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Streetlight Manifesto: Somewhere in the Between
2007-11-25 04:07:00
Streetlight Manifesto : Some where in the BetweenWhen Tomas Kalnoky left Catch 22, the band decided to continue on without their main singer and songwriter. Four years after writing the seminal ska punk album Keasbey Nights for Catch 22, he re-emerged in Streetlight Manifesto.Since his emergence as the songwriter in Catch 22, Kalnoky has proven to be one of the stars of the dwindling ska scene. As proven by Catch 22's quickly fading popularity since Kalnoky's departure, Kalnoky has a knack for the genre.Somewhere in the Between is the third full length by Streetlight. In an interview before the album's release Kalnoky had said that the album would branch out to a more worldly sound including Eastern European influences.It does showcase rhythms not typically expected from ska punk. Perhaps it will be considered "experimental" for the genre but it is laced with Kalnoky's signature third wave ska songwriting.The thing that has always made Kalnoky's songwriting popular is its abi...

Moving Units: Hexes for Exes
2007-11-23 21:41:00
Moving Unit s : Hexes for ExesThe sophomore effort for Los Angeles dance punk band, Moving Units is not stylistically different from their debut three years ago.Moving Units take a holy-than-art-thou attitude to their music. They refer to it as "inspired music in an uninspired music scene". Anyone with a trained ear can make immediate comparisons however. Their sound is very much like the Faint, Rapture, or Shiny Toy Guns. So where do they get off saying they're so inspired?There is a certain luster to Moving Units though. For all those fans of the Faint who thought they really dropped off in quality after Dance Macabre, Moving Units seems to give you a healthy alternative.Hexes for Exes utilizes programmed beats and is heavy of synthesizers.Really only one song on the album features the guitar as the main instrument and that is "Wrong Again" Easily one of the best tracks on the album, it's hook is impeccable and it breaks up the drone of synthesizers that by that point in the...
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NOFX: They've Actually Gotten Worse Live
2007-11-22 00:02:00
NOFX: They've Actually Gotten Worse Live Self-deprecating punk rock icons, NOFX release their second live record with They've Actually Gotten Worse Live.Whether you like NOFX or not you have to respect them. They had a gold record with Punk in Drublic. They began self-releasing their albums on their label Fat Wreck Chords in 1990. They really symbolize the DIY spirit punk has come to represent.I have always had a problem with NOFX though. It's hard for me to listen to "protest" songs from a band that wrote songs like "See Her Pee" and "Happy Birthday You're Not Special". Yet Fat Mike still says "If you believe in God, you're wrong", as an intro to "You're Wrong" the second song of the album. They follow that "classic" with the idiotic anti-Bush song "Franco Un-American". And it's not that I disagree with their politics, but I think that protest songs take a certain amount of tact. An amount of tact that someone who wrote a song called "Can't Get the Stink Out" doesn'...

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy: Ask Forgiveness
2007-11-21 03:05:00
Bonnie 'Prince ' Billy : Ask Forgiveness Will Oldham, better known as Bonnie "Prince" Billy maybe one of my most prolific song writers of our time. His albums as There Is No-One What Will Take Care of You, Viva Last Blues, and I See a Darkness, all made Pitchfork Media's top albums of the 1990s.Ask Forgiveness is Will Oldham's sixth album as Bonnie "Prince" Billy. It is being called an LP even though its only eight songs. The album contains seven cover songs and one original. The covers include songs by Bjork, R. Kelly, Danzig, Frank Sinatra, and Merle Haggard.The unorthodox choices of songs to cover is nothing new to Oldham. He released a cover of Mariah Carey's "Can't Take That Away" as a b-side on the "Agnes, Queen of Sorrow" single. Also, blog frequenters surely remember a couple years ago when a live version of him covering R Kelly's "Ignition" surfaced.For an artist so immersed in acoustic folk, its nice to see him have a playful side and release an album like this.E...
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Various Artists: Through the Wilderness: A Tribute to Madonna
2007-11-19 19:20:00
Various Artists : Through the Wilderness : A Tribute to Madonna With Madonna's nomination to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, what better time to cash in on someone else's success than with a tribute album. A plethora of relatively no-name bands come out of the wood work to spin their take of Madonna songs.Maybe the most shocking thing about the album is the song selection. Classics like "Holiday", "Papa Don't Preach", "Open Your Heart", and other hits are left off in favor of minor tracks like "Live to Tell" and "La Isla Bonita".For non-Madonna fans, maybe its better for these artists to do relatively unknown songs. When artists attempt to cover Madonna's hits, it turns out terribly. Jeremy Jay's rendition of "Into the Groove" is what nightmares are made of. It's soulless and he sounds tone deaf for the entirety of the recording. While Mountain Party decides to alter perhaps Madonna's most famous hook of "Material Girl" into a shell of its former self.Not to disparage al...
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Alicia Keys: As I Am
2007-11-17 20:59:00
Alicia Keys : As I AmAs a 23 year old, Alicia Keys makes me feel like a failure. At the age of 21, she had won a grammy, had a number one single, and had a number one album. Now at 27 she releases her third album which has already spawn a number one single with "No One".Alicia Keys can seemingly do no wrong. In the eyes of her critics, peers, and fans she is one of the most talented female singer songwriters out there. For the first time in her career Alicia is receiving less than stellar reviews. The Chicago Tribune said the album left her "promise unfulfilled" and the Washington Post said the album "speaks to her limitations as a writer." The harsh words will certainly not hurt her album sales, however it does speak to the relationship between Keys and her critics.The critics are out of the honeymoon phase with Keys. They expect something more than the old school soul meets hip hop persona she's put on. They want real song writing out of her.Perhaps that's why As I Am has ...
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The Killers: Sawdust
2007-11-16 16:24:00
The Killers : Sawdust When the Killers released their post-new wave debut Hot Fuss in 2004, no one could have predicted that just three years later they would be where they are today.After releasing one of the best albums of 2006 with their sophomore effort Sam's Town, they now release a compilation of B-sides, rarities, and remixes.Sawdust garnered considerable press when it was released that the Killers would be working with Lou Reed on the first single "Tranquilize". It may not have seemed like a match made in heaven if you had only heard the Killers debut single "Somebody Told Me", but on Sam's Town the Killers expanded their sound so exponentially that working with the former Velvet Underground front man seemed natural.For the most part Sawdust feels very much like Sam's Town perfect companion piece. The songs are very rock based and moody inspired more by bands like Tom Petty than Joy Division. There are a few dance numbers. Songs like "All the Pretty Faces" or "Where the...
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Duran Duran: Red Carpet Massacre
2007-11-16 05:02:00
Duran Duran: Red Carpet Massacre Forming in 1978, its amazing that Duran Duran has never quit. Even with meager sales figures throughout the 90s, they kept plugging away. They're comeback officially became complete with 2004's Astronaut, who brought the band back over the million records sold mark.Red Carpet Massacre not only continues the comeback but it accelerates it to the point that may see Duran Duran's popularity rival their popularity in the 80s.By teaming up with hit makers such as Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, and Timbaland's protege Danja. The result is an album that perfectly fits in to the modern dance-pop/r&b scene.Not everything is perfect in Duran Duran's world however. Long time guitarist Andy Taylor left the band at the beginning of the recording of Red Carpet Massacre. Andy was interested in bringing back Duran's rock style while front man Simon Le Bon was interested in making a more dance-pop album.The end result is an effort which I am sure will be...
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The Hives: Black and White Album
2007-11-13 20:31:00
The Hives: Black and White Album The fourth full length album by the Swedish garage punk band The Hives, The Black and White Album is their first album in three years.Fourteen years into the Hives career the Black and White Album sounds like a career redefining album. The album sees the Hives expand their signature. Songs like "Won't Be Long" uses strings and keyboards and "Return the Favour" uses the keyboards to enhance the frantic sound that the Hives usually display. Other songs like "T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S." was produced by the Neptunes and incorporates other influences like funk and r&b to the Hives normally thrashy punk sound.But even if you remove the influence of Pharrell, the Hives self produced songs even show other influences. "Giddy Up" was produced by the band themselves and it utilizes a drum machine and keyboards as the main instruments.The album may seem like an unexpected move for the Hives, but when you consider they recently did a song with Timbaland for his alb...
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Jay-Z: American Gangster
2007-11-13 03:51:00
Jay-Z: American Gangster Jay-Z's tenth LP is a concept album inspired by the movie American Gangster starring Denzel Washington. Jay-Z insists that American Gangster, follow up to the disappointing Kingdom Come will be a return to his signature style outlined in Reasonable Doubt.Reasonable Doubt is considered a hip hop classic so to compare this album to that seems silly. Since his supposed retirement, Jay-Z's output has been disappointing at best. The album is much less hook-oriented than say the Black Album or Kingdom Come, but the album isn't as raw as Reasonable Doubt. A production style can't change the fact that Jay-Z is no longer a poor kid trying to hustle for cash. He is the largest hip hop conglomerate since Sean Combs or Russle Simmons.With that said, the album does turn up some classic moments. "No Hook" seems to find Jay-Z at peace with who he is and turns out the type of lyrics that someone listening to Reasonable Doubt would think Jay-Z would sound like 11 ye...
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Angels & Airwaves: I-Empire
2007-11-11 22:46:00
Angels & Airwaves : I-Empire After the break up of Blink 182, Tom DeLonge claimed he was 'the greatest Rock and Roll revolution'. After a mediocre reception for their debut album We Don't Need to Whisper, Angels and Airwaves return with their sophomore effort, I-Empire.In describing the album, again DeLonge engaged in hyperbole saying "this is as exciting as rock 'n' roll gets!" Maybe instead of claiming he's making a revolution he should let others decide. Rolling Stone gave I-Empire two and a half stars and NME gave the album a 3 out of 10.The biggest probably I see with Angels and Airwaves is nothing stands out about the songs. DeLonge seems content making a wall-of-sound that muddles any melody to the music.Also, Angels and Airwaves songs go on forever. Five out of the twelve songs on the album are over 5 minutes in length with two of the being over 6 minutes. For a pop rock band that is over zealous at best.If you can get over the extrenous two and a half minute intr...
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House & Parish: One, One-Thousand
2007-11-10 03:33:00
House & Parish: One, One-Thousand One, One-Thousand is the debut EP by Brooklyn indie rock band House and Parish. Although this is their debut they already have a rich history. Guitarist Jason Gnewikow was in the Promise Ring, bassist Scott Winegard was in emo superstars Texas is the Reason, drummer Brian Malone was in the Gloria Record, and the last member John Herguth is more under the radar. Of Herguth Gnewikow says "People are going to think John came out of nowhere but he's been around just as long as any of us."With such a veteran pedigree its no wonder the band sounds so tight.A lot like his comrade Davey von Bohlen, Gnewikow turns in the power chords of the Promise Ring for a softer acoustic guitar based sound. Unlike many bands, acoustic does not mean mopey. The band mixes jangly R.E.M.-esque song writing with lighter fare that true reminds me of Maritime. They craft indie pop that is both catchy as well as atmospheric and calm.The calmest of tracks "One, One-Tho...
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Chris Brown: Exclusive
2007-11-08 20:41:00
Chris Brown : Exclusive The Virgina-born singer and dancer, Chris Brown releases his sophomore effort, Exclusive. Brown has said that he tried to make this album more grown up but not alienate his younger fans.Chris Brown's album has a little mix of everything. The more stereotypical r&b tracks like "Take You Down" are boring at best. But there are also tracks like the mostly acoustic ballad "With You", the club dance track "Picture Perfect" produced by and featuring will.i.am, and the Michael Jackson-esque "You".Like most modern r&b albums the number of star producers and hip hop guests number the sands. The album includes productions from will.i.am, Kanye West, Scott Storch, T-Pain, Jazze Pha, and Swizz Beatz. Guests on the album include Lil Wayne, Big Boi, The Game, Kanye West, will.i.am, and T-Pain.To me a lot of the tracks sound like Chris Brown is imitating a well known r&b singer. "Help Me" sounds like a T-Pain track, "I Want to Be" sounds like an Usher track...
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Grizzly Bear: Friend EP
2007-11-08 04:51:00
Grizzly Bear : Friend EPThe Friend EP is Grizzly Bear's first EP and second release on Warp Records. Their first release on Warp was Yellow House which spawned the unlikely popular single "Knife". Performed on countless live radio appearence, getting a remix by Girl Talk are just some of the feats accomplished by "Knife".The Friend EP is really an accompany piece to Yellow House. It contains two covers of "Knife" one by Atlas Sound and one by the ever-growing-in-popularity CSS. It also contains Band of Horses covering "Plan".Friend EP contains alternative versions of previously recorded "Little Brother" from Yellow House and "Alligator" and "Shift" from Horns of Plenty.With that said the best songs on the EP are the ones not by Grizzly Bear. CSS' cover of "Knife" is a fun synthed out reworking of the sonic masterpiece and Band of Horses take on the task of "Plans" flawlessly adding their signature sound to the tune.I suppose for Grizzly Bear fans, this is like heaven. For the...
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Zookeeper: Becoming All Things
2007-11-06 19:33:00
Zookeeper: Becoming All Things Not many people have a resume like Chris Simpson. He was in Mineral, the leaders of the post-punk emo revolution. Mineral disbanded shortly after signing to a major label. Next Simpson resurfaced in the Gloria Record, one of the most underrated shoegazing bands. Midway through recording their fourth record the band went on hiatus and Chris Simpson disappeared. Two years later, he resurfaces in Zookeeper.Zookeeper is something no one has every described Simpson's music as. Zookeeper is a party.Chris Simpson assembled an all star cast from his native Austin, TX. Zookeeper is comprised of Brian Hubbard and Ben Houtman from the Gloria Record, John Hoover, Seth Woods and Alex Dupree from the Trapdoor Band, Alex Lyon from Zykos, and Ben Lance from the Sad Accordions. It is also of note that this is Simpson's first project without Jeremy Gomez.The record sounds like Chris Simpson listened to Springsteen's We Shall Overcome and thought "hey, I coul...
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Cassidy: B.A.R.S.: The Barry Adrian Reese Story
2007-11-06 04:10:00
Cassidy: B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story Philadelphia rapper Cassidy returns with his third album The Barry Adrian Reese. This is follow up to his gold sophomore effort, I'm a Hustler. The album sees Cassidy reunite with "I'm a Hustler" producer Swizz Beatz for the lead single from B.A.R.S. "My Drink n My 2 Step. It also contains production from Neo Da Matrix, Hi-Tek, and Kanye West and collaborations with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Eve, Angie Stone, and John Legend.After a getting off murder charges in 2005 and surviving a near deadly car accident in 2006, is it any wonder that Cassidy's first album since those two events futures a more mature Cassidy. His lyrics discuss religion, being misunderstood, and understanding he is blessed.Obviously anyone who has heard the lead single know that the album isn't all serious. It does contain some club bangers to satisfy those "I'm a Hustler" fans. Tracks like "Where My Niggas At?", "Cash Rulez", and "I Get My Paper" all have that...
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will.i.am: Songs About Girls
2007-11-05 03:08:00
will.i.am: Songs About Girls The man behind the Black Eyed Peas releases his third solo studio album. Will claims this album is actually his debut since his previous two albums were more production albums. Songs About Girls is described as autobiographical album "where all the songs could tell a story of falling in love, falling out of love, trying to get back in love, destructing love and destroying love and then starting a new situation."No one has ever argued will.i.am's production ability. If nothing else, BEP's albums have amazing production. Needless to say Songs About Girls is a bit of a tour-de-force of production. The music combines elements of r&b, hip hop, dance, and funk.The album showcases the recent inception of will.i.am we have seen in BEP. It's a little disappointing that the album doesn't showcase his emceeing as much as his ability to make dance tracks. The only track that has that pre-Fergie BEP feel is the last track "S.O.S" where will raps about t...

She Is So Beautiful/She Is So Blonde: She Is So Beautiful/She Is So Blonde
2007-11-03 22:28:00
She Is So Beautiful /She Is So Blonde : She Is So Beautiful/She Is So BlondeHave you been searching for the perfect CD to end your life to? Do I have a treat for you. She is so Beautiful/She is so Blonde, despite the fun name, is the least fun music possible.SISB/SISB is Elliott Kozel from Sleeping in the Aviary record this album in his bedroom. The album is ambient lo-fi fare with various clicks and noises in the background.The songs themselves are slow and plodding, almost taking slowcore to a new level. It's like the Arcade Fire covering Low on a 45 but played at 33 1/3. There is nothing catchy about the music. The instrumentation is played so slowly that its impossible to tell if there is any musicianship there at all.I'm not sure I've reviewed an album I've disliked more than this.Rating: 0.6/10MP3: She is so Beautiful/She is so Blonde "Days"

Interview: Davey von Bohlen of Maritime
2007-11-02 21:20:00
I had the opportunity to talk to lead singer and song writer of Maritime . Fresh off their release of their new album Heresy and the Hotel Choir, Davey had time to do a little phone interview with me.Me: You're on tour right now, I know a couple of you are fathers. Does that make touring difficult?Davey: It certainly does. Touring is a total mess, to be completely honest [laugh].Me: When the Promise Ring broke up was there ever a point you considered giving up music?Davey: Yeah, absolutely. When we broke up the big question was do any of us want to be in a band. A band is a pretty huge commitment. We were the Promise Ring for eight and a half years so its a fairly huge deal. Obviously we decided to [laugh]. But we were totally aware that if this isn't totally awesome we're not gonna do this. We were pretty vocal about that through the early stages.Me: When Maritime started you guys were called In English, correct?Davey: That is true.Me: And you were signed to Anti-, what...
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The Simpsons: Testify
2007-11-02 17:37:00
The Simpsons : Testify With all the hype over the Simpsons Movie, what better time to release an original cast recording from the television show? The album features all songs featured in the show from seasons 11 through season 18. It features songs performed by Jackson Browne, Shawn Colvin, David Byrne, The B-52's, The Baha Men, NRBQ, Weird Al Yankovic, and Los Lobos. It also features the vocal works of Ricky Gervais, Steve Buscemi and Kelsey Grammer.Many Simpsons' fans believe that latter episodes of the Simpsons lacked a lot of what made earlier episodes great. Is it any surprise that the soundtrack to these episodes would be as mediocre as the episodes themselves?"Taste Like Liberty" is a fairly unfunny Bob Seeger-like ballad for Krusty Burgers. "Jellyfish" is a Frank Sinatra-esque number whose lyrics are completely unfunny.It is fun to hear the unaired "Hullaba Lula" sung by Kelsey Grammer. All the songs featuring Grammer are top notch. Other highlights include Weird Al...
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Hurricane Chris: 51/50 Ratchet
2007-11-02 04:02:00
Hurricane Chris : 51/50 Ratchet Eighteen-year-old Hurricane Chris is yet another southern rapper who is using a dance to sell records. 51/50 Ratchet has already spawned two hit singles: the incredibly annoying "A Bay Bay" and the dance oriented "Hand Clap".When Nas talked about hip hop being dead it was because of songs like "A Bay Bay" and "Hand Clap", yet there is something charming about Hurricane Chris. To judge the album by his two singles would be unfair. The first song on the album "Getting Money" is the token autobiographical hard-knock tale. With its R&B chorus, it certainly shows more depth than either of the first two singles. "Momma" is the token "I love my mom" rap song and employs the same R&B singer as the first song.For fans of the first two singles there are a bunch more generic club bangers. "Doin' My Thang" is the traditional "I'm in the club, doing my thang" song. "Walk Like That" is like DJ Unk hit "Walk It Out" except not nearly as catchy.You can...
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Saves the Day: Under the Boards
2007-10-31 19:43:00
Saves the Day: Under the BoardsAfter touring extensively with Say Anything is it any wonder that Saves the Day has decided to release three albums in three years which will chronicle "a story about self-discovery" as their press release calls it?The trilogy started with last years Sound the Alarm and continues with this years Under the Boards. Chris Conley compares Under the Boards to The Empire Strikes Back. Lucky for us Conley has never been as eccentric as Say Anything's Max Bemis. The songs on this album are all well structured, generally well written, and unsurprisingly poppy.Long time guitarist David Soloway says of the record "It's going to be an interesting listen. There are a lot of different moods in these songs." This is the biggest weakness in the album. An acoustic ballad like "Stay" is sandwiched between the ultra-poppy rocker "Bye Bye Baby" and the hard rock inspired "Getaway" making the whole three song transition very awkward.Other tracks like "Woe" which Sol...
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Buck 65: Situation
2007-10-30 20:17:00
Buck 65: Situation Buck 65 is a conundrum. He is a gifted rapper yet he is hell bent on being a folk singer. Because of his constant struggle with what exactly he wants to be, he has never made a comprehensive album.In 2004, This Right Here is Buck 65 was released. The album was almost a greatest hits albums, including acoustic versions of his most well known songs. Most fans felt this was the final step in Buck going completely into the folk genre.Situation is anything but a folk record. In fact, Situation may be his most hip hop record to date. Songs like "1957", "Dang", and "Ho-Boys" all sound like they could be played along side Outkast without anyone batting an eye.That's not to say he abandons his experimental side. "The Rebel" has that narrative "Wicked and Weird" feel with guitar and bass as the instrumental behind it.Situation overall is Buck 65's most consistent album to date. Although I think some of his previous albums had better single songs, this album has a c...
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Thursday: Kill The House Lights
2007-10-29 18:20:00
Thursday: Kill The House Lights Thursday fled Victory Records after 2002's Five Stories Falling EP. They went on to Island Records and released the two most disappointing albums of their career. Now they come crawling back to Victory Records to release Kill The House Lights a CD/DVD retrospective.The album includes demo version of previously released songs, alternative mixes of previously released songs, live tracks, and unreleased songs.The package feels like a last ditch effort by a desperate band to reclaim the glory they lost. When Thursday left Victory Records they looked like they were bound for the big stage. Full Collapse had garnered the singles "Understanding in a Car Crash" and "Cross Out the Eyes", both of which got heavy air play and videos on MTV. The album ended up being considered a classic of the screamo crazy. Just as screamo faded, so did Thursday. Their last album 2006's A City by the Light Divided received the worst reviews of their career, including a ...
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Cobra Starship: ¡Viva La Cobra!
2007-10-28 20:18:00
Cobra Starship : ¡Viva La Cobra!Midtown's last album Forget What You Know was released in June of 2004. Shortly after they disbanded and lead singer Gabe Saporta started Cobra Starship .Viva La Cobra is their sophomore effort. Released on Fall Out Boy's Decaydance label, the type of music should not be a surprise to anyone.I must admit I was a fan of Midtown's first two albums. They created brilliant power pop with air tight harmonies. Cobra Starship is a little less like Midtown and more like Head Automatica. They use a lot of synthesizers and electronic beats. They also mix in hip hop elements not unlike their label mates Gym Class Heroes.I'm sure for high schoolers in tight pants and thrift store track jackets, this album will be the party album of the year. For me, I'm sure I would dance to it at a party but this isn't something I'm gonna jam to in my car. I have to say I like this than a lot of the other stuff released on Decaydance.Rating: 3.9/10MP3: Cobra Starshi...
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Ryan Adams and The Cardinals: Follow the Lights
2007-10-26 20:00:00
Ryan Adams and The Cardinals : Follow the Lights Earlier this year Ryan Adams released his ninth studio album Easy Tiger. Four months later he releases Follow the Lights, the follow up EP.The EP contains three new songs and four live studio recordings, including a cover of "Down in a Hole" by Alice in Chains.The EP is the perfect companion piece to Easy Tiger. It features slow plodding alt-country that could easily bore the listener into submission."This Is It" bares striking resemblance to Train's "Calling All Angels". The Alice in Chains' cover sounds completely uninspired. Perhaps the only worthwhile track on the EP is the song for which it is named "Follow the Lights".This EP just wraps up a disappointing year for Adams.Rating: 3.2/10MP3: Ryan Adams and the Cardinals "Down in a Hole"
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Say Anything: In Defense of the Genre
2007-10-25 18:42:00
Say Anything: In Defense of the Genre The third full length album by Max Bemis and company is a rock opera of sorts. In Defense of the Genre is the follow up to 2004's Say Anything is a Real Boy....Is a Real Boy was a rock opera as well, however the tracks were not put in chronological order making it hard for the listeners to follow the story. In Defense of the Genre is in chronological order and unlike ...Is a Real Boy, Defense is a double disc....Is a Real Boy is truly one of the few rock operas I liked. Most rock operas deal worry too much about telling the story and not enough with the quality of music. Unfortunately In Defense of the Genre falls into the rock opera track.Max Bemis describes the album's story as "the story of being alone and losing my mind and then overcoming that event by learning to trust and let go of that anger and fall in love for the first time. It's also about losing that love and the confusion that entails after, and the nature of first love; disc...
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Photos: The New Pornographers [Boston, MA; 10.13.07]
2007-10-25 06:34:00
The Juno Award winning supergroup known as the New Pornographers are on the road in support of their fourth full length album, Challangers. I caught Neko Case, Danny Bejar, and company at the Roxy in Boston , MA and it was quite the place to be.
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The 2nd Annual StGA Halloween Mix
2007-10-25 01:27:00
It's a week before Halloween so its time for the annual StGA Halloween mix. Of course tonight is also the first night of the World Series and my Boston Red Sox are opening up at home. Remember if needed game 6 will be on Halloween. So skip trick or treating and supporting America's team, the Boston Red Sox!Enough of me being a homer, enjoy the Halloween mix. Hope it scares you.Atom & His Package "Me and My Black Metal Friends (Live)"Electric Six "Electric Demons in Love"H.I.M. "Your Sweet Six Six Six"Lifesavas "Skeletons"My Chemical Romance "The Ghost of You"Gwar "Fishfuck"Blue Oyster Cult "Don't Fear the Reaper"Michael Stipe and Kristin Hersh "Your Ghost"Cake "Satan Is My Motor (Live)"Squirrel Nut Zippers "Memphis Exorcism"The Unicorns "Sea Ghost"The Amazing Crowns "American Nitemare (Live)"Flotation Walls "The Wolf"John Carpenter "Halloween Theme"The Avalanches "Frontier Psychiatrist (Mario Caldato's 85% mix)"
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Ween: La Cucaracha
2007-10-24 20:55:00
Ween: La CucarachaThose eclectic cats, Gene and Dean Ween are back with their eleventh full length album. The first full length since 2005's Shinola, Vol. 1.There aren't many bands harder to write about than Ween. Every song has its own style and own genre. The album starts with the horn based instrumental "Fiesta". The song is very reminiscent of The Go! Team.The album deals a lot with stereotypes. "Learnin to Love" is a stereotypically country song while "The Fruit Man" is a spoof on reggae. The highlight of the album might be the Motown ballad "Sweetheart".My outlook on Ween always is to take what they do with a grain of salt. Some people can't get enough of their quirky and generally weird song writing. For me it's not generally my cup of tea but for Ween fans I'm sure La Cucaracha will be a favorite.Rating: 5.7/10MP3: Ween "Sweetheart"
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