Looking back, I think this is my favorite album by The Books, as well as my favorite album of the decade so far. The non-sequiturs in this are delightful.
I was really skeptical coming into this video (figured it would be some hipster ranting about The Books) but you actually were quite intelligent. We share similar thoughts when it comes to this album. Great review man!
I'll give it a hard 8. Parts of if were a bit drawn out but I have to agree there was not one song I didn't hate. The album tracks were well thought out in their order and it has a great movement to it. Most of their samples are found recordings, tapes, and record samples from thrift stores. They must have spent hours, years, forever? pasting and cutting it all together and they diserve to have your ears to have a listen with the outcome of The Way Out.
Great review! Although I'd like to know which two songs on the album you weren't crazy about. I feel that there are two or even the tracks that are just...boring, and which sound very similar. "all you need is a wall" is so slow, and such a gag that I can't appreciate it.
@autumngold1 agreed, all you need is a wall is my favorite track on the album. walking home at night, i put it on my ipod, great track after a long day.
Good review! I was completely unaware of The Books until recently and had no idea they had previous albums until yesterday. I have watched several of your reviews and they're well done and thoughtful. Subscribing now.
i wasnt going to watch this because i love this album and i thought you would bash it because its not of the "norm". but thanks, i have faith in your tastes now and i will prolly watch more of your videos. keep it up!
Thank you so much for your review of this. I really love to watch your reviews, you focus on the main event - the music. Even if you give a record I like a bad review or I'm not feeling a piece of music you've loved I can still really respect what you're saying. In paticular thanks for this review because it introduced me to The Books and this wonderful record :)
great review man, I love the books. gotta say "enjoy your worries, you may never have them again" is my personal favorite from this album. such a deep feeling to it, then the folk-like ending seems to add a sense of enlightenment.
I just have to thank you so much for this review, I grabbed this the day you put it up and it's probably my run away album of the year. I have issues with focus and insomnia and the ballsy throw everything we can think of approach speaks to this immensely.
also listened to Thought For Food and loved it. I'm saving the other 2 records in hopes that they'll hit me as hard as these did if I can focus on them .
but i must say i love the way you digress and bring in all these other references.. really opens up new artists, and forgotten ones.. do you make money doing this? :D
i was listening to this album, and there is a lot of frank zappa in this. which questions the ingenuinity of the album. as in there have been so many artists which border on the avant garde, and there are quite a few 'devices, techniques' borrowed from zappa and bob ostertag. but yes this is quite a treat. dont know why exactly i felt like bringing this up.. but it would be nice if you could dig up some zappa mad favourites, or do a review on ostertag. and then come back to this.
That COLD FREEZING NIGHT track reminded me of "Frontier Psychiatrist" by The Avalanches, and that right there is the biggest compliment I can give this or any band.
This album is in the same spirit as Since I Left You by The Avalanches, maybe a little less "danceable" but definitely I feel like there's a line connecting the two. Group Autogenics I could have been the therapeutic aftermath of Frontier Psychiatrist.
I love the video effects like the Anthony Fantano twins in the beginning, as well as other things you do like the 'evil-voice-with-red-overlay-and-scary-ambience' stuff, etc. Keep it up. Anyway, as far as the music goes, I am tremendously impressed with this band 'The Books' and their music; I had never heard of them before this album review. I followed the first link in the d-box to the song 'A Cold Freezin' Night' and it made me laugh hysterically from its spontaneity and wacky-ness. Excellent
Listened to 'A Cold Freezin' Night'. It really reminds me of an album by Hit! Hit! Punch! Punch! called I Think In Spongebob. It's a free download, but the whole thing is just the recorded ramblings of a 4 year old with punk instrumentation.
I'm glad they didn't go in the more almost *gasp* normal song structure style they dabbled in with Lost and Safe... this album is just as good (if not better) as everything else they've done, and I'm very happy for that. ^_^
Couldn't get into this album/artist. Struck me more as a gimmick than music I could really vibe with but I did enjoy the few songs I've heard off of it. This is the stuff college radio is made of.
@mattdelhey I understand where you're coming from. It is a weird sound, but I wouldn't say it's simply for a gimmick. This kind of stuff has a precedent. It's just not all that popular is all. There are tracks that lack the vocal samples, though. Did you hear the song "Beautiful People"? Love that track. :-)
I feel like this album shows that the books might be trying to sound too "pop". Not sure if I enjoy the samples on some of it. Not a big books fan, but from what I get out of listening to them is that their earlier stuff was more raw and more the original sound I think they were going for.
@cole0dioxide Hmm. I see what you're saying. Books definitely have a more accessible sound this time around, but I don't think that's resulted in a lack of originality. What they've done is finally made their quirky sound more palatable, much like Animal Collective did on MPP--but I do like this LP more than MPP, mind you, heh.
terrific review. i loved this album. and yes that is why i thought the review was good, not because of the expert knowledge on the genre, or the delicate analogies, or the use of quote hands, or even the multisyllabic adjectives. just that i loved the album.
If this album was a movie, it'd be charlie and the Chocolate factory- The scene when they go down the psycho river in a boat, and all the crazy stuff flashes onto the screen (Y).
Just listened to A Cold Freezin' Night...by this single I know I'm going to like the rest of the album....quite repetitive violent lyrics! BTW, congrats on the 1,000,000 :)
@theneedledrop What was your most favorite track from the album? I listened to the album on NPR, and my favorite track right now is 'I Didn't Know That'...it's kind of got
a funk sound. I like how they blended several genres on the album.
I hardly ever listen to the songs/albums you review. I just watch your videos for you. You are so charismatic! And I like the style of your videos. They are funny! I can't get enough of it (and by it, i mean you!!)
@TheTelepathicKid Thought A Cold Freezin' Night bordered on being two repetitive, and All You Need sounded really close to some 90s song I don't like. However, I didn't dislike these songs. They just didn't impress me as much as some of the others, that's all. :-) The album got a 9, bro. A 9! :-D
That was actually a really good assessment of this album and the band, especially considering how difficult it seems to be to explain a band like The Books to other people.
@mfev23 It's a nice listen, but much more bare than what they did on their 2nd and third album. Depends on whether or not you want to hear raw, acoustic instrumentation with vocal samples. :-P It's a good album. Listen.
digging it! definately can see how it can play with your emotions... i didn't know how to feel about "cold freezin night." I was disturbed by the samples of the children yet the catchy and upbeat music kept me listening. Beautiful people is just good!
Yes! The smartest band in the world deserves no less than a 9 out of 10.
The Way Out is not exactly a surprising album for those who have been following them, but still very satisfying and just enough of a move forward to not be redundant.
Ox Scapula probably aren't going to get big props for their frantic British No Wave album Hands Out this year. But, I think if you like DNA and Sonic Youth you'll like this!
Kong's Snake Magnet is filled with their raw Shellac/Fugazi/Thrash Metal sound and is also worth a gander.
I haven't heard this album yet. The only Books album I have heard is the 2nd one. Which, I really wasn't a fan of. And judging by the rest of the other catologue, I'm probably not gonna like them.
Looking back, I think this is my favorite album by The Books, as well as my favorite album of the decade so far. The non-sequiturs in this are delightful.
SquishypuffDave 3 weeks ago
sup acid
marrakeshz 1 month ago
1,000,000 video views? pfft, that's nothing, try 10,000,000 :)
bruyeatj 4 months ago
@bruyeatj It's 15,000,000 now <3
dgmcl3284 3 days ago
COOL I LIKE IT THERE'S A GREAT BOOK THAT I JUST CAME UPON CALLED THE SPIRIT WATCHER AND IT'S AMAZING AND INTENSE. I FOUND IT AT LULU.COM ONLINE
TheCharliegold 8 months ago
great album
ginad17 9 months ago
got to thank you for introducing me to The Books. One of my favourite bands now
blochead34 10 months ago
nice look around you reference!
beauCM 10 months ago
I was really skeptical coming into this video (figured it would be some hipster ranting about The Books) but you actually were quite intelligent. We share similar thoughts when it comes to this album. Great review man!
LaMortdeMarat 11 months ago
Thanks, Anthony. Thanthony.
micahnewman 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I'll give it a hard 8. Parts of if were a bit drawn out but I have to agree there was not one song I didn't hate. The album tracks were well thought out in their order and it has a great movement to it. Most of their samples are found recordings, tapes, and record samples from thrift stores. They must have spent hours, years, forever? pasting and cutting it all together and they diserve to have your ears to have a listen with the outcome of The Way Out.
horhay14 1 year ago
Comment removed
horhay14 1 year ago
yay! Look Around You references!
G0Studios 1 year ago
This album just goes to show that I will continue to be a Books fan forever. I seriously cannot stop listening to A Cold Freezin' Night
Nicolette28LB 1 year ago
that cal chuchesta is fantasticool
ahhhbree11 1 year ago
just picked this up on vinyl today after watching this review. i am not disappointed. quite the listen.
i like your 'look around you' refrence in this video.
donotseemecricket 1 year ago
The Books! The Books! You must read The Books!
Yuwipiman 1 year ago
Didn't know about Steinski or Godspeed You! Black Emperor,
can anyone point me in the direction of any other bands or abstract music similar to the Books or any of these others?
DeathbyHarlequin 1 year ago
@DeathbyHarlequin haha theres no music quite like the books
dirtisox 1 year ago
Great review! Although I'd like to know which two songs on the album you weren't crazy about. I feel that there are two or even the tracks that are just...boring, and which sound very similar. "all you need is a wall" is so slow, and such a gag that I can't appreciate it.
yxh 1 year ago
@yxh
aww... that makes me sad... I loved "all you need is a wall".
Great album though. and fantastic review!
autumngold1 1 year ago 2
@autumngold1 agreed, all you need is a wall is my favorite track on the album. walking home at night, i put it on my ipod, great track after a long day.
ExpensiveTibet 1 year ago
This was a really good review. Thanks! =D
BloodyCatastrophee 1 year ago
Good review! I was completely unaware of The Books until recently and had no idea they had previous albums until yesterday. I have watched several of your reviews and they're well done and thoughtful. Subscribing now.
Bdill51 1 year ago
i didn't know that!
Dkolps 1 year ago
i wasnt going to watch this because i love this album and i thought you would bash it because its not of the "norm". but thanks, i have faith in your tastes now and i will prolly watch more of your videos. keep it up!
brookin123 1 year ago
Thank you so much for your review of this. I really love to watch your reviews, you focus on the main event - the music. Even if you give a record I like a bad review or I'm not feeling a piece of music you've loved I can still really respect what you're saying. In paticular thanks for this review because it introduced me to The Books and this wonderful record :)
0Smurphy01 1 year ago
nice review.
i've had my qualms with this kinds of reviews (video ones, I mean) but all the ones I've seen by this guy have been excellent. well done.
Perhapsy 1 year ago
Great review. Great album
greg6711 1 year ago
great review man, I love the books. gotta say "enjoy your worries, you may never have them again" is my personal favorite from this album. such a deep feeling to it, then the folk-like ending seems to add a sense of enlightenment.
blandzane 1 year ago
I just have to thank you so much for this review, I grabbed this the day you put it up and it's probably my run away album of the year. I have issues with focus and insomnia and the ballsy throw everything we can think of approach speaks to this immensely.
also listened to Thought For Food and loved it. I'm saving the other 2 records in hopes that they'll hit me as hard as these did if I can focus on them .
again, thank you so much for this review.
shoey920 1 year ago
I like how you button up your collar
doomkid123 1 year ago
but i must say i love the way you digress and bring in all these other references.. really opens up new artists, and forgotten ones.. do you make money doing this? :D
indianbtbox 1 year ago
i was listening to this album, and there is a lot of frank zappa in this. which questions the ingenuinity of the album. as in there have been so many artists which border on the avant garde, and there are quite a few 'devices, techniques' borrowed from zappa and bob ostertag. but yes this is quite a treat. dont know why exactly i felt like bringing this up.. but it would be nice if you could dig up some zappa mad favourites, or do a review on ostertag. and then come back to this.
indianbtbox 1 year ago
Was this your first Books album?
pastoryam 1 year ago
good review. huge books fan
jenovafinal 1 year ago
"Cold Freezing Night" and it's video reminds me of Lord of the Flies.
kmacmuzikmafia27 1 year ago
was that a reference to look around you with the
"thanks needle drops, th'needledrops"?
if it was, that's really rad
schecterman1313 1 year ago
That COLD FREEZING NIGHT track reminded me of "Frontier Psychiatrist" by The Avalanches, and that right there is the biggest compliment I can give this or any band.
archimmes 1 year ago
@archimmes I thought the same thing!
Ravemecaptain 1 year ago
This has to be what, six 9/10's now?
You must love 2010 a lot
TheTanOne19 1 year ago
@TheTanOne19 It has been an awesome year for me! :-D
theneedledrop 1 year ago
@theneedledrop My most favorite years like this had been 2001 and 2002.
MoonchildMindaugas2 9 months ago in playlist Experimental / Other
LISTEN TO MYSPACE dotcom foward slash DUKERABBIT
victimeyes22 1 year ago
This album is in the same spirit as Since I Left You by The Avalanches, maybe a little less "danceable" but definitely I feel like there's a line connecting the two. Group Autogenics I could have been the therapeutic aftermath of Frontier Psychiatrist.
Donato0 1 year ago
Dude, i like you a lot. this album rules.
BigFramedWomen 1 year ago
@BigFramedWomen Awww, thanks! :-D
theneedledrop 1 year ago
i felt so uncomfortable listening to this, but for some reason i couldn't stop it, good review
jgil1967 1 year ago
I always look forward to watching yr videos on my lunch break everyday. Great job!!!
michaelcullen23 1 year ago
gonna have to be honest... what/who the hell is cal chuchesta
synestheticmusic 1 year ago
awesome video editing.
grayfox622 1 year ago
I love the video effects like the Anthony Fantano twins in the beginning, as well as other things you do like the 'evil-voice-with-red-overlay-and-scary-ambience' stuff, etc. Keep it up. Anyway, as far as the music goes, I am tremendously impressed with this band 'The Books' and their music; I had never heard of them before this album review. I followed the first link in the d-box to the song 'A Cold Freezin' Night' and it made me laugh hysterically from its spontaneity and wacky-ness. Excellent
BLOCkasPARTYabian 1 year ago
Comment removed
BLOCkasPARTYabian 1 year ago
Listened to 'A Cold Freezin' Night'. It really reminds me of an album by Hit! Hit! Punch! Punch! called I Think In Spongebob. It's a free download, but the whole thing is just the recorded ramblings of a 4 year old with punk instrumentation.
Pretsal 1 year ago
@Pretsal Might be Thirty Incoming. :-)
theneedledrop 1 year ago
@Pretsal such a fantastic album!
synestheticmusic 1 year ago
but... but.. I like the way you say forever *cries*
thornygravy 1 year ago
@thornygravy hahahaha. will you survive?
theneedledrop 1 year ago
@theneedledrop no guarantees XD
thornygravy 1 year ago
congratulations on a million views. i remember your video on 100 subscribers, it's good to see how far your show has come!
RMPalm2000 1 year ago
I just realized something: without your glasses, you look a LOT like Ang from Avatar The Last Airbender.
sifatshams1 1 year ago
Yeah! Endtroducing!
cdllcjones 1 year ago
I'm glad they didn't go in the more almost *gasp* normal song structure style they dabbled in with Lost and Safe... this album is just as good (if not better) as everything else they've done, and I'm very happy for that. ^_^
Goomba4001 1 year ago
lemon of pink is one of my all-time favorite albums... so i'm very excited to hear this, especially after the words you have to say about them.
shinobicorg 1 year ago
YOU'RE GETTING SO GOOD AT VIDEO EDITING
TheSchimmi 1 year ago
@TheSchimmi i'm trying. :-P
theneedledrop 1 year ago
Couldn't get into this album/artist. Struck me more as a gimmick than music I could really vibe with but I did enjoy the few songs I've heard off of it. This is the stuff college radio is made of.
mattdelhey 1 year ago
@mattdelhey I understand where you're coming from. It is a weird sound, but I wouldn't say it's simply for a gimmick. This kind of stuff has a precedent. It's just not all that popular is all. There are tracks that lack the vocal samples, though. Did you hear the song "Beautiful People"? Love that track. :-)
theneedledrop 1 year ago
It saved 2010 for me.
micoluce 1 year ago
I feel like this album shows that the books might be trying to sound too "pop". Not sure if I enjoy the samples on some of it. Not a big books fan, but from what I get out of listening to them is that their earlier stuff was more raw and more the original sound I think they were going for.
cole0dioxide 1 year ago
@cole0dioxide Hmm. I see what you're saying. Books definitely have a more accessible sound this time around, but I don't think that's resulted in a lack of originality. What they've done is finally made their quirky sound more palatable, much like Animal Collective did on MPP--but I do like this LP more than MPP, mind you, heh.
theneedledrop 1 year ago
@theneedledrop I also see what you are saying, and that made me accept this LP a bit more haha.
cole0dioxide 1 year ago
this sounds perty dern good.
finalmattasy 1 year ago
terrific review. i loved this album. and yes that is why i thought the review was good, not because of the expert knowledge on the genre, or the delicate analogies, or the use of quote hands, or even the multisyllabic adjectives. just that i loved the album.
BillLuxurious 1 year ago
@BillLuxurious you forgot to mention that there were two anthonys.
BillLuxurious 1 year ago
If this album was a movie, it'd be charlie and the Chocolate factory- The scene when they go down the psycho river in a boat, and all the crazy stuff flashes onto the screen (Y).
(I mean this in a good way) :D
vixyjedi 1 year ago
@vixyjedi Hahahahah. Good comparison! :-)
theneedledrop 1 year ago
Just listened to A Cold Freezin' Night...by this single I know I'm going to like the rest of the album....quite repetitive violent lyrics! BTW, congrats on the 1,000,000 :)
enyafreak2007 1 year ago
@enyafreak2007 Funny, A Cold Freezin' was one of my least favs on the album. I loved other tracks so much more.
theneedledrop 1 year ago
@theneedledrop What was your most favorite track from the album? I listened to the album on NPR, and my favorite track right now is 'I Didn't Know That'...it's kind of got
a funk sound. I like how they blended several genres on the album.
enyafreak2007 1 year ago
saw this one coming...but I'm only heard their 2nd LP, gotta give this a listen now!
EnokiSkai 1 year ago
I hardly ever listen to the songs/albums you review. I just watch your videos for you. You are so charismatic! And I like the style of your videos. They are funny! I can't get enough of it (and by it, i mean you!!)
coldnonnstopp 1 year ago 2
@coldnonnstopp tHANK YOU. i TRIED REALLY HARDDDDDD.
theneedledrop 1 year ago
@theneedledrop Oh, I've irritated you? Sorry... :/
coldnonnstopp 1 year ago
@coldnonnstopp Hahahha. You haven't irritated me. I'm just being ridiculous. :-P
theneedledrop 1 year ago
Which were the songs that you didn't like?
The only one I'd say I don't completely love on the album would be We Brought the Flood.
TheTelepathicKid 1 year ago
@TheTelepathicKid Thought A Cold Freezin' Night bordered on being two repetitive, and All You Need sounded really close to some 90s song I don't like. However, I didn't dislike these songs. They just didn't impress me as much as some of the others, that's all. :-) The album got a 9, bro. A 9! :-D
theneedledrop 1 year ago
Comment removed
TheTelepathicKid 1 year ago
That was actually a really good assessment of this album and the band, especially considering how difficult it seems to be to explain a band like The Books to other people.
Very impressed.
FailedSitcom 1 year ago
good review anthony !
almost makes up for your top albums of 2010 list
almost
MAXIMUSMISCHIEF 1 year ago
@MAXIMUSMISCHIEF Bwahahaah. Didn't know a list of my favorite albums I liked would break so many hears. I'm up to my knees in NeedleDrop tears.
theneedledrop 1 year ago
@theneedledrop Needledrop tears. that would hurt. (u get it? because-- ya ok...)
GrembyTheWalrus 1 year ago
is their first album worth getting?
mfev23 1 year ago
@mfev23 It's a nice listen, but much more bare than what they did on their 2nd and third album. Depends on whether or not you want to hear raw, acoustic instrumentation with vocal samples. :-P It's a good album. Listen.
theneedledrop 1 year ago
@theneedledrop i shall thank you
mfev23 1 year ago
OMG! I love Cal! I'm off to listen to him sing "My Girls" right now! B\
RichardBLongly 1 year ago
Great review, enjoyed that a lot, love The Books and think this album is my favorite. Makes me want Lemon Jelly to bring out a new album.
padpad10 1 year ago
The Books are Brilliant!!
JGCSOUND 1 year ago
So, would you put this on the "best of 2010" list of yesterday if you could redo it?
Fragmaster3000 1 year ago
What is the MODBOX??????
Guitarisforgrins 1 year ago
@Guitarisforgrins That is like saying what is a penis or clit if you're a boy or girl respectively.
RichardBLongly 1 year ago
@RichardBLongly 'cept, I am a boy... and I know what a penis is...
Guitarisforgrins 1 year ago
No problem! Thanks for putting it here Anthony!
rockomundo 1 year ago
Also excellent review!
nachkebiaa 1 year ago
i love cal chuchesta
uphillracer 1 year ago
Finally! easily one of my favorite albums this year.
nachkebiaa 1 year ago
Comment removed
nachkebiaa 1 year ago
You love Cal..!
bluelebowski 1 year ago
i like how you manage to say "the internets busiest music nerd" in a different way everytime
Juma1st 1 year ago
cal needs more camera time!
alex93metallica 1 year ago
i'm sorry but cal chuchesta is the most likeable guy ever ;)
jgil1967 1 year ago
This is some trippy stuff, it is like the weirdest psychedelic music ever.
Theehannle 1 year ago
beautiful people is better I think
thecompleteopposite1 1 year ago
Uuuuuuuuh. I'm so excited to take a listen.
ifonlywemovedaway 1 year ago
Shit sounds nuts. I'll pursue a listen.
YoureWrongImRight 1 year ago
four tet and caribou are on a whole new level
rewindDUDE 1 year ago
One million video views, nice! The Books, another new band I dig. Thanks for the great music reviews Turtle.
chrisficki 1 year ago
i seen them play before aphex twin. really liked it. will check them out now.
AnalFuckingCow 1 year ago
Glad to see we're on the same page :)
Verazze 1 year ago
experimented with FOWLKE?
iamchino91 1 year ago
great review. the books are great! i need to get this album
modestrocker1 1 year ago
OMG!!!! OMG!!!! OMG!!! There were too Anthony's at the start!! WOAH!!
Scoob505 1 year ago 2
I NEED TO GET MY EARS ON THIS THING YO
4Colours 1 year ago
digging it! definately can see how it can play with your emotions... i didn't know how to feel about "cold freezin night." I was disturbed by the samples of the children yet the catchy and upbeat music kept me listening. Beautiful people is just good!
j2daonathan 1 year ago
Yes! The smartest band in the world deserves no less than a 9 out of 10.
The Way Out is not exactly a surprising album for those who have been following them, but still very satisfying and just enough of a move forward to not be redundant.
xTheOxx 1 year ago
haha, amazing album, great review!
dianeticstu 1 year ago
BoC's "Geogaddi" should be on the lists, too. Great review, bro.
wuz352 1 year ago
pause at 3:49
seventhbrokenstring 1 year ago 2
Ox Scapula probably aren't going to get big props for their frantic British No Wave album Hands Out this year. But, I think if you like DNA and Sonic Youth you'll like this!
Kong's Snake Magnet is filled with their raw Shellac/Fugazi/Thrash Metal sound and is also worth a gander.
ChrisTheContagion 1 year ago
Comment removed
ChrisTheContagion 1 year ago
Cal Chuchesta FTW!!!
I haven't heard this album yet. The only Books album I have heard is the 2nd one. Which, I really wasn't a fan of. And judging by the rest of the other catologue, I'm probably not gonna like them.
Oh and I love DJ Shadow.
touretteEd2 1 year ago
the books are always epic
LfunkeyA 1 year ago
The cal chuchesta segments always make me laugh...
8BitAwesome 1 year ago
Upgrade your camera dude..
I wanna see your face in glorious HD
CaffroX 1 year ago