Search - Boston Spaceships :: Brown Submarine

Brown Submarine
Boston Spaceships
Brown Submarine
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (14) - Disc #1

Though one will notice some subtle prog flourishes and acoustic strums, Brown Submarines is a pop punk album, made by and for kids who've worn out the grooves on their Cheap Trick, Alice Cooper, Wire, and dBs records. Whil...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Boston Spaceships
Title: Brown Submarine
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Guided By Voices
Original Release Date: 1/1/2008
Re-Release Date: 9/16/2008
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
Style: Indie & Lo-Fi
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 879198002109

Synopsis

Album Description
Though one will notice some subtle prog flourishes and acoustic strums, Brown Submarines is a pop punk album, made by and for kids who've worn out the grooves on their Cheap Trick, Alice Cooper, Wire, and dBs records. While Robert Pollard has stretched out post-GBV, experimenting on each of his diverse and unique solo records, Boston Spaceships rock hard, have fun, and drink Miller Lite. Without undue hyperbole, Pollard is penning fantastic pop songs in a style no longer fashionable--perhaps never fashionable. Makes no difference; on Brown Submarine, Pollard's charged up and sings his ass off. He was so enthusiastic about this album that he's decided to play his first proper club tour in two years. This from a guy who hates flying, goes bananas sitting in the van, and has turned down tours with Radiohead and The Strokes. Give Brown Submarine a spin or two--it'll make you feel like a kid again, too.

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CD Reviews

Another Day, Another Gem....
K. Spahr | Springfield, OH | 09/17/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"In typical Robert Pollard fashion, he has once again channeled his unlimited musical spirit into a new project, Boston Spaceships. I just opened mine this morning and am now in it's third spin cycle. Here's the scoop:



Earnest, silly, adventurous, youthful, unrelenting, passionate, polished, raw, friendly, and on and on and on....



This disc has the usual smorgasborg of textures and rythyms and Bob's vocals are especially well done. He seems to be truly enjoying himself with this release. Standout tracks IMHO are "Winston's Atomic Bird", (which has gotten lots of uTube coverage for the DIY video contest), "You Satisfy Me" which has an odd structure but somehow sounds totally familiar, "Zero Fix" just flat out rocks, "Andy Playboy" an autobiographical (??) ditty of life in a band on the road, and my personal favorite...."Go For The Exit" which makes a great exit for the CD and could be a good show closer for the upcoming tour. It's instantly recognizable in it's "bob-ness". It brings back the GBV feel & sound that everyone loves.



One interesting feature of this set is the use of various instruments not normally heard in the Pollard universe...cello's, strings, horns, etc all shine prominently and to good use throughout the disc.



Get this one and play it over and over again. I plan on going to the Cincinnati show in September and this disc promises to make the weeks seem like centuries as I await the show. Thanks again Mr Pollard!"
Essential for all GBV fans *
Hoagie Mike | Sacramento, CA | 12/11/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This first Boston Spaceships cd is the most "classic era GBV" sounding record Robert Pollard has done in a long time. Almost every song is instantly catchy, and the few that aren't, will grow on you. The first 3 songs are so sharp and melodic, and it's also refreshing to hear Bob with a real live band again. Chris Slusarenko and John Moen are tight, and well rehearsed, with good rock and roll chops, and this record has a real rock band vibe to it. Every song is arranged perfectly for it's style or mood, and Bob's vocals are very strong. Favorite tracks are "You Satisfy Me", "Ready To Pop", "Still In Rome", "Psych Threat", the super-catchy "Winston's Atomic Bird", and the remake of an old gbv song, "Go For The Exit". This album has something for everyone who's ever loved the "Propeller" thru the "Do the Collapse" (and beyond) era of Guided By Voices, and also for the hardcore fan, who must buy every single challenging side-project, or solo excursion of Robert Pollard.

Bravo Bob, "Brown Submarine" is fantastic. Highly recommended.



"
The Captain Fades to Brown
McSpunkle | USA | 11/09/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Destined to be a Robert Pollard classic, I'm surprised this album isn't getting more attention. Probably because of the ungodly amount of material this man releases. It's easy to lose track, but this new band Bob's put together is incredible.



Brown Submarine kicks off with "Winston's Atomic Bird", a quirky piece of oddball pop perfection, but as soon as you get your head bobbing, it's over and the mood shifts to the dark, stripped acoustic title track. Well, this barely lasts a minute and in comes that very familiar GbV style guitar riff, similar to the intros to "I Am a Scientist" and "Queen of Cans and Jars". One of the longest songs on the album at three minutes, "You Satisfy Me" is pure melodic bliss. From here it just keeps getting better.



Acoustic guitar is very prominent throughout, but it still rocks hard. Kind of similar to Half Smiles of the Decomposed in that way. One of my favorites, "Rat Trap" ("Oh no, not Rat Trap!") is acoustic power glam-punk with a wigged out Pollard singing a laugh (Ha-ah-ah-Ha Ha HA!) over reverbed electric piano for the songs climax. And you know Bob can't help but experiment a little, and "Still in Rome" let's him prog out with some as always intriguing, dark yet humorous lyrics, asking "Shall I show them thumbs down?" and "I was hopin' that the dead would rise by themselves". It could've easily been a Circus Devils track. The album closes with a reworking of an old Guided by Voices demo, "Go For The Exit". It starts off as a gentle acoustic ditty, dripping with melodic goodness, then the band kicks in, turning it into a full on rocker, still dripping with melodic goodness.



The whole thing's over before you know it, and you'll find yourself playing the entire album again. It also had me wanting to hear Normal Happiness, it seems to have a similar pace and feel to that album, also recommended. Apparently the next record is already in the can and slated for an early '09 release, and Bob's finishing the demos for the third. Can't wait."