Sadly, though, there's just not enough forward thinking on 'Origin 1' to give TSOOL the ammunition for a second attempted coup of the rock revolution. [23 Oct 2004, p.51]
I doubt that anybody who found enjoyment in Behind The Music will be able to outright hate Origin Volume 1 because it’s about as similar to its predecessor as a follow-up record can be.
Origin is a saccharin mouthful of bloated riffs, burdensome lyrical clichés, and second-rate studio trickery -- songs that lurch rather than rock. In other words, it’s Oasis at their best or the Doves at their absolute worst.
A tour de force. Spellbinding, relentless, with moments of rock perfection. Soundtrack of our Lives channel the rock gods of the 60s and A tour de force. Spellbinding, relentless, with moments of rock perfection. Soundtrack of our Lives channel the rock gods of the 60s and early 70s and somehow make it all seem fresh, vivid.…Collapse
I need to drop some love on TSOOL. They and I love rock and roll. They are not rip-off artists unless you only interpret music through I need to drop some love on TSOOL. They and I love rock and roll. They are not rip-off artists unless you only interpret music through others. I was there in the '60s diggin on the tunes. Several others were too. I don't mean to denigrate younger listeners. All I'm sayin' is that I would bet that older listeners appreciate TSOOL more than younger, which I personally find sad. This isn't as good as the last two TSOOL albums. Those are 10s. So this is a 9. Does it suck? Hell, no. Let me respond to those who love the music but think the lyrics are weak. "Pictures of Matchstick Men" and "Wild Thing", are those classics worth 9 or 10? I think they are. Do they have "great" lyrics? No, but are they great r/r songs. Of course. This album (which has weaker lyrics than the last two TSOOL albums) has several great "songs". I'm not going to feel bad because they aren't perfect, lyrically. Give me a break! How many songs, outside of your own perfect little world, have perfect lyrics? "Wheels of Boredom" probably has the greatest chorus (a simple "Sha la la, la la, la la la la la") as any song I can EVER think of. "Borderline"...my God, what a lousy title, but what a great song. Sorry, I hope you can all love great rock and roll, but peace, no matter what.…Expand
Not as strong as Behind The Music, but the group tends to make thick, fat albums of dense rock'n'roll with lyrics that reference Not as strong as Behind The Music, but the group tends to make thick, fat albums of dense rock'n'roll with lyrics that reference many other great songs, films, et al. This is the most "ecomonical" album to date [lead singer Ebbot Lundberg told me himself that he's not fond of the album, that Origins Vol. 2 will be more like previous outtings]. Far from a "snorefest" [how old are you Katie H.? Only children write like that...] there are some fine moments leading off with "Believe I Found" and ending with "Age Of No Reply". Unlike so many "retro" rock acts, these guys no how to play, and where the good hooks come from. And that's the exciting part, they know the history of rock'n'roll, they wear it on their sleeves, and got the chops to back it all up with. Beatles,Beefheart, Stones, Stooges, the Who, Damned, Pink Floyd, MC5, music fans in love with music. And They know how to play it. Seen the Dears or the Bravery yet? Well, theres your snorefest.…Expand
It's not classic but is one of the best albums released this year. This album is a mix of f***in rock n' roll and psychodelic ideas It's not classic but is one of the best albums released this year. This album is a mix of f***in rock n' roll and psychodelic ideas that makes you remember the essence of rock music.…Expand
While I don't find this album to be either great or original, I do believe that it possesses a quality that reviewers such as Pitchfork While I don't find this album to be either great or original, I do believe that it possesses a quality that reviewers such as Pitchfork neglect to mention, and that is that it is very catchy. While I certainly wouldn't argue that the lead singer is destined for the Opera, I don't think his voice is nearly as bad as critics make it out to be. And one on one, I think each song offers something that is interesting, though I would agree with those who claim it can tend to become tedious over time. While I've never been a huge fan of trying to mimic the idols of your past in one record, TSOOL do it very well here, and thus earn an at least respectable mark from me. Particularly stand-outish to me is how much "Midnight Children" sound like the Velvet Underground. Whether that's a good thing or not to you is really up to what you're looking for.…Expand
