Kamran
10-08-2006, 10:12 PM
Audioslave – Revelations
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/audioslaverevelations.jpg
Site (http://audioslave.com) | Listen (http://myspace.com/audioslave)
What can be said about Audioslave that hasn’t already been said about Afghanistan? Sure, they’re a monumental disappointment and a giant waste of former talent, but that doesn’t give them the right to be drearily boring, save a few songs from their debut. After the musical abortion that was Out of Exile, Audioslave returns with Revelations, a slightly better LP, but the fact remains that every heavy song sounds like “Cochise” and every soft song sounds like “Like a Stone.” Get some new material, boys; and “Original Fire” might be the lamest song Cornell’s ever been associated with.
Overall: 2.5/5
RIYL: Rage Against the Machine, 311, P.O.D., Buckcherry
Ratatat – Classics
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/ratatatclassics.jpg
Site (http://ratatatmusic.com) | Listen (http://myspace.com/ratatatmusic)
Get cute – get way cute because Ratatat is like, the cutest most cutesy, cuteness to have ever been cuted from God’s cute. That could be an exaggeration, but really, Ratatat’s second full-length, Classics is what every iPod will be jamming at every indie-kid party across the nation; either that or the Postal Service or something totally ironical. Regardless, Ratatat is a guitar-electronic-via-Power Mac duo that makes mellow, indistinct instrumentals that are good for lame dancing and romantic cuddling. Classics isn’t impressive, noticeable, or memorable, but it has no detrimental low-points either.
Overall: 3/5
RIYL: Something for Rockets, the Postal Service, Daft Punk, Dntel
The Roots – Game Theory
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/therootsgametheory.jpg
Site (http://theroots.com) | Listen (http://myspace.com/theroots)
The Roots are no stranger to label changes, having released albums under MCA, Remedy, their own Okayplayer label, and now Def Jam. The move to Def Jam is a logical one, as Game Theory focuses on themes of social mistrust and accountability – concepts not alien to Def Jam. Some tracks, like “Game Theory,” “Don’t Feel Right,” and “Long Time,” exceptional, some tracks are solid, but there’s also a few questionable songs. The Roots are reverently genuine – displayed through the J Dilla-produced ode “Can’t Stop This – musically conscious – as shown in the Radiohead-sampled “Atonement” – and above all, intelligently honest.
Overall: 4/5
RIYL: Mos Def, A Tribe Called Quest, De la Soul, J Dilla
Across Tundras – Dark Songs of the Prairie
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/acrosstundrasdarksongs.jpg
Site (http://myspace.com/acrosstundras) | Listen (http://myspace.com/acrosstundras)
Somehow, despite all the press Decoy gave Across Tundras over the past couple years, we managed to forget to actually review their debut album Dark Songs of the Prairie. As their name and album title might imply, Across Tundras plays desolate, brooding post-metal akin to Cult of Luna combined with the swirling post-rock guitars of Explosions in the Sky; find some ground between those two and you’d have something like Darks Songs of the Prairie. Across Tundras aren’t necessarily bringing anything revolutionary to the experimental rock table, but they certainly have shown a well of potential with this debut.
Overall: 3.5/5
RIYL: Pelican, Jesu, Cult of Luna, Explosions in the Sky
Arma Secreta – A Century’s Remains
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/armasecretaacenturysremains.jpg
Site (http://armasecreta.us) | Listen (http://myspace.com/armasecreta)
Let me tell y’all something: Listen to everything Adam Roncaglione has to say. This guy is a wealth of post-hardcore awesomeness. He sent me this album – but I hadn’t listened to it until recently – and once again, Roncag came through in the clutch with Arma Secreta: a young and talented trio from Memphis. Jordan Silverberg called this one out waaaaay back on our March 29 listening station and for good cause: A Century’s Remains is a dark horse for the year end awards, and certainly a tremendous, melodic post-hardcore debut, with only a few minor dings in the armor.
Overall: 4/5
RIYL: Quicksand, Sunny Day Real Estate, Drive Like Jehu, Sparta
TV On the Radio – Return to Cookie Mountain
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/tvontheradiocookiemountain.jpg
Site (http://tvontheradio.com) | Listen (http://myspace.com/tvotr)
I’ve was never really impressed with TV On the Radio, but once I saw their live show, my mind was immediately changed. Although their live show greatly overshadows their recorded albums, there’s no question that TV On the Radio make great danceable post-punk influenced indie-rock. Return to Cookie Mountain is the band’s second full-length effort, and TVOTR gracefully avoid the sophomore slump with a passionate, yet more polished album. Terrific musical melodies, layered with rich, Loveless-esque production, are accompanied by Tunde Adebimpe’s cherubic vocals – a stellar output.
Overall: 4/5
RIYL: The Pixies, Interpol, My Bloody Valentine, the Faint
Jesu – Silver (EP)
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/jesusilver.jpg
Site (http://www.avalancheinc.co.uk/jesumain.html) | Listen (http://myspace.com/jesuofficial)
Even though Silver is technically an EP, it spans 29-minutes of Jesu’s best material, including the chest-caving title track – something so beautiful it hurts; you know what I mean. Beneath its crushing guitars lie significantly upbeat melodies tied with Justin Broadrick’s lulling vocals. More dramatically paced than many of their post-metal counterparts, Jesu utilize a creative, yet simple presentation that results in a thematically epic EP. Heaviness is abundant on Silver, but that’s not what’s impressive: What really stands out is Broadrick’s talent as a songwriter, and his ability to make post-metal heartfelt without overbearing vocals and unneeded distortion.
Overall: 4.5/5
RIYL: Neurosis, Sigur Rós, My Bloody Valentine, Pelican
Various – Exit Music: Songs With Radio Heads
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/exitmusic.jpg
Site (http://rapsterrecords.com) | Listen (http://www.rapsterrecords.com/data.pl?release=RR0047CD)
This should probably only be considered for serious Radiohead fans, and under that condition, this could be a seriously rewarding treat. It’s probably one of the best tribute albums in recent years, considering nowadays every cover album is simply an emo-fied carbon copy; but not on Exit Music. Nay; here you’ll find Radiohead’s genre-crossing influence through electronic, jazz, soul, and urban reinterpretations, particularly the Bad Plus’ gut-wrenching performance of “Karma Police,” Mark Ronson and Alex Greenwald’s funky version of “Just,” and RJD2’s Radiohead-meets-Aphex Twin cover of “Airbag.” This is likely just for true Radiohead nerds, but damn is it enjoyable.
Overall: 3/5
RIYL: Radiohead, RJD2, the Bad Plus, Madlib
Mr. Lif – Mo’ Mega
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/mrlifmomega.jpg
Site (http://mrlif.com) | Listen (http://myspace.com/mrlif)
I may not know much of Mr. Lif’s discography (Okay, none), but I will tell you one thing I do know: Lif is pissed. Politically charged lyrics point fingers at everyone in power, and although Lif certainly put effort and thought into his lyrics, the overall delivery is weak. Musically, Mo’ Mega relies too heavily on lyrics, and both the dynamic and music suffer as a result. The music track-to-track has relatively the same tempo, as does Lif’s flow. Even though Lif has some hyper-leftist lyrics, the message isn’t presented effectively through music, much like Saul Williams.
Overall: 2.5/5
RIYL: Aesop Rock, El-P, The Perceptionists, Saul Williams
The Coup – Pick a Bigger Weapon
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/thecouppickabiggerweapon.jpg
Site (http://thecoupmusic.net) | Listen (http://myspace.com/thecoupmusic)
Is a seemingly non-furious, politically-charged hip-hop album possible? Well, evidentially the Coup – who are outspoken communists – made the impossible possible with Pick A Bigger Weapon, their fifth album and first for Epitaph. Funky beats and humorous but sincere lyrics compose Pick A Bigger Weapon, and Boots Riley has the baritone to do it. Although it’s the album’s catchiest track – and maybe hokiest, I can’t tell – “Laugh/Love/Fuck” is sure to get you and your pinko pals bumping on the dance floor. The Coup’s latest is lyrically interactive and musically enjoyable, which is all one can ultimately ask for in an accessible hip-hop record.
Overall: 3.5/5
RIYL: Common, Dead Prez, Funkadelic, Public Enemy
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/audioslaverevelations.jpg
Site (http://audioslave.com) | Listen (http://myspace.com/audioslave)
What can be said about Audioslave that hasn’t already been said about Afghanistan? Sure, they’re a monumental disappointment and a giant waste of former talent, but that doesn’t give them the right to be drearily boring, save a few songs from their debut. After the musical abortion that was Out of Exile, Audioslave returns with Revelations, a slightly better LP, but the fact remains that every heavy song sounds like “Cochise” and every soft song sounds like “Like a Stone.” Get some new material, boys; and “Original Fire” might be the lamest song Cornell’s ever been associated with.
Overall: 2.5/5
RIYL: Rage Against the Machine, 311, P.O.D., Buckcherry
Ratatat – Classics
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/ratatatclassics.jpg
Site (http://ratatatmusic.com) | Listen (http://myspace.com/ratatatmusic)
Get cute – get way cute because Ratatat is like, the cutest most cutesy, cuteness to have ever been cuted from God’s cute. That could be an exaggeration, but really, Ratatat’s second full-length, Classics is what every iPod will be jamming at every indie-kid party across the nation; either that or the Postal Service or something totally ironical. Regardless, Ratatat is a guitar-electronic-via-Power Mac duo that makes mellow, indistinct instrumentals that are good for lame dancing and romantic cuddling. Classics isn’t impressive, noticeable, or memorable, but it has no detrimental low-points either.
Overall: 3/5
RIYL: Something for Rockets, the Postal Service, Daft Punk, Dntel
The Roots – Game Theory
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/therootsgametheory.jpg
Site (http://theroots.com) | Listen (http://myspace.com/theroots)
The Roots are no stranger to label changes, having released albums under MCA, Remedy, their own Okayplayer label, and now Def Jam. The move to Def Jam is a logical one, as Game Theory focuses on themes of social mistrust and accountability – concepts not alien to Def Jam. Some tracks, like “Game Theory,” “Don’t Feel Right,” and “Long Time,” exceptional, some tracks are solid, but there’s also a few questionable songs. The Roots are reverently genuine – displayed through the J Dilla-produced ode “Can’t Stop This – musically conscious – as shown in the Radiohead-sampled “Atonement” – and above all, intelligently honest.
Overall: 4/5
RIYL: Mos Def, A Tribe Called Quest, De la Soul, J Dilla
Across Tundras – Dark Songs of the Prairie
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/acrosstundrasdarksongs.jpg
Site (http://myspace.com/acrosstundras) | Listen (http://myspace.com/acrosstundras)
Somehow, despite all the press Decoy gave Across Tundras over the past couple years, we managed to forget to actually review their debut album Dark Songs of the Prairie. As their name and album title might imply, Across Tundras plays desolate, brooding post-metal akin to Cult of Luna combined with the swirling post-rock guitars of Explosions in the Sky; find some ground between those two and you’d have something like Darks Songs of the Prairie. Across Tundras aren’t necessarily bringing anything revolutionary to the experimental rock table, but they certainly have shown a well of potential with this debut.
Overall: 3.5/5
RIYL: Pelican, Jesu, Cult of Luna, Explosions in the Sky
Arma Secreta – A Century’s Remains
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/armasecretaacenturysremains.jpg
Site (http://armasecreta.us) | Listen (http://myspace.com/armasecreta)
Let me tell y’all something: Listen to everything Adam Roncaglione has to say. This guy is a wealth of post-hardcore awesomeness. He sent me this album – but I hadn’t listened to it until recently – and once again, Roncag came through in the clutch with Arma Secreta: a young and talented trio from Memphis. Jordan Silverberg called this one out waaaaay back on our March 29 listening station and for good cause: A Century’s Remains is a dark horse for the year end awards, and certainly a tremendous, melodic post-hardcore debut, with only a few minor dings in the armor.
Overall: 4/5
RIYL: Quicksand, Sunny Day Real Estate, Drive Like Jehu, Sparta
TV On the Radio – Return to Cookie Mountain
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/tvontheradiocookiemountain.jpg
Site (http://tvontheradio.com) | Listen (http://myspace.com/tvotr)
I’ve was never really impressed with TV On the Radio, but once I saw their live show, my mind was immediately changed. Although their live show greatly overshadows their recorded albums, there’s no question that TV On the Radio make great danceable post-punk influenced indie-rock. Return to Cookie Mountain is the band’s second full-length effort, and TVOTR gracefully avoid the sophomore slump with a passionate, yet more polished album. Terrific musical melodies, layered with rich, Loveless-esque production, are accompanied by Tunde Adebimpe’s cherubic vocals – a stellar output.
Overall: 4/5
RIYL: The Pixies, Interpol, My Bloody Valentine, the Faint
Jesu – Silver (EP)
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/jesusilver.jpg
Site (http://www.avalancheinc.co.uk/jesumain.html) | Listen (http://myspace.com/jesuofficial)
Even though Silver is technically an EP, it spans 29-minutes of Jesu’s best material, including the chest-caving title track – something so beautiful it hurts; you know what I mean. Beneath its crushing guitars lie significantly upbeat melodies tied with Justin Broadrick’s lulling vocals. More dramatically paced than many of their post-metal counterparts, Jesu utilize a creative, yet simple presentation that results in a thematically epic EP. Heaviness is abundant on Silver, but that’s not what’s impressive: What really stands out is Broadrick’s talent as a songwriter, and his ability to make post-metal heartfelt without overbearing vocals and unneeded distortion.
Overall: 4.5/5
RIYL: Neurosis, Sigur Rós, My Bloody Valentine, Pelican
Various – Exit Music: Songs With Radio Heads
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/exitmusic.jpg
Site (http://rapsterrecords.com) | Listen (http://www.rapsterrecords.com/data.pl?release=RR0047CD)
This should probably only be considered for serious Radiohead fans, and under that condition, this could be a seriously rewarding treat. It’s probably one of the best tribute albums in recent years, considering nowadays every cover album is simply an emo-fied carbon copy; but not on Exit Music. Nay; here you’ll find Radiohead’s genre-crossing influence through electronic, jazz, soul, and urban reinterpretations, particularly the Bad Plus’ gut-wrenching performance of “Karma Police,” Mark Ronson and Alex Greenwald’s funky version of “Just,” and RJD2’s Radiohead-meets-Aphex Twin cover of “Airbag.” This is likely just for true Radiohead nerds, but damn is it enjoyable.
Overall: 3/5
RIYL: Radiohead, RJD2, the Bad Plus, Madlib
Mr. Lif – Mo’ Mega
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/mrlifmomega.jpg
Site (http://mrlif.com) | Listen (http://myspace.com/mrlif)
I may not know much of Mr. Lif’s discography (Okay, none), but I will tell you one thing I do know: Lif is pissed. Politically charged lyrics point fingers at everyone in power, and although Lif certainly put effort and thought into his lyrics, the overall delivery is weak. Musically, Mo’ Mega relies too heavily on lyrics, and both the dynamic and music suffer as a result. The music track-to-track has relatively the same tempo, as does Lif’s flow. Even though Lif has some hyper-leftist lyrics, the message isn’t presented effectively through music, much like Saul Williams.
Overall: 2.5/5
RIYL: Aesop Rock, El-P, The Perceptionists, Saul Williams
The Coup – Pick a Bigger Weapon
http://decoymusic.com/images/missedalbums/thecouppickabiggerweapon.jpg
Site (http://thecoupmusic.net) | Listen (http://myspace.com/thecoupmusic)
Is a seemingly non-furious, politically-charged hip-hop album possible? Well, evidentially the Coup – who are outspoken communists – made the impossible possible with Pick A Bigger Weapon, their fifth album and first for Epitaph. Funky beats and humorous but sincere lyrics compose Pick A Bigger Weapon, and Boots Riley has the baritone to do it. Although it’s the album’s catchiest track – and maybe hokiest, I can’t tell – “Laugh/Love/Fuck” is sure to get you and your pinko pals bumping on the dance floor. The Coup’s latest is lyrically interactive and musically enjoyable, which is all one can ultimately ask for in an accessible hip-hop record.
Overall: 3.5/5
RIYL: Common, Dead Prez, Funkadelic, Public Enemy