Karate
The Bed Is In The Ocean
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Karate
The Bed Is In The Ocean
Southern, 1998
RiYL: Fugazi, Jawbox, Slint |
This album rocks less than its predecessors, yet it has a strange way of suggesting aggression through understated build-ups and underlying tension. Sure, there's less release (read: rocking out) than past efforts, but the album retains the intensity of the band's previous releases. The "emo" tantrums of Karate and In Place of Real Insight are still felt, even though they're subverted to quasi-military overtones and more developed instrumental progressions (i.e. less soft/loud).
Karate still employs trademark guitar effects through its ubernerd attention to vintage equipment, and it still sounds amazing. The band still has a predilection for D.C. hardcore in its song writing (all the way up in Boston). The songs evoke curious strands of veiled socialist insight (is this something new?), and it all still impresses this listener.
Still... it's just not as good as their first album. Sorry guys, I hate to toss you into that "will probably never surpass their first album" pit with Pearl Jam, R.E.M. and the rest, but it's your own fault for having such an incredible debut.
But god knows, this album is worth owning, for the song "There Are Ghosts" alone. Just listen to the striking lyrics and hollow, disturbed vocals: a break-up masterpiece. The vocals and lyrics remain par excellence for the rest of the album, and the improved and sometimes outstanding bass work is a pleasant surprise.
Sometimes jaunty rock riffs, sometimes tight meandering jazz, the bass remains steady and confident throughout the album and is sometimes prominent. The album is fun in ways Karate's previous efforts have not been, it expands their jazz affectations to more fecund levels. I am not disappointed. In fact, I highly recommend it.
ED COMSTOCK |