Contents:
The Decemberists Castaways and Cutouts
History:
Guitarist/Singer Colin Meloy was originally in the band “Tarkio”. In 2000, he left that band and moved to Oregon. He then formed The Decemberists with Chris Funk (multi-instrumentalist), Nate Query (basses), Jenny Conlee (multi-instrumentalist), and Ezra Holbrook (drummer). After Castaways, the drummer was changed many times, and is currently John Moen.
Why you should listen to this:
This review has been sitting in my computer for many moons, with nothing written in this section. I don’t know why, but I’ve had trouble writing down why you should listen to The Decemberists. But, if you like anything folk-rock related, you should like The Decemberists. I can assure you that much. Just take my word for it this time… Please?
“Leslie Anne Levine”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ml0VI8VZO2U
Favorite Song:
“California One/Youth And Beauty Brigade”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_ez0KA2aA8
Rating:
Should Listen!
Links:
http://www.decemberists.com/
http://www.myspace.com/thedecemberists
Snowing I Could Do Whatever I Wanted If I Wanted
History:
Once again I have nothing here.
Why you should listen to this:
I’ll admit, the first time I listened to Snowing (their “f**k Your Emotional Bullshit” demo), I didn’t like them. I couldn’t get past the guys voice. He’s clearly not the best singer, though he does try. A few months later, I got into them, and after hearing their album, I was hooked. The whole band has an incredible mix of strange riffs and perfect melodies. Chill or rough and raw, Snowing will do it. After a few fun listens which made me feel happy and pumped, I decided to look up the lyrics. This brought a whole new perspective on the songs, because these lyrics are, for the most part, pure sadness. Topics include ex-girlfriends (“Malk It”), a father dying (“Memo Yeah That’s Fine Man”), and suicide (“Could Be Better Forever”). In a way, most songs can work for any mood you’re in. And if it doesn’t, you still have to appreciate the songs and their punk/early emo riffs. My only real complaint about the album is that the bass is nearly inaudible. C’mon guys, bass is cool too!
Favorite Song:
“Why Am I Not Going Underwater?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hgpN28I8tk
Rating:
Must Listen!
Links:
http://snowingtheband.com/
http://www.cylsrecords.com/free-snowing-download <-download the album free
http://www.myspace.com/snowingtheband
Happy New Year!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3sXVxqDbFk
Let it be a good one filled with great music!
Robot Science Square
History:
Once again, I’m at a loss of words here.
Why You should listen to this:
I don’t often go for electronic instrumental music, but sometimes it will be too good to resist. This is one of those times. The music is upbeat and catchy, while being extremely relaxing. While a lot may be going as all the synths are playing, they are playing in perfect harmony and create a mesh of perfect tunes to chill out to. None of the synths are too intruding on your ears, which makes all the sounds consistently pleasant and easy to listen to. There are a few times where some audio of people (sometimes in a somewhat crowded room) having a conversation. I don’t think this is really for listening to, only to set the mood even more. No matter the chaos going on the world, you can find the calm within this music.
Favorite Song:
“The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog”. Only partially my favorite due to the name. Otherwise simply because it’s a great song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04AG4VDlRSQ
Rating:
Must Listen!
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/robotscience
http://robotscience.bandcamp.com/ <- listen to/buy the album
Said The Whale Westcoast Christmas EP 2010
To all those hit by the snow, have fun! But don’t go too far!
History:
Covered here.
Why you should listen to this:
I’m a sucker for almost anything Said The Whale related. I’ve liked nearly everything they’ve done, except their Christmas EPs. Each year they put one out for free download, and while I really like the idea, I could never get into the songs. This is the year that changed that. There are only two songs, and they’re both really short, but they’re gold. On one hand, the first song, “24 Days of Xmas”, is fast paced and catchy. On the other hand, the second song, “Brightest On My Street”, is slow and sad. I like to think of the first song as the lead up to Christmas and then the second is the night of Christmas when you’re ready to go to bed. Overall, the two songs make for a great little present if you think you didn’t get enough this year.
Slightly preferred song:
I suppose “Brightest On My Street” right now, but only because it happens to be after Christmas now.
Links:
http://www.saidthewhale.com/
http://www.saidthewhale.com/xmas10 – Download the EP free
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZvjPCcHI4g
Best Christmas song in my opinion. Not my favorite version, but it couldn’t be helped. Now, it’s time to open some presents! Outta my way, ragamuffins!
Beat Radio Safe Inside The Sound
History:
The band is fronted by singer-songwriter Brian Sendrowitz, but features three other people, Dan Bills, Brian Ver Straten, and Evan Duby, especially for live shows. They’ve released three albums, The Great Big Sea (2007), Safe Inside The Sound (2009) and Golden Age (2010). This might as well have been copied straight from their website.
Why you should listen to this:
To start off, the music is written in a very different style that the normal, similar to Radio Waste Empire, with the feeling of some songs from Jonsi. The vocalist reminds me of Cloud Cult. Mixed together, sometimes songs (“Behind The Blue” and others sound similar to a more complicated Say Hi, with more guitar.
In the end, the music is really good. Nearly every song has an incredible feeling of hope. The interesting sound keeps me interested without turning me off. The lyrics have a nice mix of “modern” and “classic”, and no matter what, always has a great meaning. “Green Luxury Condo”, on the other hand, is an instrumental cover of “Amazing Grace”, which makes for a whole new way of listening to the song. The album ends with a quiet and calming “Hard Times for Dreamers”, which is nice in comparison to the noise of most other songs.
Favorite Song:
“Sleepwalking”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_9Z3UAoIaQ
Rating:
Must Listen!
Links:
http://www.beatradio.org/
http://www.facebook.com/beatradio
Here Be Lions EP
I have no history on this band so I’ll just jump into
Why you should listen to this:
I found this band randomly due to boredom on Youtube, and immediately liked what I heard. The recordings aren’t the best, and I had to turn my speakers up to get a good listen; but once I did, I was impressed. The guitars sound fun, and they mix distortion and clean sounds into a song really well. The bass plays along side with grace. Do to recording quality, I sometimes can’t hear what the vocalist is singing, but what I hear is sad. Either way the vocal melodies are great. Once the great drum beats come in, it all comes together into five awesome melodic songs. (Real) Emo and Post-Punk, sometimes you’ll be gliding on the sound waves, and other times you’ll be rocking out. These five songs leave me wanting more, though I don’t think I’ll be getting any, as I don’t think the band is together anymore.
Favorite Song:
A Frightened Rabbit
Rating:
Should Listen!
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/herebelions
http://soundcloud.com/liam-mcbride/sets listen and download the EP free. Yes, track 3 cuts off randomly.
Songs to check out
Just do it, don’t ask any questions. Just some random good songs from albums I’m not too into (Or the band doesn’t have an album that I know of).
Eleanor Avenue – Fight Or Flight
http://www.myspace.com/eleanoravenue
Hampshire – Three Months Late
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRG8Torn2ec
I Hate Kate – Major Tom (Coming Home)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTZJ3UKSCfk
Best cover of this song I know of.
McMullen & Co. – Syllables And Sounds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu_SQ4BOWtA
Plug&Play – Stop Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU3ypRw_6wM
New reviews to come soon. Sorry for being such a slob with updates. Help me stop being a loser by yelling at me and telling me music you’re into!
Say Hi (To Your Mom) Impeccable Blahs
History:
Say Hi was originally called Say Hi To Your Mom, and was called the latter during the release of “Impeccable Blahs”. Created in 2002, the solo project is the work of Eric Elbogen, though he has friends play with him for live shows.
Why you should listen to this:
Simplicity. I think if I had to use one word to describe this album, that is the word I’d use. There’s nothing overly complicated going on. Often times it’s a simple drum beat with a nice electronic bassline going, and that’s about it. Now let me stop just in case I’m turning you away from the album. This album is the pinnacle of simple, quietness. The singer nearly always sings in a very quiet, near whispering voice. The instruments never get to loud. The entire album feels like your friend wanted to play you a few songs on his keyboard in his basement… and he’s really good. It’s all very intimate and serene. You’ll just want to lay down and relax, and you’ll have a great time doing it.
Favorite Song:
“Blah Blah Blah”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dDId13ICUE
Rating:
Must Listen!
Links:
http://www.ilikesayhi.com/
