Soundtrack of our Lives

So Ive gathered from pitchfork media and some grumblings from this board that Soundtrack of our Lives arent really respected among the "indie rock" community. And by posting here, I feel that I am reaching just that.

So what is it? Too poppy? Not depressing enough? Too goofy on stage? Lead singer doesnt look like a heroin addict?

They put on one of the best shows Ive seen at the 930 club awhile back. Pretty much a throwback band that plays straight ahead rock and roll…

Believe me, I love the slow, intense sound of bands like Interpol, Doves, Snow Patrol. etc….But theres definitely room for bands like Soundtrack.

Anyone out there like these guys? If not, why?

I like them. I loved Behind the Music. Wasn't so keen on Infant Freebase. I streamed the new one a while back and thought it had some great parts. It's on sale for $6.99 at Best Buy this week and I'll probably drive my SUV to the strip mall to pick up a copy.

I thought the last show was great and I'll be at the show next week.

I don't know their music, but long names are sort of annoying, aren't they?

Yes, they are, Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer.

Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:
long names are sort of annoying, aren't they?

I'm glad someone picked up on the joke.

Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Yes, they are, Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer.

Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:
long names are sort of annoying, aren't they?

I dig the Soundtrack with a big shovel. I'll be there. I'll try to pick up the new one first so I can brush up on the new material. $6.99 sounds like the right price to me.

yeah word

i love em. going to see them next weekend with the Black Crowes

very excited

TSOOL are fantastic. i last saw them at fletcher's in 2002 and they put on a hell of a show. they definitely capture much of the golden age of late '60s psych/pop, and any fan of the who, the kinks, and love should dig 'em.

three of the guys used to be in this great band in the late '80s/early '90s called union carbide productions. they were mining the stooges and captain beefheart at a time when it wasn't really all that hip to do so. if you're into dirty-ass rawk with a knack for songcraft, check 'em out.

Originally posted by snailhook:
TSOOL are fantastic. i last saw them at fletcher's in 2002 and they put on a hell of a show.

you were one of the other 9 people who were there?? we partied with them a bit afterwards, awesome guys!!

Too bad they won't be coming to town with the Ceasars this time. I also really liked the Sam Roberts set last time they were here. I've never heard them, but word I hear so far on the Dears is lukewarm.

*edit*

Shit I just listened to a track from the Dears site….that guy sings just like Morrisey!

really i didn't hear the morrissey at all… guess i need to clean the wax out of my ears AGAIN.

count me in, just got hooked up with the previous release and it was WOW what have i been missing out on as USUAL.

I think that one line of that one verse of that one song on the album sounds just like Jimmy Eat World.

I also loved Behind the Music, and will probably purchase the new CD this week. I thought the show they did at the 9:30 a few years ago was one of the best of the year, and I plan on attending Monday. Hopefully there will be more people there than at their last show, I think it was maybe a little over half full if that.

Originally posted by sonickteam2:
I think that one line of that one verse of that one song on the album sounds just like Jimmy Eat World.

[insert rabid uninformed retorts here]

Originally posted by HoyaSaxa03:

Originally posted by sonickteam2:
I think that one line of that one verse of that one song on the album sounds just like Jimmy Eat World.

[insert rabid uninformed retorts here]

I thought i was the one that was "uninformed"

i did read Express yesterday on the train home from work, so now i must be informed!

Originally posted by sonickteam2:
i did read Express yesterday on the train home from work, so now i must be informed!

yep, all the news that can fit in two paragraphs.

beedubya, don't know where you came up with the assumption that Soundtrack aren't respected around here. As you can see, they are. I echo the sentiments already expressed about "Behind the Music," the last 9:30 Club show which kicked ass, and I'll be at the show Monday as well.

Pleasantly surprised…..Pitchfork slated them so I thought that could have been the consensus round here. Their last show was amazing and I am looking very much forward to Monday night…

Well, I thought The Soundtrack of Our Lives just seemed kind of quaint, but still mildly entertaining. Overall, I'm leaning toward agreeing with Pitchfork. Frontman Ebbot Lundberg reminded me of a combination of Joe Cocker and Meat Loaf, but not nearly as good as either of those singers. The lead guitarist was quite animated and fun to watch, and the whole band was rather tight actually. Unfortunately, their performance was marred by poor quality microphones and/or a horrendously bad sound mix that made their lyrics mostly unintelligible.

The highlight of the evening, however, was the performance by The Dears. The Dears were a revelation. I was very impressed by them. They created a wall of effects-laden sound using vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, and occasionally flute. They played a lot harder than their 2004 album let on. Radiohead-esque guitar effects at times. They made the whole evening worthwhile for me.

Opening band American Minor did a lousy impression of the band from Almost Famous. They were one of the worse bands I have ever seen at the 9:30 Club.

Last night proved to be an exhilarating evening of new music discoveries. Rarely does both my â??Arty Popâ? and â??Need to Rockâ? fancies get ticked at the same show. Various body parts were seen attempting to move to the beat as well.

Having seen Three Days Grace, American Minor was certainly not the worst band ever to play at the 9:30 club, and I too kept expecting Jason Lee to bound on stage. While liberally borrowing from any Southern Rock band with Cousin It tresses, American Minor certainly didnâ??t seem as forced as the Kings of Leon. It took a couple songs but I warmed up to them, but they got me in a good frame of mind for the show.

Was very interested in hearing The Dears based on the EP I had heard from them and they did not disappoint. Their set had the same impact that the Delgados had on me when I saw at the â??Hateâ? tour. That feeling of WOW this group is great, totally digging what they had to offer and being completely won over. I was pretty much bouncing off the walls after their set.

While the bands initial wall of feedback and distortion could be off putting to some, it was that when paired with the subtle flute and harmonica touches that set the mood for the set. A top notch set which consisted of arty pop, complete with strange twists and turns in the flow of the compositions. The singer, sounding nothing like Morrissey, reminded me more of David Bowie and Damon Alban. Wish I knew the song title, but about the third song from the end, The Dear delivered one of the best Ziggy Stardust era inspired tunes Iâ??ve heard.

The Dears secret weapons include the drummer with his jazz influenced soft to explosive style of playing. A more percussive driven sound then rock steady. Also the sound engineer who was serving as seventh member of the band, by adding touch of sound manipulation which included swirling the sound between the speakers. Iâ??m eagerly looking forward to any future The Dears show, especially the tour when they take along the Quadraphonic sound system.

The Soundtrack Of Our Lives is also a bit Iâ??m just learning about. Had given â??Behind The Musicâ? a few whirls and enjoyed what was on offer. TSOOL certainly bring the appropriate tools in which to rock with, Double Bass Drum Kit containing the spirit of Keith Moon, Flying V Guitars, Rickenbacker basses, and a larger than life singer. Where else is one going to hear the best of 60s and 70s rock on parade done so lovingly right? The Who, MC5, Pink Floyd, New York Dolls, Iggy Pop and even a little Robert Pollard is lurking in the shadows.

TSOOL ebbed and flowed at the beginning, but really caught fire towards the end before the encores. TSOOL could have been utterly brilliant and made me forget about The Dears, completely sucked, or fallen in the middle. In the end I give The Dear a slight advantage on the evening, because TSOOL delivered the rock. A great evening where both bands proved they were better than most, and I left the club with a smile on my face.