Search - Pinback :: Offcell

Almost Great

greengoose_99 | Atlanta, GA United States | 06/22/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Isn't an EP like this just giving us bad news in a nice way? It's a clear sign that we're a ways away from seeing a full album of new material when a band releases an EP like this.I'm a huge Pinback fan, but can't blindly give Offcell all five stars. How about one star for each good song?! The title track is just couple of recycled rifs from older Pinback songs. On the flip side, the 11 minute "grey machine" is amazing and worth the price of this disc all by its self. One of their best songs ever! The song "b" isn't far behind. If your a fan, this is a must have. If not, get "Blue Screen Life" or "This is a Pinback CD""

Cauterize my ears

Nick Danger | New York, NY | 12/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I held out for so long and now I have given in. It's tough to pay close-to-full-length price for a 5-track CD. But, listen to me, and everyone else, and get this as soon as you can.After Blue Screen Life, I was concerned that Pinback would not be able to out-do themselves. And I contend that this EP does not necessarily out-do any previous work, but bridges a natural progression of sonic excellence.What drew me to this band was the catchiness(i.e. Penelope, Concrete Seconds) and the grasp and manipulation of rhythm (i.e. Offline PK, Prog). These elements remain in full fluency. What seems different to me is the overall tone. It feels more dark and mechanical to me than previous recordings. I mean this only as an observation, not a criticism. There's just a seriousness that I feel from this.Perhaps fans should be a bit fearful of a CD like this. It captures a unique band at their most tight and complete so well that it seem like they haven't left much room to grow.Then again, if you look at Rob Crow's career, there are always new directions-not always linear, at that.My personal favorite track is "B." It's the one track that sound the most Pinback-esque to me, based on my prior description of why I love this band."

The next step for a band that refuses to stand still

Travis Bursik | St. Louis, MO United States | 10/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"pinback's discography is dotted with EPs. while many bands eschew the value of an EP, pinback see them as opportunities to explore different sounds without committing to an entire album's worth of music. The irony, of course, is that one wishes these *would* be longer, but that's the price you pay for progression."offcell" is probably their most accomplished and realized work to date. the five songs here show everything that is right about pinback: devastating pop hooks, dynamic song structures, and emotional grandeur. pinback has been lucky enough to find and understand their voice early on; the result is that it flows through them effortlessly -- "emo" music in its strictest of definitions.all of this culminates in "grey machine," the eleven minute opus that, despite its length, remains engaging and heart breaking. at thirty-odd minutes in length, the EP whets the appetite without becoming overbearing. the taste will only make their next studio album that much more enjoyable."