brandon
foolofgold
ispyphotographs
lindawalther
Just Matt
HOYT
jaymoore
irisashley
Anberlin – ‘New Surrender’
Universal/Republic
Released September 30, 2008
Last year’s Anberlin offering, ‘Cities’, was a surprise standout hit for me last year. Fueled by rad songs like ‘Godspeed’, ‘Dismantle.Repair’, and the awesome ‘*fin’, it firmly cemented the band as my favorite in their little emopoprock genre dealie. Plus, it did pretty well and earned them a major label deal, so, good for them. So back to the matter at hand, ‘New Surrender’ is the big boy debut, and I’ma thinkin they’ve done right by themselves once again. Building firmly on the foundation they’ve laid for themselves, Anberlin have once again delivered a catchy-ass hook laden record with some stellar songs (although the decision to rerecord an old song (The Feel Good Drag) and release it as this record’s first single is kinda ehhh..but it’s a great song so who really cares). There’s a woman walking outside my window with a fanny pack that matches her whole little spandex outfit. It should also be noted she is one of those folks whose body type does not go well with spandex. Jiggle jiggle. Unlike Stephen Christain, Anberlin frontman, whose voice fits perfectly with the music! MAN i really reeled that one back in like a champ. Seriously, dude is one of my favorite frontmen these days and I dig how his lyrics delve a bit deeper than most of his counterparts. And those choruses! OMG the choruses! Sometimes when a band releases a great cd and then the next year comes back with another one, it can raise a red flag..cause sommmmmmmetimes it just means they’re trying to capitalize on success by releasing bsides or drivel from the vault, but I assure you this stuff is top notch. Gah this is long and doesn’t really say anything, sorry about that. I like this a bunch.
4.6/5
Family Force 5 – ‘Dance Or Die’
Tooth & Nail Records
Released August 19, 2008
So um a few years back I was sucked into the hype of these guys thanks to my friends up in Nashville who insisted on CONSTANTLY listening to their ‘Business Up Front, Party In The Back’ disc when I was up there visiting. It was a bit of a blast from the past with all it’s rap-rock..or ‘crunk’ rock as I believe they called it. It was fun music, not an all the time thing, but they had their place in my listening lineup from time to time. Now ATL’s own FF5 is back with a new record, and really a whole new sound. They’ve pretty much gone full speed ahead towards the dancey music side of things, with tunes like ‘Fever’, ‘Wake The Dead’, and ‘Dance or Die’ sounding more like a band kinda trying to ride the jock of bands like The Faint, et al. Don’t get me wrong, the music isn’t bad..and I really like those songs I just mentioned, it’s just not as good as I hoped it would be. They’ve got all kindsa vocal effects going on and the guitars are distorted beyond recognition and quite honestly it’s just not as fun. I’ll give them props for branching out, but at the same time I think maybe they should have switched the sound up a bit on the cd. Most of the songs run together a bit..or maybe they don’t and that’s just how I feel about all music like that. Either way. I feel like it’s definately a step back from the cool funness of ‘Business’, and while half the songs are quite enjoyable, there are far too many that I just wanna skip halfway through. BUT I just got it today, so my early impressions may not be my ultimate impressions. Time will tell.
2.9/5
Hotel Lights – ‘Firecracker People’
Bar None Records
Released August 19, 2008
What do you get when you mix Ryan Adams, Ben Folds, Nada Surf, and the classic folk artist of your choice together? Well, a lot of artists I guess, but the one I’m talking about here is Hotel Lights. Coincidentally, Hotel Lights is the solo project of former Ben Folds Five drummer Darren Jessee so I suppose that explains that. This was a random download for me, I had no prior knowledge of this guy or his music, and I chose to give it a shot almost based solely on the album cover..I’m such a sucker for black and white trees. Luckily though, everything worked out pretty well as I’ve found myself enjoying this album a pretty decent amount. It always sucks when you download something and then feel like you’re being punished when you listen to the record you just downloaded. Crappy music brings the suck. I’m rambling. If you’re a fan of americana or alt country or you like your indie rock with a bit of a twang you’ll probably find something you like on this cd..and might I add that the song ‘Blue Always Finds Me’ is pretty solid..so maybe check that one out.
3.5/5
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The Stills – ‘Oceans Will Rise’
Arts & Crafts
Released August 19, 2008
I’ve enjoyed this band for quite some time..and before we go any further, if you’ve never heard their debut ‘Logic Will Break Your Heart’ record, get to it, because it was hellafied goodness, ya heard? A handful of years and one pretty eh cd (’Without Feathers’) later, The Stills return in the ‘08 with ‘Oceans Will Rise’, and despite what you might be thinking, it’s not about the perils of global warming on planet earth. I don’t think anyway. Instead, it’s a return to Stillyness for the band, and and if almost every review I’ve seen for this record is to be believed, it’s safe to say that most people will agree that they sould like a band of renewed spirits trying to prove themselves once again..and have done quite a job of it. This is as solid an indie rock cd as you’ll find out there, and if radio or vh1 manages to pick up their single ‘Being Here’ (maybe they have already, I don’t pay attention) then this band might finally get recognized a little bit for being as good as they are.
4.3/5
Inhale/Exhale – ‘I Swear…’
Solid State Records
Released June 10, 2008
Am I supposed to understand what that artwork means? Does it say something I’m just too dumb to notice? Is it some kind of tribute to 80’s new wave? I DON’T UNDERSTAND!! AHH! Alrighty so I have the first record by this band, but I only bought it because I needed a third Solid State cd to qualify for a Best Buy online offer at the time and I ended up not really caring much about it at all. As I’ve talked about SO many times, it was just another metal/scene band doing the same old thing I’ve heard done better a million times over. My buddy fool of gold insists it’s metal as balls, but I just don’t hear it. So fast foward to present day and their new cd, ‘I Swear…’ (by the moon and the stars in the skyyyy, i’ll be there) and I was really expecting more of the same. And I was right..sort of. Obviously it’s still nothing original, but oddly enough, it’s a lot more rocking and interesting to my ears. It sounds as if they’re trying to actually evolve a little bit, albeit into some kind of August Burns Red (without the breakdowns)/36 Crazyfists/Cave In/20 other band monster, but evolution is evolution I suppose. I even hear traces of bands from days gone by, i.e. Korn and Papa Roach, in there too. Awesome. In all honesty, this is a much more enjoyable listen than I expected it to be, and anytime my low expectations can be exceeded, I feel that it’s a positive thing for both the band and myself. If you’re into ABR or 36CF or anything on Solid State , this is tailor made for you. Chances are I’ll be keeping it on my ipod, and that’s a bit more than I can say for a few of the cds I’m about to school you on.
Bear Approval Rating: 3.4/5
(i need little bear pictures to use for this from now on..someone get on that)
Alestorm – ‘Captain Morgan’s Revenge’
Napalm/SPV
Released Jan 29, 2008
Oh my, oh my, oh my. Imagine my excitement when I came across this gem this past weekend. Four Scottish dudes who have taken the idea of power metal concept stuff past the usual Viking nonsense of a slew of Euro bands and into the uncharted waters of…PIRATE METAL! As you might expect, the songs are all about sailing the seven seas, drinking mead and ale, walking the plank, finding treasure, hooking up with wenches, and all the other cool shit pirates get to do. The dude even sing in an ‘ARRR’ kinda pirate voice and they have all these other pirate instruments happening too. It’s really something special to behold. Granted, once the novelty wares off, the cd is really pretty crappy. But whatever..PIRATES!!
2/5
Misery Signals – ‘Controller’
Ferret Music
Released July 22, 2008
There’s something kinda cool about that artwork. But yea, so Misery Signals. There’s an ad for this cd that says: “For fans of Thrice, Killswitch Engage, Meshuggah, and Tool”. Um ok, whatever you say Ferret. This band is a tough nut for me to crack, I can’t really decide if I enjoy them or I hate them. It’s been that way since their first record for me, and I guess that’s a good thing..at least I don’t have total disgust for them, right? To me, this doesn’t really sound any different from their other stuff, but I’m just a casual observer and a hardcore Miserite might tell you differently. I kinda like the music, they go in some interesting directions with it, but it’s hard to digest it with the vocals being what they are. And what they are is deeply screamed and heavily processed practically the entire time..so that takes some getting used to..but it does help them stand out a little bit. The record has it’s moments where it’s pretty damn heavy though and it has a few neat little breakdowns so that’s always a good way to win me over a little bit. I’ve liked ‘Controller’ a smidge more with each attempt i’ve made to listen, which is good for the band, because I was initially planning on trashing this record. If you’re into Tool, Thrice, Meshuggah, or KSE, give it a listen.
2.5/5
The Famine – ‘The Raven and The Reaping’
Solid State
Released May 27, 2008
This band is made up of a bunch of dudes that were in a band I never really cared for when they played metal called Embodyment and they sorta sound like Living Sacrifice, who I also never really care much about. But yet there’s also a hint of Dimebaggy Pantera riffing going on, and that’s something I can support. But I don’t like this cd. My biggest musical turn-off is a shitty production job, and that’s kinda all I hear when I listen to this cd. Turn down the treble, douches..and dirty things up a bit. It sounds too clean. Not like a good Adam D. production job clean either, it’s like using a brillo pad on a stainless steel pot clean. I’m also annoyed that there aren’t really ANY tempo changes to speak of. Every song is kinda the same thing for 3-5 minutes, and that gets so incredibly old so incredibly fast. Don’t waste your time.
1/5
Knights Of The Abyss – ‘Shade’
Ferret Records
Released June 24, 2008
They sound like any combination of bands like Black Dahlia Murder, Agony Scene, As Blood Runs Black, etcetcetcetcetc. It’s that fast metal with the mid-range screamy vocals that’s fairly typical of bands in this genre. I’ve only listened a few times, but there’s not all that much memorable here. Next!!
1.5/5
I Wrestled A Bear Once – s/t
2007/2008?
Yea I don’t really know anything about this band, aside from their badass tshirt design above and their awesome name and the fact that I downloaded their last cd the other day. I think they even have a girl singer. At least she does some singing on the mellower parts, I dunno if shes the screamer. BUT IT’S ALWAYS GREAT WHEN SHE IS, AMIRITE?? This is fuckin’ metal as balls and pretty awesome too. It’s grindcore to the extreme, with rad programming and those cute little jazzy interludes that all these bands are all about. Go listen to them on myspace, and try not to soil your undies.
Coldplay – ‘Viva La Vida or Death & All His Friends’
Released June 16, 2008
Capitol/EMI Records
It’s Friday night and I’m terribly bored, so what else is there to do but post a few thoughts about a cd on a ridiculously popular blog site? Nothin, that’s what. Alright, so on to the show. I think I might be one of the few who really though that X&Y was a super solid record for Coldplay and even amongst less company in saying it’s my favorite of the band’s cds. Nothing against Parachutes or Rush Of Blood, it’s just my personal preference. I liked the direction they seemed to be slightly deviating towards on that record, and found it a nice change from the straight up piano balladry the band usually makes use of. So it’s been a few years now and the band is back with this, the oddly titled Viva La Vida (or death and all his friends), complete with it’s Revolutionary artwork, and the promise of quite a shift in audible output. Singer Chris Martin had commented that this cd wouldn’t be such a ‘piano record’ and the fact that this was to be produced by music legend Brian Eno (if you have to ask, look him up kids) cemented the idea that a change was in the works. But would it be a change for the better? That’s what I was determined to find out when I downloaded this bad boy a few days ago. My expectations were admittedly low for this disc, I hadn’t liked lead single ‘Violet Hill’ the first few times i heard it and I just wasn’t sure what to expect. What I got though when I started listening to this cd was music that kinda blew me away a little bit. Coldplay REALLY steps their game up to the next level here guys, they’ve made what amounts to a rather beautiful record with soundscapes so lush only Brian Eno could have been behind them while keeping all their pop sensibilities in tact so as not to push too many people away. They’ve really managed to create a record that might just hush their critics, win over the music snobs, and please the soccer (football?) moms all in one fell swoop..and that ain’t easy folks. Songs like ‘42′ (with it’s slight Radiohead similarities) and ‘Yes’ are great songs that show a matured band..while tunes like ‘Reign Of Love’ and ‘The Escapist’ really appeal to my quiet side and might just be two of my favorite songs of the year so far. Heck, even the once disliked ‘Violet Hill’ is a favorite of mine now. Something about that song feels important, do ya know what I mean? Anyway, I’ve only listened to the record 4 or 5 times now I guess, so as usual, all my opinions are subject to change..but as far as right now goes, I don’t think it would be out of the realm of possibilities for this to be a top 10 record this year for me if all goes according to plan. So that’s cool. Viva La Vida… should go ao long way in solidifying Coldplay’s spot in music today, and might even do for them what the Eno-produced Joshua Tree did for another little band called U2..which is propel them into music industry lifers; or who knows, maybe even legends.
Year End List Potential: 4.8/5
November 5, 1955 – ‘Bears Of The Sea’
Released Feb 19, 2008
Ironclad/Metal Blade
Besides having a ridiculously favorable album title for this blog, this record all packs a ton of awesomeness as well. Our buddy Fool Of Gold brought these guys to my attention a little while back and I’ve only recent gotten around to checking them out. Boy I’m glad I did. These guys bring to mind Circle Takes The Square, Glassjaw, ATDI, maybe a little Dillinger Escape Plan, with a few other flavors added to the pot for good measure. Musically creative & interesting and seemingly pretty solid lyrically, this cd might be the best metal cd I’ve heard all year and so far probably has the best chance of staying in my heavy music rotation as the year goes on.
Year End List Potential: 4.4/5
Scarlett Johansson – ‘Anywhere I Lay My Head’
Released May 20, 2008
Atco Records
Great, a hot actress trying to prove her musical worth by recording an album of Tom Waits songs. How about we just forget this thing ever happened? Where are the Men In Black with their little memory eraser thing when you need them. This record has three things going for it: the musical arrangements of the songs are lovely, David Bowie sings back up on a few tracks (WTF??), and they’re Tom Waits songs. Notice that none of those things have anything to do with Ms. Johannson. She comes across as bored (and quite possibly a man) vocally and just doesn’t do any justice to the songs she’s singing. Sorry Scarlett, you’re hot, but this shit pretty much sucks.
Year End List Potential: 1.3/5
Seach The City – ‘A Fire So Big The Heavens Can See It’
Released April 1, 2008
Tooth & Nail
Much like their counterparts at Solid State, Tooth & Nail has a certain sound that ALL their bands more or less have..and that’s cool I guess..at least you generally know what to expect when you listen to something and it makes putting tours together super simple. Search The City falls into that same category, as they fit the emo/pop whatever category the label specializes in. As a matter of fact, there are a few a zillion times on this record where you’d SWEAR you were listening to some new slightly dumbed down Anberlin release..they’re ridin’ that jock like whoa. Don’t get me wrong, I guess the songs are enjoyable and fun for what they are; there’s a pretty consistent up-tempo thing going on throughout the record and it makes for a catchy record and a surprisingly decent listen, but I don’t feel like there’s anything there that I’ll remember in a month or two. There is probably some potential here, but they’re gonna havta work a lot harder at writing songs to tap into it. It’s hard to stand out when you sound like a carbon-copy of a million other bands. And shame on T&N for signing an Anberlin clone so soon after losing the real thing to a major label. Lame-o.
Year End List Potential: 2.3/5
i’m feeling a bit lazy today, so i don’t much care for the idea of writing long reviews. buuut i would like to share some of the stuff i’ve been listening to lately with you guys. so here it goes.
Thrice – ‘The Alchemy Index Vols 3&4: Air & Earth’
Vagrant Records
Released April 15, 2008
Oh my gosh. I loved the fire/water volumes of this little series that came out last year (especially the water cd, that one was tremendous), they really forged into some new territory as a band. If Thrice were a baseball player, they’d probably be a really really good utility guy, someone who could come in at any point in the game and play any position he was asked to and kick ass at it because he’s just that good. Come to think of it, I played a shit-ton of positions when I played the game, and I’m a 2 time all star, so I can easily liken this band to, well, me. Anywayzers, as good as those were though, these two cds are the ones that really take the cake and propel this band into the ever-elusive brandon wowzone. Thrice brings their a-game here, with a bunch of great acoustic & piano driven tunes that are as well written as they are easy on the ears. Dustin Kensrue is a swell little lyricist don’tcha know? Flat out, this stuff is the bomb. Songs like ‘Come All You Weary’, ‘Moving Mountains’, ‘The Lion and The Wolf’, ‘A Song For Milly Michaelson’, ‘Broken Lungs’..and well, you get the idea..are all fantastic. The only song I don’t really dig is ‘The Earth Isn’t Humming’ because it reminds me of that shitty Days Of The New band I was into like 10 years ago. Great, great record though. Check it out if you’re a smart person who likes good things.
Year End List Potential: 5/5
Wolftron – ‘Flesh & Fears’
Eyeball Records
Released May 6, 2008
Not to toot my own horn here, but I’ve gotta tell ya, I’m giving you some really, really solid stuff here with these first 2 cds today. First, a 5/5 review for new Thrice, now this. Wolftron is the solo project of the frontman for a band called Daphe Loves Derby, a band I’d never really listened to before I checked out this cd. Have no fear though all you DLD fans, because I did my reverse research and I was impressed with most of what I heard. So back to Wolftron, aside from having a really awesome (read: kinda lame) name, they’ve got some really nice music. Think of stuff a little bit in the vein of bands like Umbrellas, maybe some Codeseven (RIP) maybe some Copeland, maybe some Owen..you get the idea. It’s nice, lazy, peaceful, light, indie/emo-twinged music set to acoustic guitars with a singer who sports a great little voice. With the summer months coming up, IIII think this record may be a really cool addition to your collection if you choose to go that route. It’s great window down, sun setting music if you ask me. And ya kinda did since you’re reading this. SOOOO. I had never heard of this band before i downloaded it and I have to be honest, I was blown away. It’s not often I recommend a band to my friends a few songs into listening to a record, but with this one, I did. Amazing stuff. And wouldn’t ya know it, they’re about to get my third 5/5 rating in the history of this blog! YAY!! Pleeease give them a listen, I doubt you’ll find a reason to be disappointed.
Year End List Potential: 5/5
Peter Broderick – ‘Float’
Type Records
Released sometime in April 2008
If you’re like me, you can look at the cover of this cd and make some educated guesses about what the music contained inside sounds like. Let’s check out the clues here, shall we? Okay! So it’s just one dude, that’s pretty obvious. But what’s the musical style? There are a lot of shades of gray in the cover, so that gives me the impression that it’s gonna be kinda downer, mellow, stuff..I don’t get a singer/songwriter vibe from it though, so what could it be? Electronic? yeah maybe something ambient would work, but I dunno, I have something else in mind. I would personally peg this cd to be a really quiet sorta classical cd, maybe along the lines of a Max Richter or Johan Johannson or Arvo Part or something..and guess what? I would peg this correctly. Go me! Broderick is a 21 year old kid who makes or composes or whatever these really chill strings/piano arrangements with some guitars and stuff added in there too. This is some real movie score sounding stuff right here..it feels deep and believable and important. It’s beautiful background music for those times when you just want something peaceful to take a nap to. I sorta have the feeling this may be one of those cds that ends up in regular rotation in some of my ipod playlists and I’ll start to REALLY love it, but for now, I still think it’s wonderful.
Year End List Potential: 4.7/5
Various Artists – ‘Monsters of Rock:Platinum Edition’
Razor & Tie
Released July 24, 2007
Oh fuck yeah. I was on a hair metal kick last week and downloaded this bad boy. What a freakin gem this is. From Skid Row to Europe to Poison to Ratt to Warrant to Winger to Alice Cooper to The Scorpions..good God almighty does this thing bring the awesome. Sometimes a guy just wants to tease his hair and rock out with his cock out, and this cd would be a pretty good thing to listen to while doing so. I kinda wish this kinda rock would come back into style. Sighhhh. Ah well, at least they continuously release stuff like this to ease my cravings. And I’ve gotta say, I really wouldn’t mind that she’s only 17. I mean, if she’s hot enough and ready to go..why not?
The Winston Jazz Routine – ‘Sospiri’
the record machine
released…sometime last year?
i got into this band a few years back when amazon suggested them to me and i agreed with their suggestion. they create nice, laid back piano/pop kinda music with sigur ros-ian soundscapes complete with bells and guitar echoes and a singer who almost reminds me of the dude from copeland sometimes. i was legitimately surprised by my finding of this cd, as i always assumed this was just one of those bands that i would never hear from again. anyway, quickly onto my opinion. this cd shows a lot of potential..BUT..i feel like it falls a little bit flat. this band has every chance to become really good at this whole folky/piano/dreamy pop thing, but they haven’t quite grown into the shoes they’re trying to wear. don’t get me wrong, this isn’t bad at all and it’s great background music for a sleepy morning or late night, but i think that might be all it is qualified to be right now. ’sospiri’ is a definite step in the right direction for the wjr though, and i’m looking forward to what they do next.
emmure – ‘the respect issue’
victory records
released may 13, 2008
why yes, that is tna wrestling’s kurt angle on the cover of this cd. why no, i don’t really understand why he’s there either. if you like your breakdowns downtuned & slow and your vocals agony sceney, this the band for you. they’re on tour with misery signals and august burns red if that tells ya anything. i don’t really enjoy it all that much, emmure appears to be one of those listen to a few songs when you’re feelin crazy and be done with it kinda bands. some songs are rad, but as a whole, it really sorta sucks. the very best thing about this band is they play the kind of breakdowns that give me a chance to pretend i’m godzilla stomping around a little japanese town. ROAR. I WILL DE S T RO YYYYY Y O U ALLLL STOMP STOMP STOMP ARM WAVEY STOMP ROAAAR.
just like that.
year end list potential: 1.6/5
sera cahoone – ‘only as the day is long’
sub pop
released march 18, 2008
now this, this i like. man i’ve become such a puss in my old age. all i really need out of my music these days is an acoustic guitar and maybe some slide guitar and banjo and i am set like a jumbo jet. yep, you guessed it, this is one of those folky/countryish joints that i love so much. i don’t even think there is much of a need for me to talk about it, because it probably sounds exactly the way you think it sounds. two fun facts before i go though..her voice reminds me so much of neko case at times that i thought it was her at first, aaand apparently this chick drummed on the first band of horses cd. neat, eh?
year end list potential: 4.4/5
Nels Andrews – ‘Off Track Betting’
Reveal Records
Released Feb 26, 2008
Forgive me for not knowing much about this one, but I literally just downloaded it 10 minutes ago..wait..should I use the d word? Will the RIAA come after me? Ah well. Anyway, here’s what little I’ve been able to gather about this guy. He’s from the US of A, he quit college to hitchhike to Alaska and work in the fisheries and then went to South Dakota to plant trees in the Black Hills. He then moved to New Mexico, apprenticed as a woodworker and started writing songs. Hippie. It’s these songs that have garnered him a bunch of critical acclaim from the US, UK, and apparently Dutch folk/songwriting communities. So, cool. The reason I chose to write about this so quickly is that well, it seems REALLY good. It’s got that whole folk/americana/singer-songwriter vibe happening with great songwriting and all the pianos and harps and banjos and steel guitars you could hope for. There’s an obvious Ryan Adams comparison here, with maybe the slightest twinge of a not-as-gruff Ray LaMontagne or a Tom Waits who hasn’t swallowed sandpaper. Plus, it was recorded in Brooklyn, so that makes it a good 5x hipper. I’ve gotta tell ya, I’m really loving this record so far. No no, I mean..I’m REALLLLLY loving this record right now. So much so that it’s about to get the very FIRST 5/5 rating in the history of this website. Yay Nels!
Year End List Potential: 5/5
July Skies – The Weather ClockMake Mine Music
Released Feb 26, 2008
Mychildren Mybride – ‘Unbreakable’Solid State Records
Released Feb 26, 2008
It’s been a minute, so I’ve got a handful of new music to bring your way today. So much so that I might have to post again tomorrow or Wednesday to get to it all. Let’s begin, shall we?
Advent – ‘Remove The Earth’
Solid State/Tooth & Nail
Released Feb. 12, 2008
First up today we have yet another release from those cats at Solid State and Tooth & Nail. They’ve really been cranking out the cds early this year, kinda interesting strategy as they’re really the only things consistantly coming out..it sorta seems like they’re flooding the market and not giving people time to digest this new stuff. Ah well, I’m not paid to make their marketing decisions for them. Anyway. Advent is your typical metal/hxc band from North Carolina I believe, and from the what I’ve read, contains various members of the band Beloved. This band really bares no resemblance to that Beloved though, as there’s not really any worthwhile melody or clean vocals or goodness in general. I find this to be dreadfully boring and repetitive, I think that’s probably because the singer does nothing for me at all. Plus I totally love to hate on gang vocals. The only song I found interesting from this disc is a tune called ‘Three Seasons’, and that’s really only because a violin randomly shows up in a mellow part mid-song. Check this out if you like boring music.
Year End List Potential: 1/5
City And Colour – ‘Bring Me Your Love’
Vagrant Records
Released Feb 12, 2008
Hooray! Good music! Anyone that knows me knows that I am an absolute sucker for acoustic music; good acoustic music more specifically. City And Colour is just that. It’s the side/solo project of Alexisonfire singer Dallas Green, and this is his 2nd record (it’s the follow up to 2005’s ‘Sometimes’) and I think it’s just lovely. This album sounds a little more expansive, a little more confident, a little more comfortable, and the production values have been stepped up a bit. This is pretty easily comparable to say, Dustin Kensrue’s cd last year which was a breakout hit, and I can see this gaining some momentum as well once people start to take notice. There’s a lot more folk inspiration this time around (as last time there was much more of a ‘just a guy hangin out playin his guitar’ factor), and I can dig that. The songs are well written and I haven’t found myself getting tired of anything yet, soooo, cool. If you’re in the mood for some chill acoustic folk stuff, give this a try. I think you’ll like it.
Year End List Potential: 4.6/5
This Is Hell – ‘Misfortunes’Trustkill Records
Released Feb 19, 2008
Year End List Potential: 0/5
and just to switch things up…
This girl’s name is Priscilla Ahn. She does the whole singer-songwriter/acoustic thing as you might be able to tell from the picture, and she does it quite well. I’ve been a big fan of her music for a while now, and as it turns out she has her debut album coming out pretty soon via Blue Note Records, so I’m super excited about that. That’s not really the point of this little blurb though.
The point is that she has this song called ‘Dream’ on her EP that I’ve loved for a long, long time but for some reason I’ve not been able to stop listening to it the past few days. It’s such a cute, beautiful little song and I just can’t help but feel all warm inside every time I hear it. I can’t put a finger on specifics, but there’s just some quality in her wonderful voice that brings a smile out of me. I really feel that this is about as perfect as a song can get. High praise, I know, but I think it deserves it. Check it out on her myspace, maybe you’ll like it as much as I do.
After a week off where NOTHING new came out or leaked that was worth talking about, I return with a few new things. Boy I can’t wait for the cd release season to begin.
StoneRider – ‘Three Legs Of Trouble’
Trustkill Records
Released Jan 29, 2008
I figured I would start this week out with the most noteworthy, to me at least, thing that’s come out in the past few weeks. Risen from the ashes of Fight Paris comes StoneRider, a band that shares the same members as the aforementioned FP (minus ex-singer Kevin Phillips), and maybe a bit of the swagger as well, but that’s really where the comparisons should end. The FP record, in my opinion, was pretty good for what it was, but let’s face it, it was niche music. It was music made for and directed at the Hot Topic generation with lyrics that would make even the saltiest of sailors blush. But things done changed. StoneRider has taken the legendary sound of southern rock ‘n roll they flirted with back in the day and totally made it their own. The hooks are bigger, the riffs are dirtier, and the music just feels much more energetic and passionate to me. This is a ridiculously fun record that’s meant to be played on every jukebox in every gritty bar where the PBR is flowing like water. Basically, ‘Three Legs Of Trouble’ is one of the most toe-tappin, catchiest records I’ve heard in a while and if songs like ‘Wild Child’ and ‘Juiceman’ don’t propel this band to greatness, or at least into those jukeboxes, I don’t know what will.
Chris Walla – ‘Field Manual’
Jive Records
Released Jan 29, 2008
Let’s get right to it, shall we?
Once Nothing – ‘First Came The Law’
Solid State Records
Released Jan 15, 2008
Ah, good ol’ Solid State, you never really disappoint me. This label really only does one thing (…metalcore, dummy) and they tend to do it pretty well. The unfortunate thing is that as a genre, things have pretty much hit a brick wall. Nothing is original anymore, everything sounds like something else so as with a few of those cds last week, it’s just a matter of finding bands who do the same old thing better than their peers. If you’re down with the whole southern rock infused/breakdown metal thing, this cd is for you. It sounds like the Showdown lots of the time, it sounds like Norma Jean sometimes, it sounds like August Burns Red sometimes, it sounds like He Is Legend sometimes, it sounds like Every Time I Die sometimes, it sounds like As I Lay Dying sometimes..sooo that’s what you’re getting into here. Personally, I think it’s a good cd, there aren’t really any stupid singy parts (aside from an oddly placed and thusly questionable acoustic song in the middle of the cd), the guitar work is pretty cool and there are some really radtastic breakdowns. I’ve only had a few days to listen to this, but it’s become a cd I’ve actually made a point to go find on my ipod when I wanted metal, so take that for what you will. Cool cover art too. I think at least. SOO it’s definitely something I’d suggest checking out, obviously they don’t reinvent the wheel, but they do help add a little more air to the tires.
Does that line make any sense? Ha.
Jon Foreman – ‘Fall & Winter’
Credential Records
Released Jan 15, 2008
Hooray for acoustic singer/songwriter music! Here’s the deal, these are the first two themed EPs in a series of four that are released to coincide with each season of the year. The fall one was originally just released online, but when the dude released the winter cd this week in stores, he packaged the fall one with it sooo that’s that. You may not know who this Jon Foreman guy is, but I have a feeling you know of the band he sings for…Switchfoot! Ok so maybe that don’t impress you much (yes, I’m singing Shania now too) and it doesn’t really do much for me either because I only really like 2 or 3 of their songs, and those are the radio singles that I’m supposed to like. But here’s what’s up. This is a really great collection of songs. As I mentioned a minute ago, the songs are technically themed to go with the season they are supposed to represent and with him being the singer of Switchfoot, there’s the obvious religious influence on the lyrics, which I do tend to enjoy from time to time. That aside though, the songwriting is pretty darn impressive, and really everything else about this cd is as well. I don’t think you can go wrong with acoustic guitars and cellos (and when harmonicas and other strings are thrown in the mix too, pfft fuhgetaboutit). I’ve listened to this cd so many times in the past week, and it makes me happy. Can’t ask for more than that.
Year End List Potential: 4.5/5
The Mars Volta – ‘The Bedlam In Goliath’
Universal
Released Jan 29, 2008
I haven’t even listened to this stupid cd the whole way through yet, but I’ve listened enough to formulate an early opinion. That opinion is as follows:
What the fuck is this stupid shit? You pretentious bastards, I don’t care how long you can make your songs or how fast you can play your little guitar or how many cRaZy effects you can add to your vocals. There was a time when a new release from this band was exciting, because you knew it meant something pretty cool was coming. Those times though, I’m afraid, are long gone for me. Now it’s just ‘man do I even wanna bother listening to this? I know i’m just gonna get annoyed 3 songs in’. Annnnnnd surprise surprise, the trend continues. The cd is way more upbeat and more *funky* than anything I can recall this band doing, but that doesn’t really equal out to more interesting for me. Some of this stuff is so far out there and so far away from anything that resembles music you can actually LISTEN to..maybe I just don’t get it. Everything they do now seems like they just stuck a mic in the middle of a room they were jamming in and they just play and play and play and do whatever and then chop that up into smaller sections, add some vocals, and boom it’s done. They seem to try so hard to avoid structure and it’s gotten pretty obnoxious. There are a few songs I dig a little bit (the song ‘Goliath’ comes to mind), but in all it just kinda gives me a headache. If you don’t bother, you aren’t really missing out on much.
Year End List Potential: .7/5
Atlantic/Nonesuch
Released Dec 18, 2007
Alright, so this wasn’t released in 2008, so it somewhat defeats the purpose, but this is good and I wanted to share it. Obviously, this is the score to the movie film There Will Be Blood which, by all accounts, is apparently a really good movie..but what you may not be aware of is that the guitarist of Radiohead composed this stuff. And he does a damn fine job. Comprised mostly of strings and pianos, I can only assume the film is as dramatic as the music seems to be. Honestly, this cd really sounds a lot more important than it actually is..it sounds like something you’d hear on NPR when they were doing classical music blocks and the dj comes back on and talks in his best theater voice about how that was so and so’s third movement from his fifth symphony that was recorded in 1924 with the doobliedoo philharmonic orchestra. Check it out, it’s solid..brah.
WEEK ONE!!
Here I Come Falling – ‘Oh Grave, Where Is Thy Victory’ Rise Records Released Jan 8, 2008
First off, we’ve got Here I Come Falling, and before I say one word, I bet you know exactly what this band sounds like. Metal? Check. Breakdowns? Check. Christian? Check. Stupid singy times? Check. And to follow suit with bands like labelmates The Devil Wears Prada, random electronic noises? Check. I’ve heard this before, you’ve heard this before, but “for what it is”, it’s pretty decent I suppose. I don’t think it’s gonna be something I give half a shit about in a month or 2, but in a really slow time of the year for music, it’s good for a random listen or three. Add it to your ipod, and let it blend in with everything else on some rockin playlist and be done with it.
Year End List Potential: 1.8/5
For The Fallen Dreams – ‘Changes’
Also on Rise Records
Also Released Jan 8, 2008
Yeah this is even more generic and more boring. The vocals suck, I’ve heard the riffs 379 times before, the breakdowns that do show up sporadically suck, and gang vocals are stupid.
Don’t waste your time like I did with mine, this is awful.
Nada Surf – ‘Lucky’
Barsuk Records
Released Feb 5, 2008
Every single time I listen to these guys, I wonder how they’re the same band that released that ‘Popular’ song back in the day. Their past couple albums (’The Weight Is A Gift’ and ‘Let Go’) have been really good and this seems to be more of the same goodness. Lots of little indie pop songs about love that will keep you interested and your head bobbin to and fro. The band has spent a few records developing themselves into somewhat of an indie darling and I don’t see that changing much here. Sometimes it’s best when bands stick to what works (ie: Jimmy Eat World, Death Cab, etc etc) and Nada Surf is really no exception. This is a really nice little album with really nice little songs that I can totally see myself falling in love with as the year goes on.
