The Broken West - I Can't Go On, I'll Go On
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Music CD Cover
Artist: The Broken WestEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2007-01-23
Music Label: Merge Records
Soundtracks:
- On the Bubble
- So It Goes
- Down in the Valley
- Shiftee
- Brass Ring
- Big City
- You Can Build an Island
- Hale Sunrise
- Abigail
- Slow
- Baby on My Arm
- Like a Light
Free Music Notes for I Can't Go On, I'll Go On
Free Music Review: They Can Go On
Hit: 4 Stars
I saw the Broken West open up for The National, summer 2007... what a show. One of the few opening acts that could've headlined. I'm sure they will be shortly, based on this album. They have some upbeat pop elements but stay true to the 'indie' title... are we all getting sick of calling REAL GOOD MUSIC indie, or is it just me? Anyway, on with the review...
The album starts with what most say is a great song, although I don't like it. Nothing too catchy. Track 2, "So It Goes", starts with pounding drums, and I think this was how they opened the concert. Instantly drew me in. Kind of like Brian Wilson crooning over one of Spoon's happier songs. "Down in the Valley" starts with some grungy (another one of those terms that needs replacing) guitars, then brings in some semi-effected/filtered vocals, ala The Bigger Lovers/Electric Soft Parade, but finds more of a melody than most of eithers' catalogues. "Shiftee" is downbeat and forgettable. "Brass Ring" picks things up again, in the same vein as "So It Goes". Hopefully this will be Broken West's bread and butter. What a song. "Big City" contains some synths and funky piano riffs, reminding me again of Spoon, but also a bit of Beatles in there, and some other influences I can't pin down yet. "You Can Build an Island" has simplistic melody, soothing vocals, solid guitars, and is a true gem. Brings to mind Julian Lennon's song "I Don't Wanna Know".
This leads into the album's standout, in my opinion. "Hale Sunrise" has it all. Great vocal arrangements, pounding beats, grooving piano. This one will be in heavy rotation for me for quite some time. Really digging this track. Very uplifting. "Abigail" follows and is a nice addition to the ever growing list of songs with first names of women. Nice backing vocals, Beatle/Beach Boy-esque, with some spacially separated drums plodding nicely in the background, until an electric piano solo leads into the 3rd verse. Great 1-2 punch here.
"Slow" is definitely fast, but drags. Nothing exceptional, actually the only song that I consider filler. Next up is the haunting "Baby on My Arm", with vocals swirling and blending into a nice sweeping pad. Good guitar strumming on this one. Check out the version of this song on the Woxy.com lounge act. Truly amazing. "Like a Light" closes off the album, and has a real 'bookend' feel. Slow build up to a nice end to a great album.
All in all, I regret selling this disc back to the record shop after I ripped it. I have a feeling I'll be wanting more than the mp3's on my PC in the years to come. Oh yeah, just a note... if you can find their cover of Tegan and Sara's "Back in Your Head" online, don't miss it. They take the annoying out of it and turn it into a beautiful song. They Can Go On, They Will Go On.
I Can't Go On, I'll Go On Poster
Their debut is a power-pop gem, shimmering and cool, with sharp edges and soaring melodies. The record deals with eternal themes of isolation, distance, and the longing for a center - a sense of place - in this topsy-turvy world. The Kinks, Big Star, and The Byrds, as well as more contemporary favorites like Spoon, Wilco, and Teenage Fanclub are certainly touchstones, but The Broken West's winning songs stand on their own.Alternative Rock Music CDs
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