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Album Details

• Artist: The Skivies
• Album: Lorem Ipsum
• Label: Independent
• Year of Release: 2011
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: sinist3r-punk on 2011-08-19

I don't want to completely give up hope on The Skivies, because their hearts seemed to be in the right place with Lorem Ipsum. But their execution falls so short of expectations I began to wonder if this was really a concentrated effort to make a solid, well-constructed album. I had no reason to believe Lorem Ipsum was pure gold from start to finish, but the opening track showed so much promise, everything from then on was just another trip down the water slide of disappointment. "Albuquerque" was a strong start to the album. It has a Butthole Surfer feel to it and even with really redundant lyrics, it was fun to listen to. The next 42 minutes, were not fun to listen to, at all.

Some bands seem to think that the recipe for success means having fewer tracks on an album, but having those tracks last an average of 5:30. In some cases, bands can completely transform music from radio hits to operatic and moving pieces of art. Even if your hammering away at your instruments and screaming at the top of your lungs, a little variety doesn't hurt. But the only variety here seems to be in the bands The Skivies felt like imitating during the recording session. "Lithium Grin" felt like a Tool song with none of the bravado. "Status Epilepticus" felt like a White Zombie song about 4 minutes too long. "Wingnut" is essentially a Boris song slowed down to about 4/4 with no crazy singing or shredding. Everything found within Lorem Ipsum seems to have been done so much better so many times before.

But I have not given up faith on The Skivies. Even though the only thing this album did right was make me look back fondly on some good old fashioned heavy music; I believe that with some creative originality and a shot in the arm, these guys could really take their inspirations and turn them on their head. The musicianship is there, and the willingness to make exceedingly long tracks is plastered all over this album. All it takes is one spark of genius, and from there the sky is the limit. Just look at the cute little picture on the cover. If The Skivies can come up with that, surely they'll have no problem getting some fresh ideas in the studio.

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