Tardy Brothers Bloodline:
So the singer and drummer from Obituary make an album. Obituary was boring, thus this also boring. It's got some cool riffs, but those are run into the ground by the 5 minute mark. Also the vocals are grating after half a track.
Rating: 6/15 dudes with long greasy hair and sweat pants
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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Bruce Springsteen-Working on a Dream
Bruce Springsteen Working on a Dream:
Mediocre over all with a few strong acoustic tracks. Springsteen is aging gracefully, but his grizzled voice finds its place in songs about desperation, not in the arena rockers which populated his early success.
Rating: 11/15 Ill thought out Wal-Mart deals
Mediocre over all with a few strong acoustic tracks. Springsteen is aging gracefully, but his grizzled voice finds its place in songs about desperation, not in the arena rockers which populated his early success.
Rating: 11/15 Ill thought out Wal-Mart deals
It Prevails - Capture and Embrace
It Prevails Capture and Embrace:
Decent melodic hardcore. Doesn't do anything new and you've heard the same sound plenty of other times. Still it's not offense, just the tacks all kinda blend into one large screaming part with singing.
Rating: 9/15 chicks with snake bites and gauges.
Decent melodic hardcore. Doesn't do anything new and you've heard the same sound plenty of other times. Still it's not offense, just the tacks all kinda blend into one large screaming part with singing.
Rating: 9/15 chicks with snake bites and gauges.
Buried Inside - The Spoils of Failure
Buried Inside The Spoils of Failure:
The long awaited follow up to “Chronoclast: Selected Essays on Times Reckoning and Auto-Cannibalism.” This title seems a little less grand in comparison. Anyway if you like “Chronoclast” You like this album. They sound similar to each other and that's for the best. Buried Inside have created a good working of Prog Metalcore. The music is complex and sections of it are repeated through out the album. Also realize the lyrics are most just sections of essays about different socio-political issues faced in the world. It's a challenging listen, but worth it.
Rating: 13/15 citing parts of Essays instead writing lyrics
The long awaited follow up to “Chronoclast: Selected Essays on Times Reckoning and Auto-Cannibalism.” This title seems a little less grand in comparison. Anyway if you like “Chronoclast” You like this album. They sound similar to each other and that's for the best. Buried Inside have created a good working of Prog Metalcore. The music is complex and sections of it are repeated through out the album. Also realize the lyrics are most just sections of essays about different socio-political issues faced in the world. It's a challenging listen, but worth it.
Rating: 13/15 citing parts of Essays instead writing lyrics
Bell X1-Blue Lights on The Runway
Bell X1 Blue Lights on The Runway:
Acoustic indie pop with a bit of country twang. The music and vocal harmonies are pleasant enough, but the lyrics run the gamut from average to a little goofy.
Rating: 9/15 Questions for this Mr. Wolf character
Acoustic indie pop with a bit of country twang. The music and vocal harmonies are pleasant enough, but the lyrics run the gamut from average to a little goofy.
Rating: 9/15 Questions for this Mr. Wolf character
Southeast Engine- From The Forest to The Sea
Southeast Engine From The Forest to The Sea:
A musically solid and lyrically exceptional alt-country record. Some of the slower songs can drag a little, but all the up-tempo numbers are intense and rocking.
Rating: 13/15 Appalachian trains
A musically solid and lyrically exceptional alt-country record. Some of the slower songs can drag a little, but all the up-tempo numbers are intense and rocking.
Rating: 13/15 Appalachian trains
Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3-Goodnight Oslo
Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3 Goodnight Oslo:
Sweet and melodic rock provided by the Venus 3 complements the sensitive, but neurotic lyrics and singing style of Robyn Hitchcock. The music stays fairly simple allowing for the great vocal harmonies and lyrics to take precedence. Driving but moody goes well with a steering wheel in your hands.
Rating: 13/15 I wanna destroy yous
Sweet and melodic rock provided by the Venus 3 complements the sensitive, but neurotic lyrics and singing style of Robyn Hitchcock. The music stays fairly simple allowing for the great vocal harmonies and lyrics to take precedence. Driving but moody goes well with a steering wheel in your hands.
Rating: 13/15 I wanna destroy yous
Ra Ra Riot-The Rhumb Line
Ra Ra Riot The Rhumb Line:
Indie pop, heavy on strings. Not bad but the singer reminds me of a cross between the singer from Keane and the singer from The Killers.
Rating: 11/15 Bands made worse by mediocre singers
Indie pop, heavy on strings. Not bad but the singer reminds me of a cross between the singer from Keane and the singer from The Killers.
Rating: 11/15 Bands made worse by mediocre singers
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit-Selftitled
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Selftitled:
Radio friendly country rock. This sounds like a lot of bands getting airplay are going for. Clean production, three chords, and heartfelt lyrics. The difference being, Isbell is genuine and talented.
Rating: 12/15 Bands whose albums weren't recorded in a basement on a Tascam
Radio friendly country rock. This sounds like a lot of bands getting airplay are going for. Clean production, three chords, and heartfelt lyrics. The difference being, Isbell is genuine and talented.
Rating: 12/15 Bands whose albums weren't recorded in a basement on a Tascam
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Benjy Ferree-Come Back to the Five and Dime, Bobby Dee Bobby Dee
Benjy Ferree Come Back to the Five and Dime, Bobby Dee Bobby Dee:
Cool doo-wop vocal harmonies and instrumental arrangements on some tracks. The album jumps around a lot stylistically, but largely sticks to extensions of popular 50's styles of music and garage rock. Most styles are pulled off well. Just ignore the abysmal lyrics and the TLDR concept of the album.
Rating: 11/15 Why couldn't you be singing about something else? points.
Cool doo-wop vocal harmonies and instrumental arrangements on some tracks. The album jumps around a lot stylistically, but largely sticks to extensions of popular 50's styles of music and garage rock. Most styles are pulled off well. Just ignore the abysmal lyrics and the TLDR concept of the album.
Rating: 11/15 Why couldn't you be singing about something else? points.
Thurston Moore- Trees Outside The Academy
Thurston Moore Trees Outside The Academy:
More interesting and adventurous than recent Sonic Youth releases. Lots of strings and a few bad ass guitar solos provided by J Mascis. A solid Indie Rock album.
Rating: 13/15 Sonic dads
More interesting and adventurous than recent Sonic Youth releases. Lots of strings and a few bad ass guitar solos provided by J Mascis. A solid Indie Rock album.
Rating: 13/15 Sonic dads
Ugly Casanova-Sharpen Your Teeth
Ugly Casanova Sharpen Your Teeth:
Indie pop, heavy on acoustic finger-picking and strings. Tasteful layered vocals and touching lyrics make this one an interesting listen.
Rating: 11/15 Modest Mice
Indie pop, heavy on acoustic finger-picking and strings. Tasteful layered vocals and touching lyrics make this one an interesting listen.
Rating: 11/15 Modest Mice
Red Sea Station-Red Sea Station
Red Sea Station Red Sea Station:
Heavily electronic Indie pop, not bad. The vocals and lyrics are passable as is the musical arrangement, but the keyboards ruin it for me. The lines they're playing work, but the Nintendo Sine wave sound bugs me. This album would improve drastically if the keyboard player switched to better presets.
Rating: 9/15 Unpleasant beeps
Heavily electronic Indie pop, not bad. The vocals and lyrics are passable as is the musical arrangement, but the keyboards ruin it for me. The lines they're playing work, but the Nintendo Sine wave sound bugs me. This album would improve drastically if the keyboard player switched to better presets.
Rating: 9/15 Unpleasant beeps
Raskolnikov's Dream - Uriel
Raskolnikov's Dream Uriel:
Jarring beats mix with the soundtrack to the original Zelda.
Rating: 5/15 Garage Band bands
Jarring beats mix with the soundtrack to the original Zelda.
Rating: 5/15 Garage Band bands
Japanther-Skuffed Up My Huffy
Japanther Skuffed Up My Huffy:
If you strip away the indier than thou recording quality and the multi layered slacker vocals, you basically have Relient K.
Rating: 3/15 thinly veiled pop punk bands
If you strip away the indier than thou recording quality and the multi layered slacker vocals, you basically have Relient K.
Rating: 3/15 thinly veiled pop punk bands
Weird Owls-Ever the Silver Cord Be Loosed
Weird Owls Ever the Silver Cord Be Loosed:
Brings some post-rock weirdness combined with Neil Young-esque country rock. Cool riffs, cool lyrics, cool production. These guys have peaked my interest more so than any other new releases in the last few months.
Rating: 14/15 peaked interests
Brings some post-rock weirdness combined with Neil Young-esque country rock. Cool riffs, cool lyrics, cool production. These guys have peaked my interest more so than any other new releases in the last few months.
Rating: 14/15 peaked interests
Fight Bite-Emerald Eyes
Fight Bite Emerald Eyes:
Boring minimalist Indie pop, only Sunn 0))) drones more.
Rating: 4/15 Yawn-core vocals
Boring minimalist Indie pop, only Sunn 0))) drones more.
Rating: 4/15 Yawn-core vocals
Asobi Seksu-Hush
Asobi Seksu Hush:
Indie pop with a dash of shoe-gaze. Remove anything potentially interesting from these two genres and you pretty much have this album.
Rating: 8/15 You're horribly outdated points
Indie pop with a dash of shoe-gaze. Remove anything potentially interesting from these two genres and you pretty much have this album.
Rating: 8/15 You're horribly outdated points
Jesus Lizard-Goat
Jesus Lizard Goat:
A solid rock album which borrows from post-punk. David Yow and crew manage to write innovative riffs while not giving up any attitude. One of the most tasteful trios in rock music, the backing band never overplays usually sticking to fairly simple riffs, allowing Yow space to do his trademark meth-addict style of vocals. Despite the delivery Yow's lyrics tend toward the intelligent and funny. A solid fucking band.
Rating: 15/15 Nineties bands which are better than Pearl Jam
A solid rock album which borrows from post-punk. David Yow and crew manage to write innovative riffs while not giving up any attitude. One of the most tasteful trios in rock music, the backing band never overplays usually sticking to fairly simple riffs, allowing Yow space to do his trademark meth-addict style of vocals. Despite the delivery Yow's lyrics tend toward the intelligent and funny. A solid fucking band.
Rating: 15/15 Nineties bands which are better than Pearl Jam
Fourteen Year Old Girls - Strategy Guides
Fourteen Year Old Girls Strategy Guides:
Fuck you, this is not funny.
Rating: 2/15 for dorks who think geekyteez.com is funny stuff
Fuck you, this is not funny.
Rating: 2/15 for dorks who think geekyteez.com is funny stuff
Isis & Aereogramme - In The Fishtank 14
Isis & Aereogramme In The Fishtank 14:
One absolutely amazing song followed by two meh songs.
Rating: 13/15 yes thats how good that one song (Low Tide) is
One absolutely amazing song followed by two meh songs.
Rating: 13/15 yes thats how good that one song (Low Tide) is
Modern Life Is War - Midnight In America
Modern Life Is War Midnight In America:
It's sad to see a great band break-up, but it's nice when the final note is amazing. One of those hardcore albums that you could get away with almost not calling hardcore. Hopefully the next wave of hardcore will look at this as an example of what to do.
Rating: 13/15 intelligent windmills in the pit
It's sad to see a great band break-up, but it's nice when the final note is amazing. One of those hardcore albums that you could get away with almost not calling hardcore. Hopefully the next wave of hardcore will look at this as an example of what to do.
Rating: 13/15 intelligent windmills in the pit
Converge and Agoraphobic Nosebleed - The Poacher Diaries
Converge and Agoraphobic Nosebleed The Poacher Diaries:
A penutbutter and jelly split: Two awesome bands that just sound sound soo good together. Though one would think that grindcore and metalcore wouldn't work that well on one cd, but these two manage to make it worth. Neither side is really better than the other, just equal awesomeness. The only downside is Converge's side sounds like it was recorded in their parents' garage. Scott Hull, time to remaster that shit.
Rating: 14/15 not enough anger
A penutbutter and jelly split: Two awesome bands that just sound sound soo good together. Though one would think that grindcore and metalcore wouldn't work that well on one cd, but these two manage to make it worth. Neither side is really better than the other, just equal awesomeness. The only downside is Converge's side sounds like it was recorded in their parents' garage. Scott Hull, time to remaster that shit.
Rating: 14/15 not enough anger
Danzig - Danzig III: How The Gods Kill
Danzig Danzig III: How The Gods Kill:
Fuck “Mother” this is what people should think of when they hear the name Danzig. Here Danzig and John Christ fully realize their idea of a blues, metal, and rock fused into one lumbering, swaggering, and evil beast. Danzig belts out the most evil tunes he's ever written and John Christ backs him with sick riff after sick riff. Defiantly required metal listening.
Rating: 15/15 muscular midgets slaying demonic tang
Fuck “Mother” this is what people should think of when they hear the name Danzig. Here Danzig and John Christ fully realize their idea of a blues, metal, and rock fused into one lumbering, swaggering, and evil beast. Danzig belts out the most evil tunes he's ever written and John Christ backs him with sick riff after sick riff. Defiantly required metal listening.
Rating: 15/15 muscular midgets slaying demonic tang
Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works
Dillinger Escape Plan Ire Works:
This album is really half and half. Half of it is that wonky mathcore Dillinger's been doing for years. It's good, but gets old quickly. The stuff that'll make you listen to this cd repeatedly are the pop songs. Yeah I said pop songs. I'm not sure what to call them, but their catchy and would blow up huge on the radio so pop works well to define them. It's kind of shocking to see these guys pull off such catchy songs, but damn does it work. Hopefully Dillinger evolves this sound more.
Rating: 13/15 confused mathcore fans
This album is really half and half. Half of it is that wonky mathcore Dillinger's been doing for years. It's good, but gets old quickly. The stuff that'll make you listen to this cd repeatedly are the pop songs. Yeah I said pop songs. I'm not sure what to call them, but their catchy and would blow up huge on the radio so pop works well to define them. It's kind of shocking to see these guys pull off such catchy songs, but damn does it work. Hopefully Dillinger evolves this sound more.
Rating: 13/15 confused mathcore fans
Monday, February 16, 2009
Owl City-Of June
Owl City Of June:
Postal Service with a bigger pussy singing in that popular nasally whine voice.
Rating: 3/15 Loyal youtube fanbases
Postal Service with a bigger pussy singing in that popular nasally whine voice.
Rating: 3/15 Loyal youtube fanbases
Miniature Tigers-Tell it to The Volcano
Miniature Tigers Tell it to The Volcano:
Intentionally boring indie pop with vague world music aspirations.
Rating: -2/15 Anti its cool to be boring points
Intentionally boring indie pop with vague world music aspirations.
Rating: -2/15 Anti its cool to be boring points
Mr Scruff-Ninja Tuna
Mr Scruff Ninja Tuna:
The adventures of fart synth and generic beat, with some cool samples thrown in for balance.
Rating: 10/15 Album names that lower your points before I've heard the album
The adventures of fart synth and generic beat, with some cool samples thrown in for balance.
Rating: 10/15 Album names that lower your points before I've heard the album
Abe Vigoda-Reviver
Abe Vigoda Reviver:
Danceable post-punk with some cool guitar lines. The vocals are delivered well, but often have a weird bubbly sound added to them. The production leaves a little to be desired, but overall a good listen.
Rating: 12/15 Things with the words dance and punk in their description that don't suck
Danceable post-punk with some cool guitar lines. The vocals are delivered well, but often have a weird bubbly sound added to them. The production leaves a little to be desired, but overall a good listen.
Rating: 12/15 Things with the words dance and punk in their description that don't suck
Broken Spindles-Kiss/Kick
Broken Spindles Kiss/Kick:
Whine-core vocals mix with out of tune acoustic guitars and outdated synths.
Rating: 3/15 Lame ass people associated with The Faint
Whine-core vocals mix with out of tune acoustic guitars and outdated synths.
Rating: 3/15 Lame ass people associated with The Faint
Nine Inch Nails-All That Could Have Been
Nine Inch Nails All That Could Have Been:
Great live disk. All the tracks from The Downward Spiral and The Fragile are at least as good as the album tracks. The tracks from Pretty Hate Machine, go far beyond the originals. The production couldn't be better, and Trent and his ensemble are in top form. Say what you want about their studio releases, but Nine Inch Nails bring an energy to the stage like few others.
Rating: 14/15 Innovative financial decisions
Great live disk. All the tracks from The Downward Spiral and The Fragile are at least as good as the album tracks. The tracks from Pretty Hate Machine, go far beyond the originals. The production couldn't be better, and Trent and his ensemble are in top form. Say what you want about their studio releases, but Nine Inch Nails bring an energy to the stage like few others.
Rating: 14/15 Innovative financial decisions
The New Year-Selftitled
The New Year Selftitled:
Mopey mope piano centered indie pop. Like a more depressing Ben Folds.
Rating: 3/15 Saddy sad faces
Mopey mope piano centered indie pop. Like a more depressing Ben Folds.
Rating: 3/15 Saddy sad faces
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Dan Auerbach-Keep it hidden
Dan Auerbach Keep it Hidden:
More laid back than his work with The Black Keys, Auerbach stretches out a little and records a decent disk. No big suprises.
Rating 12/15 Legit beards
More laid back than his work with The Black Keys, Auerbach stretches out a little and records a decent disk. No big suprises.
Rating 12/15 Legit beards
Graveyard-Selftitled
Graveyard Selftitled:
Graveyard is to rock what Ikea is to furniture
Rating: 7/15 snickers at funny accents
Graveyard is to rock what Ikea is to furniture
Rating: 7/15 snickers at funny accents
Castlemusic-You Can't Take Anyone
Castlemusic You Can't Take Anyone:
Folky Indie pop. Interesting piano and guitar parts, but weak on the vocals.
Rating: 10/15 Sing it like you mean it points
Folky Indie pop. Interesting piano and guitar parts, but weak on the vocals.
Rating: 10/15 Sing it like you mean it points
Bottomless Pit-Hammer of The Gods
Bottomless Pit Hammer of The Gods: The remnants of Silkworm join with two new dudes and make one kick ass, albeit a little short, record. The interplay between guitar, bass, baritone guitar almost steals the light from the exemplary lyrics in some spots. I doubt T Midgett and Andy Cohen will ever stop making great records.
Rating: 15/15 Real music fans that miss Mike.
Rating: 15/15 Real music fans that miss Mike.
Mclusky-The Difference Between Me & You Is That I'm Not on Fire
Mclusky The Difference Between Me & You Is That I'm Not on Fire:
Loud and obnoxious music with a smart ass squawker for a singer. Done in the same spirit as Flipper, this is a really fun album, particularly tracks where they take the piss out of other indie bands.
Rating: 12/15 Smart ass jerks you can't help but like
Loud and obnoxious music with a smart ass squawker for a singer. Done in the same spirit as Flipper, this is a really fun album, particularly tracks where they take the piss out of other indie bands.
Rating: 12/15 Smart ass jerks you can't help but like
Dexter Romweber Duo-Ruins of Berlin
Dexter Romweber Duo Ruins of Berlin:
Punked up versions of surf-rock and Rockabilly. Good songwriting and guitar playing, excellent drumming. More varied than the singer/guitarists previous outfit Flat Duo Jets.
Rating 12/15 Chrome rims
Punked up versions of surf-rock and Rockabilly. Good songwriting and guitar playing, excellent drumming. More varied than the singer/guitarists previous outfit Flat Duo Jets.
Rating 12/15 Chrome rims
Quatre Tete-Arm of The State
Quatre Tete Arm of The State:
Math-rock with clean vocals. Musically Quatre Tete is steeped in blues based music more than most math-rock, a genre which usually goes for more dissonant harmonies. The riffs remind me a bit of Mastodon, but they change at a pace reminiscent of The Mothers of Invention. A really interesting mash-up of styles.
Rating: 14/15 Bitchin' riffs
Math-rock with clean vocals. Musically Quatre Tete is steeped in blues based music more than most math-rock, a genre which usually goes for more dissonant harmonies. The riffs remind me a bit of Mastodon, but they change at a pace reminiscent of The Mothers of Invention. A really interesting mash-up of styles.
Rating: 14/15 Bitchin' riffs
A.C.-Picnic of Love
A.C. Picnic of Love:
The everyday asshole is a loathsome creature, completely unamusing and undeserving of attention. Seth Putnam has a attained a level of assholedom that its hard not too respect. This is an entire album of love song parodies so douchey that it will leave your mouth on the floor. Possibly the simultaneously best and worst album ever released.
Rating: 15/15 No really. You seriously wrote and released this? points
The everyday asshole is a loathsome creature, completely unamusing and undeserving of attention. Seth Putnam has a attained a level of assholedom that its hard not too respect. This is an entire album of love song parodies so douchey that it will leave your mouth on the floor. Possibly the simultaneously best and worst album ever released.
Rating: 15/15 No really. You seriously wrote and released this? points
Bear Claw-Slow Speed: Deep Owls
Bear Claw Slow Speed: Deep Owls:
These guys fall somewhere between post-punk and melodic hardcore. The riffs are fairly simple and effective. I've heard few singers that convey a sense of righteous indignation quite like this one. One of the most promising acts from the Chicago scene.
Rating: 13/15 Steve Albinis
These guys fall somewhere between post-punk and melodic hardcore. The riffs are fairly simple and effective. I've heard few singers that convey a sense of righteous indignation quite like this one. One of the most promising acts from the Chicago scene.
Rating: 13/15 Steve Albinis
Make Do and Mend - Bodies of Water EP
Make Do and Mend Bodies of Water EP:
Really good melodic Hardcore. Intelligent lyrics are backed by decen musicianship crating an enjoyable EP. Can't wait to hear more from this band, they seemed poised to pick up the crown of most interesting hardcore band that Modern Life Is War dropped when they broke up.
Rating: 13/15 actually interesting things to say
Really good melodic Hardcore. Intelligent lyrics are backed by decen musicianship crating an enjoyable EP. Can't wait to hear more from this band, they seemed poised to pick up the crown of most interesting hardcore band that Modern Life Is War dropped when they broke up.
Rating: 13/15 actually interesting things to say
Pink Razors - Leave Alive
Pink Razors Leave Alive:
Lame generic pop punk. Sadly there's not much more to it than that. Oh wait, some female vocals.
Rating: 5/15 goofy haircuts and awkward myspace photos
Lame generic pop punk. Sadly there's not much more to it than that. Oh wait, some female vocals.
Rating: 5/15 goofy haircuts and awkward myspace photos
Ignominious Incarceration - Of Winter Born
Ignominious Incarceration Of Winter Born:
This sounds like At The Gates, much like the thousand other melodic death metal albums that sound like At The Gates.
Rating: 6/15 goofy attempts at a brutal band name
This sounds like At The Gates, much like the thousand other melodic death metal albums that sound like At The Gates.
Rating: 6/15 goofy attempts at a brutal band name
Cynic-Traced in Air
Cynic Traced in Air:
A jumbled cluster-fuck of influences that comes out sounding like Dream Theater without the chops. The vocals are a true low point. Several times an effects treated vocal will come in, and another falsetto vocal will try and harmonize. The falsetto vocal never quite makes it so the listener is treated to some pseudo prog riffing topped by one singer that sounds like hes singing into a robots asshole mixed with another singer who's singing in a high voice, and is off key. Way to go guys.
Rating 5/15: failed attempts at overblown prog-metal
A jumbled cluster-fuck of influences that comes out sounding like Dream Theater without the chops. The vocals are a true low point. Several times an effects treated vocal will come in, and another falsetto vocal will try and harmonize. The falsetto vocal never quite makes it so the listener is treated to some pseudo prog riffing topped by one singer that sounds like hes singing into a robots asshole mixed with another singer who's singing in a high voice, and is off key. Way to go guys.
Rating 5/15: failed attempts at overblown prog-metal
Zombi-Spirit Animals
Zombi Spirit Animals:
Sounds like the soundtrack to a mid-nineties Megaman game, except more midi.
Rating: 6/15 Robot bats
Sounds like the soundtrack to a mid-nineties Megaman game, except more midi.
Rating: 6/15 Robot bats
Misery Index-Traitors
Misery Index Traitors: Sounds like Napalm Death with a dash of Pantera. Generic and boring, theres plenty of bands that sound like this but better.
Rating: 9/15 Its been done points
Rating: 9/15 Its been done points
Fen-The Malediction Fields
Fen The Malediction Fields:
Creepy Black Metal guy gets hands on synth, halloween sounds cd, and sings like Morrissey.
Rating: 4/15 Prayers for the Apocalypse
Creepy Black Metal guy gets hands on synth, halloween sounds cd, and sings like Morrissey.
Rating: 4/15 Prayers for the Apocalypse
The Ugly Suit-Selftitled
The Ugly Suit Selftitled: Bright Eyes-esque Buttrock. Avoid at all costs
Rating: 3/15 Bands that are as ugly as they are terrible
Rating: 3/15 Bands that are as ugly as they are terrible
Agoraphobic Nosebleed-Altered States of America
Agoraphobic Nosebleed Altered States of America: Scott Hull's grindcore masterpiece. Clocking in at twenty-one minutes none of the ninety-nine tracks feel forced, or inessential. Hulls inventive drum machine programming stands out, and while all aspects of this album are exceptional, the drums are truly unique. The speed and ferocity of this album gives way to slower tracks often containing excerpts from disturbing radio broadcasts. Most grindcore albums do not flow nearly as well as this one. Thanks to Hull's capability as a musician and arranger, Altered States of America will surely be remembered as one of the most important releases in its genre. If you're angry, you really can't do better than this album.
Rating: 15/15 600 bpm drum tracks
Rating: 15/15 600 bpm drum tracks
Here We Go Magic-Selftitled
Here We Go Magic Selftitled:
Sounds like a happier Radiohead less bent on innovation. Simple, but not boring music-wise, the real focus here is the vocal delivery. The vocals are largely falsetto and layered well, sounding similar to Thom York or the singer form Sigur Ros. Interesting disc, worth picking up.
Rating 11/15: Crappy band names
Sounds like a happier Radiohead less bent on innovation. Simple, but not boring music-wise, the real focus here is the vocal delivery. The vocals are largely falsetto and layered well, sounding similar to Thom York or the singer form Sigur Ros. Interesting disc, worth picking up.
Rating 11/15: Crappy band names
The Presets-Apocalypso
The Presets Apocalypso:
Earnest vocals and lyrics, too bad the beats and synth lines are generic and dated.
Rating: 10/15 Aptly named bands
Earnest vocals and lyrics, too bad the beats and synth lines are generic and dated.
Rating: 10/15 Aptly named bands
Dalek-Gutter Tactics
Dalek Gutter Tactics:
I've always like the idea of Dalek more than what they've actually produced. This album lives up to their potential. Theres a variety of beats, but they all incorporate ambient drones. The drones combined with well produced drum tracks and some sick flow, create an albums worth of solid tracks guaranteed to suck you in.
Rating 14/15: Hip Hop tracks about 2012
I've always like the idea of Dalek more than what they've actually produced. This album lives up to their potential. Theres a variety of beats, but they all incorporate ambient drones. The drones combined with well produced drum tracks and some sick flow, create an albums worth of solid tracks guaranteed to suck you in.
Rating 14/15: Hip Hop tracks about 2012
Brian Eno & David Byrne-Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Brian Eno & David Byrne Everything That Happens Will Happen Today:
Some of the best work either artist has done in years. Byrne's usual herky jerkiness is balanced out by Eno's ambient leanings. The music is solid and fairly sparse. Byrne's lyrics fit perfectly, and recall the Talking Heads in their prime.
Rating 13/15: 20 year old beats
Some of the best work either artist has done in years. Byrne's usual herky jerkiness is balanced out by Eno's ambient leanings. The music is solid and fairly sparse. Byrne's lyrics fit perfectly, and recall the Talking Heads in their prime.
Rating 13/15: 20 year old beats
Fennesz - Black Sea
Fennesz Black Sea:
It's a Fennesz album, you know what you're getting. It's really good, but still nothing super different than the other albums.
Rating: 13/15 hypnotic trances
It's a Fennesz album, you know what you're getting. It's really good, but still nothing super different than the other albums.
Rating: 13/15 hypnotic trances
Drunkdriver - Born Pregnant
Drunkdriver Born Pregnant:
I'm going to call this No Wavecore. It sounds like this band just started playing in someone's basement and tape-recorder just happened to be on. The guitars, bass, and drums just swirl into this wall of static while a drunk lunatic rants over the chaos. Perfect for lovemaking.
Rating: 12/15 bleeding eardrums
I'm going to call this No Wavecore. It sounds like this band just started playing in someone's basement and tape-recorder just happened to be on. The guitars, bass, and drums just swirl into this wall of static while a drunk lunatic rants over the chaos. Perfect for lovemaking.
Rating: 12/15 bleeding eardrums
Dreams of Dying Stars - Funeral in The Void
Dreams of Dying Stars Funeral in The Void:
Dude taping down a key on his Moog synthesizer and walking away for half an hour, then calling it a song.
Rating: 2/15 Endless planes of nothing
Dude taping down a key on his Moog synthesizer and walking away for half an hour, then calling it a song.
Rating: 2/15 Endless planes of nothing
Drake - So Far Gone
Drake So Far Gone:
First, dude is an actor on Degrassi High and wants to be an R&B star. With that said, this isn't a bad mixtape just generic. Some pretty sweat beats are found on this, but everything else is your run of the mill R&B. Most of the songs are about sex and women sung in the usual R&B way. Even Lil Wayne showing up four times can't make this any more than a ho-hum affair.
Rating: 7/15 Canadian Teen Dramas
First, dude is an actor on Degrassi High and wants to be an R&B star. With that said, this isn't a bad mixtape just generic. Some pretty sweat beats are found on this, but everything else is your run of the mill R&B. Most of the songs are about sex and women sung in the usual R&B way. Even Lil Wayne showing up four times can't make this any more than a ho-hum affair.
Rating: 7/15 Canadian Teen Dramas
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Thank God - For Pregnant Virgins E.P.
Thank God For Pregnant Virgins E.P.:
This is just messy, sloppy, spastic hardcore that doesn't care about the scene. It just charges forward with abandonment screeching and snarling at you, then suddenly stopping and softly chanting before descending into hideous feedback. Kind of like my mom.
Rating: 11/15 seizures on stage
This is just messy, sloppy, spastic hardcore that doesn't care about the scene. It just charges forward with abandonment screeching and snarling at you, then suddenly stopping and softly chanting before descending into hideous feedback. Kind of like my mom.
Rating: 11/15 seizures on stage
Evil Nine - They Live
Evil Nine They Live:
After hiding under a rock for a few years, Evil Nine popped back out with a zombie themed album. Yeah zombie electro and it works really well. Some cuts sounds like “Thriller” bonus tracks and others are just straight up good electronica. You know it's good when they coax a good rap out of El-P. Perfect for your next Ecstasy fueled Halloween party.
Rating: 13/15 606 cowbells
After hiding under a rock for a few years, Evil Nine popped back out with a zombie themed album. Yeah zombie electro and it works really well. Some cuts sounds like “Thriller” bonus tracks and others are just straight up good electronica. You know it's good when they coax a good rap out of El-P. Perfect for your next Ecstasy fueled Halloween party.
Rating: 13/15 606 cowbells
Toots and The Maytals-In the Dark
Toots and The Maytals In the Dark:
If you want to groove, this record is for you. A perfect mixture of funky reggae and soulful vocals. The albums tracks are usually upbeat dance tunes or mournful pieces filled with yearning and heartbreak. If you're looking for Reggae less Westernized than Bob Marley, but not as out there as Lee "Scratch" Perry, than this ones for you.
Rating 13/15 Sweet sweet vocal harmonies
If you want to groove, this record is for you. A perfect mixture of funky reggae and soulful vocals. The albums tracks are usually upbeat dance tunes or mournful pieces filled with yearning and heartbreak. If you're looking for Reggae less Westernized than Bob Marley, but not as out there as Lee "Scratch" Perry, than this ones for you.
Rating 13/15 Sweet sweet vocal harmonies
Teenage Jesus and The Jerks-Everything
Teenage Jesus and The Jerks Everything:
Loud atonal music from one of the original No Wave bands. The album consists primarily of Lydia Lunch going apeshit over a minimalistic rhythm section. Some of these tracks have not stood the test of time, and others suffer from poor recording quality. However, tracks such as orphans are absolutely ferocious. The importance of this album cannot be denied, its just too bad better quality recordings don't exist.Worth the listen, especially for aspiring guitarists and singers.
Rating 11/15 Richard Kern films
Loud atonal music from one of the original No Wave bands. The album consists primarily of Lydia Lunch going apeshit over a minimalistic rhythm section. Some of these tracks have not stood the test of time, and others suffer from poor recording quality. However, tracks such as orphans are absolutely ferocious. The importance of this album cannot be denied, its just too bad better quality recordings don't exist.Worth the listen, especially for aspiring guitarists and singers.
Rating 11/15 Richard Kern films
Caroliner-Our American Heritage Volume 1
Caroliner Our American Heritage Volume 1:
Some weird people in day-glo costumes haphazardly bashing their instruments while another weirdo rants about the eighteen hundreds. Some people equate the general unpleasantness of an album with the quality and artistic relevance of an album, these people are morons. If you are one of those morons buy this album.
Rating: 4/15 Old timey bucket wranglin' jangles
Some weird people in day-glo costumes haphazardly bashing their instruments while another weirdo rants about the eighteen hundreds. Some people equate the general unpleasantness of an album with the quality and artistic relevance of an album, these people are morons. If you are one of those morons buy this album.
Rating: 4/15 Old timey bucket wranglin' jangles
Grouper - Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill
Grouper Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill:
This is what Mazzy Star hanging out with Jesu would sound like, yet somehow more boring. The girl can sing, but the album just drones on and not in a good way.
Rating: 9/15 Quaaludes
This is what Mazzy Star hanging out with Jesu would sound like, yet somehow more boring. The girl can sing, but the album just drones on and not in a good way.
Rating: 9/15 Quaaludes
Arcwelder-Everest
Arcwelder Everest:
A poppier version of Shellac with better vocal work. Scott MacDonald lays down sick beats while doing much of the vocal work simultaneously. After a long break Arcwelder has been sporadically playing shows recently, catch them if you can.
Rating: 13/15 Aluminum neck guitars
A poppier version of Shellac with better vocal work. Scott MacDonald lays down sick beats while doing much of the vocal work simultaneously. After a long break Arcwelder has been sporadically playing shows recently, catch them if you can.
Rating: 13/15 Aluminum neck guitars
Grinderman-Selftitled
Grinderman Selftitled: The soundtrack to Nick Caves creepy paedo-stache. For misguided hipsters only.
Rating: 6/15 Grandpa goths
Rating: 6/15 Grandpa goths
Fugazi-The Argument
Fugazi The Argument: Musically pretty good, but not as good as previous Fugazi releases. Lyrically one of their weakest. Not an awful album, but I'm glad they chose to shove off after this one.
Rating: 10/15 I want outs
Rating: 10/15 I want outs
Old Man Gloom - Seminar II: The Holy Rites of Primitivism Regression
Old Man Gloom Seminar II: The Holy Rites of Primitivism Regression:
So heavy, loud, and crushing that it causes thunderstorms when listened to.
Rating: 14/15 cyclopes made of pure feedback
So heavy, loud, and crushing that it causes thunderstorms when listened to.
Rating: 14/15 cyclopes made of pure feedback
Isis - Oceanic
Isis Oceanic:
One of the best albums about the sea ever. Isis wrote the book on conceptual, artist, sludge and ever since people have been ripping off this album. But what most copycats fail to do is make their records as engaging as this one. What really sets this album apart is the use of female vocals. Rather than shoehorn it in, they slyly mix these into the back of the mix, making them heard but not the center of attention. It's a nice juxtaposition to the harsh yells. Perfect for a day at the beach when you're tripping.
Rating: 15/15 Primordial Sea Beasts
One of the best albums about the sea ever. Isis wrote the book on conceptual, artist, sludge and ever since people have been ripping off this album. But what most copycats fail to do is make their records as engaging as this one. What really sets this album apart is the use of female vocals. Rather than shoehorn it in, they slyly mix these into the back of the mix, making them heard but not the center of attention. It's a nice juxtaposition to the harsh yells. Perfect for a day at the beach when you're tripping.
Rating: 15/15 Primordial Sea Beasts
Clutch-From Beale Street to Oblivion
Clutch From Beale Street to Oblivion:
Bluesy hard-rock with a touch of funk and metal. Singer Neil Fallon yells his tough smart ass lines with a fervor most rock singers can't touch. Goes well with beer.
Rating: 13/15 Unusually literate frontmen
Bluesy hard-rock with a touch of funk and metal. Singer Neil Fallon yells his tough smart ass lines with a fervor most rock singers can't touch. Goes well with beer.
Rating: 13/15 Unusually literate frontmen
Silkworm-Firewater
Silkworm Firewater:
Confessional rock about relationships and drinking. The instrumentation is unique. Sometimes one will only hear vocals bass and the occasional snare shot for two minutes, which will then be followed by a guitar solo twice as loud as the other instruments. Most of the songs toy with typical rock and roll dynamics in an effective fashion, making the more conventional songs, like Wet Firecracker, stand out. All the songs are strong, but at sixteen tracks I can't listen to the whole album at once. Worth the money.
Rating: 14/15 Fake Italians
Confessional rock about relationships and drinking. The instrumentation is unique. Sometimes one will only hear vocals bass and the occasional snare shot for two minutes, which will then be followed by a guitar solo twice as loud as the other instruments. Most of the songs toy with typical rock and roll dynamics in an effective fashion, making the more conventional songs, like Wet Firecracker, stand out. All the songs are strong, but at sixteen tracks I can't listen to the whole album at once. Worth the money.
Rating: 14/15 Fake Italians
Volbeat - Guitar Gangsters and Cadillac Blood
Volbeat Guitar Gangsters and Cadillac Blood:
This sounds like Clutch if they were fronted by Danzig and had funny danish accents.
Rating: 12/15 pompadours and double bass drums
This sounds like Clutch if they were fronted by Danzig and had funny danish accents.
Rating: 12/15 pompadours and double bass drums
The Melvins-Nude With Boots
The Melvins Nude With Boots: The Melvins have traded their mantle as kings of experimental rock in favor of recording one of the best straight up rock albums of the last five years. Buzz and Warren churn out one great riff after another, while their voices meld together perfectly. Coady and Dale are two of the best rock drummers out their, and on this disc they let you know it . Though I am a huge fan of older Melvins, this album and its predecessor are the two best Melvins albums out there. While older Melvins albums are more historically significant, this one is the most listenable and the most fun. Theres no five minute feedback intros, no ten minute long songs that go nowhere, and no pretense of any kind. Something has to be said for a band that enters its strongest era of live performance and record releases while in its second decade of existence. Do yourself a favor, pick up this album and go to see them live. You will not be disappointed.
Rating: 14/15 former bassists
Rating: 14/15 former bassists
RJD2-Since We Last Spoke
RJD2 Since We Last Spoke: A unique disc that mashes hip hop production techniques with sounds culled largely from 70's and 80's rock and funk. The result often sounds like A Cars techno album. Lyrically the album is good, but unexceptional, its all about the beats.
Rating: 12/15 Hours spent record crawling
Rating: 12/15 Hours spent record crawling
Tim Hecker-An Imaginary Country
Tim Hecker An Imaginary Country: Not quite ambient, not quite electronica. Hecker continues to find cool ways to piece together electronic and found sounds. An incredibly nuanced work this album can easily be put on as background music or listened to intently.
Rating: 13/15 Almost concept albums
Rating: 13/15 Almost concept albums
Two Tongues-Selftitled
Two Tongues Selftitled: Whine rock super group, drops a crap album for high school kids that don't know any better. For assholes with wrist bands and Ironic DARE t-shirts only.
Rating: 4/15 Pity Fucks
Rating: 4/15 Pity Fucks
Cannibal Corpse-Evisceration Plague
Cannibal Corpse Evisceration Plague: Not bad, but dated. Cannibal Corpse tries to mix it up a little with odd time signatures and the like, which works more often than not. Fans will not be shocked or disappointed.
Rating: 10/15 Seth Putnam beating up Chris Barnes
Rating: 10/15 Seth Putnam beating up Chris Barnes
Psychic Ills-Mirror Eye
Psychic Ills Mirror Eye: Trippy drone music, heavily influenced by Classical Indian music. Though long, the songs never plod. The guitarist and keyboardist continually find interesting sounds, while the rhythm section holds steady. A good record for zoning.
Rating: 12/15 Interesting uses of a Vocoder.
Rating: 12/15 Interesting uses of a Vocoder.
Bane - It All Comes Down To This
Bane It All Comes Down To This:
Whenever I hear this album, I'm always ask “Why aren't more bands like this?” If any other hardcore band made this album it would be preachy and pedantic, whereas this is instead genre defining and an album that other modern hardcore albums should be measured against. The topics range from the personal, infidelity and suicide, to pondering what it means to be in the hardcore scene. It's a bold move to call out your own listeners on their shit, but Bane does it so well that it makes you want to jump and do something. Through out the album there are little artistic touches, like the female vocals on “Can We Start Again.” A must have for fans of hardcore music.
Rating: 15/15 Boston accents
Whenever I hear this album, I'm always ask “Why aren't more bands like this?” If any other hardcore band made this album it would be preachy and pedantic, whereas this is instead genre defining and an album that other modern hardcore albums should be measured against. The topics range from the personal, infidelity and suicide, to pondering what it means to be in the hardcore scene. It's a bold move to call out your own listeners on their shit, but Bane does it so well that it makes you want to jump and do something. Through out the album there are little artistic touches, like the female vocals on “Can We Start Again.” A must have for fans of hardcore music.
Rating: 15/15 Boston accents
Intestine Baalism - Ultimate Instinct
Intestine Baalism Ultimate Instinct:
One of the few death metal albums you can put on and not feel like a tool for listening to it. Top notch musicianship that doesn't spill into Opeth fueled wankery.
Rathing: 13/15 over the top Japaneseness
One of the few death metal albums you can put on and not feel like a tool for listening to it. Top notch musicianship that doesn't spill into Opeth fueled wankery.
Rathing: 13/15 over the top Japaneseness
(hed) P.E. - New World Orphans
(hed) P.E. New World Orphans:
Here let me just sum up the twenty tracks on this album: Bitches ain't shit, fuck, suck mah dick, fuck da rich, NEWWORLDORDERNEWWORLDORDER, repeat. Somehow this band has managed to escape the gaping maw of obscurity and continue to create music so dumb even dudes with popped collars find it ignorant.
Rating: -1/15 pot fueled conspiracy theories
Here let me just sum up the twenty tracks on this album: Bitches ain't shit, fuck, suck mah dick, fuck da rich, NEWWORLDORDERNEWWORLDORDER, repeat. Somehow this band has managed to escape the gaping maw of obscurity and continue to create music so dumb even dudes with popped collars find it ignorant.
Rating: -1/15 pot fueled conspiracy theories
Friday, February 13, 2009
Johnny Cash-Remixed
Johnny Cash Remixed:
Apparently Cash's son and Snoop Dogg thought this was a good idea, how wrong they were.
Rating: 4/15 Sobbing corpses of Johnny Cash
Apparently Cash's son and Snoop Dogg thought this was a good idea, how wrong they were.
Rating: 4/15 Sobbing corpses of Johnny Cash
Morrissey- Years of Refusal
Morrissey Years of Refusal:
Moz returns with another collection pseudo sardonic butt-rock tunes. The single, "I'm throwing my arms around Paris," is lyrically and musically similar to Celine Dion. In the battle between Morrissey's solo career, and whatever lame indie band Johnny Marr has lent his previously interesting guitar work to, nobody wins. Especially not the listeners.
Rating 6/15: Fruitless arguments about Morrissey's sexual orientation
Moz returns with another collection pseudo sardonic butt-rock tunes. The single, "I'm throwing my arms around Paris," is lyrically and musically similar to Celine Dion. In the battle between Morrissey's solo career, and whatever lame indie band Johnny Marr has lent his previously interesting guitar work to, nobody wins. Especially not the listeners.
Rating 6/15: Fruitless arguments about Morrissey's sexual orientation
Laura Cantrell- Humming by The Flowered Vine
Laura Cantrell Humming by The Flowered Vine:
A singers who's sweet soft voice is as defiant and powerful as they come. Cantrell's subject matter covers everything from war to having a crush on someone you're too shy to talk to. The earnestness and accuracy of her lyrics is astounding as is her choice of backing musicians and recording engineers. Arguably the most important country singer active today.
Rating 15/15 Prayers for the demise of CMT
A singers who's sweet soft voice is as defiant and powerful as they come. Cantrell's subject matter covers everything from war to having a crush on someone you're too shy to talk to. The earnestness and accuracy of her lyrics is astounding as is her choice of backing musicians and recording engineers. Arguably the most important country singer active today.
Rating 15/15 Prayers for the demise of CMT
Across Tundras - Lonesome Wails From The Weeping Willow
Across Tundras Lonesome Wails From The Weeping Willow:
If Electric Wizard ever played bluegrass, this what it would sound like.
Rating: 13/15 tripping cowboys
If Electric Wizard ever played bluegrass, this what it would sound like.
Rating: 13/15 tripping cowboys
Tahiti Boy and The Palmtree Family-EP
Tahiti Boy and The Palmtree Family EP:
This album hasn't been released yet, but after listening to thirty seconds of the song 1973 I feel qualified to bash any and all output this band, its members, and scene affiliates may ever produce. Nothing, and I mean nothing pisses me of more than grown men making twee pop with string and woodwind sections. If they were making this kind of music for a children's television show, I'd still be put off, but this music is meant for consumption by other adults. Adult men and women see this band live then go home together. The human condition and the world which we experience provide nearly endless interesting subject matter to be explored. If you experience the world around you and the ideas that the human mind is capable of, and come out of that process wanting to write cutesy songs about little birdies and flowers set to music videos with dancing puppets, then you are an insult to the human race's artistic capabilities. Sesame Street contains more challenging ideas than this bullshit band. If you like this band you are wrong, and I advise you to stop listening to them, because the next step has to be diaper fetishism.
0/15 Redeeming artistic qualities
This album hasn't been released yet, but after listening to thirty seconds of the song 1973 I feel qualified to bash any and all output this band, its members, and scene affiliates may ever produce. Nothing, and I mean nothing pisses me of more than grown men making twee pop with string and woodwind sections. If they were making this kind of music for a children's television show, I'd still be put off, but this music is meant for consumption by other adults. Adult men and women see this band live then go home together. The human condition and the world which we experience provide nearly endless interesting subject matter to be explored. If you experience the world around you and the ideas that the human mind is capable of, and come out of that process wanting to write cutesy songs about little birdies and flowers set to music videos with dancing puppets, then you are an insult to the human race's artistic capabilities. Sesame Street contains more challenging ideas than this bullshit band. If you like this band you are wrong, and I advise you to stop listening to them, because the next step has to be diaper fetishism.
0/15 Redeeming artistic qualities
The Lonely Island - Incredibad
The Lonely Island Incredibad:
Comedy music albums tend to suck. This album manages to suck ten fold because not only is it a comedy music album, its an SNL comedy rap album. So that means about three fourths of this is just completely unfunny. The few songs that have a trace of humor in them are unfunny due to being over played or one note joke. Really wasn't “Dick In A Box” just lame the second time around? The only song worth listening to at all is “I'm On A Boat” and that's because we get to hear T-Pain croon about copulating with a mermaid.
Rating: 1/15 Lame attempts at humor from a moldy show that should have been canceled in 2000
Comedy music albums tend to suck. This album manages to suck ten fold because not only is it a comedy music album, its an SNL comedy rap album. So that means about three fourths of this is just completely unfunny. The few songs that have a trace of humor in them are unfunny due to being over played or one note joke. Really wasn't “Dick In A Box” just lame the second time around? The only song worth listening to at all is “I'm On A Boat” and that's because we get to hear T-Pain croon about copulating with a mermaid.
Rating: 1/15 Lame attempts at humor from a moldy show that should have been canceled in 2000
Black Moth Super Rainbows- Drippers
Black Moth Super Rainbow Drippers:
A group of Hate Edge punk rockers righteously espousing the use of any and all substances.
Rating: 13/15 No Poison For Life XXX neck tattoos
A group of Hate Edge punk rockers righteously espousing the use of any and all substances.
Rating: 13/15 No Poison For Life XXX neck tattoos
Ascend- The Obelsik of Kolob
Ascend The Obelisk of Kolob:
Like Sunn 0)))), but interesting stuff happens periodically.
Rating: 11/15 Dudes in Cowls
Like Sunn 0)))), but interesting stuff happens periodically.
Rating: 11/15 Dudes in Cowls
Om-A Conference of Birds
Om A Conference of Birds:
Long ass songs about celestial entities made with only bass, drums and chanted vocals. Not something I listen to everyday, but if I want to space out this is the album I'll turn to.
Rating: 11/15 Handfuls of shrooms
Long ass songs about celestial entities made with only bass, drums and chanted vocals. Not something I listen to everyday, but if I want to space out this is the album I'll turn to.
Rating: 11/15 Handfuls of shrooms
All The Saints- Fire on Corridor X
All The Saints Fire on Corridor X:
Art punk reminiscent of Mission of Burma. Interesting song structure, good lyrics, and top notch musicianship particularly from the drummer have made me spin this one a lot in the past week. These guys have real potential.
Rating: 13/15 collared shirts at a punk show
Art punk reminiscent of Mission of Burma. Interesting song structure, good lyrics, and top notch musicianship particularly from the drummer have made me spin this one a lot in the past week. These guys have real potential.
Rating: 13/15 collared shirts at a punk show
Echo and The Bunnymen- Live in Liverpool
Echo and The Bunnymen Live in Liverpool: If you're getting interested in Echo and The Bunnymen pick up this disc first. All the songs included here beat out the studio versions, and the song selection is better than any of their hits packages. McCullough's voice has gotten a little rough through the years, but his delivery makes up for any shortcoming s.
Rating: 14/15 Dark shades and smoke machines
Rating: 14/15 Dark shades and smoke machines
Ill Bill - The Hour of Reprisal
Ill Bill The Hour of Reprisal:
Ill Bill proves why he's one of the most underestimated rappers at the moment. He not only has a typical rap bravado, but also the ability to make songs about New World Orders and Conan the Barbarian work. He even gets away with rapping about the history of Slayer and not making it a filler track. The man has the ability to drop knowledge, but does not shove it down your throat. Rather he seems more like that friend of yours that reads Prison Planet a lot. Not only does Bill shine on this album, he coaxes some awesome performances from guests like Everlast and Immortal Technique. He even gets H.R. And Dr. Know to show up. One of the most entertaining and honest rap albums to be put out in the last few years.
Rating: 14/15 morbidly obese rappers
Ill Bill proves why he's one of the most underestimated rappers at the moment. He not only has a typical rap bravado, but also the ability to make songs about New World Orders and Conan the Barbarian work. He even gets away with rapping about the history of Slayer and not making it a filler track. The man has the ability to drop knowledge, but does not shove it down your throat. Rather he seems more like that friend of yours that reads Prison Planet a lot. Not only does Bill shine on this album, he coaxes some awesome performances from guests like Everlast and Immortal Technique. He even gets H.R. And Dr. Know to show up. One of the most entertaining and honest rap albums to be put out in the last few years.
Rating: 14/15 morbidly obese rappers
Metallica - Death Magnetic
Metallica Death Magnetic:
Basically the creepy old guy at the bus stop has gone from having his pants around his ankles and spewing gibberish to having pulled up his pants, but still gibbering and playing trash can drums.
Rating: 2/15 Wah pedal solos
Basically the creepy old guy at the bus stop has gone from having his pants around his ankles and spewing gibberish to having pulled up his pants, but still gibbering and playing trash can drums.
Rating: 2/15 Wah pedal solos
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Blue Sky Black Death- Slow Burning Lights
Blue Sky Black Death Slow Burning Lights: One of the best production crews out there joins forces with Coco Rosie sounding vocalist to produce an interesting listen. The beats and production are top notch, the lyrics are strong, but the singers voice isn't my cup of tea(ed. note: Sounds like some one broke her jaw then made her sing.).
Rating: 12/15 unexpected collaborations
Rating: 12/15 unexpected collaborations
Blood for Blood- Livin' in Exile
Blood for Blood Livin' in Exile: If you're drunk and angry, you really can't do better than this album. Its fast, its angry, its drunk but also intelligent and insightful. This is a no bullshit record.
Rating 13/15 Brawling drunks
Rating 13/15 Brawling drunks
Verbal and The Kickdrums - Idiot Savant
Verbal and The Kickdrums Idiot Savant:
Hey did you like Atmosphere when he wasn't lame(Lucy Ford EP and God Loves Ugly)? Yeah? Then you'll dig on this album. Verbal is like Atmosphere topically, but is more charismatic and has less grating voice. His rhymes, while not mind-bending, are clever and equal parts bragging and blunt honesty. But Verbal alone doesn't carry the album, rather The Kickdrums do their jobs extremely well, giving Verbal some great beats to flow over. I suspect that if the beats weren't as interesting, this album would have a high burn out factor. But everyone brings their A games and we end up with an unusually awesome mixtape that proves that the Kickdrums are one of the better production teams in the game and Verbal is an MC to watch in the future.
Rating: 13/15 alcoholic, burnt out rappers
The Dillinger Escape plan- Irony is a Dead Scene
The Dillinger Escape plan Irony is a Dead Scene: Mike Patton and Dillinger Escape Plan come together for a single E.P. which stands out as both artists best work. Dillinger has always been plagued by crappy vocalists, and luckily they caught Mike Patton during one of those brief time periods where he'd rather sing than make obnoxious sound effects. As usual Dillinger's brand of Math Rock is vicious as it is complex. Patton adds not only some of his best lyrics and vocals, but also keyboards and other electronic doo dads. For five songs one is reminded of the potential both these artists have.
Rating: 14/15 Please Please Please make a full length album points
Rating: 14/15 Please Please Please make a full length album points
Kayne West - 808s & Heartbreak
Kayne West 808s & Heartbreaks:
WAHHH! IT'S SOO HARD BEING RICH AND HAVING LOTS OF WOMEN! WHAAA PITY ME!
Rating: 3/15 Livejournal entries
WAHHH! IT'S SOO HARD BEING RICH AND HAVING LOTS OF WOMEN! WHAAA PITY ME!
Rating: 3/15 Livejournal entries
Explosions in The Sky-All of a Sudden I miss Everyone
Explosions in The Sky All of a Sudden I miss Everyone: I hope this album wakes people up to the fact that your loud quiet loud dynamics and movie soundtrack harmonies are FUCKING BORING AND DATED. Just be grateful that people have fallen for four albums worth of your bullshit. You are the Thomas Kincaid of music.
Rating: 3/15 Enya has more balls than you
Rating: 3/15 Enya has more balls than you
The Band-Music From Big Pink
The Band Music From Big Pink: The album I think of when I hear the term "Classic Rock." Beautifully harmonized vocals, fantastic organ playing, and several great song writers. None of them died in a puddle of their own vomit while they were at their peak, nor did any of them have the, "I'm a huge douche worship me," aura of many of their contemporaries. They were just a damn good band. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
Rating: 15/15 BUM BAH BAH! BAH!
Rating: 15/15 BUM BAH BAH! BAH!
Cheap Tragedies - Volume 1: Souvenirs and Evidence
Cheap Tragedies Volume 1: Souvenirs and Evidence:
Oh fuck yeah! This is one of those few new punk albums that wears its influences proudly on its sleeve, but is fresh sounding at the same time. Guitars whirl like buzz saws as the vocals are just drunken shouts that manage to keep on time. Also there are nice touches through out the album, like a sprinkling of Jerry Lee Lewis pianos on “Jesus Just Left Cleveland.” Crank this at your next party and I guarantee a circle pit will erupt.
12/15 Zodiac references
KiD CuDi-A KiD named CuDi
KiD CuDi A KiD named CuDi: A laid back album with good beats, and great lyrics. CuDi's track Down and Out, is one of the best songs about substance use I've heard in awhile. The album only falters when CuDi tries to sing. A solid first release.
Rating: 12/15 Maui Wowies
Rating: 12/15 Maui Wowies
The Misfits - Walk Among Us
The Misfits Walk Among Us:
You own this album. If you don't, what the fuck is wrong with you? This album is what pop punk should be. When I say pop, I mean catchy and fun. Take note that not one song is about a lame relationship or something equally inane. Rather they are singing about hacking skulls off girls and turning into Martians to rape people. Even those these songs are about the most absurd shit, they are still catchy with the ability to be lodged into your head for days. Very few albums I would call a necessity, but this is one of them.
15/15 Devillocks
You own this album. If you don't, what the fuck is wrong with you? This album is what pop punk should be. When I say pop, I mean catchy and fun. Take note that not one song is about a lame relationship or something equally inane. Rather they are singing about hacking skulls off girls and turning into Martians to rape people. Even those these songs are about the most absurd shit, they are still catchy with the ability to be lodged into your head for days. Very few albums I would call a necessity, but this is one of them.
15/15 Devillocks
Hot Panda-Volcano.....Bloody Volcano
Hot Panda Volcano.....Bloody Volcano: Post-enjoyable geek pop. They should change their name to The Oh So Trendy Thick Black Buddy Holly Glasses.
Rating: 4/15 Wasted Album titles
Rating: 4/15 Wasted Album titles
Converge - You Fail Me
Converge You Fail Me:
While most people cream themselves over Jane Doe, this is the album that really solidified Converge as pioneers of Metalcore. Why? Because it doesn't sound like they are playing in someone's closet. You can hear the anger pulsating out of your speakers in such clarity. Kurt Ballou should be cited as one of the most influential guitarists of this generation since most bands, at least in this genre, try to ape his playing style and this album shows off perfectly why they would want to. While doing nothing super fancy, the rhythm section manage to shine. The vocals are perfect for this type of music, making even pleas for hope to sound pissed off. If you're a fan of heavy music you need this album.
15/15 Steve Albinis
While most people cream themselves over Jane Doe, this is the album that really solidified Converge as pioneers of Metalcore. Why? Because it doesn't sound like they are playing in someone's closet. You can hear the anger pulsating out of your speakers in such clarity. Kurt Ballou should be cited as one of the most influential guitarists of this generation since most bands, at least in this genre, try to ape his playing style and this album shows off perfectly why they would want to. While doing nothing super fancy, the rhythm section manage to shine. The vocals are perfect for this type of music, making even pleas for hope to sound pissed off. If you're a fan of heavy music you need this album.
15/15 Steve Albinis
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart-selftitled
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Selftitled:
Props on making the same indie-rock record every indie band has made since the mid-1980s.
Rating: 8/15 Hot hipster chicks with awful Diamond Dogs haircuts
Props on making the same indie-rock record every indie band has made since the mid-1980s.
Rating: 8/15 Hot hipster chicks with awful Diamond Dogs haircuts
Queen-The Cosmos Rocks
Queen The Cosmos Rocks:
Strictly for Rolling Stone subscribers.
Rating: 5/15 Desecrated legacies
Strictly for Rolling Stone subscribers.
Rating: 5/15 Desecrated legacies
Arckanum-Antikosmos
Arckanum Antikosmos:
Gollum singing about wolves and shit over a thirteen year old learning his first Slayer riff. This album is the result of many swirlies.
Rating: 2/15 Guys trying to be taken seriously while wearing corpse paint.
Gollum singing about wolves and shit over a thirteen year old learning his first Slayer riff. This album is the result of many swirlies.
Rating: 2/15 Guys trying to be taken seriously while wearing corpse paint.
Miranda Lee Richards-Light of X
Miranda Lee Richards Light of X:
Richards sounds like Natalie Merchant with some added country twang. The music is good, but not exceptional. The above average lyrics make this album great.
Rating: 13/15 Pedal steel string section combos
Richards sounds like Natalie Merchant with some added country twang. The music is good, but not exceptional. The above average lyrics make this album great.
Rating: 13/15 Pedal steel string section combos
The Bamboos - Side Stepper
The Bamboos Side Stepper:
A solid modern funk album, by some of the most stylish men in music. While, The Bamboos original songs are strong dance-able funk tunes, their cover of The Kings of Leon's song Kings of Rodeo sticks out. I'd like to see an entire album with a Meg Washington fronted Bamboos.
Rating: 12/15 well-pressed suits
A solid modern funk album, by some of the most stylish men in music. While, The Bamboos original songs are strong dance-able funk tunes, their cover of The Kings of Leon's song Kings of Rodeo sticks out. I'd like to see an entire album with a Meg Washington fronted Bamboos.
Rating: 12/15 well-pressed suits
Times New Viking - Rip it Off!
Times New Viking Rip it Off!:
Loud slop rock. Fun, but I couldn't make it through the whole album in one sitting. Sounds like Guided by Voices played out of a broken stereo.
Rating: 11/15 Albums marred by Lo-fi aesthetics
Loud slop rock. Fun, but I couldn't make it through the whole album in one sitting. Sounds like Guided by Voices played out of a broken stereo.
Rating: 11/15 Albums marred by Lo-fi aesthetics
The Dirty Projectors - Rise Above
The Dirty Projectors Rise Above:
Congrats! You've made the indie version of Pat Boone's “In A Metal Mood.” You're neither funny nor ironic.
Rating: 1/15 Henry Rollins giving you a well deserved uppercut
Congrats! You've made the indie version of Pat Boone's “In A Metal Mood.” You're neither funny nor ironic.
Rating: 1/15 Henry Rollins giving you a well deserved uppercut
Kevin Rudolf - In The City
Kevin Rudolf In The City:
This album is what I expect hip-hop like music made by a guy named Kevin Rudolf to sound like. In other words, this be bland yet not offensive. There are some good, guitar heavy beats on this album, but even the gnarliest guitar line can't hide Dr. Rudolph's weak rhymes. The man has no charisma and sounds the same on every track. The sole high points of this cd are when guests show up. So that makes for 9 boring, bland tracks and 3 one sort of worth downloading.
Rating: 6/15 loaves of Wonder Bread.
This album is what I expect hip-hop like music made by a guy named Kevin Rudolf to sound like. In other words, this be bland yet not offensive. There are some good, guitar heavy beats on this album, but even the gnarliest guitar line can't hide Dr. Rudolph's weak rhymes. The man has no charisma and sounds the same on every track. The sole high points of this cd are when guests show up. So that makes for 9 boring, bland tracks and 3 one sort of worth downloading.
Rating: 6/15 loaves of Wonder Bread.
Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life
Fucked Up The Chemistry of Common Life:
Fucked Up rule. They are smart, loud, fast and exactly what punk rock should be like. With that said, this cd was a chore to listen to. I know the songs are good (interesting lyrics, neat hooks) but after one or two I found my mind wandering and itching to hit the forward button. An amazing band to see live, a boring one to listen to.
Rating: 11/15 confused reviewers.
Fucked Up rule. They are smart, loud, fast and exactly what punk rock should be like. With that said, this cd was a chore to listen to. I know the songs are good (interesting lyrics, neat hooks) but after one or two I found my mind wandering and itching to hit the forward button. An amazing band to see live, a boring one to listen to.
Rating: 11/15 confused reviewers.
Black Ships - Omens
Black Ships Omens:
“Omens” is the sound of an active quarry: Loud, explosive, and crushing. The guitars are suitable distorted, while the bass is down tuned to the point of sounding almost out of tune. The vocals roar out, incomprehensible but you know he's shouting about angry things like being late for the bus. The drums anchor down the sound keeping simple rhythms that pound like war drums. The whole affair sounds like it was recorded with the Pro-Tools Wall O' Sludge plugin. Black Ships avoid the one pitfall of many similar bands in this genre, that all songs sound the same. Rather the songs are similar in sound, but different enough to keep the listener engaged.
13/15 Oil spills that are on fire.
“Omens” is the sound of an active quarry: Loud, explosive, and crushing. The guitars are suitable distorted, while the bass is down tuned to the point of sounding almost out of tune. The vocals roar out, incomprehensible but you know he's shouting about angry things like being late for the bus. The drums anchor down the sound keeping simple rhythms that pound like war drums. The whole affair sounds like it was recorded with the Pro-Tools Wall O' Sludge plugin. Black Ships avoid the one pitfall of many similar bands in this genre, that all songs sound the same. Rather the songs are similar in sound, but different enough to keep the listener engaged.
13/15 Oil spills that are on fire.
The Drones - Havilah
The Drones Havilah:
Smug indie rock made by your parents. With their mildly dissonant clanging and Nick Cave wardrobe, The Drones may become critics darlings. Thankfully most people are smart enough to be repulsed by music that sounds like a British man having a stroke over the sound of your mom doing dishes.
Rating: 8/15 Band photos involving black blazers and a mirror
Smug indie rock made by your parents. With their mildly dissonant clanging and Nick Cave wardrobe, The Drones may become critics darlings. Thankfully most people are smart enough to be repulsed by music that sounds like a British man having a stroke over the sound of your mom doing dishes.
Rating: 8/15 Band photos involving black blazers and a mirror
The Heartless Bastards - The Mountain
The Heartless Bastards The Mountain:
Earnest southern rock with strong riffs, lyrics, and some excellent lap-steel guitar playing.
Rating 13/15: Southern sunrises
Earnest southern rock with strong riffs, lyrics, and some excellent lap-steel guitar playing.
Rating 13/15: Southern sunrises
Windsurf - Coastlines
Windsurf Coastlines:
Windsurf answers the question, “What would Tangerine Dream sound like if they were all surfers?” Good for mellowing out.
Rating: 11/15 Hemp Necklaces
Windsurf answers the question, “What would Tangerine Dream sound like if they were all surfers?” Good for mellowing out.
Rating: 11/15 Hemp Necklaces
Fiction Family - Fiction Family
Fiction Family Fiction Family:
Pleasant acoustic pop, not exceptional, but significantly better than Jack Johnson.
Rating: 11/15 Banana fuck-cakes
Pleasant acoustic pop, not exceptional, but significantly better than Jack Johnson.
Rating: 11/15 Banana fuck-cakes
Cut Off Your Hands - You and I
Cut Off Your Hands You and I:
Sub-Arctic Monkeys jangle mixed with off key crooning. Wonderful.
Rating 5/15 Music critics wondering what the hell happened to British rock
Sub-Arctic Monkeys jangle mixed with off key crooning. Wonderful.
Rating 5/15 Music critics wondering what the hell happened to British rock
Iran - Dissolver
Iran Dissolver:
For people who think TV On The Radio are too interesting to be cool.
Rating: 7/15 Indie smirks
For people who think TV On The Radio are too interesting to be cool.
Rating: 7/15 Indie smirks
Napalm Death - Time Waits For No Slave
Napalm Death Time Waits For No Slave:
Remember kids, grand pa can still kick your ass.
Rating 13/15 Skulls on Fire
Remember kids, grand pa can still kick your ass.
Rating 13/15 Skulls on Fire
Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
Gnarls Barkley The Odd Couple:
Theres a couple of great tracks, but most of this album is filler. What made St. Elsewhere great, was a willingness to experiment. This is by no means a bad album, but they're capable of more.
Rating 11/15 Trumps most Neo-Soul points
Theres a couple of great tracks, but most of this album is filler. What made St. Elsewhere great, was a willingness to experiment. This is by no means a bad album, but they're capable of more.
Rating 11/15 Trumps most Neo-Soul points
Crystal Antlers - Crystal Antlers ep
Crystal Antlers Crystal Antlers EP:
Somewhere between Post rock and Classic rock resides Crystal Antlers. Few bands can be simultaneously as catchy and original as these guys. Look out for their full length debut which is scheduled for release in April.
Rating 13/15 serious reviews
Somewhere between Post rock and Classic rock resides Crystal Antlers. Few bands can be simultaneously as catchy and original as these guys. Look out for their full length debut which is scheduled for release in April.
Rating 13/15 serious reviews
Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend:
Vampire Weekend fit nicely in the, “semi-popular because they're not as shitty as Bloc Party,” category.
Rating: 9/15 Ironic t-shirts
Vampire Weekend fit nicely in the, “semi-popular because they're not as shitty as Bloc Party,” category.
Rating: 9/15 Ironic t-shirts
Earth - The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull
Earth The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull:
Earth continue their transition from sounding like a broken refrigerator fed through a distortion pedal to a slow tempo post-gospel instrumental rock group. This is a really beautiful album to listen to while taking a walk, or lying at home with your head between the speakers. All the tracks range from great to solid, but the three featuring Bill Frisell prove the most effective. Carlson is a great guitarist, but his playing style works best when juxtaposed with another melodic element. At any rate, this is one of the better instrumental rock albums I've heard in quite some time.
Rating: 14/15 Awesome Biblical allusions
Earth continue their transition from sounding like a broken refrigerator fed through a distortion pedal to a slow tempo post-gospel instrumental rock group. This is a really beautiful album to listen to while taking a walk, or lying at home with your head between the speakers. All the tracks range from great to solid, but the three featuring Bill Frisell prove the most effective. Carlson is a great guitarist, but his playing style works best when juxtaposed with another melodic element. At any rate, this is one of the better instrumental rock albums I've heard in quite some time.
Rating: 14/15 Awesome Biblical allusions
Neil Young - Harvest
Neil Young Harvest:
Possibly the ultimate album for the lovelorn father-resenting non-Alabama residents. Young's lyrics stand the test of time, as does his bash two notes over and over again style of soloing. The backing musicians and vocalists color Young's songs tastefully and the recording quality is top-notch. The albums only fault is the orchestral tracks. The orchestral tracks are unbearably corny, and feature Young's weakest lyrics on the album. That being said Harvest has some amazing moments and is worth pirating, as Young has a penchant for spending his excess cash on revoltingly bad indie films.
Rating: 13/15 Hay bales whose colors are being perfectly accented by a sunset.
Possibly the ultimate album for the lovelorn father-resenting non-Alabama residents. Young's lyrics stand the test of time, as does his bash two notes over and over again style of soloing. The backing musicians and vocalists color Young's songs tastefully and the recording quality is top-notch. The albums only fault is the orchestral tracks. The orchestral tracks are unbearably corny, and feature Young's weakest lyrics on the album. That being said Harvest has some amazing moments and is worth pirating, as Young has a penchant for spending his excess cash on revoltingly bad indie films.
Rating: 13/15 Hay bales whose colors are being perfectly accented by a sunset.
Neko Case - The Tigers Have Spoken
Neko Case The Tigers Have Spoken:
As a music critic I am obliged to jump on the alt-country band wagon, so here goes. Case and company blast through some album favorites and well chosen covers. Not her most important work, but possibly her most fun.
Rating: 13/15 Hillbilly Stomps
As a music critic I am obliged to jump on the alt-country band wagon, so here goes. Case and company blast through some album favorites and well chosen covers. Not her most important work, but possibly her most fun.
Rating: 13/15 Hillbilly Stomps
Elvis Costello - North
Elvis Costello North:
Exceptional lounge music from the man who wrote Radio Radio. Recommended for candlelight dinners and back massages.
Rating: 12/15 Cocktail dresses
Exceptional lounge music from the man who wrote Radio Radio. Recommended for candlelight dinners and back massages.
Rating: 12/15 Cocktail dresses
Kimya Dawson - Alphabutt
Kimya Dawson Alphabutt:
A children's album about Dawson's more unsavory bodily functions.
Rating: 4/15 Pitchfork reviews which use elaborate justifications to explain why obviously shitty albums aren't shitty
A children's album about Dawson's more unsavory bodily functions.
Rating: 4/15 Pitchfork reviews which use elaborate justifications to explain why obviously shitty albums aren't shitty
Mind Flayer - Its Always 1999
Mind Flayer Its Always 1999:
A terribly recorded piece of boring crap. Don't get me wrong, I advocate Load Records and I double advocate anything either of the Brian's from Lightning Bolt are involved in, but as often is the case the album fails to live up to the live experience. Save your pennies and go see them live. I attended a concert of their's where almost all of their electronics failed, but they managed to maintain a ridiculous energy level with little more than drums, vocals and distorted tape hiss. They're two of the nicest most approachable guys you'll ever meet, and they deserve your money more than you do.
Rating: 7/15 Bitchin' homemade masks
A terribly recorded piece of boring crap. Don't get me wrong, I advocate Load Records and I double advocate anything either of the Brian's from Lightning Bolt are involved in, but as often is the case the album fails to live up to the live experience. Save your pennies and go see them live. I attended a concert of their's where almost all of their electronics failed, but they managed to maintain a ridiculous energy level with little more than drums, vocals and distorted tape hiss. They're two of the nicest most approachable guys you'll ever meet, and they deserve your money more than you do.
Rating: 7/15 Bitchin' homemade masks
Flashbulb - Red Extensions of Me
Flashbulb Red Extensions of Me:
Flashbulb is to Squarepusher what Squarepusher is to most other electronic music. Ben Jordan has the rare gift of being a great beat maker, obviously willing to spend hours hunched over a computer carefully editing each and every drum sound, and a talented guitarist. Jordan's guitar and keyboard arrangements bring a fluency and utilizes a harmonic language often lacking in electronic music.
Rating: 13/15 Tabs of Acid, THE GOOD STUFF
Flashbulb is to Squarepusher what Squarepusher is to most other electronic music. Ben Jordan has the rare gift of being a great beat maker, obviously willing to spend hours hunched over a computer carefully editing each and every drum sound, and a talented guitarist. Jordan's guitar and keyboard arrangements bring a fluency and utilizes a harmonic language often lacking in electronic music.
Rating: 13/15 Tabs of Acid, THE GOOD STUFF
Ben Folds - Stems and Seeds
Ben Folds Stems and Seeds:
Apparently its possible to have a greater rate of diminishing returns than R.E.M.
Rating: 3/15 Teenage Abortions
Apparently its possible to have a greater rate of diminishing returns than R.E.M.
Rating: 3/15 Teenage Abortions
Scissorfight - Jagernaut
Scissorfight Jagernaut:
Perfect for those who find The Moldy Peaches too raucous. Lacks testosterone.
Rating: 11/15 Pink Lady Slippers
Perfect for those who find The Moldy Peaches too raucous. Lacks testosterone.
Rating: 11/15 Pink Lady Slippers
Curlupanddie - The One Above All, the End of All That Is
Curlupanddie The One Above All, the End of All That Is: A musically above average Metal-Core band with one of the best lyricist the genre has ever seen. From start to finish this album never lets up. Curlupanddie broke up around the time this album was released due to Revelation Records complete negligence of the band and incompetency at handling any and all financial matters. Buy this record and don't sign to Revelation records, or I'll kill you. (Ed. note: He'll kill you either way.)
Rating: 15/15 Amazing songs named after Ted Nugent or comic book characters
Rating: 15/15 Amazing songs named after Ted Nugent or comic book characters
Genghis Tron - Board Up the House
Genghis Tron Board Up the House:
Most modern metal turns me off after a couple songs, because of a lack of variation. RARARARA, CHUGCHUGCHUG, you're angry, we get it. Genghis Tron balance out their rage with some down-tempo drums and keyboard interplay, and they incorporate clean vocals, which are sung in key. Use great caution when introducing Genghis Tron to the average metal head or hardcore fan, musical dynamics make them cry.
Rating: 13/15 Lamenting Slayer fans
Most modern metal turns me off after a couple songs, because of a lack of variation. RARARARA, CHUGCHUGCHUG, you're angry, we get it. Genghis Tron balance out their rage with some down-tempo drums and keyboard interplay, and they incorporate clean vocals, which are sung in key. Use great caution when introducing Genghis Tron to the average metal head or hardcore fan, musical dynamics make them cry.
Rating: 13/15 Lamenting Slayer fans
Isis - In The Absence of Truth
Isis In The Absence of Truth:
Remember all the aspects of Tool you loved when you were 16? Well imagine those aspects but better without all the mediocre noodling surrounding those aspects, and you pretty much have this album.
Rating: 12/15 Black Hoodies
Remember all the aspects of Tool you loved when you were 16? Well imagine those aspects but better without all the mediocre noodling surrounding those aspects, and you pretty much have this album.
Rating: 12/15 Black Hoodies
The Greatful Dead - Workingman's Dead
The Grateful Dead Workingman's Dead:
What do you get, when you trim all the pointless noodling out of a Dead set? Surprisingly, a collection of solid country rock songs. Theres a few stinkers, the opening track, Uncle Johns Band, and the lamentable Casey Jones come to mind, but New Interstate Boogie, Dire Wolf and Black Peter make up for the weaker tracks. Its too bad more of the Dead's studio albums don't sound like this one.
Rating: 12/15 Unidentifiable poncho stains
What do you get, when you trim all the pointless noodling out of a Dead set? Surprisingly, a collection of solid country rock songs. Theres a few stinkers, the opening track, Uncle Johns Band, and the lamentable Casey Jones come to mind, but New Interstate Boogie, Dire Wolf and Black Peter make up for the weaker tracks. Its too bad more of the Dead's studio albums don't sound like this one.
Rating: 12/15 Unidentifiable poncho stains
Murder By Death - Who Will Survive and What Will be Left of Them?
Murder By Death Who Will Survive and What Will be Left of Them?:
A concept album about Satan attacking a small Southern town. With songs about whiskey, shootings, executions, and mothers smothering their children so Lucifer can't get to them, Murder by Death earns big points for badassitude. Musically the album is diverse usually sticking to country, blues, and folk song structures, but augmented with cello and piano played by two classically trained musicians. Though no specific characters are introduced other than Satan, much of the album is written from the perspective of the townsfolk, allowing one to sit back and feel their emotions and picture themselves in the same situation. I really hope this album can be integrated into a movie someday, as it plays much like a soundtrack already.
Rating: 14/15 Straight shots of Whiskey
A concept album about Satan attacking a small Southern town. With songs about whiskey, shootings, executions, and mothers smothering their children so Lucifer can't get to them, Murder by Death earns big points for badassitude. Musically the album is diverse usually sticking to country, blues, and folk song structures, but augmented with cello and piano played by two classically trained musicians. Though no specific characters are introduced other than Satan, much of the album is written from the perspective of the townsfolk, allowing one to sit back and feel their emotions and picture themselves in the same situation. I really hope this album can be integrated into a movie someday, as it plays much like a soundtrack already.
Rating: 14/15 Straight shots of Whiskey
Goblin Cock - Come With Me if You Want to Live
Goblin Cock Come With Me if You Want to Live:
Goblin Cock is funny, but not an albums worth of funny.
Rating: 8/15 Confused Pinback fans
Goblin Cock is funny, but not an albums worth of funny.
Rating: 8/15 Confused Pinback fans
Roots Manuva - Slime And Reason
Roots Manuva Slime and Reason:
His production just keeps getting cooler. Roots comes back with another collection of great songs featuring his trademark surreal lines. The album contains a good mix of conventional and experimental material. Goes well with a vaporizer.
Rating: 13/15 Tiggers becoming Tigers
His production just keeps getting cooler. Roots comes back with another collection of great songs featuring his trademark surreal lines. The album contains a good mix of conventional and experimental material. Goes well with a vaporizer.
Rating: 13/15 Tiggers becoming Tigers
Chairlift - Does You Inspire You
Chairlift Does You Inspire You:
A cheesier version of Blondie with a singer that can't carry a tune. Somehow this album is even less interesting than my description.
Rating: 2/15 Neon leggings
A cheesier version of Blondie with a singer that can't carry a tune. Somehow this album is even less interesting than my description.
Rating: 2/15 Neon leggings
Grayceon - The Grand Show
Grayceon The Grand Show:
Sounds like Neurosis meets Sleepy Time Gorilla Museum. Great vocal and violin work, the only real flaw is the production. These guys/girl should call Steve Albini.
Rating: 12/15 Angry three part vocal harmonies
Sounds like Neurosis meets Sleepy Time Gorilla Museum. Great vocal and violin work, the only real flaw is the production. These guys/girl should call Steve Albini.
Rating: 12/15 Angry three part vocal harmonies
Qui - Loves Miracle
Qui Loves Miracle:
David Yow continues his trend of ranting like a lunatic over the playing of innovative musicians.
Rating: 12/15 Hairy little troll men
David Yow continues his trend of ranting like a lunatic over the playing of innovative musicians.
Rating: 12/15 Hairy little troll men
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