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Army Navy

Rate It! Avg: 4.0 (376 ratings)
Army Navy album cover
01
Dark as Days
3:41 $0.99
02
My Thin Sides
3:51 $0.99
03
Saints
3:47 $0.99
04
Slight of Hand
4:24 $0.99
05
Unresponsive Ears
4:46 $0.99
06
Snakes of Hawaii
3:52 $0.99
07
Ignite
4:33 $0.99
08
Pocket Boys
4:07 $0.99
09
Jail Is Fine
3:49 $0.99
10
In the Lime
4:09 $0.99
11
Golden Pony
5:38 $0.99
12
Right Back Where We Started From (Bonus Track)
3:31 $0.99
Album Information
EDITOR'S PICK

Total Tracks: 12   Total Length: 50:08

Find a problem with a track? Let us know.

eMusic Review 0

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Stacy Flatt

eMusic Contributor

10.14.08
Driving, Teenage Fanclub-style power pop with hooks to hold onto
2008 | Label: The Fever Zone / The Orchard

From the first driving drum beat straight through to the last song's final notes, the debut from California's Army Navy shines. Resembling an updated Teenage Fanclub or a hyperactive Death Cab for Cutie, the group's catchy melodies inspire singing along before the words can even be learned. The album packs a mighty punch — every song's a perfect single. "Dark As Days" showcases sparkling guitars and dreamy harmonies, while "Unresponsive Ears" employs a glockenspiel to punctuate the steady rhythm guitar. The drumming, courtesy of Attractions drummer Steve Thomas, is critical, lending a kind of frenetic energy to songs like "Snakes of Hawaii." The band does slow it down, ever so slightly, for a few songs: "Ignite," "Golden Pony" and "In the Lime" highlight Army Navy's knack for beautiful harmonies. The final track, a fun and rocking version of Maxine Nightingale's 1976 hit "Get Right Back (Where We Started From)" emphasizes the original's juicy hook and call-and-response harmonies. Army Navy is music with hooks to hold on to, with layers and surprises that continue to charm with repeated listens.

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user avatar

Awful mixing/mastering

bclayj

I like the band, they write catchy pop songs and can play BUT as others have said the damn thing is almost impossible to listen to because it is mastered hotter than Satan's balls. No joke, your ears may bleed if you try to listen to this album on headphones. I wonder if this is the same idiot who mucked up the last Go-Betweens record by turning everything up to 11 and distorting the hell out of it. Seriously, save yourself the money, perhaps download their new album.

user avatar

Super Catchy

fireproof5

The tunes are catchy as hell.. Indie pop heaven!

user avatar

Above Average

RipJeans

It's not rewriting the wheel, but it's fun...with the summer coming up it's a pretty good bet. "Saints" is a really good track, and I fall for their cover of "Right Back Where They Started From"

user avatar

Catchy Fast Upbeat Pop

thegeniusiwas

I love this album. If you like this, you will probably like The Merrymakers.

user avatar

Infectious

Contiveros

This is a weird album that infects you after a while. First time, it's OK. Second time, a little better. By the fourth go, it becomes a pop crack. YUMMMM… Crack.

user avatar

Yummy.

paultaylor_2009

Energetic power-pop. Fans of AC Newman, New Pornographers, etc. will be right at home in this promising debut. The vocals are solid (they remind me of the Flaming Lips Mark Coyne) and the album is loaded front to back with accessible pop goodness. Recommended!

user avatar

Good songs, bad production

EduardoVerdi

I agree with Seattle's review. The songs are catchy, but the screechy mixing makes the album almost unlistenable. You might not notice from the samples, but once you try to play the album through in your car ( I can't even imagine it on headphones, ouch!) you'll know what I mean. Too bad- I think they should remix it and re-release. Then I'd give it another chance.

user avatar

Great Album

Bissrok

I didn't care much for the album at first but, after a few play throughs, it quickly became my favorite album of 2008. And now we're halfway through 2009, and it's still one of the best things on my MP3 player.

user avatar

Underrated

Chad-Meadows

An indie pop album that deserved more buzz that it received in 2008. One of my favorites of the year. My Thin Sides is a key track.

user avatar

Nice

downingcr

This is good, laidback pop-rock. This band knows who they are, and are not trying to be something they are not. Very smooth sound, great vocals, tight instrumentals. Well done!

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eMusic Features

0

Who Are…Army Navy

By Barry Walters, eMusic Contributor

Regardless of its Anglophilic streak, power pop quartet Army Navy could've only formed in Los Angeles: Although singer-songwriter Justin Kennedy once co-lead Bellingham, Washington's Pinwheel — Ben Gibbard's pre-Death Cab For Cutie band — he enlisted the other members of Army Navy while working as a wardrobe stylist to the stars. Guitarist Louie Schultz is a music editor and does ghostwriting for a prominent TV composer. Bassist Ben Gaffin works in A&R at a major… more »

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