Roncag
08-12-2006, 09:09 AM
Working with Decoy has given me the wonderful opportunity to listen to albums well in advance of their street releases. To support the bands and create interest in the upcoming albums, I will be giving brief overviews of the new releases I have received.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/spartacd.JPG Sparta-Threes (Hollywood)
Website (http://www.spartamusic.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/sparta)
Ok by now we all know that At the Drive In was quite possibly one of the greatest bands ever, and they only get more famous each year since their breakup. Almost immediately after their demise, the sides split into The Mars Volta who became media darlings and Sparta, who despite garnering decent reviews, have not received the attention the Volta grabbed. Now, with the populace slowly turning against the Volta's incessant wankering (I happen to still like them), Sparta could not have picked a finer time to unleash their most ambitious and violently exuberant album yet. Threes finds the band digging for an aggression not found on their previous releases, whilst hitting on an occasional croon usually reserved for Radiohead. The album is uncannily similar to Vaux's latest album, and I couldn't be more pleased. Let's finally give this band the spotlight they deserve.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/deadpoetic.jpg Dead Poetic-Vices (Tooth and nail)
Website (http://www.deadpoetic.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/deadpoetic)
Dead Poetic have truly pulled the upset of the year as far as I'm concerned. As a constant basher of this band since New Medicines was released two + year's ago, my hate for them has only been compounded by the influx of band's even worse than DP polluting our world and airwaves. The band clearly felt my passionate disgust for them, through esp or some other supernatural line of communication, and totally retooled their sound. Vices host 14 songs of intensely passionate melodic rock very much in the vein of older Blindside, Circa Survive, and 30 Seconds to Mars (when they were good). I am completely thrilled with their new direction and hope other generic bands follow in Dead Poetic's footsteps into less predictable terrain.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/boodbrotherscd.jpg The Blood Brothers-Young Machetes (V2)
Website (http://www.thebloodbrothers.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/thebloodbrothersband)
The Blood Brother's newest output, Young Machetes, doesn't really burst through any walls, but that isn't really a bad thing. The band has turned manic insanity into a true art form, making their sound almost accessible for anyone. Over the course of 15 tracks and 52 minutes, it's amazing that they can keep this pace and manner of intensity, yet you feel gripped the entire ride. The closing track, "Giant Swan", really shows the range the Brothers have, sporting an almost Portishead vibe. When you can run a gauntlet that rivals Circle Takes the Square to At the Drive In to Portishead, this is truly an acomplishment to write home about. And while Young Machetes might have to fight to prove it's the Brother's 3rd best album, I'll be welcoming it into my collection with open arms.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/redsparowes.jpg Red Sparowes-Every Red Heart Shines Toward The Red Sun (Neurot)
Website (http://www.redsparowes.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/redsparowes)
The Red Sparowes decided that being a good post-rock band wasn't enough for them. So despite garnering accolades out the ying yang for their debut, At The Soundless Dawn, which was a much more ambient, melodic affair, laurels would not be rested on. So in the tradition of one uppance, the guys have decided to rival peers and brothers ISIS and Pelican and darned if they haven't given the vets all they can handle. Their new 62 minute opus, Every Red Heart Shines Toward A Red Sun, tackles a much more heavy vibe while piling on layers of melodic progression. So give it a spin and you will definitely be reeling from the swirls of texture and the thick doom lingering overhead.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/estradasphere.jpg Estradasphere-Palace Of Mirrors (The End)
Website (http://www.estradasphere.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/estradasphere)
Following in the footsteps of Mr. Bungle, Santa Cruz's resident avant garde quirks Estradasphere, are preparing to unfurl their fourth album, Palace of Mirrors, on The End Records. Falling somewhere in between Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Secret Chiefs 3, and Bungle, Estradasphere tackles almost every genre imaginable over the course of the albums 13 tracks and hour long length. From gypsy circus metal to 60's foreign cinema rock they mix in multiple jazz arrangementsas well as expansive orchestrations to create one of the most eccentric listens you will ever wrap your ears around. While Palace may not be the bands most accomplished work to date, it's hard not to acknowledge what a feat it is.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/lambofgod.jpg Lamb of God-Sacrament (Epic)
Website (http://www.lamb-of-god.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/lambofgod)
Lamb of God's fourth album (fifth if you count Burn the Priest), Sacrament, finds the band traveling down a well tread path. While it's hard to ignore the Lamb's punishing attack and use of menacing riffs and demonic growls, this genre is just starting to get watered down. So what was once unique now seems mundane, and it has become harder to differiante Lamb of God from the mimicking pack. Also present on most of the album is a strong resemblance to Pantera. Although this is rarely a bad thing, at times it's too close for comfort and originality becomes an issue. Overall I enjoyed the album and the production is supurb, yet it all seem's a tad too familiar.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/madeoutofbabies.jpg Made Out Of Babies-Cowards (Neurot)
Website (http://www.madeoutofbabies.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/madeoutofbabies)
Made Out Of Babies may be one of the most unique groups around currently. Sure Jesus Lizard was similar, but they weren't fronted by a woman. Yes front-woman Julie Christmas recalls to mind PJ Harvey, but never did PJ rock to near metal proportions like this. You could throw Babes In Toyland, Big Black, and Black Flag all out there was well, but none perfectly describe what this amazing band is doing. Last year I was floored by their debut, Trophy, but in no way was I prepared for the wonderful progression they would make from one album to the next. Cowards displays the band performing on another level of brilliance, of which I have not heard in ages, if ever. The album plays out like a choaticly insane thriller that has the ability to escalate instantly. If early listens are any indication, this lays in album of the year territory.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/jonezetta.jpg Jonezetta-Popularity (Tooth And Nail)
Website (http://www.jonezetta.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/jonezetta)
Jonezetta are the latest band to jump on the dance rock craze, as Tooth and Nail have no problem genre hopping these days. Their debut album for the label, Popularity, finds the band falling somewhere along the lines of The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, and The Faint, although not nearly as authentic as their copycatting forefathers. The sound is just so played at the moment with bands like The Bravery and Clear Static already being as disposable as diapers, and Jonezetta hasn't fallen far from the tree they were teethed on. Admittedly, the band has a knack for catchy hooks and loops, but it's so generic I have a hard time thinking there's any future in it.
--Adam Roncaglione
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/spartacd.JPG Sparta-Threes (Hollywood)
Website (http://www.spartamusic.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/sparta)
Ok by now we all know that At the Drive In was quite possibly one of the greatest bands ever, and they only get more famous each year since their breakup. Almost immediately after their demise, the sides split into The Mars Volta who became media darlings and Sparta, who despite garnering decent reviews, have not received the attention the Volta grabbed. Now, with the populace slowly turning against the Volta's incessant wankering (I happen to still like them), Sparta could not have picked a finer time to unleash their most ambitious and violently exuberant album yet. Threes finds the band digging for an aggression not found on their previous releases, whilst hitting on an occasional croon usually reserved for Radiohead. The album is uncannily similar to Vaux's latest album, and I couldn't be more pleased. Let's finally give this band the spotlight they deserve.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/deadpoetic.jpg Dead Poetic-Vices (Tooth and nail)
Website (http://www.deadpoetic.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/deadpoetic)
Dead Poetic have truly pulled the upset of the year as far as I'm concerned. As a constant basher of this band since New Medicines was released two + year's ago, my hate for them has only been compounded by the influx of band's even worse than DP polluting our world and airwaves. The band clearly felt my passionate disgust for them, through esp or some other supernatural line of communication, and totally retooled their sound. Vices host 14 songs of intensely passionate melodic rock very much in the vein of older Blindside, Circa Survive, and 30 Seconds to Mars (when they were good). I am completely thrilled with their new direction and hope other generic bands follow in Dead Poetic's footsteps into less predictable terrain.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/boodbrotherscd.jpg The Blood Brothers-Young Machetes (V2)
Website (http://www.thebloodbrothers.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/thebloodbrothersband)
The Blood Brother's newest output, Young Machetes, doesn't really burst through any walls, but that isn't really a bad thing. The band has turned manic insanity into a true art form, making their sound almost accessible for anyone. Over the course of 15 tracks and 52 minutes, it's amazing that they can keep this pace and manner of intensity, yet you feel gripped the entire ride. The closing track, "Giant Swan", really shows the range the Brothers have, sporting an almost Portishead vibe. When you can run a gauntlet that rivals Circle Takes the Square to At the Drive In to Portishead, this is truly an acomplishment to write home about. And while Young Machetes might have to fight to prove it's the Brother's 3rd best album, I'll be welcoming it into my collection with open arms.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/redsparowes.jpg Red Sparowes-Every Red Heart Shines Toward The Red Sun (Neurot)
Website (http://www.redsparowes.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/redsparowes)
The Red Sparowes decided that being a good post-rock band wasn't enough for them. So despite garnering accolades out the ying yang for their debut, At The Soundless Dawn, which was a much more ambient, melodic affair, laurels would not be rested on. So in the tradition of one uppance, the guys have decided to rival peers and brothers ISIS and Pelican and darned if they haven't given the vets all they can handle. Their new 62 minute opus, Every Red Heart Shines Toward A Red Sun, tackles a much more heavy vibe while piling on layers of melodic progression. So give it a spin and you will definitely be reeling from the swirls of texture and the thick doom lingering overhead.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/estradasphere.jpg Estradasphere-Palace Of Mirrors (The End)
Website (http://www.estradasphere.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/estradasphere)
Following in the footsteps of Mr. Bungle, Santa Cruz's resident avant garde quirks Estradasphere, are preparing to unfurl their fourth album, Palace of Mirrors, on The End Records. Falling somewhere in between Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Secret Chiefs 3, and Bungle, Estradasphere tackles almost every genre imaginable over the course of the albums 13 tracks and hour long length. From gypsy circus metal to 60's foreign cinema rock they mix in multiple jazz arrangementsas well as expansive orchestrations to create one of the most eccentric listens you will ever wrap your ears around. While Palace may not be the bands most accomplished work to date, it's hard not to acknowledge what a feat it is.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/lambofgod.jpg Lamb of God-Sacrament (Epic)
Website (http://www.lamb-of-god.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/lambofgod)
Lamb of God's fourth album (fifth if you count Burn the Priest), Sacrament, finds the band traveling down a well tread path. While it's hard to ignore the Lamb's punishing attack and use of menacing riffs and demonic growls, this genre is just starting to get watered down. So what was once unique now seems mundane, and it has become harder to differiante Lamb of God from the mimicking pack. Also present on most of the album is a strong resemblance to Pantera. Although this is rarely a bad thing, at times it's too close for comfort and originality becomes an issue. Overall I enjoyed the album and the production is supurb, yet it all seem's a tad too familiar.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/madeoutofbabies.jpg Made Out Of Babies-Cowards (Neurot)
Website (http://www.madeoutofbabies.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/madeoutofbabies)
Made Out Of Babies may be one of the most unique groups around currently. Sure Jesus Lizard was similar, but they weren't fronted by a woman. Yes front-woman Julie Christmas recalls to mind PJ Harvey, but never did PJ rock to near metal proportions like this. You could throw Babes In Toyland, Big Black, and Black Flag all out there was well, but none perfectly describe what this amazing band is doing. Last year I was floored by their debut, Trophy, but in no way was I prepared for the wonderful progression they would make from one album to the next. Cowards displays the band performing on another level of brilliance, of which I have not heard in ages, if ever. The album plays out like a choaticly insane thriller that has the ability to escalate instantly. If early listens are any indication, this lays in album of the year territory.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/jonezetta.jpg Jonezetta-Popularity (Tooth And Nail)
Website (http://www.jonezetta.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/jonezetta)
Jonezetta are the latest band to jump on the dance rock craze, as Tooth and Nail have no problem genre hopping these days. Their debut album for the label, Popularity, finds the band falling somewhere along the lines of The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, and The Faint, although not nearly as authentic as their copycatting forefathers. The sound is just so played at the moment with bands like The Bravery and Clear Static already being as disposable as diapers, and Jonezetta hasn't fallen far from the tree they were teethed on. Admittedly, the band has a knack for catchy hooks and loops, but it's so generic I have a hard time thinking there's any future in it.
--Adam Roncaglione