The Philedelphia group, An Albatross, released "We Are The Lazer Viking", an 11 track album/EP in 2003. An odd group, there aren't too many bands out there who sound like An Albatross. Couple that with having one of the greatest band names of the last 20 years and you have a truly unique band.
An Albatross:
Ed Gleda - Vocals, Harmonica, Tambourine
Jake Lisowski - Guitar, Synth
Jay Hudak - Bass
Jeremy Gewertz - Drums, Percussion
A band that is equal parts Mario music, Refused and Naked City is a hard one to classify. The best possible classification for An Albatross is Noise Rock, fitting in with bands like Lightning Bolt and Locust. They have also been described as "spazz core", an extremely fitting label. "We Are The Lazer Viking" isn't always the easiest album to listen to, clocking in at just 8 minutes, "We Are The Lazer Viking" sounds like Pacman, on steriods, kicking the crap out of the local neighborhood cat. Not the most accessible album, or the conventional, "We Are The Lazer Viking" is enjoyable nonetheless. What makes this album so good is that it is so danceable and has so much groove. Despite Ed Gleda screaming his head off for all 11 tracks and the guitars and drums making as much unsavoury noise as possible, these tunes are extremely easy to shake your hips to. Each song consists of Grind style blasts of noise, mixed with keyboards that sound like they are from old video games, with Ed screaming nonsensical lyrics all the way through (if there is anything insightful, An Albatross aren't making it easy to decipher).
For an album of 8 minutes and 18 seconds, An Albatross do an admirable job of making music that is catchy, fun and silly and the same time as being insane. This album is not one for everyone, but those who do give it a shot and enjoy it are in for a wonderfully fun time. A delightfully wierd, crazy, fun and all out stupid (and that's a good thing!) record. Highly reccomended for those who want something fun and silly as well as extremely crazy.
Pros
- So much fun
- Complete insanity!
- For an album that is 8 minutes long, it makes the most of every second
Cons
- It's only 8 minutes long
- Some may find it much too silly
Reccomended Tracks
I Am The Lazer Viking
The Revolutionary Politics of Dance
The Vitally Important Pelvic Thrust
Downloads
[URL=http://www.analbatross.com/AnAlbatross-RevolutionaryPoliticsOfDance.mp3]The Revolutionary Politics of Dance (mp3)[/URL]
[URL=http://www.analbatross.com/AnAlbatross-Wrgggggggryyyyyyyyy.mp3]Wrgggggggryyyyyyyyy!!!(mp3)[/URL]
[URL=http://www.analbatross.com/rev_pol.wmv]The Revolutionary Politics of Dance (wmv video)[/URL]
[URL=http://www.analbatross.com/rev_pol.mov]The Revolutionary Politics of Dance (quicktime video)[/URL]
FINAL RATING: 3.5/5
