Search - Joan of Arc :: Joan of Arc Presents: Guitar Duets

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pancake_repairman | gfjdhgfjhgj | 10/30/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"First two tracks are lovely. Track 3 kinda blows, it's all off-key and meandering. It lists who each song is by, so I think I can maybe conclude that this Todd Mattei is responsible for the unfortunate new direction Joan Of Arc have taken over their last 3 albums. Track 4 is totally weak too in a similar way, and Mattei isn't involved in that one, so I don't know what to conclude now. I guess it was a group effort in being totally crap on their last 3 albums. Track 5 is pretty lame too, but in a different way, more experimental, reminds me of Tom Waits and Storm And Stress. Track 6 is by Tim and Mike Kinsella, but it's nothing special. Much better than the last 3 songs, but not as good as the first two. Track 7 goes for over 10 minutes. It's the first one of these tracks to really sound "post-rock". Reminds me a bit of Thurston Moore and Nels Cline's Pillow Wand collaboration album, with hints of the Kranky and Morr label's more eclectic material. It's pleasant and interesting enough to listen to once, but there's nothing about it that makes me want to hear it again. Todd Mattei kinda redeems himself on track 8, it's a lot more in key and less meandering. It's better in the second half, the only section of music on this album to use a conventional strumming style, and it's used really well. Track 9 is another long post-rock type track, like a more ambient and meandering version of track 7. On track 10 one of the guitars is way out of tune and it's not endearing it's just weak and stupid."

What we always wanted...

Matthew D. Haller | Idaho | 11/03/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"but it's not as good as we hoped. This collection of musicians is capable of making beautiful experimental music. I've been following the Kinsella's and their projects ever since Cap'n Jazz and I've always wanted to hear a music-only project, particularly acoustic guitar. When I saw that this CD was out there, I just had to get it. But it's not nearly as good as I know these guys are capable of. Ghosts and Vodka was even better than this. They really need Victor's guitar on here too. I agree pretty much entirely with the other reviewer, except that I really do enjoy the crazy Tom-waitish song, (track 5 I believe)."