Reviewing the Neighbors: El Valiente's "El Topo"
I caught [url=http://www.myspace.com/elvalienteband ]El Valiente[/url] for the first time a while back at the High Noon Saloon supporting the Kadane Bros and Bottomless Pit and I thought they left something to be desired. How wrong was I? It could have been an off night but it also could have also been the fact that the poorly attended show made it sound as if all of the bands were playing in a cave. I’m going to choose the latter because what I witnessed this past Saturday at the Frequency was one of the finest live shows by a local – nay, any - band I have seen in Madison. Their energy, their sweat, and the sweet sound of their glockenspiel had me going through my record collection the next morning trying to dig up a copy of El Topo that Eric Caldera (guitarist) had given me the night of the High Noon show (after I had drunkenly criticized them) to see if the show at the Frequency had been just an aberration...it wasn’t.
El Topo doesn’t capture the El Valiente you see during their live show, but I don’t think that it was the band’s intention. Instead, they deliver a well crafted album of instrumental post rock that manages to evoke feelings of desolation, catharsis, and joy in such a seamless way that at some points it makes you forget which way is up. It’s difficult to pinpoint any stand out tracks because the album works so well with itself as a whole that if you were to play a single song and say to someone “this is El Valiente, this is the band I was telling you about,†it would take something away from the atmosphere that the band has created with El Topo. That said, if my hand was forced and I had to choose, I highly suggest go for the back to back sonic attack of ‘Emergency Caller/Utah Desert’ and ‘J-Walking with the Queen of Misery.’
Often times instrumental bands can become formulaic (I’m looking at you God Speed You Black Emperor), but El Valiente’s Morricone guitar play courtesy of Caldera and superior drumming from Joe Bernstein strips everything down so close to it’s pure essence that one can forget that they are only a three piece. Which leads me to bass player David Sperka who I once openly said was a rudimentary bass player, again I was wrong (and probably drunk).Both on the album and live he is the anchor of the band. Are there better bass players? Yes, but Sperka excels at his job in creating order within the chaos that is El Valiente.
I am ashamed that is has taken me nearly a year to give this record it’s due respect and it makes me realize how much great music this town has to offer that we all sometimes take for granted. What else have I been missing? With that I will extend an offer to all Madison bands if you are releasing a record and you would like it to be reviewed on Dane101.com contact me at
and I will do my best to come through for you.
El Valiente's next show will be tomorrow night at The Frequency with The Real I.D. Act, Czarbles, and Pat Boone's Farm. After that the band takes a few weeks off until September 13th when they play the Corral Room with Poison Arrows. I suggest anybody who still hasn't witnessed the majesty that is El Valiente's live show catch them at either of these more intimate venues.
Frequency on Friday!!!
It should be stated that El Valiente is playing this Friday at The Frequency with The Czarbles, The Real ID Act and Pat Boones Farm. Besides the awesomeness of the local bands on the bill, I want to give my love out to Pat Boones Farm, a band that used to be from Chicago and is now based in Missouri. I’m good friends with the singer and let me tell you that if you love fun, poppy, garage rock, then you will not be disappointed with Pat Boones Farm. I will be there with frickin’ bells on.
As for your review Josh, I’m glad you came around on Sperka. I remember your initial assessment on El Valiente (as well as your take on David) and telling you that you were crazy. El Valiente is personally one of my favorite local bands. They are always fun to watch live and their cd is perfect to put on in the background when you’re reading or cleaning the house, but also great cranking it up in the car while speeding on the beltline. My point is El Valiente will kick your ass on Friday.
Hmmm...the fact that you've
Hmmm...the fact that you've mentioned several times here that you made a bad first call on this band and are prone to drunken incorrect revelations isn't exactly a welcoming call for folks to send you their cds to review...
In my draft I only mention
In my draft I only mention my drunken criticism once, my editor added the second drunken misconception...but he is probably correct. I admit that I was wrong given the performace I saw at the High Noon and I will own up to that. El Topo has never been part of any alcohol fueled incorrect misgivings; I had listened to it before their Frequency show is passing but it was that show that sold me. I don't think I am being unwelcoming by admitting that I wasn't impressed at first I think I am just being honest. If I give off any other impression I apologize to any artist I may have turned off.
Dar...I would disagree...
I'm going to have to defend Josh on this one. I think as a critic he was being honest with us which is pretty much all I ask from a critic. I think anyone that listens to a lot of music has been in Josh's shoes. I know I have. For whatever reason, a band or artist that all your friends love just isn't making your balls bounce, but then after some time, you go back and listen to them, and suddenly it all clicks and you want to punch "the past you" in the gut for being so stupid. I don't know, to change an opinion is only human, and I think it highlights Josh's honesty as a critic.
That's all well and fine. It
That's all well and fine. It wasn't a personal slam. I'm just saying that, after reading the article, I didn't feel super comfortable sending you a disk to review. It seemed like you kind of admitted to sometimes being careless in reviews or comments about bands...and then you asked people to let you review them. I just didn't think you sold yourself very well and I was trying to give you feedback on that.
It's cool to make mistakes and to be honest...but the moment that you admit those things isn't always the best time to ask people for future business.
Excessive digression:
It might have rubbed me the wrong way a little bit too because I guess that I'm just a little weary of the intense focus on music criticism lately around town. Are we too nice to each other? Are we not professional enough? Should we be more critical? Do we need some yahoo from out of town to shake up the scene? Is what he has to say important even if he was a jerk about it?
Personally, I think it is kind of an absurd concept...music criticism. Music is so personal, especially pop and rock, that I don't really know how anyone can speak as an authority. I suppose that reviewing a show or a disk gives exposure to the band in question...and that's a good deal what Dane101 is about. And I'm all for getting the word out about local music so that more people listen to it.
But personally, I'm in music to have fun, and the only reason to get more exposure or a broader audience is so that I'm allowed to continue playing as often as possible. If people like it...they'll listen. If they don't, they won't. I don't really need or want someone telling me why I'm great or why I suck. All I want to do is play music. Maybe that means that I'll never grow "as a artist"...but I don't really care. Maybe it just means I'm not good enough to take the heat. But I'm not the only one...and what's wrong with letting people have fun and express themselves? Why does it always have to be about quality control?
Maybe most people really want to hone a craft and become famous and whatnot...and maybe music criticism is key to that. It's just not my thing, though.
More rocking...less talking (irony of my excessively long post noted).
Music reviewing
Honestly, the way I look at music reviews, either for live shows or records, is a method by which regular folks can get a decent idea of whether or not they'd be interested in going to a show or purchasing a record. The critique, if it's good, can certainly also be used by the artists themselves to help them improve, or as something to laugh at. Ultimately, though, I always thought reviews were more for the people who might be interested in checking something out, and not as much for the artists themselves. Which I think is valuable.
----
thelostalbatross.blogspot.com
Post new comment