AWmusic

Here are this week’s posts:
Jess wrote a tribute to Pink Floyd’s Rick Wright.

Nancy did one mother fucking long post. Covering some key concerts happening this fall in the T-dot.

Kojo spread the word on Amanda Davids a Canadian soul artist.

Christian reviewed the not-yet released on this part of the world, Glasvegas’ self-titled disc.

I also sucked up the courage to listen to MGMT’s Oracular Spectacular.

The National’s Virginia EP is solid. At least I thought the Pitchfork review was not cool.

Joe reviewed Ray Garrison’s EP.

Adam reviewed Toronto ska/reggar band Rebel Emergency’s EP.

I just found out about Siberian’s break up last week and wrote on my sadness.

I shared my input on the critically acclaimed You & Me by The Walkmen.

We Landed On The Moon are an upcoming band with a frontwoman who sounds a great deal like Jenny Lewis.

Ghalib covered rica-review/”>The Wiper’s Youth of America. Ghalib also proves that he likes to go out a ton with another concert review.

News around the blogosphere:
Pitchfork dropped a 1.6 on The Airborne Toxic Event. The band apparently didn’t like that. One thing for sure though, it caused a lot of discussion between bloggers… because TATE’s open letter was sent through their PR firm (Big Hassle) in an effort to make the review a publicity stunt (it worked). I didn’t care before, I don’t care now.

I guess I’m done…

One review of the Virginia EP was Pitchfork “awarding” it a 4.3, it’s a bit misleading though as there are a lot of positives given in the review. I really don’t bother with low scores, though sometimes it’s rather painfully obvious when album deserves to be panned. I didn’t think this EP was so bad to be honest.

The EP title for this disc is also misleading; it’s the length of a full release including 3 live tracks, some tracks used before as B-sides but still some new stuff as well. There are also two covers, one of Caroline Martin’s Without Permission and Bruce Springsteen’s Mansion On The Hill. I haven’t heard of either so it’s a little strange hearing the cover version before the original. Both songs are great with the latter, being a live version. I actually found myself unsatisfied with the live version of Fake Empire. It has a grandiose type ending but the performance itself with the crowd reaction seemed to lack the emotion of the song. The other two live tracks were much more lively though.

As for the reusing of songs from previous B-sides, I’m not all that mad at that, if you’re paying EP price for this disc, 12 tracks each of which are over 3 minutes long, it’s probably worth your money as a National fan.

The only real problem with this EP is that it’s not amazing, great or whatever other hyperboles you could come up with. It’s plainly average all the way around, not specifically standing out lyrically or musically. It’s not fair in this case to compare to Boxer or Alligator as they plainly state that the Virginia EP is meant to be full of b-sides.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5
I’d say this EP is great for hardcore fans of the National, for those few tracks that they don’t already have and the 3 live tracks of course. Rest of Years is still my favorite track off the EP as it was my favorite demo track previously. If you aren’t a National fan, but you are still interested, I strongly recommend last year’s Boxer.

Mp3s for your pleasure:

Rest Of Years by The National
Without Permission by The National

The Pineapple Express soundtrack which can be found here, I found sort of disappointing. For one the trailer which featured MIA’s Paper Planes is seemingly left off from the soundtrack and is no where to be found in the movie. Generally the use of the songs from the movie are background fodder. It also doesn’t help that I know very few of the tracks myself and a lot of them seem to be for the older crowd as well.

Here’s my own playlist for the movie instead:

Paper Planes by MIA
How I Became Paranoid by CSS
Stress by Justice
Freak Out by Liars
Midnight Runner by Cut Copy
D is for Dangerous by The Arctic Monkeys
Start A War by The National
The Green King Sings by Blitzen Trapper
My Girl Is Calling Me (A Liar) by Chromeo
Highway of Endless Dreams by M83

As for the movie, it was funny but it definitely wasn’t on the same level of funniness as the other films we’ve been accustomed to. I would say not to have your expectations too high because you are probably bound to be disappointed. It’s a solid film that doesn’t get too ridiculous with the marijuana jokes. It plays a factor in the movie but the action is actually pretty solid and most of the time it’s funny. Some things are a little bit over the top and recounting of events is a bit unnecessary and seems like filler script at best.

An alright summer movie to enjoy with some friends. Potentially better to go under of influence of some “help”. 3.5 out of 5.

I saw the film today with a few friends…more along the lines of doing something as I am admittedly never much of an Iron Man fan in my childhood. With the good reviews, I obviously did not protest seeing the movie at all. The movie itself was good but not great in my opinion. There are some funny moments and it the best part of the movie is the creation of Iron Man itself it follows the difficulties of Jason Stark to actually make a superhero. The graphic and special fxs are really cool and seeing the Iron Man itself is probably one of the cooler super hero moments. Robert Downey Jr. is a believable superhero unlike other superhero’s who are always looking to “serve and protect” and are stuck up bitches…Iron Man has much more personality. The problem that lies in this movie from making this “great” is that the plot is quite non-existant…nothing really happens in the movie. I can sum it all in a few sentences and there are certain points that take away from the movie like the sex with the reporter. An addition problem which my friends pointed out was that there wasn’t really a villian to make Iron Man that “super hero”. I secretly love villians and heels (in wrestling). The problem is that he had an enemy and was more against the destruction caused by war. By villian I mean someone you can feel for and can understand why he/she is evil…that duality is a key aspect I look for.

This movie seems to be more prepared for a sequel and like I said, it’s a good movie but not great. It’ll produce a few laughs and some cool action scenes but if you’re expecting “the great fucking thing ever” you’ll be disappointed.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

I was not that keen on the soundtrack so like last week, I’ll make my own. (You can find the actual soundtrack here)

1. Iron Man by Black Sabbath (I have to put this up)
2. MX Missiles by Andrew Bird
3. Start A War by The National
4. Killing Armies by Wolf Parade
5. Put Us Back Together Right by Headlights
6. The Great Escape by We Are Scientists
7. Fire It Up by Modest Mouse
8. You’re A Woman, I’m A Machine by Death Above 1979
9. Know You’re Enemy by Rage Against The Machine
10. One Man Army by Our Lady Peace
11. Air War by Crystal Castles

I actually hated doing this list…not that it was subpar but I think I would’ve felt better doing a review today. Just no writing quality in putting out this list though it’s great for traffic bait.

25. She’s a Rejector by Of Montreal (link)
24. Patty Lee by Les Savy Fav (link)
23. Open Doors by Josh Ritter (link)
22. White Dove by John Vanderslice (link)
21. Handsome Furs Hate This City by The Handsome Furs
20. Weekend Without Makeup by The Long Blondes (link)
19. Meat Market by Everybody Else (link)
18. 1234 by Feist
17. Wolf and Crane by Siberian (link)
16. Walcott by Vampire Weekend
15. Fluorescent Adolescent by The Arctic Monkeys
14. Apartment Story by The National (link)
13. Red Rabbits by The Shins
12. Impossible by The Shout Out Louds
11. Right Moves by Josh Ritter (link)
10. Up On Your Leopard, Upon The End of Your Feral Days by Sunset Rubdown (link)
9. (Antichrist) Television Blues by The Arcade Fire (link)
8. Bunny Ain’t No Kind of Rider by Of Montreal (link)
7. Unless It Kicks by Okkervil River (link)
6. Back in Your Head by Tegan & Sara
5. The Mending of the Gown by Sunset Rubdown
4. Oxford Comma by Vampire Weekend
3. Once and Never Again by The Long Blondes (link)
2. Mistaken For Strangers by The National
1. Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe by Okkervil River (link)

Click->>> For Top Albums of ‘07: #10-1<-----------

#20 Feist – The Reminder
Original Rating: 5/5
This album was on rotation for about two weeks then I just totally forgot about it. I personally didn’t like “The Reminder” as much as her previous effort “Let It Die”. Feist has seen some mainstream success with that iPod commercial but I still love her.
I Feel It All by Feist

#19 BSS Presents Kevin Drew – Spirit If…
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Was this effort a little bit like Broken Social Scene and didn’t really distinguish Kevin Drew as a solo artist? Sure but who cares?! Still a great album and if it’s being compared to BSS you know it’s good. This album usually doesn’t come to mind when thinking of the top albums of 2007 but after going back to it…I have to agree with myself…lol
Gang Bang Suicide by Kevin Drew

#18. Justice – Cross (too lazy to find the cross image)
Original Score: 4.75 out of 5
This album just makes me want to dance. Annoying at times but overall something different than what I would normally listen to. I almost didn’t even bother to try to check out Justice but I’m glad I gave it a chance.
Let There Be Light by Justice

#17 Simian Mobile Disco – Attack Decay Sustain Release
Original Score: Forgot (Should be 4.75 out of 5)
Simian Mobile Disco are basically tied in my book when it comes to the score. The tie-breaker may be that I like SMD a little more as it suits what I look in a electronic bands. To think this liking to SMD started with that Hustler video with girls making out. This album makes me want to dance or go on drugs. Either way I feel like I’d be having a good time putting on this record.
Sleep Deprivation by Simian Mobile Disco

#16 Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Original Score: 4.5 out of 5
To be perfectly honest I barely gave this album ANY time before and after reviewing it. One thing for sure though, it didn’t need any effort to begin liking. It probably doesn’t get any higher on this list for being rather simple and I’d agree that artistically it probably doesn’t have the same quality as those ahead of it. To me anyway this album has one of the better first halves of an album then any other album of 2007. The second half was decent but it’s hard to match up to Don’t Make Me A Target, You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb and Rhthm and Soul.
You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb by Spoon

#15 The National – Boxer
Original Score: 4 out of 5
It felt like forever when I originally tried to listen to “Boxer” and had such a tough time and I finally reviewed it after struggling with it for a few months. “Boxer” is definitely a grower and you will have to give a LOT of time I would say before it creeps up on you and reels you in. If you asked me when I did the review the only two songs I liked were “Mistaken For Strangers” and “Start A War” you can probably add most of the album now. If it was the perfect album it wouldn’t be called a “grower” and it takes my 15 spot.
Apartment Story by The National

#14 Josh Ritter – Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
Original Rating: 4.25 out of 5
This album was easy to like from the beginning. I seem to have an affinity for folk songs that I never knew I had and despite I find this album rather “simplistic” compared to the other albums on here, it’s overall just great music and something that had more playing time then The National and Spoon and thus the higher ranking.
To The Dogs or Whoever by Josh Ritter

#13 Arctic Monkeys -Favourite Worst Nightmare
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5
This is another one that I barely recall giving a lot of effort in listening and critiquing (you could probably tell with the sub-par review). I go back to this album once in awhile but I find myself intrigued more by their previous effort “Whatever People Say I am…”. Very solid everywhere and produced one of my favorite songs of the year “Fluorescent Adolescent”.
Fluorescent Adolescent by The Arctic Monkeys

#12 Moonbabies – Moonbabies At the Ballroom
Original Rating: 5 out of 5
I remember listening to this album for a good month straight earlier this year. I sure do love “dream pop”. The Moonbabies probably won’t be on many other lists this year but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check out their album. I just haven’t seen a ton of exposure but from top to bottom this album had me singing along. I actually haven’t seen one entirely bad review for this album…but who knows why? If you have similar tastes as I do then you will like this album.
Take Me To The Ballroom by The Moonbabies
Cocobelle by The Moonbabies

#11 The Shins – Wincing The Night Away
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5
The Shins were already one of my favorite bands before they released Wincing The Night Away. I was a fan of indie rock but I didn’t pursue it like I do now. I’m scared to read my review in March because it is so long ago and I arguably was not the same blogger as I am now. Anyway is this album as good as their previous works? No but this album is solid top to bottom and I’m not complaining. This album I believe really appeases already Shins fans without going “too” mainstream and they have become a very popular band now. I’m having trouble picking a song right now that would be called my favorite…too many to choose from. I feel kind of “iffy” putting this just outside my top 10 (it was originally but Okkervil River booted them out).
Turn On Me by The Shins
Red Rabbits by The Shins

Look Out for #10-#1 either tomorrow or Thursday

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!)

1.Perfect Disguise by Modest Mouse
2.Mistaken For Strangers by The National
3.Is There A Ghost? by Band of Horses
4.The Ghost of You Lingers by Spoon
5.Werewolf by Cat Power
6.What Wolves Would Do by Les Savy Fav
7.They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!!They Have Come Back From The Dead!! Ahhhhh! by Sufjan Stevens
8.It’s a Curse by Wolf Parade
9.Crooked Teeth by Death Cab For Cutie
10.The Old Hag Is Sleeping by The Fiery Furnaces
11.Monster Hospital by Metric
12.The Chills by Peter Bjorn and John

The National has been releasing critically acclaimed stuff for a while and that’s pretty much how I was able hear about them and their album “Boxer”. I really didn’t know to what to think about this band at first as I downloaded this album in June and haven’t really warmed up to it. I really just needed to give this band a chance and that is why I do reviews about two months late. The National’s lead singer is hard to really like at first since it is so incredibly low but after long enough if you let it get to you, you will start liking it.

There are various songs on “Boxer” that are equally addicting, lyrically, musically and maybe even vocally. Some of my favorite songs include “Mistaken for Strangers” and “Start a war” which you can download/stream below if you want to sample what they sound like. I think the only problem the National may have is that it doesn’t seem to have that “single” potential anywhere to do well in the mainstream. I think it’s hard to find one song from them you want to play over and over again but the album in generally very good.

I give this an album a 4 out of 5. Not sure, I would buy this album but it is solid and much deserving of occupying space in my media library. With buying albums I usually have to like the band blindly or it has to be 5 (which is a must buy or I deserve to die).
Mistaken For Strangers.mp3

Start A War.mp3