sir mix-a-lot
06-28-2006, 07:50 PM
You've stumbled upon the wonderful world of Decoy Music's weekly Listening Station. So plug in your iPods or whatever you use 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 Comes Unoriginal: No Trigger - Canyoneer
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/notrigger.jpg
Website: (http://www.notrigger.net) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/notrigger)
Here's another summer hit! Canonyeer by Massachusetts's No Trigger was an album I listened to some months ago and I hadn't touched them much since. There was nothing bad about it; in fact, I liked it. It just got buried in the piles of other music I listened to. The kicker for me was the season. This album is great for rolling around with your windows down. It's got great sing-a-long choruses and catchy guitar hooks. You'll definitely hear the A Wilhelm Scream influence. The bands share a label and both hail from the central Massachusetts area. After catching No Trigger's set at Warped Tour this year, that was it; I was sold! If you have the chance, check these guys out. They are on the Kevin Says stage.
Truman Selects, With The First Pick In The 2006 Hardcore Draft, Underoath - Define The Great Line
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/underoath.jpg
Website: (http://www.underoath777.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/underoath)
Underoath enjoyed a ton of success with their last album and I think they’ve returned with a strong follow-up. Where a lot of bands fail to live up to hype by staying the path of a radio friendly sound once they’ve achieved some mainstream success, Underoath have returned with a harder edge and a more evolved sound. The singer of the band shines through, showcasing some different vocal styles on the new record, and the instruments sound great. This album does still have a lot of pop elements, so don’t expect Acts of Depression, but it is a harder album than They’re Only Chasing Safety. With this album Underoath proves to be one of the few bands that sticks to its guns and refuses to trade in sound or beliefs for fair-weather fans.
Chris Conlan Has Taken Graduate Courses In Vaguery: Park - Build A Better _____
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/park.jpg
Website: (http://www.parkmusic.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/park)
Park is one of the most underrated bands out there today. Their music is subtle ( http://www.decoymusic.com/index.php?content=reviews&reviewid=1415&oldreview=1), yet so effective, with Ladd's brutally honest lyrics and the soothing melodies that are created. Their new album, which hits stores on July 25th, is Park at their best. Tracks like "Who Is Aliandra?" showcase the maturity in the guys and "Chica Chica" will remind you why you love Park so much.
Brandon Turns Back The Clocks Two Or Three Weeks: Brandtson - Hello, Control
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/brandtson.jpg
Website: (http://www.brandtson.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/brandtson)
Love them or hate them, Brandtson has certainly paved their way to the top of the indie ladder. Even with a release like Hello, Control that sees the Cleveland boys taking a change of direction, this is a band that knows how to do what they do best! If you've not yet checked out Hello, Control, pick it up and give it a listen! If that doesn't suit you well, then work your way backward through their catalog and before long, you'll find something that could just be your style!
Scott Just Really Likes Beards: The Crooked Jades - World's On Fire
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/thecrookedjades.jpg
Website: (http://www.crookedjades.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/crookedjades)
Before this blurb attempts its mission, please try to forget all that you think you know about mountain men, especially anything you've gleaned from movies like Deliverance. If you've seen that film in particular, the music of these mysterious and solitary folk probably rings a bell as well as sends a shiver down your spine. If that's the case, give The Crooked Jades a listen; it might be just what that unpleasant memory needs to scab over and heal. The Crooked Jades' new album, World's on Fire, is rooted so resolutely in old-time American music that it can be somewhat intimidating on first listen, regardless of your standing as casual listeners or hardcore elitist. Utilizing slow tempos and a vast arrangement of string and percussion instruments, these musicians pluck and pound a path through the deep woods and unnamed peaks of the American landscape, circa 1824. Don't let it fool you, though: this is yesterday's music with a modern edge.
Jordan Silverberg's Pick Inspired Me To Try To Start Yet Another Band: Moscow Coup Attempt - The Failure Of Shortwave Radio
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/moscowcoupattempt.jpg
Website: (http://www.moscowcoupattempt.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/moscowcoupattempt)
Somewhere between Air, Daedelus, Amon Tobin, and RJD2 lies The Moscow Coup Attempt. Moody, dark, cinematic, and atmospheric, the music has post-rock tendencies mixed with an intense electronic sensibility. In all honesty, I only discovered TMCA yesterday through a random friend request sent on MySpace, so I don't really know too much about him and his history, but this is one of those artists, where you're more than grateful for him having found you. So, check it out and spread the word.
Jordan Volz's Weekly Suggestion Is That You Do Not Listen To Chris Conlan's Selection
Chris Pandolfo Doesn't Confuse These Guys With Junius: Jairus - Jairus
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/jairus.jpg
Website: (http://www.jairusonline.co.uk) :: Listen: (http://myspace.com/jairus)
Yes, another impressive UK band. They are all over the place. Jairus blends some of the best melodies I’ve ever heard with louder, sludgy-like parts reminiscent of Pelican. With vocals like Thom Yorke and drumming like Danny Carey, there is no way this band can go wrong. I’m looking forward to the new album, which they are currently writing.
Ben Plays It Safe As Milk: Clann Zu - Rua
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/clannzu.jpg
Website: (http://www.clannzu.com) :: Listen: (http://www.clannzu.com/downloads)
This album doesn't even need words. It just needs to be heard.
Jared Comes Unoriginal: No Trigger - Canyoneer
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/notrigger.jpg
Website: (http://www.notrigger.net) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/notrigger)
Here's another summer hit! Canonyeer by Massachusetts's No Trigger was an album I listened to some months ago and I hadn't touched them much since. There was nothing bad about it; in fact, I liked it. It just got buried in the piles of other music I listened to. The kicker for me was the season. This album is great for rolling around with your windows down. It's got great sing-a-long choruses and catchy guitar hooks. You'll definitely hear the A Wilhelm Scream influence. The bands share a label and both hail from the central Massachusetts area. After catching No Trigger's set at Warped Tour this year, that was it; I was sold! If you have the chance, check these guys out. They are on the Kevin Says stage.
Truman Selects, With The First Pick In The 2006 Hardcore Draft, Underoath - Define The Great Line
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/underoath.jpg
Website: (http://www.underoath777.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/underoath)
Underoath enjoyed a ton of success with their last album and I think they’ve returned with a strong follow-up. Where a lot of bands fail to live up to hype by staying the path of a radio friendly sound once they’ve achieved some mainstream success, Underoath have returned with a harder edge and a more evolved sound. The singer of the band shines through, showcasing some different vocal styles on the new record, and the instruments sound great. This album does still have a lot of pop elements, so don’t expect Acts of Depression, but it is a harder album than They’re Only Chasing Safety. With this album Underoath proves to be one of the few bands that sticks to its guns and refuses to trade in sound or beliefs for fair-weather fans.
Chris Conlan Has Taken Graduate Courses In Vaguery: Park - Build A Better _____
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/park.jpg
Website: (http://www.parkmusic.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/park)
Park is one of the most underrated bands out there today. Their music is subtle ( http://www.decoymusic.com/index.php?content=reviews&reviewid=1415&oldreview=1), yet so effective, with Ladd's brutally honest lyrics and the soothing melodies that are created. Their new album, which hits stores on July 25th, is Park at their best. Tracks like "Who Is Aliandra?" showcase the maturity in the guys and "Chica Chica" will remind you why you love Park so much.
Brandon Turns Back The Clocks Two Or Three Weeks: Brandtson - Hello, Control
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/brandtson.jpg
Website: (http://www.brandtson.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/brandtson)
Love them or hate them, Brandtson has certainly paved their way to the top of the indie ladder. Even with a release like Hello, Control that sees the Cleveland boys taking a change of direction, this is a band that knows how to do what they do best! If you've not yet checked out Hello, Control, pick it up and give it a listen! If that doesn't suit you well, then work your way backward through their catalog and before long, you'll find something that could just be your style!
Scott Just Really Likes Beards: The Crooked Jades - World's On Fire
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/thecrookedjades.jpg
Website: (http://www.crookedjades.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/crookedjades)
Before this blurb attempts its mission, please try to forget all that you think you know about mountain men, especially anything you've gleaned from movies like Deliverance. If you've seen that film in particular, the music of these mysterious and solitary folk probably rings a bell as well as sends a shiver down your spine. If that's the case, give The Crooked Jades a listen; it might be just what that unpleasant memory needs to scab over and heal. The Crooked Jades' new album, World's on Fire, is rooted so resolutely in old-time American music that it can be somewhat intimidating on first listen, regardless of your standing as casual listeners or hardcore elitist. Utilizing slow tempos and a vast arrangement of string and percussion instruments, these musicians pluck and pound a path through the deep woods and unnamed peaks of the American landscape, circa 1824. Don't let it fool you, though: this is yesterday's music with a modern edge.
Jordan Silverberg's Pick Inspired Me To Try To Start Yet Another Band: Moscow Coup Attempt - The Failure Of Shortwave Radio
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/moscowcoupattempt.jpg
Website: (http://www.moscowcoupattempt.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/moscowcoupattempt)
Somewhere between Air, Daedelus, Amon Tobin, and RJD2 lies The Moscow Coup Attempt. Moody, dark, cinematic, and atmospheric, the music has post-rock tendencies mixed with an intense electronic sensibility. In all honesty, I only discovered TMCA yesterday through a random friend request sent on MySpace, so I don't really know too much about him and his history, but this is one of those artists, where you're more than grateful for him having found you. So, check it out and spread the word.
Jordan Volz's Weekly Suggestion Is That You Do Not Listen To Chris Conlan's Selection
Chris Pandolfo Doesn't Confuse These Guys With Junius: Jairus - Jairus
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/jairus.jpg
Website: (http://www.jairusonline.co.uk) :: Listen: (http://myspace.com/jairus)
Yes, another impressive UK band. They are all over the place. Jairus blends some of the best melodies I’ve ever heard with louder, sludgy-like parts reminiscent of Pelican. With vocals like Thom Yorke and drumming like Danny Carey, there is no way this band can go wrong. I’m looking forward to the new album, which they are currently writing.
Ben Plays It Safe As Milk: Clann Zu - Rua
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/clannzu.jpg
Website: (http://www.clannzu.com) :: Listen: (http://www.clannzu.com/downloads)
This album doesn't even need words. It just needs to be heard.