The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Something Else Album

Agree with disappear. Don't believe the haters. Something else is superb BJM. Nothing new for sure and sounds like he recorded it over the weekend - but it is brilliant. You just need to look at the zero time he has taken with the cover art and album name that Anton has not spent a lot of time on this release - but that is intentional I would think. I saw him live 2 weeks ago and this is how the band is sounding these days. the white vinyl is quiet and sounds pretty good.

Don't believe the haters, everything Anton does has something to appreciate if you like psych rock.He's the godfather of psych for a reason.

As always, it's not about my thoughts, if the music makes you happy, then I'm on board with that. The issue with ratings is not 1 Star meaning one 'hates' the album and 5 meaning unbridled 'love' ... if that were the case it would be: Hate, Fair, OK, Like, and Love. Could one possibly rate this album equally with The Sand Pebbles' last outing, does this album come anywhere near Dylan's 'Blonde on Blonde' (with "Visions of Johanna" condensing an acid trip into 7 minutes) or even The Glass Family from 1967. Of course it doesn't, it's all a matter of how one feels about the release, and I don't hate Something Else by any stretch of the imagination, what I said was that it was disjointed, off balance, that there was no center, that it sounded strained, and then listed five of the best BJM songs that after all these years, are still hands down far better than anything on this outing. I'm a couch-bound tripper, I like my psych music to dance across the backs of my eyelids, not jittering my nerves ... but that's me, perhaps I should just write the reviews and stop rating. That being said, for me, there was no way I could rate this album with anything more than a single star, and again, that's me, I do this for folks who might follow my lead, or are traveling down the same path of laid back intoxication. These stars are totally subjective.Anton will sabotage himself at every turn, that's just his nature, if he has success with something, he'll alter it to something one doesn't recognize the next time. And no, I don't what an artist to give me the same thing every time. Consider Luna, they turned a vast corner from their first release, discovered a working attitude, developed that attitude and writing, and went on to release a flawless string of albums that were each different, yet continued on a recognizable path. To that end, as I said, I'll keep the songs that resonate best with me from BJM and leave the rest be, 'less of course one wishes to embrace all that Anton does, and like the Rolling Stones, who have done anything exceptional since 'Sticky Fingers' (IMO), one is simply so enamored by the man that folks are willing to accept anything as profound and wonderful, when in fact, that's just not the case ... considering the album's title, this is certainly something else.*** Post Script: Even Dylan lost his way for 30 years or more, doling out but a single song on an album that was brilliant.

Jenell, as a rule I like your reviews and have come across several in the psyche genre. You are totally right that Anton is far from being the Godfather of psych rock, That all said, Anton is the guy at the centre of neo psych rock 'today' and is highly influential to a lot of younger bands releasing music who got into the BJM vicariously through listening to the likes of the BRMC and Warlocks. Who then discovered that the aforementioned bands all had band members who had cut their cloth playing in the BJM. At least that was my introduction to the BJM in the early noughties. Then "that" doc was released and a lot more people discovered a great catalogue of music and Anton's profile has built momentum ever since. I don't think anyone would disagree that Anton's latest offering isn't in the same league as most of his earlier work. Something Else, isn't cohesive body of work, but it does have its moments with some catchy archetype BJM riffs that give a nod to the albums before My Bloody Underground. I agree with another poster that this album is more accessible than albums like Don't Get Lost. Third World Pyramid, Who Killed Sgt Pepper, and that imagined music soundtrack he released. None of which I particularly enjoyed.As I said, I do like your reviews but I do think 1* is very measly and probably why a few people have commented on this particular one you've done. To be honest, this is the first review I've ever seen you write with so much loathing for an album so you must absolutely hate it. I'm not sure why though cos it's a solid record to my ears.

There's a vast difference between being an 'Anton Hater' and writing a solid review. I highly suggest you read some other of my BJM reviews, and when you've finished that, check the liner notes for The Vacant Lots, who worked with Anton. Anton is far from the Godfather of psych rock. If we're talking neo-psych, I could ramble off 20 other people rather quickly, beginning with Pete Kember, if you wanna go back to the 60's, I can list even more, connecting the dots directly to what Anton is doing.Now, please indulge us (or me) with a solid review of just why you think this outing is so wonderful. And even if you won't, I'm more than pleased that it touches your soul, because in the end, that's all that matters ... but don't engage in name calling without the musical history to back up your words.Jenell Kesler

With something in the neighborhood of twenty albums since 1995, I’m still pulling out single songs from Brian Jonestown albums and saving them to a superb compilation that rides most comfortably in my back pocket. Though here on Something Else, as William Yeats once said, “Things fall apart, the center can not hold …” there’s nothing that could be more true for Anton Newcombe and his band of merry pranksters as they labor though this autonomous album, where Newcombe seems to be acting within his desires rather than his moral duty, delivering a collection of material that I can easily wave aside, as there was absolutely nothing that held my attention or interest.The songs are disjointed, fragmented, delivered without a sense of ascension, accretion or meaning, noisy, driven and filled with elements sounding as if the band has drawn together sustained chords from their lustrous past, pasted them together and are rendering unto us something else. These numbers stumble down the stairs, they crash into door jams and trip over the edges of carpets, all while set to blinding strobing lights that lack visionary wonder, and all without structural continuity or purpose. I actually feel that I’m being lectured here by Mr. Newcombe on what to watch out for less your mind also feels on the verge of falling apart from too many amphetamines, resulting in fingernails bitten to the quick, the lack of showers, and growing old with little grace. Something Else comes across very much like a Newcombe project and not that of a Jonestown outing, filled with funeral type dirges, causing me to think that he’s never gotten past the first two Velvet Underground albums, that he’s locked in place, refusing to look over his shoulder to see the well traveled path the band has been treading over and over again for the last twenty plus years. If this is all Brian Jonestown have to offer listeners then I’m stepping off this train, as it’s traveling uphill on slippery rails with not a station in sight. It’s rather tragic to think that this is the same group who swept me away with tracks such as “Nevertheless,” “What You Isn’t,” “Let’s Pretend That It’s Summer,” “Anenome,” or “If Love Is The Drug,” because there’s nothing here that sparks these fires or causes me to remember that there was a time when I considered that Brian Jonestown Massacre to be one of the coolest bands walking the planet.Review by Jenell Kesler

I also agree - especially how you describe the tracks. Nothing stands out to me on this album. I love BJM, ok? I pretty much love everything they put out. I don't not like this , but all things considered , it is fairly lackluster. 'Don't Get Lost' is vastly underrated imho - one of the best albums to come in a long time.

Yeah, i really dig Don't Get Lost as well, and feel that Something Else is a lot stronger to my ears than some have made it out to be. Some people complained that they felt he was getting too far away from his "traditional" sound, but then also bag him when he hearkens back to it. That's one of the things that is great about Anton's music. Such a wide array of sounds that someone may like one album but not another or may like just about all of them, like myself. He still has it because he never lost it. Go see them live. They're still such a killer live band, and in an era where performances are sterilized, it's refreshing to see Anton still being himself and doing what he loves... writing/playing music. He's a real person. You can't say that about everyone, especially when it comes to musicians.

I thought Don't Get Lost was amazing. So wonderfully diverse, creative and weird, and Aufheben is a masterpiece, one of my favorite albums of the decade. Surprised a BJM fan wouldn't like these. 3rd World Pyramid was the only underwhelming one to me. Just got something Else and looking forward to listening

I agree. This is a solid middle of road bjm release. Not as solid as the 90s releases or revelation was but way above things like st.pepper, aufheben, pyramid or the horrible don't get lost.It has a style and sticks to it instead of bouncing around to different styles that don't work together.My major complaint is anton vocals sound very poor and mumbled on most songs

I disagree with your review, but have to have to admit I haven't enjoyed BJM albums as much since Revelation. That all said, when you're as prolific as Anton you're not gonna hit the bullseye every time. This album has it's high points. The first track is classic BJM. Where it falls short is that it feels like a pastiche of ideas rather than a collective body of work like Revelation. Some of the riffs are over familiar which can be derivative and part of the appeal. If it was a Stones album it would be Tattoo You and the song, 'Hold That Thought' would be 'Start Me Up' with it's archetype BJM guitar riff. Something Else isn't a classic but It's a solid 3* album for me.