Bishop Allen Album: “January EP”

Ok, well Mr. Rice fully deserves any wild hand waving rights though because this is a great album. Another live-show-bought-the-album deal (the guy on the left of the album, Mr. Rudder, actually sold me it to me. Sorry amazon) the album has only continued to grow on me. I could go on about depth of lyrics, mature sound, etc., but I can't compete with a guy from Rolling Stone who probably has a degree in journalism and critical theory. Let's just say 'Charm School' is a good buy for anyone who can stand a little bit of fun and is in the midst of the mainstream doldrums. A little Atom and His Package, a little Modest Mouse (sorry), a little Hell's Kitchen, and a little art school band all grown up! Pixies beaten with an irony stick! I could go on! Fantastic stuff.

Excellent Cd. I'm walking around with Bishop Allen and their fab songs in my head, and I can't stop listening to them. This is indie pop at its best. From the opening hook of "Charm School" to the end of the album, I was forced to jump around happily and repeat the cd endlessly. The band is right; they DID make an album that was fun and smart, one which I would encourage anyone to check out. It is a great listen and one of the best albums I've purchased in a long time.

I heard "Busted Heart" on the radio and was immediately intrigued. Checked out some of the mp3s they had on their web site and after listening to them twice, bought the album. I love it! It's in constant rotation and if I don't listen to it every few days, I crave it. Every song is great. particularly like Ghosts Are Good Company and the reprise of Things are what you make of them is gorgeous. great lyrics, fun sounds, pop with a little bit of a punk edge. If you like pop, you won't be disappointed.

I like this quirky CD a whole lot. The guitar work sounds like the strongest pop songs of Luna but with quite a bit more spark. These are fun songs that seem to take many cues from 50s rock (Little Black Ache), the best 60s psyche-pop (Charm School) as well as a mixed bag of folk and rock -- and of course some of the darker and often humorous ironies found in the lyrics of bands like King Missile. Throughout the CD, the female vocals are quite lovely, and compliment the quirky, ironic, and sometimes sublime male lead vocals quite nicely. Charm School is a creative mix of atmospheric songs, pop ballads, and the like. As I learned in my years in NYC, the best things in the city - despite the rumors - usually cross a bridge or drive through a tunnel to deliver and Bishop Allen does exactly that!

I suggest you hear a few of the complete songs on the Bishop Allen web site before you buy the disk. They have some full songs for listening.

The first time I spun this record I thought it was quirky, fun, catchy -- but not much more. But, since listening to it on repeat, all the way up I-95 from NYC a month ago, I can't get it out of my head -- and not in that annoying-repetitive-pop kind of way, but because it's something much more soulful.

It's true that lots of different themes on this album sound familiar, but I've been struggling to name even one of its 'influences'.

Personal faves: the beautiful and sad "Eve of Destruction"; and the nostalgic "Bishop Allen Drive" (I now find myself checking for falling bookshelves whenever I walk down that street, which is nearby).

If you want a more descriptive review of the album, check out Jason MacNeil's at AllMusic.com: he's spot on.