Guster - Ganging Up on the Sun
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Music CD Cover
Artist: GusterEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2006-06-20
Music Label: Reprise / Wea
Soundtracks:
- Lightning Rod
- Satellite
- Manifest Destiny
- One Man Wrecking Machine
- The Captain
- The New Underground
- Ruby Falls
- C'mon
- Empire State
- Dear Valentine
- The Beginning of the End
- Hang On
Free Music Notes for Ganging Up on the Sun
Free Music Review: This is a long one
Hit: 5 Stars
It's the latest and most scatter brained Guster album to date. And such is the evolution of the band. Starting with a simple pair of bongos and the more prominent voice of Adam Gardner in their freshman album, Parachutes, the band moved to a more spaced out, "hippie" feel with Goldfly two years later. Lost and Gone Forever (1999), their third and in my mind, their most solid and beautiful album yet, was an emotional journey, riddled with their most cogent lyrics and most poignant vocals. It was named the 753rd greatest album of all time by WXPN 88.5 radio. Not too bad for a "college" band. This propelled them to some modest fame, or "pseudo-celebrity status" as the band would soon put it. After their album Keep it Together (2003), it seemed their new sound was entering the mainstream. With the addition of a fourth member and the addition of one of their tracks on the Wedding Crashers soundtrack, Guster had reached new heights. What is a band supposed to do when you've got more musical opportunities at your fingertips than ever before? When your live act is one of the most critically acclaimed out there? When you have four albums under your belt? Well, you could either start going experimental like the Beatles, you could sell out, or you can do whatever the heck you want. Thankfully, Guster does the latter. That is where the "scatter brained" part comes in. I'll explain what I mean by doing a short little song by song review.
1) Lightning Rod - 10/10: In my mind, and in my heart, this is the best song on the album. Taking a page out of Elliot Smith's book, this mellow opener sets the tone for a new sound. It drips so much with emotion, it sounds like it could be out of a Wes Anderson film. But, I feel that it shouldn't have been used as the opener. A song like this needs to be discovered later in the album. Instead, I think think they could have used this song as maybe an Interlude, rather than an Intro. Having said that, I'm also glad it was first because it might not have had the same effect on me otherwise.
2) Satellite - 7.5/10: If things couldn't get more hippie, they just did. This catchier tune is a good follow up for Lightning Rod. But to me, I feel like this one is merely very good mood/background music, but that's more than you can say for a lot of music out there today.
3) Manifest Destiny - 8/10: Now, the Guster boys pull you in a new direction. All of a sudden, it's like they are playing with Ben Folds again. It was their first single on the album and it consequently contains the words "ganging up ont he sun...", which leads me to believe it holds a special place in Guster's heart. Well, it does in mine too. Something about that last chord just makes me happy..
4) One Man Wreching Machine - 8/10: This was their second single of the album and it takes you in yet another direction. Bordering on Coldplay, Guster continues to display their more full and diverse sound. Having listened to it 29 times (according to my iTunes playcount) before the release of the album, I can honestly say, the novelty has worn off a bit. None the less, it remains a stellar song.
5) The Captain - 9/10: This track keeps you on your toes as you start to wonder: Have they gone to country? bluegrass? what is this? Rather than try categorize this one, I'd rather just sing along as I bounce up and down in my chair. :) I feel like this one might be largely contributed by Joe Pisapia (the "new" guy), who's presence is certainly felt on this album. Joe's the man!
6) The New Underground - 9/10: Released along with their second single, this less-than-three-minute "rock interlude" keeps the pace pushing. Not only does it sport some sweet Thundergod fills, but it also has the best basslines in the album. Brian reminds us that just because he doesn't record any more bongo tracks doesn't mean he can't rock out on the set.
7) Ruby Falls - 10/10: Rivaling Ligtning Rod as the best song on the album, Ruby Falls breaks the conventions of today's 3 minute American track. The building chord progressions and vocals still make me cringe with emotion everytime...in a good way. Though the horn compilation at the end could have been better, it does add an aspect of rawness to it. This track doesn't try to be anything that it's not and Guster remains true to its fans.
8) C'mon - 9/10: By far, the catchiest track on the album. I can already tell, this one is gonna be their best live song to come off of Ganging Up on the Sun. Bordering country, yet still inherently Guster, you can't help but sing along.
9) Empire State - 6/10: This is when the album begins to slump. Rather than being a slow and beautiful song, this one seems to drag and becomes a little boring. It almost seems like it could be another Come Downstairs and Say Hello, but unfortunately, the song goes nowhere. On their website, the band tries to give this song a voice by giving it away as a free download if you become a member of a club online. They couldn't fool me with that trick. ;) Although, I do appreciate the raw beauty of Ryan's vocals.
10) Dear Valentine - 6/10: The more I listen to this song, the sadder I get. And not in the way that Guster intended. This song reminds me of the waning voice of Adam Gardner. Since Keep it Together, Adam has been relegating to only one song. Granted, Ramona from Keep it Together is easily one of their greatest songs of all time, Dear Valentine just falls completely flat.
11) The Beginning of the End - 9/10: YES! Guster is back!! To kick you in the pants. This song reminds you that they can still rock out, and that most of their fast paced songs on the album begin with the world "The". This track is one of those songs I turn up real loud in my car when I'm alone (or with my girlfriend, because she know's I'm a freak) and shake my head around like I'm listening Slipknot or something. Yeah....this is wuss rock at its finest...
12) Hang On - 8/10: YES! Again! I'm so glad this album ends well. Ryan takes us home with his typical "twangy" falsetto and Joe works us back down to reality with some classic keyboarding.
Overall Ganging Up on the Sun gets an 8/10
Ganging Up on the Sun Poster
Guster?s playful yet literate, spirited and largely acoustic pop-rock returns with the endearing college favorite?s first studio album in three years. Ganging Up On The Sun?produced by Ron Aniello [Lifehouse, Barenaked Ladies and Guster?s previous album, Keep It Together], the band, and new member Joe Pisapia?retains the unconventional, melodic pop craftsmanship and flawless harmonies that have garnered Guster one of the most devoted fan followings in the country. Guster brightens up the summer with Ganging Up On The Sun.Together for over a decade, Guster's new album is their fifth and it shows them having gained a certain breadth in their middle age (that's middle age in band years). Recorded in Nashville, they're now expanded to a quartet with multi-instrumentalist Joe Pisapia as a fulltime member adding a range of mature sounds and textures (everything from lap steel guitar, banjo and dulcimer to trumpet). They've fashioned a work that's radio friendly without being cloy, largely because of the subtle unpredictability of the arrangements and the underlying songs. They move with ease from the dreamily hypnotic "Satellite" to the slashing guitars of "The New Underground." They're equally at home with high volume (the thunderous "the Beginning of the End") and low ("Empire State"). Ryan Miller's confident vocals lend an everyman friendliness to the set as a whole. --David Greenberger
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