Search - The Tories :: The Upside of Down

... like if Jellyfish were a lot less clever ...

gherkamungus | Melbourne, Victoria Australia | 04/23/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Upside of Down is a solid pop release which is thoroughly enjoyable in it's own right. Why people feel the need to compare it to Jellyfish is beyond me. I have not experienced The Tories' first release (Wonderful Life, which I am told it is considerably better), but this album seems quite increadibly bland when contrasted to the magnificent Spilt Milk. So - Jellyfish lovers beware: this may not be the album you've been craving! If you are a fan of good pop generally, then Upside of Down is no dud. The guitars are rich and the vocal harmonies are impressive, but in no way are they as complex, intelligent or quite as beautiful as anything from the Sturmer/Manning catalogue. Perhaps you shoud try The Sun Sawed In 1/2 'Fizzy Lift' if this album leaves you a little bit cold."

So they're derivative...who isn't? It's still good.

Marty McKolskey | Sherman Oaks, CA USA | 05/11/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Alright, so they sound like Jellyfish. (A *lot* like Jellyfish, the truth be told.)First of all, this album is, at the very least, excellent listening music. If you like any of these artists, give it a spin: Jellyfish, Matthew Sweet, The Grays, Brendan Benson, Jason Falkner, Ben Folds Five, Jon Brion, The Argument, or other related derivatives.Now, if you're a Jellyfish fan that enjoys taking time out to rip a band like the Tories for sounding too much like Andy and the boys...please. Take a deep breath. And look the other way.Jellyfish was in itself a hybrid Beatles/Queen/Beach Boys/T-Rex combination. They were brilliant, granted; they also weren't original. Complaining that one band ripped off another is fruitless and pointless. Everyone ripped off the Beatles, and even they ripped off countless international artists no one will ever hear of. So relax, put your feet up. Enjoy the new music.The Tories have done what Jellyfish weren't going to do: release a new album. And unless Andy Sturmer stops making that horrid country pop schlock, Tories albums are the best new music that Jellyfishers are going to get for a long while."

Saw the band, loved the CD

Shawn | Central California | 02/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After seeing the band perform in Sacramento last weekend, I bought the CD. I really enjoyed their performance, and I love the CD too. (Now I just have to go find their first one too!)I find the music on this CD to be really enjoyable. There is a range of sounds from fun and pop-y (the Jesse theme song) to mellow songs, with some harder, more aggressive sound thrown in there too. It's hard to describe what they sound like, but both my husband and I really enjoy their music. He's into much harder music (Tool, Slipknot) than I am (80s & alternative) - so maybe that will help you decide if you'll like them too!"