[.ca] Young Effectuals

some quality tunes:
I first heard of Helio Sequence through Brandon's dad, whom I have the privilage of knowing. All of the reviews I've read for this band have been quite positive, and there's a great reason. Normally, this isn't my style of music, but it's hard not to sit back and enjoy the mood Helio creates. Furthermore, Brandon and Ben did everything on the album themselves and that deserves some major props. Go out on a limb and check out a band you may not have considered before. If nothing else, do it to support some true musicians.

See them live:
i have to agree with nephilim63's review on this. The Helio Sequence opened for Modest Mouse the other day and were simply amazing. I thought they were a fantastically fresh and smooth sound. but the touching vocals and strong (very strong) drumming got lost when transporting these guys to this studio album. Maybe if they could release a recording of live shows they'll see how much more people like that sound. As it is, this sounds too washed over and calmed from what i heard in that club and what i heard in the club was great.

An improvement:
I've had these two young men's first disk since around when it came out and have waited for a new disk in the hopes that they would add more vocals and cut back on the lengthly 7 minute songs. My wish came true. The men are studio genius, they make some of the most wonderful loops in recent memory. I would suggest this disk to anyone who likes involving, spirling songs.

2 guys, 10 songs, one great album:
Whatever happened to cause the Helio Sequence to spawn this album must have been some ordeal. Every song deals with corporate masquerading, the drudgery of the daily grind and 70-hour work weeks with potently venomous lyrics. The fact that the social criticism is coupled with some of the most beautiful and densely layered pop music is the real accomplishment. All of the songs float above your head with multiple melodies from bouncing bass, wailing guitars and synth squiggles, all of which combine to comprise a lush tapestry of sound. "Echo Blomp" sounds like it is being rained down from Heaven's P.A. system while "Kablerium vs. Obliviousity" is a racing six minutes that could energize a corpse. My personal favorite is "Take Take Take," which is nearly two songs. The first 4 minutes is a cheary dirge that sounds like a spring meadow looks and the final 3:30 or so is a heartbreaking symphony done on synthesizer. One magazine successfully described this album as a cross between the Beach Boys and British shoegazers like Spacemen 3, early Lush and My Bloody Valentine. If that sounds good to you, then there is no way you'll be disappointed by this album. Unconditionally recommended.

16-layer dip too filling:
I saw these guys at SxSW and was amazed at the amount of sound and energy they were able to generate for just two guys. I was impressed enough to pick up a copy of the CD at the show based largely on the song 'Cut the Camera' which is also the best song on the CD. Unfortunately, many of the songs get lost in a wash of synth-loops and other effects in a man v. machine struggle for control. The potential is certainly there once they gain enough confidence in their vocals and songwriting to let the songs and melodies breath a little more. Will they be given a chance?

• Reh. Vuh. Lee
• Give, Give, Give
• (Square) Bubbles
• Knots
• Echo Blomp
• Nothing's OK: Everything's Fine
• Cut the Camera
• Fall and Winter/Necktie Noose
• Kablerium Vs. Obliviousity
• Take, Take, Take