Thronester is finished.

I thought "Whistlin' Dixie" was a PKG song. Either way, hooray!

It was. But we're shaking things up a bit in the best way.

I probably jumped on this too late, but whomever does get a copy of this had better chime in on their thoughts of the album. Punks.

Sent to your email address.

Sending... looking forward to this.

Got the CDs yesterday, Nick. Perfect timing since I'll be stuck in a car for the next four days. Thanks a lot!

Just picked up the CD's from the mail room. Looking foward to listening to Thronester.

I listened to this and the disk of "Other" you sent along while I was writing my Gilligan's Island review. Whether it effected my writing is for someone else to say.

This is great stuff. I hope I don't offend anyone on the album by comparing it to They Might Be Giants. I mean it in the best possible way. LN's wiilingness to try many different styles of music, take chances on things like instrumentals and how you guys are not afraid to just have fun reminds me of the Johns. "I'm Jack" is funky and I love how it's ruled by bass. "Theme from Lt. Mike Reeves" is hyper cool. I can't help but create images for the opening credits in my head. "Whistlin' Dixie in the Pisser" is my favorite on the album proper. Just hilarious. "Japanese Werewolf" grabbed me right away.

This stuff is great! Thanks. I've listened to it a few times but I don't "know" the album yet. I still need to listen to it a bunch more times.

Message sent. I've liked the stuff from the Lucky Nightsticks and PKG threads so I'm looking forward to the finished product.

I think THRONESTER is definitely a more consistent album than LEVITATOR. I thought the previous album kinda bounced around from one style and theme to another. And while that's fine, THRONESTER has a very solid, confident sound to it. These temp mixes sound pretty good for the most part (I can't understand a damn word on Track 1, but that's about it) so I'm excited to hear what the finished, polished tracks sound like. Excellent work, gents, you should be proud.

This has been the only disc in my car for a few days now. I'll report soon. I've heard a lot of it before from samples you'd sent me and just from listening to tracks here. It's good stuff, but I'll give more details soon.

Any more CDs available? I'd love to check this out. I never got around to picking up your previous CDs, although I have listened to them many times from the website.

Sorry this took so long, but I listened the crap out of it. I wanted to KNOW the music before I said anything about it. All and all, I'll agree. This is a SOLID effort. I think Levitator has my favorite Lucky Nightstick moments with Infinite Lives, No One Special, and Assassination Enthusiast. BUT, I think Thronester is much more rounded out. This bands strengths are that you guys play and write stuff that you enjoy playing and writing. You're not trying to make a hit, and don't have a forced feel because of it. At least that's my take. So, here's my opiniond:

Thronester - Who doesn't like Giant Monkey Dragsters??? I have to say I'm not much of the fan of the intro. It's too long, and the high pitched guitar riff doesn't do much for me, but once the singing starts I really dig the driving feel of it. Especially when it gets to the La la la la la laaaa (or whatever you're saying) part. It's a great song to drive to with the window rolled down. Unfortunately, in Chicago right now, it's too cold for that.

I Broke the World - This is my favorite song on here. I LOVE the lyrics, and my favorite moments in the song are when you say "Chimpanzee..." It just sounds cool. I love the mellow and flowing tone of the song. Do more of these, please.

I'm Jack - Catchy, but not one of my favorites. Fun bass beat, and I like the quick guitar chirps after you say, "I'm Jack..." The drum beats are inspired, too. I like the sounds around 2:50, too. It reminds me of No One Special, but the lyrics don't do anything for me. Good, but not great.

Japanese Werewolf - This is fun. Kind of reminds me of a King Roser song off of an Urge Overkill song. The lyrics are awesome, and I love the held notes you scream out. It could use a little tightening, but I can listen to this all day.

Disgrace this Town - For some reason, I needed to put this one back on before writing about it. A nice little toned down ditty, but the second half hasn't quite grown on me yet. I like the funky guitar stuff, though. And I also like the sound of your lyrics and how the drumming doesn't seem to follow any distinct pattern. It may grow on me, but only time will tell.

Pan in Your Pants - LOVE IT. One of my other favorites. You talk about GLEN HUBBARD!!! Love that. We all need more Glen Hubbard rememberance. Of all the LN songs, this is the one I catch myself singing cause it gets stuck in my head.

Lo Sciame Mortale - Something out of the Disco Volente book. Love the lyrics, but it's too short... like my comments for it. I wanted more of it. This is the prick tease.

Theme from Lt. Mike Reeves - Sounds like an intro to an arena rock band in the beginning. I love the organs and the grooviness of it all. Simple, changing, and makes me want to make devil ears with my fingers and shout Freebird.

Own Up - Old time swamp rock with a funky lyric base. (does that make sense?) I gotta dig the tamborine. Just an all around solid song. I love the stripped down part at about 1:15.

Devil and Franks Pussy - What the fuck? I didn't expect the song to sound like this. Very funny stuff. "I was coasting right to heaven..." Love the way that's sung, and the "Frank's Pussy" line puts a smile on my face.

Slowride Supershine - ROCK!!!! This is the most old school rock sounding song on here. I love guitar rock, so this one comes home to me. This is a guitar riff I'd like to play on the guitar to have a little jam by myself.

Whistlin' Dixie - I could do without the crowd noises in the beginning, but the rest of it is awesome. I hate country music, but I love the sarcasm and tounge in cheek vibe. The chorus is catchy and playful. Another one of my favorites. The Jack Shit part is great, but the transition into the "Whistlin' Dixie" part is what makes this memorable.

Sweet Young Thing - Awesome intro to an awesome song. I like just about every moment in here. I love the lead in to the guitar solo and the solo itself (though it could have been longer). The way the song slows back down after that is perfect.

This is good stuff Nick. I really like listening to LN stuff. I've played some for my friends and they also are digging it. Also, on the second disc you sent...Belloq... what a fucking brilliant song. That's some funny shit. Belloq whyyyyyyyyy....

Expect some response from me tomorrow night.

Well, more better respond because I'd like to hear what others think, too. Something I should have said earlier was that I love the feeling of pureness in the music. And what I mean by that is that there's no "we need to make a hit" or formuleic vibe. You guys are doing exactly what you want to do, and it shows. This ain't no Gin Blossoms. I meant what I said, but I also just wanted to make an excuse to laugh at the Gin Blossoms.

I was waiting until I heard final mixes to to a track by track thing. I don't know when I'll be able to throw the cash down for the discs so I guess you'll have to wait longer. Sorry.

Possible stupid question warning:

Are there any sample clips from the songs somewhere on the site? Sort of a preview thing like Amazon has for all cds. just thought I'd ask since I'd like to sample after reading the above encouraging review.

Hey, Nick. I was just wondering if you shipped mine out yet?

THRONESTER review (initial listen)

Nick, I gave the retail version of this a hardcore listen last night and this morning. The first thing that struck me was the amount of instrumental material snuck in around and between songs. Really adds a fresh sheen to some of the material I've heard a lot, plus it gives some much needed breathing room between a few of the more intense tracks. Did I miss something, tho, or did "Pinot Envy" not make the cut? Anyway:

THRONESTER - I like the driving intro, but it never seems to match with the rest of the song. It's like I like both halves a lot, but this song would've been better if there was something connecting them. Regardless, I love the vocal intensity on the second half, and Steve and John really get down to the business of grooving very quickly. A good opener only slightly marred by the disjointedness.

I BROKE THE WORLD - Still an absolute favorite! It's just catchy, quirky, and fun. Not much more to say about this one. It's great, tho.

I'M JACK - Another fave. That bassline reminds me of the 80's for some odd reason. Insanely catchy, and John's ring-modulated guitar solo is just the best.

JAPANESE WEREWOLF - Not sure why the fidelity on this one seems not up to the rest of the CD. In any case, this one is a classic "Steve" cut. His guitar style is slathered all over this like barbeque sauce or something. In fact, make it K.C. Masterpiece. That's how much I love you, Steve. I could have said Bullseye, bitch.

PUNCH YOUR LUNCH - Interesting, but I think this goes on for a bit too long with too little variety and no words. Reminds me slightly of Monster Magnet's instrumental stuff, tho with a slight synth edge added.

DISGRACE THIS TOWN - The new instrumental intro is fascinating and probably a good way to bridge between the song and "Punch Your Lunch." I'm only moderately into the song, tho. Probably this record's only real weakness is that a lot of the funkier stuff is in the same key (A) and roughly the same tempo, so it all sounds like variations of the same song. So the ones that I'm not crazy about (e.g. "Disgrace") don't have a fair chance to measure up to the ones that I am crazy about (e.g. "Sweet Young Thing""I'm Jack").

PAN IN YOUR PANTS - Another "A" key tune, but it's elevated by the quasi-ska verse guitar riff and the utter silliness of the lyrics. Glen Hubbard and Charles Dance references pay off in spades.

LO SCIAME MORTALE - The length is perfect. The placement on the CD is perfect. And it really adds to the variety of the disc. Just a nice, quick breath of fresh air.

THEME FROM LT. MIKE REEVES - I love the first minute or so, but it wears on me a bit after that. Also, it probably would've been better off later in the disc. Having a full-length instrumental this early kind of disrupts the flow. I think you guys are best served by keeping your instrumental stuff 1-2 minutes and weaving it into to other songs, rather than breaking it out for something extended like this or "Punch Your Lunch."

OWN UP - Another "A" groover. Doesn't move me one way or the other.

SLOWRIDE SUPERSHINE - A very nice slow groover. Stellar guitar work, too. Also a nice vocal performance.

EL DIABLO Y FRANK PUSSY - BRILLIANCE. Seriously. Just perfect. My favorite.

BEARDS DON'T GROW IN SPACE - Interesting, btu not too much else.

WHISTLIN' DIXIE IN THE PISSER - Pure fun, perfectly placed here. Steve's guitar solo hates life, but it's obviously intentional. Hopefully, the spirit of Duane Allman will ignore that and haunt Steve anyway.

INSIDER - The Movie Insider music makes another appearance! Liked it then, like it now. Just doesn't fit with the rest of the disc.

SWEET YOUNG THING - Perfect way to end the disc. Really nice southern groove. Amazing rock coda. Good vox.

TRAIN RIDE HOME - Though this used to be a PKG song, it really belongs on this disc. True, it's an "A" key funk tune, but the straightforward pop structure keep it from just blending in with the rest of the ones here.

Overall, it's a nice full-length listen. The vibe was somewhere between Widespread Panic and Fantomas, with a healthy dose of tradmark LN wackiness to keep it unique. It's a good note for the Nightsticks to go out on.

I'm stilll listening to this and will give more detailed feedback after a few more rounds.

However, my first impression (starting with the 2nd track) was that it reminded me of The The. The voice, the style, etc. And, for what it's worth, that is a huge compliment coming from my direction to yours.

More later and thanks for the opportunity to check it out.

I found a welcome surprise this afternoon in my mailbox. Thanks, Nick.

Now that college work has let up (for the weekend at least), I'll counciously try to give the two discs many spins.

Very much. But time restraints are keeping me from commenting yet. You'll get an in-depth discussion from this end soon.

Finally had time to listen to the album a few times. Thanks very much again for sending it out to me Nick!

My "as I listened" thoughts on the album tracks:

1. Thronester
- all over the map stylisticlaly, but it works somehow
- I really liked it!

2. I Broke the World
- pretty neat
- rythym guitar makes this song, oddly

3. I'm Jack
- 70's porn vibe, but catchy as all hell

4. Japanese Werewolf
- pretty good - like the funk

5. Punch Your Lunch
- really like the mix of accoustic VS electronic in this song
- super listenable
- great driving song, 2nd favourite on the whole CD

6. Disgrace This Town
- couldn't get into it right away but has really grown on me
- mellow

7. Pan In Your Pants
- love the first 20-30 seconds, not super crazy about the rest

8. Lo Sciame Mortale
- fun little ditty

9. Theme From 'Lt. Mike Reeves'
- reminds me of a SuperNintendo video game theme song suite, which is awesome (so you're making the Lt. Reeves game, right?)

10. Own Up
- great acoustic feel - made me think of the 60's/early 70's rock era

11. Slowride Supershine
- same as 10, great rock track

12. The Devil and Frank Pussy
- too novelty for me, but pretty fun to listen to

13. Beards Don't Grow In Space
- too novelty for me again, but stellar musicianship

14. Whistlin' Dixie In The Pisser
- pretty cool to see a new style get tested out by the band...the yelling at the end cracked me up

15. Insider
- this would be the single that got released on the radio for this band...most professional, and best sounding track on the whole album
- this is my most favourite (obviously)

16. Sweet Young Thing
- not too shabby, bass work was awesomes

Will there be another NightSticks album now that the new superband has been put together? Overall I really liked this one too. Seemed like you guys were really reaching out into new musical styles with this one. Sometimes the experiments didn't always gel for me, and I found that on some tracks you would come up with a great melody or groove only to surplant it with something almost too dissonant stylistically, if that makes any sense, part-way through the song (the track this is most evident on is Pan in Your Pants). Great CD that is now getting regular play in my playlist.

Any chance of more being mailed out?

Would love to hear it.