Enablers - Tundra
by Peter Allison
published: 28 / 2 / 2009

Label:
Exile On Mainstream
Format: CD
intro
Ambitious and unique, if somewhat monotonous third album of post-rock/spoken-word from San Francisco-formed band, Enablers
'Tundra' is the third post-rock/spoken-word album by Enablers. While others have called this album heavy, my own opinion is distinctly more reserved, and I would prefer to call it resolute. Upon first listening to this album, my first impression was that it was an advert for a popular brand of coffee, for so similar in tone and speech was Pete Simonelli (vocals) to the voiceovers in those, that I was constantly experiencing caffeine cravings. These unintentional allusions to caffeine based products aside, this is an ambitious project, and in some ways similar is style to 'The White Room' by the KLF (their track, not the album). The question, however, of whether this is a good album or not is debatable. Conventionally, it is refreshingly unique, yet at the same time I was almost tempted to dismiss it. It was only after I realised that an hour had passed whilst listening to the CD, that I found myself revising my opinion. This is not a conventional music album in any shape or form, but neither is it a bad album. Pete Simonelli’s monologues lulls you into a lethargic state of contemplation, so I can only conclude it is best listened to when relaxing in the evening. My main criticism with this album is its lack of diversity. While this is a necessary evil in order to ensure flow, it is unfortunately taken to excess here. I found that I had listened to over half the album without realising we had changed tracks! Although I found myself initially ambivalent towards it, I was eventually impressed by its skill and ambition. This is not an album I will listen to often. It is, however, an album that I will listen to again and be impressed by.
Track Listing:-
1 A Blues2 The Destruction Most of All
3 Carriage
4 New Moon
5 Februaries
6 Tundra
7 The Achievement
8 Kosovo
9 The Bells
10 Four Women
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Enablers/212885122067703http://www.enablerssf.com/
http://www.enablers.fr/Enablers.html
http://enablers.bandcamp.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enablers
Label Links:-
http://www.mainstreamrecords.de/
reviews |
The Rightful Pivot (2015) |
![]() |
Mellow change-of-direction for Oakland post-punk band Enablers, which is damaged by singer Pete Simonelli’s overactive lyrics |
most viewed articles
current edition
Pennyblackmusic - Writers and Photographers' Albums of the Year 2024Peter Perrett - In Dreams Begin Responsibilities Interview Part One
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Clive Langer - Interview
Pennyblackmusic - Book of the Year Award 2024
Johnnie Johnstone - Interview
Marianne Faithfull - Reflections
Laura Nyro - Profile
Johny Brown - Corpse Flower
Vinyl Stories - Vinyl 2024
most viewed reviews
current edition
Dorie Jackson - Stupid Says RunRingo Starr - Look Up
Beabadoobee - This is How The World Moves
Pixie Lott - Encino
Dusty Springfield - The BBC Sessions
Unthanks - In Winter
Joan Armatrading - How Did This Happen and What Does It Mean?
Rosie Lowe - Lover, Other
Oïmiakon - Comptoir Des Vanites
Emily Burns - Die Happy
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart