sir mix-a-lot
09-27-2006, 07:31 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.
Marc Doesn't Recognize, But Maybe If You Hum A Few: Bars - Introducing
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/bars.jpg
Website: (http://www.thebarsrock.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/bars)
Since The Hope Conspiracy just released their new album Death Knows Your Name, I figured I would throw this album out to those who have yet to discover it. Bars features members of The Hope Conspiracy, American Nightmare/Give Up the Ghost, and even the Red Chord. Bars's sound is very fast, very punk, very dark, and very angry. From track to track they play a mixture of punk, hardcore, and rock in the vein of The Suicide File, The Bronx, Black Flag, and Blacklisted. The album rarely slows down and, when it does, the band knows how to bring the momentum back. After Introducing…, you'll be left thinking, "The Hope Who? The American Who?" Sadly, Bars is pretty much a project that will be nothing more then what it has been. This is a rare gem; hold onto it.
Chris Conlan Is Glad It's No Longer 1995 Or He Wouldn't Be Able To Go For Two In The Pros. Also, I Can't Deprive Our Readership Of A Hearty Laugh: Ivory - As Yet Untitled
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/ivory.jpg
Website: (http://www.ivoryband.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/ivoryband)
Will this album be released this year? Who knows, but I do know that from the all the new songs I heard from it, it is the TITS. If I were to guess what the single is going to be, I'd have to go with "The City Comes Alive." This track has got to be Ivory's best song to date. The guys really stepped it up on this album with more powerful/anthemic songs.
People who were fans of their EP will be overjoyed when they get to hear the new material. Let's just hope Tony Brummel doesn't drag this damn lawsuit with Hawthorne Heights out too long so Carbon Copy Media can finally release this album.
Chris Pandolfo Listens To Metal. Not Sure If You Knew: Agalloch - Ashes Against The Grain
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/agalloch.jpg
Website: (http://www.agalloch.org) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/agalloch)
I have never heard of Agalloch until just recently. I saw my friend Matt Dyess (Sins Of Arcadia, Mastodong hater) had this album in his top 3 albums of the year. So as I went into FYE a week ago to check out some CDs I saw Agalloch's Ashes Against The Grain sitting there. So I pick it up, scan it, and listen to 30-second samples of each song. They sounded wonderful. Enough so that I knew I had to purchase it. In these samples I didn't hear any vocals. I figured they were instrumental. Little did I know and later find out that the songs are extremely long...meaning there is a good chance that I won't hear any vocals from 30 seconds out of a 10 minute song. After buying this, I then decided to buy Fear Before The March Of Flames's new album. Another risk. It was a day of risks at FYE. Hey, it was on sale.
On the way home from the mall I decided to put Agalloch in. I was extremely impressed. The music sounded like the finest post rock I've ever heard. About halfway through the song I am all of a sudden approached by these unexpected evil rasps...which can easily be identified as black metal screams. You are probably thinking to yourself right now "What a dumbass for not knowing who Agalloch was before purchasing this album."
Long story short...these frightening vocals ended up growing on me. Because I am not a follower, they do still seem unnecessary, but that's probably just because the music itself is so incredible. Because songs like "Falling Snow" showcase such emotional aspects just through their layers of ambient guitars, it's easy to think the vocals are a tad unnecessary.
Fortunately my risks had paid off at FYE. I ended up enjoying this album very much and even more surprisingly...I ended up loving the new Fear Before CD. What a turn around. But I'll save that for another Listening Station.
Jordan Obeys His Master, Master, Master Of Poop Hats: Priestess - Hello, Master
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/priestess.jpg
Website: (http://www.priestessband.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/priestessband)
Simply by the album cover, one can make a pretty accurate assumption as to what Priestess may sound like. So, let's analyze the artwork for a moment. We have a very Conan-esque landscape under a sky burned orange. In the middle of the chasm of stone before us, a large hand is emerging, reaching into the sky. This image really leaves us with only one sound in mind - pure stoner rock n' roll. And that's exactly what we get. Opening track "I Am The Night, Colour Me Black" is pure thunder from the very start. And the album never lets go. Easily comparable to The Sword, Burning Brides, and Wolfmother, this music is pure rock and roll, with furious drumming, wicked guitar work, sweet-ass vocals, and kickass breakdowns. Each song is a stoner metal treat. Please, do yourself a favor and listen to them, for they are indeed mighty.
Alex Flows Naturally, Unlike The Red River: The Dear Hunter - The Lake South, The River North
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/dearhunter.jpg
Website: (http://www.thedearhunter.com) :: Listen: (http://www.purevolume.com/thedearhunter)
It's going to be interesting to see what the next release by The Receiving End of Sirens will be like after the loss of the obvious creative juggernaut that is Casey Crescenzo, the former lead singer of the post-hardcore up-and-comers. Now writing material as a solo artist, Crescenzo had released Act I: The Lake South, the River North—and it is EPIC. It’s what you would get if you put the best parts of TREOS, Coheed and Cambria, The Mars Volta, Dresden Dolls, and a symphony in a blender and hit puree. It goes from forays into Mars Volta-esque psychedelia, to the prominent pianos in “The Pimp and the Priest” which evoke sounds of the Dresden Dolls, to material more reminiscent of TREOS. For the past week I've been listening to it on PureVolume on repeat when I get home.
Scott Breaks New Boundaries, Commits Blasphemy By Hinting At Putting A Re-Issue In His Year-End Top Ten List (A RE-ISSUE!!!): Raccoo-oo-oon - Is Night People
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/raccoo-oo-oon.jpg
Website: (http://www.raccoo-oo-oon.org) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/releasethebatsrecords)
This reissue blows my mind. Raccoo-oo-oon's god-awful (and nigh unpronounceable) name belies their godly musical ability, which rides that glorious experimental edge between abstract instrumental cacophony and dynamically focused rock. It definitely won't be lighting up the Billboard charts anytime soon, but after only a single listen Is Night People bumped its way onto my top 10 of 2006 list. Raccoo-oo-oon has crafted a truly rewarding listen.
Ben Once Sat By This Band's Drummer, Yet Has Never Seen Them Live. Social Ineptitude Or Just Run-Of-The-Mill Shyness? You Decide: With Passion - In The Midst Of Bloodied Soil
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/withpassion.jpg
Website: (http://www.withpassion.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/withpassion)
I've been meaning to review this album for a while now. Finally, I bought the album so I could listen in my car, maybe give myself a kickstart. It should work out. Anyway, if you like Zao and symphonic black metal, I really can't imagine a reason why you wouldn't adore With Passion. Well, except that metalheads are too badass and manly to ever "adore" anything. Swallow your pride, because you'll love 'em.
MJ Sometimes Feels Like Matt Dillon: Amplifier - Insider
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/amplifier.jpg
Website: (http://www.amplifiertheband.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/amplifiertheband)
“Nirvana who?” These are the two words that spring into mind when hearing a song from Manchester’s Amplifier. Despite remaining fairly anonymous to most listeners, their self-titled release and follow up EP raised the bar for what to expect from a band of only three. On October 2nd, this space prog trio will return with Insider, a commendable extension to the conceptual rock they weaved on their prior efforts. Destined to draw comparisons to Oceansize and Porcupine Tree, Insider’s niche for standing out amongst many of its heavy contenders is its gritty, barebones approach to the genre instead of the probable bells and whistles. Preorder it today; this album fits in very well between your Immune and Pure Reason Revolution MP3s.
Marc Doesn't Recognize, But Maybe If You Hum A Few: Bars - Introducing
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/bars.jpg
Website: (http://www.thebarsrock.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/bars)
Since The Hope Conspiracy just released their new album Death Knows Your Name, I figured I would throw this album out to those who have yet to discover it. Bars features members of The Hope Conspiracy, American Nightmare/Give Up the Ghost, and even the Red Chord. Bars's sound is very fast, very punk, very dark, and very angry. From track to track they play a mixture of punk, hardcore, and rock in the vein of The Suicide File, The Bronx, Black Flag, and Blacklisted. The album rarely slows down and, when it does, the band knows how to bring the momentum back. After Introducing…, you'll be left thinking, "The Hope Who? The American Who?" Sadly, Bars is pretty much a project that will be nothing more then what it has been. This is a rare gem; hold onto it.
Chris Conlan Is Glad It's No Longer 1995 Or He Wouldn't Be Able To Go For Two In The Pros. Also, I Can't Deprive Our Readership Of A Hearty Laugh: Ivory - As Yet Untitled
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/ivory.jpg
Website: (http://www.ivoryband.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/ivoryband)
Will this album be released this year? Who knows, but I do know that from the all the new songs I heard from it, it is the TITS. If I were to guess what the single is going to be, I'd have to go with "The City Comes Alive." This track has got to be Ivory's best song to date. The guys really stepped it up on this album with more powerful/anthemic songs.
People who were fans of their EP will be overjoyed when they get to hear the new material. Let's just hope Tony Brummel doesn't drag this damn lawsuit with Hawthorne Heights out too long so Carbon Copy Media can finally release this album.
Chris Pandolfo Listens To Metal. Not Sure If You Knew: Agalloch - Ashes Against The Grain
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/agalloch.jpg
Website: (http://www.agalloch.org) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/agalloch)
I have never heard of Agalloch until just recently. I saw my friend Matt Dyess (Sins Of Arcadia, Mastodong hater) had this album in his top 3 albums of the year. So as I went into FYE a week ago to check out some CDs I saw Agalloch's Ashes Against The Grain sitting there. So I pick it up, scan it, and listen to 30-second samples of each song. They sounded wonderful. Enough so that I knew I had to purchase it. In these samples I didn't hear any vocals. I figured they were instrumental. Little did I know and later find out that the songs are extremely long...meaning there is a good chance that I won't hear any vocals from 30 seconds out of a 10 minute song. After buying this, I then decided to buy Fear Before The March Of Flames's new album. Another risk. It was a day of risks at FYE. Hey, it was on sale.
On the way home from the mall I decided to put Agalloch in. I was extremely impressed. The music sounded like the finest post rock I've ever heard. About halfway through the song I am all of a sudden approached by these unexpected evil rasps...which can easily be identified as black metal screams. You are probably thinking to yourself right now "What a dumbass for not knowing who Agalloch was before purchasing this album."
Long story short...these frightening vocals ended up growing on me. Because I am not a follower, they do still seem unnecessary, but that's probably just because the music itself is so incredible. Because songs like "Falling Snow" showcase such emotional aspects just through their layers of ambient guitars, it's easy to think the vocals are a tad unnecessary.
Fortunately my risks had paid off at FYE. I ended up enjoying this album very much and even more surprisingly...I ended up loving the new Fear Before CD. What a turn around. But I'll save that for another Listening Station.
Jordan Obeys His Master, Master, Master Of Poop Hats: Priestess - Hello, Master
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/priestess.jpg
Website: (http://www.priestessband.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/priestessband)
Simply by the album cover, one can make a pretty accurate assumption as to what Priestess may sound like. So, let's analyze the artwork for a moment. We have a very Conan-esque landscape under a sky burned orange. In the middle of the chasm of stone before us, a large hand is emerging, reaching into the sky. This image really leaves us with only one sound in mind - pure stoner rock n' roll. And that's exactly what we get. Opening track "I Am The Night, Colour Me Black" is pure thunder from the very start. And the album never lets go. Easily comparable to The Sword, Burning Brides, and Wolfmother, this music is pure rock and roll, with furious drumming, wicked guitar work, sweet-ass vocals, and kickass breakdowns. Each song is a stoner metal treat. Please, do yourself a favor and listen to them, for they are indeed mighty.
Alex Flows Naturally, Unlike The Red River: The Dear Hunter - The Lake South, The River North
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/dearhunter.jpg
Website: (http://www.thedearhunter.com) :: Listen: (http://www.purevolume.com/thedearhunter)
It's going to be interesting to see what the next release by The Receiving End of Sirens will be like after the loss of the obvious creative juggernaut that is Casey Crescenzo, the former lead singer of the post-hardcore up-and-comers. Now writing material as a solo artist, Crescenzo had released Act I: The Lake South, the River North—and it is EPIC. It’s what you would get if you put the best parts of TREOS, Coheed and Cambria, The Mars Volta, Dresden Dolls, and a symphony in a blender and hit puree. It goes from forays into Mars Volta-esque psychedelia, to the prominent pianos in “The Pimp and the Priest” which evoke sounds of the Dresden Dolls, to material more reminiscent of TREOS. For the past week I've been listening to it on PureVolume on repeat when I get home.
Scott Breaks New Boundaries, Commits Blasphemy By Hinting At Putting A Re-Issue In His Year-End Top Ten List (A RE-ISSUE!!!): Raccoo-oo-oon - Is Night People
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/raccoo-oo-oon.jpg
Website: (http://www.raccoo-oo-oon.org) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/releasethebatsrecords)
This reissue blows my mind. Raccoo-oo-oon's god-awful (and nigh unpronounceable) name belies their godly musical ability, which rides that glorious experimental edge between abstract instrumental cacophony and dynamically focused rock. It definitely won't be lighting up the Billboard charts anytime soon, but after only a single listen Is Night People bumped its way onto my top 10 of 2006 list. Raccoo-oo-oon has crafted a truly rewarding listen.
Ben Once Sat By This Band's Drummer, Yet Has Never Seen Them Live. Social Ineptitude Or Just Run-Of-The-Mill Shyness? You Decide: With Passion - In The Midst Of Bloodied Soil
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/withpassion.jpg
Website: (http://www.withpassion.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/withpassion)
I've been meaning to review this album for a while now. Finally, I bought the album so I could listen in my car, maybe give myself a kickstart. It should work out. Anyway, if you like Zao and symphonic black metal, I really can't imagine a reason why you wouldn't adore With Passion. Well, except that metalheads are too badass and manly to ever "adore" anything. Swallow your pride, because you'll love 'em.
MJ Sometimes Feels Like Matt Dillon: Amplifier - Insider
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/amplifier.jpg
Website: (http://www.amplifiertheband.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/amplifiertheband)
“Nirvana who?” These are the two words that spring into mind when hearing a song from Manchester’s Amplifier. Despite remaining fairly anonymous to most listeners, their self-titled release and follow up EP raised the bar for what to expect from a band of only three. On October 2nd, this space prog trio will return with Insider, a commendable extension to the conceptual rock they weaved on their prior efforts. Destined to draw comparisons to Oceansize and Porcupine Tree, Insider’s niche for standing out amongst many of its heavy contenders is its gritty, barebones approach to the genre instead of the probable bells and whistles. Preorder it today; this album fits in very well between your Immune and Pure Reason Revolution MP3s.