Search - The Standard :: Wire Post to Wire

Ignore the last two reviews--The Standard are the real deal

M. W. Hemingway | Washington, DC United States | 07/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Standard are something to behold--dense arrangements and really awe-inspiring musicianship. Wire Post to Wire rewards repeated listens like no album I've heard in ages. They don't have any easy points of reference, "prog" is unfair and Radiohead seems like a meaningless comparison, except to say that both bands understand the power of dynamics have amazingly ambitious visions compared to their peers. But I will say if give the album a few spins you'll "get" what they are doing. I saw them in Baltimore earlier this year where they played to about 12 people on a brutally cold Monday night. Not remarkable. What was truly remarkable was that when I saw them a week later in DC (where the crowd was much better) I saw about six people who had made the 50 mile drive to see them again just a week later. They are that good live. So please ignore any ad hominem critiques of the singer (*sigh* I guess that's his cross to bear for having a unique and expressive voice) and obviously casual dissmissals."

One of the top albums of 2004

doug | Rocky River, Ohio United States | 07/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of my favorite albums of last year, Dolorean's - Not Exotic, led me to this recording. I discovered through their website that not only did they love this band, but their keyboard player layed down the piano tracks on their new record. That seemed to be a good enough reason to seek it out at my local independent store. When I went to go buy it they didn't have a copy left, which was also completely shocking. The store owner told me he had played a promo of the new record and sold all 5 copies that he had that same day. Thinking that no one else would have it, I went home and just downloaded it. I was completely blown away from beginning to end. Songs like "Metropolitan," "Unicorns and Chemicals," and "Runway Week" are sure to make many people's mix tapes in the coming months, and the rest of the album is nothing to scoff at. A dark and melancholy masterpiece that is a must buy and one of top albums of the year. (Oh and I did buy this record later on)."