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- Summary: This is the debut album for the New York indie band led by Fred Thomas.
- Record Label: Type
- Genre(s): Indie, Rock, Electronic
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
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Positive: 5 out of 7
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Mixed: 2 out of 7
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Negative: 0 out of 7
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There's almost a subversive aspect to how City Center doesn't play to Thomas' known strengths, but the risk pays off: City Center adds another fascinating dimension to his music.
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After making a million songs only a couple people have heard, it’s understandable for Thomas to harbor a little insecurity. He captures this brilliantly though in his work with City Center, and perhaps you can help him out by giving his densely-populated-yet-naked, dark-yet-glowing latest a spin.
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For an established pop writer like Thomas this sort of effort is long overdue, a necessary rung on the twisted, misdirecting ladder towards writing one of those singular, inexplicable albums.
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Under The RadarWhile the descriptors may intimate a degree oof emotional detachment, this record ultimately is anything but, exuding ample warmth while engaging the listener at a deeply personal level, and auguring even greater things to come. [Summer 2009, p.64]
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Ultimately, it's the dynamic between melodic resonance ('Young Diamond') and found-sound obfuscation (the four minutes of 'You Are a Force' are pregnant with stay amp hum) that defines a debut that I'd call "promising."
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As a debut full-length, City Center shows much promise and can rightly provide the soundtrack to a strange summer.
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Every song in the first half of the album tries so hard to get somewhere, but just ends up breaking down when it becomes obvious there’s no end in sight.