sir mix-a-lot
10-18-2006, 07:47 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.
Armand Babian Says If Y'All Want A Single, Say Ef That: Ef - Give Me Beauty, Or Give Me Death
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/ef.jpg
Website: (http://www.efmusic.nu) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/ef)
If you’ve ever felt that the only thing Explosions in the Sky is lacking is a string section and dual male/female vocals, then Ef is the band for you! Granted, they’re not as good as EITS or as inventive, but they still make some darn pretty music.
In other words, think of a cross between EITS and Gregor Samsa. Now listen!
Allen Rides The Decoy Bandwagon All The Way To The Colisuem: Envy - Insomniac Doze
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/envy.jpg
Website: (http://www.sonzairecords.com/envy.html) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/envycore)
I wasn’t sure if someone was going to do this or not, but here goes nothing. Ok, so they’re singing in Japanese—it's not like you could understand them anyway if they were singing in English. Even so, the lead singer’s scream is so GOOD—it conveys an amazing amount of emotion behind it, carrying it past lingual barriers. And the more ambient instrumentation backs it all up perfectly. These dudes pull off progressive hardcore better than almost anyone on this side of the Pacific.
Alex Davies Continues His Mind-Blowingly Confusing Love Of Horrendously Transparent Pop Music That Barely Earns The "Catchy" Tag, Let Alone His Choice Adjective Of "Brilliant." While I'm On The Subject, How Can You Admit An Album Is Loaded Down With Filler, Then Come Back To Call It "Brilliant?" This Has To Violate Just About Every Rule Ever In Regards To Musical Critique. Is There Anyone Who Reads What This Guy Writes And Thinks, "Out Of All The Writers At Decoy, I Should Take This Guy's Opinion Above All Others?" I Mean, Fuck, Why Would That Person Waste Their Time With This Site If They're Just Looking To Have Fall Out Boy's Signees Pimped? Just Put WWW.FUELEDBYRAMEN.COM As Your Home Page And Be Done With The Internet Already. Seriously, When Will It End?: Paramore - All We Know Is Falling
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/paramore.jpg
Website: (http://www.paramore.net) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/paramore)
Fully adhering to the notion that Fueled By Ramen caters for all my musical needs, this album has dominated my listening this week, partly to gear me up for seeing the band in Manchester and Leeds, partly to prepare me to interview them, mainly because it is a great album. Whilst this is a brilliant pop album and there are tracks that don't try to be anything other than floor fillers and crowd pleasers, tracks like "Franklin" and "My Heart" showcase a band with true talent and a lengthy career ahead of them.
Dave Spak Combats The Inexcusable Butchering Of Musical "Journalism" Above With The Well-Thought-Out Piece That Actually Holds Some Level Of Merit Below: The Hold Steady - Boys And Girls In America
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/theholdsteady.jpg
Website: (http://www.theholdsteady.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/theholdsteady)
The Killers deliberately tried to create a record that had the sound and feel of classic rock albums such as Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run. Unfortunately, they completely missed the mark and lost everything that made Springsteen’s albums great while also alienating their audience. The Hold Steady succeeds in every aspect that The Killers had failed. They don’t use their influences as a template for their album. Instead, they utilize their Springsteen influence to enhance their own sound. The outcome is a sound that is more innovative than it is imitative.
Boys and Girls in America has all elements of a classic album. Craig Finn’s unmistakably half-sung/half-spoken word vocals lead you through a Bukowski-like observational narrative. The crunchy guitars, electric organ, and painfully clever lyrics are all back from previous albums. Songs such as “Some Kooks,” “Party Pit,” and “Southtown Girls” have a classic rock feel without sounding dated. This is an album that is thoroughly entertaining and a solid listen straight through. I highly recommend this album to anyone who thinks ‘they don’t make ‘em like they used to’ but also anyone who just enjoys indie rock.
Jared Will Bring Them The Horizon If They Buy His Copy Of Cruel Intentions On VHS: Bring Me The Horizon - Count Your Blessings
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/bringmethehorizon.jpg
Website: (http://www.bringmethehorizon.co.uk) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/bmth)
Please, someone tell me I overlooked Bring Me The Horizon somehow. I remember listening to them on MySpace maybe 3-4 months ago and they are five times better than I remember. It's sort of a mix between The Black Dahlia Murder and The Agony Scene. There is one really slow lame song, but the rest are ripping grindcore combined with a heavy dose of metal sludge and a few breakdowns. It'd be what metalcore would sound like if you took him out back and smoked a joint with him. You want to hear an example? Listen to "(I Used To Make Out With) Medusa." It's got a blistering solo and some epically heavy breakdowns. I gotta gripe on the lame song names though; come on, you can come up with something better than "Off the Heezay."
Marc Rushes For Over 600 Yards In An Awesome Display Of Horrendous Sportsmanship: Know The Score - All Time Low
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/knowthescore.jpg
Website: (http://www.knowthescorehc.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/knowthescore)
Easily my favorite Eulogy band, and probably my favorite Eulogy release, as well. Know the Score plays fast, pissed off, bitter hardcore in the vein of Negative Approach, with 16 songs clocking in at 20 minutes. The band covers every problem in hardcore, whether it's bands reuniting for the wrong reasons ("$2000 Guarantee"), fake kids ("Hell or High Water," almost every other song as well), bands getting known for their ex-members ("Ex.Members of I Don't Give A Fuck"), and selling out ("Shooting Jesus Fish In a Barrel"). Hell, the album cover says it all about the whole genre. Honesty never came so hard from a band. They are bitter and pissed, but for all the right reasons. Hardcore has become such a fad with the Nike dunks, BAPE hoodies, and kids profiting off merch and records (Cold World, American Nightmare). Know the Score is tired of this bullshit, and trying to separate the kids who will be here next year and the kids who won't. Only downfall to this record is a lot of the tracks came off the EP, but that was expected.
Jordan Would Like To Let You Know That, In Related News, The New Aereogramme Full-Length Has Leaked. Ordinarily, I/We Would Not Promote This In This Fashion Via The Listening Station, But, In All Seriousness, You Should Listen To Aereogramme. This Cannot Be Stressed Enough. Now Back To His Pick: Medications - Your Favorite People All In One Place
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/medications.jpg
Website: (http://www.medicationsband.com) :: Listen: (http://www.medicationsband.com)
I'm new to Medications. I never really heard about them before yesterday - I was using Pandora.com, looking for bands like Aereogramme - and then, bam!, Medication's track "Surprise!" pops up. I was impressed very quickly. I then proceeded to track down any other tracks of theirs that I could. Super good stuff. They're on Dischord Records, so, clearly, they're in good hands - but I just can't help feeling like another something special slipped past my sight - but hey, better late than never. Guess it's time to make a new friend over at Dischord. Done and done.
Brandon Sparks The Debate Anew: mewithoutYou - Brother, Sister
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/mewithoutyou.jpg
Website: (http://www.mewithoutyou.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/mewithoutyou)
Call it amazing. Call it different. Call it whatever you want, but don't you dare call it bad. This is certainly honesty with sheer sincerity. With all the truth behind this album, there is a catchy aspect to it. With a great awareness of their sound and an understanding of their growth as artists, Brother, Sister is by far mewithoutYou's strongest work to date.
Scott Hates Both Versions Of Planet Of The Apes: Kode9 & The Spaceape - Memories Of The Future
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/k9.jpg
Website: (http://www.kode9.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/kode9)
What the fuck is "dubstep reggae?" Apparently, it's this new album by Kode9 featuring The Spaceape. If you want to know what it sounds like, just imagine one of those evil Egyptian aliens from Stargate (to call them by their name, Goa'uld, would only serve to provide further evidence of my nerd-dom… … …dammit) with a Jamaican accent, backed by a smooth, steady bass line and bursts of electronica. It's definitely an intriguing listen, but I'll need to give it a few more spins before deciding whether or not I really like it.
Johnny Wants To Be A Real Boy: Rouletta - Demo EP
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/rouletta.jpg
Website: (http://www.rouletta.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/rouletta)
Straight out of the south comes Atlanta, Georgia's Rouletta. This southern rock six-piece plays exactly what you'd think would come out of ATL, and no, its not Crunk. There's twangy, no-frills vocals, harmonica solos, organs and, of course, rockin guitar licks. The lyrics are sex, drugs and rock and roll...growing up in America. It is amazing: four years ago, I listened to nothing but pop punk; now, as a 25 year old married guy, I'm listening to southern, country-tinged rock and roll. What is going on here?!
Jeremy Deal Explains In Rich Detail Why A Grunge Rebirth Would Only End In Even More Violent, Inexplicable Death: Unified Theory - Unified Theory
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/unifiedtheory.jpg
Website: (http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/unified_theory/artist.jhtml) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/unifiedtheoryluma)
Comprised mostly of ex-Blind Melon members (Chris Thorn and Brad Smith) and one-time Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen, Unified Theory had a solid musical lineup. New-comer (at the time) Chris Shinn (son of Hornets owner George Shinn) was the vocalist that fronted this sonic yet sensual assault. The songs all had a dreamy feel, even when they were rocking your ass off, and it's a shame to say this was their only album before disbanding. Try listening to it whilst lying on a boat deck and experience a temporary nirvana (no, not the kind where you blow your brains out - the real nirvana).
Chris Conlan Advises You To Swing By Your Local Starbucks And Overpay For Your Coffee And This Album: John Mayer - Continuum
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/johnmayer2.jpg
Website: (http://www.johnmayer.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/johnmayer)
It's been 3 years since John Mayer released a studio album and, in that time, it looks like he decided it was time for a change. I'm not honestly sure what to make of this album. At times I really like it and at times I'm bored. You would think with about 3-4 listens to this album I could make up my mind about it. Let's just say if you are a fan of blues music, you'll like this disc. Other than that, I'll leave my final thoughts on this album for my review.
Ben Was Going To Pick Aenima So He Could Rant About Tool Being Self-Indulgent, Over-Thought, And Boring Since They Began Writing Lateralus, Then Turned This On And Changed His Mind: The Traveling Wilburys - Volume 3
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/travelingwilburys.jpg
Website: (http://www.wilburys.info) :: Listen: (http://www.wilburys.info/videos.html)
I don't know how you can't love a band which features Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison. You don't even have to be in love with the members' bands to appreciate their work in this conglomerate. And if you don't know what bands each of these people is associated with, you need to stop listening to music right now or go out and get educated. Granted, Orbison died before this particular volume in the Wilburys collection, but this record's still my tee fine. But what's really important to remember is this: "The Wilbury Twist" must be played at least double the volume of any other track on any album ever recorded. It's the rules. Abide.
Armand Babian Says If Y'All Want A Single, Say Ef That: Ef - Give Me Beauty, Or Give Me Death
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/ef.jpg
Website: (http://www.efmusic.nu) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/ef)
If you’ve ever felt that the only thing Explosions in the Sky is lacking is a string section and dual male/female vocals, then Ef is the band for you! Granted, they’re not as good as EITS or as inventive, but they still make some darn pretty music.
In other words, think of a cross between EITS and Gregor Samsa. Now listen!
Allen Rides The Decoy Bandwagon All The Way To The Colisuem: Envy - Insomniac Doze
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/envy.jpg
Website: (http://www.sonzairecords.com/envy.html) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/envycore)
I wasn’t sure if someone was going to do this or not, but here goes nothing. Ok, so they’re singing in Japanese—it's not like you could understand them anyway if they were singing in English. Even so, the lead singer’s scream is so GOOD—it conveys an amazing amount of emotion behind it, carrying it past lingual barriers. And the more ambient instrumentation backs it all up perfectly. These dudes pull off progressive hardcore better than almost anyone on this side of the Pacific.
Alex Davies Continues His Mind-Blowingly Confusing Love Of Horrendously Transparent Pop Music That Barely Earns The "Catchy" Tag, Let Alone His Choice Adjective Of "Brilliant." While I'm On The Subject, How Can You Admit An Album Is Loaded Down With Filler, Then Come Back To Call It "Brilliant?" This Has To Violate Just About Every Rule Ever In Regards To Musical Critique. Is There Anyone Who Reads What This Guy Writes And Thinks, "Out Of All The Writers At Decoy, I Should Take This Guy's Opinion Above All Others?" I Mean, Fuck, Why Would That Person Waste Their Time With This Site If They're Just Looking To Have Fall Out Boy's Signees Pimped? Just Put WWW.FUELEDBYRAMEN.COM As Your Home Page And Be Done With The Internet Already. Seriously, When Will It End?: Paramore - All We Know Is Falling
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/paramore.jpg
Website: (http://www.paramore.net) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/paramore)
Fully adhering to the notion that Fueled By Ramen caters for all my musical needs, this album has dominated my listening this week, partly to gear me up for seeing the band in Manchester and Leeds, partly to prepare me to interview them, mainly because it is a great album. Whilst this is a brilliant pop album and there are tracks that don't try to be anything other than floor fillers and crowd pleasers, tracks like "Franklin" and "My Heart" showcase a band with true talent and a lengthy career ahead of them.
Dave Spak Combats The Inexcusable Butchering Of Musical "Journalism" Above With The Well-Thought-Out Piece That Actually Holds Some Level Of Merit Below: The Hold Steady - Boys And Girls In America
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/theholdsteady.jpg
Website: (http://www.theholdsteady.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/theholdsteady)
The Killers deliberately tried to create a record that had the sound and feel of classic rock albums such as Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run. Unfortunately, they completely missed the mark and lost everything that made Springsteen’s albums great while also alienating their audience. The Hold Steady succeeds in every aspect that The Killers had failed. They don’t use their influences as a template for their album. Instead, they utilize their Springsteen influence to enhance their own sound. The outcome is a sound that is more innovative than it is imitative.
Boys and Girls in America has all elements of a classic album. Craig Finn’s unmistakably half-sung/half-spoken word vocals lead you through a Bukowski-like observational narrative. The crunchy guitars, electric organ, and painfully clever lyrics are all back from previous albums. Songs such as “Some Kooks,” “Party Pit,” and “Southtown Girls” have a classic rock feel without sounding dated. This is an album that is thoroughly entertaining and a solid listen straight through. I highly recommend this album to anyone who thinks ‘they don’t make ‘em like they used to’ but also anyone who just enjoys indie rock.
Jared Will Bring Them The Horizon If They Buy His Copy Of Cruel Intentions On VHS: Bring Me The Horizon - Count Your Blessings
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/bringmethehorizon.jpg
Website: (http://www.bringmethehorizon.co.uk) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/bmth)
Please, someone tell me I overlooked Bring Me The Horizon somehow. I remember listening to them on MySpace maybe 3-4 months ago and they are five times better than I remember. It's sort of a mix between The Black Dahlia Murder and The Agony Scene. There is one really slow lame song, but the rest are ripping grindcore combined with a heavy dose of metal sludge and a few breakdowns. It'd be what metalcore would sound like if you took him out back and smoked a joint with him. You want to hear an example? Listen to "(I Used To Make Out With) Medusa." It's got a blistering solo and some epically heavy breakdowns. I gotta gripe on the lame song names though; come on, you can come up with something better than "Off the Heezay."
Marc Rushes For Over 600 Yards In An Awesome Display Of Horrendous Sportsmanship: Know The Score - All Time Low
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/knowthescore.jpg
Website: (http://www.knowthescorehc.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/knowthescore)
Easily my favorite Eulogy band, and probably my favorite Eulogy release, as well. Know the Score plays fast, pissed off, bitter hardcore in the vein of Negative Approach, with 16 songs clocking in at 20 minutes. The band covers every problem in hardcore, whether it's bands reuniting for the wrong reasons ("$2000 Guarantee"), fake kids ("Hell or High Water," almost every other song as well), bands getting known for their ex-members ("Ex.Members of I Don't Give A Fuck"), and selling out ("Shooting Jesus Fish In a Barrel"). Hell, the album cover says it all about the whole genre. Honesty never came so hard from a band. They are bitter and pissed, but for all the right reasons. Hardcore has become such a fad with the Nike dunks, BAPE hoodies, and kids profiting off merch and records (Cold World, American Nightmare). Know the Score is tired of this bullshit, and trying to separate the kids who will be here next year and the kids who won't. Only downfall to this record is a lot of the tracks came off the EP, but that was expected.
Jordan Would Like To Let You Know That, In Related News, The New Aereogramme Full-Length Has Leaked. Ordinarily, I/We Would Not Promote This In This Fashion Via The Listening Station, But, In All Seriousness, You Should Listen To Aereogramme. This Cannot Be Stressed Enough. Now Back To His Pick: Medications - Your Favorite People All In One Place
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/medications.jpg
Website: (http://www.medicationsband.com) :: Listen: (http://www.medicationsband.com)
I'm new to Medications. I never really heard about them before yesterday - I was using Pandora.com, looking for bands like Aereogramme - and then, bam!, Medication's track "Surprise!" pops up. I was impressed very quickly. I then proceeded to track down any other tracks of theirs that I could. Super good stuff. They're on Dischord Records, so, clearly, they're in good hands - but I just can't help feeling like another something special slipped past my sight - but hey, better late than never. Guess it's time to make a new friend over at Dischord. Done and done.
Brandon Sparks The Debate Anew: mewithoutYou - Brother, Sister
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/mewithoutyou.jpg
Website: (http://www.mewithoutyou.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/mewithoutyou)
Call it amazing. Call it different. Call it whatever you want, but don't you dare call it bad. This is certainly honesty with sheer sincerity. With all the truth behind this album, there is a catchy aspect to it. With a great awareness of their sound and an understanding of their growth as artists, Brother, Sister is by far mewithoutYou's strongest work to date.
Scott Hates Both Versions Of Planet Of The Apes: Kode9 & The Spaceape - Memories Of The Future
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/k9.jpg
Website: (http://www.kode9.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/kode9)
What the fuck is "dubstep reggae?" Apparently, it's this new album by Kode9 featuring The Spaceape. If you want to know what it sounds like, just imagine one of those evil Egyptian aliens from Stargate (to call them by their name, Goa'uld, would only serve to provide further evidence of my nerd-dom… … …dammit) with a Jamaican accent, backed by a smooth, steady bass line and bursts of electronica. It's definitely an intriguing listen, but I'll need to give it a few more spins before deciding whether or not I really like it.
Johnny Wants To Be A Real Boy: Rouletta - Demo EP
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/rouletta.jpg
Website: (http://www.rouletta.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/rouletta)
Straight out of the south comes Atlanta, Georgia's Rouletta. This southern rock six-piece plays exactly what you'd think would come out of ATL, and no, its not Crunk. There's twangy, no-frills vocals, harmonica solos, organs and, of course, rockin guitar licks. The lyrics are sex, drugs and rock and roll...growing up in America. It is amazing: four years ago, I listened to nothing but pop punk; now, as a 25 year old married guy, I'm listening to southern, country-tinged rock and roll. What is going on here?!
Jeremy Deal Explains In Rich Detail Why A Grunge Rebirth Would Only End In Even More Violent, Inexplicable Death: Unified Theory - Unified Theory
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/unifiedtheory.jpg
Website: (http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/unified_theory/artist.jhtml) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/unifiedtheoryluma)
Comprised mostly of ex-Blind Melon members (Chris Thorn and Brad Smith) and one-time Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen, Unified Theory had a solid musical lineup. New-comer (at the time) Chris Shinn (son of Hornets owner George Shinn) was the vocalist that fronted this sonic yet sensual assault. The songs all had a dreamy feel, even when they were rocking your ass off, and it's a shame to say this was their only album before disbanding. Try listening to it whilst lying on a boat deck and experience a temporary nirvana (no, not the kind where you blow your brains out - the real nirvana).
Chris Conlan Advises You To Swing By Your Local Starbucks And Overpay For Your Coffee And This Album: John Mayer - Continuum
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/johnmayer2.jpg
Website: (http://www.johnmayer.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/johnmayer)
It's been 3 years since John Mayer released a studio album and, in that time, it looks like he decided it was time for a change. I'm not honestly sure what to make of this album. At times I really like it and at times I'm bored. You would think with about 3-4 listens to this album I could make up my mind about it. Let's just say if you are a fan of blues music, you'll like this disc. Other than that, I'll leave my final thoughts on this album for my review.
Ben Was Going To Pick Aenima So He Could Rant About Tool Being Self-Indulgent, Over-Thought, And Boring Since They Began Writing Lateralus, Then Turned This On And Changed His Mind: The Traveling Wilburys - Volume 3
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/travelingwilburys.jpg
Website: (http://www.wilburys.info) :: Listen: (http://www.wilburys.info/videos.html)
I don't know how you can't love a band which features Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison. You don't even have to be in love with the members' bands to appreciate their work in this conglomerate. And if you don't know what bands each of these people is associated with, you need to stop listening to music right now or go out and get educated. Granted, Orbison died before this particular volume in the Wilburys collection, but this record's still my tee fine. But what's really important to remember is this: "The Wilbury Twist" must be played at least double the volume of any other track on any album ever recorded. It's the rules. Abide.