AWmusic

We all make mistakes but it’s really about admitting them!

Albums I was too nice on:

Hot Hot Heat – Happiness Ltd.
Original Rating: 4 out of 5
I must say I am not proud at all with giving this score…granted Happiness Ltd. was a decent album but it definitely wasn’t trash like some people are saying. I think I started getting tougher on albums right after looking at this album. Hot Hot Heat’s Happiness Ltd. does have a more mainstream sound and when I go back on the album it does give off a “meh” feeling despite how poppy it is. This album would probably get a 3 out of 5 from me. I liked it more then “Elevator” and there were some tracks I dug despite giving off that “emo” feeling. An average effort but in the end as I’ve moved on from liking HHH.
Harmonicas and Tambourines by Hot Hot Heat

Shout Out Louds – Our Ill Wills
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5
The 4.5 out of 5 ranking doesn’t match what I wrote and still feel when I wrote the review for “Our Ill Wills”. I felt this album produced a lot of hits but as an album it didn’t quite gel together. It was a great progression from “Howl Howl Gaff Gaff” but I believe it deserves to be around a 4 out of 5. The first half of this album is amazing though. I think when I gave this score, I was a little bit biased as the Shout Out Louds are one of my favorite bands… Am I nitpicking at my own ranking here? Maybe but a 4 and 4.5 makes a huge difference from the very good to cream of the crop.
Blue Headlights by Shout Out Louds
Suit Yourself by the Shout Out Louds

Eisley – Combinations
Original Rating: 5 out of 5
A 5 out of 5 review would probably guarantee this album in my top 20 albums of ‘07 (if not my top 10) but I think this album just missed and that I was too high when reviewing “Combinations”. When preparing for this post, I went back to the album to get a better idea of what the score should be. I was reminded how good this album actually is despite the “blah” reviews. It’s not quite 5 material but I think it deserves a 4.5 out of 5 for being very good. Also while looking up the hot Eisley girls I found out Sherri Dupree’s marriage to New Found Glory’s guitarist Chad Gilbert has seemed to have ended. Not that I really care but Eisley fans might be interested.
Ten Cent Blues by Eisley
Taking Control by Eisley

Albums I was too harsh on:
Beirut – Flying Club Cup
Original Rating: 3.25 out of 5
3.25 out of 5 isn’t that bad of a score. Most albums I review will probably receive 3s but I must say I never gave this album a chance. I do recall songs being a bit too complex for me and I’d wish for songs to be a lot more simpler. I never really tried to get into this album even if from the outset I knew it would take some effort. I MAY do a re-review if someone requests but I just think I couldn’t really justify the 3.25.
Nantes by Beirut

New Pornographers – Challengers
Original Rating: 3 out of 5
Challengers was overall a fun album to listen to. I think the problem when I reviewed the album is that I fixated on the “filler” moments of the album and there were some great tracks that I will make my top 30 songs of this year. The album should’ve gotten a 4 out of 5 from me and I probably was in an upset mood or something for giving a poor score.
Myriad Harbour by The New Pornographers
Mutiny, I Promise You by The New Pornographers

Bishop Allen – The Broken String
Original Rating: 2 out of 5
Like, reviewing Beirut’s album I really didn’t give this album much time. Most of this album were remastered songs from the 12 EP project that they released for every month of the year. Corazon was arguably my favorite song by them and there were a handful of tracks that I dug stylistically. I think they went away from that for “The Broken String”. No fault of their own but I could’ve been less-biased and tried to use less of my own likings of some songs rather then complaining how they did this and that.
Corazon (original) by Bishop Allen

Battles – Mirrored
Original Rating: 1.5 out of 5
I can’t really defend myself here. I gave out a harsh review because the album didn’t fit into my style at all and it gave me constant headaches. Listening to Battles’ “Mirrored” was a mistake at the time I would say because I was not ready for their style of music. It still gives me a headache but I don’t think I should’ve written a review at all but I think I could look at it again to see how my views has changed. I’m thinking about doing a re-review but I need some motivation as I’ve got a bunch of stuff to cover.
Ddiamondd by Battles

Anyway to honor a Canadian tradition, here’s are some songs dedicated to tonight’s game from my play list. Enjoy!

1. Champagne From A Paper Cup by Death Cab For Cutie.
2. A Sunday Smile by Beirut
3. Green Gloves by the National
4. Rough Hands by Alexisonfire
5. Bunny Ain’t No Kind of Rider by Of Montreal(3 songs for the Riders, their colors are green fyi)
6. Bomb Inside the Bomb by We Are Scientists
7. True Blue by the Bright Eyes
8. Gold Mine Gutted by the Bright eyes (for the Blue & Gold – Blue Bombers)
9. Bundle Up by Arrah & The Ferns (though it’s indoors this year, the Grey Cup is always played in the cold!)

Beirut is different and most people respect that and therefore they get very good reviews from almost every publication.

The album isn’t so bad to listen to but there wasn’t really anything I particularly liked. I do enjoy the song “Nantes” but I find that I liked the street performance much better then the produced album version. I think I would love to see them live due to the vast amount of instruments played just like in Arcade Fire (Owen Pallett helped produce the string arrangements – he is formerly of AF).

Anyway every time I look at a video clip on Youtube of Beirut playing live it’s much better. Take for example this live performance of “Scenic World”:

It feels as if the album is OVER produced. Too many extra unnecessary sounds where the ends can be accomplished simply. It’s unique, skillful but does it make sense to say that it’s over done? I’ll give this one a 3.25 out of 5. Let me know when a live album comes out.

Here’s my favorite song Nantes (download):

Releases this week that I will be looking forward to are Beirut’s “The Flying Cup Cub”, Radiohead’s “In Rainbows” and The Raveonette’s Lust Lust Lust.

I am more excited for hearing The Raveonettes as I haven’t listened to many of their new songs (just never bothered after hearing their self-titled release). The Raveonettes are just a catchy major label band that most people don’t seem to like. However, finding about the Raveonettes was just like coming across another indie band as I’ve never seen or heard a Raveonette’s song anywhere on radio or television (maybe the OC soundtrack but that’s all).

With Radiohead I am probably going to download the album afterwards when it comes out on the 10th, too much work to do. As for Beirut I am aware the album has been leaked so it’s a question whether the album is worth my money (it probably is) and if I’m too cheap to shell out like 10 bucks.

Other possible indie bands that I may check out but I’ve yet to hear material on include Band Of Horses and Fiery Furnances.

Being a short post I’ll leave you with one of my favorite songs by The Raveonettes “That Great Love Sound”

They are playing a sold out show in Toronto in October and from watching this street performance I can see why:

Beirut is to release the The Flying Cup Club in October 9th and I am definitely going to check it out. I’ve been listening to Gulag Orkestar in the mean time.

If you have heard about Beirut before anyone want to recommend anything? If you haven’t watch that video!