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Hey guys.

I'm going to do a quick and hopefully painless review of 20 Minute Loop's newest album, "Famous People Marry Famous People."

Track One - Vanilla March

This is actually played on our first clip in the show, after the cold open. Isn't that camera effect cool, btw? Anyway, this is a nice way to start the album, with an instrumental version of "Winsor McCay" really. Also I love how the end of this track leads to the next, with that reverse plucked sample.

Track Two -  Dr. Vitus Werdegast

This song is probably the most accessible to the average listener. Immediately though, we are introduced to the zany time changes, and thick vocal harmonies. It breaks down, and then we repeat the main tune of the song with the synth. Go Nord!! :P  The song continues similar to what we've heard, and then it changes into a jazzy dominant 7 chord sort of sound. We come back with a motif, a small snippet of the melody, (ly ly ly ly) and then we finish off the song. I have to say I really digg the bass on this one, especially when it has syncopation and fun groove to it.

Track Three - English As A Second Language

This is my favorite slower song on the album. This song is a good example of their vocal style, with plenty of unison lines which sits well with the song. Very catchy chorus, and an awesome modulation with some really cool chromaticism on the guitar solo. And a very relaxing, soft, end... perfect.

Track Four - The Bone is the Orbital Planet of the Nerve.

AWESOME start to this one, just picks up from the get go. I love the little offbeat responses after "the floor of the station cradles my life". More time changed at the end of the lyrics, but they aren't obtrusive. Another catchy chorus with some effective full band stops, and then of course we end the chorus with that introduction line, which is great form.

Track Five - Automatic Pilot

Awesome start, nice four on the floor and she has an awesome, interesting voice. We hit the chorus, and then we have awesome vocal counterpoint going on. The drummer does a great job of keeping good GROOVE, but doesn't get in the way, a problem many drummers have. They can play awesome fills, but they can't get the groove JUST right, and when it comes to drums, its the smallest changes in time that change it from metronome, to groove, and he does a great job of having just the right amount of forward push.

Track Six - Empire

Oh, baby, you move like you're crazy.
I'm in love with your shoes.
No laces, each tongue out of place, and then the soles slap your heels when you move.

You can't help but love lyrics that good. They're going for art on a lot of these tracks, which is something that the average listener needs to realize. They are more worried about saying something artistically, than how many plays they'll get, which is a welcome change from the standard right now. A nice ballad, with a very cool outro, with a nice touch of dissonance at the end.

Track Seven - We Wait for the Crown

Perfect example of keeping a few melodic ideas in one song. She hints at the chorus, and it keeps the song feeling unified. Greg has a nice rock sound here, when it goes into a bit of overdrive with the crash and the snare on most of the beats. I love the chorus, a really killer vocal harmony with that touch of contrary motion at the end that really hits an interesting spot sonically. Then we get a moody guitar solo, which sounds like there's as much guts as he can put into it, and it really has a soul to the sound.

Track Eight - Mercury Vapor

At first I didn't like this one, but musically there is a lot going on. Plenty of time changes, and I love the first two lines of the chorus with that driving sound. Very cool end, as it slows down it really changes the mood dramaticallyly, and then of course, the irony of saying "don't care if i wind up dead" on top of a nice major chord is curious as well.'

Track Nine - Latin Names and Straight Pins

I love the sound on this one. Very full, with plenty of vocal tracks, and chilling upper harmonies. And who doesn't like to sing lah lah lah?

Track Ten - ESMA

There's alot of good things on this one, an awesome guitar riff, and plenty of synthy goodness. Fun little accents at the end of the vocal lines on the verse. I love the pop right at the end of the lyrics, it just seems like that "bed" line really just POPS with the vocals and the build-up before. A small little B section where we take a breath and then we hit it harder than ever for the finale.

Track Eleven - The Kirkbride Plan

One you'll have to listen to, but it seems like a hidden gem.  This is the kind of song that would be awesome live, I'm sure they could improvise and jam this one for awhile. Interesting lyrics to check out as well.

Track Twelve - Winsor McKay

This is a tribute to a friend who died, and it seems like a recap on his life, hence all the different styles and feels.

Its an awesome album, and you guys should definitely check 20 Minute Loop out more detailed. A good place to listen to the album is 20minuteloop.bandcamp.mu

Go Listen!

Scott