| At the Drive-In Alfaro Vive, Carajo! EP |
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 | Tracklist:
1. Bradley Smith
2. Instigate The Role
3. Ludvico Drine-In
4. Cicuit Scene
Release Date: 1995 | |
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On 1 Lists
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As is apparently evident from a few of my reviews, I really like At the Drive-In. Relationship of Command is one of my favorite albums of all time, and I think very highly of In/Casino/Out. That’s why when I finally decided to download Alfaro Vive, Carajo! (If you can actually find this on sale, I’d still happily buy it), I was surprised to find that…I just didn’t like it. While I had my reservations about Acrobatic Tenement, it was still a fun record, that had a loose sense of direction. While yes, Alfaro Vive, Carajo! shares some of that, it is painfully obvious this is one of the first recordings of At the Drive-In, and . And sans Hell Paso, it’s probably the only one you’re going to get your hands on.
One thing this record certainly exudes is energy and enthusiasm. With the lineup completely solidified by this time, much of the four total songs here feel as though they could be on Acrobatic Tenement. Cedric, sounding like a prepubescent girl with a slight testosterone problem, is extremely frenzied, perhaps more so than anywhere else. While his screams are more ear piercingly bad than actually emotional, you still get a sense of how much he just enjoys making the records at this point. However, backup vocalist and guitarist Jim Ward suffers the “Sounds almost exactly the same as Cedric" syndrome we’d see on later albums, but even more so here. It’s often difficult to make out whose singing what, at least on the first few listens. Does it really detract from the album? Nah, having two high energy, high pitched singers actually helps the album greatly.
However, musically, the album is fairly…repetitive. While the enthusiasm may have worked for Cedric’s and Jim’s vocals, the musicianship suffers from a lack of real variance. Omar (bass) is probably the highlight of the album; his rolling bass lines are nearly as audible as the riffs and leads, and fit perfectly with the brisk and frenetic tone of the album. Jim, however, suffers quite a bit from both shoddy production and plain unoriginality. While Omar mixes things up a bit in each song, it really sounds like Jim is using the same riff over and over, with very little variance. While there are moments of reprieve, it’s really Omar that differentiates the songs, and he doesn’t even show much in doing so. *Drummer* has some decent fills, but mostly is there just to keep beat on most of the songs, and since Omar (Bass) is really off in his own place of the time, he does a fairly good job of keeping the songs together. However, it’s readily apparent how young of a band is playing here, and with only 4 songs to showcase what they do, they really aren’t able to get it done.
The album certainly has its moments, with strange little choruses and complete drop-off bridges that leave you wondering, “What the hell just happened?" It’s just that the album isn’t enjoyable. Yes, it’s fun, energetic, and in all honesty should be a blast. But they were just sloppy at this point, and while some may place a higher value on how “good of kids" they were at this point, being happy to make music, I still can’t see past the overall distaste left in my mouth after the album. It isn’t a bad EP by any means; if you are a fan of At the Drive-In, it’s suggested you at least try this out, as it’s very much an early version of Acrobatic Tenement. Thing is, it lacks any real sense of what they want to do. As a mainly live act at this point, that is generally excusable, but today point, this EP is at the bottom of ATD-I’s discography. A fairly good bottom, to be sure, but a bottom nonetheless.
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Album Rating: 3
That's the only album art I could find, if it is incorrect, please tell me or delete it.
EDIT: This was also my first attempt a short, concise review of an album. Comments on whether or not I really got my points across well would be appreciated.This Message Edited On 05.07.06
Digging: Animal Collective - Spirit They've Gone, Spirit They've Vanished | | |
No cover art? Good job on the review, Iluvatar. I own RoC and Vaya and listen to parts of In/Casino/out and Acrobatic frequently. That said I don't think I'll be getting this any time in the near future. Mostly because I don't like Acrobatic all that much (still a good record, just not as good as the others).
EDIT:Nevermind about the artThis Message Edited On 05.07.06
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HA! I knew someone that hasn't even listened to the album rate it a 5... just because it's a good band doesn't mean everything they come out with is 5 stars!
Digging: Between The Buried And Me - The Great Misdirect
| | | Album Rating: 3
Nah dude, I can see where someone would give this a 5. It all depends on what you like about ATD-I.
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Good job with the review. You got your points across magnificently in a short space. Granted, it was only an EP. The only thing I would change, if anything, is this line
Nah, having two high energy, high pitched singers actually helps the album greatly.
not sure if that is sarcasm or not. If it is, use some italicising.
Good review nonetheless
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Good review, a friend of mine at school reccomended that I give these guys a listen and so far I like.
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Omar and Paul weren't in At the Drive-in at the time this was recorded. I forgot the names of they guys who were though
| | | Album Rating: 3
All my info states that they were, so it stays.
EDIT: I had my doubts on Paul, but I thought Tony was on this one for sure. If someone could get me an actual lineup that is somehow verifiable, I'd happily change it up.This Message Edited On 05.07.06
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Omar was always with the band, it's Paul and Tony (Bassist and drummer) who weren't there at the time. At least, they weren't there for Acrobatic Tenement (Omar did the basslines cause he was always a bassist at heart, and the drummer was someone else). So I'm guessing they weren't there for this one.
I have all the songs for it and it certainly bears a strong resemblance to Hell Paso in the "Overstimulated garage band" category. Still, the bassline for "Instigate the Role" is awesome and relatively easy to figure out. Good work on the review as well.
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here.This Message Edited On 05.07.06
http://www.thecomatorium.com/board/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=9028This Message Edited On 05.07.06
Digging: Do Make Say Think - Other Truths
| | | Album Rating: 3
Certain band members names changed as per discussion.
And even though I know it'll be fruitless, I saw it on the main page, and anti-hero, why ever do you think thisalbum deserves a 1?
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Aw, you beat me to the chart pixiesfan.
But the only members of ATDI that were there from the beginning to end were Jim and Cedric.
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I can't see this "chart' because I am not a Comatorium member. Can you save the image and upload it to imageshack or photobucket for the rest of us?
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The line up was kenny hopper on bass, along with Hell Paso who was his last peice with the band, along with jarret wrenn who was also on Hell Paso. The drummer is Davy simmons
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Does anyone know where I can get this?
| | | Album Rating: 3
Ebay is probably the only major site you could ever find this at.
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