Choking Ahogo
Radars and Maps
© 2003 Choking Ahogo (706308008525)
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.
The band's sound has been characterized by it's melody, noise, and energy, and has been compared with and influenced by Hüsker Dü, Superdrag, the Flaming Lips, Elvis Costello, REM, Guided By Voices, and Firehose
tracks
try this
albums you will love
genres you will love
By Location
Recommended if you like ...
links
notes
Choking Ahogo is a rock band from Austin, Texas. The band has two albums, Citrus (Victim/2000) and Radars and Maps (Victim/2003). A unique blend of American indie rock, britpop, and alt country, the band's sound has been characterized by its melody, noise, and energy, and has drawn comparisons to Hüsker Dü, Elvis Costello, REM, Guided By Voices, and the Who. They will be on tour in October of 2004.
Please see the shows page at www.chokingahogo.com for concert information and the discography page for information about where recordings are available.
reviews
Please log in to review this album.
...the band manages the clever feat of sounding simultaneously strong and vulner
author: Dallas Morning NewsAustin trio Choking Ahogo makes wistful alternative-pop that sounds like a cleaner less tormented version of Husker Du. Radars and Maps, the trio's second release, is pretty but not wimpy, with memorable songwriting and loads of harmonies. On songs such as New Invention, the band manages the clever feat of sounding simultaneously strong and vulnerable.
"...pointed, tuneful, and poignant."
author: Austin ChronicleAustin's Choking Ahogo start off sounding like a band that might go on early, but wind up as the guys Rice University undergrads might invite back to their dorms for some late-night shenanigans. Radars and Maps is populated with the perfect combination of dumbasses, drunkards, and deviants, so who'll be the first in line? But this isn't giving them proper credit: The local trio's sophomore album is pointed, tuneful, and poignant, the perfect party album to put on as the lanes of post-collegiate seduction possibilities open up. Similar to Guided by Voices' brusquely melodic Isolation Drills, Radars hammers away until nothing is left except the cleanly picked guitar lines, urgently bleated vocals, and power-chord bursts that explain why you're waking up on the floor at a stranger's apartment. The unbridled enthusiasm of "Throaty V" and "Action Figure" barely harnesses their engine-driving id, while "Deep Little Bee Sting" and "Scenester's Lament" luxuriate in the late-summer swoon that strikes when the beer is cold, the guitars are in tune, and all the girls are good-looking. With Radars and Maps, Choking Ahogo have charted a course that will hopefully have them pounding out the tunes at many, many keggers to come.
Great; give it a whirl
author: Annie-oThe CD title immediately caught my attention, bringing to mind REM's Maps & Legends. Well, what do you know? There is definitely an older REM influence on Radars and Maps, but the ultimate sound is Choking Ahogo's own. I loved Ellie Mae Drove the second I heard it, but there's not a weak song here. Give these guys a try.
- author: Delusions of Adequacy
First off, Radars and Maps is book-ended by two truly great rock songs: "Ellie May Drove" and "The Women." The former is a classic introductory track, superbly crafted from a simple guitar riff and careful vocals that effectively draw the listener in before melting into an addictive chorus capped by Peter Wagner's searing vocals. Following the first chorus, the song rebuilds, abruptly ending after Wagner's spine-chilling screams of "Skylar!!!" - the perfect cliffhanger for the rest of the album to follow. "The Women" is a more subdued affair. The snare-driven rhythmic romp is a nice foil to pensive lines like "your wholesome face / your saving grace / you own this place / and I'm falling in." The band members make wonderful compromises to each other throughout, while well-placed instrumental and vocal solos also give character to the track before a gently fading out. There is a beautiful sense of space throughout the album. This may be partially attributed to the production quality the band was able to afford, but the dry tones and minimal overdubs serve the music well while also helping to produce a very refreshing sound. Listening to Radars and Maps after listening to a more polished album is like reading a Hemingway novel after one by Stephan King, or drinking a Sprite after having a Coke. It's clear, concise, and seemingly effortless. Like I said, it's refreshing. However, the most refreshing aspect of Choking Ahogo's sound has got to be Wagner's wonderful rock voice. It cuts through the music like an etching on glass, crystal clear and pure. It's throaty and deep without being booming, and nasal and plaintive without being whiny. And his lyrics? Let's just say it's a good thing they were included in the liner notes, as they're definitely worth a read through. Wagner has a gift for beautifying the simple, as in "I've found that transcending / is cheaper than renting," from the alt-country inspired "Deep Little Bee Sting" (also featuring tasteful slide work), or "car horns / windows streaked / all made up / how life was sweet," from the excellent "Scenester's Lament." These are lyrics that, upon reflection, truly make the songs much more meaningful and enjoyable. These lyrics deserve appreciation. While Choking Ahogo probably won't change anyone's outlook on life, I need to give the band heartfelt thanks for finding and filling these musicians' own personal niche in a bloated musical style - and doing a fine job as well. While I can't lavish heaps of praise on Radars and Maps, I can't find anything to dislike either, which says more about the band than any amount of accolades ever could. It's no secret that there's a whole lot of music that sucks out there, but Choking Ahogo isn't making any of it. After all, sometimes you just feel like having a Sprite.
It's a rare album that knocks my socks off in the first minute-and-a-half.
author: Impact PressIt's a rare album that knocks my socks off in the first minute-and-a-half. The vocalist / guitarist Peter Wagner sounds a little like a mixture of Richard Butler from The Psychedelic Furs and Robert Pollard of Guided By Voices. He's got a strong, confident voice that is well complemented by bassist / vocalist Bryan Ray's harmonies. It's also a rarity to find an album that sounds even better after you've read the lyrics. Very rare, especially lyrics this poetic and interesting on their own. The drums are tight and locomotive, the keyboard flourishes are where they need to be, and the sound is great. Support this Austin, TX band – they deserve it.
- author: Indigo Flow (UK)
Radars & Maps is the follow-up to Choking Ahogo's 2000 debut album, Citrus. Hailing from Austin, Texas, I'd like to say that they are the epitome of the Texas indie rock sound. I'd like to say that because then I wouldn't have to think of a way to explain what their strange mish-mash of US and UK indie rock with the odd bit of country. Actually, now I've said it, it doesn't seem so bad - a bit like listening to this album. Once you get into it, it doesn't seem like a strange combination of styles at all. In fact, I'm starting to think I might have mislead you slightly. No, on second thought, I haven't; Choking Ahogo are pleasantly different but slightly familiar. A bit like a long lost relative you've never heard of.
- author: South of Mainstream
The first thing that struck me as "Ellie May Drove", the first track on Radars & Maps, spun in my player was the unique vocal style and sound. Add the song's loud/soft dynamic style and you've got a very appealing introduction to very appealing album. Peter Wagner does not have a mainstream vocal style. His voice is unique, slightly nasal with a natural vibrato sound that is at times electronically enhanced. His voice is intriguing and beckons you to listen further. Listen to the trembling emotion on "Throaty V" and you'll see what I mean. The music is catchy, especially on the bass heavy faster tracks. There's a surf guitar appeal on various tracks, which should definitely get your feet moving. The stream of consciousness lyrical style really works well with the vocals, both Wagner's and the backing vocals of Bryan Ray. It also suits the music, especially the up tempo cuts kept rollicking and rocking along with fantastic rhythmic consistency and variety by drummer Chris Stutsman. Choking Ahogo puts together an alt-country sound on several of the slower tracks, especially "Deep Little Bee Sting". These slower paced, atmospheric cuts gave a definite appeal. They build slowly to a great sweeping sound that will embrace lovers of music full of feeling. This music is full of emotion and feeling without falling prey to the over saturated and often misunderstood and maligned emo genre. It has the same volatility of emotion and the same genuine feeling, but the vocals and musical style give it a unique stamp all its own.
...a melodic rock band with a well-refined take on punky energy.
author: Leonard's Lair (UK)From Austin, Texas Choking Ahogo are a melodic rock band with a well-refined take on punky energy. Led by Peter Wagner they have a frontman whose phlegmy vocals give them quite a unique quality. 'Spring Reverb', 'Scenester's Lament' and 'Action Figure' boast strong choruses and edgy riffs that could certainly trouble the popular charts. On 'Deep Little Bee Sting' the more mature side of the trio is explored; no coincidence then that it takes more than a minute to get to the chorus. With enough intelligence in their songwriting to rank them above the teen market, 'Radars And Maps' is an undemanding but good-spirited album.
...another great album by a talented band from Austin
author: Indie WorkshopYou’ve probably heard of people being able to write with both hands, simultaneously and in two different languages, well, Peter Wagner does this with music. Taking the guitar from rhythm to lead and back again while singing and making it sound effortless is something to be recognized. With tones similar to that of Peter Gabriel and Cat Stevens, Wagner sings stream of consciousness style and never falters. His offbeat delivery never trips up the tight rhythms pounded out by bassist Bryan Ray and drummer Chris Stutsman. From “throaty v” with its Jimmy Eat World pop punk aesthetics and guitar chug to the reverb laden and country/surf influenced “deep little bee sting” Choking Ahogo display an impressive range that is never inconsistent. Chalk this one up as another great album by a talented band from Austin. Just don’t ignore it like you did the others.
Once Choking Ahogo has you in its grip, it won't let you go.
author: F5 MagazineIf at first you don't like Choking Ahogo, try, try again. An amalgamation of Hüsker Dü, old R.E.M., Guided By Voices and a dash or two of the likes of Matthew Sweet, this Texas-based trio give us a series of well-crafted, power-driven tracks that prove catchy once they've seeped deep into your psyche. The hypnotic harmonies of Peter Wagner (who plays cool, floaty Peter Buck guitar lines, often topping them off with Bob Mould-style persistent jackhammer strumming) and Bryan Ray make for a paradisiacal treat, while Ray's booming, slick bass lines and Chris Stutsman's powerful beats propel songs such as the Beatlish "Spring Reverb" and "Throaty V" (as good a Hüsker Dü homage as any out there). Not that Radars and Maps is all about drive, drive, drive. Witness the slow, eerie ballad "Deep Little Bee Sting" with its unsettling, spacey vocals and lyrics than can best be described as odd ("I'll set a trap to catch me the answer/Leave the door open wide"). Of course, such elements are just part of the charm. And, as with R.E.M. it's not as much about what's being said as how cool it sounds. Once Choking Ahogo has you in its grip, it won't let you go.
- author: Austin Chronicle
Action Figure (track 5) - Two irresistible minutes of melodic punk turmoil and an object lesson in why the spirit of Zen Arcade will never die.
...a real winner of an album.
author: Aiding and AbettingA fine little three-piece, Choking Ahogo plays fine little rock songs. Nothing complicated or particularly unusual. Except, of course, that the stuff is really good. I guess the easiest way to describe the sound would be to call it muscular, refined indie rock. There's a nice bit of heft in the guitars, and the production is subtle and of a remarkably high quality. Little things stand out, like the way the instruments are blended in the mix. Each is distinct, but there's still a nice bit of blending as well. This doesn't sound like much, but you'd surprised how hard it is to accomplish. The same goes for the songwriting, which takes on a number of different ideas and manages to make them all sound like Choking Ahogo. Again, this is a subtle trick, but the end result is a real winner of an album. A lot of little things add up to something great here.
- author: mattie good look
oh, how these boys twist and turn and make the bones ache with their highly sensational songs.. and can that boy sing! they're going to be big and i'll enjoy watching it all explode.
Choking A Moveable Feast
author: thirteenamps"All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence you know." You've done it. This is it. This CD is awesome! True.
Super cool sound, great songs, I'm hooked.
author: Zach M.Radars and Maps is another killer album by Choking Ahogo. While it retains the character that IS Choking Ahogo, it is a very different album than their earlier relase Citrus. Not often can a band keep thier sound and create NEW music. Hold on to your ass cause these guys are about to rock it straight OFF!
Buy it...so you can say you heard them first!
author: GregThis album really rocks. Their last album, Citrus, was awesome...but they really show how much they've progressed--both professionally and stylistically--with Radars and Maps. From the first song to the last, it will be tough for you to take this out of your CD player once you've got all these great songs lodged in your brain...
"...the champions of everything rock."
author: Smother.Net“Hi, I’m the Austin, Texas music scene. I am better than your scene. I have more talent than any other region in the area. Sure that sounds haughty but I don’t mean any offense it’s just the simple truth and thankfully we will never let it get to our collective heads. Have you heard my latest offering Choking Ahogo? No? Well, let me tell you about them then. They’re this savvy intelligent rock trio that write incredible little indie rockers that will have you tapping your foot and declaring them the new champions of everything rock. Choking Ahogo does with words what master chefs do with ingredients. What’s that? Who do they sound like? Bah humbug! They sound like no other and are truly one of those last few unique bands out there doing something genuine and from not just the heart but the gut and brain. What’s that? You’re jealous of those that are involved with me? Don’t be! We like to share and we’re more than willing to breath new life into your scene with a tour or two. Regardless I must take my leave of you for the moment as there’s five billion other talented bands that need to reach the hands of souls like you.”
Choking Ahogo - Radars and Maps - Choking Ahogo is unique if for one reason. The work between the guitars and the vocals. Nearly, every track has what seems to be two thoughts going on at the same time. The song and the voice which play apart but play together like a classical fugue. Musically, it's much more along the lines of guitar rock and indie rock, but it certainly is a band with a bit of potential.