Penance Soiree

Somehow manages to be both headache inducing and boring

Ick. I’d say forgettable but I remembered feeling pleased when the album ended.

why in the world is this on this list? totally dated. i'm sure NME claimed this band was Here to Save Rock and Roll at some point. spare me.

Noise, a lot of very similar noise. I liked maybe the one song but the album is very repetitive and discordant.

The album is just kind of a lot of noise. It sounds like any other garage rock / 2000's White Stripes copy. Unfortunately, this album doesn't bring anything new or interesting to the table. It's weird that anyone would put this on a list of quintessential albums.

You got good noise (Sonic Youth, Blonde Redhead, Unwound, Jesus Lizard, mclusky, Royal Trux, Swans etc etc) and you got bad noise made by copycat bands that have no sound on their own, like this band. It is just noise with a bit of garage rock, or the other way around.. it does not matter.

Not good; this is what you'd hear on a network tv show when they need some "edgy" rock music, like in CSI when they go to a seedy club to question someone, or when a main character spins out

I did not expect to enjoy this as much, a seamless intersection of garage rock, alternative rock and post-hardcore with a garnish of noise.

Very noisy, but solid tunes in there somewhere too. Clear influence on royal blood and the white stripes, hints of the strokes, queens of the stone age, and plenty of grunge. Not one of the best 1001 albums, but an interesting one I would never otherwise have heard

I reviewed music for Buddyhead just before they signed The Icarus Line. (None of my online write-ups survived over the past 20 years, I looked). Travis was an intense dude and poured everything he had into Buddyhead. He rejected substantial offers to maintain legitimacy and be able to write whatever the hell he wanted to. He carved out and occupied a special space in the LA / Hollywood music scene. I listened to this Penance Soiree back when it was new. On a fleeting superficial level, I thought there was something to like contained in the album. For example, the way that the first song starts (Up Against the Wall Motherfuckers) is great, the distortion and long pauses open to heavy bass-y basics against a subdued tempo and decent vocals. Spike Island retains a little bit of this but as the album progresses, it sounds kind of like a self-absorbed Soundgarden / Chris Cornell revival. I hated Soundgarden and the album was forgettable. Reading up on TIL, I found out that Mark Trombino, of Drive Live Jehu (and a bunch of other productions) was set to produce an album, but dropped out for some reason. DLJs Yank Crime still stands as one of my favorite albums of all time and I listened to it again with new ears. And today, some of makes me think of The Dirty Nil, who I really like. They've got great energy and power, but even still, there's just not enough that is interesting to continue listening. Great memories, meh music.

Post-hardcore elevator music. 6.6/10

The band is so loud, yet they make no real noise. The singer is doing so much, yet saying so little. There are so many notes, yet no actual melodies. So much effort for such little payoff. Complete anonymity. Example #36 of “why *must* I hear this before I die?” 2/5

Slightly embarrassing rock ... when it went "fuckk youuuuu" at the end of one song in that cringe american rock singing style I think I actually lolled quite a lot. I did not find this engaging, it all just passed me by really with little impact

The filthy bass sound had me right From the start. I listened on iphone speakers, so the tinny vocals and guitar fuzz got a bit old by the end. It was also quite repetitive by the end. A good album though and will definitely be listening again soon

A fun noisy racket but not much more. When you think this came out 35 years after The Stooges, you'd think more evolution would have occurred.

Before today, I'd never heard of The Icarus Line. After listening to "Penance Soiree", that makes total sense. I can't recall ever hearing electric guitars sound so unpleasant. These guys may be skilled musicians, but their overindulgence on effects pedals is awful. It sounds like white noise. It's torturous. If you don't believe me, listen to "Spit On It". The one decent song on here is called "Getting Bright at Night". However, they decide to drag this track out for over 9 minutes. Fucking hell, lads, ever hear the phrase, "Don't outstay your welcome"? You can hear their musical influences throughout the album. There's hints of Soundgarden, The Jesus and Mary Chain, NIN, Violent Femmes, and Iggy Pop. So these lads clearly have great taste in music. The problem is, they don't have the creativity to produce that same level of magic. There's nothing catchy or interesting or enjoyable on this album. Give it a miss. 👎👎

Scary album cover. I felt like I was so dialed in to music (maybe just to emo!) back in 2004, when this album came out, but I've never heard of this band as far as I can remember. And I hope to never remember them, either.

Goddamn, I was completely blown away by this! At the beginning of my first listen, I had to get a bit into it, but when 'On The Lash' came on, it was like the combination of brutality and catchiness clicked with me. On 'Spike Island' Joe Cardamone's desperate but lazy vocals is easily compared to fellow rock-revivor Julian Casablancas. And what an insanely great sound on the bass and guitar! The brutality seeps through the record - on the vicious 'Kiss Like Lizards' or on 'Getting Bright at Night' where an intense cacophony explodes into energetic riffs. On top of that you have innovative changes in dynamics on the post-punky 'Big Sleep' as well as a jazz-inspired polyrhythmic sequence on 'White Devil'. The record truly keeps you on your toes. Industrial of course also makes a guest appearance on 'Meatmaker' (a 00's fad that I am not a fan of), and psychedelia is given a whirl as well on 'Sea Sick' (this I approve of). But then... For some inexplicable reason, they decided to end the album with 'Party the Baby Off'. What an insufferable, empty-headed tune sounding like it belongs on an Aerosmith album - and not one of the tolerable ones. So much fun. So disappointed. What a rollercoaster.

Vocals are reminiscent of Iggy Pop and Lou Reed with jangly guitars. Songs feel at once modern and from another time. 4/5 stars

I WANTED to like this a lot. It's some really groovy bottled napalm. But it's just a little too edgy for me. Several times I thought a track was going to be a big highlight, but by the time it reached its full crescendo it just wasn't enjoyable any more. I actually suspect this is a problem exacerbated on the first-impression. If I knew where each song was going I think I wouldn't find it as annoying..... but Oh well! on to the next day!

An actually good album with couple great songs, like "Getting Bright at Night" and "Big Sleep". Interesting style, a bit watered down hardcore with a pleasant sounding vocalist. I like their sound, there are few really good riffs hidden on the tracks. Pretty good atmosphere of the record as well. Ah, why not, 5 stars, it's been a long time since I was so positively surprised.

this was actually dope, I liked the energy and the tone of vocals. reminded me of a more melodic dfa 1979

4.5. Really blew me away. Wasn't expecting much but this album was great

Really enjoyed it, didn't expect some of trumpet and piano riffs

Thrashy but good, very heavy and angry bass in each song

I mean, I get it…I really like The Stooges, too.

This album is a little all over the place! Some garage rock, some Soundgarden-ish, some post-hardcore, some noise. I like them best doing post hardcore, as in tracks 6 and 7. The opening two tracks are also quite good. But all in all, it’s not an album I’ll be visiting frequently, if at all

Liked it a lot and went digging deeper. But not a classic.

This has aged very well for the 2004 Hot Topic scene.

Penance Soiree Never heard of this or The Icarus Line before. Resisted looking them up, and wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the cover or band name. Maybe something Metal or some generic American Alt Rock? Up Against The Wall Motherfucker - kind Alt Rock riffing with a garage punkishness and a bit of RHCP or RATM bass groove. It does sound quite early 2000s-ish and its fine I suppose. Spit on it is less successful and is thankfully pretty brief. On the Lash, has a bit of BRMC to it, but not as good and without the more ominous feel of their songs. Annnnd….I can’t be bothered to go through the rest of it. It’s fine for what it is as some noisy garage rock, but it’s also quite tedious, with very little of interest to differentiate it from anyone else. There were many more better bands with better melodies and better ideas at that time, so why would you choose to listen to this? Listening twice through is enough. Not wretched, just boring. 2 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️ Playlist submission: Up Against The Wall Motherfucker

This is adjacent to music I quite like - Hot Snakes and Bitch Magnet examples in mind - but remain ambivalent about as a concept. This kind of twisty, angular, declarative rock mostly eschews tunes while staying clear of pure timbre, freeform wanderings, so needs killer riffs and dynamics to work for me. My conception of the form is of records composed almost entirely of the instrumental, interstitial/linking bits of Led Zep records. Maybe some Black Sab intros and outros are in the mix too, or ZZ Top if you’re Shellac. Thé riffs and dynamics on this are just workmanlike, while the record is far too long and the singing starts sounding more yap-yap-yap than manifesto-making as it goes on: the creepiness of the final repeated lines feel like an inevitability. The songs containing Suicide-esque synth pulses pleased my ears, but are more like postures of allegiance than musical decisions.

Nr. 34/1001 Up Against The Wall Motherfucker 3/5 Spit On It 2/5 On The Lash 2/5 Caviar 2/5 Spike Island 2/5 Kiss Like Lizards 1/5 Getting Bright At Night 2/5 Big Sleep 2/5 White Devil 2/5 Meatmaker 1/5 Virgin Velcro 2/5 Sea Sick 2/5 Party The Baby Off 2/5 Average: 1,92 Plain, boring and repetitve

Probably takes the cake for the most obscure artist on this list. Never heard of em and looks like very few other people have as well. Music was too noisy for me. 4/10

Listening to it is - quote - "That's the last thing I want to do" I seriously don't need to hear it before I die. There're tons of bands like this.

Mediocre noise rock.The most obscure so far.I don’t understand why it’s on the list.

It just feels loud and brash for the sake of being loud and brash. It lacks spirit or soul, or an intelligent spark, behind the chaos. The internet tells me they are post-hardcore. Though it seems that genre is pretty broad. And filled with bands I like better. (And some I don't.) Naming themselves The Icarus Line feels like it wound up being ironic. Maybe they were worried about flying too close to the sun, but in truth they never really approached that line, stalling out on their journey to rock fame and the bright lights. (https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/the-icarus-line-must-die-shows-the-dark-purgatory-of-a-cult-rock-band-that-never-gave-up/)

Messy, sprawling, meandering. There's a good album in here somewhere but it's buried underneath a band that feels like it's not sure what it's trying to be.

Better than I expected but not as good as it could have been.

Felt really repetitive.

The best part was when it ended.

Feels like they had aspirations of Sonic Youth, The Jesus and the Mary Chain, and My Bloody Valentine without the compelling hooks or song arrangements. Just endless amounts of feedback noise masturbation with little to no differentiation between songs. Lyrics don't matter, as you can't possible discern what is said without reading them, so who cares? Perhaps one of the most pointless albums I have ever heard. Favorite "songs": none Definitely does not belong on this list. Just keeps proving my hunch that the Naughties were the worst decade of popular music ever.

I am loving this album. It’s noisy but precise. It reminds me of a lot of early 2000s rock such as The Stroke and QOTSA, but it’s consistently better throughout than the albums I’ve heard from those bands. Crazy these guys only have 1,700 monthly listeners o ln Spotify at this point (many of them people from this project no doubt), but considering they don’t exist anymore there’s no reason for any promotion.

Never heard of them before but I loved this album!

Penance Soiree is an album that should have fell flat on it's face but somehow, it manages to be so amazing. I wasn't having high hopes about this album considering that it was listed as a noise rock album so i was expecting the most annoying thing ever but i did not get that. Instead, what i got was fast and frenetic album with some great melodies and some insane guitar work. The trumpets in some of the tracks did add quite a lot to them as well as they gave the album a pretty bluesy vibe. Granted, Meatmaker does do the annoying thing with it's instruments getting loud at certain intervals and the lyrics can be incredibly juvenile at points but none of these issues were enough to make me score this album any lower than 5 stars. Best Song: White Devil Worst Song: Meatmaker

Great

When this popped up, I’d never heard of The Icarus Line, no idea of genre, there was a clue with the record label, V2, that it would be guitar led, that was all I had to go on, so I just stuck it on and hoped for the best. After probably less than 10 seconds I had a very big smile on my face. This album totally blew me away. It was released in the raising children period of my life, so they got missed. OK, I did discover At The Drive In in this period, but this is on another level. That deep rumbling bass, the mangled guitar. The changes of pace and styles, that very random ode to Suicide with ‘Meatmaker’ I didn’t see that coming. I could hear hints of Jesus and Mary Chain with ‘Getting Bright at Night’ and also ‘Sea Sick’ with a hint of Loop in there too, leaning into some classic grunge, not to mention the obvious Stooges influences, some surprising influences for a band from California. Ironically when I read up about this album, and the band in general, I found out I’d seen Joe Cardamone live back in 2017, supporting Mark Lanegan, but unfortunately, I didn’t do my homework, and didn’t concentrate too hard on what I was listening to at the time, if I had then I would have had this band in my life a lot earlier. Also this was engineered and recorded in London by the legend Alan Moulder, who is responsible for many of my favourite albums of all time, I could see how he must have shaped their sound, and make it appealing especially for my ears. This album is a beauty (the follow up sounded brilliant too), it is one of those reasons why I am doing this challenge. Amongst the shite, there is a gem like this. It’s probably going to be a future top 50 all time great for me. I’m going to buy it today.

Ihana albumi aijaijai vitutti kiiressä pyörällä junaan mutta plääni cois totas lekurille 1v kroonista limaa sieltä heh keuhk 1v...

So this is my 1001st album. Although there was never really a time that I seriously considered quitting this list it’s still somewhat mind blowing to actually be at the 1001st album. There’s still about 80 albums left so I’ll save all the reminiscing and reflecting and highlighting for the real end but even now I’m starting to get that bittersweet, college graduation feeling about something that’s been a part of my life for years coming to an end. As for the actual album, the more I listened to it, the more I enjoyed it. Thought it was going to be annoying nu metal at first but it turned out to be a really fun mish mash of rock subgenres. Rage against the machine and the whole grunge movement were the biggest influences but I also got early 00s alternative vibes. Big sleep, virgin Velcro, and party the baby off were all standouts but none of the tracks really stood above the rest; was more of a full album experience type thing.

5/5 - fun album

Hell yeah, this is sick! It sucks so bad about the label issues because I never heard of this (presumably due to that) and I love it. I would've 100% been a huge fan of this album when it dropped. Regardless, I'm glad to have found it now at least. Noisy garage rock is my jam.

великолепно

When I saw this genre was "post-hardcore" I was pretty sure this wouldn't be for me. To my surprise I really love it! Edgy and cool in all the right ways, I didn't realize that I had room for a new post-hardcore band in my life. This is great rock and roll! The 1001 list disabuses me of yet another preconceived notion.

loved!

This is exactly why I’m doing this list. So happy to discover this kickass record.

First album in over 740 that I haven't been able to find any where. A pretty incredible feat all things considered. The fact that I've had immediate access to almost 750 albums spanning all the way back to the 1950s in my pocket is something we take way for granted. Undertaking a project like this even 15 years ago would have been a very different experience. For all it's short comings, Spotify is the one of the most important advancements in consumerism we've ever experienced

4.5/5. Right up my mf alley. Bruh it’s got NiN AND Ink + Dagger members. Post hardcore rules

Very cool noise rock. Worth a listen.

More hard rock album than alternative, in my opinion. Slight rounding up.

I think it's pretty good. It's definitely reminiscent of the early aughts vibe of Jet, The Vines, Kaiser Chiefs, The Strokes, etc. I'm going to give it a 4, which I feel might be half a star too high, but I've had an AWFUL 2 weeks, and I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to hear something that isn't 80s pop or 70s rock.

Maybe the first album so far that's really about what I'm about, but it's still not quite there. Three and one half out of five

Most of the reviews for this album have been quite negative. The masses are wrong this time. I enjoyed it. Quite solid. Not perfect but this one surprised me in a good way.

A really fun album. That energy that you only get from noise rock bands. It can drag just a little. But overall a good album. Added it to my collection.

Usually I don't like the "noisy" type grunge, but this was a good balance, and I enjoyed it.

Unexpected hit for me, really enjoyed this more than I realized by the end of it.

Man - so good. Going to have to add these guys into my rotation!!

Good noise rock with some awesome guitar work, and solid vocals. I would probably prefer some more melody in places, but enjoyed nonetheless.

New to me. Totally engaged. Aggressively poetic (the best way to be poetic and rock). Yeah the songs blend but so what, the caterwauling vocals belong together with the scalding guitar and lyrics that have the poetry of hip-hop. Getting Bright at Night is an EP unto itself and a microcosm of the Soiree. Worth the price of admission.

Hell yeah. This is a great blend of punk attitude and noisy rock that sounds genuinely off the rails. I bought every minute of it. Great riffs, crunchy recording, this gave me a boost.

Bijna lager door dat 2e en 1/2na laatste nummer wat een herrie, rest wel lijp

This was also pretty fun. Like a little weaker almost as good jack white project

Up Against The Wall Motherfucker // On The Lash // Kiss Like Lizards // Getting Bright At Night //

New band to me, but not sure how I missed them at the time. Noisy and fun, and I liked the vocalist. Stand out track at first listen is ‘Spike Island’ but most of it kept me really interested. Deserves a 2nd listen to see if it’s a grower. It’s probably a high 3, but I’m optimistic I’m going to enjoy this band so will give it a 4 for an impressive first impression.

Didn't know what to expect from this but I enjoyed it. How have I gone 20 years without hearing it?

4/5. I think it was good? But overall I don't think I liked it. Hardcore garage rock that is catchy and well-written but don't think I like this as much as I thought I would. Nevermind, mid writing this review I listened to Getting Bright At Night and that was awesome. As the album went on, I kind of got the vibe it was going for and now I want to re-listen with that in mind. The main issue is that it can be a little jarring with so much noise but it does break it up sometimes with some softer openings or more riffs than just noise. Overall, once I got past the jarring energy, I was with it. Best Song: Big Sleep, Getting Bright At Night, Virgin Velcro

I've never heard about these dudes in my life (and judging from the Spotify numbers, never will again), which is wild, since they're right up my alley. Truly fun album to listen.

Goes hard. As someone who doesn't listen to a lot of rock, this was a great listen. Big crashing drums, big guitar lines that went in really unexpected directions, and love Joe Cardamone's voice.

Never heard of this band before, for some reason, so no expectations going in. I ended up liking it quite a bit. It's a bit like Jesus and Mary Chain meets Big Black with a little Pavement thrown in. Solid.

Good sound, It remembers me to the smashing pumpkins

this slapped. vive la mid 2000s

Never heard of these guys! But they're great. Absolutely great. From the jump they just EXPLODE with energy. The production and mixing on the record is stellar. The bass thunders and the drums punch without any of the weird hollow flatness that's started to pervade a lot of modern rock records. The only problem with this album is shared by Royal Blood and Mammoth WVH. Every song is a banger, but EVERY song is a banger, so a whole album of them one after another gets fairly tiring, even though each song individually is genuinely spectacular.

Caviar is probably my favorite song so far. Crusty garage mix infused with a grunge spirit and some proggy aspects. Really enjoying Getting Bright At Night -- will absolutely be going through this album again for a relisten. I have never heard of The Icarus Line before, and based on Spotify listens I am in the majority (most tracks sit somewhere in the low 10k). Sure the compositions here don't hold much mainstream radio appeal, but I am surprised their exposure is so low. I found this to be a highly enjoyable record. Definitely rough around the edges, but in that imperfectly perfect sort of way -- like an old stained and torn flannel. Understand that distorted as hell vocals and otherwise mixing might not be for everyone and some songs (such as Spit On It) might come across as audio assault, but I honestly enjoyed it -- very punk.

Nice little album

A solid heavy rock album

Enjoyed this. Will listen to more.

Listen, I liked this. But I recognize why this didn’t break out in 2004 and has to settle for critical praise. It’s not that different from most of the garage and dance rock we were getting in this era. I’m thinking Louis XIV, We Are Scientists or Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. This album is crying out for 1 or 2 radio singles. If it had at least 1 I would be giving this 5 stars. Alas, 4 is all you’re getting

Yep

Not bad. Some tracks rock hard. 🤘🏼

Very nice rock album.

AIka hyvä garagelevy! 4/5

McLusky vibes at it's best

Feel like we haven’t gotten other rock like this through 1001 yet. Reminded me of Jane’s addiction

This is a real deep cut from the 1001 Albums book, but I guess this random ass band still has people listening to their album more than the myriad of other garage punk bands from 2004. This was pretty cool though, I'm glad I heard it. Yeah it sounds like The Vines or White Stripes at times, but there's also a darker edge to it that's pretty cool (that one track Meatmaker literally sounds like a Suicide song). I'd come back to this. 3.5/5

solid album from start to finish. garage rock reminiscent of jack white. highlights: “up against the wall motherfuckers” “caviar” “kiss like lizards”

Post hardcore crossed with a bit of Queens of the Stone Age. Excellent vocals and band sounds amazing as a whole. Not heard of this band, but it rocks.

Really enjoyed this album. Everything was on point and really engaging and fun to listen to. Will most definitely listen again. The vocal performance was really emotional and kept me hooked in. The band were amazing and together it just worked so well. I can't wait to keep listening to this album, it isn't a genre I usually listen to but this might be the start of my journey into it.

Really good

Interesting find - not the most remarkable of records and gets a bit samey by the end but one I’d like to explore further

Good listen, interesting sound.

Pretty good! Grimy, grinding rock and roll shifting back and forth in intensity. Probably won't seek out more but I enjoyed it.

The first half of this album was alright, a solid 6/10. The second half however was in my opinion way better, 8/10. I like harder rock but this was definitely a great listen. Complete album : 7/10