[.ca] When

From Amazon.com:
Vincent Gallo is known more for his ego than for his artistic skills. He's the model-actor who wrote, produced, and starred in the pretentious indie flick Buffalo 66 and refused to do any interviews unless he was guaranteed to get on the cover of the publication. While it seems there's nothing modest about Gallo, his musical skills do deserve whatever attention his name may bring them. He has been making music since the mid-'70s and played in a band (Gray) with artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in the '80s, and his debut record is cut from a very different cloth than most other indie offerings out there. For those who have heard the Buffalo 66 soundtrack, When takes a very similar, delicate dream-state approach to lounge and jazz. The CD fades in and out of chopped-up beats, thick strings, sedated guitar strummings, and Gallo's very feminine tenor. Wisps of vintage keyboards and breezy late-night jazz hang like cigarette smoke above this sultry, after-midnight collection. Although some of the song titles are a little much ("I Wrote This Song for the Girl Paris Hilton"), the music is much more subtle and surprisingly beautifully crafted than one would expect from someone as outspoken as Gallo. --Jennifer Maerz

Subtle, powerful music:
If I were going to be stuck on a deserted island, I probably wouldn't take that trip that led me to being stuck on that deserted island. I would stay home. If I were to stay home, however, this is the CD to which I would be listening. I am not kidding you. Gallo has given a lot of thought to his craft. I paraphrase: "To be different one has to be grounded in normalcy." Sid Vicious was not normal in any way shape or form, and in the end he really didn't have much to offer. Cobain couldn't stand being normal, so he didn't have enough in him to maintain. Gallo appears to be a lot more comfortable with himself, and what he has to offer artistically. This is awesome background music. It reminds me of small dash of music caught in a movie scene for which you're dying to hear more. It's not over the top, beat you on the head music. Rather, it tantalizes you and always leaves you wanting more. It's also very raw and emotional music and upon the tenth listen you begin to realize it's pretty powerful stuff. As I said, it leaves you wanting more, and I for one can't wait for the next project from this vital, controversial figure.

So plaintive, somber, sultry:
Oh, man. This is a moody, quite lovely and cohesive album. The same resigned gloom carries through each track, though each is composed of different elements. There are some dark ballads, full of sorrow, but in a very understated way. These feature an incredible female tenor whose low notes just resonate in your gut, evoking images of sultry lounge singers draped across pianos. Other tracks are sexy mock-downtempo instrumentals, with looping bassline, looping saxophone, and other samples. Throughout all songs you hear this beautiful wavering electric guitar, and sort of a warbled vinyl record hiss that gives a cozy feel, like an old favorite book with cracked edges.

Radical, notorious Republican makes soft rock classic:
Warp. They're sick. The music they release is so experimental and anti-social, yet so infuriatingly addictive. There is now no need to listen to anything other then Autechre, Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada and now, Vincent Gallo. But honestly, this kind of music most people find too 'out there', 'weird' or just plain 'the worst music I've ever heard'. In short, this album 'When' is not going to win you any friends. Vincent Gallo is not a household name. He has gained a small amount of fame amongst fashionable trend-setters and trend-watchers for being on the cutting edge of everything. Painter, photographer, race car driver, writer, director, actor, Calvin Klein model, musician. If he's not a Renaissance man, I don't know who is. He's also gained notoriety from not being the slightest bit shy about his extreme right wing political views or about mercilessly trashing just about everyone in Hollywood. I suggest reading some of his interviews online, they're funny. He's a pretty witty, thought-provoking guy. Anyway, this album 'When' is underrated. It got publicity when released because it was just so odd that this album of almost comically plaintive and emotional soft rock would be released on Warp. But that's a shame because it's a very good album. It's very minimal, soft-sounding guitar ballads, and normally I'd think that would sound very ..., but it somehow sounds wonderful. Mostly due to Vincent's production. It sounds great, he recorded it on rare, vintage equipment that makes it sound shockingly warm, dreamy and just different. 'I Wrote this Song for the Girl Paris Hilton' has a saxophone loop. Very beautiful and relaxing. BTW, Paris Hilton is a person, she's a sexy, blonde heir to the Hilton Hotels franchise. 'When' is an intensely personal, sad, sad song. 'My Beautiful White Dog' is one of my favourite pieces of music ever. 'Honey Bunny' has a video of women in their underwear on a rotating platform. Some parts are rather provocative (T'n'A galore from some extremely attractive women), while the music is almost psychotically tender. 'Was' is just one instrument, I have no idea what, sweet and simple. Most of the songs on here sound kind of similar, but different in arrangements only. It ends on a happier note with 'Yes I'm Lonely' with the line "It could be so nice/ So nice" A kind of optimistic confirmation of the possibilities of the future. I don't have the time to keep writing about every track on here. I kind of even doubt anyone is even reading this. I mean, Vincent Gallo? Who the hell has heard of Vincent Gallo other then some NYC art snobs, film geeks and Warp fanatics? So if you've made it to this review, you must be interested in him and are wondering if his music is good. It is. Or else you've already bought it and are experiencing some cognitive dissonance and want some self-confirming opinions from other people who already like it. A good album to sulk to and feel sorry for yourself.

Listen...:
most of todays music is made with pixels, vincent gallo uses paint. His pictures are very honest and organic. after listening to this cd, i am guessing that he uses only the first take to keep it as genuine as possible. If you like pretty songs that border sappy buy this cd. It is the nicest thing i have ever heard and have not listened to any other album since i bought it over a year ago. Theres really no need to. Everything else sounds over done and insincere. They are very beautiful songs and ends with a great big oggling smile. i like it a whole lot and all truly beautiful girls should like it more than they like their own fathers. I also noticed that people who bought when also bought geogaddi which struck me funny as geogaddi is very pixelly music. ha.

Are you deaf?:
This album is the worst thing I have ever heard. Criticism is unnecessary; horror of sound is self-evident. How this album received a single positive review is beyond me.

• I Wrote This Song for the Girl Paris Hilton
• When
• My Beautiful White Dog
• Was
• Honey Bunny
• Laura
• Cracks
• Apple Girl
• Yes, I'm Lonely
• Picture of Her