The Metal West
The Metal West is the third studio album by Kid Icarus. Released in 2005 by Summerstep Records, the album was the first by Kid Icarus to feature a full band, with the line-up consisting of guitarist Justin Marchegiani, bassist Ted Baird, keyboardist Chuck Keller, and drummer Thad Moyer. The album cover was painted by Cassie Rose Kobeski.
The Metal West | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 2005 | |||
Genre | Indie rock | |||
Length | 41:36 | |||
Label | Summersteps Records | |||
Producer | Dan McKinney at Dan's House Studio, except Tracks 2 and 10, Barry P. Saranchuk at Black Plastic Sound | |||
Kid Icarus chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
CD Baby | (very favourable)[1] |
Left of the Dial | (favourable)[2] |
Reception
PopMatters music critic Mike Schiller praised album track "A Retail Hell", calling it "a nice two-guitar acoustic tune about the mundane routine of everyday life that would sound a bit like Bright Eyes if Conor Oberst sang more than he emoted."[3] Schiller gave the album a generally unfavorable review, however, saying that "[a]side from a few tight, solid tunes, the rest of the album veers toward those attempts to expand the basic rock sound, and as such, The Metal West is a frustrating listen."[3] Spin magazine writer Lane Brown described the album as having "a mellow, spacey vibe that would collapse under the weight of a slicker treatment."[4] Brown added that while The Metal West contains immediate highlights, such as the title track and "Beekeepers on the Edge of Town", the album benefits from repeated listening.[4]
Track listing
All songs written by Eric Schlittler.
- "Beekeepers On The Edge Of Town" - 2:53
- "A Retail Hell" - 1:54
- "My Anthracite Headache" - 3:46
- "Marlowe's Blues" - 2:18
- "The Metal West" - 7:06
- "The Murderess" - 4:42
- "700 Angry Ghosts" - 3:44
- "White Church Rd" - 3:35
- "Perils of Dating in 1899" - 1:54
- "Field Song and Record" - 4:11
- "Her Song for Beth and the Sideshow" - 5:41
Notes
- "The Murderess" was a featured Music Interlude on NPR's Talk of the Nation on May 31, 2005.[5]
References
- CD Baby review
- Left of the Dial review
- Schiller, Mike (2005-07-19). "Kid Icarus: The Metal West - Review". PopMatters. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
- Brown, Lane (2005-08-12). "Kid Icarus - Artist of the Day". Spin. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
- "NPR: Music Interlude: The Murderess". 31 May 2005.