Fixation Protocols * (CD)

• Category:  Music  »  Rock & Pop  »  General Rock & Pop
• Format: CD   Learn more about the CD format using Tower WIKI.
• Release Date: July 8, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rainbow Quartz (USA)
• UPC: 634457400825
• WAPI (Tower ID): 112154117
• Average Customer Review: There are no customer reviews yet. Be the first to write a review!
• Tower.com Sales Rank: #160525 in Music (See Top 100 Music Bestsellers)
• #42607 in Rock & Pop (See Top 100 Rock & Pop Bestsellers)
• #29304 in General Rock & Pop (See Top 100 General Rock & Pop Bestsellers)

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The third album is usually about the time the law of diminishing returns catches up with a band that doesn't change its sound much from album to album. Although the sound still may be great, the performances lively, and the songs just as catchy as before, the magic can't help but fade. This is the fact behind the Capstan Shafts' third album, Fixation Protocols. Apart from a slight boost in sound quality and the occasional tinkling piano, it sounds exactly like the previous two albums, Euridice Proudhon and Environ Maiden. Dean Wells (the man in the one-man band scenario) still writes brief, punchy pop songs that are heavily indebted to Guided by Voices' brand of Brit-pop worship and raw, one-take sensibility. It sounds like Wells has run out of ideas but is pressing on regardless. Hopefully, Wells will find more of that elusive inspiration soon, because at his best, he's a fine songwriter. ~ Tim Sendra

The third album is usually about the time the law of diminishing returns catches up with a band that doesn't change its sound at all from album to album. Although the sound still may be great, the performances lively, and the songs just as catchy as before, the magic can't help but fade measurably. This is the sad fact behind the Capstan Shafts' third album, Fixation Protocols. Apart from a slight boost in sound quality and the occasional tinkling piano, it sounds exactly like the previous two albums, Euridice Proudhon and Environ Maiden. Dean Wells (the man in the one-man band scenario) still writes brief, punchy pop songs that are heavily in debt to Guided by Voices' brand of Brit-pop worship and raw, one-take sensibility. Unlike the first two records, this one doesn't sound fresh and inspired. Instead, it sounds like more of the same, only less so. Far less so. Almost everything, from the song titles ("Her Novel 'Canal Zone Poetry,'" "Song for Monomentallists") to the generically raunchy guitar tone Wells sometimes uses, sounds forced and plastic on Fixation Protocols. It sounds like Wells has run out of ideas but is pressing on regardless, in hopes that he'll stumble across something on the next record. This record feels completely unnecessary from beginning to end. Hopefully Wells will find that elusive inspiration soon, because at his best, he's a fine songwriter. Until then, Fixation Protocols is one to avoid. ~ Tim Sendra

Album Review

The Capstan Shafts are a one-man-band from Lyndonville, Vermont, masterminded by Dean Wells. This is the second Rainbow Quartz release following the excellently-received “Environ Maiden�. “Fixation Protocols� is an album that has grown from its lo-fi roots to a more maturely-crafted sound. His inclination towards brevity persists, with nearly all the 22 lo-fi songs getting to the point in under two minutes. The appealing homemade indie fuzz-rock is still replete with catchy melodies, perfect playful pop hooks, and classic rock guitar riffs. This album conjures early R.E.M. through a lysergic prism, GUIDED BY VOICES and WIRE. "Smart, sharp and emotionally resonant indie pop... His songs are among the best being written today" -Pitchfork

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