Xiu Xiu - A Promise

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I'm trying to decide if I should get this, so I'm curious to hear reactions. Haven't found reviews online yet (except for a short one in French that didn't seem to say much).

I like Knife Play, but after listening I'm never in a hurry to hear it again; I find it fascinating and oppressive at the same time. If the new disc is just "more of the same" I'm afraid it could score higher in the "oppressive" column and less in the "fascinating" one. I've heard one of the new tracks ("sad pony" something) but I'm undecided.

(Also, I never acted on an earlier recommendation to try Chapel of the Chimes, so maybe that would be a better next move?)

What do you think?

― Paul in Santa Cruz (Paul in Santa Cruz), Sunday, 23 February 2003 02:03 (twenty-three years ago)

Do they actually cover the Echo song?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 23 February 2003 02:07 (twenty-three years ago)

no, but they do cover Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car".

― jack cole (jackcole), Sunday, 23 February 2003 02:10 (twenty-three years ago)

Were I not snowed in, I have a feeling I would have gone out to buy this tonite. I'm very much looking forward to it. "Sad Pony Girl" is fantastic, and I think not very much like anything on Knife Play.

― Adam A. (Keiko), Sunday, 23 February 2003 02:13 (twenty-three years ago)

no, but they do cover Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car".

*silently debates the worth of this*

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 23 February 2003 02:34 (twenty-three years ago)

Haha, a friend of mine described Xiu Xiu to me as the US Maple of indie pop. I only heard them once, and I don't remember much from it aside from sounding curiously weird in a not-so-bad way. They certainly don't sound like a band that would cover Tracy Chapman unironically.

― donut bitch (donut), Sunday, 23 February 2003 02:39 (twenty-three years ago)

Do they sound like a band that would cover something ironically, though?

UPDATE: There's a cock on the cover? I love albums with cocks on the cover! I want this now!

― Adam A. (Keiko), Sunday, 23 February 2003 02:55 (twenty-three years ago)

A press release confirms: there is indeed a cover of tracy chapman's "fast car." I hope it's all about preserving the optimism-masking-desparation of the original, rather than bringing the desparation to the surface. (I think this means: I hope they cover it non-ironically...)

The band has an expanded lineup compared to their previous releases.

I'm leaning towards getting it.

But tell me more!

― Paul in Santa Cruz (Paul in Santa Cruz), Sunday, 23 February 2003 03:49 (twenty-three years ago)

I wouldn't call Xiu Xiu's cover "ironic", but I don't think the veneer of optimism you speak of is preserved either -- then again, I don't like Tracy Chapman's work, so it's hard to say. I will say, however, that though the new album is good, it's also a bit of let down after the last ep -- speculating, I think for me at least, A Promise falls a little too much on the soft side -- or maybe I'm just tired of their schtick.

― jack cole (jackcole), Sunday, 23 February 2003 04:27 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm a little disappointed by it as well. The first two tracks are ace, but the rest is a really mixed bag. The Tracy Chapman cover is just sort of...there. "Walnut House" is simply awful. It's partially redeemed by stronger tracks like "Ian Curtis Wishlist" but it's definitely not on par with "Knife Play".

― Simon H., Sunday, 23 February 2003 04:36 (twenty-three years ago)

This is "sad pony guerrilla girl" (downloadable from the 5rc website).

― Paul in Santa Cruz (Paul in Santa Cruz), Sunday, 23 February 2003 19:33 (twenty-three years ago)

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