I Bet On Sky
General
| Sep 2012
Reviews
Andy S
Reviewed 2012-09-20
Reviewed 2012-09-20
Loud, guitar-driven post-hardcore-indie rock. Three albums into the stride they've been hitting since bassist Lou Barlow's return, these legendary SST alums are tightening up a little and starting to extend feelers away from a (successfully) formulaic sound. Fresh off a low-key, mostly acoustic solo album that nobody but me particularly liked, J Mascis's songwriting has gotten a touch more intricate but retains its knack for weaving genuine sentiment out of a first-grade vocabulary set. FCC clean; start with 2, but 5 through 7 are also golden. —Andy
1 - (5:31) mid-tempo warm-up track, scribbling guitar and subtle synth/keys
***2 - (4:59) the single, and for good reason; no-nonsense proof that they've got the formula down; antsy chugging guitar and vocal hooks form-fitted to J's croon
3 - (4:50) mellow rollicking verses with guitar holding back until dramatic chorus
4 - (5:21) slower and brooding, J's songwriting front and center, gentle hooks
**5 - (2:50) Lou song! Fast and bouncily angsty, classic Sebadoh-style lyrics
**6 - (4:41) upbeat, great hook, fun wah-heavy guitar, best solo on the album; they even sneak a cowbell in toward the end
**7 - (2:45) extra-fast, intense but joyful, breakneck soloing
*8 - (5:27) sprawling guitar-centric track that would fit well on Farm, occasional cannon-shot percussion accents
*9 - (3:50) Lou again; tender vox and rock guitar balladry
10 - (6:39) the long one; wistful and dramatic
1 - (5:31) mid-tempo warm-up track, scribbling guitar and subtle synth/keys
***2 - (4:59) the single, and for good reason; no-nonsense proof that they've got the formula down; antsy chugging guitar and vocal hooks form-fitted to J's croon
3 - (4:50) mellow rollicking verses with guitar holding back until dramatic chorus
4 - (5:21) slower and brooding, J's songwriting front and center, gentle hooks
**5 - (2:50) Lou song! Fast and bouncily angsty, classic Sebadoh-style lyrics
**6 - (4:41) upbeat, great hook, fun wah-heavy guitar, best solo on the album; they even sneak a cowbell in toward the end
**7 - (2:45) extra-fast, intense but joyful, breakneck soloing
*8 - (5:27) sprawling guitar-centric track that would fit well on Farm, occasional cannon-shot percussion accents
*9 - (3:50) Lou again; tender vox and rock guitar balladry
10 - (6:39) the long one; wistful and dramatic
Recent airplay
I Know It Oh So Well
down in the basement — Sep 28, 2023
Watch The Corners
Hanging In The Boneyard — Oct 27, 2022
Almost Fare
Down in The Basement (rebroadcast from Jan 6, 2022) — Jan 20, 2022
Almost Fare
Down in The Basement — Jan 06, 2022
Watch The Corners
Down in the Basement — Nov 11, 2021
Watch The Corners
All Passion No Technique — Apr 07, 2016
Charting
2012-09-21 — 2012-11-23
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Nov 18 | 3 |
| Nov 11 | 3 |
| Nov 4 | 4 |
| Oct 28 | 1 |
| Oct 21 | 3 |
| Oct 14 | 2 |
| Oct 7 | 4 |
| Sep 30 | 9 |
Track listing
| 1. | Don't Pretend You Didn't Know | ||
| 2. | Watch The Corners | ||
| 3. | Almost Fare | ||
| 4. | Stick A Toe In | ||
| 5. | Rude | ||
| 6. | I Know It Oh So Well | ||
| 7. | Pierce The Morning Rain | ||
| 8. | What Was That | ||
| 9. | Recognition | ||
| 10. | See It On Your Side |
