Shutting Down...

Due to the lack of readership, I'm shutting the blog down. Sorry to those few who loved it.

The XYZ Affair - A Few More Published Studies

Wow. Just wow.

Okay I'll elaborate. It's amazing that The XYZ Affair reminds me of another band with an 'X' name, Xiu Xiu, at least in the vocals and harmonies. The musical production is a little more along the lines of typical indie rock, but can surprise you too.

Highly Recommended

Super Furry Animals - Rings Around The World

I'd promised before that I'd continue to pursue Super Furry Animals...and it's paid off. Not only do I swoon at this album, Rings Around The World, but I'm understanding the brilliance of Hey Venus! as well.

Check 'em out. They really chill you out.

Highly Recommended

The Aimless Never Miss - s/t

This album was a guess download from emusic.com. Just downloaded it cause I wanted something new, and it sounded alright. They've got a mid-to-late 90s emo sound similar to Sunny Day Real Estate. I've really enjoyed this record, not too much, but just right. If you're a fan of S.D.R.E, then check it out.

Recommended

The Black Angels - Directions To See A Ghost

I've never gone back-and-forth so much on one band...right now I'm 'back' not 'forth'. The Black Angels have a very specific sound, namely a 60s psychedelica that's similar to The Doors. It's going to remind you of what you'd think about in terms of music and Vietnam. If you like that sound, definitely check the band out. I think I just get too burned out on them too quickly. And for me, it's a similar sound to Clinic, who do it much better.

Try It

The Thermals - The Body, The Blood, The Machine

This album is so freakin' awesome. When I first downloaded it, I listened to it every day for 2 weeks straight. "St. Rosa and the Swallows" is incredible, as is "I Might Need You To Kill".

Buy it now if you like the indie punk genre.

Highly Recommended

Glasvegas - s/t

Had my doubts about this one before even listening to it. I had presupposed in my mind that it was another large-sounding indie band that's really just boring and more boring (see British Sea Power's Do You Like Rock Music?).

I was wrong. It's a great album of straight-up indie rock from Scotland. There's enough variety on the album that it's not going to get swept away anytime soon.

(p.s. For other awesome Scottish indie bands, please listen to The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit, both super-excellent).

Highly Recommended

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

It's amazing how consistently brilliant Animal Collective is. It took me quite some time to understand their greatness, but now they're probably my favorite modern band.

Merriweather Post Pavilion is phenomenal, probably not as much as Strawberry Jam was, but phenomenal nonetheless.

"My Girls" is probably an early Song of the Year favorite. "Summertime Clothes" is a strong track as well.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this album. You can stream it for free at Domino Records' Australian myspace page.

So Highly Recommended It Hurts To Smile

The Constantines - Kensington Heights

I didn't think much of The Constantines' previous two albums, though they were critically lauded. This release shows The Constantines a little more consistent and a little more polished. "Hard Feelings" is a classic opener for the album. "Time Can Be Overcome" is genuine, heart-felt. The whole album reminds me of what Bruce Springsteen would sound like if he was in his 20s right now. Good stuff, for sure.

Recommended

Friendly Fires - S/T

Ok, so this one was a huge surprise! I initially downloaded it from eMusic because I wanted something I was unfamiliar with and something with a bouncy, dance sound. I fired the album up and listened to "Jump In The Pool" which immediately hooked me. Then, I was let down for the next 9 songs, non of which sounded all that similar to the opener. However, with each listen I've come to actually determine how brilliant the album is. The great trifecta of "White Diamonds", "Strobe" and "On Board", the latter of which is equally as engaging as "Jump In The Pool", really gives the record a huge boost into the late half of the album. "Lovesick" and "Skeleton Boy" are fabulous.

Of course, now you're starting to see them pop up everywhere. To quote "On Board", 'everyone's climbing on board'!

Can't Recommend It Enough

Muse - Black Holes & Revelations

This album actually took 3 separate purchases to grow on me (i.e. bought it, listened to it once or twice, hated it, sold it; repeat previous; bought 3rd time, loved it). Songs like "Starlight", "Knights of Cydonia", "Map of the Problematique" and "Take A Bow" really hooked me. Those 4 are fabulous songs that I could listen to over and over.

Unfortunately, for me, there are many giant mis-steps on the album. "Invincible" is pretty much un-listenable for me. As is "Soldier's Poem" and "Hoodoo". "Assassin" is a little better.

And then there are the forgettable-but-not-terrible songs like "Exo-Politics" and "City of Delusion".

Ultimately, the 4 great songs are enough for me to keep the album around. Luckily, Muse has released a live album, H.A.A.R.P., that's super-great and has all their hits spanning their 4 studio albums. I find myself hitting that album (or Absolution) more often if I need my Muse fix.

Barely Recommended

Bob Dylan - Blonde On Blonde

After listening to Nashville Skyline, which left a sour taste in my mouth, I had to listen to Bob doing Bob good. So I plugged in Blonde On Blonde this morning, and while it isn't my favorite Bob Dylan record, it's a great ride to take.

"Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" is one of the more popular songs for obvious reasons, but it's also the only track on the album I don't particularly like. But that's okay because it's not long before we run into pure greatness with "Visions of Johanna" and "One Of Us Must Know" and the top track, "Stuck Inside Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again".

Recommended

Bob Dylan - Nashville Skyline

Not my favorite Dylan album, but every once in a while I'll pull it out just to make sure it's not growing on me.

The new version of "Girl From the North Country" is terrible (in my opinion) even with the guest vocals of Johnny Cash.

The album really doesn't get good til...well, it really doesn't get that good. "Lay, Lady, Lay" is so pretentious that it seems out of the ordinary for a Bob Dylan song. In fact, the whole album feels unnatural. It sounds like one of the albums that you make for fun, but never to release. I'm sure there are fans of the album, and while I respect their opinion, I have trouble getting behind this release.

Skip It

Bruce Springsteen - Nebraska

Sparse blogging the last day or so. I've taken some time away from music to catch up on some other things. But my music fast was broken with arguably (IMO) The Boss' best album, Nebraska. It's a stripped down, acoustic album that's reminiscent of early 70s Bob Dylan records. I love every single minute of it. And you will too.

Highly recommended

Queensryche - Empire

This is one of my favorite 80s metal albums. Die-hard Queensryche fans seem to feel this is a mediocre album, though, with it being worthwhile only for the greatness of "Silent Lucidity". I disagree. This is their finest work. It starts with the haunting female chants and creepy keyboard staccatos on "Best I Can" and continues with solid metal until the end.

Love it.

Highly Recommended

The Raconteurs - Consolers Of The Lonely

The first The Raconteurs album, Broken Boy Soldiers, flirted a little too much with the generic garage rock line for my tastes. However, their second release Consolers Of The Lonely is exactly what you'd expect from Jack White...a solid bluesy-rock experience. With 14 solid songs, this album never grows tiresome or repetitive.

Highly Recommended

Wintersleep - Welcome To The Night Sky

This album surprised the hell outta me. If I did a Best Albums of 2008 list, it'd definitely be in the Top 5. I saw them live opening for Wolf Parade (amazing) a couple of months ago, but really didn't enjoy them much. However, now hearing the album, I've done a 180 and become a huge fan. "Archaeologists" and "Weighty Ghost" and "Dead Letter & The Infinite Yes" are all quality, with the latter-most being one of my favorite songs of the past year.

I can't recommend this album enough. I've tried to think of good comparisons but it's tough. They're more reminiscent of early 2000s and late 90s indie bands like Pavement and My Bloody Valentine (but then again, everybody is compared to those two). But there's a significant amount of Broken Social Scene in Wintersleep, too.

So Freakin' Highly Recommended

David Bowie - Aladdin Sane

Two words: Flaw...less

It's no secret David Bowie is my favorite artist, so the fact that I would state this album is legendary is probably a bit extraneous.

Buy it now.

The Mars Volta - Deloused In The Comatorium

I'm hard-pressed to think of a band more consistent than The Mars Volta. Deloused In The Comatorium is their first album and a lot of fans' favorite. It's a great way to introduce yourself to the band before they get a little more funky with each successive release. (On a side note, my personal favorite Mars Volta album is their latest The Bedlam in Goliath. For a bit of interesting reading, google interviews with the band about the making of the album...two words: Oujia Board).

I love The Mars Volta's sound. It's Prog-Metal, but also psychedelic. The vocals seems to be a love or hate it thing. I've heard several critics refer to their harmonies as too electronic sounding, but I think that's one of the dozen things that makes them unique.

Highly Recommended

Bruce Springsteen - Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.

Gotta love The Boss, eh? This was his debut album, but far from his finest (ahem, The River). There are standouts, "Blinded By The Light" and "Lost In The Flood", but beyond that everything else is just standard Bruce. Nevertheless, you have to admit he's consistent with passion and honesty throughout the album. That's very appealing. I enjoy this album greatly. However, to start out your familiarity with The Boss, I recommend "The Wild, The Innocent, the E Street Shuffle".

Recommended