Describing Ariel Pink's music is near impossible. It's so diverse and changes to frequently. I guess the overall universal genre you could describe Ariel Pink's style is experimental. Ariel Pink hails from Los Angeles and has been creating avant-garde music since the '80s, but only fairly recently has begun to release all of his obscure lo-fi tracks out into the world on major music labels. In November of 2009 Ariel Pink signed with label 4AD and began making studio quality music rather than his famous lo-fi craziness he is known for. Now Before Today is the first album Ariel Pink has released under Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti.
Before Today has absolutely no theme. Every single song seems to sway into a different direction every time. Every single song is a different genre. Before Today is more like a compilation LP rather than a studio. Besides just being a different genre every time, it all sounds really old. It sounds like obscure 1970s and 1980s songs that nobody cared about. The title of this album could be called Obscure Songs of the '70s and '80s. But I guess that Before Today does fit.
Cheesy synthesizers are the number used instrument on Before Today. Every song has at least one form of one. "L'estat (Acc. To the Widow's Maid)" has a very dramatic symphonic one, "Fright Night (Nevermore)" has a damp '80s love theme one and "Reminiscences" has a Frank Zappa noodling feel to it. It's a hit and miss method. It works on the highlight track "Round and Round", but really falls on "Can't Hear My Eyes".
In fact "Round and Round" sounds like a Michael Jackson tribute song. From the never changing simplistic drum line similar to most Jackson songs. "Round and Round" really puts a smile on your face because it really reminds of your first listen to "Billie Jean" and "Beat It". Though that nostalgia may seem a bit annoying, I think it really works well on Before Today.
Besides just cheesy nostalgia all over the place on Before Today, it does offer some diversity; "Butt-House Blondies" has a very heavy grunge '90s feel. "Menopause Man" has a '80s post-punk feel to it and "Revolution's a Lie" has a fast paced late '70s UK punk influence.
Overall, Before Today is a fun and very nostalgic album with a lot of hooks. This album really notes the time that Ariel Pink really steps out of his shell of underground obscurity. He now is coming into the big and bad indie universe that is so loved all throughout the web. All of the tracks you will listen to will sound like you've all ready heard it before. You'll go, "wait, is this a cover?", but none of the songs are. I guess that's why he called it Before Today.
Overall: 7.5/10
Track Listing:
1. Hot Body Rub - 7.5
2. Bright Lit Blue Skies - 8.5 *
3. L'estat (Acc. To the Widow's Maid) - 8.5 *
4. Fright Night (Nevermore) - 7.5
5. Round and Round - 9.0 *
6. Beverly Kills - 6.5
7. Butt-House Blondies - 7.0
8. Little Wig - 8.5
9. Can't Hear My Eyes - 5.5
10. Reminiscences - 7.0
11. Menopause Man - 8.0
12. Revolution's a Lie - 7.5
* - Notable Track
Sample:
"Bright Lit Blue Skies"
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