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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
 Posted - 01/28/2006 : 20:11:00
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/26/AR2006012600596.html
THE BEATINGS "Holding on to Hand Grenades" Midriff Records
Friday, January 27, 2006; Page WE10
THE BEATINGS"Holding on to Hand Grenades"Midriff Records
PUNK ROCK QUARTET the Beatings seems to be following in the footsteps of fellow Massachusetts band the Pixies. In addition to their obvious sonic similarities, both bands feature a female bassist who chimes in on vocals from time to time. The Beatings even sought out the Pixies' former engineer, Paul Q. Kolderie, to produce their latest, "Holding on to Hand Grenades."
The Beatings often sound like a throwback to a lot of pre-'90s college alt-rock, with the high volume assault of Husker Du and even the monotone growl of Joy Division's Ian Curtis, but they're equally reminiscent of the more recent sounds coming from Chapel Hill, N.C.'s Merge Records. Along with the controlled Superchunk-ness of "Burn Down the Jungle," the Beatings' more melodic singing (such as the jubilant male/female vocals at the end of "Stockholm Syndrome Relapse") recall last year's darlings, the Arcade Fire.
But rather than being held back by such similarities, the Beatings push beyond them. Nestled between two brief transitional instrumentals is the album's most striking song, "Pennsyltuckey," in which Erin Dalbec's husky coo and restrained bass lines grow into a catchy, rambunctious rocker. That vibrant energy and carefree post-punk zeal move the Beatings well past their more prominent influences.
-- Catherine P. Lewis
Appearing Thursday at the Black Cat.
The Beatings' influences include the Pixies and Superchunk. (By Ryan Scafuro)
The Beatings' influences include the Pixies and Superchunk.
Photo Credit: By Ryan Scafuro Photo |
Edited by - Carl on 01/28/2006 20:58:58 |
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cassandra is
> Teenager of the Year <
France
4233 Posts |
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 06:15:47
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There was a rubbish garage rock band called The Beatings from London a few years back but they changed their name to The Beat Up recently. Now I know why, though that article did confuse me at first.
 I'd walk her everyday, into a shady place
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 06:16:20
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http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/01/29/200611.php
REVIEW
CD Review: The Beatings - Holding On To Hand Grenades
January 29, 2006
Greg Smyth
Maybe it's personal intolerance, but this whole 80s bandwagon is beginning to really f--k me off. The incessant repetition of the latest in a long line of "we always had a Gang Of Four element to our music" indie chancers, means that, recently, reviewing has become a real chore. For years the popular press declared the 80s to be the decade that taste forgot, then, at the dawn of the new century, in an audacious volte-face, the media began foisting on us a seemingly endless procession of drearily over-earnest bands content to ape them to death. And while you could, perhaps, level the same criticism at Boston's The Beatings, the band was churning out their skewed nu-wave long before there was a bandwagon to jump. It'd be churlish to tar them with the same distasteful brush.
Holding On To Hand Grenades, the long awaited follow up to 2002's Italiano, is both unpretentious and open about its reference points. Produced by underground stalwart Paul Q Kolderie, perhaps best known for recording the likes of much-missed Mark Sandman outfit Morphine, the album owes a debt to the likes of Pixies but perhaps more so to the heady post-rock of Mission Of Burma. You want proof? Check the scuzzy strep-throat riot of "Feel Good Ending", apparently teetering on the brink of falling apart as the drummer makes a break for it. Or catchy slam-dancing opening belter, "A Responsible Person". At their most melodic there's an edge of former noiseniks Idlewild's mid-Atlantic early-R.E.M. delivery but, when the band are in full flow there's little room for such tenderness. Occasional respite from all the heavy angst comes, usually, like on hook-laden slowie "Scorched Earth Policy", when bassist Erin Dalbec, with an obvious nod to Kim Deal, steps into the vocal breach. Mostly, though, Holding On To Hand Grenades is enjoyably up-tempo, if not upbeat.
With Holding On To Hand Grenades, The Beatings have not only harnessed the power and vitriol present in the best of the alternative scene but refused to dilute their awkward, but frequently brilliant, vision. If there's any justice, this album will see The Beatings blow up. Just stand well back.
Buy Holding On To Hand Grenades from Midriff Records. |
Edited by - Carl on 01/30/2006 08:30:58 |
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Thomas
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1615 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 08:16:38
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I've been enjoying a few of their song from their website. http://www.thebeatings.com/recordings.html
Not bad. The singer sounds like Joy Division's Ian Curtis at times and then not at all. I sampled most songs from their 2002s 'Italiano'. It's something to look for the next time I'm browsing through Empire Disk's bins here on LI. Always looking for new stuff to listen to. I've got so much hit and miss CD's in my collection what is one more. At 60 minutes long there has to be something in there for everyone.
"Our Love is Rice and Beans and Horses Lard" |
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Thomas
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1615 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 08:24:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Homers_pet_monkey
There was a rubbish garage rock band called The Beatings from London a few years back but they changed their name to The Beat Up recently. Now I know why, though that article did confuse me at first.
I'd walk her everyday, into a shady place
Found this clipping on their website talking about the London bands name change.
http://www.thebeatings.com/charleston.html
"Our Love is Rice and Beans and Horses Lard" |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2006 : 08:32:48
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They look very Pixies in that photo!
 pas de dutchie! |
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2006 : 04:55:46
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What a bunch of assholes The Beat Up are if what Eldridge Rodriguez said in that article is true.
I'd walk her everyday, into a shady place
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lemon
- FB Fan -
1 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2006 : 11:55:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Thomas
The singer sounds like Joy Division's Ian Curtis at times and then not at all.
There are three singers -- two guys and one girl. |
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Crispy Water
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
819 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2006 : 11:12:33
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I thought the subject said "Beatnigs" at first, which would have been great. These guys I've never heard of but now I have a reason to give 'em a go.
Nothing is ever something. |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2006 : 11:36:44
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Anyone else heard of Paul Q. Kolderie? This name rings no bells as a "former Pixies producer."
 I have joined the Cult Of Frank/And I have dearly paid |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2006 : 12:06:56
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Yep, wasn't he an engineer on some, if not all of their records?
pas de dutchie! |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2006 : 15:30:56
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I stand corrected, looks like he did the earlier stuff in Roxbury. Still, I think that's fairly sad to go seeking a guy like that out.
That said, I'm a fairly judgemental kind of guy.
I have joined the Cult Of Frank/And I have dearly paid |
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themean
- FB Fan -
1 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2006 : 10:51:28
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| Not only did Paul Q. Kolderie do the earlier stuff in Roxbury, he also did producing/engineering on records by Radiohead, Morphine, the Bosstones, and an assload of other stuff. He is probably better known for stuff other than his pixies stuff. The guy does good stuff. And The Beatings are awsome. |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2006 : 18:21:35
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http://www.thedailypage.com/going-out/music/cdreviews/managedit.php?intcdrevid=656
The Beatings
Holding on to Hand Grenades
Midriff Records
The cover of the new Beatings CD features a lineup of ferocious-looking karate fighters colorized in pretty pastel hues. The graphic represents the essence of this Boston band’s music — a solid wall of driving guitar noise topped with a radiant sheen of pop. While the band have elicited widespread comparisons to Husker Du, the Pixies and Mission of Burma, their sonic mixture of tension and relief is ultimately hard-hitting and original, beholden to no one.
Reviewed by Rich Albertoni |
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The Beatings (anyone heard these guys?).
