Somewhere At The Bottom Of The River Between Vega And Altair

All bands hate to be classified, and La Dispute is the most original band I've heard in many years. If I had to classify La Dispute, I'd call them an alternative rock version of Rage Against the Machine. I'm sure that they would hate that comparison, but it's the best I can come up with to describe this incredibly original act.Their raw emotion is second to none. The only band that comes close is Rage Against the Machine. "Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair" hit me right between the eyes. The last album to do that was Rage's self-titled debut album from 1992. That's a lot of years with a lot of mediocre music in between.La Dispute may get lumped in as a "screamer band" or some such nonsense. Don't believe it. There is very little screaming on this album--less than any Rage Against the Machine album, for example, and nothing like Pantera. There is some yelling, but it doesn't sound like yelling. It's more like pleading. It's hard to come up with a better phrase than "raw emotion." The best vocal equivalent I can come up with is Fugazi.This is a "concept album," which is to say that it tells a story if you listen to the songs in order. Despite that, I often listen to this album in shuffle mode because each song stands on its own.I use Rage Against the Machine as a comparison to La Dispute with a lot of hesitation. Both singers have a rap-type rhythm to their style. Both singers use strong, visceral vocals. The comparison ends there. While Rage features heavy metal-style guitar riffs and double bass drums, La Dispute's instruments will remind you more of an alternative rock band, something on the order of the Pixies.

I found this album awhile ago on accident, where someone had uploaded it as one video. At first I thought, "meh, it's ok I guess," but for some reason I kept listening. It started to grow on me, before I even really understood his words. I bought it, and began to listen to it frequently, and was amazed by it. While I understand why everyone may not like the style of music, the writing and delivery definitely deserve a chance. I so happen to love it. Jordan's lyrics are incredibly well written. Yeah, he says "darling" and "lover" a number of times, but his writing makes you feel more than 95% of other's lyrics, even if they're great. He delivers with spoken word with bursts of screaming and the occasional singing, and it just totally captures the crisis, the struggle, and the fight in his stories, backed by music in complex time signatures and catchy melodies. Read the lyrics with your first listen, and listen to it all the way through. Then you can fully appreciate the album.

The copy of this album I received had some pretty bad markings on the Side C of the vinyl that made the first half of The Last Lost Continent unplayable due to 30-45 seconds of pops and 2 very bad skips, it actually skips itself forward past the markings. This is even after 2 wet cleans on a RCM, even with the thorough clean with brush these markings would not come off, and look to be an actual issue with the vinyl. I've sent for a refund and plan on buying a second copy to try my luck again. This is the first time I've had this issue out of my hundreds of albums so I'm fairly confident the 2nd version will be better.

Package came in great condition. Both the sleeve and the records themselves were perfect, I'm very pleased with the purchase. For those curious the records are a dark purple that's a bit transparent. Instead of any music on what would be side 4/D, there's some etching instead that I've added a photo of. As for the album itself, I'm not as much a fan of this one as I am of Wildlife, but it's still well worth it. Such Small Hands; Andria; The Last Lost Continent; and Nobody, Not Even the Rain are my favorites.

I've been listening to this album for years on YouTube and wherever else I could find it. Been searching in stores and finally found it on Amazon. I've not been able to stop listening to it since I got it. The CD came safely packaged and the CD itself had no marks like scratches or anything like what I've seen on shipped CDs. This album comes very highly recommended.

I bought this for my friend and she absolutely loved it! The design on the vinyls plus it being see through violet/purple is so beautiful! :)

I bought this vinyl to add to my collection. Obviously I'm a fan of the music otherwise I wouldn't have purchased it. It was delivered quickly and the quality was good. The vinyls are clear purple and one vinyl has an etching! I love it!

I thought this would be in a glass case like most cds, but it's in a thick paper one, which is fine.Shipping took about a week.I love La Dispute, and my boyfriend is crazy about them. It's a nice birthday gift for him and I'm sure he'll love it.

What can I say about this album that hasn't been expressed before?So very little.Upon the first listen I had troubles digesting this album. So different and such a distinct sound. Post-hardcore isn't exactly my genre, but I heard so many positive comments that I had little choice but to give it a go. Starting from 'Said the King to the River' this album grabbed me by the throat and never let go. The balance between softer and harder passages is done just right. Transitions are flawless. In fact it would be blasphemy to review each song separately, because they flow to and from you as a liquid sea of guiltred, remorse and helplessness.I can safely say this album's lyrics form THE most eloquently expressed verses that deal with love as a concept. The whole album is a concept album about how heartbreak hits you, tears through you, changes every aspect of life.Having experienced my share of heartbreak and unrequited love, it seems this album was made for me, and I guess a lot of people feel that way.What I absolutely love about Somewhere at the Bottom of the River between Vega and Altair is that I discover new subtle elements with each listen. New meanings to verses, little sounds buried under layers, you name it. This is more than an album, this is art.Don't think about it, just buy it.Maybe a verse to convince you of La Dispute's lyrical brilliance:"Forever wait inside the sea for me, my dearI hear youYou speak in every curling waveAnd sing in every violent breezeSomeday not far away from hereMy dear, I swear I'll see youAnd we will hear the seraphs cryFor they will still envy you and I"

One of the top Post-hardcore albums in my collection, love it. Heard one of their songs and was hooked. Investigated and bought this album. Absolutely love it. The music grabs you, the lyrics ring true. Death is but hopeful, life is lyrical, music transitions.Listen and decide: The Lost Long Continent. Said The King to The River.

Great album, from a quality band. The album itself comes with a CD and a book of the lyrics. Not a plastic case but instead a nice card one for a change. Overall for £4.99 it's a steal especially with a free digital copy.

An awesome album with some genius guitar playing, contrapuntal drum riffs and intense vocals. This band is one of the best for me in the hardcore genre.

"La Dispute" sind eine amerikanische "Emotional Hardcore"-Band, die sich bereits 2004 gründete. "Somewhere at the bottom of the river between Vega and Altair" ist nach einer vorangegangenen EP das Longplayerdebut der Band aus dem Jahr 2008. Die Gruppe existiert bis heute und legte insgesamt drei Alben und acht EPs vor. Es ist schwierig, die Musik der fünf Musiker zu beschreiben. Auf alle Fälle hat sie Anteile an Hardcore, andererseits höre ich auch viele Emo-Einflüsse, und es gibt auch langsame Passagen. Der Gesang wiederum ist der völlige Wahnsinn, und oft mehr geschrien als gesungen. Die Energie der Band und auch die Songstrukturen erinnern mich persönlich an die leider nicht mehr existierenden Mclusky. In den gemäßigteren der 13 Songs mit einer Laufzeit von 51:38 Minuten erinnert mich der oft hastige Gesang, obgleich von einem Mann, etwas an die Dresden Dolls. Aber das sind natürlich nur persönliche Assoziationen, die wohl kaum jemand teilen wird. Tatsache ist, das Album reisst einen mit, auch wenn die ruhigeren Passagen der Band meiner Meinung nach die besseren sind und sich die Musik oft etwas zu sehr in Lärm mit Geschrei hineinsteigert. Das Album kommt als Falt-Digipack,und ein Booklet mit den äußerst emotionalen Songtexten liegt bei.