Search - Dissociatives :: Somewhere Down the Barrel

Great fusion of rock and house

Ben Russo | NJ United States | 03/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Paul mac is one of the greatest aussie techno/housesque songwriters and Daniel Johns is one of the greatest aussie rock songwriters. I can't believe it's not rock does even come close to the quality of this single. The title track, like Silverchair's "Greatest View", has raw, fun, and exciting energy with catchy melodies. "Thinking In Reverse" starts with a very experimental techno feel and goes into a simple rock beat, in a very appealing way. "Goodnight" has an incredible jazz feel to it. It has the brushed snare, glocks, rhodes, bass, and with Paul's effects, makes a unusually pleasent effect on the listener. I am excitedly awaiting the CD to come out!"

Skip the single, buy the entire album

Jennifer L. Nightingale | New York, United States | 04/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I received my "The Dissociatives" album from Australia about 2 weeks ago and let me tell you, I am addicted. I listen to it every day. If you're a silverchair fan and you love John's voice, this is a must-buy. But for those of you who preferred their early work, be prepared - its pretty poppy. I think even Mac had toned down his electronica tendencies for this album; these two worked together a few years ago on a project called "I Can't Believe its Not Rock" which was very, very experimental, and this album is just plain more poppy. Beautiful stuff though, and I do not really listen to any pop music. Unlike anything you've ever heard before, the same way that Diorama was a surprise to all of us. Less orchestrated than Diorama though, more piano, and the lyrics have gotten even more abstract. I believe that once a Silverchair fan, always a Silverchair fan. We listen to Daniel Johns because there is something about the clarity and range of his voice that provokes and makes us feel at home, all at once. If you feel this way, you will not be disappointed by this album. But don't say I didn't tell you it was poppy!"

I can't believe it's not rock!

Leask | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | 04/06/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Johns and Mac have managed to come up with something that is different, yet oddly familiar to anybody who's followed their careers. It's been a real treat seeing Johns' songwriting progress from the anger of Silverchair's first two albums, through depression and despair, culminating in the hope of 2002's Diorama. The Dissociatives pick up where Diorama left off; the hope songs like "After all these years" displayed has matured into sheer buoyant "whimsy," as Johns has described it.The music is very much the same thing, too. "Somewhere Down the Barrel" is the epitome of this direction; infectious, melodic, and irresistably happy. Johns' vocals and guitars blend seamlessly with Mac's electronics, culminating in the jubilant chorus. It's two b-sides highlight how mixable the music is; the new mixes of "Thinking in Reverse" and "Goodnight" are incredibly different from the album versions, but still retain cohesiveness with the rest of the band's music.As a preview to the album, this single works splendidly. I know it's erased the last bit of doubt from my mind as to buying the LP."