BSP have every right to feel content. After all, the almost men of sylvan, jagged rock, the pride of Britain's bookish, bird-watching bohemia, have made an album that's deserving of their swagger. Do you like rock music? If not, here's the perfect place to start.
You can almost feel the wind and rain outside, and this adds to the mixture of melancholia and euphoria throughout, the latter realised most obviously on 'Waving Flags.' And that's the spirit that runs through this fine album, staying with the listener long after the final stanzas of 'We Close Our Eyes' bring it full circle.
Even as the band never quite achieves the transcendent moments of its influences, standouts like 'No Lucifer' and 'Waving Flags' touch real greatness. [Feb 15 2008, p.65]
I've always been a fan of these guys. The CD is without a doubt a 10. A must own is everyones collection. If you like this you should I've always been a fan of these guys. The CD is without a doubt a 10. A must own is everyones collection. If you like this you should give the Duels a listen.…Expand
Once again the two biggest haters (Pitchfork and PopMatters) talk trash about one of the best albums of the year. This album is practically Once again the two biggest haters (Pitchfork and PopMatters) talk trash about one of the best albums of the year. This album is practically flawless from start to finish. BSP expand upon their sound with dazzling results. Don't believe the hate.…Expand
I disagree with Pitchfork a lot of the time (and at some point agree with their judgements) but here they are about as wrong as they can be. I disagree with Pitchfork a lot of the time (and at some point agree with their judgements) but here they are about as wrong as they can be. This album borrows a lot from tunes of the past; the melodies, the structures and perhaps some lyrical content (though on the most part there is some serious ingenuity here), but the feel of this album is absolutely unsurpassed by anything I have heard in a good while. There are truly passionate and amazingly written masterpieces here that send your mind over every edge of its boundary. I don't see this as a gentle album, I see it as one of a challenge to let go of your preconceived notion of convention and really let yourself fly loose in understanding this twisted world around you. Perhaps it's a bit much to garner from a few tunes, but this album does this to me. Songs 3-5 especially hold sway as absolute masterpieces and I hope that people realize this rather than just base judgement on others reviews. For some it may not cut past a few listens, but I can honestly say that within 1 week I'm on my 40th + listen and each one is an experience. Pick it up and give it a shot. At the very least you'll be rewarding a truly passionate act.…Expand
This album reminds me strongly of U2's Joshua Tree. Not so much musically - though BSP clearly owes a musical debt to early U2 - but in This album reminds me strongly of U2's Joshua Tree. Not so much musically - though BSP clearly owes a musical debt to early U2 - but in its unique sort of ambition. This is BSP's moon shot, it's Big Statement, and it's so bombastic and intense and grand that it skates right up to the edge of pomposity and pretense. But they rescue themselves by simply never doing anything wrong. If it were less musically excellent, if the lyrics were less interesting or more standard, if the guitars rocked a little less hard, it'd be an unmitigated disaster of ego and pomp. There's a ring of authentic inspiration here, a genuineness that provides some substance to the big sounds; were it not there, it'd sound hollow and forced. A solid 9; not Echo and the Bunnymen's "Porcupine" but pretty damn good.…Expand
No Lucifer rules. Well recorded, well played, well sequenced. Just missing sometime, and I'm not sure what it is. Maybe too overloaded. No Lucifer rules. Well recorded, well played, well sequenced. Just missing sometime, and I'm not sure what it is. Maybe too overloaded. I dunno. For as good as it is while I'm listening to it, I don't find myself wanting to listen to it all the time.…Expand
Man, I really don't know what you folks are listening to! This is a poorly recorded, half-baked, mess of an album. I loved Open Man, I really don't know what you folks are listening to! This is a poorly recorded, half-baked, mess of an album. I loved Open Season...thought it was terrific, still do. I also liked the first album...DYLRM is so bad I can't even sit through it. drums sounds like pencils, loud distorted guitars howl away in the background as a meek ,way too close to the mic sounding voice bleeds through...the songs, most of them have no chorus whatsoever...Waving Flags is Ok, but it sounds like an Open Season outtake. Sorry guys...I'm jumping ship.…Expand
