sir mix-a-lot
01-03-2007, 10:06 PM
Welcome, readers, to 2007's first installment of Decoy's weekly Listening Station. I'm sure everyone missed us last week, but we were busy pre-emptively mourning the death of Gerald Ford. Plus we were still hungover from all that egg nog. But enough excuses! Let's get to the picks, which, as always, are submitted by staff and reader alike.
Chris Conlan Turns A Certain Shade Of Green Over
The Envy Corps
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/theenvycorps.jpg
I Will Write You Love Letters If You Tell Me To
Website: (http://www.theenvycorps.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/theenvycorps)
When I first came across The Envy Corps I wasn't sure what to think. I didn't even know they were from Ames, IA, which is only about 2 hours away from me. Honestly, to find a "good" band in Iowa is like finding a needle in the haystack or maybe I'm not looking hard enough. Nonetheless, The Envy Corps is a band on the rise. Their EP I Will Write You Love Letters If You Tell Me To will remind you of a mix of Coldplay and Aqualung. Hey, even throw in a little bit of Radiohead, as well.
Unlike some indie rock albums that are just absolutely boring, with no melody whatsoever, I Will Write You Love Letters If You Tell Me To is full of anthemic indie rock tracks. Take one listen to "Rhinemaidens" and you'll know what I'm talking about.
All I know is, I'm psyched as hell for their upcoming major label
full-length. Oh yeah, they recently signed to Vertigo Records a
couple months back.
Editor's Note: I wonder if Chris asked these guys to write him a love letter or if he simply implied it. Either way, I think they owe him one.
Dave Spak Wouldn't Let This One Slip Through The Cracks
In First Person
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/infirstperson.jpg
Lost Between Hands Held Tight
Website: (http://www.myspace.com/infirstperson) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/infirstperson)
This is one of the few records I have bought before even hearing the band. I purchased it on vinyl after seeing the stellar packaging. I also noticed that it was on Paramnesia Records, whose previous releases have established them as one of the best new labels around for hardcore. The amount of work that was put into the layout of this record is mind-blowing. Everything is hand glued, screened, stapled, and folded. The record itself is pressed on beautiful clear splatter vinyl. The inserts include a CD version of the album, as well as thoughtful essays by band members explaining their take on the current state of the hardcore scene and their philosophy in general. One quote speaks entirely true of the current scene: “These days in the hardcore scene it’s almost as if nothing is sacred, authentic, or taken seriously.” It gives you are rare glimpse into the minds of the musicians who have made this incredible music. Speaking of the music, this is also one of the best debuts of a hardcore band that I have heard in quite some time. The band is a three-piece outfit containing members Benn Roe, Tom Schlatter, and Vanessa Espinal, all of whom handle the vocal duties. There is some remarkable, fast, and abrasive hardcore contained amongst these 7 tracks. Does anyone remember real screamo from bands such as You and I? If you do and enjoy that style, I highly recommend purchasing this before they are all gone. If not, buy this record anyway and rejoice that there are still incredible hardcore bands that are making great music; you just have to put more effort into searching them out. A full review is coming soon.
Editor's Note: Man, this album looks awesome. I wish more labels and bands would put this much thought into packaging. And the inclusion of CD and vinyl is a stroke of genius. I might buy this just to support the very idea of it all.
Chris Pandolfo Wonders If Anyone In The Band Members Put Up A Fight Over Their Split Or, At The Very Least, Blamed Their Work Duties Over The Whole Dissolution. Anything Less Would Be Counterintuitive And, Frankly, Downright Disappointing, Given The Circumstances
With Resistance
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/withresistance.jpg
Real Hardcore Kids Have Day Jobs
Website: (http://www.withresistance.com) :: Listen: (http://www.withresistance.com)
If anyone knows me well, they know I have a melodic hardcore addiction. I'm a total sucker for the genre. I listen to all the goods, from Life In Your Way to old Hopesfall or Taken or old In Pieces and it goes on. In the past two days though, my melodic hardcore fix has been With Resistance. Listen to these guys if you are a fan of spacey amazingness between hardcore aggression. Then do something about getting the band back together, because they fucking broke up in '05. Bummer.
Editor's Note: The best part about this pick is that you can download the entire album from their website. And then the best part about that is looking at the picture of their drummer. It's priceless.
Jordan Brings You The Death Of The Brand New Brand New
Manchester Orchestra
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/manchesterorchestra.jpg
I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child
Website: (http://www.themanchesterorchestra.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/manchesterorchestra)
Somewhere between Death Cab and Trail of Dead, Manchester Orchestra combines everything that's good about both bands into a pretty fantastic album. Dare I say, this is what Trail of Dead's So Divided should have sounded like? On tour this spring with Brand New. Rock!
Editor's Note: I think every band brought up in this write-up is overrated as hell. Jordan might as well have compared them to The Decemberists if he was so hell-bent on likening this band to bands I don't like that much that everyone else adores for some reason. Of course, Jordan probably didn't know I despise all those bands…and they probably don't sound anything like The Decemberists, but that's not the point. The main point is…well…I don't like The Decemberists.
Jeremy Deal Strips Faster Than Turpentine
Margot And The Nuclear So And So's
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/margot.jpg
The Dust Of Retreat
Website: (http://www.margotandthenuclearsoandsos.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/margotandthenuclearsoandsos)
Margot was a pleasant surprise for me. My lady said a friend of hers at art school, who liked a lot of the same bands as I, recommended she listen to Margot and the Nuclear So-So's song "Skeleton Key." She instantly called me up and had me check it out online and see what I thought. I loved it. A great song with build and energy to spare. The closest band I can think to really relate them to would be Travis' newer material. Even that is just kind of a name-drop to see if you'd even want to take the time to investigate. Their album has flavors of folk and indie all over, but without feeling the least bit pretentious or feigned. I also recommend, if you dig "Skeleton Key," that you check out "Paper Kitten Nightmare" or "Vampires in Blue Dresses." Honestly, the CD gets better with each listen and it seems to fit most moods pretty well - which is always a good thing in my book!
Editor's Note: I wonder if the elder member of this band ever gets tired of fanboys calling them "you old so and so" and then cackling like hyenas.
Alex Young Is A Lukewarm Skirmish Youngling
Cold War Kids
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/coldwarkids.jpg
Robbers And Cowards
Website: (http://www.coldwarkids.com) :: Listen: (http://coldwarkids.com/music.htm)
Folk, indie, whatever you want to classify them as, the Cold War Kids album Robbers & Cowards is both lyrically and musically pretty tight. I read about this in Rolling Stone of all places and, while I rarely agree with their opinion on anything music-related, this was an exception. The music isn't really adventurous or technical, but is effective with their garage-like sound. It's their lyrics that make this album really good. All of their song tell a story, ranging from one about a father whose alcohol abuse is tearing apart his family to one about a man on death row for killing his sister's rapist.
Editor's Note: Jordan picked this album a while back. Yet again, Andy hears about bands Decoy covered long ago through some other source well after the fact. In all honesty, I'm still bitter that no one got into Foxy Shazam because of my review. I'm looking in your direction here, Andy Young.
Jeff Didn't Even Invite Me To The Show. Some Acquaintance He Is!
The Two Gallants
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/twogallants2.jpg
The Throes
Website: (http://www.twogallants.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/twogallants)
What can I say, these jangly motherfuckers just tingle my naughty bits. I'm not usually one for this type of folksy Americana bullshit, but when that gravely-throated singer/songwriter starts spinning his yarns of running from the sheriff and sitting in Mexican jails, I can't help but smile. And it don't hurt that their instrumentation is wicked awesome as well, keeping it simple with only guitar, voice, and drums most of the time, but never being afraid to throw in a bit of harmonica, piano or strings when applicable. I was lucky enough to see this band open up for The Advantage (what a pairing!) in some basement art gallery in downtown Sacramento, and I've been hooked ever since...on heroin and the Two Gallants.
Editor's Note: Last time, Jeff used the phrase "off the chain." Now he's using "wicked awesome?" I'm pretty sure Jeff is in perpetual 1998. Maybe his face-sized cell phone lost signal, which is why he didn't call me to invite me to see The Advantage. Or maybe it's because he doesn't have my phone number. It's probably a bit of both, but still, Jeff, that's just greedy.
Michael Phillips Of Scene Point Blank (http://www.scenepointblank.com) And Escapist Records (http://www.escapistrecords.com) Is All About Energy Conservation And Eco-Friendly Solutions To Our Growing Demand For Smart And Efficient Ways To Continue With Our Wasteful Way Of Life
Windmills By The Ocean
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/windmillsbytheocean.jpg
Windmills By The Ocean
Website: (http://www.roboticempire.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/windmillsbytheocean)
Their name is earth-friendly. The band contains members that went on to perform in the likes of Isis and 27. It's dreamy, droney, post-rock/metal. That should about sell ya.
Editor's Note: I bought this album for $2. I've tried listening to it numerous times, but keep getting distracted. At any rate, I can't tell if it's worth a damn. I'm pretty sure I don't like at least one track on here. To make it worse, I’m pretty sure Isis had already formed when this came out, meaning it should probably be better. Also, I'm nowhere near sold on 27. I suck?
Rick Causes Me To Wonder If Maybe His Eject Button Is Malfunctioning
…Of Sinking Ships
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/ofsinkingships.jpg
…Of Sinking Ships
Website: (http://www.ofsinkingshipsmusic.com) :: Listen: (http://www.last.fm/music/...Of+Sinking+Ships/...Of+Sinking+Ships)
For all of you A Types era Hopesfall haters, I can feel your rage. The Satellite Years was a pretty amazing album, but then Chad Waldrup, one of their guitarists, left the band. Before he left the band he had created an instrumental rock side project that went by the name of …Of Sinking Ships and that side project was fantastic. Think Explosions in the Sky but with manageable song lengths and instrumentation that is a little more upbeat. I was seriously floored after listening to this and now I can’t get this damn disc out of my CD player.
Editor's Note: In case I'm right, Rick, you should use a straightened-out paper clip to force the eject button into working. If it's in there because it's so good you can't remove it, well, maybe you should burn a copy of the new Explosions in the Sky disc, then pull your thumb out of your patoot. Just kidding. I really meant you should put in any In Flames album. They're all the same, after all, so it really wouldn't matter which album it is.
Dave Spak Returns From The Library After A Week Of Hitting
The Books
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/books2.jpg
Lost And Safe
Website: (http://www.thebooksmusic.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/iamnotthebooks)
The Books are constantly pushing boundaries with their innovative music. They are one of the most unique groups around and defy categorization. Most of the vocals are taken from their library of unusual samples. This is combined with various string and acoustic instruments to create compositions that are lethargic yet meditative. Lost and Safe is one of the most compelling albums I have ever heard. The excellent production plays an important role in the overall experience. Every time I listen to it, I find something new to enjoy. This is definitely music for the mind. The lyrics for both the sample vocals and the sung vocals are included in the liner notes and are a must-have when listening. They are very philosophical and contain some of the most clever lines I have heard in quite some time, such as “This is not real life; this is, for us, aleatoric television.” This style of music is most closely related to Brian Eno’s imaginative work. Also, make sure to check out their website. It has all sorts of surprises that can keep you entertained for a while.
Editor's Note: This is the second The Books album recommended via the Listening Station. Dare I say, maybe you people should be listening to them by now? But the real question here is, "What the hell does 'aleatoric' mean?" Spell-check has no idea. But the guys over at Merriam-Webster seem to think it means "characterized by chance or indeterminate elements." I’m gonna side with spell-check on this one.
Allen Would Rather It Be Pitch-Black When He Finally Is Forced To Confront His Many Tormentors
Light This City
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/lightthiscity.jpg
Facing The Thousand
Website (http://www.lightthiscity.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/lightthiscity)
Okay, you take a look at the scratchy text they write the album name in, the dark imagery and you think, "oh shit, another generic metalcore band; thats just what I need." But you play it anyway. And it starts with strings and an epic entrance/intro and you think, "oh, no, not again!" But I was so wrong. From the first throat-shredding scream, Light This City had me hooked, even if I hadn't already noticed the Trivium-like flare for guitar work accompanied by the Arch Enemy death-metal screams. It becomes even more impressive when you learn that even the deep throaty growls are being done by their frontWOMAN and that the majority of the band got signed to Prosthetic Records when they weren't even out of high school. Add that to tours with Misery Signals and Through the Eyes of the Dead, and that this is their third release, and Light This City, with a precious few others like Oh, Sleeper, are looking, at least to mem to become metal's most prominent or at least most respected acts.
Editor's Note: Alex Davies suggested all the reader selections go last. I guess that means Mikey from Scene Point Blank should be down here, too, but Mikey's staff through spirituality. Other than that, I'll honor Davies's wish. Because it's about time someone around here listened to him. He's a good kid.
Armand Is A Glacier, Slow Moving Yet Determined To Make A Difference, No Matter The Size
Moving Mountains
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/movingmountains.jpg
Moving Mountains
Website: (http://www.myspace.com/movingmountainsmusic) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/movingmountainsmusic)
I found out about Moving Mountains on a top 50 albums of 2006 list where their self-titled album was ranked as the 2nd best album of the year. So I immediately checked it out and good thing I did, because this album is great.
Moving Mountains sounds like a merging of Hammock and The December Drive. It has beautifully ambient portions intermixed with a kind of post-emo vocal styling. This album is great for fans of post-rock, post-emo, indie, and rock music in general.
Give it a listen!
Editor's Note: It's hard for me to admit this, but when I read the first three words of the second paragraph and realized I didn't have to edit them, I almost got an erection. It's shameful how many people make a band name that ends in an 's' into a plural noun, thus changing the conjugation of the verb. It's one of life's small pleasures to see someone get it right. Of course, it's one of life's largest displeasures when being grammatically correct makes a sentence look retarded. It happens a lot in this scenario, but, thankfully, it worked out really well for Armand.
Ben Saves The Best For Last. And By Best, He Means Himself. But He's Not Cocky Or Self-Absorbed Or Anything
Death Before Disco
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/deathbeforedisco.jpg
Barricades
Website: (http://www.deathbeforedisco.net) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/deathbeforedisco)
Originally, I'd planned to select Zao's The Fear Is What Keeps Us Here to point out that oftentimes it seems like the band is trying to right a hard rock record instead of a Zao record and doing a damn decent job of it, but they occasionally get lost in, for some reason, trying to write an updated (but just barely) version of Poison the Well's Tear from the Red. Also, I was going to point out their new drummer really fucking sucks. But instead, I decided to go with an album I actually really, really enjoy, which is Barricades. It fuses tech with metalcore with crazy, kickin' radio rock tunes. Plus it's self-produced by some 19-year-old Belgian kids with more talent than most bands twice their age. And did I mention they're Belgian? Did anyone know they had music in Belgium? And it's so ridiculously good. They toe the line between self-indulgence and accessibility like few bands can. Highly recommended.
Editor's Note: Sorry, Alex, but I will always be the be-all, end-all of Listening Stations. Unless someone edits in something at the end. In which case, they'd better not submit anything the week after that, because their headline won't be kind. You've been warned.
Chris Conlan Turns A Certain Shade Of Green Over
The Envy Corps
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/theenvycorps.jpg
I Will Write You Love Letters If You Tell Me To
Website: (http://www.theenvycorps.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/theenvycorps)
When I first came across The Envy Corps I wasn't sure what to think. I didn't even know they were from Ames, IA, which is only about 2 hours away from me. Honestly, to find a "good" band in Iowa is like finding a needle in the haystack or maybe I'm not looking hard enough. Nonetheless, The Envy Corps is a band on the rise. Their EP I Will Write You Love Letters If You Tell Me To will remind you of a mix of Coldplay and Aqualung. Hey, even throw in a little bit of Radiohead, as well.
Unlike some indie rock albums that are just absolutely boring, with no melody whatsoever, I Will Write You Love Letters If You Tell Me To is full of anthemic indie rock tracks. Take one listen to "Rhinemaidens" and you'll know what I'm talking about.
All I know is, I'm psyched as hell for their upcoming major label
full-length. Oh yeah, they recently signed to Vertigo Records a
couple months back.
Editor's Note: I wonder if Chris asked these guys to write him a love letter or if he simply implied it. Either way, I think they owe him one.
Dave Spak Wouldn't Let This One Slip Through The Cracks
In First Person
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/infirstperson.jpg
Lost Between Hands Held Tight
Website: (http://www.myspace.com/infirstperson) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/infirstperson)
This is one of the few records I have bought before even hearing the band. I purchased it on vinyl after seeing the stellar packaging. I also noticed that it was on Paramnesia Records, whose previous releases have established them as one of the best new labels around for hardcore. The amount of work that was put into the layout of this record is mind-blowing. Everything is hand glued, screened, stapled, and folded. The record itself is pressed on beautiful clear splatter vinyl. The inserts include a CD version of the album, as well as thoughtful essays by band members explaining their take on the current state of the hardcore scene and their philosophy in general. One quote speaks entirely true of the current scene: “These days in the hardcore scene it’s almost as if nothing is sacred, authentic, or taken seriously.” It gives you are rare glimpse into the minds of the musicians who have made this incredible music. Speaking of the music, this is also one of the best debuts of a hardcore band that I have heard in quite some time. The band is a three-piece outfit containing members Benn Roe, Tom Schlatter, and Vanessa Espinal, all of whom handle the vocal duties. There is some remarkable, fast, and abrasive hardcore contained amongst these 7 tracks. Does anyone remember real screamo from bands such as You and I? If you do and enjoy that style, I highly recommend purchasing this before they are all gone. If not, buy this record anyway and rejoice that there are still incredible hardcore bands that are making great music; you just have to put more effort into searching them out. A full review is coming soon.
Editor's Note: Man, this album looks awesome. I wish more labels and bands would put this much thought into packaging. And the inclusion of CD and vinyl is a stroke of genius. I might buy this just to support the very idea of it all.
Chris Pandolfo Wonders If Anyone In The Band Members Put Up A Fight Over Their Split Or, At The Very Least, Blamed Their Work Duties Over The Whole Dissolution. Anything Less Would Be Counterintuitive And, Frankly, Downright Disappointing, Given The Circumstances
With Resistance
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/withresistance.jpg
Real Hardcore Kids Have Day Jobs
Website: (http://www.withresistance.com) :: Listen: (http://www.withresistance.com)
If anyone knows me well, they know I have a melodic hardcore addiction. I'm a total sucker for the genre. I listen to all the goods, from Life In Your Way to old Hopesfall or Taken or old In Pieces and it goes on. In the past two days though, my melodic hardcore fix has been With Resistance. Listen to these guys if you are a fan of spacey amazingness between hardcore aggression. Then do something about getting the band back together, because they fucking broke up in '05. Bummer.
Editor's Note: The best part about this pick is that you can download the entire album from their website. And then the best part about that is looking at the picture of their drummer. It's priceless.
Jordan Brings You The Death Of The Brand New Brand New
Manchester Orchestra
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/manchesterorchestra.jpg
I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child
Website: (http://www.themanchesterorchestra.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/manchesterorchestra)
Somewhere between Death Cab and Trail of Dead, Manchester Orchestra combines everything that's good about both bands into a pretty fantastic album. Dare I say, this is what Trail of Dead's So Divided should have sounded like? On tour this spring with Brand New. Rock!
Editor's Note: I think every band brought up in this write-up is overrated as hell. Jordan might as well have compared them to The Decemberists if he was so hell-bent on likening this band to bands I don't like that much that everyone else adores for some reason. Of course, Jordan probably didn't know I despise all those bands…and they probably don't sound anything like The Decemberists, but that's not the point. The main point is…well…I don't like The Decemberists.
Jeremy Deal Strips Faster Than Turpentine
Margot And The Nuclear So And So's
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/margot.jpg
The Dust Of Retreat
Website: (http://www.margotandthenuclearsoandsos.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/margotandthenuclearsoandsos)
Margot was a pleasant surprise for me. My lady said a friend of hers at art school, who liked a lot of the same bands as I, recommended she listen to Margot and the Nuclear So-So's song "Skeleton Key." She instantly called me up and had me check it out online and see what I thought. I loved it. A great song with build and energy to spare. The closest band I can think to really relate them to would be Travis' newer material. Even that is just kind of a name-drop to see if you'd even want to take the time to investigate. Their album has flavors of folk and indie all over, but without feeling the least bit pretentious or feigned. I also recommend, if you dig "Skeleton Key," that you check out "Paper Kitten Nightmare" or "Vampires in Blue Dresses." Honestly, the CD gets better with each listen and it seems to fit most moods pretty well - which is always a good thing in my book!
Editor's Note: I wonder if the elder member of this band ever gets tired of fanboys calling them "you old so and so" and then cackling like hyenas.
Alex Young Is A Lukewarm Skirmish Youngling
Cold War Kids
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/coldwarkids.jpg
Robbers And Cowards
Website: (http://www.coldwarkids.com) :: Listen: (http://coldwarkids.com/music.htm)
Folk, indie, whatever you want to classify them as, the Cold War Kids album Robbers & Cowards is both lyrically and musically pretty tight. I read about this in Rolling Stone of all places and, while I rarely agree with their opinion on anything music-related, this was an exception. The music isn't really adventurous or technical, but is effective with their garage-like sound. It's their lyrics that make this album really good. All of their song tell a story, ranging from one about a father whose alcohol abuse is tearing apart his family to one about a man on death row for killing his sister's rapist.
Editor's Note: Jordan picked this album a while back. Yet again, Andy hears about bands Decoy covered long ago through some other source well after the fact. In all honesty, I'm still bitter that no one got into Foxy Shazam because of my review. I'm looking in your direction here, Andy Young.
Jeff Didn't Even Invite Me To The Show. Some Acquaintance He Is!
The Two Gallants
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/twogallants2.jpg
The Throes
Website: (http://www.twogallants.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/twogallants)
What can I say, these jangly motherfuckers just tingle my naughty bits. I'm not usually one for this type of folksy Americana bullshit, but when that gravely-throated singer/songwriter starts spinning his yarns of running from the sheriff and sitting in Mexican jails, I can't help but smile. And it don't hurt that their instrumentation is wicked awesome as well, keeping it simple with only guitar, voice, and drums most of the time, but never being afraid to throw in a bit of harmonica, piano or strings when applicable. I was lucky enough to see this band open up for The Advantage (what a pairing!) in some basement art gallery in downtown Sacramento, and I've been hooked ever since...on heroin and the Two Gallants.
Editor's Note: Last time, Jeff used the phrase "off the chain." Now he's using "wicked awesome?" I'm pretty sure Jeff is in perpetual 1998. Maybe his face-sized cell phone lost signal, which is why he didn't call me to invite me to see The Advantage. Or maybe it's because he doesn't have my phone number. It's probably a bit of both, but still, Jeff, that's just greedy.
Michael Phillips Of Scene Point Blank (http://www.scenepointblank.com) And Escapist Records (http://www.escapistrecords.com) Is All About Energy Conservation And Eco-Friendly Solutions To Our Growing Demand For Smart And Efficient Ways To Continue With Our Wasteful Way Of Life
Windmills By The Ocean
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/windmillsbytheocean.jpg
Windmills By The Ocean
Website: (http://www.roboticempire.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/windmillsbytheocean)
Their name is earth-friendly. The band contains members that went on to perform in the likes of Isis and 27. It's dreamy, droney, post-rock/metal. That should about sell ya.
Editor's Note: I bought this album for $2. I've tried listening to it numerous times, but keep getting distracted. At any rate, I can't tell if it's worth a damn. I'm pretty sure I don't like at least one track on here. To make it worse, I’m pretty sure Isis had already formed when this came out, meaning it should probably be better. Also, I'm nowhere near sold on 27. I suck?
Rick Causes Me To Wonder If Maybe His Eject Button Is Malfunctioning
…Of Sinking Ships
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/ofsinkingships.jpg
…Of Sinking Ships
Website: (http://www.ofsinkingshipsmusic.com) :: Listen: (http://www.last.fm/music/...Of+Sinking+Ships/...Of+Sinking+Ships)
For all of you A Types era Hopesfall haters, I can feel your rage. The Satellite Years was a pretty amazing album, but then Chad Waldrup, one of their guitarists, left the band. Before he left the band he had created an instrumental rock side project that went by the name of …Of Sinking Ships and that side project was fantastic. Think Explosions in the Sky but with manageable song lengths and instrumentation that is a little more upbeat. I was seriously floored after listening to this and now I can’t get this damn disc out of my CD player.
Editor's Note: In case I'm right, Rick, you should use a straightened-out paper clip to force the eject button into working. If it's in there because it's so good you can't remove it, well, maybe you should burn a copy of the new Explosions in the Sky disc, then pull your thumb out of your patoot. Just kidding. I really meant you should put in any In Flames album. They're all the same, after all, so it really wouldn't matter which album it is.
Dave Spak Returns From The Library After A Week Of Hitting
The Books
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/books2.jpg
Lost And Safe
Website: (http://www.thebooksmusic.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/iamnotthebooks)
The Books are constantly pushing boundaries with their innovative music. They are one of the most unique groups around and defy categorization. Most of the vocals are taken from their library of unusual samples. This is combined with various string and acoustic instruments to create compositions that are lethargic yet meditative. Lost and Safe is one of the most compelling albums I have ever heard. The excellent production plays an important role in the overall experience. Every time I listen to it, I find something new to enjoy. This is definitely music for the mind. The lyrics for both the sample vocals and the sung vocals are included in the liner notes and are a must-have when listening. They are very philosophical and contain some of the most clever lines I have heard in quite some time, such as “This is not real life; this is, for us, aleatoric television.” This style of music is most closely related to Brian Eno’s imaginative work. Also, make sure to check out their website. It has all sorts of surprises that can keep you entertained for a while.
Editor's Note: This is the second The Books album recommended via the Listening Station. Dare I say, maybe you people should be listening to them by now? But the real question here is, "What the hell does 'aleatoric' mean?" Spell-check has no idea. But the guys over at Merriam-Webster seem to think it means "characterized by chance or indeterminate elements." I’m gonna side with spell-check on this one.
Allen Would Rather It Be Pitch-Black When He Finally Is Forced To Confront His Many Tormentors
Light This City
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/lightthiscity.jpg
Facing The Thousand
Website (http://www.lightthiscity.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/lightthiscity)
Okay, you take a look at the scratchy text they write the album name in, the dark imagery and you think, "oh shit, another generic metalcore band; thats just what I need." But you play it anyway. And it starts with strings and an epic entrance/intro and you think, "oh, no, not again!" But I was so wrong. From the first throat-shredding scream, Light This City had me hooked, even if I hadn't already noticed the Trivium-like flare for guitar work accompanied by the Arch Enemy death-metal screams. It becomes even more impressive when you learn that even the deep throaty growls are being done by their frontWOMAN and that the majority of the band got signed to Prosthetic Records when they weren't even out of high school. Add that to tours with Misery Signals and Through the Eyes of the Dead, and that this is their third release, and Light This City, with a precious few others like Oh, Sleeper, are looking, at least to mem to become metal's most prominent or at least most respected acts.
Editor's Note: Alex Davies suggested all the reader selections go last. I guess that means Mikey from Scene Point Blank should be down here, too, but Mikey's staff through spirituality. Other than that, I'll honor Davies's wish. Because it's about time someone around here listened to him. He's a good kid.
Armand Is A Glacier, Slow Moving Yet Determined To Make A Difference, No Matter The Size
Moving Mountains
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/movingmountains.jpg
Moving Mountains
Website: (http://www.myspace.com/movingmountainsmusic) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/movingmountainsmusic)
I found out about Moving Mountains on a top 50 albums of 2006 list where their self-titled album was ranked as the 2nd best album of the year. So I immediately checked it out and good thing I did, because this album is great.
Moving Mountains sounds like a merging of Hammock and The December Drive. It has beautifully ambient portions intermixed with a kind of post-emo vocal styling. This album is great for fans of post-rock, post-emo, indie, and rock music in general.
Give it a listen!
Editor's Note: It's hard for me to admit this, but when I read the first three words of the second paragraph and realized I didn't have to edit them, I almost got an erection. It's shameful how many people make a band name that ends in an 's' into a plural noun, thus changing the conjugation of the verb. It's one of life's small pleasures to see someone get it right. Of course, it's one of life's largest displeasures when being grammatically correct makes a sentence look retarded. It happens a lot in this scenario, but, thankfully, it worked out really well for Armand.
Ben Saves The Best For Last. And By Best, He Means Himself. But He's Not Cocky Or Self-Absorbed Or Anything
Death Before Disco
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/deathbeforedisco.jpg
Barricades
Website: (http://www.deathbeforedisco.net) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/deathbeforedisco)
Originally, I'd planned to select Zao's The Fear Is What Keeps Us Here to point out that oftentimes it seems like the band is trying to right a hard rock record instead of a Zao record and doing a damn decent job of it, but they occasionally get lost in, for some reason, trying to write an updated (but just barely) version of Poison the Well's Tear from the Red. Also, I was going to point out their new drummer really fucking sucks. But instead, I decided to go with an album I actually really, really enjoy, which is Barricades. It fuses tech with metalcore with crazy, kickin' radio rock tunes. Plus it's self-produced by some 19-year-old Belgian kids with more talent than most bands twice their age. And did I mention they're Belgian? Did anyone know they had music in Belgium? And it's so ridiculously good. They toe the line between self-indulgence and accessibility like few bands can. Highly recommended.
Editor's Note: Sorry, Alex, but I will always be the be-all, end-all of Listening Stations. Unless someone edits in something at the end. In which case, they'd better not submit anything the week after that, because their headline won't be kind. You've been warned.