 "Impressive" | 2008-09-16 |
| - Reviewed By User: AUCT5DZY022UC |
I like this album as much today as I did when I purchased it four years ago.
|
| |
| "The Postal Service - Give Up" | 2008-09-14 |
| - Reviewed By constant255 |
| Exploring and listening to different music genres is something I enjoy doing. This album was my introduction to the electronic pop genre. The Postal Service's (Ben Gibbard, Jimmy Tamborello A.K.A. Dntel) debut album "Give Up" (2003), an impressive ten track release full of chill feel good music (first electronic pop I have listened to). The album's opener "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" has Gibbard singing a story of heart ache backed by some outstanding instrumentals from Tamborello. The follow up track "Such Great Heights" is another winner. My favourite track on this release is the upbeat "Sleeping In" - Gibbard delivers positive lyrics and a hook I can relate to "Don't Wake me I Plan On Sleeping In". Jen Wood joins Gibbard on "Nothing Better", which is followed up by "Recycled Air" a story of teenage love. "We Will Become Silhouettes" is another solid track. Postal Service change the tempo on the somber "This Place is a Prison" and look for a brighter future on "Brand New Colony". The album's closer is "Natural Anthem", Tamborello experiments with a variety of beats, with Gibbard having less of a presence. I enjoyed the chemistry these two artists have - Gibbard delivers soulful vocals while Tamborello shines as a producer, hope they reunite for another album. |
| |
 "The Greatest of Heights" | 2008-08-26 |
| - Reviewed By cale-reneau |
You know that pivotal scene in "Garden State" where Natalie Portman's character shows Zach Braff's character a song by The Shins? She says, "You gotta hear this one song, it'll change your life I swear," and it literally does set into motion a chain of events that changes his life completely. That is exactly how I feel about The Postal Service's Give Up, an album that changed my life and my perception of what good music is, and what it could be.
If you've read my musings before, you're undoubtedly aware of the story of how I first heard this album. Driving with a friend during Spring Break 2004 (whoo!), he puts in this CD and begins plaing "Nothing Better." Jimmy Tamborello's bellish synth sound reminds me of when Mario collects a coin, and being the huge video game nerd that I am, that won me over entirely. It was the first time I had heard Ben Gibbard's perfect (album) voice, perfectly complemented not only by Tamborello's flawless composition, but Jen Wood's sugary-sweet vocals. I semi-dated/saw/hung out/got complicated with this girl that very same year and this became our unofficial "song." She would sing Jen's lines and I would sing Ben's. It was cheesy, but it was good times.
That whole Spring Break I poured over this album. I remember waking up in the morning, walking over to my CD player, pressing play, and then going back to bed where I would lie down, close my eyes and just take it in. The first track, "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" still gives me goosebumps when the music starts and Ben softly croons, "Smeeeeared blaaaack ink," practically reaching out through the speakers and pulling me in. It's slow, meandering start makes its uptempo ending all the more exciting, bringing a smile to my face almost always. It's outdone on the album, only by the modern pop classic, "Such Great Heights," a song whose lyrics, composition, and performances all achieve a perfection that - up until that time - had never thought possible. Sure, Iron & Wine totally killed the whole carefree, lovey-dovey vibe that this song had going for it, but if anything it makes you appreciate the original that much more.
Of course, it's not all hugs and kisses. Songs like "Sleeping In" and "This Place is a Prison" show Gibbard taking on a more realistic, less romantic world view. The former song's lyrics are, again, one of the album's high points. "This Place is Prison" is definitely the lowest point on Give Up, particularly because of it's lack of energy, though that doesn't keep it from being an interesting listen at all. When listened to in the context of the album, it's a welcomed change of pace and tone. "Natural Anthem" is also a bit different from the rest of the songs. The longest track on the album, it begins with a solemn violin loop before adding more layers that I can count. Gibbard doesn't even start singing until the 4 minute mark, and by that time, his voice is the last thing you'd expect to hear from the song. It sounds almost foreign, but as always, it's particularly lovely.
And what would a review of Give Up be without mention of its two most-romantic songs, "Clark Gable" and "Brand New Colony?" "Gable" tells the story of how Ben grabs a few friends, a camera, and a van, and tries to create the perfect love scene. Why? Because he's "been waiting since birth to find a love that would look and sound like the movies." It's a charming song, to be sure, with one of Tamborello's most toned-down compositions on the album. It never gets in the way, or steps out of line. "Brand New Colony" is entirely different, containing more Mario-esque synths and one of the most recognizable starting melodies ever. Here, Gibbard speaks of his desire to take his lover and start a brand new colony where "everything will change." Jenny Lewis lends her vocals to that line, repeating it beautifully and subtly (Jenny Lewis, subtle? There's a first!) as she harmonizes with Gibbard. It is probably the most beautiful moment on the album, which is saying a lot for such a glorious record.
In hindsight, the impact that this album has made on me is clear. Whether or not that has an influence on how I feel about it is debatable, though I think this is definitely a record that can stand on its own merits. I didn't even know what indie music was, or even heard of it, until I listened to Give Up. Though saying it changed my life may sound like an extreme exaggeration, it really has changed so much about my thoughts, tastes, and opinions on the art form. I hesitate to say that it is my favorite album of all time, though if one were to point a gun to my head and demand an answer, this one probably would flow off the tongue easier than anything else. The bottom line is that Give Up is a very important album, not only for me, but for indie and electronic music in general. In my opinion, it is an album without flaw or missteps, one that should undoubtedly be considered a massive achievement in music, and one that I've not grown tired of yet. Only time will tell if the album remains a favorite of mine, but for right now it's just as magical and beautiful as ever. That works for me.
Key Tracks:
1. "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight"
2. "Such Great Heights"
3. "Nothing Better"
4. "We Will Become Silhouettes"
5. "Brand New Colony"
10 out of 10 Stars |
| |
| "Great" | 2008-07-29 |
| - Reviewed By dalbvol |
| This is very innovative music. It is electronic trancey music that is quite different from most stuff you will have heard, partly because it is not composed or played like "ordinary" electronic music. It is quite impressive in its soundscapes with a texture is is almost organic. |
| |
| "Auditory Valium" | 2008-07-22 |
| - Reviewed By User: APWFHCE4YDTW3 |
| First word: Incredible. Although, I've listened to various of tracks from this album, I've never owned. This side project from DCFC's Ben Gibbard and his cohort Jimmy Tamborello is just what the doctor ordered. Last word: Nice. |
| |
| "Infectious, amazing" | 2008-04-03 |
| - Reviewed By banderb |
I came to this album with fresh ears, meaning I had never heard Death Cab For Cutie, or Dntel. In fact, I'd never heard anything by either of them. I happened to stumble upon this one day on Pandora.
After reading all the rave reviews and hearing a few samples I bought the album.
The first time I listened I thought "Ehh, it's okay. Not sure what all the hype is about."
Then I found the songs stuck in my head. So I listened again.. and again.. and, well now I am listening to this album every single day.
It is quite simply an intelligent, innovative, original and flat out fun album.
Highlights include "We Will Become Silhouettes" and "Nothing Better" and "Brand New Colony". The atari-like bass in "Nothing Better" is sort of weird and almost annoying at first but like the rest of the album it works its way into your brain and eventually you end up loving the way it meshes so perfectly with Ben's voice.
The weakest tracks are "This Place Is A Prison" and "Sleeping In". The former is just boring, the latter would be OK but the lyrics are a little pretentious. |
| |
| "An Ultimate Album" | 2008-01-26 |
| - Reviewed By sarrazak |
So, I've had "Give Up" for about 4 years now and have never stopped listening to it. Jimmy Tamborello and Ben Gibbard are the Batman and Superman of music. Delivering imagery lyrics with pop-addictive instrumentals, these songs evoke the ups and downs of an eternal romance we all hope to experience, in a way that's unusual but not obscure.
While the album is, obviously, about the music, which is fantastic, you can't mention these songs without describing the emotions of the lyrics AND the music. While most of us are familiar with Gibbard, Tamborello strongly holds his own in administering the beats and sounds to emphasize the lyrics but could easily be enjoyed by themselves.
With accompanying vocals provided by Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl (Jenny Lewis and Jen Wood), every song is a nearly perfect orchestration of sound, feeling and imagination. While, I'm sure that most people are introduced to today's "indie music" scene with this album, it really is a classic and highly recommended.
Also, I suggest checking out Tamborello's other band, Figurine or James Figurine. If you're a PS fan, you'll definitely be able to pick out 1 or 10 songs from these albums; especially, since Dntel is a bit rougher to jump into.
My favs in order (although, they tend to jump around by my mood), although nothing scores less than a 9.5.
1. The District Sleeps Alone Tonight
2. Brand New Colony
3. Clark Gable
4. Natural Anthem
5. We Will Become Silhouettes
6. Recycled Air
7. This Place Is A Prison
8. Such Great Heights
9. Sleeping In
10. Nothing Better |
| |
| "You get your mail from..., you guessed "The Postal Service" ?" | 2008-01-20 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2QPPM7WSJQHLN |
Ok, so pretty much everything has been said 'bout this album that's going to be said...except for this..."Brand New Colony" is straight up old-skool Mario Nintendo music...
Anyway, I'm only reviewing this album to help it out a lil, How the heck does this album not have a 5 star rating? I see so much crap on Amazon w/ 5 stars, but not this, wow...
Anyway, prolly one of the most beautiful albums ever made...Listen to it, "...when your drifting off to sleep"
O.o when they gunna have a new CD, I feel so starved...I guess theres no need to rush genius. |
| |
| "The way you move me" | 2008-01-01 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1R4GIMSOKO2RP |
Arguably the best album of the millennia. Listening to it makes you cherish where you are and who you are with.
This Place is a Prison (SLEEPER!!)- The first half separates from the Second bringing in an intrepid drum-beat. Many people have already experience how amazing it is to SLEEP to. Try it, you owe it to yourself. |
| |
| "A great all-around album!" | 2007-12-12 |
| - Reviewed By jonrice |
What can I say, this album is simply amazing! Great lyrics, great beats, irresistible melodies! This album has it all. I hope they release a second album someday!
|
| |
Expedited Available
