Fabulous Muscles

[nosferatu man]

What does everyone think of Xiu Xiu's latest album? I enjoy this album immensly. There are no weak tracks, and the album flows very nicely. Each album has been significantly better than the one before it. A Promise was one of my favourites last year, Fabulous Muscles might just top my list this year.
This album is much easier listen to than thier previous efforts. If you didn't like Xiu Xiu before, I'd say give them another shot. I give it an 8.5/10.

[Futureman]

I've heard 2 cuts from the album, and I liked them both.

But what the *hell* is wrong with Jamie Stewert?! Man that dude is haunted by some frightening demons.

[nosferatu man]

Originally posted by Futureman
I've heard 2 cuts from the album, and I liked them both.

But what the *hell* is wrong with Jamie Stewert?! Man that dude is haunted by some frightening demons.

He scares the shite out of me. And I am not scared easily.

[johansen smith]

Xiu Xiu is terrible.

[nosferatu man]

Originally posted by johansen smith
Xiu Xiu is terrible.

You obviously haven't heard thier latest.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

I've never heard the records but I've seen 'em live twice (tho' the second time was just the singer and his electric guitar) and both times the vocals just killed it for me. I can't stand that overly dramatic, "new wave" style that seems to be regaining in popularity these days (I'm hearing it more and more and more, unfortunately).

[johansen smith]

Originally posted by nosferatu man
You obviously haven't heard thier latest.
yeah, that's right, because there's no way that I could hate this shitty band, so I must not have heard their new album. *insert rolling eyes emoticon*

[nosferatu man]

Originally posted by johansen smith
yeah, that's right, because there's no way that I could hate this shitty band, so I must not have heard their new album. *insert rolling eyes emoticon*

Well, have you listened to it?

[pabost]

I'm not a fan, either. And, yes, it's the vocals that kill it.

[nosferatu man]

So far I haven't seen anyone comment on the album. All I see is comments about Xiu Xiu itself. Maybe you should try the new album, then judge. :\

[tinobeat]

well, its tough. for people who've been burned by previous albums and *horrid* live shows (like me), there's no real desire to go back there.

I think I can safely say that it would take a significant change of MO on Xiu Xiu's part to make me want to hear the new one.

and yes, to join the chorus, I can't stand the guy's voice. sorry.

[vesper]

The new album is monsterous, but I guess I'm in the minority when I say that Knife Play still seems like their finest work to date. At any rate, I like Stewart's approach to turning pop music inside out and making it's ugly history a part of the sound and narrative: take A Promise and the female perspective (I hope) he's singing from and compare it to the sexism pervading music in the past and, to some degree, the present. But I don't expect anyone to like them for the same reasons I do.. Nor do I expect them to give the album another chance -- if they didn't like Xiu Xiu before, Fabulous Muscles isn't going to change a thing.

You shoulda been here a couple months. It's now embarrassing to look back at the conversation, but I got into it with a guy about Xiu Xiu.

As for his voice, I don't find it any less annoying than, say, Morrissey, Robert Smith, Luke Jenner, David Thomas, Stephin Merritt, David Bowie, Michael Gira, Carey Mercer, Ian Svevonious...

[Futureman]

"As for his voice, I don't find it any less annoying than, say, Morrissey, Robert Smith, Luke Jenner, David Thomas, Stephin Merritt, David Bowie, Michael Gira, Carey Mercer, Ian Svevonious..."

And those voices I have a tough time appreciating. I admit that JS's voice is pretty grating. I was put off by what I heard from both Knife Play and A Promise. The tunes I heard from the latest, however, seemed a bit more tame. Maybe it was just those tunes.

*shrugs*

[Miss Tasty Princess]

A co-worker loaned this to me today and I actually really dug it. The vox were not nearly so annoying as when I saw them live. Sounds like I need to give 'em another chance.

[bitterfruit]

Just don't let the po-leese or yo' momma find the Xiu Xiu record with the naked Asian kid on it.

[johansen smith]

with all the reasons to hate Xiu Xiu, the vocals really don't bother me at all.

[LARM]

I love Fabulous Muscles. I think Xiu Xiu have yet to make a great album from front to back, but they've also managed to make about 10 incredible songs (Apistat Commander, Fast Car, Clown Towne, Sad Pony Guerrilla Girl, Fabulous Muscles, etc). I Luv The Valley Oh! is by far the best song I've heard this year. That 'la la la la la la' part is great. Xiu Xiu just remind me of a post-punk band. I think they have a lot of Pere Ubu in them musically and I happen to love Stewart's haunting vocals. And they are haunting.

[vesper]

Originally posted by LARM
I think they have a lot of Pere Ubu in them musically...

I love Xiu Xiu and Pere Ubu but I thing this is a bit of a stretch.