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Old loves Liquid Liquid, ESG and A Certain Ratio haven’t been abandoned and their percussionist still works overtime, but the spirits of Prince, Kraftwerk (both on the wryly self-referential "Dear Can"), Chic and even ABC (on the politicised "Shit Scheisse Merde Pt 1") make cameo appearances.
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They write some good tunes, and they have some appropriately strident abuse for lyrics. But there’s not enough for an album.
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One of the most assured, unashamedly danceable albums that we’ve heard for quite a while.
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Louden Up Now is easily the best record to come out of the [new wave dance punk revival] movement; its ten tracks are filled with fervor, hooks, passion and power.
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While the album certainly has cuts worth hearing, it's just not a satisfying listen.
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Under The RadarWhat's so exhilarating about this record, despite all its precise playing, is the casual way in which it shifts rhythmically, never seeming to follow a specific course, yet never losing its way. [#7]
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New Musical Express (NME)For their righteous dance moves alone, these guys are for keeps. [5 Jun 2004, p.56]
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If you take away the 9 minutes of their already-released big single, you could probably squeeze a tight EP out of Louden Up Now, but as a full-length [it] starts with a bang and ends with sort of a whimper. Fun to filler in 53 minutes.
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The music is still missing one crucial element—hooks. There really aren’t any of which to speak, and no amount of production skill and instrumental finesse is able to mask that.
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So the production is great, the songbook is varied, and the band is tighter and more ambitious than ever-- the only problem with Louden Up Now is the unfortunate paucity of ideas within the songs themselves.
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BlenderEighties punk-funk meets '60s idealism and reefer-toking? Make way for the hipster hippies. [#27, p.134]
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UrbSound[s] like the most genuine "no wave" tribute album yet. [Jun 2004, p.83]
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!!! has put together an end-to-end burner here, full of songs that will move your ass and stick in your ear for weeks.
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Q MagazineMusic that makes you 10 percent sleazier than you were--now where's that dancefloor? [Jul 2004, p.110]
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Alternative PressIf bastard of ceremonies Nic Offer would shut his piehole, Louden Up Now! would improve 50 percent. [Aug 2004, p.106]
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The caveat is that this is primarily dance music, and doesn't make for a super-compelling listen on a full attention basis.
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A decent album, then. But one containing an EP that would've had us going "!!!!!".
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UncutIt's exuberant dorkiness, as well as fluidity of playing, that makes !!! stand out. [Jul 2004, p.106]
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Their dark disco punk is as close to a New York sound as anything these days.
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Now, this wouldn't seem so bad, or filler-friendly, if !!! offered an advancement on "Giuliani." Alas, no.
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FilterSounds like the house mix for a Marxist disco. [#11, p.92]
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Entertainment WeeklySome of the cuts get lost in a stagnant loop. [25 Jun 2004, p.166]
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Sounds like a funky offshoot of the Stone Roses, mining blissed-out acid grooves, hypnotic rhythms and the kind of distant, detached vocals that don't sound like vocals at all.
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SpinUnfortunately, the elements that clicked so well on "Giuliani" prove an awkward fit on !!!'s sophomore full-length. [Jul 2004, p.111]
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A funkdafied smart-bomb that's one part Brooklyn, one part Madchester, guitar-meets-echo-chamber, a little Kompakt but still a little sprawling.
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This is the smartest fun music (and the most fun smart music) I've heard this year.
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An album that nails both the balance and the imbalance promised by any true fusion of rock and dance music.
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MagnetMake no mistake: You will dance. [#64, p.80]
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The only real downside to Louden Up Now is the surprising amount of filler surrounding the meaner cuts.
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The WireThere probably isn't a track here you won't be hearing in some club, park or block party throughout the summer, so you might as well start now. [#245, p.51]
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Nimble as they are, !!! are definitely a little too certain of their own funkiness.
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PlanetResolutely bottom-heavy and abstract. [#7, p.73]
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 21 out of 22
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Mixed: 1 out of 22
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Negative: 0 out of 22
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inescJul 25, 2007if this is even possible, they're even better live.
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HollyPMay 19, 2006a great great one. really good dancing ice bass
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karlatDec 29, 2005definately on my top ten albums this year. There are no bad songs. Glad I came across it. Good band to see in concert too.