TAPE LOOP USA - REVIEWS, For the reviews! Options

[Sostie]

Here you go US (mini) Loopers!

[jem]

Here you go US (mini) Loopers!

We are sooooo not mini! We are giant and evil! ooooOOOOOOoooohhhhh! And I'm in Canada.

As Heff has recieved my disc now, I guess it's safe to start the reviewage.

rabbit57i - Ecelectic Sounds
I hope I spelt the title right... And I like the lable on the disc, pretty colours.

Track 1 - Nice intro, for some reason when it first starts I feel like I should be watching a movie. I have a feeling I might feel like that a lot during this disc. The song ends kind of abruptly. I'm not sure how much I like.
Track 2 - I like the guitars and brass instruments. Makes me wanna pull out the 60's musical dance moves. And again we start with the feeling like I should be watching a movie. I adore the vocal track on this song, though. Makes me giggle.
I've played this disc for a few different people, Mark, Sandra (a woman I work with), they all say that these tracks are weird, I think that they are fun.
Track 3 - Mellower? I wish this song would speed up a bit quicker than it does. I think that there are a few unnecesary bars of that repetitive guitar. And then it starts dragging on and all I want to do is hit the fast forward button, but it's not a very long song, so I can bear it. Is that a whistle?
Track 4 - I like this song. The vocals are lovely. I feel like it should be sung by a 1960's bond girl. Or perhaps one the girls in a russ meyer film, the ones that are strong, and slightly conniving.
Track 5 - A change of pace... At first I like this song, but then it grates. The repetitivness of it. I'm quite sure I'd like the lyrics though. There is one part of the chorus that bothers me most. That one line where it is not pronounced properly. It just annoyes me. I skip over this song in future listens of the disc. I do like the end of the track, though. Perhaps because it's ending.
Track 6 - Now I like this. I think only of dirty, nasty, kinky sex when I hear this song. I could clown to this. In fact I just might.
Track 7 - Again another one of those wierd songs. I actually think I'd perfer to clown to this.
Track 8 - This and the last blend well, I likes. But I feel like this song should be broken up into two tracks. There are two definet parts of the song and each would hold up well on thier own, even if hey'd be a bit short.
By the way, I'm creating a whole new burlesque routine just based on the last two songs now in my head. Massive yellow balloons would need to be used of course, and perhaps some sort of garish animal print. Lots of bum shaking, and a little boobie shaking. But to be serious, and to get back on topic, I quite like the piano on this track. It's a little remnicient of Charlie Brown. Like "It's a jungle, Charlie Brown"
Track 9 - I like this, it's a good simple track. Makes me wanna dance.
Track 10 - Now I LOVE this. Definetly my favorite track on the disc. I sent the track to a friend to listen to and he said I 'like fucked up shit'. Well, then I guess I do.
Track 11 - Ah! This song scared me when it first came on, such a change frome the last one. Then it made me giggle. For future purposes I will turn down my speakers beore I listen to this song. I like it though. Pretty standard for what it is, but it's fun. I just wish it was longer.
Track 12 - Style-wise, this is quite a change from what else is on the disc. Alot of the same instruments are used, but it's got a different feel. I'm not sure how much I like this song, I just really want to push the fast forward button. It seems to be one of those hit or miss songs, and I think it's a miss for me.
Track 13 - When it first came on this song made me go, OOOOH! I like that slight cymbal(?). I find it a bit jarring which is nice, makes te song feel like more of a challenge. And now it's thrown me for a curve ball, this is like three different songs in one! Like a value pack.
Track 14 - I adore this song. Makes me smile, and now I wanna do a fancy shawl. I disike the ending though, to abrupt.
Track 15 - I feel like I should be watching a 50's musical, now. Is this from a musical?
Track 16 - Again... More musical watching feelings. I like song though. I can't help but sing along to it.
Track 17 - I don't like the vocal, but I see the funny in it. Is it a male or a female providing the vocals? The instruments make me feel dizzy.
Track 18 - Quiet. I like it. It's a good contrast from the previous.
For some reason this song reminds me of old musicals, the ones that are not supposed to make you cry, but you almost want to cry when you watch them.
Track 19 - Faster now. I reminds me of cartoons that I watched when I was a kid. I feel like bugs bunny should be popping out to say "That's all folks!"


I like this disc, there are some songs that I would have gotten rid of simply becasue there were bits that dragged, but it was good.
8/10 Clownie stars. Clownie stars are red and fuzzy. They squirt water and make honking noises.
I can't wait for the track list.

This post has been edited by jem: Mar 29 2008, 06:10 PM

[Heff]

jem - The fish she is SMALL!
1. I felt like a cool drink and a cigarette after listening to this. Kind of. Lyrically it's odd but sexy, delivered in a stream-of-consciousness that reminds me of Ani Difranco. Especially the constant references to a 'love organ'. On the other hand, I need more to get my motor running than a xylophone, a violin and a snare drum.
2. This sounds like Jack Johnson. Acoustic guitar, bouncing bass, lazy drums. Boring.
3. I imagine this as the theme song for a North American TV show written by arrogant adolescents, watched by arrogant adolescents. Slurry vocals, references to instant pleasure and 'give me sex when I want it'. Some odd background sounds, bells and whistles add some quirk.
4.Now this is interesting. Sounds like a Western stand off - a capella singing acompanied by rattlesnake tambourine, claps, and moaning from the crowd in the saloon. Tense.
5. I dig this song, and I've heard this cover before. These twins are rather talented.
6. Straight off this reminds me of Death Cab's song 'I will follow you into the dark', because of the solo vocalist and acoustic guitar, and the introspection and big ideas.
7. More acoustic guitar, this time with a distinctive French taste. Probably because the lyrics are in French. I recognised one word - Canada. The accordian also adds Frenchy tones.
8. Ahh, finally, some electricity! Fuzz up those guitars, bang that drum kit, and float away on those vocals. But what about the lyrics? Moody, longing, wistful.
9.I'll be very surprised if this is not who I think it is. More acoustic guitar, weird harmonies on the vocals, almost nonsensical lyrics. Sounds like a gypsy spell, and I almost expect to hear the crackle of a camp fire behind it.
10. And you've saved (easily) the best for last. A moody start with strained, unhinged vocals, the violin builds tension over the low throbbing bass. More voices join the build... then it cracks. A few short sharp stops on the way, then we enter a olde time speakeasy. A 'dancehall cabaret', in their own words. Insistent, dual vocals keep the tension high, the band play and hang on by the seat of their pants; it feels like they're all swinging around a dimly lit room and dragging any hapless listener along with them. Indeed, they are standing on the edge of the world, barely in control - I love it.


So, overall? The songs go well together, with a few unusual moments which is good; adds texture. However, I didn't really get into most of them. The cd is bookended by two songs that have stream-of-consciousness vocals, interesting instrumentation, and a bit of pace - maybe they should have been the standard instead of the stand-out.
5/10