sir mix-a-lot
05-03-2006, 08:06 PM
You've stumbled upon the wonderful world of Decoy Music's weekly Listening Station. So plug in your iPods, log into MySpace, or whatever you do and get ready to fill it with items selected by staff, readers, and bands you know and love. You could also buy an album, even. I know, far-fetched.
Jared Proves Beyond The Shadow Of A Doubt That He Never Reads My Reviews: Escape The Fate - There's No Sympathy For The Dead
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/escapethefate.jpg
Website: (http://www.escapethefate.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/escapethefate)
And you thought genre-blending went out of style with Limp Bizkit? To be honest, I had never heard of Escape the Fate before I stumbled upon their MySpace page two days ago. Since then, I’ve probably listened to their songs a total of 100 times. How’s that for being catchy?
For the most part, Escape the Fate sounds like the Dear Diary days of From First to Last. In fact, if you weren’t paying attention, you might mistake them for From First to Last. That is, until the breakdown kicks in. If you listen hard enough, you might just hear the next Bullet For My Valentine riff. This pop rock/metal combination is somewhat similar to Indianola band A Day To Remember. The bottom line is Escape the Fate satisfies my rock and metal cravings (sometimes all in one song).
Marc Can Talk About These Guys Until His Head Decides To: Burst - Origo
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/burst.jpg
Website: (http://www.burst.nu) :: Listen: (http://www.burst.nu/audiovideo.php)
I'm sure this record is supposed to make me angry and break stuff, but all it does is put a smile on my face. Sweden's finest yet again one-upped themselves with Origo. Burst manages to stand out with its sophomore effort, putting together one of the best albums of 2005. In a time where most bands decide to add breakdowns for the sake of having breakdowns, Burst takes the progressive route and focuses much more on the song-writing skills than on the mosh pit. This record is anything but boring, and each song proves it. The only bands comparable to them on this record are Neurosis, Cave In, and Mastodon. Not so much in terms of sound, but of the structure. This is definitely a breath of fresh air in the metal community, where nothing original or mind blowing is being released. I can't wait to see what these guys do next!
Dave Would Drive A Great Cold Distance To See: Katatonia - The Great Cold Distance
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/katatonia.jpg
Website: (http://www.katatonia.com) :: Listen: (http://katatonia.com/av.php)
Here is a band that needs more recognition. Katatonia has been a favorite of mine for quite some time now. They have proven themselves as one of the most consistent bands in all of music and their latest release, The Great Cold Distance, is no exception. After an album as compelling as Last Fair Deal Gone Down, I thought there was no way they would ever measure up to that standard of quality again. Well, they surprised me with the equally impressive Viva Emptiness and now even more so with their newest. The catchy choruses, doom metal overtones, and flawless songwriting are all back full force for this one. Singer Jonas Renske’s somber yet powerful vocals help define the emotion and intensity that has made recent Katatonia outings notorious. Although not an entire return to their death metal roots, The Great Cold Distance displays some of the heaviest riffs the group has written in years. A captivating epic such as “July” will demonstrate just how incredibly talented and diverse the songwriting can be. Along with Opeth, Katatonia has yet to release a bad album and has established themselves as a leader in progressive doom metal.
Chris Believes In: True Live - Mintons EP
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/truelive.jpg
Website: (http://www.shock.com.au/artists/info.asp?artist_ID=74654) :: Listen: (http://www.shock.com.au/audiovideo/by_track.asp?track_ID=237635)
True Live is comprised of some of the top musicians in Melbourne, Australia, and it shows in their music. Their style is hip-hop mixed with a jazz/classical feel. It's something fresh and something that needs to be heard. If you feel like the hip-hop genre is not interesting anymore, True Live will change your mind.
Truman Says "Bienvenidos, My Mammy!" To: Taking Back Sunday - Louder Now
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/takingbacksunday2.jpg
Website: (http://www.takingbacksunday.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/takingbacksunday)
The last Taking Back Sunday album left many fans of the bands previous work a little disappointed. I think this release finds the band back writing stronger songs than most of the tracks on Where You Want To Be. The standout track to me from the album is “Miami.” This track has a nice guitar solo and the song is a lot different than most of the other songs this band has recorded. I would recommend this album to anyone who liked Tell All Your Friends and was disappointed in Where You Want To Be. If you liked both the band's last releases, this CD won’t disappoint because it is a stronger album than the last one.
Dant Needs To Go Into Rehab For This Violent And All-Too-Shocking Pink Spiders Dependency: Silent Friction - The Thought That Counts
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/silentfriction.jpg
Website: (http://www.myspace.com/silentfriction) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/silentfriction)
I checked out Silent Friction after finding out it was the band that vocalist Matt Friction of The Pink Spiders was in before they formed. Needless to say, I wasn’t let down. This rare gem is something I recommend to anyone who can get their hands on it. Their music can be compared to such greats as Elvis Costello, Buddy Holly, and Weezer. This band broke up a few years back and never got the chance to leave their hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, which is a shame because of how good their music really is. So to anyone who’s interested, check these guys out on MySpace, because that’s just about the only place you can hear their music.
Eric's Finally Found A Filler For The Hole In My Heart Left By The Disbanding Of Earthtone9: Shoemaker-Levy 9 - Pantheon
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/shoemakerlevy9.jpg
Website: (http://www.shoemakerlevy9.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/shoemakerlevy9)
Pantheon, the magnificent debut album by Shoemaker-Levy 9, accomplishes what would take other bands at least 2-3 releases to pull off. These French visionaries deliver a completely flawless synthesis of phrenetic onslaughts and dreary ambience within 7 of the album's 8 tracks (the other track is an instrumental). The vocals are very impressive and bear a close resemblance to Greg Puciato of The Dillinger Escape Plan, especially during the clean vocals found in "Claustrophobic Control." Tracks like "Vestige of Self Effacement" and the album closer "The Genetic Clock Reign" are undoubtedly some of the best songs I have ever heard from this genre. Pantheon will prevail as my top album of 2006, no matter if Psyopus or The Dillinger Escape Plan (though highly unlikely) release an album this year or not.
Brent Keeps It Simple: Tool - 10,000 Days
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/tool.jpg
Website: (http://www.toolband.com) :: Listen: (http://www.toolarmy.com)
It's brilliant, and don't let other critics tell you otherwise. It will also sell 450,000 copies this week.
Ben's Been Avoiding New Music Lately And Is Beginning To Show Symptoms Of: Withdrawal - The Perfectionist Blacklist
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/withdrawal.jpg
Website: (http://www.withdrawalmusic.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/withdrawal)
Album opener "Macroscopic" might be the closest any band has ever come to replicating the glory of Dredg's sound on Leitmotif. If that doesn't sell you on Withdrawal, perhaps their vaguely At the Drive In-reminiscent sound on a few tracks will do the trick. No? Okay, maybe you'll enjoy their take on bands like Film School. Never heard of Film School? That's your problem. Try this one on for size: A dash of Cursive. That's a nice fit. This is truly a great record, one that manages to tie in all of the biggest and best sounds of this new century's exciting musical spectrum without coming off as cliché, boring, or derivative. If you've not yet manned up enough to listen to Oceansize, Withdrawal might be an easy transition step for you. They're music's version of The Patch.
Jared Proves Beyond The Shadow Of A Doubt That He Never Reads My Reviews: Escape The Fate - There's No Sympathy For The Dead
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/escapethefate.jpg
Website: (http://www.escapethefate.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/escapethefate)
And you thought genre-blending went out of style with Limp Bizkit? To be honest, I had never heard of Escape the Fate before I stumbled upon their MySpace page two days ago. Since then, I’ve probably listened to their songs a total of 100 times. How’s that for being catchy?
For the most part, Escape the Fate sounds like the Dear Diary days of From First to Last. In fact, if you weren’t paying attention, you might mistake them for From First to Last. That is, until the breakdown kicks in. If you listen hard enough, you might just hear the next Bullet For My Valentine riff. This pop rock/metal combination is somewhat similar to Indianola band A Day To Remember. The bottom line is Escape the Fate satisfies my rock and metal cravings (sometimes all in one song).
Marc Can Talk About These Guys Until His Head Decides To: Burst - Origo
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/burst.jpg
Website: (http://www.burst.nu) :: Listen: (http://www.burst.nu/audiovideo.php)
I'm sure this record is supposed to make me angry and break stuff, but all it does is put a smile on my face. Sweden's finest yet again one-upped themselves with Origo. Burst manages to stand out with its sophomore effort, putting together one of the best albums of 2005. In a time where most bands decide to add breakdowns for the sake of having breakdowns, Burst takes the progressive route and focuses much more on the song-writing skills than on the mosh pit. This record is anything but boring, and each song proves it. The only bands comparable to them on this record are Neurosis, Cave In, and Mastodon. Not so much in terms of sound, but of the structure. This is definitely a breath of fresh air in the metal community, where nothing original or mind blowing is being released. I can't wait to see what these guys do next!
Dave Would Drive A Great Cold Distance To See: Katatonia - The Great Cold Distance
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/katatonia.jpg
Website: (http://www.katatonia.com) :: Listen: (http://katatonia.com/av.php)
Here is a band that needs more recognition. Katatonia has been a favorite of mine for quite some time now. They have proven themselves as one of the most consistent bands in all of music and their latest release, The Great Cold Distance, is no exception. After an album as compelling as Last Fair Deal Gone Down, I thought there was no way they would ever measure up to that standard of quality again. Well, they surprised me with the equally impressive Viva Emptiness and now even more so with their newest. The catchy choruses, doom metal overtones, and flawless songwriting are all back full force for this one. Singer Jonas Renske’s somber yet powerful vocals help define the emotion and intensity that has made recent Katatonia outings notorious. Although not an entire return to their death metal roots, The Great Cold Distance displays some of the heaviest riffs the group has written in years. A captivating epic such as “July” will demonstrate just how incredibly talented and diverse the songwriting can be. Along with Opeth, Katatonia has yet to release a bad album and has established themselves as a leader in progressive doom metal.
Chris Believes In: True Live - Mintons EP
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/truelive.jpg
Website: (http://www.shock.com.au/artists/info.asp?artist_ID=74654) :: Listen: (http://www.shock.com.au/audiovideo/by_track.asp?track_ID=237635)
True Live is comprised of some of the top musicians in Melbourne, Australia, and it shows in their music. Their style is hip-hop mixed with a jazz/classical feel. It's something fresh and something that needs to be heard. If you feel like the hip-hop genre is not interesting anymore, True Live will change your mind.
Truman Says "Bienvenidos, My Mammy!" To: Taking Back Sunday - Louder Now
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/takingbacksunday2.jpg
Website: (http://www.takingbacksunday.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/takingbacksunday)
The last Taking Back Sunday album left many fans of the bands previous work a little disappointed. I think this release finds the band back writing stronger songs than most of the tracks on Where You Want To Be. The standout track to me from the album is “Miami.” This track has a nice guitar solo and the song is a lot different than most of the other songs this band has recorded. I would recommend this album to anyone who liked Tell All Your Friends and was disappointed in Where You Want To Be. If you liked both the band's last releases, this CD won’t disappoint because it is a stronger album than the last one.
Dant Needs To Go Into Rehab For This Violent And All-Too-Shocking Pink Spiders Dependency: Silent Friction - The Thought That Counts
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/silentfriction.jpg
Website: (http://www.myspace.com/silentfriction) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/silentfriction)
I checked out Silent Friction after finding out it was the band that vocalist Matt Friction of The Pink Spiders was in before they formed. Needless to say, I wasn’t let down. This rare gem is something I recommend to anyone who can get their hands on it. Their music can be compared to such greats as Elvis Costello, Buddy Holly, and Weezer. This band broke up a few years back and never got the chance to leave their hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, which is a shame because of how good their music really is. So to anyone who’s interested, check these guys out on MySpace, because that’s just about the only place you can hear their music.
Eric's Finally Found A Filler For The Hole In My Heart Left By The Disbanding Of Earthtone9: Shoemaker-Levy 9 - Pantheon
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/shoemakerlevy9.jpg
Website: (http://www.shoemakerlevy9.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/shoemakerlevy9)
Pantheon, the magnificent debut album by Shoemaker-Levy 9, accomplishes what would take other bands at least 2-3 releases to pull off. These French visionaries deliver a completely flawless synthesis of phrenetic onslaughts and dreary ambience within 7 of the album's 8 tracks (the other track is an instrumental). The vocals are very impressive and bear a close resemblance to Greg Puciato of The Dillinger Escape Plan, especially during the clean vocals found in "Claustrophobic Control." Tracks like "Vestige of Self Effacement" and the album closer "The Genetic Clock Reign" are undoubtedly some of the best songs I have ever heard from this genre. Pantheon will prevail as my top album of 2006, no matter if Psyopus or The Dillinger Escape Plan (though highly unlikely) release an album this year or not.
Brent Keeps It Simple: Tool - 10,000 Days
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/tool.jpg
Website: (http://www.toolband.com) :: Listen: (http://www.toolarmy.com)
It's brilliant, and don't let other critics tell you otherwise. It will also sell 450,000 copies this week.
Ben's Been Avoiding New Music Lately And Is Beginning To Show Symptoms Of: Withdrawal - The Perfectionist Blacklist
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/withdrawal.jpg
Website: (http://www.withdrawalmusic.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/withdrawal)
Album opener "Macroscopic" might be the closest any band has ever come to replicating the glory of Dredg's sound on Leitmotif. If that doesn't sell you on Withdrawal, perhaps their vaguely At the Drive In-reminiscent sound on a few tracks will do the trick. No? Okay, maybe you'll enjoy their take on bands like Film School. Never heard of Film School? That's your problem. Try this one on for size: A dash of Cursive. That's a nice fit. This is truly a great record, one that manages to tie in all of the biggest and best sounds of this new century's exciting musical spectrum without coming off as cliché, boring, or derivative. If you've not yet manned up enough to listen to Oceansize, Withdrawal might be an easy transition step for you. They're music's version of The Patch.