THE MAGNETIC GOD OF WRITING HAS POSTED A GREAT REVIEW AT THE METAL MINUTE! MR RAY VAN HORN! HERE IT IS:
One of the bands you're totally lame if you don't know of them is Sweden's Matadors. Not everyone has bought into the multifaceted directions that their fellow countrymen The Hives have taken on their dynamic The Black and White Album, and if you're in that category, then perhaps what you're craving is a little Matadors action...
Dubbed as "tangopunkrock," the Matadors grind out bare-knuckled garage rock with toothpicks and lime sections wedged between their teeth instead of lollipops. Say what you will about the propensity of today's garage underground to submerge itself in sugar cane pop fields more indicative of new wave instead of razor's edge rock; if you're feeling ostracized from it all, then charge the red capes the Matadors dangle in your face on their second full-length album Flame the Whisper and you'll unlikely be disappointed.
Even hipper than their debut album The Muse of Senor Ray, Flame the Whisper is poised and confident with its rubbernecked, exhaust-choked grimy sound that has as much hick coutre and stoner haze about it as it does able-bodied punk grooves and Spanish percussion. Treading as close to martini time as much as Miller Time on cuts like "New Wave Coke," "Down in the Dumps (Like Nobody Else)," "21st Century Monotony Disco" and the hilariously-titled "So You Judge Me From the Volume of My Band?" the Matadors bear an energetic lace of The Vibrators, Rocket From the Crypt, Fu Manchu and New Bomb Turks that keeps Flame the Whisper grooving along with a steady throb.
Other songs like "The Lucious Cabaret," "Like a Matador Pt. 1" and "Just Like Lucy Said" are both saucy and greasy with peppy acoustic plucks, castanata claps and maraca and tambourine shakes beneath the step-heavy rock plods to give them extra bounce. Exploring many tempo variations on tunes such as "Ditched On a Pile" or the peyote-laced "Ode to L&G" keeps Flame the Whisper on its toes as Andreas Bergstrom and his garage dwellers sojourn down Tobacco Road and record their obviously zany adventures along the way, even if it's the mad toro tempo of "Tango de la Muerte." For the listener, this means that each song on Flame the Whisper is a trip unto itself, frequently rocksteady and often bordering on the frayed edge of goofy. Regardless of what measures the Matadors pony up in their songs, be it rock, punk, country, surf, cha cha or calypso, the end result is a highly entertaining album with a nervy taste of cool.
Rating: ****
Posted by Ray Van Horn, Jr. at 8:45 AM
måndag 14 januari 2008
lördag 11 augusti 2007
"YIHAA" FROM THE METAL OBSERVER!
8,5 / 10 by THE METAL OBSERVER
So this is my first encounter with the Country unto Stoner Rock Swedish collective known as THE MATADORS. Apparantly “Flame The Whisper” is their sophomore effort and their first album was reissued when this album came out, so that’s that. Anyway what we, the listeners, are treated to on this album is sixteen tracks of extremely catchy-danceable-poppy-fun music with equally poppy-catchy-fun lyrics. If you are a fan of THE QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE or MONSTER MAGNET (“Dopes To Infinity” and beyond) you’ll really dig this because I, Sam, am a fan of said bands (more so MONSTER MAGNET) and I find myself liking THE MATADORS a good amount.
Judging by the song titles and lyrical content one can come to the conclusion that THE MATADORS have a humorous edge and that one would be correct. The subject matter is standard sex drugs and/or rock’n’roll and the lyrics reflect the lighter side of substance abuse and sexual excess….you read that right. However the music is serious enough where THE MATADORS can be taken as legitimate musicians who can compose (or write…or jam…whatever) some rockin’ tunes to which one (such as you) can indeed Rock Out.
“Flame The Whsiper” as a whole is surpringsly good. I found myself nodding along with each song, save a few, and was overall very pleased with this release. The highlights include “21st Century Monotony Disco”, “The Fresh”, “Like A Matador” and “Just Like Lucy Said”. All of these songs are seriously Rocked Out and incorporate melodies and acoustics and are just awesome. There are a few buzzkills, such as “Tango De La Muerte” which is unnecessarily boring and monotonous or even the title track which is just guitar work, along with “The Fresh”. But the hit to miss ratio is very high and THE MATADORS scored with “Flame The Whsiper” and created sng great rock songs.
Is it metal? Well no, but it’s great Stoner Rock that really gets the old noggin boppin’, yes I just said noggin boppin’, and overall just makes you feel good. A party record or a road trip record, “Flame The Whisper” was made for those two activities. However it’s enough manly rock to satisfy any open minded rocker’s taste for fun. Not mind blowing, but damn good.
(Online August 4, 2007)
So this is my first encounter with the Country unto Stoner Rock Swedish collective known as THE MATADORS. Apparantly “Flame The Whisper” is their sophomore effort and their first album was reissued when this album came out, so that’s that. Anyway what we, the listeners, are treated to on this album is sixteen tracks of extremely catchy-danceable-poppy-fun music with equally poppy-catchy-fun lyrics. If you are a fan of THE QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE or MONSTER MAGNET (“Dopes To Infinity” and beyond) you’ll really dig this because I, Sam, am a fan of said bands (more so MONSTER MAGNET) and I find myself liking THE MATADORS a good amount.
Judging by the song titles and lyrical content one can come to the conclusion that THE MATADORS have a humorous edge and that one would be correct. The subject matter is standard sex drugs and/or rock’n’roll and the lyrics reflect the lighter side of substance abuse and sexual excess….you read that right. However the music is serious enough where THE MATADORS can be taken as legitimate musicians who can compose (or write…or jam…whatever) some rockin’ tunes to which one (such as you) can indeed Rock Out.
“Flame The Whsiper” as a whole is surpringsly good. I found myself nodding along with each song, save a few, and was overall very pleased with this release. The highlights include “21st Century Monotony Disco”, “The Fresh”, “Like A Matador” and “Just Like Lucy Said”. All of these songs are seriously Rocked Out and incorporate melodies and acoustics and are just awesome. There are a few buzzkills, such as “Tango De La Muerte” which is unnecessarily boring and monotonous or even the title track which is just guitar work, along with “The Fresh”. But the hit to miss ratio is very high and THE MATADORS scored with “Flame The Whsiper” and created sng great rock songs.
Is it metal? Well no, but it’s great Stoner Rock that really gets the old noggin boppin’, yes I just said noggin boppin’, and overall just makes you feel good. A party record or a road trip record, “Flame The Whisper” was made for those two activities. However it’s enough manly rock to satisfy any open minded rocker’s taste for fun. Not mind blowing, but damn good.
(Online August 4, 2007)
lördag 14 juli 2007
VISIT MATADORS NEWLY REFRESHED HOMEPAGE!
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE BRAND NEW MATADORSMUSIC.COM PAGE!
LISTEN TO EXCLUSIVE OLD / NEW MUSIC, LOOK AT DELICIOUS PICS AND READ RUMOURS ABOUT THE ´DORS!
HELL(O) YEAH!!!
TRANSLATION PLEASE?! BUT IT´S GOOD!!! (http://muzyka.gery.pl)
Matadors
Tytuł płyty: Flame the Whisper
Wytwórnia: Devil Doll Records 2007
Ocena: 4,5/6
dodaj swoją recenzję płyty
i wygraj nagrody
Nie wiem czy którykolwiek z hiszpańskich matadorów miał szwedzkie korzenie, ale w przypadku twórców 'Flame the Whisper' ma to akurat drugorzędne znaczenie. Wszak nowoczesny rock czy post-punk prędzej skojarzy mi się ze Sztokholmem, niż rozgrzanym przestrzeniami Półwyspu Iberyjskiego. Cóż, być może Szwedzi rzeczywiście wybrali dla siebie nieco enigmatyczną nazwę, ale słuchając ich muzyki mam wrażenie, że tych kilku gości rzeczywiście walczy z bykiem, uosabiającym zalew rocka komercyjnym ścierwem.
W przypadku Matadors nie ma co rozmieniać się na drobne i sypać wyszukanymi porównaniami. Dochodzę przy tym do wniosku, że i tak nie miałoby to najmniejszego sensu, bo chłopaki tną po swojemu, wyraźnie bawiąc się rockowym dźwiękiem, w który potrafią wpleść zarówno jajczarski klimat nieodżałowanego Ugly Kid Joe, pachnące stoner rockiem gitary, punkową werwę i - co chyba najbardziej odpowiada ich latynoskim inspiracjom - dalekie echa tanga i flamenco. Czasem wygląda to mniej więcej tak, jakby zespół punkowy zaprosił do współpracy połowę ZZ Top i The Melvins, a na dokładkę zaserwował smaczki ładnie brzmiących kastanietów i niemalże popowe, krytykujące aktualne trendy dyskotekowe, refreny. Momentami panowie wpadają w nieco monotonne rytmy, ale koniec końców takie numery, jak 'The Fresh', 'The Luscious Cabaret' czy pokręcony, mroczny 'Just Like Lucy Said' znakomicie podgrzewają atmosferę post-rockowej sjesty. A wydawałoby się, że tak bawić mogą się tylko ognistokrwiści Hiszpanie. Cóż, Szwedzi dają sobie z tym klimatem równie dobrze radę!
'Flame the Whisper' to płyta przebojowa, zdecydowanie łatwa w odbiorze i przeznaczona dla słuchacza, który wypełniając schłodzoną szklankę sangrią lubi zabawić się w rytm jajczarskich, rockowych piosenek. Matadors z tego zadanie wychodzą obronną ręką i możecie spokojnie dać im szansę podczas letnich zabaw na basenie tudzież nad innym zbiornikiem wodnym, wokół którego przechadzają się chętne na podryw laseczki. Dobre!
Tytuł płyty: Flame the Whisper
Wytwórnia: Devil Doll Records 2007
Ocena: 4,5/6
dodaj swoją recenzję płyty
i wygraj nagrody
Nie wiem czy którykolwiek z hiszpańskich matadorów miał szwedzkie korzenie, ale w przypadku twórców 'Flame the Whisper' ma to akurat drugorzędne znaczenie. Wszak nowoczesny rock czy post-punk prędzej skojarzy mi się ze Sztokholmem, niż rozgrzanym przestrzeniami Półwyspu Iberyjskiego. Cóż, być może Szwedzi rzeczywiście wybrali dla siebie nieco enigmatyczną nazwę, ale słuchając ich muzyki mam wrażenie, że tych kilku gości rzeczywiście walczy z bykiem, uosabiającym zalew rocka komercyjnym ścierwem.
W przypadku Matadors nie ma co rozmieniać się na drobne i sypać wyszukanymi porównaniami. Dochodzę przy tym do wniosku, że i tak nie miałoby to najmniejszego sensu, bo chłopaki tną po swojemu, wyraźnie bawiąc się rockowym dźwiękiem, w który potrafią wpleść zarówno jajczarski klimat nieodżałowanego Ugly Kid Joe, pachnące stoner rockiem gitary, punkową werwę i - co chyba najbardziej odpowiada ich latynoskim inspiracjom - dalekie echa tanga i flamenco. Czasem wygląda to mniej więcej tak, jakby zespół punkowy zaprosił do współpracy połowę ZZ Top i The Melvins, a na dokładkę zaserwował smaczki ładnie brzmiących kastanietów i niemalże popowe, krytykujące aktualne trendy dyskotekowe, refreny. Momentami panowie wpadają w nieco monotonne rytmy, ale koniec końców takie numery, jak 'The Fresh', 'The Luscious Cabaret' czy pokręcony, mroczny 'Just Like Lucy Said' znakomicie podgrzewają atmosferę post-rockowej sjesty. A wydawałoby się, że tak bawić mogą się tylko ognistokrwiści Hiszpanie. Cóż, Szwedzi dają sobie z tym klimatem równie dobrze radę!
'Flame the Whisper' to płyta przebojowa, zdecydowanie łatwa w odbiorze i przeznaczona dla słuchacza, który wypełniając schłodzoną szklankę sangrią lubi zabawić się w rytm jajczarskich, rockowych piosenek. Matadors z tego zadanie wychodzą obronną ręką i możecie spokojnie dać im szansę podczas letnich zabaw na basenie tudzież nad innym zbiornikiem wodnym, wokół którego przechadzają się chętne na podryw laseczki. Dobre!
SLUG MAG.COM DIDGERIDODOO MATADORS!
When all is said and done, it isn’t the rock formula that makes bands interesting, it’s the band, and Matadors have unique and creative tattooed all over them.
Matadors = Hives + Tango + Country + Queens of the Stone Age
Garage, Stoner, something else weird from Sweden, however you want to classify it Matadors have a sound all their own. The tango infused melodies and beats add something to a genre that is usually by the numbers. Frontman Andreas Bergrstrom’s vocals are thick and much lower than his usually unwieldy counterparts in the garage genre, and it’s a welcome addition. Although the songs don’t all pop, there is enough substance to warrant repeat listens, and the more rocking numbers (“21st Century Monotony Disco” “New Wave Coke”) are killer. Portions of the disc meander, plus any album over 12 songs needs to be 100% solid all the way through. Unfortunately, some of Flame the Whisper should have been left on the cutting room floor. When all is said and done, it isn’t the rock formula that makes bands interesting, it’s the band, and Matadors have unique and creative tattooed all over them. –Peter Fryer
Matadors = Hives + Tango + Country + Queens of the Stone Age
Garage, Stoner, something else weird from Sweden, however you want to classify it Matadors have a sound all their own. The tango infused melodies and beats add something to a genre that is usually by the numbers. Frontman Andreas Bergrstrom’s vocals are thick and much lower than his usually unwieldy counterparts in the garage genre, and it’s a welcome addition. Although the songs don’t all pop, there is enough substance to warrant repeat listens, and the more rocking numbers (“21st Century Monotony Disco” “New Wave Coke”) are killer. Portions of the disc meander, plus any album over 12 songs needs to be 100% solid all the way through. Unfortunately, some of Flame the Whisper should have been left on the cutting room floor. When all is said and done, it isn’t the rock formula that makes bands interesting, it’s the band, and Matadors have unique and creative tattooed all over them. –Peter Fryer
ALLMUSIC.COM DIGGIN´ DEEP! "...And with Flame the Whisper it's official — Matadors are a group to keep an eye on."
Review by Greg Prato
When you think of "stoner rock," an image of a bunch of hairy biker dudes jamming away on Gibson SGs usually immediately comes to mind. But there's a new breed of stoner bands favoring succinct songs and robotic sounds (à la vintage Can) over indulgent jamming — including three chaps who hail from Stockholm, Sweden, and go by the name Matadors. And for the most part, this is the approach that the trio embraces on its 2007 release, Flame the Whisper. "Robot rock" is the name of the game on such as amusingly titled ditties as the album opening "21st Century Monotony Disco" and "New Wave Coke."
But Matadors aren't merely one-dimensional, as they also incorporate a bit of country twang on "The Duel," and you can guess what style of music they digest and spit out on "Tango de la Muerte."
It's always nice to discover a rock band more interested in coming up with its own style and approach, rather than merely being content trying to obtain "one-hit wonder" status. And with Flame the Whisper it's official — Matadors are a group to keep an eye on.
When you think of "stoner rock," an image of a bunch of hairy biker dudes jamming away on Gibson SGs usually immediately comes to mind. But there's a new breed of stoner bands favoring succinct songs and robotic sounds (à la vintage Can) over indulgent jamming — including three chaps who hail from Stockholm, Sweden, and go by the name Matadors. And for the most part, this is the approach that the trio embraces on its 2007 release, Flame the Whisper. "Robot rock" is the name of the game on such as amusingly titled ditties as the album opening "21st Century Monotony Disco" and "New Wave Coke."
But Matadors aren't merely one-dimensional, as they also incorporate a bit of country twang on "The Duel," and you can guess what style of music they digest and spit out on "Tango de la Muerte."
It's always nice to discover a rock band more interested in coming up with its own style and approach, rather than merely being content trying to obtain "one-hit wonder" status. And with Flame the Whisper it's official — Matadors are a group to keep an eye on.
7/10 IN SWEDEN´S ZERO MAGAZINE!!!
THIS LOVEABLE ONE IS IN SWEDISH FOLKS!
Matadors är tillbaka efter två år gamla albumet The Muse Of Senor Ray. Med hjälp av sexton låtar vägleder skåningarna lyssnarna under en rätt skumpig färd, där höjdarspår möter lågvattenmärken. Merparten är dock av antingen det positiva eller det acceptabla slaget.
Matadorerna går ut starkt med tunga ”21st century monotony disco”, ”New wave coke” som påminner om någon låt av The Damned och ”The fresh” som gör skäl för epitetet ”robotpunk”, ett uttryck som nämnts i samband med Matadors. Så långt har alltså färden gått spikrakt, men med ”The duel” dippar den rejält och sedan får man hålla i sig i de kraftigt bångstyriga svängarna.
Många av låtarna här är både bättre och charmigare än på debutalbumet, så Flame The Whisper är absolut ett stort steg framåt för gruppen, men hade Matadors gallrat hårdare i materialet hade plattan kunnat bli en riktig höjdare. Att döda sina älsklingar är alltid svårt, men med kanske tolv låtar kvar hade helheten blivit förträfflig. Nu tröttnar man tyvärr periodvis, men faktum kvarstår: Flame The Whisper är i det stora hela en trevlig platta med glimten i ögat och en del överraskande grepp. Som till exempel ”Tango de la muerte” och ”Like a matador pt 1”. Det låter som att bandet har kul när de lirar och den positiva attityden är smittsam. Nästa platta blir säkert matadorernas ”tredje gången gillt”.
7/ 10
By;Robert Ryttman
Sök recension:
Matadors är tillbaka efter två år gamla albumet The Muse Of Senor Ray. Med hjälp av sexton låtar vägleder skåningarna lyssnarna under en rätt skumpig färd, där höjdarspår möter lågvattenmärken. Merparten är dock av antingen det positiva eller det acceptabla slaget.
Matadorerna går ut starkt med tunga ”21st century monotony disco”, ”New wave coke” som påminner om någon låt av The Damned och ”The fresh” som gör skäl för epitetet ”robotpunk”, ett uttryck som nämnts i samband med Matadors. Så långt har alltså färden gått spikrakt, men med ”The duel” dippar den rejält och sedan får man hålla i sig i de kraftigt bångstyriga svängarna.
Många av låtarna här är både bättre och charmigare än på debutalbumet, så Flame The Whisper är absolut ett stort steg framåt för gruppen, men hade Matadors gallrat hårdare i materialet hade plattan kunnat bli en riktig höjdare. Att döda sina älsklingar är alltid svårt, men med kanske tolv låtar kvar hade helheten blivit förträfflig. Nu tröttnar man tyvärr periodvis, men faktum kvarstår: Flame The Whisper är i det stora hela en trevlig platta med glimten i ögat och en del överraskande grepp. Som till exempel ”Tango de la muerte” och ”Like a matador pt 1”. Det låter som att bandet har kul när de lirar och den positiva attityden är smittsam. Nästa platta blir säkert matadorernas ”tredje gången gillt”.
7/ 10
By;Robert Ryttman
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