Longtime fan four tracks into new album....

[nowigotworry]

So I've been listening to Xiu Xiu ever since Knife Play, just like I'm sure many of you have. I normally despise "indie rock," but Xiu Xiu has never really sounded like indie rock to me despite always being grouped into that category. Needless to say, I was a little too excited for the release of the new album. I'm one of those weird fans that doesn't listen to albums before the release date for bands that I love, so when the album came into today, it marks the first time I've heard any of these songs.

Four songs in, and I'm pretty disappointed. The reviews have said it's the best Xiu Xiu album yet which really got my hopes up, but it sounds to me that they've finally given in to the "indie rock" that they normally get grouped with. "Hello From Eau Claire" is particularly hideous....those bells in the background would sound in place on an Arcade Fire or Architecture in Helinski album. I thought "Buzz Saw" was pretty good, but the following three tracks have been way too upbeat and "tinkle-y" for my tastes.

I put the album on pause to write this. Hopefully tracks 5-11 fare better than first four have.

[tommmmmm]

don't worry. wig master is really good.

[emilyrose]

hello from eau claire does suck. and, i agree, wig master does make up for any other bad things on the album.

[danceremony]

pj is the best

[TheDeadTexan]

Waiter! We need the world's smallest violin and lots more cheese to go with this whine.

[iamthemillmtnstar]

emilyisfancy said:

hello from eau claire does suck.

[dublave]

giving into indie rock? oh please. get over it dude. and what's wrong with arcade fire and architecture in helsinki? get over labels and hype and all of that, get over pigeon-holing artists, and take the music for what it is.

[bignothing]

there's nothing wrong with any of the songs on the new album dude, you're crazy, they're all really good. go listen to this song is a mess if you want something barely listenable.

(don't get me wrong, freddy has his moments but his albums are pretty bad.)

[thisshitisoranges]

andy you are the king of witty retort

[dr. strangelove]

i love it when new people who have never posted before to a message board join said message board on the day pitchfork positively praises an album just to attack the artist for selling out and changing

really, there need to be more people in the world like this guy; there's not nearly enough pompous indie hipsters in the world who hate something just because someone at pitchfork likes it

[paulmceldowney]

yea indie rock pretty much doesnt mean anything.

[lysine]

blah blah blah blah blah music indie talk blah blah blah complain complain

[jarretttree]

thedeadtexan said:

Waiter! We need the world's smallest violin and lots more cheese to go with this whine.

ahahaha amazing.



seriously though, better production doesnt mean giving into indie rock. They took the time to record a good sounding record, where every song sounds clear and you can make out all the subtle sounds. I like this record more and more every time i listen to it.

[joestewart]

hating on this record is pretty seriously ridiculous.

[tommmmmm]

joestewart said:

hating on this record is pretty seriously ridiculous.

i agree. turn on the radio (sexyback will be on) and listen for about fifteen minutes. then put on the air force and try to hate it.
i can understand being lukewarm about the air force (what with that other record...what's it called? "promises" or something? the one with orange penis.) but hating it does seem way out wacky.