definitely preferable to the album versions.

Finished first half. Not very much stands out to me but I mostly like the overall sound. Sometimes I find the vocals a little annoying/grating tbh, but in some places they fit very well. I'm really liking a lot of the bass parts in particular, as well as the drums. I also LOVE the violin in "In the Flight" (predictably; violin is the easiest way to my heart ).
I've heard (a version of) Long Season before and liked it, so looking forward to that in the second half.

I will watch your video when I get around to it Rico. I think I will try to fit in a second listen first (and at some point those other albums MP suggested -- which I think I've heard at least parts of?)

I'm listening to Uchu Nippon Setagaya atm and I think I'm enjoying it rather more thoroughly than most of the live album. I definitely really enjoyed the first three tracks. I guess I liked the live version of In the Flight more though And I do love Long Season, so the live album has that going for it.

One minute in and I'm already in love. Is that a hurdy-gurdy I hear? <3 Not sure but it sounds similar to a really cool piece I've heard with someone just absolutely shredding on a hurdy-gurdy with a loop pedal. Great sound.

Eh it probably wasn't. I'm not the best instrumentation detective. But the sound is amazing. Loving this so far

Not even halfway through and I've already recommended it to two friends. I am loving this. Thanks Boomslang

Just finished. Damn that was awesome. Gonna listen to the rest of their discog on spotify. I'm into this shit.

I think by OM they mean of Montreal, lol


and fwiw I hadn't heard of Crowded House until this thread

Well that would just make too much sense now wouldn't it.

Interesting that I assumed an of Montreal comparison wouldn't be too far off though. Idk about that.

Mine would be
Beneath the Brine - 5/5
98.12.28 Otokotachi no Wakare - 3/5
World Music - 3.5/5

insertnamehere wrote:
2006's The Drift features, among other things, the distressed braying of a donkey, a demonic Donald Duck impression, and a live recording of a dead pig being repeatedly punched.

Well okay then. Given this, the historical context with which I am completely unfamiliar, and your lyric samples, I can honestly say I have no idea what to expect from this but I'm looking forward to it. I think I'll listen to the stuff you linked first, and maybe his previous albums as well. Or maybe I should dive right into the deep end. We'll see

MovingPictures07 wrote:

nutella wrote:

insertnamehere wrote:
2006's The Drift features, among other things, the distressed braying of a donkey, a demonic Donald Duck impression, and a live recording of a dead pig being repeatedly punched.

Well okay then. Given this, the historical context with which I am completely unfamiliar, and your lyric samples, I can honestly say I have no idea what to expect from this but I'm looking forward to it. I think I'll listen to the stuff you linked first, and maybe his previous albums as well. Or maybe I should dive right into the deep end. We'll see

Seriously, start with Scott 1, go through Scott 4, then try this or Tilt/The Drift/this. Going from Scott 1-4 to his experimental stuff blows my mind every time, but not quite like the first time. I'll never forget hearing Tilt after Scott 4 and just thinking... damn, what a musical shift.

OK, I'm doing this!

Norsemen do not eat the big pink mint!


I am enjoying this immensely. And wow it sure was interesting to hear the evolution through that progression of albums. I thought The Drift was pretty....different and this is just even more so and I love it.

Ooo analysis. I was already planning to read along on Genius during my next listen, and now I'll get to read your summaries as well.

OK, reading along with the annotations definitely greatly enhanced my enjoyment of the lyrics. Super interesting, I recommend that everyone who's saying the lyrics are nonsensical or the album overall is boring try this. I can understand thinking the album is pretty musically boring, but it's made up for by the bits of bizarre instrumentation and endless creativity in the lyrics.

I agree with INH that Epizootics is the most musically interesting track, while Zercon was the most fascinatingly complex to follow along with the lyrical analysis (though all of the tracks have this quality to various extents -- this sure was a ride).

Though I'm not much of one to rate things numerically, I'll try to keep up since Rico's recording them. 3/5.

In the middle of my first listen of Crazy World. Quite good impressions so far. I was pretty familiar with "Fire" before but never heard the rest of the album and it's fantastic in context. I've enjoyed every track i've heard so far, it definitely hasn't ceased to be interesting/entertaining. I'd say there's a pretty stark contrast from Bish Bosch in that respect -- there may be a few stylistic constants throughout but the overall sound is constantly in flux and quite musically complex and it's holding my attention really well.

Aaaaaaa you guys the family crest just announced tour dates and if all goes well I'll see them on May 27th i'm so excited

Wait what is that Rico? A recommendation playlist?


Btw I guess I'll give Crazy World a 3 out of 5.

Do you have a lastfm page Golden? I'd be interested in seeing what else you listen to.

I voted for yours this time at least. Not sure how much I'd like it, but I feel like the point of this thread is to get exposed to and to appreciate various genres one wouldn't typically go for, and I have been trying to diversify my taste recently anyway. I do love Janelle Monáe though and she's considered neo-soul, is she similar?

I do know that one song by CBR that was really popular like ten years ago, Put Your Records On, and I guess it was ok but nothing really special (nice voice I guess), but otherwise I'm unfamiliar. But now seeing how you describe her various albums I'm pretty tempted to check her out soon even though she didn't make this round's list.

I'll listen to the Chuck Berry album first though. But not now, now is bedtime

MovingPictures07 wrote:I absolutely recognize what Chuck Berry did for music, and the man was a complete legend. I therefore feel a bit terrible saying this, but...

Spoiler: show

...in terms of enjoyment this release was barely a 3.0-star ("marginally enjoyable") affair for me. If not for "Johnny B. Goode" and "Maybellene", it would be a 2.5 ("epitome of unimpressive").

There's no denying the quality and influence, but it's just not really my thing at all, and I honestly wish it was. I just was never much of a Rock & Roll, R&B, and blues rock guy, and that's perhaps the one constant that's remained in my musical taste over its entire development (save a few exceptions that would be lucky to be considered for a 3.5 or 4.0 rating).

The aforementioned two cuts are classics, but other than that I found myself just really bored more than anything. I don't think this would normally be anything I would ever play of my own freewill pretty much ever again.

Now with all of that said, especially given its length, I'll be listening to it a handful of times or so I'm sure before the week is up.

I agree with 100% of this post. It's really not my thing/is pretty uninteresting to me, but I appreciate it for what it is and his/the genre's place in music history.

Also Quin if you have the time you should try to catch up with the previous albums in the thread at some point

(and watch all of Rico's reviews lol)

nutella wrote:

MovingPictures07 wrote:I absolutely recognize what Chuck Berry did for music, and the man was a complete legend. I therefore feel a bit terrible saying this, but...

Spoiler: show

...in terms of enjoyment this release was barely a 3.0-star ("marginally enjoyable") affair for me. If not for "Johnny B. Goode" and "Maybellene", it would be a 2.5 ("epitome of unimpressive").

There's no denying the quality and influence, but it's just not really my thing at all, and I honestly wish it was. I just was never much of a Rock & Roll, R&B, and blues rock guy, and that's perhaps the one constant that's remained in my musical taste over its entire development (save a few exceptions that would be lucky to be considered for a 3.5 or 4.0 rating).

The aforementioned two cuts are classics, but other than that I found myself just really bored more than anything. I don't think this would normally be anything I would ever play of my own freewill pretty much ever again.

Now with all of that said, especially given its length, I'll be listening to it a handful of times or so I'm sure before the week is up.

I agree with 100% of this post. It's really not my thing/is pretty uninteresting to me, but I appreciate it for what it is and his/the genre's place in music history.

Actually the part of MP's opinion I don't entirely agree with is the exception tracks. For me the standout tracks in terms of musical interesting-ness are "Jo Jo Gunne" and "Hey Pedro" and maybe to a lesser extent "Anthony Boy." I do appreciate the ones MP mentioned for their epitomal/classic status and influence but the ones I mentioned are what save the album from being totally boring.

JaggedJimmyJay wrote:Maybe Back to the Future is an early option for Movie of the Week [Week 1].

Let's do it.

Interesting that your drops are exactly the tracks I enjoyed/thought were most interesting.

Interesting that I use the word interesting so much.

Hm, so I had a first listen but I wasn't very attentive/it was in the background so I can't really say much until I listen again. I suppose I enjoyed some of what I heard and they do seem to have some really lovely ballad-ish melodies -- "Fall At Your Feet" is pretty much the only track that stood out to me during my inattentive first listen, and I also separately listened to "Don't Dream It's Over" (which I don't even think I recognized despite it being apparently their most well-known). I get the impression I've somehow completely missed out on a huge musical institution with a lot of material that a lot of people are familiar with/emotionally connected to, and I'm kind of simultaneously overwhelmed by that and yet so far I-don't-want-to-say-underwhelmed-but-not-particularly-whelmed by what I've heard, it just felt like pretty standard pop rock. That's not a bad thing at all though, it just doesn't really stick out to me as particularly unique, but I do appreciate the songwriting talent that a couple of you have pointed out. I look forward to hearing it again.


On another note, I think I've submitted all my Rico-scale rankings for previous weeks, but I'll try to summarize the way MP did. Even though it feels weird to rank these albums with such varying genres. It seems the lowest I feel capable of giving is 3.0 because I take the description "worth a listen" quite literally and something has to be really really bad for me to not consider it at least worth one listen. I was almost tempted to rank Chuck Berry lower because I found it pretty boring all things considered, but taken in context I really appreciate its influence and I definitely enjoy a lot of the then-innovative guitar work on it. But, it does feel like I should rank it somewhat lower than my other 3.0s (Bish Bosch and Crazy World) because I definitely enjoyed them significantly more than it. So with that in mind here's my attempt at an order:

Beneath the Brine - 10/10 or 5 stars
World Music - 7.5/10 or 3.75 (if it must be in .5s then 3.5)
98.12.28 Otokotachi no Wakare - 7/10 or 3.5
Bish Bosch - 6/10 or 3.0
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown - 6/10 or 3.0
Chuck Berry is On Top - 5.5/10 or 2.75

Some of these could be higher, some could be lower, idk I'm just incapable of ranking things lower than 5/10 unless they're really really really bad, that's just how I am

Ok I'm enjoying it a lot more on second listen, and I understand more of how JJJ described what he sees in it. Awesome songwriting indeed. Very pleasant listening, might end up as 4 stars and I'll probably also check out Together Alone as well since you guys mentioned it was good.

lol JJJ nice ranking descriptions.

@G-Man, I largely agree with your assessment of Woodface, with maybe a slightly more positive stance. It evokes a genre that I'm pretty neutral toward, but within that range I think it's very good music and pleasant to listen to, and there are a few standout-ish tracks for me.
I'm listening to Together Alone as well and getting a similar impression. Again, lovely music, and I think I can see why it's a beloved album to some (and obviously everyone has a different emotional history with music and I don't have the same connections but I know the feeling so I understand), but it doesn't have a hugely unique impression on me.

haven't watched rico's review yet, looking forward to it

I've also been mentally comparing them to REM. Similar sound and I enjoy them in sort of the same way.

thellama73 wrote:

nutella wrote:I've also been mentally comparing them to REM. Similar sound and I enjoy them in sort of the same way.

Funny, I made that same comparison, not so much in sound, but in my feeling that I wouldn't turn them off if they were on, but wouldn't seek them out either.

Yeah, same.

Bit behind this week -- only just now on first listen and it's 9pm on Friday But I'm about halfway through and I'm pretty thoroughly enjoying it so far, so I'll definitely listen a couple more times.

I actually quite enjoyed Arthur. I think I give it a 3.5 (if I may be generous it's leaning upward to 3.75)

Looking forward to listening to this next one. Completely unfamiliar, should be fun.

Rico I said 3.5 for Arthur but was apparently ignored

JaggedJimmyJay wrote:I'm almost through my first spin of Whole Stories. I like the part with the noises.

Spoiler: show

Don't mind me, I have barely dabbled in this genre. I don't actively dislike it, and nor does it do anything for me. I laughed a bit when the lady was trying to keep people in an orderly line. 2.5 first impression.

Yeaaaah this is... well.... different. Thoughts below (having gone into this with no "spoilers"/not even knowing what genre this would be, I'd like to give everyone else a chance to do so)

It's not even in the same ballpark as Bish Bosch, lol.


Tbh I posted a little prematurely, and I think I'm enjoying the second half a bit more than the first.

My high school orchestra director drilled into me the opinion that the only correct definition of music is "organized sound," which I think is better articulated by AP's description of intention. So I tend to be pretty generous about what I consider music, and this album is still close to the borderline for me but I definitely see intention and skill in the organization/production/juxtaposition of the various sounds. I do agree with G that there are definitely some parts that feel more musical than others, but overall I recognize/appreciate it as a work of art (and again I find it interesting on a more anthropological level as well). As for rating I think I'll go with a 2 out of 5.