Their first album in 3 years, featuring 17 tracks on 2 CDs. Cousin to Calexico F.O.D.M. not only share a sound but have also shared members, as well as members from Giant Sand and Naked Prey. Tracks featured are 'Witchita ... more »Lineman', 'Tennessee Waltz', 'Indian Summer' and other cool instrumental tracks with Bill Elm's keening steel guitar at the forefront and occasional bits of experimentation. Narnack Records. 2003.« less
Their first album in 3 years, featuring 17 tracks on 2 CDs. Cousin to Calexico F.O.D.M. not only share a sound but have also shared members, as well as members from Giant Sand and Naked Prey. Tracks featured are 'Witchita Lineman', 'Tennessee Waltz', 'Indian Summer' and other cool instrumental tracks with Bill Elm's keening steel guitar at the forefront and occasional bits of experimentation. Narnack Records. 2003.
Bianchi Joe | Austin, TX United States | 09/08/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Bill Elm is mining uncharted territory here; there is simply no one using a lap steel console like this, anywhere. Yes, some of this record was previously released on a German label. Get over it; it's still some of FODM's best material. That several tracks are live (though you can't hear the audience b/c there are no vocal microphones onstage when they play) makes it even more revelatory. There's a fair amount of experimental noise here (as on all their records), but it remains compelling regardless (or maybe as a result). In short, this cd only further galvanizes FODM's reputation as a musical force to be reckoned with. All the post-rock furor over GBYE, Mogwai, Explosions In the Sky, and Mono is well-deserved, but to exclude Bill Elm & Co from anyone's list of "best instrumental band" would be a travesty and a great injustice to the man who singlehandedly has put the expert playing of the 8-string double-neck lap steel guitar at the forefront of some absolutely spellbinding cinematic material. Get the picture?"
Huge, Beautiful, Dramatic
Bianchi Joe | 05/11/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If I was forced to categorize this band, I would've said 'spaghetti western, meets surf, meets lounge.' There's still quite some truth to that classification (see especially their *Shadow* CD). But *On the Shore* is chock-full of huge, dramatic sounds that I could easily imagine being the soundtrack for a really good movie or while listening to while driving a long distance. I like all of DM's music for the same reason that I like (most) Jazz: no lyrics. And this CD is the perfect mood/party music. You gotta buy this CD."
MORE OF THE SAME GREATNESS
chris whitehead | Austin, Tx USA | 02/04/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those of you who didnt happen to get a copy of the Wichita Lineman CD, the first CD is a treat, even for those of us who did its still. This disc is a continuation of the space sounds they started with on Atardecer.Get it and prepare to be amazed!"
Not a proper album
imants | Bora Bora | 01/28/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"It has been some time since FODM released their last collection of songs so I was excited to hear of a new album. I was disappointed however to learn that the first disc of this double-disc collection had been released as an import over a year ago; a collection I already own. That being said, sonically there is not much new here. The second disc contains the signature FODM sound full of southwestern desert moods and spacey themes (all instrumental as usual). At times just superfluous sonic mush, the songs still manage to evoke some beautiful feelings. All in all this is a solid collection of songs, although I would have liked a proper studio album. That being said, those who have not heard the songs on disc 1 are in for a treat with the gorgeous versions of "Wichita Lineman" and "Tennessee Waltz". This collection of FODM songs is better than none at all."