Review:

on 2011-04-02 CharlesMartel Said:

When I saw this I thought it was a single as I could not understand why there should be two "tracks" mentioned on the CD spine. It was only when they let me open it up to check that I realised it was a double album. Not just any double album mind you, but a double album comprising two separate albums. "Microcastle" is the first CD and "Weird Era Cont." is the second. A strange state of affairs if you ask me. I was going to review them separately, but seeing as some kind soul has now combined them, I shall have to do it as one.

First off, all the genre labelling of this has got it all wrong. This is not shoegaze. Just because the band uses distorted guitars or dreamy, incomprehensible vocals does not turn a piece of indie rock into a shoegaze album. This is not the first album of the year erroneously labelled in this way - "Deathconsciousness" is another. This is a mixture of indie rock and psychedelic rock. Quite simply, it is Spiritualized's clued up younger brother. I wouldn't normally bring this up, but this mislabelling is getting on my nerves - second division hacks in sub-standard newspapers should STFU if they don't know what they are talking about.

OK, what about the music? Well it is, after all, two separate albums. The first, "Microcastle" is rather like a middle aged man. It takes a while to get going and definitely sags in the middle, but it ends well. The instrumental opener, "Cover Me" sets the tone, and while there is a slight diversion to "Agoraphobia", it gets back on track with "Never Stops" and "Little Kids". Then it all starts to go badly wrong. The next four tracks are pretty dire as the band collectively wander off along an ambient path to...well to what I don't know. But this is the saggy midriff of the album, the beer belly, the bit you try to hide when a fit woman walks past. And then it picks up. The last four tracks contain three of the best on the album. "Nothing Ever Happened" starts off with a jaunty, almost discordant vocal line but, once the poor chat-up line is over, it soon settles down in a long and satisfying conclusion gratifying the senses, just like all we middle aged men know how. "Saved by Old Times" is memorably catchy and that sets you up for the great conclusion, the satiating of all your desires, where the end makes you forget the unattractive midriff - "Twilight at Carbon Lake" is an excellent way to end an album.

Now what would have been the album of the year gets rather spoilt, in my view, by the addition of the second album in the set. "Weird Era Cont." does not have the same style or charm as "Microcastle". If the latter is a middle aged man, then the former is an old man slipping quietly into senile dementia. It is incoherent and a complete misjudgement in linking the two albums together. More ambient and less focused, it has few memorable moments. The final track "Calvary Scars II/Aux. Out" is probably the best on the album but it goes on too long and eventually, like the senile old man the album represents, rather dribbles its way out of the picture.

This is a pity. "Microcastle" is probably the album of the year, but with the addition of "Weird Era Cont.", the overall rating is dragged down. Like I said, a pity. What middle aged man wants to be reminded of the fact that dotage awaits him just around the corner.
Rating: 6/10

on 2009-02-05 X_NaStY Said:

Giving this album a shot as I've seen it on a bunch of lists on various sites as one of the best albums last year. To be honest, I'm not too into it. Many of the songs are just too slow and drawn out to keep my attention for more than a few seconds. However, when they do speed it up a little bit and get some energy going it can be pretty good. All in all it just comes off as kind of a bore to me. Maybe it's just one of those acquired taste albums.
Not Rated

on 2008-10-06 dscanland Said:

Sadly, I've never listened to Deerhunter. Deerhoof yes, but no Deerhunter. I'll take your recommendation though and give Microcastle a shot. Good review!
Not Rated

Review:

on 2008-10-05 yardz23 Said:

Well, let me start off by saying, "i liked cryptograms." Not a ton, though. Don't shoot me. I feel like i almost MADE myself like it, and in the end, i came to find that i really enjoyed 3 different tracks and that was about it.

And here's "Microcastle"; I love it. It sounds like they have really found their stride and this is a truly great album in the classic sense. What i love the most about it, is there aren't any 'skippers,' each song is different but equally good. And of course, it's best when played straight through. Couldn't be happier with this release and follow up to "Cryptograms"

If your looking for singles, I'd say "Agrophobia" "Never Stops" "Microcastle" "Green Jacket" and "Nothing Ever Happened"..... *edit* AND "Twilight at Carbon Lake" but like i said; they're all pretty good so check it out
Rating: 9/10