I Am So Popular: Open Letter To Jody Denberg
The Last Waltz Done Live At Club Deville
Review: The Cherry Orchard at The Blue Theater
EAST Interview: Nick Henning at Pump Project
Weekend Music Preview: Fabrication 7, Car Stereo (Wars), & More!
The Narrator All That to the Wall (Flameshovel)
The Chicago group’s interlocking skeletal structures of stark clean guitars and bouncy, thick elastic rhythms might remind one of Foolish era Superchunk or …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead at their most mild. However, it is the vocal arrangements on the album that are the most interesting. The hooks are like dissonant harmonic cries for help so catchy they urge you to sing along. With lethargic lyrics on dense cuts like "Speeding Up the Gang", it's quite hard not to relate these boys.
“My job is ruining my life/ I got pride bursting from my eyes/ And that’s why they call me lazy.”
"SurfJew" is one of the more infectious and hyperactive songs on the record, with spiky pop that can be compared to any song The Wedding Present may have written. Overall, The Narrator’s potential is limitless. They have the musical chops and vocal styling that are definitely charming. We're sure their live show is hard to beat. What makes this record different from any emo sounding record is that they are willing to experiment and rethink what makes a good song. "A Decade In Kentucky" is both unsettling and grandiose a tune as it gets, and if there is such a thing as a feedback anthem, this is it. The Narrator are one of those bands whose humor, sensibilities and charm should not go unnoticed.
The Narrator: [Myspace]
"Breaking the Turtle" (YouTube): Video]
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
Great Album. Poppy without compromising their sound.
A great bunch of guys who put on an exciting live show. "Son of the Son of the Kiss of Death" really stands out and kicks this record off right.
I loved this album, especially the song SurfJew. To me you can't get any better than The Narrator.
Speeding Up The Gang has to be one of the best songs on this album, which is in my top 5 releases of 07 so far.
The energy and sheer rawness of these guys is incredible.
From the first demos on these guys have failed to disappoint me, either in the studio or on the stage. Easily one of the best bands Chicago has to offer right now.
I listened to these guys on myspace and now they're stuck in my head!
By far one of the best kept secrets in the independent music world today. The Narrator clearly draw from earlier influences such as Superchunk but still maintain an original and interesting sound that's all their own. One of the top records of 07!
While I haven't heard the album, they put on a fantastic live show that shouldn't be missed.
this album surprised me. the really unique vocals drew me in and the music is thumping. highly recommended!
One of the better pure "indie" rock records to come out this year. The Vocals are ragged and raw, the music emotive, and the guys are completley authentic. Best damn live show around!