AWmusic

But, alas that is still two weeks away so, instead of a review, I’m going to let you know about a couple of bands that have been in heavy rotation on my ipod for the better part of this summer.

Warning: I’ve been on a mellow, Indie kick, so there’s no screaming below.

Mansions

Mansions is one of the bands, that managed to take that solemn, guitar driven singer, songwriter genre and actually do it in a way that is both original and really good.

Songs like Por Favor is Spanish take a story telling approach, and manages to be comedic, well worded as it tells the story of a a friend who cheated on her boyfriend while he (mansions) was out at a bar with her, and somehow he is getting in trouble for letting it happen, as the refrain is “…why am I responsible?”

The Worst Part starts out with the line, “fuck you and your god damned scene.” And the song goes on to rip apart self involved musicians who don’t realize that every scene comes to an end, and a new flavor of the week will always emerge.

Mansions is infectious and easy to listen to, and carries a depth that might surprise some. It can be hard to find but well worth the effort.

Good Old War

Formed out of the ashes of Days Away, Good Old War have an old school vibe, that mixes modern alt-country with a bit of 60’s pop. Think Dustin Kensrue meets the Hollies. As someone who loves Kensrue’s music and grew up on a steady dose of oldies, this was right up my alley.

Their songs are melodic, and not overdone. They performed as Anthony Green’s band on his solo album Avalon, and then backed him up live while pulling double duty as an opening act.

Cony Island gives you a real sense of being at the fair on a summers day, both the good and the bad. “I’m going back to the city I love, because it’s already taken everything”.

Weak Man is melodic and charming, and really pushes the afore mentioned old school vibe. Featuring Anthony Green with some guest vocals that fit perfectly into the song instead of overshadowing what GOW are trying to accomplish.

Good Old War have a lot of buzz right now with many in the industry trumpeting them as one of the best bands out there right now, and rumor has it Tom Delonge of Blink 182 will tell anyone who’ll listen about Good Old War.

So be slightly ahead of the curve and give Good Old War a listen.

Good Old War – Coney Island
Good Old War – Weak Man

Music…

Ladies and gentlemen, I present you Top 10 Driving Songs.

10. The Offspring – Defy You

Rhythm. Movement. Rebellion. This one just begs you to bury your foot into the floor and drive like a fucking maniac. While Defy You may be the perfect soundtrack to riot planning/executing – it is still one hell of a song to be listening to while flying towards your point of destination… or a lamppost.

9. The Offspring – Gone Away

Tension. Sadness. Defiance. If you haven’t crashed while listening to Defy You, this one will slow things down a bit (strong emphasis on “a bit”). To be completely honest – I’d be able to compile a list with Offspring songs only. Pretty much any song by them works as a soundtrack for our drive. And it’s a good thing. Trust me, I know. Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace is a frequent in my car’s sound system.

8. Depeche Mode – Wrong

Awe. Realization. Regret. As long as you’re not driving your car backwards, with no way to control it – the way the poor bastard in the music video did – I’m confident you’ll enjoy this one. Damn that video is disturbing (in the most magnificent way).

7. Moby – Lift Me Up

Speed. Progression. Flight. Oh, it’ll lift you up alright. This is, again, one of those that make you want to drive just a little faster. Intro – release the brakes. First verse – steady acceleration. Chorus – jumping up and down on your seat while pushing the throttle through the fucking floor. Oh, it’ll lift you up alright…

6. Nichole Alden – Baby Now

Beauty. Pace. Melody. Picture this – you’re driving through Texas. It’s getting darker and there’s not a living soul for miles in every direction. It’s just the desert, the road, and the car. You’re cutting air at 160 km/h in slow motion, listening to the song, not caring about a damn thing. (Then you may realize that you watch too many movies and feel embarrassed about the whole “slow motion” thing… only to continue looking at yourself from another perspective… car moving in slow motion.)

5. Rise Against -The Approaching Curve

Argument. Confusion. Drive. “A seductive soundtrack to our midnight drive” (lyrics). ‘Nuff said. Listen to it, you’ll see what I mean.

4. John Murphy – In The House – In A Heartbeat

Pulse. Motion. Whisper. Yeah, yeah, it’s a soundtrack from 28 Days Later, which was an awesome movie by the way. But goddamn I can’t help by love this song with all my (still)-human heart. It sounds as if it’s out to get you… as if it was following you… OHMIGOD WHOTHEFUCK’S HERE!!!??11!?

3. Nine Inch Nails – The Four Of Us Are Dying

For a slow drive through the night.

2. Nine Inch Nails – The Great Destroyer (Modwheelmood Mix)

Ridiculously awesome remix. You don’t even have to be driving.. actually, wait, that’ll kind of defeat the purpose of this list won’t it?

1. Beethoven – Moonlight Sonata

Probably one of the most amazing, beautiful, awe-inspiring pieces of music ever written. A perfect soundtrack for… well for anything really. I have a profound feeling of beauty…

P.S. Author is not responsible for any car crashes, speeding tickets, sudden tears and paranoia.

In other news, July 21st is marked on my calendar for the long awaited third release from Eyedea & Abilities titled ‘By The Throat’, five years since their gem of an album ‘E&A’. According to the Rhymesayers website, ‘By The Throat’ blends “biting guitars, fuzzy keyboards, melodic choruses, and some of their most intricate turntable work to date”. A free download of the track ‘This Story’ has been made available as a sample of what’s to be expected… I have to admit I’m kind of in love with this track and now more than ever I can’t wait for this album. Click here to pre order ‘By The Throat’ from Fifth Element Online.

Also announced is a new album in the works from Brother Ali titled ‘Street Preacher’ which is set to be released in Fall of 2009. This man is blowing up underground hip hop and shows no signs of slowing down.

Here’s a new video for his track ‘Good Lord’ off the recent EP ‘The Truth Is Here’.

Toki Wright – Next Best Thing
Eyedea & Abilities – This Story
Brother Ali – Palm The Joker (from ‘The Truth Is Here’ EP)

I’ve been on a big kick of nostalgia recently, browsing through old Cd’s, tapes and records and it’s really had me wondering. If I hadn’t been so tuned into some of these albums growing up, where would my musical tastes be today? Does what you get brought up on really effect a path of music for the future? I really think it depends. I believe there are some artists, songs or genres that, while once loved, will change as we grow, but I also believe there are some that really do stick with us and in some way help to define us.

Whatever the genre, we all have those albums that have the ability to take us back to a time and place in our youth. Press play and as the music starts a sudden warmth floods your body, mind racing as your brain rushes through memories of both good and bad. If you’ve read some of my past posts you’ll know hip hop has played a big part in my life. I vividly remember going over to a friend’s house and his older brother putting on N.W.A’s ‘Straight Outta Compton’. I was blown away. Being that I was still pretty young, the record store wouldn’t let me buy my own copy so I had to make do with a shitty recording of it; having to hide it in my sock drawer from my parents because I knew they’d probably destroy it if they found it. Those were the days….

Maybe it’s because I’m getting older I tend to be somewhat jaded towards a lot of new music, especially what’s displayed in the mass media. Artists (and I use that term very loosely) popping up left and right, blowing up to such a hyped status before they can really even develop their own style. I remember when you put out four or five albums before anyone really took notice, but nowadays people are getting signed to major labels without any substantial amount of songs to their name. Please don’t get me wrong…. There are still many artists that are going through the struggle, but with the pop and commercial hip hop market you don’t seem to need a whole lot of talent as long as you have a marketable image. That kills me.

…. It’s not about a salary, it’s all about reality!

Here’s my top 10 nostalgic hip hop albums: (in no particular order)

1.N.W.A – Straight Outta Compton
2.Notorious B.I.G – Ready to Die
3.Run DMC – Raising Hell
4.The Fugees – The Score
5.Doug E. Fresh – The World’s Greatest Entertainer
6.EL-P – Fantastic Damage
7.Hieroglyphics – Third Eye Vision
8.Wu-Tang Clan – Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
9.Sage Francis – Personal Journals
10.Mos Def – Black on Both Sides

…. But now that I think about it that list could be a lot bigger.

What’s your list?

N.W.A – Gangsta Gangsta
Notorious B.I.G – Everyday Struggle
Mos Def – Miss Fat Booty
EL-P – Deep Space 9MM

Valentine’s Day can bring mixed emotions. For some it creates a warm and fulfilling feeling, being able to hold close the one they love and express their burning passion (which is probably something they should do more than one day a year). But for others, Valentine’s Day becomes a day of unbridled detest for couples and the corporate display of affection; a time to curl up in a dark room with a box of overpriced chocolates and hide until the day passes.

On this day of supposed love, what’s there to say when the headlines are filled with Michael Jackson’s potential flesh eating bacteria (he is a true plastic surgery disaster) and the new age Ike & Tina (Chris Brown & Rihanna)?

I won’t lie, today’s news was hard. I was getting pretty damn desperate, so I started browsing the NME website. Then it happened…

The Joy Formidable are a band based out of North Wales who’s ultra poppy songs ‘Cradle’ and ‘Austere’ have been floating around for the last couple months. They even had a video for ‘Austere’ banned from youtube which consisted of clips of people’s faces as they were masturbating; I know I’ve seen a lot worse on that site. In the U.K they have been receiving some fantastic hype and their debut album titled ‘A Balloon Called Moaning’, which was set to be released on February 17th, has been sold out in online pre-sales. In my books, that’s pretty damn impressive and proves this is a band to watch out for.

So why bother telling you if it’s sold out? Well, because I love you all and apparently so does NME as they are giving away the album for free in mp3’s. I kid you not, go here and download all eight songs. Take it from me, it’s well worth it.

Here’s a sneak peek, but do yourself a favour and go cop it, who knows how long this will last.

The Joy Formidable – Cradle
The Joy Formidable – While the Flies

Anyway, while the 5 I choose are probably not the 5 worst albums of 2008, it’s the ones I* (just me) that I found to hurt the ears (or brain) for one reason or another.

#5 Black Kids – Partie Traumatic
Original Rating: 1.25 out of 5
Traumatic isn’t a great name to include on your album name especially if people think it sucks. This album is passable though, and a lot of my harshness comes more from the disappointment when comparing the Wizard of Ahhhs EP to this album. They decided to take out things that made their songs universally dancey and did it by being overthetop and on this album more subdued and held back. To go from a self-released gem to shitty major label record, always baffles me but I guess it isn’t the first time it’s happened.
I’ve Underestimated My Charm (Again) by Black Kids

#4 The Killers – Day & Age
Original Rating: 1 out 5
The Killers did try something new on this album. As much as I hate the song “Human”, they do TRY and I do give props for that. I think this album fails because they just weren’t good with the types of songs they were making. I think they were better served being a powerpop band, not letting Flowers’ weaknesses as a singer to be exposed. I’d prefer their music when it was meant for the masses and not necessarily playing toward critics and “making the best album ever” (cough cough) – not that Sam’s town was bad.
Human by The Killers

#3 The Raconteurs – Consolers of The Lonely
Original Rating: 1.25 out of 5
While the original concentrated on other subjects regarding the marketing. Some critics calling it unique to release an album in short notice while taking down blogs at the same time who did promote it when the label could not seems smart (not). Anyway, this album was more noise then substance and just seemed like a cover songs that were bare to bone. Production was pretty terrible though to be fair that could’ve been intentional. Still, some albums work for some people, this album didn’t work for me. There was nothing for me to grasp ahold of, other then noise and distortion then was beginning to annoy me anyway.
Steady As She Goes by The Raconteurs (my favorite song by them, not on CoL)

#2 Mystery Jets – Twenty One
Original Rating: 0.5/5
I first got into the Mystery Jets with Young Love when I showed it to a friend and said it sounded like another track, specifically one of Hugh Grant and Haley Bennett. While I did call it copying, “borrowing” may be another word used and it occurs a lot on this album. I won’t outright call the MJs plagiarists unless they are sued but they sure aren’t very original. I think on each track, I kept going to myself “haven’t I heard that before?” all throughout the album. It’s not that bad to be influenced by certain artists but this album DID suck. I do love myself a good pop album, and I have no idea what the critics are smoking on this one. It’s mediocre at best and at times feels contrived like it’s sticking to a certain “template”.

E.g. Two Doors Down: “I think I’m in love with the girl next door” later in the song “I know I’m in love with a girl who lives two doors down”, clearly this isn’t a mistake it’s more of what fits better in the song. What gives a better hook? When my English teacher told me when writing lyrics, is lyric or the beat that comes first? For the Mystery Jets it’s definitely the hook and they don’t even do that well. This album doesn’t even work on a consistent level, they have no “real” sound, they jump all over the place without doing anything specifically well which is why they got a huge thumbs down. I stand by my review, could’ve been a better post but hey it was a popular post .
Way Back Into Love by Hugh Grant & Haley Bennett

#1 Cold War Kids – Loyalty to Loyalty
(You have to be pretty loyal to like this one)
Original Rating: 0.5 out of 5
Cold War Kids takes the #1 spot for both disappointing and sucking altogether. My review was simply:
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UUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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(okay there was more to it, I lied)
Robbers and Cowards used more guitaring and various other instrumentation to bring the music to epic levels. Nathan Willett vocals take a huge hit in this record. I think the thing is that his vocals aren’t so strong to begin with but the instrumentation made it a meaningless factor. Instead they tried to work with more rhythm and use some African influences (see The Killers for taking the wrong approach here) but again not really working to the strengths of the band and moreso then the Killers to their own weaknesses. There’s just nothing to like on this record. It doesn’t hurt the ears but I do either want to doze off or skip next to the album immediately. I did call Something Is Not Right With Me lackluster compared to anything they had on the previous album, I guess compared to the rest of the record …it’s a stand out (Golden Gate Jumpers is alright too). I liked this band live and their first record A LOT. Who knows now…
Hang Me Up To Dry by Cold War Kids