TRACKLIST: 4:10 Don Caballero 3 22:55 In the Absence of Strong Evidence to the Contrary 32:09 Delivering the Groceries at 138 Beats Per Minute 43:19 Slice Where You Live like Pie 54:05 Room Temperature Suite 1:04:10 The World in Perforated Lines 1:11:34 From the Desk of Elsewhere Go 1:24:06 June Is Finally Here
If you haven’t listened to Don Caballero 2, and I literally just noticed this today, the final drum phrase Damon uses at the end of the final song of that album is the first one you hear at the beginning of Don Caballero 3.
i love how lively and animated your reactions are. It's honestly what most reaction channels are missing. These vids seem almost personal and intimate, it's like showing an album to your friends. Your commentary is amazing btw, love the way you always breakdown time signatures and are really detailed with your opinions. much love
I probably listened to this album for the first time around the same you did here, and I agree with others: this album is a huge grower. I really enjoyed it when i first listened, but i was not listening incredibly closely the first time. I revisited it. And then i kept coming back to it. I can’t get enough of this album. Ian & Damon were truly at the top of their game with this album. While there are still great math rock albums coming out today, few can compare to how utterly gorgeous, complex, and driving each and every song is.
Fucking masterpiece. If this was too much for you, check out their early albums: For Respect, Don Cab 2, & Singles Breaking Up. It’s a lot heavier with less tapping & less insane time signatures. What Burns was a drastic change for the band. American Don is similar to this but toned down a bit. The next record with the new lineup after they broke up & got back together (World Class Listening Problem) is a lot more like the first record. More “standard” song structures but it’s still great. The final album “Punkgasm” is my least favorite by them.
Don't know if you're aware that Ian Williams from Battles was one of the guitarists in Don Cab? If you like repetition check out the dischord band Lungfish. Repeated riffs with great lyrics/vocals. Well done for reviewing👍
I found that out after googling the album following this video and was blown away! Even if I think he really came into his own in Battles. Lungfish sound fantastic and I'm always into mind-numbing repetition so I'll have to check them out.
@@smamlistens9817 I love his guitar work in Don Caballero like my unborn son, but we all have our preferences, haha. He was also in a band with the bassist Eric Emm called Storm & Stress that's stretching the hell out of the definition of math rock; honestly it's more spoken word avantgarde jazz, but check it out if you're interested in that kind of thing.
Man just calling him “one of the guitarists” is almost selling him short. He was basically the lead guitarist for every album after For Respect and he’s the reason why the guitar work on What Burns is fucking insane. Even crazier is when they became a 3 piece after their tour for What Burns, he was the *only* guitarist for the band and he would play some of the What Burns material *by himself.* He’s fucking nuts.
@@averyjenson hey I'm a massive fan of Ian Williams. He's a genius. But Mike Banfield. The 'other guitarist' started the band. They were a three piece on all the early singles and he (Banfield) played and Co wrote the first 3 albums before he left. First album mainly written by him (guitar wise) I believe. Then yes, American Don was Williams' ship, and Che and Emm of course. And let's not forget Pat Morris. Awesome bassist on 2 albums. No one mentions him, only Emm, who played on one album. Banfield was a main part of this band for around 10 years before he left. That's why I said Williams was one of the guitarists. It was in reference to What Burns in which he was one of the guitarists. Fact. Check out early live videos of Banfield, either pre Williams or first 3 album era. You'll see how much a part of the band he was. For me, Don Cab 2, and What Burns trump American Don. Maybe cos there's 2 genius guitarists working instead of one. I think Don Cab 2 is the best
I really enjoyed watching this! I will say, I think you should try not to get frustrated about not liking something. We don't HAVE to like everything. That said, as a fellow drummer, I'd mention that with all these changes it's hard to find the pocket in each section, but with a few more listen, like you said, the parts start to sound more recognizable which in turn also helps with feeling those cathartic moments. The first song I ever listened to by Don Cab was Don Cab 3 and the part that really struck me was the ending where the guitar plays that beautiful ostinato and the drums just shred and feel the time in so many different ways. Once all those changes are familiar, that part just sounds sooo much even better! Happy listening! :)
Also, if you like build ups and repetitions and you haven't already, you should listen to Vampire Weekend's last album, Father of the Bride. It's amazing. Some math rock bands who find great ways of making complex things sound digestible are Delta Sleep and Covet. And for bands like Chon and Polyphia I try to listen to them as I listen to some complex jazz. Once you find the pocket, you lock into it and all the things they do are like little variations of that pocket. I think I read somewhere that when Don Cab started their whole idea was to go against the status quo, which is why they purposely chose to make things so complex. Their next album, American Don, is a bit less complex with a lot of soothing guitar parts.
Finally, I heard you said to tell you things to listen to, so I really like how Damon, the drummer has this weird way of moving through subdivisions, which when you start to know what part to expect next, you realize how well he connected them. I particularly like when he starts playing flams and then spreads some out sporadically almost making it feel like the drums are splitting apart into each next section!
This was also my first introduction to Don Caballero. Even as someone who LOVES this band, I can say this is not the best starting album for this band. Listen to Don Cab II or American Don, and if you like what you hear, return to What Burns Never Returns. It's certainly an album that grows on you.
I disagree. This was my first exposure to them and to me this is THE album. Just sold me 100%. II and American Don took a few listens, II because its a bit muddier due to the distortion, and American Don because its mixed a bit bright. But What Burns was love at first listen.
@@lotusnaturals1897 II took me about a year of listening to get comfortable with and a bit longer for me to fall completely in love. That album is so dissonant and intense, it's like an auditory equivalent of a panic attack or enduring severe storms. But at the end of the day it winds up being as sunny and warming as its ever been. i.e. Dick Suffers, Rollerblade Success Story
saw them live on the american don tour, shortly before ian would leave to start battles. their performance was PERFECT. they had the material DOWN, very tight performance. such a damn good show, and a hell of a fun night.
I can see your point with “what burns never returns”. I felt the same way first listen as I was a fan before this album was released. Don cab 2 is still my favourite one they did but I do like everything they’ve done. I would request that you review the album “Celebrate The New Dark Age” by Polvo. This band is one of my favourite all time bands. They really had a great run from 90 to ‘95, which everything they did in my opinion in that time frame was pure gold.
I'm old, and saw them on tour for this albums a few times in San Francisco. Blew my mind! I'm a drummer, so it's very joyful and uplifting. There's humor to it as well. These dudes are the godfathers of math rock.
If you want more from this drummer check out the first Bellini record, it’s two members of Uzeda with Damon Che on drums. It’s fucking GREAT! My old band opened for them. Damon also has a band called Speaking Canaries where he plays guitar & sings. It’s a lot more “rock & roll” sounding.
Shoutout to Dr. Robotnik who plays what sounds like "Delivering the Groceries at 138 Beats Per Minute" in the Sonic Movie sequel. Fits that out of the genres of rock an mad evil genius would play math rock.
Considering what you said about repetition, I'd be very interested in hearing your thoughts on Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians (Ensemble Modern version), which takes repetition to the utmost extreme.
Yeah Slint & Don Cab sound pretty different but I did read an interview with Damon Che years ago where the interviewer asked about Slint. Damon’s response was something akin to“Oh course we love Slint, you gotta know where you came from right? The bands that came before & paved the way for bands like us.” I’m of course paraphrasing but he made it seem like both bands had a lot in common. I mean they are both on Touch & Go & make music for people who’ll most likely enjoy both bands.
@@wormskull2454 for sure, they probably inspired them but it seems unrecognisable as a comparison, though both very original and unique guitar playing and drumming. Breadwinner seemed to have influenced Don Caballero most, but What Burns Never Returns was a massive departure from that inspiration. To this date, for me, What Burns and American Don represent two of the most unique and truly non-derivative sounding albums I've ever heard. You can't get a fix for that sound before or after anywhere else. Not even a little bit. The abortion that has become new age Math Rock literally doesn't even get it.
@@zazawowow Agree so much on the new age math rock bit. Seems like Don Cab put forward a way of moving the genre forward and it was mostly ignored and only appreciated by non math rock fans lol. I personally can't stand math rock but Don Cab is probably my favorite band of all time.
TRACKLIST:
4:10 Don Caballero 3
22:55 In the Absence of Strong Evidence to the Contrary
32:09 Delivering the Groceries at 138 Beats Per Minute
43:19 Slice Where You Live like Pie
54:05 Room Temperature Suite
1:04:10 The World in Perforated Lines
1:11:34 From the Desk of Elsewhere Go
1:24:06 June Is Finally Here
Finally, somebody dared to come up with a reaction of this magnificent album
If you haven’t listened to Don Caballero 2, and I literally just noticed this today, the final drum phrase Damon uses at the end of the final song of that album is the first one you hear at the beginning of Don Caballero 3.
i love how lively and animated your reactions are. It's honestly what most reaction channels are missing. These vids seem almost personal and intimate, it's like showing an album to your friends. Your commentary is amazing btw, love the way you always breakdown time signatures and are really detailed with your opinions. much love
That's so kind of you - thank you. I'll be back.
I fucking love this album so much
I really hope I do too someday
You were talking about ‘emotional wavelength’. From the desk of elsewhere go is probably the most ‘emotional’ track don cab have ever done
I probably listened to this album for the first time around the same you did here, and I agree with others: this album is a huge grower. I really enjoyed it when i first listened, but i was not listening incredibly closely the first time. I revisited it. And then i kept coming back to it. I can’t get enough of this album. Ian & Damon were truly at the top of their game with this album. While there are still great math rock albums coming out today, few can compare to how utterly gorgeous, complex, and driving each and every song is.
Fucking masterpiece. If this was too much for you, check out their early albums: For Respect, Don Cab 2, & Singles Breaking Up. It’s a lot heavier with less tapping & less insane time signatures. What Burns was a drastic change for the band. American Don is similar to this but toned down a bit. The next record with the new lineup after they broke up & got back together (World Class Listening Problem) is a lot more like the first record. More “standard” song structures but it’s still great. The final album “Punkgasm” is my least favorite by them.
Aye, my favorite Don cab record! Highly recommend their second album, Don Caballero 2!
Also, I really like how you feel the music! Its unique, I realize I don't see a lotta reviewers jammin out like you.
In the absence..." Is the most upbeat tune I've ever heard from Don cab. I always play it when going to the gym
Don't know if you're aware that Ian Williams from Battles was one of the guitarists in Don Cab? If you like repetition check out the dischord band Lungfish. Repeated riffs with great lyrics/vocals. Well done for reviewing👍
I found that out after googling the album following this video and was blown away! Even if I think he really came into his own in Battles.
Lungfish sound fantastic and I'm always into mind-numbing repetition so I'll have to check them out.
@@smamlistens9817 Yea the Rainbows from Atoms lp is my personal fave
@@smamlistens9817 I love his guitar work in Don Caballero like my unborn son, but we all have our preferences, haha. He was also in a band with the bassist Eric Emm called Storm & Stress that's stretching the hell out of the definition of math rock; honestly it's more spoken word avantgarde jazz, but check it out if you're interested in that kind of thing.
Man just calling him “one of the guitarists” is almost selling him short. He was basically the lead guitarist for every album after For Respect and he’s the reason why the guitar work on What Burns is fucking insane. Even crazier is when they became a 3 piece after their tour for What Burns, he was the *only* guitarist for the band and he would play some of the What Burns material *by himself.* He’s fucking nuts.
@@averyjenson hey I'm a massive fan of Ian Williams. He's a genius. But Mike Banfield. The 'other guitarist' started the band. They were a three piece on all the early singles and he (Banfield) played and Co wrote the first 3 albums before he left. First album mainly written by him (guitar wise) I believe. Then yes, American Don was Williams' ship, and Che and Emm of course. And let's not forget Pat Morris. Awesome bassist on 2 albums. No one mentions him, only Emm, who played on one album. Banfield was a main part of this band for around 10 years before he left. That's why I said Williams was one of the guitarists. It was in reference to What Burns in which he was one of the guitarists. Fact. Check out early live videos of Banfield, either pre Williams or first 3 album era. You'll see how much a part of the band he was. For me, Don Cab 2, and What Burns trump American Don. Maybe cos there's 2 genius guitarists working instead of one. I think Don Cab 2 is the best
I like to show don cab to people who are in mainstream music, because their brain exploding, and they are so lost and confused, while I'm just vibing
I really enjoyed watching this! I will say, I think you should try not to get frustrated about not liking something. We don't HAVE to like everything.
That said, as a fellow drummer, I'd mention that with all these changes it's hard to find the pocket in each section, but with a few more listen, like you said, the parts start to sound more recognizable which in turn also helps with feeling those cathartic moments. The first song I ever listened to by Don Cab was Don Cab 3 and the part that really struck me was the ending where the guitar plays that beautiful ostinato and the drums just shred and feel the time in so many different ways. Once all those changes are familiar, that part just sounds sooo much even better!
Happy listening! :)
Also, if you like build ups and repetitions and you haven't already, you should listen to Vampire Weekend's last album, Father of the Bride. It's amazing.
Some math rock bands who find great ways of making complex things sound digestible are Delta Sleep and Covet.
And for bands like Chon and Polyphia I try to listen to them as I listen to some complex jazz. Once you find the pocket, you lock into it and all the things they do are like little variations of that pocket.
I think I read somewhere that when Don Cab started their whole idea was to go against the status quo, which is why they purposely chose to make things so complex. Their next album, American Don, is a bit less complex with a lot of soothing guitar parts.
Finally, I heard you said to tell you things to listen to, so I really like how Damon, the drummer has this weird way of moving through subdivisions, which when you start to know what part to expect next, you realize how well he connected them. I particularly like when he starts playing flams and then spreads some out sporadically almost making it feel like the drums are splitting apart into each next section!
This was also my first introduction to Don Caballero. Even as someone who LOVES this band, I can say this is not the best starting album for this band. Listen to Don Cab II or American Don, and if you like what you hear, return to What Burns Never Returns. It's certainly an album that grows on you.
I disagree. This was my first exposure to them and to me this is THE album. Just sold me 100%. II and American Don took a few listens, II because its a bit muddier due to the distortion, and American Don because its mixed a bit bright. But What Burns was love at first listen.
@@jadedandbitter For what it's worth, "What Burns" is probably my favorite record of theirs, tied with American Don.
I'm new, and What Burns was my first and so far my favorite, I'm not a huge fan of II yet, but I like American Don too
@@lotusnaturals1897 II took me about a year of listening to get comfortable with and a bit longer for me to fall completely in love. That album is so dissonant and intense, it's like an auditory equivalent of a panic attack or enduring severe storms. But at the end of the day it winds up being as sunny and warming as its ever been. i.e. Dick Suffers, Rollerblade Success Story
@@soundescapemn oh yeah now I am obsessed with Don Cab 2, What Burns, and American Don
favorite band
saw them live on the american don tour, shortly before ian would leave to start battles. their performance was PERFECT. they had the material DOWN, very tight performance. such a damn good show, and a hell of a fun night.
I can see your point with “what burns never returns”. I felt the same way first listen as I was a fan before this album was released. Don cab 2 is still my favourite one they did but I do like everything they’ve done. I would request that you review the album “Celebrate The New Dark Age” by Polvo. This band is one of my favourite all time bands. They really had a great run from 90 to ‘95, which everything they did in my opinion in that time frame was pure gold.
LMAO i remember listening to this back 99 for the first time. I was blown away for sure.
I'm old, and saw them on tour for this albums a few times in San Francisco. Blew my mind! I'm a drummer, so it's very joyful and uplifting. There's humor to it as well. These dudes are the godfathers of math rock.
If you want more from this drummer check out the first Bellini record, it’s two members of Uzeda with Damon Che on drums. It’s fucking GREAT! My old band opened for them.
Damon also has a band called Speaking Canaries where he plays guitar & sings. It’s a lot more “rock & roll” sounding.
Patiently waiting for don cab 2 review. Let’s see it!!
Shoutout to Dr. Robotnik who plays what sounds like "Delivering the Groceries at 138 Beats Per Minute" in the Sonic Movie sequel. Fits that out of the genres of rock an mad evil genius would play math rock.
Are you talking about the scene where he plays walk by pantera
Considering what you said about repetition, I'd be very interested in hearing your thoughts on Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians (Ensemble Modern version), which takes repetition to the utmost extreme.
Fucking classic album
I recommend you the first album from the band toe, it's math rock but it's incredibly soulful you'd be surprised I think you'd like it
it took me a while to get into don cab, glad you listened to it.
I'm convinced I'll get there one day, I think I've just been filtered on my first few listens haha
This album is a grower. Give it a bit and listen to it again. I'd also recommend American Don for Don Cab at their most accessible.
Damon che and Ian Williams they are gods!!!!
How to dance math rock (extended versión)
american don is their album a couple years after this, and I would say is much easier to get into
Check out the don cab official channel. Damon is doing new interviews and playthroughs.
1:18:32 - How my friends look when I show them mathrock
Try American Don. Haven't Lived Afro Pop has one of the best bass lines of all time.
Like Slint lol!
Almost couldn’t be further away right?
Yeah Slint & Don Cab sound pretty different but I did read an interview with Damon Che years ago where the interviewer asked about Slint. Damon’s response was something akin to“Oh course we love Slint, you gotta know where you came from right? The bands that came before & paved the way for bands like us.” I’m of course paraphrasing but he made it seem like both bands had a lot in common. I mean they are both on Touch & Go & make music for people who’ll most likely enjoy both bands.
@@Alifesalife my ears and brain pattern recognition agrees with you.
@@wormskull2454 for sure, they probably inspired them but it seems unrecognisable as a comparison, though both very original and unique guitar playing and drumming.
Breadwinner seemed to have influenced Don Caballero most, but What Burns Never Returns was a massive departure from that inspiration.
To this date, for me, What Burns and American Don represent two of the most unique and truly non-derivative sounding albums I've ever heard.
You can't get a fix for that sound before or after anywhere else. Not even a little bit.
The abortion that has become new age Math Rock literally doesn't even get it.
@@zazawowow Agree so much on the new age math rock bit. Seems like Don Cab put forward a way of moving the genre forward and it was mostly ignored and only appreciated by non math rock fans lol. I personally can't stand math rock but Don Cab is probably my favorite band of all time.
Their later albums have more repetition and is less mathy