Comments on: Sunset Rubdown – Dragonslayer, Album Review & Giveaway

By: Pure Pop Online » New Releases for June 23rd

Pure Pop Online » New Releases for June 23rd — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:25:28 +0000

[...] to talk about Sunset Rubdown and only talk about Krug would be an injustice – a fact that has never been more evident than on Sunset Rubdown’s fourth full-length release, Dragonslayer. Sure, Krug’s influence (and voice) can be heard everywhere on the album. But compare this album to Krug’s first solo release under the Sunset Rubdown moniker, 2005’s Snake’s Got a Leg, and you will find yourself doing math with apples and oranges. The band has developed, blossomed, gained some flesh, and distinguished itself enough from Krug’s solo work that the fact that I’ve gone this far into my review of Dragonslayer only talking about him makes me a bit embarrassed. So onto the rest. Read Full Article [...]

By: Nina

Nina — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:58:08 +0000

After seeing Sunset Rubdown last week, I was inspired to go back and listen to a lot of their old stuff, as well as their new stuff again, along with the works of Wolf Parade, to the point that I now find myself rapidly becoming a Krugophile (haha), not to mention a bigger fan of Sunset Rubdown as a whole. It was great to see them live but I just wish the audience had mirrored their energy more… Idiot Heart had been bouncing around in my head for a while – your description of it is basically how I feel – and I got to know You Go On Ahead from the Black Cab session (sorry I don’t have the link right now but if you haven’t seen it, go look it up because it’s an interesting change to just have half the band playing, it feels really personal, and the fun they’re having is infectious). So, I guess I’m not making any real point here other than that this group is pretty great.

By: michael

michael — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:08:20 +0000

spencer krug is one of those people that i consider genius level, as far as people working in pop music. his output is always great, always different, and always interesting. i am already familiar with ‘idiot heart’ from his daytrotter sessions- it’s a great song, and i love how it’s been fleshed out for this album. i’m going to his show on tuesday and can’t wait- the manic energy of his songs translate so perfectly to the live setting. can’t wait for ‘dragonslayer’!

By: paul

paul — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 04:13:32 +0000

There’s a definite 70′s feel to this new record and the last one…It’s a quite inventive and invigorating listen…the vocal theatrics remind me a little of Wild Beasts from last year

By: Evan

Evan — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:18:12 +0000

“Nobody loves you/and nobody gives a damn” I do, Spencer! I do!

By: Scottie

Scottie — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:04:04 +0000

Is anyone else like me and think that Sunset Rubdown is way better than Wolf Parade?

By: Danielle

Danielle — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:10:14 +0000

I love the way you described Idiot Heart – like a great old friend that you forgot you even knew. I quoted you on my blog… and reviewed the album there as well!

By: sungangs

sungangs — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:45:48 +0000

This album is absolutely incredible, and Spencer Krug is wonderful. Honestly, from his involvement with Frog Eyes, Wolf Parade and Sunset rubdown, and his other releases from other bands, I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed with any album. His voice is unique, though sometimes a little annoying; it has so much energy and its inimitableness leaves me listening non-stop. So, without a doubt, I was pleased with “Dragonslayer”.

The style of music he presents never fails to have a great combination of ‘genres’, if you will. There’s so much variation in instrumentation, and no song is ever the same. Truthfully, I don’t think any of his songs are repetitive in any way. It’s as if each song has a beginning, middle and end. The beat to “Idiot Heart” is so catchy! I simply can’t stop replaying it. The lyrics are sick too!

By: Aaron

Aaron — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:17:43 +0000

They really need to stop being so great.
They’re making everyone else look bad.

By: Erik

Erik — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:02:02 +0000

I think that this is some of their strongest work to date. It’s amazing how each of Krug’s bands have their own unique sound, and Sunset Rubdown is no exception. It’s a sound that’s amazing and immersive, and the vocals are simply unmatched when Sunset is at their best. Can’t wat for the 23rd for this one

By: Denise

Denise — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:07:19 +0000

I love how they hint at different styles of music and mix them together, and still manage to make it perfectly mastered. Idiot Heart is a great example of this, it’s like a bunch of different segments strung together with a driving chorus to create a piece that can be proudly presented as a whole.
Definitely reminiscent of Wolf Parade, looking forward to the album.

By: charlei

charlei — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:46:22 +0000

Hearing anything new or old in comparison to the self titled ep sunset rubdown put out a while ago just compels me to go running back to it. screaming hysterically, and with an armful of roses. I’m always apologizing for turning my back on that little gem and i’m still convinced it’s the greatest spookiest thing they’ve ever done and they’ll never top it. I’d pay handsomely to hear them perform it several times in a row.

By: Tyler Weir

Tyler Weir — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:03:24 +0000

More beautiful stuff. I’m an die-hard Wolf Parade fan and I thankfully snapped up every album from their side bands.

All of the pace changes in “Idiot Lover” reminds me of “Kissing the Beehive” from Mount Zoomer.

Wonderful, wonderful.

By: kiersten

kiersten — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:05:50 +0000

i got to see frog eyes and sunset rubdown in the spring of 2007 and the posters still hang on my wall. almost every concert experience inspires, but sunset rubdown was the only show that left me scrambling for a piano.

i think sunset rubdown is one of the most earnest, compelling groups i’ve heard.

i listened to ‘idiot heart’ three times and my thought process was similar to yours. the first time, i thought it sounded like a polished bonus track for ‘random spirit lover.’ next, i thought it was a step forward, a satisfying sequel. now, i think it’s beautiful.

i can’t wait to hear dragonslayer.