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Klaxons - Surfing The Void


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Old 22-08-2010, 03:56
Carmen Queasy
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OK, so I gave in and downloaded the leak. The reason being is because I was very unsure about the album after hearing previews. Anyway, less justification from me.

Has anyone heard it?

I really don't like it. It's exactly how I described it from the previews. They have not gone anywhere with this album other than strip their sound of what made them slightly original. Even some of the lyrical content is similar (like the single Echoes, for example).

If the Klaxons released every song from Myths Of The Near Future, the songs on Surfing The Void could have been included as B-Sides.

I know the record label told them to re-record the entire album because their previous attempt at it didn't please them. I would like to hear the rejected stuff... I bet it was better.

Oh well, probably another band I've fallen out with after a poor second album (previous bands have been Kasabian and MGMT).
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Old 22-08-2010, 08:26
mvood
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Didn't know it leaked, oh well... i haven't heard it but if it has the "stripped" sound you describe I think I'd still like it.

What I liked about Myths was the bonkers sound mixed with bonkers lyrics, if this isn't any different I won't be complaining.

I heard Echoes and Flashover, and personally I think they were absoulute stunners and as good and better than most of what is on Myths.
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Old 22-08-2010, 10:12
mvood
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Ok I just listened to the album a couple of times.

I don't think it sounds like Myths. It's a lot more subdued, it lacks the force and rawness of Myths. It's also a lot heavier and darker.

I wish they had gone for a more Atlantis To Interzone approach, which after hearing Flashover I really was excited about.

Overall a good album but is definetly a grower...
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Old 22-08-2010, 13:39
lost-boy
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Any stand outs from the album?
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Old 22-08-2010, 13:49
Biko
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After hearing Echoes and Flashover, they just sound like basic indie songs and far removed from what made them original in the first place so if the rest of the album is like that then I'll be very disappointed.
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Old 22-08-2010, 13:51
lost-boy
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where can i find the leaked version?
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Old 22-08-2010, 14:34
mvood
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where can i find the leaked version?
google's your best friend there

I think a lot of people will be dissapointed with this, sort of echoing MGMT's Congratulations, but oh well.. I like it.

Any stand outs from the album?
for me Flashover, Valley of The Calm Trees and Venusia. Perhaps Echoes too
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Old 22-08-2010, 14:44
TomDaOne
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I really don't like it. It's exactly how I described it from the previews. They have not gone anywhere with this album other than strip their sound of what made them slightly original. Even some of the lyrical content is similar (like the single Echoes, for example).

If the Klaxons released every song from Myths Of The Near Future, the songs on Surfing The Void could have been included as B-Sides.

I know the record label told them to re-record the entire album because their previous attempt at it didn't please them. I would like to hear the rejected stuff... I bet it was better.

Oh well, probably another band I've fallen out with after a poor second album (previous bands have been Kasabian and MGMT).
So your saying you don't like it because it's really not any different or any kind of progression from the first album. Yet you also mention not liking Kasabian and MGMT's second albums. In both those cases there was progression or at least a change in direction, especially in MGMT's case.
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Old 22-08-2010, 14:51
Biko
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So your saying you don't like it because it's really not any different or any kind of progression from the first album. Yet you also mention not liking Kasabian and MGMT's second albums. In both those cases there was progression or at least a change in direction, especially in MGMT's case.
if I may interject, I think what the OP might mean is that they've diluted their sound to the point where they've gone backwards and don't sound as original or "interesting" as they did before.

I haven't heard the full album myself so I can't give any personal opinion but I imagine that's what the OP was getting at
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Old 22-08-2010, 14:55
lost-boy
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actually im finding it a completely different sound entirely to Myths
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Old 22-08-2010, 15:05
mvood
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actually im finding it a completely different sound entirely to Myths
It really is. I don't think many people will be able to tell though unfortunately.
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Old 22-08-2010, 15:14
lost-boy
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I quite like it, it's definitely gonna split the fans though
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Old 22-08-2010, 16:08
ben_122
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Such an average record unfortunately. It's not like they said it would be. I guess it will get better with a few listens, but quite disappointed in it to be honest. Think the decent tracks are Echoes, Flashover and Surfing The Void. Was expecting a lot more.
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Old 22-08-2010, 22:08
neel
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Atantis to interzone popped up on my Ipod the other day and reminded me that I did acually really miss the Klaxons.

I'll reserve judgement on the new stuff till I hear it but i'm still quite excited.

MGMT's second effort is still a major sore point for me, utter drivel and I found there stance on Kids and time to pretend utterly bloody pretentious.
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Old 23-08-2010, 01:01
Carmen Queasy
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After hearing Echoes and Flashover, they just sound like basic indie songs and far removed from what made them original in the first place so if the rest of the album is like that then I'll be very disappointed.
That's exactly my feeling towards this, too.

Like someone said above, Myths had bonkers music with bonkers lyrics. This made it interesting. This album took that away and comes out average.

So your saying you don't like it because it's really not any different or any kind of progression from the first album. Yet you also mention not liking Kasabian and MGMT's second albums. In both those cases there was progression or at least a change in direction, especially in MGMT's case.
In all three cases something changed which I didn't like. In this case the album is a diluted version of their older work. With Kasabian they veered into an area I didn't like (although some songs - Empire, Stuntman were good) and with MGMT they just lost me completely (except for Flash Delirium which was good).

I was more talking about the second album being the key to whether or not I stick with a band. I might return if their third album is a progression, but it usually follow suit from the second where people tend to either pick up most of their fans or lose most of them.
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Old 23-08-2010, 01:40
MJ_lives
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All the people saying they thought Congratulations was a poor album are talking utter drivel. I thought it was better than Oracular Spectacular by a country mile, and I think Oracular Spectacular is a bloody brilliant album.

Some people just don't like change.
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Old 23-08-2010, 01:51
Carmen Queasy
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All the people saying they thought Congratulations was a poor album are talking utter drivel. I thought it was better than Oracular Spectacular by a country mile, and I think Oracular Spectacular is a bloody brilliant album.

Some people just don't like change.
I love change. It's one thing in music which is often a must for me. I can't be done listening to the same album with different lyrics over and over again like some acts spew out.

Change (and originality) doesn't instantly mean something is good. Congratulations is not an awful album. It's just alright, which is my problem with it.
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Old 23-08-2010, 02:18
MJ_lives
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I love change. It's one thing in music which is often a must for me. I can't be done listening to the same album with different lyrics over and over again like some acts spew out.

Change (and originality) doesn't instantly mean something is good. Congratulations is not an awful album. It's just alright, which is my problem with it.
I thought Congratulations was brilliant. While Kids & Time To Pretend are classics, and Oracular Spectacular was such an awesome album, I actually loved the oddness of Congratulations. Not a song I don't like on that album.
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Old 23-08-2010, 11:38
Iceman09
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I think some people are expecting another Myths type album and I remember when Myths first came out people were taking the piss out of it constantly dismissing it. But then all of a sudden critics started to give it positive reviews people started giving the album a closer listen and it wasn't just incoherent noise as some claim. In turned out to be a brilliant antidote to the Arctic Monkeys that were dominating at the time (as much as I love AM it was time for something different). Here Klaxons so far from the songs I have heard have matured more, their sound is a lot more rounded, yes in some parts may sound a bit watered down but they still have the ability to write clever songs. But once again people will have to squint and look hard for the references. That's what I like about the Klaxons on the surface an unruly drunken bunch of boys but underneath it arty intelligent lads who want to have fun along the way.

I have a feeling that people will look for flaws but in the end this is a very logical step forward for them and by adding Ross Robinson they managed to keep that harsher sound from the tracks that I've heard.

Personally I can't wait for the album, it may not take me to the crazy places that Myth's did but I'm pretty sure it will thrill just like the previous album.
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Old 23-08-2010, 13:53
Biko
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All the people saying they thought Congratulations was a poor album are talking utter drivel. I thought it was better than Oracular Spectacular by a country mile, and I think Oracular Spectacular is a bloody brilliant album.

Some people just don't like change.
Have you heard an album called "Forever Changes" by a band called Love? Congratulations imo is the not so good sequel to that album
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Old 23-08-2010, 14:54
Fizzee Rascal
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I think it's excellent.
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Old 23-08-2010, 16:33
MJ_lives
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Have you heard an album called "Forever Changes" by a band called Love? Congratulations imo is the not so good sequel to that album
No, I haven't, but I'll check it out. Thanks for the heads up I just can't fault Congratulations though. But I think it was always going to be one of those records that divided the fans. I'm definitely in the minority that prefer it to Oracular Spectacular, even though I absolutely love that album as well.

Call me crazy, but I think Congratulations has catchier songs than OC. Even though they said that they wouldn't have any catchy songs on their. Such bullshitters! They said that so people would buy the album, even if just to slate it. They played a crafty game there, and won, did MGMT. Still love them though, and their live performances are better this time around than last time.
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Old 24-08-2010, 21:57
Biko
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just had a fair few listens and I'm actually very impressed.

Gave me the same impression when I first heard a similar album called "For Screening Purposes Only" by the Test Icicles. at first it sounds like incoherent mess but after letting it digest all those little incoherent things started to piece together.

no point in comparing it to myths, it stands nicely on what is shaping up to be a solid discography

9/10
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Old 24-08-2010, 22:47
rachelgata
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When is the album officially out? When it is, I'll probably give it a go, as I liked the first album.

I hope I won't be too harsh in judging it and comparing it to Myths. It's so difficult to make a second album when your first was a huge critical success; I don't envy bands that, and I think the only way to approach it is to be self indulgent and make the album YOU want to make, even if that risks losing fans from first time around.

That's what MGMT did, and I'm totally with MJ_lives on the subject of Congratulations. Brilliant album, just not what a lot of fans were expecting..

I am curious though to know what the alleged first draft of the Klaxons' album was like! And the real reason why they re-did it, as I've heard conflicting stories about that.
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Old 25-08-2010, 08:11
Carmen Queasy
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It's out now

I gave it another listen and I'm not overly impressed. There's a few songs on it which are great, but overall I think it's a much weaker album than I expected. This is the same thing which happened to me with Empire by Kasabian, which had a few crackers but then the overall feel was not so great.

Incidentally, the album is currently number 4 in the mid-weeks which is good going considering there's not been much promotion, or at least I haven't seen/heard much.
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