The Sophtware Slump (studio album) by Grandaddy

From Brad1770 07/22/2019 11:05

Sadly underappreciated album this one , if only it were to reach a wider audience I've no doubt it would be considered a modern classic. In my mind its a modern classic all the same

Sounds and feels like a concept album but according to Lytle isn't ('Aqualung' - esque?? )rather is a series of connected vignettes about a dystopian future where technology has failed

Simply stunning release that just and only just misses my all time top 100 albums

I understand comparisons to Ok Computer but for me that album dealt with humanity losing itself through technological advancement whereas here Jason Lytle is dealing with the aftermath where that battle is in the past and nature has reclaimed the earth. I think this is best exemplified by the songs Broken Household Appliance National Forest, where man's technological detritus is now home to the animals,
"The refrigerators house the frogs
The conduit is the hollow log"
and Miner At The Dial-A-view where the eponymous Miner is looking back at his old home from some Mining Outpost and although he finds familiar landmarks he can't find the people he knew. Often described as post apocalyptic I don't think the album gives any indication of there having been an apocalypse,it's more that progress has rendered man obsolete and now the world he built has nobody to serve and is crumbling back to the earth.

From Nyoink77 10/17/2015 09:59

This album gets progressively better with each track. After the first 3 tracks, the Sophtware Slump literally BURSTS with a fresh form of energy! It's much more than just a copy of OK computer in my book.

Really good album...one of the best of it's decade.

From meccalecca 05/08/2014 19:56

The robot boy returned home from his travels full of stories he was more than willing to share with us.

From Necharsian 03/01/2014 00:44

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From Button001 11/25/2013 20:33

File alongside Ok Computer.

From drivebytornado 02/26/2013 00:56

An indie album by a band out of Modesto, this was their second album and it did indeed avoid the dreaded Sophomore slump. Leading off this one is the excellent "He's Simple, He's Dumb, He's the Pilot" - a track that Elliott Smith would often join in on during the tour following this album.

Heard this album several years ago and enjoyed it quite a bit, but eventually it somehow slipped away from me and I completely forgot about it. Now that I have listened to it again I love it even more. It's got a great variety of sounds and moods with interesting lyrics and fantastic melodies. Definitely a unique experience.

Grandaddy's masterpiece amongst a high quality catalogue. He's simple....is their finest song, although Crystal Lake not far behind. An album full of lush texture, heart-tugging melodies and utterly bizarre lyrics - who could ask for anything more.