Experimental Maps
G. Preston | Baltimore, MD United States | 03/08/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This apparently was intended as a companion piece to "International Rescue" and highlights the Maps' more experimental side. I must say I strongly disagree with this approach to compiling a bands' output. Neither CD, by itself, gives a good impression of what the band intended or acheived with their two "proper" albums: "A Trip To Marineville" & "Jane From Occupied Europe" (both sadly out of print). Therefore, you need both of the available CDs to get the full spectrum of Swell Maps' sound. What we have here are most of the longer, textural, instrumental pieces that served as interludes between the straight ahead "punk" songs on the aforementioned albums. Griping aside, both CDs are great and essential. Some of these songs are pretty, some a bit grating. There are a few of the classic "punk" songs not included on "International Rescue" but included here probably because they drone on a little longer. Two of these songs: "Full Moon In My Pocket" and "BLAM!" are tracks two and three on the CD but not listed on the song list above for some reason. I can't describe their sound but here are a few reference points: Buzzcocks, Sonic Youth, Pavement, Pere Ubu, the Fall."
Really good - interesting, certainly, but...
Jeffrey Hubbard | Murray, UT United States | 12/23/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Frankly, I object to the way that this album and "International Recue" were compiled. Each one manages to give, on it's own, a frustratingly inaccurate portrayal of what Swell Maps are really about (IMO, a real Swell Maps album somehow resembles closely Pavement's "Wowee Zowee," and the Stocktonites were certainly influenced by SMs). This album leans heavily on the Krautrock-ian, experimental side, while IR presents them as a bordering-on-conventianal, if very good, punk band (i.e. "Read About Seymore," "Let's Build a Car"). The ideal would be to mix and match these two collections on your own mix-tape; so, buy 'em both, and do just that!"
Track Listings (19) - Disc #1
