Search - Minus Story :: Captain Is Dead Let the Drum Corpse Dance

Brilliant with simplicity

Chloe | Boston, MA United States | 06/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"a gorgeous album from people who have forged a balance within complexity, without overdoing the drama. atmospheric, intense, and beautiful. buy it now, tell everyone you heard of them first, and when the rest of the world catches on you'll feel oh so hip."

Hands down the best album you haven't heard

Jacob Javitz | Brooklyn, NY | 06/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I found out about this band recently after walking into Ear Wax. I listened to the mp3s on their label's website and after that I was hooked. I haven't stopped talking about this album since. "Joyless, Joyless" is an instant classic. Buy this now."

FILL YOUR HEART WITH THE MINUS STORY!

Stowaway | Australia | 08/19/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"


The Minus Story's 'The Captain is Dead, let the Drum Corpse Dance' is a fuzzy and triumphant album, bursting with light, and engulfed in mania. It seems to follow a strong lyrical theme, tracking the toppling of a dictatorial authority figure, and subsequent triumph of innocence and ardor.



The opening track, `Won't be Fooled Again' starts with a lazy thumping sound that soon gives way to the songs hooky melody line, one that bounces along with much enthusiasm. Short muttered verses with christmas bells, build and swell with orchestration while the songs glorious title is repeated by a chorus of voices. The song then bursts into thick and bombastic drums while the vocals are left to mumble under the mix before the final explosion of percussion.



The second track launches with more frantic drumming and a surge of fleeting sonic whimsy. We then hear the full energy and impact of the heavily distorted vocals. Accordion wrestles for position while the drums and vocals continue to compete while sharing the same rhythm. Eventually treated handclaps let the accordion breathe under some messy glockenspiel, and finally some dense keys finish the track.



With track 3, `gravity pulls', we jump straight into the clearest vocals of the album so far on. The glock is supporting a vocal melody that sounds like mercury rev with a smile on their faces.



`Joyless, Joyless' is an instant favourite with its pained and pleading chorus, its simple tension building percussion and guitars that sound on the brink of collapse.



The closer `the children's army (bite the tyrants tongue)', not only has one of the most innocent and humorous titles of the year, but also a musical innocence and preciousness that is more endearing than your cute little curly haired niece drawing you an extremely flattering picture. The words `fill your heart with love' close the album with a sincerity that can't help but make you wanna give the band mates a cuddle..!



Basically, this album is full. Gorgeous and dense instrumentation, and extremely catchy pop melodies. Simple songs given complex treatment. All with fantastically sloppy yet superbly clear production. Though clocking in at only 36 minutes, the albums 8 tracks are filled with such rich material that the length seems consequential, only to the extent that you will wanna hit repeat and hear it all again as soon as its done. All the fun of smile era beach boys, glory of the polyphonic spree, fuzz and warmth of built to spill, the chaotic nature of neutral milk hotel, the resolve of the delgados, and an enthusiasm all of their own.



8.5 outta 10

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