Allrighty then, it's New Music Day! Upcoming this week on the blog reviews:
Wednesday: Carbon Leaf - Nothing Rhymes With Woman
Thursday: Jarvis Cocker - Further Complications
Friday: Eminem - Relapse
Monday: Mat Kearney - City of Black and White
I'm wicked stoked to get to the Eminem album, but we shall see where it goes.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
New Music Review: The Fresh & Onlys "The Fresh & Onlys EP"
Well, in the musical review world, you're going to land a few stinkers during your reviews of some new music. Akron/Family was said stinker, and I'm hoping to turn the tides back to the world of good for The Fresh & Onlys self-titled EP. Keep your fingers crossed.
The Fresh & Onlys - The Fresh & Onlys EP (7/10)
I personally enjoyed this album quite a bit. The San Francisco based Big Beat band sucks you in and never lets you go on this 14-track epic work that is some of the finest big beat music I have heard in a long, long time. My only complaint is that it is entire too quick. Track times ranging from 1:41 ("Imaginary Friends") to 3:48 ("Arm's Advice"), you really have to listen twice to catch every single nuance of the album. On my first listen, I was still taking in the fantastic-ness of "Arm's Advice" (the lead track) before I realized I was already 2/3 of the way through the album when "Nuclear Disaster" began playing. My second time through I was album to catch all that this album has to offer, and taking the time to really relish each piece as an individual and the album as a whole, which has a FANTASTIC flow, and really would have to given the short run times appearing with each song. I had to dock a few points off the album for being entire too short, thus forcing me to give it a second listen to grasp everything. (ed note: I would have listened a second time anyway, because it was THAT good) I highly recommend this album to anyone interested in a change of pace from the doldrums of modern rock and those of you who enjoy listening to The Impact (MSU's student radio 88.9fm). My favorite track is either the most pop-like on the album in "Peacock and Wing" or the early White Stripes-guitar-influenced "Endless Love".
It is quite possible that a few of the tracks, at the risk of being too repetitive, could have been 20-30 seconds longer and survived, but there really isn't a bad song on this album, a definite keeper. Not legendary by any stretch of the imagination, but one that will find itself playing on my iTunes more often that not.
Tracks to Check out:
"Endless Love"
"Peacock and Wing"
"Nuclear Disaster"
Tomorrow is NEW MUSIC DAY!! - No review tomorrow (maybe a "turn-back-the-clock" review and a preview of what's to come next week!)
The Fresh & Onlys - The Fresh & Onlys EP (7/10)
I personally enjoyed this album quite a bit. The San Francisco based Big Beat band sucks you in and never lets you go on this 14-track epic work that is some of the finest big beat music I have heard in a long, long time. My only complaint is that it is entire too quick. Track times ranging from 1:41 ("Imaginary Friends") to 3:48 ("Arm's Advice"), you really have to listen twice to catch every single nuance of the album. On my first listen, I was still taking in the fantastic-ness of "Arm's Advice" (the lead track) before I realized I was already 2/3 of the way through the album when "Nuclear Disaster" began playing. My second time through I was album to catch all that this album has to offer, and taking the time to really relish each piece as an individual and the album as a whole, which has a FANTASTIC flow, and really would have to given the short run times appearing with each song. I had to dock a few points off the album for being entire too short, thus forcing me to give it a second listen to grasp everything. (ed note: I would have listened a second time anyway, because it was THAT good) I highly recommend this album to anyone interested in a change of pace from the doldrums of modern rock and those of you who enjoy listening to The Impact (MSU's student radio 88.9fm). My favorite track is either the most pop-like on the album in "Peacock and Wing" or the early White Stripes-guitar-influenced "Endless Love".
It is quite possible that a few of the tracks, at the risk of being too repetitive, could have been 20-30 seconds longer and survived, but there really isn't a bad song on this album, a definite keeper. Not legendary by any stretch of the imagination, but one that will find itself playing on my iTunes more often that not.
Tracks to Check out:
"Endless Love"
"Peacock and Wing"
"Nuclear Disaster"
Tomorrow is NEW MUSIC DAY!! - No review tomorrow (maybe a "turn-back-the-clock" review and a preview of what's to come next week!)
New Music Review: Akron/Family "Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free"
Its been a crazy ass weekend, but I'm back at it, so without further dudes (to quote Family Guy) I present my review of Akron/Family's Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free.
Akron/Family - Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free (3.5/10)
When this album kicks off, I was kind of like "what the hell is this?". They kind of kick it off all over the place, much like the sounds of a Southern Baptist Preacher, A woman giving birth, and The Polyphonic Spree all in the same room together. The lead track "Everyone is Guilty" certainly lives up to its name. Everyone in Akron/Family (all 3 of them) is guilty of a god awful and repetitive song that is enough to drive even Bin Laden out of hiding to make it stop. All in all, "everywhere and the same place at the same time" is the best way to describe the album, as every song is quite complex musically, but lacks any time of complexity within the lyrics. The first few listens I put this album through, I couldn't stand it. The more I play through and ignore the lyrics, the better, sort of lazy day on the lake vibe takes over. Truth be told, this album, left as an instrumental work might have gotten a better score. My favorite track on the album, "Set 'Em Free" is my personal favorite because of its short run time (2:37) and thus complete lack of time to be over-repetitive and awful. Unless you enjoy crazy complex folk-inspired chaos, shy away from Akron/Family's Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free. Sometimes, you have to take the good with the bad, and I apparently this week had a little bit of both extreme ends of the spectrum.
Tracks To Check Out:
...you know what? Don't.
Up Next (today, since I fell behind over the weekend) is The Fresh & Only's - Fresh & Only's EP
Akron/Family - Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free (3.5/10)
When this album kicks off, I was kind of like "what the hell is this?". They kind of kick it off all over the place, much like the sounds of a Southern Baptist Preacher, A woman giving birth, and The Polyphonic Spree all in the same room together. The lead track "Everyone is Guilty" certainly lives up to its name. Everyone in Akron/Family (all 3 of them) is guilty of a god awful and repetitive song that is enough to drive even Bin Laden out of hiding to make it stop. All in all, "everywhere and the same place at the same time" is the best way to describe the album, as every song is quite complex musically, but lacks any time of complexity within the lyrics. The first few listens I put this album through, I couldn't stand it. The more I play through and ignore the lyrics, the better, sort of lazy day on the lake vibe takes over. Truth be told, this album, left as an instrumental work might have gotten a better score. My favorite track on the album, "Set 'Em Free" is my personal favorite because of its short run time (2:37) and thus complete lack of time to be over-repetitive and awful. Unless you enjoy crazy complex folk-inspired chaos, shy away from Akron/Family's Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free. Sometimes, you have to take the good with the bad, and I apparently this week had a little bit of both extreme ends of the spectrum.
Tracks To Check Out:
...you know what? Don't.
Up Next (today, since I fell behind over the weekend) is The Fresh & Only's - Fresh & Only's EP
Friday, May 15, 2009
New Music Review: Better Than Ezra "Paper Empire"
OK, so technically the album is entitled Better Than Ezra Plays Paper Empire but I'm not typing that every time I an unable to refer to the album without using a pronoun, so Paper Empire is all you're gonna get.
Better Than Ezra Plays Paper Empire (8/10)
This album flows fantastically, and anyone who has listened to BTE beyond Deluxe (the album with "Good", "In The Blood" and "This Time of Year") knows that every single effort they've released since has had a fantastic way of flowing, yet retaining each song's individualism. kicks off with the catchy and quietly memorable "Absolutely Still". I found myself humming the chorus all day: "I've got this nervous feeling I never wanna kill/Absolutely still.". BTE has done a fantastic job of maturing from their alt-rock/grunge roots into grown-up, big-boy alternative rock pop masters, somehow flying under the radar. "Just One Day" hearkens back to a vibe similar to "Closer" on the album of the same name; with its quiet, laid back self-reflection message. With that album (Closer) they began their intrepid quest to shake themselves from the grunge genre, and moved to more of a super-poppy, catchy hook band, and thus catapulted themselves into mainstream obscurity. The follow-up (Before The Robots) saw them pull back the reins a bit on the over the top poppyness, and move back towards a true rock band. They have FINALLY gotten the right mix with Paper Empire. They still felt it a point to remind everyone that they can write a catchy song that you will find yourself singing around your co-workers, followed by their subsequent ridicule of you, thanks to "All In" and "Hell No!". Then there is what is possibly my favorite track on the album "Nightclubbing". It has a very brit-pop feel to the song, and, coupled with "Blacklight" is really the epitome of BTE, bringing together all the pieces of who they are, who they were, and where they could be going.
All in all, its a fantastic album; not nearly their best work, but it is near the top in the ranks of Better Than Ezra's catalog. If this is an indication of what's to come from the guys in BTE, they will continue to list me as a fan, and with a little push from some viral, grassroots marketing, could add or bring back hordes more.
Tracks to check out:
"Wounded"
"Blacklight"
"Nightclubbing"
Tomorrow's (well, later today's since I'm a day behind): Akron/Family's Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free.
Better Than Ezra Plays Paper Empire (8/10)
This album flows fantastically, and anyone who has listened to BTE beyond Deluxe (the album with "Good", "In The Blood" and "This Time of Year") knows that every single effort they've released since has had a fantastic way of flowing, yet retaining each song's individualism. kicks off with the catchy and quietly memorable "Absolutely Still". I found myself humming the chorus all day: "I've got this nervous feeling I never wanna kill/Absolutely still.". BTE has done a fantastic job of maturing from their alt-rock/grunge roots into grown-up, big-boy alternative rock pop masters, somehow flying under the radar. "Just One Day" hearkens back to a vibe similar to "Closer" on the album of the same name; with its quiet, laid back self-reflection message. With that album (Closer) they began their intrepid quest to shake themselves from the grunge genre, and moved to more of a super-poppy, catchy hook band, and thus catapulted themselves into mainstream obscurity. The follow-up (Before The Robots) saw them pull back the reins a bit on the over the top poppyness, and move back towards a true rock band. They have FINALLY gotten the right mix with Paper Empire. They still felt it a point to remind everyone that they can write a catchy song that you will find yourself singing around your co-workers, followed by their subsequent ridicule of you, thanks to "All In" and "Hell No!". Then there is what is possibly my favorite track on the album "Nightclubbing". It has a very brit-pop feel to the song, and, coupled with "Blacklight" is really the epitome of BTE, bringing together all the pieces of who they are, who they were, and where they could be going.
All in all, its a fantastic album; not nearly their best work, but it is near the top in the ranks of Better Than Ezra's catalog. If this is an indication of what's to come from the guys in BTE, they will continue to list me as a fan, and with a little push from some viral, grassroots marketing, could add or bring back hordes more.
Tracks to check out:
"Wounded"
"Blacklight"
"Nightclubbing"
Tomorrow's (well, later today's since I'm a day behind): Akron/Family's Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
New Music Review: Green Day "21st Century Breakdown"
Since this is a music blog, and I don't really blog every day and really need to, I think I might try to pick up 5-7 albums every week on New Music Day (Tuesday) and provide y'all with a quickie review of each album I pick up.
Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown (8.5/10)
I have been a long, long supporter of Green Day, have all the studio albums (including International Superhits!) and was in instant fan of American Idiot upon the day of its release and thought to myself "This is it, Green Day his hit the nail on the head, no topping this one". I went into listening to Green Day's newest effort 21st Century Breakdown thinking that it was going to be an exact copy of American Idiot, and would subsequently destroy my enjoyment of Green Day. I was somewhat correct. While the same "concept" feel of their last effort remains, the political overtones are pounded into my head through a different point of view. The album as a whole is essentially the journey of a couple through life in the 21st century (hence the clever title). It made for quite the background album. One of those albums that you can turn on and go do other stuff like clean or study and just let it play. The album opens with the "old-time radio" vocal effect intro with "Song of the Century" and proceeds into a reminder that Green Day has matured from a wild, punk rocking juggernaut into true musicians with a message and talent that has allowed them to pull off this transformation seamlessly. The only song that really felt out of place on the entire album was "Know Your Enemy" that lead single and only really repetitive song on the album. Somewhat of a throwback (I say somewhat because it is more of an American Idiot song than a Dookie track) with grinding guitar and little effect to transform it into something more than it needed to be. All-in-all, it's a good listen, not great, and it really could never top American Idiot nor does it try. As far as a concept/quadrant albums goes, it might be time for Green Day to re-reinvent themselves for their next album, or risk alienating and burning out long-time fans.
Tracks to Check Out:
"21 Guns"
"Restless Heart Syndrome"
"Know Your Enemy"
Tomorrow: Better Than Ezra's Paper Empire.
Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown (8.5/10)
I have been a long, long supporter of Green Day, have all the studio albums (including International Superhits!) and was in instant fan of American Idiot upon the day of its release and thought to myself "This is it, Green Day his hit the nail on the head, no topping this one". I went into listening to Green Day's newest effort 21st Century Breakdown thinking that it was going to be an exact copy of American Idiot, and would subsequently destroy my enjoyment of Green Day. I was somewhat correct. While the same "concept" feel of their last effort remains, the political overtones are pounded into my head through a different point of view. The album as a whole is essentially the journey of a couple through life in the 21st century (hence the clever title). It made for quite the background album. One of those albums that you can turn on and go do other stuff like clean or study and just let it play. The album opens with the "old-time radio" vocal effect intro with "Song of the Century" and proceeds into a reminder that Green Day has matured from a wild, punk rocking juggernaut into true musicians with a message and talent that has allowed them to pull off this transformation seamlessly. The only song that really felt out of place on the entire album was "Know Your Enemy" that lead single and only really repetitive song on the album. Somewhat of a throwback (I say somewhat because it is more of an American Idiot song than a Dookie track) with grinding guitar and little effect to transform it into something more than it needed to be. All-in-all, it's a good listen, not great, and it really could never top American Idiot nor does it try. As far as a concept/quadrant albums goes, it might be time for Green Day to re-reinvent themselves for their next album, or risk alienating and burning out long-time fans.
Tracks to Check Out:
"21 Guns"
"Restless Heart Syndrome"
"Know Your Enemy"
Tomorrow: Better Than Ezra's Paper Empire.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Hell!!
Riceboys
Circle I Limbo
Scientologists
Circle II Whirling in a Dark & Stormy Wind
Goths
Circle III Mud, Rain, Cold, Hail & Snow
The New York Yankees
Circle IV Rolling Weights
Republicans
Circle V Stuck in Mud, Mangled
River Styx
PETA Members
Circle VI Buried for Eternity
River Phlegyas
Qusay Hussein
Circle VII Burning Sands
Uday Hussein
Circle IIX Immersed in Excrement
Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden, George Bush
Circle IX Frozen in Ice
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
iTunes A-to-Z
Since music news is somewhat slow after the Rock Hall of Fame inductions (btw, congrats to Metallica and Run DMC) I thought I'd have a little fun and blog about my iTunes and what's in it. Going from A to Z by artist, starting with Academy Is..,The (lol) and ending with 500 Miles to Memphis (for some reason, my iTunes places bands with numeric names at the end) and everything inbetween. So without further delay, here's some background on The Academy Is...
The Academy Is...
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Formed: 2003
Label: Decaydance (a division of Fueled by Ramen)
aka: The Academy (2003-2004)
Current Lineup:
William Beckett (vocals)
Michael Chislett (lead guitar)
Mike Carden (rhythm guitar)
Adam Siska (bass)
Andy Mrotek (drums)
Former Members:
AJ LaTrace (rhythm guitar) (2003)
Michael DelPrincipe (drums) (2003)
Tom Conrad (rhythm guitar) (2004-2006)
The Academy Is formed out of the separation of Chicago-based bands Remember Maine (Beckett), and Jodie (Carden). Beckett, Siska, and Carden then recruited AJ LaTrace and Mike DelPrincipe for their demo entitled The Academy released in 2004. Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy heard the EP and liked it so much, he convinced the brass at FBR to sign the band.
Under the FBR banner, the group traveled to Florida to record their debut album Almost Here. Following a summer tour and the completion of the album, The Academy Is parted ways with LaTrace and DelPrincipe and added Tom Conrad on guitar and Andy Mrotek on drums. With the new lineup, TAI released Almost Here and hit the road extensively with other rock bands Fall Out Boy, Motion City Soundtrack and Something Corporate. Following the tour, the band shook up the lineup yet again, replacing Tom Conrad on guitar with current lead, Michael Chislett. Almost Here reach numer 188 on the Billboard 200 and featured the singles "Checkmarks" and "The Phrase The Pays". Based on the success of the album, the band was also named as a headliner for the 2006 installment of the Vans Warped Tour. During the tour, the band began writing and recording their follow-up album Santi.
In the second half of 2006 the band completed the album and it made its official release early in 2007, leading with the hit single "We've Got A Big Mess On Our Hands" and the smash "Everything We Had" Santi reached #32 on the Billboard 200. TAI parlayed their success into headlining the Honda Civic and "Sleeping With Giants" tours.
2008 saw the band's third Fueled by Ramen release, Fast Times and Barrington High reach #17 on the Billboard 200 and #46 on Rolling Stone's top 50 albums of 2008 list. The lead single "About A Girl" has appeared on an episode of MTV's The Hills and was #88 on the US Pop Charts. Currently, the band is touring and working on their fourth studio album tenatively titled Winter Passing.
I absolutely LOVE the FTABH album and consider it their best work to date. Some of my other faves are:
I hope you enjoyed this installment of iTunes A-to-Z. Up next is ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS.
The Academy Is...
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Formed: 2003
Label: Decaydance (a division of Fueled by Ramen)
aka: The Academy (2003-2004)
Current Lineup:
William Beckett (vocals)
Michael Chislett (lead guitar)
Mike Carden (rhythm guitar)
Adam Siska (bass)
Andy Mrotek (drums)
Former Members:
AJ LaTrace (rhythm guitar) (2003)
Michael DelPrincipe (drums) (2003)
Tom Conrad (rhythm guitar) (2004-2006)
The Academy Is formed out of the separation of Chicago-based bands Remember Maine (Beckett), and Jodie (Carden). Beckett, Siska, and Carden then recruited AJ LaTrace and Mike DelPrincipe for their demo entitled The Academy released in 2004. Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy heard the EP and liked it so much, he convinced the brass at FBR to sign the band.
Under the FBR banner, the group traveled to Florida to record their debut album Almost Here. Following a summer tour and the completion of the album, The Academy Is parted ways with LaTrace and DelPrincipe and added Tom Conrad on guitar and Andy Mrotek on drums. With the new lineup, TAI released Almost Here and hit the road extensively with other rock bands Fall Out Boy, Motion City Soundtrack and Something Corporate. Following the tour, the band shook up the lineup yet again, replacing Tom Conrad on guitar with current lead, Michael Chislett. Almost Here reach numer 188 on the Billboard 200 and featured the singles "Checkmarks" and "The Phrase The Pays". Based on the success of the album, the band was also named as a headliner for the 2006 installment of the Vans Warped Tour. During the tour, the band began writing and recording their follow-up album Santi.
In the second half of 2006 the band completed the album and it made its official release early in 2007, leading with the hit single "We've Got A Big Mess On Our Hands" and the smash "Everything We Had" Santi reached #32 on the Billboard 200. TAI parlayed their success into headlining the Honda Civic and "Sleeping With Giants" tours.
2008 saw the band's third Fueled by Ramen release, Fast Times and Barrington High reach #17 on the Billboard 200 and #46 on Rolling Stone's top 50 albums of 2008 list. The lead single "About A Girl" has appeared on an episode of MTV's The Hills and was #88 on the US Pop Charts. Currently, the band is touring and working on their fourth studio album tenatively titled Winter Passing.
I absolutely LOVE the FTABH album and consider it their best work to date. Some of my other faves are:
- Down and Out
- About A Girl
- The Test
- LAX to O'Hare
- We've Got a Big Mess On Our Hands
I hope you enjoyed this installment of iTunes A-to-Z. Up next is ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS.
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