Welcome, Guest

Staff Picks

See All

School of Language

Sea From Shore

Email This

Review

Rated

by jimtarnation on 02/12/2008

For an 11 song album in which 4 of the songs are variations of the same song (Rockist Parts 1-4), Sea From Shore is a surprisingly strong record. Maybe it's the fact that those 4 variations are of an incredibly strong pop song, built upon a vocal loop of vowels (aa-ee-ii-oo-aa, no u, regrettably). The first solo project from Field Music's David Brewis, Sea From Shore is a very natural progression from the textured and kinetic pop of his parent band. What it isn't, however, is as polished, and in a very good way.

Without the sharp edges of a perfectly played & executed & recorded pop record, like Field Music's Tones of Town or The New Pornographers Electric Version, School of Language acquires an edge that makes most of these songs much less than predictable, even if it is one of the "Rockist" songs, which are all built upon that same vocal loop & breezy guitar melody that rarely wavers & even more rarely changes. When it does, say at the end of "Rockist Part 4," Brewis changes the song into a feedback drone that sounds as if it could have been transported from some missing Eno record from the early 70's. And you'll hear no more perfect song than "Poor Boy" in 2008. Not perfect like perfect and pristine, a masterpiece of execution. Perfect in it's simplicity and in it's willingness to let the rough edges show.

Add Comment

Comments

Nice. I also really dig this record. I do get a little tired of the re-use of the vowel trick, and it seems a little over-milked. But that first tune really stands out and the rest of the album does a good job of keeping you interested and entertained.

Posted by Anonymous User on 02/14/2008

Downloads

My Mixtape Rockist Part 1 [MP3]

Album Details

Year: 2008
Label: Thrill Jockey
Producer:
Musicians:

Collective

Members Who Like School of Language - Sea From Shore

EdLavender

jimtarnation

Review This Album

Rate it:

Avg. Rating:

2 RATINGS

Add to Heavy Rotation

Tracklist

1	Rockist Part 1
2	Rockist Part 2
3	Disappointment '99
4	Poor Boy
5	Keep Your Water
6	Marine Life
7	Ships
8	This Is No Fun
9	Extended Holiday
10	Rockist Part 3 (Aposiopesis)
11	Rockist Part 4

Buy It

School of Language Sea from Shore New from: $11.03 Used from: $4.36

Buy from Amazon.com