if any of you remember mine (and jeromes, too) endless hype about 2006’s self-titled album, you’d know that this album was:
a. a long time coming
b. had a ridiculous amount of hype
c. was held up to an unfair standard
this album was hard to digest. when it comes down to it, you have to be in the right mood to listen to it, and that’s not always a good thing. however, with the right ambience and headspace, you will find a stellar release.
hit the jump for the review.
-as tall as grizzlies
Artist: As Tall As Lions
Album: You Can’t Take It With You
Record Label: Triple Crown Records
Release Date: August 18, 2009As Tall As Lions have been working against themselves since 2006’s eponymous album was released. The album was a genre bending and career defining magnum opus, a true testament to progression and triumph. Hyperbolic declarations aside, you could only assume the pressure they would face for their follow-up, You Can’t Take It With You.
One of the most obvious elements of As Tall as Lions are their usage of textured and layered vocals. Incorporating every band member into the vocal experience has always been a strong asset, and You Can’t Take It With You pushes the vocal envelope a bit further. The ghastly-harmonized chorus of the title track or the borderline chaingang megaphone calls of “We’s Been Waitin’” are some of the album’s finest moments. Lead vocalist Daniel Nigro even managed to flirt with background vocals for this album, allowing bassist Julio Tavarez to shine on the title track and “Duermete,” and guitarist Saen Fitzgerald to showcase his pipes on “Sleepyhead.”
Experimenting with new instruments was also an agenda topper this time around. The band has fearlessly adapted to instruments such the trumpet and Rhodes piano on As Tall as Lions and 2007’s Into the Flood. You Can’t Take It With You pulls out the stops and is gorged with glockenspiels, flügelhorns, kaoss sample pads and hand-claps, just to dabble. Songs like “Circles” and “The Narrows” are among several that contain a glut of drum tracks, and when paired with the deep bass grooves, make the rhythm section an undeniable force.
You Can’t Take It With You isn’t exactly the smoothest listen, especially the first time around. This is one of the biggest distinctions and disadvantages to the album in comparison to As Tall As Lions, which was a much more cohesive and fluid listen. It tugs around uncomfortable eccentricities, such as putting two minutes of trace noises and ambiance in the middle of an album (“Duermete”) and manipulating time signatures at their leisure (“Sixes & Sevens”). An album like this is best served with time, patience and repeated listens. Learning to appreciate the small intricacies within this album is just a part of the listening experience.
After two of the producers originally slated to work the boards for the album didn’t work out and a handful of near break-ups, the band nearly didn’t make it through the recording process. Working with producer Noah Shain ended up working in the band’s favor. Shain was able to capture their expansive sound, while allowing the group to have a say in the recording process as well. Not to mention, the craft of being able to blend a group whose sound is multifaceted and seemingly genre-less is no easy task. Powering through these crises resulted in an ethereal and equally massive listening experience, despite the huge shadow cast from previous efforts.
Grade: A-
preview tracks from you can’t take it with you:
as tall as lions – “circles”
as tall as lions – “in case of rapture”
-you can’t take grizzly with you
WEWOREMASKS IS DEAD. 
pre-ordered the record. thanks for all the updates on this band. their awesome. Can’t wait for their show in October.
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word, jon. either 1 or 2 houston bears will be at the show. come say what up.
-grizz
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I love this record, Is definitely one of my favorites of the year, saw them play with the bandits before the record came out and the new songs sounded great, i wish they came to canada more though but great review!
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yeah it really is a moody record. i’m listening to it slowly. everyday i like a different song. ps. tech bear likes the music buttons.
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You really said it well. I can tell it’ll continually grow on me..I’m already digging this, though.
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AOTY contender.
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I’m with you “Stranger” it’s that good.. The new Brand New is another contender…
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feeling all the love (love love) for the album. but jon – i don’t even see brand new making my top anything this year. i like about half of it, but there is severe disappointment involved. a couple more listens (especially when there’s a proper rip) and we’ll see.
till then… http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss2/wwm/soniamdisappointtemplate.jpg
-g
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The new As Tall As Lions album is better than ANYTHING the much over-rated Brand New has EVER done …… period.
I’m so sick of hearing about BN.
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Not trying to start a flame war here, but I actually think the new BN is pretty good. I’ll admit that I mainly listen to “vices,” “sink,” and “noro,” but i like the direction they’ve gone. And I think I like those so much because of the fact that I haven’t heard Jesse scream like that on any of their other albums. I’m a huge ATAL fan, I just don’t see why there isn’t room for both. But if I’m we’re going to arguing bands, I have to stay true to my heart… glassjaw.
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Wasn’t trying to flame war also ….
Its all good.
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oh glassjaw, when will you bless us yet again? funny how all the bands mentioned are from nyc. big ups to that city.
-g
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I never thought about that. You’re right g. Damn.. I gotta go up there sometime. I wanted to see Glassjaw perform w/ Brand New & Manchester Orchestra but it’s on Thanksgiving weekend so flights are really expensive. Now I’m just hoping they hit texas once their done with the west coast.
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just saw them live in ft lauderdale tonight.. knew nothing about them going in.. ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. if you have a chance to see them tour with Mute Math, do it. just wow.
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