Glide Magazine, February 2005

"The Corn Syrup Conspiracy"-Review by Darren Susin

Sometimes, it hits you like a fucking brick, this kind of music. Blasting out from a shadow of political fury, spiraling guitar antics, and a collection of music's most talented musicians, SeepeopleS' The Corn Syrup Conspiracy is an open-air, free ride that collects bits and pieces from eras long gone, present day beats, and somehow, gains access to the portals of the way music will sound in the future.

Clocking in at over 6 minutes, opener “Dog Days” slams down with a sickly fat bass beat, Zeppelin influenced guitar beats, rainsticks swerving between left and right channels and enough distortion to put mid 90s-Sonic Youth to shame. Minimal vocals, consisting of the lines 'Eat sleep breathe 'Eat sleep breathe work til you drop' are all that's needed to start this album off wonderfully. Things only go up with “The Way The World Will Fall,” a heavy pounding drum infested space age piece of gold; effects pedals are priceless gems in this stunningly produced sound-off to the 70s, 80s, and 90s. “Butchers” is another politically motivated song, but what makes it inconceivably genius is the slam-jamming insane drumming that joins the song. Guitars swerve their necks into the song, while Bradford inflicts serious vengeance on the corruption of the day. While technically a “jamband,” SeepeopleS has more substance than others, combining eras of sound, political mayhem, and tight songs with structure. “Dog Days II” contains the best bass beat I've heard in months; adding to this is a circus of synth noises, what appears to be trumpets, and the ever-consistent drumming.

Having Tim Reynolds help out doesn't hurt either; Reynolds is in full force here, spraying the guitar all over the “Dog Days II,” canvas and while some could call him a Musical Jackson Pollock, this song is another piece of gold. “Man Will Win” is a late-night jazz club slow mover, taking its deep tones even deeper with some dropping trumpets. “Reprise (Rocker)” hints at early Stereolab with its looped consistency, but recent Radiohead recordings make their way into the song as well. Its almost as if Colin Greenwood is rocking the 4 string here and Kid A was playing in the background when this song was recorded. “No One Sees” ends the album, again with the space-age beats and swirling 70s sounds. Rising and falling, turning left then right, it’s a glorious send off for an album that is sure to make more than one Top 10 this year.

As a collection, The Corn Syrup Conspiracy is stunning. Bradford and Co. prove that as a musical force, they're more than willing to take on genres with ferocity and throw their boats into almost any sound. From reggae to down tempo, to flat out rock and of course, the jamband label, SeepeopleS is ready for it all. Without a doubt, touring will bring even more fans, seeing that as a jamband, there's sure to be extended jams and 20 minute all out instrumental anthems. The year is wide open and SeepeopleS seem destined to own it.

-Darren Susin
Glide Magazine