“LOSE is a very apropos title because it refers not only to losing Ben, but also it's about a sort of nostalgia, a longing for a time when music meant everything to you and your friends, and it seemed like one great rock record could change everyone's life the way it changed yours,” says D’Agostino. “It's about being in mourning for your long-held belief that music could literally change the world. That's the contradiction at the heart of LOSE... You're disillusioned, but somehow you can do nothing else but rail against that feeling mightily and try, once again, to make a record that makes you and everyone else ‘wake up wanting to listen to records’.”And indeed, the band, rounded out by bassist Matthew Whipple, keyboardist Brian Hamilton, and drummer Andrew Dole, alongside producer John Agnello, do little wallowing. This is a raucous affair, an Irish Wake, ultimately rooted in nothing less than a celebration of just being alive.“I think this one is obviously more accessible than Why There Are Mountains or Lenses Alien,” says D’Agostino, referring to the band’s first two LPs, their debut having been awarded Pitchfork’s coveted Best New Music. “The first two had a lot more stop and start,” he continues. “This one has a ton of momentum. It's got fluidity and grace. I think I gave the lyrics more room to breathe, so you can kind of follow what's going on.”
C**N
An album that touches a nerve
"Lose" is a emotion and energy laden álbum, that ponders on the nostalgia and pain of change, loss and growing up. I can already tell this will be a timeless álbum and it has served as the soundtrack (savior!) to what has been a very tough year for me. Amazing!
A**R
Killer album
Bought this vinyl as a bday present for my roommate. This was his fave album of last year.
P**E
Not What I was Expecting, and I'm Glad
It wasn't what I was expecting, but I'm glad it's not. I heard one song on satellite radio (not even sure which one), liked it, then eventually got around to getting this release. I remember the song sounding a bit like Built To Spill, maybe Modest Mouse, so that's what i thought C.E.G. generally sounded like. But to me, C.E.G. sounds more like if Superchunk went more anthemic (and maybe atmospheric?), and mixed in some Sunny Day Real Estate, Trail of Dead, At The Drive In or something. Definitely some early emo going on (not the commercial punk kind of emo). Other reviewers have mentioned that the sound has some shoegaze influence, but i don't hear it.The voice sounds like cross between Mac from Superchunk, ATDI and Perry Farrel, but I know those descriptors don't really do it justice.Overall, I think this is more accessible than any of the bands I mentioned, and there's nothing wrong with that (to partially borrow a BTS album title). Actually, I'm in the middle of one of those phases when an album sinks in and won't let go. You hum it all day long, and don't even realize it. The songwriting, song arrangments and production are all great. 8.5/10.
B**R
Five Stars
super cool, rocking weird, love it. a departure from the 'norm.'
D**E
Five Stars
Great album! Arrived in excellent condition!
I**N
Five Stars
Can't stop listening to it.
J**R
'Lose' Is Winning
Cymbals Eat Guitars have intrigued me since the first time I heard their epic "...And The Hazy Sea" way back in 2009. A mix of shoegaze-y guitar noise and early 90s indie rock aesthetic that showed they weren't afraid to wear their influences on their sleeves while still sounding decidedly unique. While their debut Why There Are Mountains was a great start it still had moments of chin scratching and inquisitive looks. Potential oozed, but some honing still needed done. 2011s Lenses Alien felt tighter and songwriter/singer/guitarist Joseph D'agostino seemed like he had a vision for the band's sound. While not necessarily gaining new ground he had definitely began perfecting the Cymbals Eat Guitars sound. Three years later D'agostino and co have delivered their masterpiece in Lose. In under 45 minutes Cymbals Eat Guitars have solidified a sound born on a self-released album just five years ago. Emotional, angry, dreamy, atmospheric, and spatial are just a few words that describe Lose.Much has been discussed regarding the death of a childhood friend and the affect it had on D'agostino and how it shaped the songs on Lose. I won't discuss that aspect of the songs because I think it's insignificant in looking at the album. Regardless of where these songs came from inside D'agostino, what we hear on record is the result of an influence and not the influence itself. Simply put, judge the songs and not what influenced them. Regardless of these songs being influenced by a tragedy they could still have turned out like crap. Fortunately that's not the case here. Opener "Jackson" appears through the clouds with a dreamy Wurlitzer organ and celestial glimmers of guitar and vocals before blowing up into that signature Cymbals Eat Guitars sound. "You're taking two Klonopin/ So you can quit flipping/And face our friends/You dated the sainted dead/He ain't nothing but a prayer card", D'agostino sings in bated breath before anger takes over in his voice. There's enough reality in the words to make it seem relatable, while still keeping it a little on the existential side. "Warning" is a rocker with some great guitar, while "XR" sounds like a punk rock Irish wake. "Child Bride" is a beautiful track that floats along acoutic and jangly electric as the ever present Wurly keeps the track in dreamy territory. I have to make mention once again of the Wurlitzer here as I feel this is the band's secret weapon. I feel it adds an element to the sound that other bands would over emphasize and ruin its magic. But with CEG they use it just enough to put their sound on a whole other level. With the addition of strings on this track the song becomes absolutely stunning. Then there's "Laramie", the epic centerpiece of Lose. It morphs from otherworldly and almost extraterrestrial-sounding to completely rocking back to otherworldly. The guitars whisp and morph with what sounds like the use of a Whammy pedal(great use of one by the way.) It's truly a batsh*t track that words can barely do justice in describing it. "Chambers" comes from out of nowhere like some long lost Eddie Money track from 1987. If that description scares you, I implore you to give it a shot. It's genius, really. "Lifenet" sounds like a cross between The Pixies and Bruce Springsteen. It's a song only an East Coast band brought up on the Boss, 90s indie rock, and the Feelies could write.If you were ever on the fence about Cymbals Eat Guitars, Lose will be the album to kick your posterior right into their line of sight. It's a compact masterpiece that only gets better with each listen. One of the best of the year.
D**2
Good for the drive to work
I am new to this band. It is getting stuck in my head. Good for the drive to work :p
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