Search - Xiu Xiu :: Fag Patrol

Xiu Xiu live and acoustic

Michael B. Joyce | 03/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...is an impressive sight. It's one thing to get a room full of twentysomething and teenage hipsters to stop crossing their arms, but it's even more impressive to get them to sit down crosslegged and on the verge of tears. Fag Patrol's not the best introduction to the band, but it's a great release from them. The acoustic version of Helsabot is incredible.

P.S. be an awesome dude and support independent music by buying direct from Absolutely Kosher"

To knock you down a peg...

paper cuts | PDX | 03/19/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"What b*tch I am to want to put this small endeavor in its place!?!

I just want viewers to know... this is coming from a place of much love and awe for Mr. Stewart... two shows that leveled everything in ear shot, and numerous desperate, lonely scrapes with his full lengths... I consider myself an observer of Xiu Xiu.

However, this small album is somewhat of a let down, though, the undertaking of such a task as to reinterpret his otherwise noisy output (and these tracks run the span over a few albums) is prestigious and inspiring.

Yes, the songs are like he his pleading... whispering right into your ear, with barely a guitar and harmonium shuddering like a burnt fuse. BUT, the mixing is LO -FI. Fag Patrol is distractingly quite when you want to hear the movements, and sometimes the accordion sound forms an obstruction... I find myself grouping for structure or direction ( I understand that can be an amazing attribute, but really, not here).

All I'm saying is it leaves something to be desired. The songs are given new life, but this album feels like an afterthought... not essential.

Love, someone like you."