Strong for what it is
Brently C. Davenport | Missouri City, TX United States | 03/25/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"To me the reviews posted here are about people's expectations and not about the actual CD. I haven't listened to a Seaweed CD in at least a year and the last time I did it was "Four" and "Go Your Own Way." For posterity's sake, here is a complete listing of their recordings:
Despised - 1991 (Sub Pop)
Weak - 1992 (Sub Pop)
[self-titled] - 1991 (Tupelo Records)
Measure - 1992 (Sub Pop)
Four - 1993 (Sub Pop)
Go Your Own Way - 1993 (Sub Pop)
Spanaway - 1995 (Uni/Hollywood)
Actions & Indications - 1999 (Merge Records)
That's a pretty good career in the music industry. Several of those albums are real gems...but let's get on with this CD and try to not reflect back on "the good ol' days.""Actions and Indications" is a standout piece for a band coming off a four-year layoff. Granted, I am here writing a review of the band's release two years late, but what I am hearing now, I like. It has a lot of energy and reminds me of emo-core/post-hardcore bands such as Rival Schools (wonder why, considering Alan Cage from Quicksand is behind the kit on this disc.) I was impressed with "Against The Sky," "Steadfast Shrine," and I personally loved the cover of Joy Division's "Warsaw" (of course, Joy Division was a staple of my coming of age years.) Aaron Stauffer's vocals are still tight and acerbic...just the type of wit I like. The guitar breaks and hooks definitely are strong and really gives that poppy feel that is what makes emo so strong - lyrics that connote the emotion that Clint Werner and Wade Neil are belting out. Overall, I was impressed. For a 1999 CD I enjoyed this a lot and think it falls into the mainstream interpretation of emo that most people enjoy. I don't try to judge it against their past works...the experiences and memories are too strong for many albums to overcome those works."
Don't be afraid of change
Andrew Hunter King | Middletown, CT | 03/01/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"So I got Four in the mail today, and I can see how others might be disappointed by Actions and Indications. This a different Seaweed, though still retaining the things that make them Seaweed. They hinted at this with Spanaway, but this is a much better effort.
The album starts off with Antilyrical, a very clear introduction to their Quicksand-esque sound. It's a good track, but not something I switch back to. Through the Window, however, is a gem. Nostalgic, warm, but with a gigantic guitar riff that still shreds. Steadfast Shrine shows the softer side of the album. It's not excellent, but they've got the right idea. It's followed by Red Tape Parade, another big rocker. Actually, I don't like it but my friend loves it. Against the Sky is my second favorite on the album. Extremely sincere, but with a guitar riff that bursts through with a sense of pride. Sounds amazing when played at ear-drum bursting volumes (and shows off the album's excellent production as well). Let Go and Stay Down aren't their strongest either, but their place in the album is well thought out, and helps it wind down, making it very cohesive.
I've had this album for over a year now and it's one of the elite few that find its way in every month or two. The first time I listened to it, I listened twice through, which I never do. Truthfully, I'd recommend buying this album first out of them all, and then moving backwards, so you don't get all grumpy like the rest of the reviewers here"
