Review: Jack Johnson - Sleep Through The Static
Posted on 4 May 2008 | 3 Comments
So what if I kinda like Jack Johnson? He did the soundtrack for the animated Curious George movie that I’ve probably watched more than a dozen times at my daughter’s request. Those songs are really chilled-out, soothing, and have really simple and enjoyable melodies. His newest album Sleep Through The Static is basically more of the same, and that’s just fine with me. Plus Jack Johnson is somewhat of an advocate for various environmental causes and Sleep Through The Static was recorded using 100% solar energy and the liner notes were printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper. How ‘bout that.
MP3 | Jack Johnson – If I Had Eyes Sleep Through The Static
MP3 | Jack Johnson – Angel Sleep Through The Static
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Folk, Just Plain Rock
Review: Polydream - Send Me To The Sun
Posted on 28 April 2008 | No Comments
I’m not sure why, but Madison, Wisconsin was not exactly where I expected Polydream to call home. Their Americana-tinged adult-oriented shoegaze pop just strikes me as being a bit out of place there. Polydream’s latest album Send Me To The Sun sounds (at times) a helluva lot like the Goo Goo Dolls (complete with the big layered super-slick over-production). Other times Polydream doles out more atmospheric major-key-shoegaze a la Coldplay. I’m actually surprised that major labels aren’t knocking down their door since this is the sort of stuff with a wide-ranging crossover appeal they seem to eat right up. Somewhere (however) Polydream sneaks in a little Americana charm onto Send Me To The Sun which makes for an interesting listen and an album I can’t write off as total crap even if it ain’t really sure which way it’s going.
MP3 | Polydream – Montana Send Me To The Sun
MP3 | Polydream – Catch Me If You Can Send Me To The Sun
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock
Review: The Maine - The Way We Talk EP
Posted on 26 April 2008 | No Comments
The Way We Talk is full of run-of-the-mill radio-friendly pop-punk that does without most of the punk. The music is simple and pretty damn catchy, but just it just sounds like every other fucking poppy pop-punk-indie-rock band trying to make it onto TRL these days. Sure, The Maine does what they do pretty well, and I’ll take this over a lot of the crap on the radio these days but I don’t even listen to the radio anymore. And even though I’m a huge pop-punk fan, I’m so over this sound. RIYL: The Starting Line, Cute Is What We Aim For, Mayday Parade, and hundreds of other bands that Drive Thru is probably dying to sign and pissed that Fearless got to first.
MP3 | The Maine – If I Only Had The Heart The Way We Talk EP
MP3 | The Maine – We Change, We Wait The Way We Talk EP
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock, Pop
Review: Danger Radio - Punch Your Lights Out EP
Posted on 19 April 2008 | No Comments
Wow. I can’t believe I just listened to this entire EP. I hate being this blunt, but Punch Your Lights Out is six songs of horrible white-boy disco funk-rock fusion that has been impregnated with faux-emo whining that comes off like a mash-up of Har Mar Superstar, Hanson, and Fall Out Boy. This is so bad that it might make Stevie Wonder see again; if only so that he could bitchslap these guys. I’m not sure what the band was going for in their name, but shouldn’t Danger Radio be a warning? Run the other way when you hear this. It’s so bad I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.
MP3 | You Don’t Need To Hear This Crap Consider Me Your Savior
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock
Review: The Interiors - The Interiors
Posted on 17 April 2008 | 2 Comments
Let me make it simple. The Interiors are a guitar rock band. They are from Chicago. They are awesome. Their new self-titled album is due out in June. That is all.
Well, just in case you wanted more to read as you listen to the songs below, here’s a little extra. The Interiors’ singer/guitarist Chase Duncan lost part of his left index fingertip in a freak accident the day after the band signed on with the 54-40 Or Fight record label, but has since recovered. And thankfully, since The Interiors is a great record that sounds sorta like Interpol meets Pavement with an additional snap in its step courtesy of our brisk Chicago winters. Jangly guitar rock that nods to the past but dives headfirst into the future.
MP3 | The Interiors – Power Lines The Interiors
MP3 | The Interiors – I’m So Happy The Interiors
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Indie Rock, Just Plain Rock
Review: The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse
Posted on 11 April 2008 | No Comments
Imagine listening to both Pet Sounds and Gish at the same time as you watch the sun rise at the foot of el Capitan. Fuck yeah! It’s The Besnard Lakes!
MP3 | The Besnard Lakes – You Lied To Me …Are The Dark Horse
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock
Review: Ben Lee - Ripe
Posted on 10 April 2008 | No Comments
Have I really been a fan of Ben Lee for this long? Heck, I remember buying his juvenile and imperfectly charming album Grandpaw Would back in 1995 when I was an aspiring young four-tracker myself. That was a long time ago; trust me. Since then, Ben Lee has released six full-length albums (if you include his track-by-track cover of Against Me’s New Wave) that I have all basically enjoyed. He’s recorded everything from sparse and introspective acoustic pop songs to electronics-laden beat-heavy indie-pop with production credits from Dan The Automator. His latest album, Ripe, is (however) a bit underwhelming. It comes across as something like the soundtrack to a boring romantic comedy; homogenized, smoothed over, and dumbed down for the masses. Songs like “What Would Jay-Z Do?,” “Sex Without Love,” and “So Hungry” are perfect examples.
Sure, the production and arrangements are pleasant (if a little boring) and the songs can be really really catchy, but there is nothing truly exciting about the album; nothing distinguishing. I’m willing to give Ben the benefit of the doubt here, but Ripe just seems like paint-by-numbers pop aimed at a demographic that I’m no longer a part of. Ripe has a few classic Ben Lee moments, but is ultimately disappointing; especially after Ben’s interesting (and excellent) take on Against Me’s great New Wave. Hopefully, Ben Lee will return to form on his next record. As someone who has been a fan for over a dozen years, I’d expect no less.
MP3 | Ben Lee – Birds And Bees (ft. Mandy Moore) Ripe
MP3 | Ben Lee – American Television Ripe
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock, Pop
Review: Ivoryline - There Came A Lion
Posted on 6 April 2008 | No Comments
One of the best places I’ve found to listen to new music is on the treadmill and since I’ve been spending a lot of time running lately I’ve listened to a bunch of new music. But when something upbeat and driving comes on, I’m generally all for the little quick it adds to my step.
One such album is the latest from the Tyler, Texas quintet Ivoryline. The record is called There Came A Lion and it is well-played and slickly produced but isn’t really anything you haven’t heard before. Catchy nu-emo pop-rock isn’t revolutionary but rarely is it as worthwhile and enjoyable as it is on There Came A Lion. I’ll admit (thought) the album isn’t nearly as good off the treadmill as it is while running. As propulsive and passionate as it is, the record gets a little repetitive as the album draws on and it all starts to sound too similar. Even so, the energy and driving guitars just sorta make me smile.
I’d bet that Ivoryline will appeal to fans of Anberlin, Spitalfield, Saosin, and the like except that Ivoryline vocalist Jeremy Gray has a much stronger voice. There Came A Lion is out now on Tooth & Nail.
MP3 | Ivoryline – All You Ever Hear There Came A Lion
MP3 | Ivoryline – Be Still And Breathe There Came A Lion
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock
Review: Karmella's Game - The Art Of Distraction
Posted on 5 April 2008 | No Comments
Another disc that has been in my large stack of “stuff to review” is The Art Of Distraction From the Baltimore-based group Karmella’s Game. They play fun and bouncy synth-driven keyboard rock a la Reggie or Zolof but with fewer big rock tendencies. A little like what I’d imagine Sarge might sound like with James Dewees pounding the keys or perhaps a female-fronted Get Up Kids circa Something To Write Home About. Karmella’s Game doesn’t do anything groundbreaking on The Art Of Distraction, but the album is pretty fun and entertaining even for a jaded old fool like myself; even though the keyboards are (at times) cheesy and overdone.Think of it this way, if Darth Vader ever had a little sister, Karmella’s Game would be the perfect band to play her sweet sixteen party. Synth-heavy emo-dance-rock.
MP3 | Karmella’s Game – Diversions The Art Of Distraction
MP3 | Karmella’s Game – One Phone Call The Art Of Distraction
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock, Pop
Review: The Lemonheads - It's A Shame About Ray (Reissue)
Posted on 4 April 2008 | 2 Comments
I distinctly remembering buying the Lemonheads classic album It’s A Shame About Ray when I was 14. It was a fall day and we had driven to the nearest mall so I could go to Sam Goody (or was it Musicland) to get this album. My CD collection was much smaller back then and I poured over every detail, tried to decipher all the mixed up lyrics, and listened to the album over and over. I had this Sony CD boombox with a repeat feature that allowed me to (at one point during that winter) play “Confetti” roughly 250 times in a row. Those were different times and this was a special album. It was one of a few albums that served as a “gateway” into punk rock for me. After buying It’s A Shame About Ray I got Lovey, Lick, Hate Your Friends, and various singles in the Lemonheads back catalog. From there I got into a bunch of other associated groups; The Blake Babies, Juliana Hatfield, Antenna, Velo Deluxe, Buffalo Tom, etc… and the rest just sorta happened.
You have to remember that all this happened before the existence of the Internet; before the information overload. These days, nothing is surprising and nothing goes unnoticed. And even though he was strung out his voice was golden, his songs were memorable, and his persona was unshakable. Back then, Lemonheads front man Evan Dando’s songs straddled the line between pop, punk, and even alt-country before it was fashionable. As amazing as It’s A Shame About Ray was, it was never really more than an alternative rock minor hit (when there still was meaning to the world “alternative.”) I recall seeing the Lemonheads perform at Chicago’s Grant Park (the current home of Lollapalooza) in 1994 and waiting around afterwards to get an autograph from Evan. It never happened.
Yeah, I purchased the follow-up, Come On Feel the Lemonheads, and even recorded a duet of “Into Your Arms” with my sister (in German, no less). It was a good (but not great) album that didn’t hit nearly as hard as It’s A Shame About Ray. It is difficult to adequately put my feelings about Ray into words. I mean, when I started my own band one common thread between founding members was a love for the Lemonheads, Juliana Hatfield, and the like. Without It’s A Shame About Ray I may have just been “like a ship without a rudder.” Who knows though.
Anyhow, It’s A Shame About Ray has been re-released with a bunch of stripped-down bonus demo tracks and a pretty cool DVD called Two Weeks In Australia that also lends some insight into this amazing record. If you don’t already own this, go out and get the reissue. This album is a necessity in everyone’s record collection.
MP3 | The Lemonheads – Confetti It’s A Shame About Ray
MP3 | The Lemonheads – Alison’s Starting To Happen It’s A Shame About Ray
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock
Review: Murder Mystery - Are You Ready For The Heartache...
Posted on 23 March 2008 | 1 Comment
Every time I read the title of this record I think of Joe Elliott of Def Leppard belting out, “…bringing on the heartache…” but that’s really my problem, right? Anyhow, rock music that can normally be described simply as “pleasant,” “accessible,” or with any other like adjectives generally bores me to death. For the most part, Murder Mystery’s latest album Are You Ready For The Heartache Cause Here It Comes fits nicely into that categorization but there is something oddly charming about it. The band doles out simple and catchy mid-tempo pop-rock songs that sound slightly retro. There is nothing inherently bad about Murder Mystery and I can’t really say anything negative about the album other than it is a bit too safe for my taste. I would recommend this to fans of Ben Kweller, The Strokes, or even Brendan Benson even though I (personally) wouldn’t probably listen to it much. Oddly enough (or perhaps not) my favorite song from Are You Ready… is the one that stands out as different from everything else. “Love Astronaut” is a quirky little post-wave gem with a sugary little keyboard line that just eats into your head. You can listen below.
MP3 | Murder Mystery – Love Astronaut Are You Ready For The Heartache…
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock
Review: Every Avenue - Shh. Just Go With It
Posted on 15 March 2008 | 2 Comments
This band should be huge. Seriously. Not with late-twentysomethings with a two year old kid like myself but (rather) with the teenage MTV crowd. Let me explain. First, Every Avenue sounds almost exactly like a cross between Fall Out Boy and Cartel. On their latest album Shh. Just Go With It, Every Avenue churns out catchy and mid-tempo peppy, poppy, punk-ish rock music that is safe and polished enough to have mainstream appeal. It is a little too vanilla for my tastes, but that is why it should be huge.
Therein lies the problem. Every Avenue is actually good. Despite the over-styled press photo you get when you open up the CD (which is evidently what kids look like these days), the band has talent. Maybe the studio has been kind to them, or maybe I’m a sucker for pseudo-pop-punk hooks, but the band is tight, on point, and ultra-melodic. The record’s thick and crystal-clear production make it sound like a million bucks; I mean, this is how big rock records are supposed to sound.
It is all fine and well as the album blazes along until the tenth song on the album, “Between You And I.” WTF is this? Why does every single pop-punk-rock band (EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM) feel that it is necessary to include a shitty piano ballad or whiny acoustic song near the end of their albums? Every single one is a waste of my time because they are never as good as the rest of the record (“Hey There Delilah” notwithstanding) and just add another layer of predictable suckage to the album.
All ranting aside (however) Shh. Just Go With It is a pretty solid debut album from Every Avenue and head and shoulders better than the EP I heard from them last year. Even if some of the lyrics and songs are a bit ordinary (or maybe I’m just too old and jaded), Every Avenue is better than so many other neo-pop-punk bands out there (see my review of The Frantic here).
MP3 | Every Avenue – Days Of The Old Shh. Just Go With It
MP3 | Every Avenue – Where Were You? Shh. Just Go With It
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock, Pop
Review: Bob Mould - District Line
Posted on 7 March 2008 | 2 Comments
I’m fairly sure that just about everyone (even if they don’t love it) at least respects Bob Mould’s pioneering work as the front man of Minneapolis punks Husker Du. And as great as Husker Du was, I loved the early 90’s power-pop of Mould’s trio Sugar even more. It is hard to believe (and equally amazing) that Bob Mould has (now) been making music for almost 30 years. Not just any music, but music that is always relevant; music that shows he isn’t content resting on his laurels.
Late last year I picked up a copy of Bob Mould’s recent concert DVD Circle Of Friends. It is an excellent document of a live show that spans Mould’s entire catalog and actually got me really excited to hear his newest album District Line. I’ll admit that I sorta lost touch with Mould’s music after the demise of Sugar in the mid 90’s, in part, because he stopped making music for a few years, but also because I’d moved on to other bands; other genres. I was a fickle teenager at the time but weren’t we all once.
Fast forward to 2008 and as I’m listening to the first song off District Line I can’t help but think about how much energy the music has. I think about the fact that Brendan Canty (of Fugazi) has been playing drums with Mould recently. I think about the unabashed emotions that Mould pours into these songs. I think about how little difference there really is between (say) “Stupid Now” and “A Good Idea.” Bob Mould has still got it. Whatever it is, he has it. Certainly though there are changes. We are all older (if not any wiser) and many things have changed in the last 10 years. Mould has incorporated electronic and dance music and combined it with power-pop moments as well as more introspective ones.
The bottom line (however) is that District Line is great. It isn’t Copper Blue or Zen Arcade, but it is still great. I don’t know if a 15 year old kid would love this the way I loved Copper Blue so many years ago, but (at this point) I don’t think that Bob Mould is making music to satisfy anyone but himself. And if that means more records like District Line, I’m fine with that.
Now on this Friday evening I should actually be at Chicago’s Metro to see Bob Mould live, but due to a number of factors (mainly work and being sick and exhausted) I didn’t make it downtown to catch the show. So instead I’m sipping some green tee and watching Mould’s Circle Of Friends DVD; and wishing I was at Metro.
MP3 | Bob Mould – The Silence Between Us District Line
MP3 | Bob Mould – Stupid Now District Line
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock
Review: Drive-By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark
Posted on 6 March 2008 | No Comments
It might be hard to believe that before getting their latest album Brighter Than Creation’s Dark (on a friend’s recommendation no less) I had never listened to anything from Georgia’s southern-fried country-rock superstars Drive-By Truckers. Actually, it might not be hard to believe since now (more so than ever before) there is so damn much good music to listen to and so much more access to it.
Years ago kids could rely on major magazines like Rolling Stone, MTV, small fanzines, and word of mouth for info about new music. Now you have the Internet, myspace, and blogs like this as well. I’m sure I would say that the proliferation of new bands and the deluge of associated media coverage has over-saturated things, but it’s close. I spend most days listening to new music and passing judgment on that rather than spending time with old favorites and getting to know new records.
Back when I was in high school, I remember spending hours listening to new albums and pouring over the lyrics and liner notes. Now it is a digital download from eMusic or ripping a promo CD to my iPod. It is as if we have sacrificed everything for convenience. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing though. For example, having 60GB of music available to choose from on road trips is a much better alternative to loading up 30 of your favorite CD’s into a CD wallet and stuffing them into the glove compartment. With a few “D” batteries and a portable speaker system, you can also have your entire music library available almost everywhere, and what could be better than that?
Ok. Back to the Drive-By Truckers. Their latest album Brighter Than Creation’s Dark was recently released and if you like bands like Centro-matic, Lucero, Skynyrd, or The Allman Brothers, you should definitely check this (and the rest of their catalog) out. Since hearing this album, I’ve gotten two other Truckers albums. Listen to the songs below and then go get this record. “Do it!” They will also be on Late Night With Conan next week (March 11th).
MP3 | Drive-By Truckers – Two Daughters And A Beautiful Wife Brighter Than Creation’s Dark
MP3 | Drive-By Truckers – The Righteous Path Brighter Than Creation’s Dark
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Americana, Just Plain Rock
Review: The Hands - The Hands
Posted on 27 February 2008 | 1 Comment
It doesn’t take but a brief listen to the self-titled debut from Seattle, Washington’s The Hands to realize that this is a band whose members must worship at the altar or classic rock-n-roll. The Hands have a simple formula for saucy and fiery garage rock that features searing guitars and a vocalist with a Jagger-esqe howl. Sure, it is a little retro but the band also manages to capture a little Northwest indie rock in their boisterous and furious throwback sound. The playing is ragged and relaxed but the songs are anything but. I’m (admittedly) not the biggest garage rock fan around but I still find The Hands to be an excellent addition to the genre and can only imagine that they totally slay live. Like a stick of dynamite with the fuse lit, this stuff is explosive.
MP3 | The Hands – Lies Lies Lies S/T
MP3 | The Hands – Six Gun Hand S/T
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock
Review: Nada Surf - Lucky
Posted on 24 February 2008 | 1 Comment
Although I knew that Nada Surf had remained active making music long since the 15 minutes of fame from their mid-90’s hit “Popular” was up, I really hadn’t given ‘em much consideration at all. I’m not even really sure why. In hindsight, I probably should have paid a little more attention. That’s because Nada Surf’s new album Lucky (their fifth full-length) is warm, comfortable, and familiar. It is an ultra-melodic slab of un-indie rock. What I mean is that Lucky fits into that just-so category of alterna-rock that is smooth, polished and doesn’t really sound “indie” but is somehow indie enough that mainstream radio/MTV isn’t likely to pick up on it. A perplexing predicament for Nada Surf indeed.
The contemplative power-pop of Lucky is grand but measured. It builds but isn’t necessarily likely to blow your hair back. It is solid. That is a fitting one word description of the album; an album that amazingly consistent from start to finish. Sure, Matthew Caws’ spills out sweet harmonies and layered guitars and melodies that (at times) sound as if they were plucked straight from a Teenage Fanclub record, but what separates Nada Surf from nay of their peers (like The Shins or Rogue Wave) is that the band still retains much of the aesthetic of major mid-90’s (so-called )modern rock. Lucky succeeds in being the band’s most mature and accomplished record to date and is available now from Barsuk.
MP3 | Nada Surf – See These Bones Lucky
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Indie Rock, Just Plain Rock
Review: The Frantic - Audio And Murder
Posted on 21 February 2008 | 1 Comment
Generally I don’t waste my time writing negative reviews, but… The Frantic is from Chicago so I should have at least some hometown affinity for them right? Nope. Their album Audio And Murder is terrible. It starts off bad and stays that way throughout. And even though the pretentious opening where the band screams, “We’re The Frantic! Who the fuck are you?” is embarrassing enough, it actually gets worse. If I had a category for “shit” I’d tag this as such.
On Audio And Murder The Frantic comes across as the spoiled and retarded cousins of Rancid (no offense Rancid) combined with some amateurish local band that doesn’t have a single meaningful thing to say. Sure the band is young, but the music is more juvenile than their ages. The lyrics are on par with things that most 4th graders would write and are both mean-spirited and contradictory at times. Normally simplistic lyrics are fine, but it gets ridiculous when I can finish every lyrical couplet before the band does.
The music is generic no frills sorta rock-n-roll meets pop punk that is just plain boring. If The Frantic was trying to come off like The Ramones, they’ve failed miserably. Instead of endearing geeky outcast misfits like The Ramones, The Frantic come off as dumb and self-centered. Their shtick moves past confident into the realm of annoyingly cocky. It’s like listening to the drunk frat guy at the party who just doesn’t know when to shut up.
Sure there are the requisite “na na na’s” and “whoa oh’s,” but everything (and I mean everything) on Audio And Murder sounds like crap. Even the pedal steel guitar (which I would normally applaud) on the token country-infused ballad sounds disingenuous. Either this record is a joke or this is pop-punk hell.
MP3 | The Frantic – Heifer Audio And Murder
MP3 | The Frantic – Fast Girl Audio And Murder
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock
Review: As Tall As Lions - Into The Flood EP
Posted on 17 February 2008 | No Comments
Some months ago I reviewed the self-titled album from the Long Island, NY quartet As Tall As Lions. My opinion of the band and the album was pretty simple; they are an uber-talented band with a well played, well written, and expertly produced album that just didn’t excite me. That was that until Gonz sent me a copy of their new Into The Flood EP. After reading my original opinion of the band he thought that this 5-song EP might just sway me in a more positive direction. He was right.
On the Into The Flood EP, As Tall As Lions still delivers majestic and emotive pop/rock songs but with more focus and more energy than on their full length. I’d liken it to something along the lines of Maroon 5 vs. At The Drive-In. The band’s sparkling melodies and Daniel Nigro’s soaring vocals are still there, but something is different. Something is better. And (to be honest) I can’t really put my finger on exactly what it is. The sound is still melancholy but the songs are a little less-produced than on their self-titled album and leave a few more rough edges showing. Nothing else is substantially different. Perhaps it is the band’s great use of sonic space that let’s these songs breathe a little more or maybe I’m just trying to define the indefinable. Whatever the case, with the Into The Flood EP As Tall As Lions have definitely changed my opinion of them. I can’t wait to her what’s next.
MP3 | As Tall As Lions – Into The Flood EP Into The Flood EP
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Indie Rock, Just Plain Rock
Review: Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer - Schematics
Posted on 15 February 2008 | 1 Comment
If you name your band Zolof The Rock And Roll Destroyer, you’d better be able to back it up and bring the rock. For the most part, Zolof succeeds. But this female-fronted Philly band plays punkish major-key pop-rock with big guitars, big riffs, and melodic synth leads and isn’t afraid to be a little cute too. Their latest album Schematics follows this simple formula and doesn’t aspire for anything more. It is feel-good fun rock for the myspace emo generation. And while vocalist Rachael Minton often has a bit of a snarl and could be (and probably already has been) compared to Hayley from Paramore, I get a much more Juliana Hatfield kinda vibe. In fact, there are more than a handful of moments on Schematics that wouldn’t sound at all out of place on Hatfield’s own 1995 album Only Everything, and that makes me actually sorta like this record when I normally would have dismissed it. My wife did and still doesn’t really like ‘em. And even though Schematics didn’t blow me away, it is still a fun listen that should have all the kids singing-along in no time. RIYL: Paramore, The Hippos, River City High, The Unlovables, Reggie & The Full Effect, etc…
MP3 | Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer – Death Or Radio Schematics
MP3 | Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer – The Way It Goes Schematics
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock, Pop
Review: The Loved Ones - Build And Burn
Posted on 6 February 2008 | No Comments
My wife and I have been fans of Philadelphia’s The Loved Ones since they released their first EP a few years back. That record and their 2006 full-length Keep Your Heart were full or gritty but melodic East Coast pop punk that played nicely alongside Smoke Or Fire, Kid Dynamite, and the like so as pop-punk fans it’s probably easy to see why we really liked them. Their latest record Build And Burn (however) is a bit of a departure and actually caught us a little off guard on the first listen.
I hate to phrase it this way, but on Build And Burn, The Loved Ones show a little more maturity and versatility in their songwriting than they have on past efforts. It sounds cliché but (in this case) is 100% correct. The band slows down the breakneck speeds and incorporates an almost roots rock sound into their style; an almost Social Distortion or even Springsteen sorta vibe at times. Heck, Franz Nicolay and Tad Kubler from The Hold Steady both appear on Build And Burn and that should at least get you headed in the right direction.
The reason that the songs on Build And Burn really work isn’t the catchy choruses or anthemic refrains (though they help). It isn’t even the incorporation of a little bit of Americana alongside the furious pop-punk. What really makes these songs great is the earnestness and honesty that comes through in the music. It almost sounds as if the band is coming to terms with growing up and getting old. Understandable when you realize that The Loved Ones are made up guys that have played in bands such as The Curse, Paint It Black, Trial By Fire, and The Explosion and frontman Dave Hause was once even a roadie for the Bouncing Souls.
Build And Burn is a fantastic slab of melodic punk rock that is peppered with Americana. It is biting and brash, but not bratty. The kids might love it but I’ll probably love it more. Get it today from Fat Wreck Chords.
MP3 | The Loved Ones – The Bridge Build And burn
MP3 | The Loved Ones – Sarah’s Game Build And Burn
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock, Punk
Review: Chris Walla - Field Manual
Posted on 28 January 2008 | No Comments
Last night after we put Hailey to bed, I put on Chris Walla’s solo debut Field Manual and after about four songs asked my wife who it reminded her of or who she might compare it to (not telling her that it was Chris Walla plus she wouldn’t know his name if I did). She responded with something like, “Ben Gibbard’s band… I can’t think of their name right now.” A telling indictment indeed. (She also mentioned Ben Lee as a point of vocal reference).
Listening to Field Manual it is easy to tell that Walla is responsible (in large part) for shaping the sound and texture of Death Cab For Cutie; his other band. In addition to playing guitar for Death Cab, Walla runs his own recording studio and has produced, mixed, or engineered records from The Decemberists, Tegan And Sara, and Hot Hot Heat (to name a few).
So what does Field Manual sound like? Well, it reminds me a lot of Death Cab’s Transatlanticism in tone and breadth but also brings to mind the rockness of artists such as The Weakerthans and Matthew Sweet. It is a surprisingly straightforward album with enormous subtleties working behind all that is immediately apparent. Even Walla’s hushed vocals have a slight vulnerable warble to them that make his lines even more poignant.
The production is also crystal clear just like an ice cold night with the moonlight reflecting off the newly fallen snow and it really makes these songs shine. Field Manual is an album full of wonderfully wonderful pop songs; many of which end fairly abruptly and leave the listener clamoring for more. Perhaps that’s why I’ve listened to this record a few dozen times over the past two weeks.
Field Manual drops tomorrow (January 29th) courtesy of our pals at Barsuk Records and should be tops on your “need to get now” list. It’s that good! And although it may be premature, this should be right up there on my best of 2008. High praise I know, but Chris Walla is deserving of every bit.
MP3 | Chris Walla – Sing Again Field Manual
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Indie Rock, Just Plain Rock
Review: Dashboard Confessional - The Shade Of Poison Trees
Posted on 17 January 2008 | 1 Comment
I remember back when my former employers at Drive-Thru Records (I guess you could call them that since I was in a band on their roster and got paid a few peanuts back in the day) re-released the first album from up-and-coming acoustic emo troubadour Dashboard Confessional (aka Chris Carrabba) back in 2000. The Swiss Army Romance was heartfelt (even if a little over the top at times), raw, and memorable. I could probably still sing along to the majority of its songs even without hearing them in years. It was an album that showed the major crossover possibilities that existed for Dashboard (3 gold and 1 platinum album prove that).
Heck, I even remember seeing a still solo Dashboard live at the Fireside Bowl back in the day where it was packed full of kids loudly and emphatically singing along to every word that left Carrabba’s lips and nearly drowning him out during almost every song. It was a strange moment when the hardcore kids, the punk kids, the emo kids, and even some regular kids were lost in the moment and completely captivated by everything Dashboard did. It gave me chills.
So Dashboard Confessional kept putting out albums (including one for MTV Unplugged) and eventually incorporated a full “backing band” into both his recorded works and live shows. Not such a good move. Instead of the stripped down sound that was accessible but still different and a little more (dare I say) “punk” than other slickly produced modern rock radio artists, Dashboard turned into one of those slickly produced modern rock radio artists. Boring, bland, and not really worth my time anymore. The music just started to sound like everything else.
The new Dashboard Confessional album The Shade Of Poison Trees isn’t terrible; it is actually pretty decent. His sixth album is very pleasant and listenable and probably the best thing he’s released since 2001’s The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most. The problem is that it isn’t nearly as engaging or powerful as much of his earlier material but I’m not sure anything he does will be again.
MP3 | Keep Watch For The Mines The Shade Of Poison Trees
MP3 | Dashboard Confessional – Little Bombs The Shade Of Poison Trees
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock, Pop
Review: Parkas - Put Your Head In The Lion's Mouth
Posted on 7 December 2007 | 1 Comment
Parkas are one of those rare bands that takes its cues from the loud and fuzzed-out garage rock of yesteryear but manages to sound anything but derivative. Fusing the bluesy guitar licks and soulfully ragged vocals of bands like the Stones or the Mats with the more modern roots sensibilities of bands like Big Buildings, their latest album Put Your Head In The Lion’s Mouth proves that good old-fashioned rock and roll doesn’t need to be complicated to be great. It just needs to rock and/or roll.
From start to finish Put Your Head In The Lion’s Mouth is bursting with frenetic energy. Even when the Parkas slow things down the music still sounds vital. The searing guitar riffs, the bluesy-stomp, the melodic hooks; it all just comes out sounding effortlessly cool. Even the new-wave synths peppered throughout are a nice melodic addition that rounds out the record nicely. A damn fine album from these Toronto lads that is worth searching for and checking out.
MP3 | Parkas – Toronto Enough Tonight …Lion’s Mouth
MP3 | Parkas – You Get What You Pay For …Lion’s Mouth
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock
Review: Cake - B-Sides And Rarities
Posted on 5 December 2007 | No Comments
My daughter loves cake; especially birthday cake. My wife and I (however) probably like the band Cake more than we like the kind with frosting and candles. Sure, that is a totally ridiculous lead-in, but I’m entitled. After an evening with three little girls (Hailey plus a 3 year old and her 21 month old sister) running and bouncing around my house I’m a little worn out and have been sipping a Beam and lemonade for a little while. Ahh…
Anyhow, it seems like Cake (the band that is) has been around forever. This Sacto, CA band just never seems to age. Their sound is instantly recognizable and has never changed a single bit. Whether it is John McRea’s vocal delivery or the the killer trumpet that punctuates just about every song, Cake has always been the epitome of laid-back and cool. The band has just released a new collection called B-Sides And Rarities that features some of their classic covers and some live versions. Great stuff that I would have written about sooner if my wife hadn’t grabbed this to jam in her car the day we got it.
MP3 | Cake – Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town B-Sides And Rarities
MP3 | Cake – Mahna Mahna B-Sides And Rarities
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock, Pop
Review: Dust Jacket - EP
Posted on 29 November 2007 | No Comments
Despite the manila folder and horribly ridiculous professional promo pictures (see above for example) of the band included with the three song sampler disc I got from Dust Jacket, this band from Phoenix, AZ is actually pretty good. Opening the package I was expecting the worst as I popped the disc into my stereo. Instead, I was very pleasantly surprised. I was treated to three songs of impassioned rock with a lo-fi guitar sparkle reminiscent of many of the mid-90’s poppier emo bands. Combining the rambunctious pop sensibilities and vulnerable vocal styling of (say) Mothermania or something like that. I could make a bunch more comparisons to various obscure bands, but (for brevity’s sake) I’ll just say it reminds me of a young and slightly raw Jimmy Eat World or even Elliott. Definitely a promising start from Dust Jacket. Good work guys.
MP3 | Dust Jacket – Caroline Meeber EP
MP3 | Dust Jacket – A Nation Of Two EP
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock
Review: That's Mister To You - And Another Thing!
Posted on 21 November 2007 | No Comments
A few weeks ago our friend Laura from Dallas asked us to give a listen to her friend’s band That’s Mister To You. I remarked that they have a terrible name but I agreed to give ‘em a listen. Oftentimes a personal influence such as this might skew a review to be overly positive. I am (however) going to be objective and I’m not going to overstate the facts here.
So That’s Mister To You (TMTY) is a pop-rock band from Austin, Texas that plays what I’d probably be most likely to call “college rock.” Their latest album And Another Thing! is full of melodic hooks and is fairly straightforward but traverses a wide enough musical landscape to appeal to a wide array of fans. It is that widespread appeal that makes ‘em similar to the type of band that played at just about every Saturday night frat party on your college campus; except that TMTY isn’t a cover band. Their songs sound friendly and familiar and that makes them easy to like.
Overall the band comes off like the more mature and hard rocking cousins of the Plain White T’s, but throughout the album I can hear shades of Matthew Sweet’s melodies, a bit of AC/DC-esque pomp and stomp, and even a little alt-country vibe reminiscent of the Old 97’s. Heck, they even throw in a few impossibly catchy Rentals-inspired synthesizer leads like the one on “Mark of Cain” to show it ain’t all guitar rock. Sure, the album starts off like that but ventures into a bit trashier territory with some scorching guitar solos and an underlying cock rock swagger a la Slaughter circa 1988 at the Whiskey that gives me the impression that these guys can kill it live.
Here (however) is the part that I seem to write about so many bands these days. It is obvious that TMTY is a really talented band that knows how to write a good song but And Another Thing! just seems a little unfocused to me. They don’t sound indie enough to capture those fans and might be too mainstream and all-encompassing to distinguish themselves from many of the other radio-ready bands vying for the next big major label contract. But don’t take my word for it, listen to the two tracks below and judge for yourself.
MP3 | That’s Mister To You – Turn Around And Another Thing!
MP3 | That’s Mister To You – Allie And Another Thing!
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock
Review: The Weakerthans - Reunion Tour
Posted on 3 November 2007 | 2 Comments
No new computer yet, but I’m trying to give y’all at least a little something. Now, I’ve ventured into Canada before, but I’ve never been to Winnipeg, Manitoba. From what I know of geography and John K. Samson’s lyrics, I imagine it to be a broke-down but beautiful place. Samson is the singer/songwriter behind the critically acclaimed Canadian indie rock band The Weakerthans, whose brilliant new album Reunion Tour is out now.
Like other releases from The Weakerthans, Reunion Tour wraps punk, folk, and country around captivating stories told with highly literate and poetic lyrics that (when combined with Samson’s earnest no-frills vocal delivery) feel more real than just about anything else I’ve heard in awhile. The music is urgent but reflective and sounds loose; like four guys just playing together in a wood paneled living room.
Reunion Tour sounds like the golden sun peeking out from behind a darkly clouded sky for a moment. It sounds like standing on the doorstep of greatness only to turn around and walk away without looking back. The music is not sad; it is not joyful. The music is contentedly smiling a half smile like things aren’t really as bad as they may seem.
MP3 | The Weakerthans – Night Windows Reunion Tour
MP3 | The Weakerthans – Sun In An Empty Room Reunion Tour
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Americana, Just Plain Rock, Punk
Review: As Tall As Lions - S/T
Posted on 25 October 2007 | 4 Comments
This may be new to me but not really all that new. And even though New York may be thousands of miles from England, but the Long Island quartet As Tall As Lions does what they can to bring the melancholy pop/rock sounds of British groups like Coldplay or Keane stateside. The music on their latest self-titled album dangerously straddles the line between indie rock and mainstream radio rock while veering almost perilously towards the latter. Let me explain.
As Tall As Lions deliver soaring and emotive pop/rock songs that aren’t overly energetic and meander along through thickets of gorgeous melodies. Vocalist Daniel Nigro’s soulful crooning is perfectly suited for the band’s sparkling arrangements where every rough edge has been smoothed over. Really, there isn’t a whole lot about this record that I can find fault with. The record is well executed, well written, and expertly produced, and that is exactly the problem.
As good as this record is, it doesn’t elicit much of any response from me aside from, “Yeah, that was good.” To be honest, I’m not sure why I’m turning this into a pseudo-negative review since I really do like this record. It’s just that like so much other “mainstream” music, sanding down the rough edges and putting everything exactly in its place makes it unexciting. Sure, there will be some crossover, but As Tall As Lions isn’t indie enough for the indie kids to get down with and may or may not have the luck to break it onto MTV and gain mass appeal. That may be a stupid statement seeing as both The Shins and Modest Mouse have had some level mainstream success and acceptance and both those bands are way more “indie” sounding than As Tall As Lions.
Maybe I just don’t know what I’m saying at all here. What I’m trying to get at here is that As Tall As Lions have made a really good record that I’ve really enjoyed listening to whenever I’ve played it, but it’s just not something that I’m really all that excited about. Sometimes simply good isn’t enough.
MP3 | As Tall As Lions – Love, Love, Love (Love, Love) S/T
MP3 | As Tall As Lions – Stab City S/T
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Indie Rock, Just Plain Rock, Pop
Ben Lee Sings Against Me's New Wave
Posted on 4 October 2007 | No Comments
In a move that I never would have expected, Australian singer/songwriter recently recorded a song-for-song cover of the new (and totally awesome) Against Me album New Wave. His interpretations are certainly tamer than the originals, but also a little more ragged as they lack the originals’ Butch Vig supplied sheen. An interesting and well-executed concept that give a whole new light to the killer songs on New Wave. You can sample a few of them below or download the entire thing from Ben’s site or Hype Machine.
MP3 | Ben Lee – White People For Peace …Sings New Wave
MP3 | Ben Lee – Borne On The FM Waves …Sings New Wave
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Folk, Just Plain Rock
Review: Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Posted on 3 October 2007 | 2 Comments
For whatever reason I’ve never really liked Spoon all that much. Actually, (truth be told) I’ve never really listened to them much, but only because I’ve never felt compelled to. Just like the rest of the world did, I loved the propulsive beat and disco-falsetto of “I Turn My Camera On,” but (again) never investigated much further into the world of the crafty and arty Spoon. It just felt like indie rock’s version of a one-hit wonder. Throughout the summer (though) I’d heard mumblings about the new Spoon record Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga and just how great it was and decided that if any time was right to give the band a listen, now was that time.
From the word “go” (or “ga” in this case) everything on Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga feels familiar; almost as if the indie rock’s untouchable hipster universe was infected with the virus of classic rock guitar riffs and the Motown soul grooves I remember from the radio airwaves of my youth. It sounds almost nostalgic without being the least bit recycled yet also glossed over with a modern sheen like a sepia-toned Photoshop plug-in that recreates the details down to the scratches and faded edges.
Most of all, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is a rock record anchored in place by smashing piano keys and some of the most solid lock-step drumming I’ve heard in awhile. Save for Britt Daniel’s disaffected drawl much of the actual music sounds remarkably like vintage post-London Calling Clash melded with the spry pop of (perhaps) Billy Joel. It is a formula that the band uses consistently for the entirety of the album with the exception of the second (and slightly off-putting) track “The Ghost Of You Lingers.”
On my first listen to the album, I was caught off guard by “The Ghost Of You Lingers” and its unusual placement as the second track. It is a drum-less track driven by dissonant banging piano and floating atmospheric vocals that just sounds out of place between the two rock-oriented tracks that sandwich it. Or maybe that is the point. Perhaps all us critics just need to shut our mouths and turn off our computers and just listen to the music. Because (ultimately) that is what it’s all about. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is a stellar album that will have me digging into Spoon’s back catalog for sure.
MP3 | Spoon – Don’t Make Me A Target Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga MP3 | Spoon – You Got Yr Cherry Bomb Ga Ga Ga Ga GaFiled Under: Album Reviews, Indie Rock, Just Plain Rock
Review: Mass Shivers - Ecstatic Eyes Glow Glossy
Posted on 6 September 2007 | No Comments
Chicago’s Mass Shivers dish out some seriously spazzy and infectious indie rock on their latest album Ecstatic Eyes Glow Glossy. It merges the riffage and flaunting excesses of classic rock with the weirdo experimentalism of modern bands like Animal Collective to make something exciting and completely unpredictable. There is also a sort of organic tribal energy that just pours out from the songs on Ecstatic Eyes Glow Glossy. It makes me think of !!! without the drum machines or maybe The Eternals. You know, danceable in a freaky and funky kind of way.
Ecstatic Eyes Glow Glossy is an ambitious and demanding album but at under 29 minutes in length, easily digestible in a single setting even though you may find yourself dizzy and trying to regain equilibrium afterwards. This is recommended listening and is available now from our pals over at Sickroom Records.
MP3 | Mass Shivers – Womanizing Metal Studs Ecstatic Eyes Glow Glossy
MP3 | Mass Shivers – Mossy Nethers Ecstatic Eyes Glow Glossy
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock, Noise
Review: Matt Pond PA - If You Want Blood EP
Posted on 15 August 2007 | No Comments
The new If You Want Blood EP from Matt Pond PA begins with more rockness than I expected from ‘em, but returns to a more traditional MPPA sound shortly thereafter. There is nothing too adventurous here and nothing that gets my blood boiling, but Matt Pond’s songs are still as good as ever. Amy and I have been huge fans for some time now and this EP is certainly getting us excited to hear the band’s new full length Last Light when it comes out on Sept. 25th. If this EP is any indicator you can expect more of Matt Pond’s sincere vocals and his beautiful melodies along with a diverse array of instrumentation. The strings (per usual) add a poignant sense of longing that is only heightened by the waning days of summer into fall.
MP3 | Matt Pond PA – If You Want Blood If You Want Blood EP
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Indie Rock, Just Plain Rock
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus CD Giveaway
Posted on 15 August 2007 | 17 Comments
Would you like to win a copy of the deluxe CD/DVD edition of Don’t You Fake It from The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus? Well, I’ve got 3 copies to give away to three lucky people.
To enter just leave a comment (click the number next to the post title) with your name, email address, and a band with a worse name than The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. I’ll pick my three favorites sometime next week and you can’t use A.C.
MP3 | The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – False Pretense Don’t You Fake It
Filed Under: Just Plain Rock, Punk
Review: The National - Boxer
Posted on 10 August 2007 | 2 Comments
From the gorgeous opening piano melody of “Fake Empire” until the final moments of the album closer “Gospel,” I have nary a negative thing to say about The National’s most recent album Boxer. It is easily one of the best albums I’ve heard all year and the more I listen to it, the more I love it. Boxer (as much of The National’s output is) is a grower and is full of many subtleties that really only reveal themselves after repeated listening.
Singer Matt Berninger’s deep and boozy baritone moan and his incredible lyrics evoke the sort of imagery and feelings that leave me conflicted after listening; guardedly hopeful and uneasy of what comes next. Overall, Boxer sounds like part Interpol, part Joy Division, and part Arcade Fire though none of those comparisons are really all that close. The immediacy and power of Boxer is understated and something that might not be readily apparent on just a cursory listen. The album is densely populated by a litany of piano, strings, and horns but incorporated with such restraint that makes the instrumentation seem lonely and almost sparse rather than bombastic.
Like many of my favorite albums, listening to Boxer gives me a distinct feeling of time and place. On it the National has quietly and succinctly captured the essence of Brooklyn (or really any urban locale) and just how lonely it can potentially be swimming in a sea of a million people that just don’t seem to notice. Personally, I can easily picture this album spinning on the turntable late at night with most of the lights in the house out, a few candles lit, and a half-empty bottle of red wine on the side table; my ears loving the melancholic beauty of it all.
And while the wonderful melodies that fill Boxer are certainly contagious, they aren’t easy. What I mean is that they aren’t gimmicky and don’t use cheap melodramatic tricks. Think of the string arrangements during the climax of a sad movie and more than likely they are trying to coax tears from your eyes. The National employs none of those such devices on Boxer and that is why it will have staying power. Instead of an illusion, Boxer paints a picture of real life. One that punches you in the gut and then offers a hand to help you up.
Even so, all this is coming from a guy that thought The National’s 2005 album Alligator was overrated by all those that included it on their year-end best of lists. So should you question all my praise for this album? Maybe. I know that Boxer is a masterpiece and I’m confident saying that. It is so good that I think it is time to dig out my copy of Alligator and find out what I was missing with that record.
MP3 | The National – Fake Empire Boxer
MP3 | The National – Apartment Story Boxer
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Indie Rock, Just Plain Rock
Review: Sonny Harlan - High Hell Reckoning
Posted on 7 August 2007 | 1 Comment
Because of guys like Francis “Sonny” Harlan, rock n roll will never die. He has previously done time in bands like The Nobodys, The Murder Junkies, and The Gotohells, and currently plays drums for The Rebel Pride Band. More importantly (though) Sonny has just released his solo debut called Sonny Harlan’s High Hell Reckoning. It is full of punk influenced Southern rock n roll. You know, in-your-face attitude, trashy riffs, and searing guitar solos. We love it and you will too. In fact, you can get it free just by messaging Sonny at his myspace page.
MP3 | Sonny Harlan – Have Fun Suckers High Hell Reckoning
MP3 | Sonny Harlan – Back In Town High Hell Reckoning
More MP3’s at The Hype Machine or buy from Insound | eMusic
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Americana, Just Plain Rock, Punk
Review: Revolution Mother - Glory Bound
Posted on 2 August 2007 | No Comments
I don’t know much about Revolution Mother, but I do know that they are a bunch of hard rocking mofos. OK, I do know that they are from Southern California and that their vocalist is pro skater Mike Vallely and that their debut full-length album Glory Bound is full of mean and nasty songs that would be a perfect soundtrack for a crash and burn. Extended listening to Revolution Mother is guaranteed to put hair on your chest, increase your tolerance for cheap whiskey, and turn your Ford Escort into a hot rod. Not recommended for sissies. RIYL: Motorhead, The Bronx, old-Motley Crue, etc…
MP3 | Revolution Mother – Come On Glory Bound
MP3 | Revolution Mother – Above The Crawl Glory Bound
More MP3’s at The Hype Machine or buy from Amazon
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock
Review: Against Me! - New Wave
Posted on 25 July 2007 | 3 Comments
So Against Me’s new album New Wave is out now and it is an even further departure from the sparse, raw, and ragged sound of their early days than their last album. It is also their first for major label Sire Records.
Like many other punk bands that have made the jump from the DIY/indie world to a major label, the move is sure to alienate a good portion of their fans while being no guarantee that new fans will convert in droves to the gospel according to Against Me! All that being said, New Wave is a fantastic record with biting lyrics that the you know just what sort of politics the band believes in. Yes, the album is more produced than the band’s previous records, but if I had a chance to have Butch Vig produce a record for my band, I’d jump at the opportunity too. Besides, the lo-fi punk aesthetic that Against Me! began with has been endlessly copied and worn out by much more mediocre outfits than they. The winds of change have been blowing in Against Me’s sails for more than a short while now.
And maybe it is a little ballsy to release a song with a chorus of “Protest songs in response to military aggression,” as your first single, or maybe it is just what the complacent youth of America need to hear. You can’t fault Against Me from trying, right? Their jump to a major label means that their “protest songs” will be heard by more people. That’s a good thing, right?
In fact, the fist song on New Wave beings with the telling lyrics, “We can control the medium. We can control the context and presentation.” Seems to me like the boys in Against Me! thought long and hard about their move to Sire Records, and have (in the process) made the best record of their young careers. It is catchy and anthemic. It is political without being preachy. It is simply awesome. I highly recommend picking up your copy of New Wave today.
MP3 | Against Me! – White People For Peace New Wave
MP3 | Against Me! – Borne On The FM Waves New Wave
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock, Punk
Review: Matt Nathanson - Some Mad Hope
Posted on 22 July 2007 | 2 Comments
I was unfamiliar with Matt Nathanson until recently when Heather from Fuel Friends posted some of his stuff. I’ve been enthralled since. Nathanson’s second major label album Some Mad Hope finds the San Fransisco based singer-songwriter making some of the catchiest and most radio-ready pop rock that I’ve heard in awhile.
Nathanson’s acoustic guitar and his ever-so-slightly raspy vocals are the foundation of the music upon which he weaves tales of love, loss, and longing. Lyrically, Some Mad Hope seems reflective. Like someone who has been almost broken and is now healing and ready to move on. While I really like the slickly produced versions of all the songs on Some Mad Hope is is during Nathanson’s more intimate solo acoustic performances that the weight of these songs really shines.
Some Mad Hope will be released on August 14th by Vanguard Records.
MP3 | Matt Nathanson – Detroit Waves Some Mad Hope
MP3 | Matt Nathanson – Car Crash Some Mad Hope
MP3 | Matt Nathanson – Car Crash (Live)
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock, Pop
Review: Your Black Star - Beasts
Posted on 16 July 2007 | 3 Comments
Why does so much good heavy-ish rock music seem to come from Lousiville? Perhaps there is something in the water. If there is, you know that the hard rocking trio Your Black Star has been drinking it in huge quantities.
Their latest mini-LP called Beasts is full of driving atmospheric rock that isn’t afraid to get a little (or really) noisy and way up in your face. Image U2 and The Cult vs. Sareena Maneesh and Mastodon. Beasts is heavy without being metallic and atmospheric without being obscured in a fog of shoegaze. It is a lean, mean, raw sounding album that borrows heavily from both dark British post-punk and the riffage of Black Sabbath.
Beasts is out now on Hawthorne Street Records.
MP3 | Your Black Star – Fight Beasts
MP3 | Your Black Star – The Break Beasts
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Just Plain Rock, Post Rock
Review: John P. Strohm - Everyday Life
Posted on 13 July 2007 | 2 Comments
Most of you will recognize John Strohm from bands like Blake Babies, Antenna, The Lemonheads, and the short-lived Velo-Deluxe (a favorite of mine). Even though this Bloomington, IN born and (currently) Birmingham, Alabama-based musician’s day job is that of an entertainment lawyer, he still writes and records and has got a great new album called Everyday Life that was just released on Superphonic Records. It is full of gentle and melodic rootsy pop-rock just that just lingers in the summer breeze and reminds me of places much slower and relaxed than my suburban Chicago setting. It is not a complicated album by any means. The songs are straightforward and the lyrics and rhyme-schemes are almost (at times) too predictable, but somehow that doesn’t matter at all. When listening to Everyday Life time just sorta fades away. Highlights include “Sha-la” and “Driving On 95” as well as the rest of the record.
MP3 | John P. Strohm – Sha La Everyday Life
MP3 | John P. Strohm – Driving On 95 Everyday Life
Filed Under: Album Reviews, Americana, Just Plain Rock
Review: Nees and Vos - EP
Posted on 30 June 2007 | No Comments
Only a few days ago I got the latest self-released EP from