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Never before have I been compelled to write a retalliation review for an album here. Sure, I've certainly had strong disagreements with reviews on this site, but I usually take it with a grain of salt. When I read the review of the newest Daughters album on the afternoon of September 10th, I totally disagreed with it, but I didn't really bother to do anything besides post: "I totally disagree with this review. He's not trying to sing on this album, I would say. I honestly think this is the best album Daughters have released to date. They got sick of how every hardcore band sounds exactly the fucking same. For a spazz-core heavy band to release such an experimental record is a huge positive in my book. I hope more bands in this genre take a cue from Daughters and just experiment a little. This album rocks."

I thought my little comment would be enough of a way for me to vent my frustrations. However, as time passed, I grew to enjoy the album more and more. At the end of the year I cited it as one of the best albums of 2006. Now I like it even more than when I said it was one of the best of the year. As my enjoyment of the record grew and grew, so did my frustration with the Punknews.org review of it (especially by one of the trustworthy staff! gasp!). I would read it over and over, disagreeing with almost every point, obsessing, and carving key phrases of it into my walls ("shitstorms," "obnoxious," "Hypervent Tilationsystem," etc.). I stopped sleeping. I stayed up all night, hugging my iPod rocking back and forth listening to Hell Songs while staring at my distant computer screen while the cursed review glared back at me.

That really happened to me.

The fact of the matter is, Hell Songs not only rules, but utterly destroys everything else the band has released and most of what their weirdo noise contemporaries release. I really wouldn't consider Daughters to be a part of any real genre and god forbid I label them "grindcore" (what grindcore truly is has yet to be determined to this very day [cue frenzy of scene veterans to the comments section]). They seem to belong really in the noise band category, more like bands such as Growing and Battles, and (perhaps more similarly) freakout bands like the Locust, Black Dice and AIDS Wolf. Either way, experimentation is not a bad thing.

The vocals were the most abhorred part of the album according to the previous review, but I think they are stronger than on previous recordings. In fact, if I hear another band with "a vicious, affecting scream, very much helping to illuminate the underlying chaos" I will blow my fucking head off. The new vocal style is not an attempt to sing, as the previous reviewer stated, but is just another way to tell the story the lyrics are trying to convey. If you think about it, talking, whispering, growing, and hissing the lyrics are no more absurd than screaming them. The new vocal style represents more of a confusion and a desperation, which I think compliments the music way better than a high-pitched bark.

The songwriting is improved as well; everything has a bouncier, carnival-in-hell sort of quality. The ideas are drawn out longer as well, because one of my biggest complaints about the last album was that it was over too quick (there's only one song under a minute long on their new album). This new format allows the band to jam a little longer on each song, which in turn makes the heavy parts much more intense. This idea is really taken advantage of on the three-part, six-minute-long "Cheers Pricks" (which also features one of the most loopy and catchy basslines on any album released last year).

Even though it's only 20 minutes long, Hell Songs has a menacingly epic quality to it. The album opens with droning sun's-in-your-eyes-and-you're-hung-over guitars and a thick, plodding drumline, giving way to "Fiery" which could be playing right now in Satan's discotheque (plus the wonderful a capella ending of "this is how you go burning there as quiet as a mouuuuussssse"). Other highlights include the unbearable tension of scissors (?) clipping the empty air in "Fiesty Snake Woman" that later crumble away into complete deep chaos; the use of horns and strings towards the end of "Providence by Gaslight"; and the "love is a disgusting thing" chant on "Hyperventilationsystem." The album ends almost innocuously by suddenly fading out. It's just suddenly over.

So obviously I'm extremely pumped on this album, which may deter some people, but I absolutely mean it. I have no ties to the band or anything like that; in fact they seem very distant from their fanbase, constantly making fun of them live (which I believe is still totally justified). So if anything, I just want to try to get Brian and the rest of the music-adoring public to re-listen, at least once. Chuck Klosterman wrote in his newest book about how people can't be satisfied with simply having their own opinion and living with it; people want their opinion to be considered the "right" opinion. They want it to be a part of the status quo. So that's what I'm doing right now. I just want to have my feelings justified.

Punknews, please post this deeply erratic and troubled review for a deeply erratic and troubled album.



People who liked this also liked:
Operation Ivy - Operation IvyNOFX - Punk In DrublicAgainst Me! - is Reinventing Axl RoseThe Falcon - UnicornographyWeezer - PinkertonThe Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!Against Me! - As The Eternal CowboyTeenage Bottlerocket - TotalNone More Black - This Is SatireThe Locust - New Erections



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    Posted by victim on 2008-03-12 17:39:46
    My Score:

    Great fucking review, although a little scary if the whole thing is true.

    But more importantly, great fucking album. I mean, this is a masterpiece..

    Posted by Silas on 2007-09-28 01:10:23

    "You seriously used the words "menacingly epic" to describe music?

    When you idiots run out of normal words do you just start making shit up?"

    As funny and true as I found that in referrence to other reviews, I'm pretty sure that "menacingly" and "epic" are real words, friend.

    And I definitely think Fred Durst should start a grind core band.
    It would be "radfuckingtastic", no doubt.

    I'll join!

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 5, 2007 at 11:22 AM (EDT)

    "these bands are created out of the sheer hunch that music snobs will love them, based solely on the fact that they can pretend to enjoy the albums and give pretentious reasons for why the music is good."

    That's a bunch of bullshit.

    To the dude below, I think people comparing them to the birthday party are oversimplifying. There is much much different from the birthday party on this disc, it's still undeniably Daughters.

    -benz at school

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 1, 2007 at 9:56 PM (EDT)

    Canada Songs - Daughters... Hell Songs- The Birthday Party...
    does anyone else think daughters ripped off birthday partys sound with this new outing?

    Posted by elephantdwarf on 2007-03-31 13:59:34

    "This kind of music makes my head want to explode. I'm a fan of musical experimentation, but I can't comprehend how kids listen to this stuff for a whole album's length. I wonder how many of these bands are created out of the sheer hunch that music snobs will love them, based solely on the fact that they can pretend to enjoy the albums and give pretentious reasons for why the music is good."

    just because you don't find a good reason to listen to a record all the way through, doesn't mean its just a band made for music snobs. im sick of that excuse. i find this record highly enjoyable. its not for everyone though. end of story.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 3:37 AM (EDT)

    This kind of music makes my head want to explode. I'm a fan of musical experimentation, but I can't comprehend how kids listen to this stuff for a whole album's length. I wonder how many of these bands are created out of the sheer hunch that music snobs will love them, based solely on the fact that they can pretend to enjoy the albums and give pretentious reasons for why the music is good.

    Posted by darwingivingin on 2007-03-30 18:00:30

    "on an unargumentative note. the vocals are really reminiscent of david yow of the jesus lizard. which im all for. and in general, this might sound weird to some... but this record kinda makes me think of daughters songs if they were played by pre-"Change" Dismemberment Plan. anyone else hear that?"

    it's funny how i hate this band but i've given this record more coverage than anything else in this forum (as the sun sets was tight mind you). but yeah; now that you mention it i do hear the david yow, i also hear the mitch hedberg 100%.

    Posted by elephantdwarf on 2007-03-30 15:47:43

    "yeah that is fine, but when they completely change their sound, it's kind of dumb."

    what are you talking about? completely changed their sound? i think its called refining... and progressing, and maybe a bunch of other words that aren't negative.

    on an unargumentative note. the vocals are really reminiscent of david yow of the jesus lizard. which im all for. and in general, this might sound weird to some... but this record kinda makes me think of daughters songs if they were played by pre-"Change" Dismemberment Plan. anyone else hear that?

    Posted by Archangel on 2007-03-29 02:07:53

    "yeah that is fine, but when they completely change their sound, it's kind of dumb."

    Seriously brah, bands changing their sound is WEAKSAUCE.

    Posted by OverDefined on 2007-03-29 01:10:20

    I like the responsive review. I would be into seeing more reviews of this style.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 11:42 PM (EDT)

    "oh is this arab on radar? oh nvm, they just want to sound like them."

    "and is there something wrong with that? i wish more bands would want to sound like them."

    yeah that is fine, but when they completely change their sound, it's kind of dumb.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 7:10 PM (EDT)

    way better than their last album, the new vocal style is far better, it may rub you the wrong way but you can tell it was premeditated and that buddy put some time in to ensure it was effective and worked. And it does work.

    Barkley

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 9:39 AM (EDT)

    everyone just shut the fuck up for sec...jeeeez.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 9:38 AM (EDT)

    "ps:

    "Score for the review.

    I'm sorry dude, but this shit is NOT grind, or grindcore. This is spazzy 'rock' by a bunch of dudes who like Converge and the idea of hard drugs."

    amen. go listen to anal cunt kids."

    So...THIS ISNT PUNK LOLZ

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 12:10 AM (EDT)

    I would hardly call Brian one of the "trustworthy" reviewers on this site. He likes Taking Back Sunday for fuck's sake. The only staffers who have a well-rounded taste and good standards are Adam, Aubin, Jesse, and greg0rb.

    Haven't heard this, but I bet it's worth more than whatever Brian gave it.

    -Chinatown

    Posted by darwingivingin on 2007-03-28 00:05:11

    "so yeah, you're retarded because:

    "I really wouldn't consider Daughters to be a part of any real genre and god forbid I label them "grindcore""

    so yeah. you're retarded because:

    eat a bag of dicks.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 11:59 PM (EDT)

    So no one else thinks Fred Durst should have his own grindcore band?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 11:04 PM (EDT)

    i wouldnt really call it singing more like talking in rhythm with the music

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 5:20 PM (EDT)

    Is the singing really good? I haven't heard it yet, and I want to know if this isn't just another crapfest that people label as experimental.

    Posted by bombshoes on 2007-03-27 16:52:39
    My Score:

    This review made me really happy. Hell Songs was my number one album of 2006.

    "I'm sorry dude, but this shit is NOT grind, or grindcore."

    so yeah, you're retarded because:

    "I really wouldn't consider Daughters to be a part of any real genre and god forbid I label them "grindcore""

    Posted by darwingivingin on 2007-03-27 16:10:39

    ps:

    "Score for the review.

    I'm sorry dude, but this shit is NOT grind, or grindcore. This is spazzy 'rock' by a bunch of dudes who like Converge and the idea of hard drugs."

    amen. go listen to anal cunt kids.

    Posted by darwingivingin on 2007-03-27 16:06:30

    i almost got in a punchup with the drummer.

    4 words:

    mitch headberg you fucks

    Posted by elephantdwarf on 2007-03-27 15:35:28

    "oh is this arab on radar? oh nvm, they just want to sound like them."

    and is there something wrong with that? i wish more bands would want to sound like them.

    Posted by fox82 on 2007-03-27 15:17:26
    My Score:

    Score for the review.

    I'm sorry dude, but this shit is NOT grind, or grindcore. This is spazzy 'rock' by a bunch of dudes who like Converge and the idea of hard drugs.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 2:52 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Are you serious? This isn't noise rock or anything like that. It's bullshit for stupid hipsters.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 2:01 PM (EDT)

    Fred Durst should start a grindcore band.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 1:49 PM (EDT)

    great review.

    Posted by benz on 2007-03-27 12:21:33

    No matter who came first, I still think Daughters is better than Arab on Radar.

    And menacingly is a word.

    -benz

    Posted by denbez on 2007-03-27 11:13:21

    Thanks for this review. God did I ever want it.

    Posted by Archangel on 2007-03-27 10:52:33

    Hey Socrates, what are quotation marks?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 10:40 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    oh is this arab on radar? oh nvm, they just want to sound like them.

    Posted by Electrickle on 2007-03-27 10:27:07
    My Score:

    Don't buy this album, or any of their albums for that matter.

    Posted by socrates on 2007-03-27 09:56:57

    archangel, do us all a favour and keep your IQ-zero comments to yourself. this is a good review, I haven't heard the bands music, but the reviewer really grabbed my attention. It's refreshing to have something other than the usual read-alike punknews review to read.

    Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2007-03-27 03:42:59
    My Score:

    I like this record a lot and i think it actually ended up #3 of 06 for me... but their best ever? I know this is going to sound horribly clichéd but come on, their first 7" is easily their best. If you havn't heard it, get it.

    I'd describe this record as "daughters chugging valium with the birthday party".

    Posted by Archangel on 2007-03-27 01:39:41

    "You seriously used the words "menacingly epic" to describe music?

    When you idiots run out of normal words do you just start making shit up?"

    Hilarious, even if I did like the review.

    Posted by SilentStorms on 2007-03-27 01:29:21
    My Score:

    It's nice to see passion in a review. I wouldn't give this album more than 3 stars but I give this review a 5 stars. Good job!!! Score's is for passion ... and intimacy.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 12:50 AM (EDT)

    You seriously used the words "menacingly epic" to describe music?

    When you idiots run out of normal words do you just start making shit up?

    Posted by darwingivingin on 2007-03-27 00:37:20

    shit sucks like asia carrerra and sounds like barf.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 12:10 AM (EDT)

    i kinda want to hear this. i thought canada songs got old REALLY fast (and let's face it, there's already a ton of other bands doing that sound anyways), but when i saw them open for pelican (who suck live, by the way) a few months ago, i thought they sounded great. like old daughters mixed with the birthday party. and lord knows i love me some birthday party.

    Posted by sickboi on 2007-03-27 00:10:16

    Call me crazy, but they sound like a mix of Hot Damn! Everytime I Die, and , Calculating Infinity-era Dillinger Escape Plan

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 12:02 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    yeah this album is light years better than Canada songs, insanely good. So good it'll make you slap yo' mama

    Barkley

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