sir mix-a-lot
03-21-2007, 08:47 PM
Green things, Decoy brethren. This week, it's short, it's sweet, it's face-ripping vicious. But it's a Listening Station and that's what matters. The other thing that matters is everyone here loves me enough to donate money so that I can purchase the complete series of Get Smart on DVD via Time Life. It's $200. PM me on ways to contribute!
Oh, and uh...enjoy? I guess?
Johnny Will Laugh At Girls Because They're Stupid
Good Charlotte (http://www.goodcharlotte.com)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/goodcharlotte.jpg:
Good Morning Revival
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/goodcharlotte)
Let me first just start by saying that I realize that my scene points, as I type, are plummeting. It has not been acceptable to listen to Good Charlotte since about 2001, so generally, I did my best to avoid the Brothers Madden. The problem came about two weeks ago when I saw their new video for "The River" on TV. The first time I changed the channel. The second time I watched and by the third time I loved it. It wasn't the typical GC sounding song. It had a very un-pop punk feel to it. The rest of the album is the same way. Gone are the days of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" and a more modern, dance-synth sound has replaced it. No, Good Charlotte are not doing anything new or different, but they are showing they are adaptable, even if they sound a lot like Jonezetta.
Editor's Note: Say what you want about Good Charlotte, but there's truly nothing better in the entire world than singing "Girls don't like boys; girls like cars and money." Not because it's a particularly strong statement, but because the innate hook will sink itself deep inside the cranium of your fellow man and they will hate you for days because the song simply will not leave their head. It's pretty funny. It's like the stinkpalm: Sure, now it's in your head, but you put it there yourself, so it's not nearly as bad for you as it is for everyone else. Of course, if you're not into people hating you, you probably shouldn't sing that lyric. Maybe just sing "Boys will laugh at girls when they're not funny" if that's the case.
Rick Is A Bittersweet Symphonic Metal Band Called Life
After Forever (http://www.afterforever.com)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/afterforever.jpg:
After Forever
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/afterforeveronline)
Up until this album, After Forever seemed pretty average to me. Since they were a symphonic metal band, though, I listened to them regardless of their mediocrity. There isn’t exactly a glut of symphonic metal bands (at least that get any exposure in the US) like there are metalcore and screamo bands. Because of this, I’ll settle for average just to have something new to listen to. With their self-titled album, set to be released at the end of next month, After Forever has actually put together a pretty solid release. There’s still a little too much inherent cheese, but that’s pretty much a staple of the genre that many bands find hard to eschew. Whereas their peers Sirenia played down the keys and orchestral passages on their latest release, After Forever have indulged their songs with plenty of well intentioned orchestration. For the most part, it works. It gives this release a very epic feel, not unlike mid-career Within Temptation. So for the two other people that come to this site and listen to symphonic metal, pre-order this album now because it’ll be a welcome treat when it hits stores next month.
Editor's Note: Oh man, I like where this is going. Prepare for more later. Foreshadowing isn't as fun when it's obvious, but…there will be more symphonic metal in this Listening Station. But from whom?
Scott Collects Only The Finest Marsupials
Panda Bear (http://www.myspace.com/rippityrippity)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/pandabear.jpg:
Person Pitch
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/rippityrippity)
I was going to choose Priestbird's In Your Time this week, which is a very cool, more rock-oriented follow-up to Book of Sand (and only really suffers from a stupid name change on the part of the boys in Tarantula AD that makes them sound like some 60's redneck-rock revival band), but since it was discussed at length in last week's Listening Station, I decided to go with another album I've been enjoying: Animal Collective side project Panda Bear's new album, Person Pitch. It's an extremely eclectic collection of tunes that turns modern indie rock on its head by seamlessly introducing a myriad of influences and styles while maintaining a distinctly dream-like quality that will have your head spinning and your ears asking for more ... if you're a fan of seriously weird shit in your music, that is.
Editor's Note: I finally got my first Animal Collective disc last week. Some of their songs are too bogged down. I will consider myself a casual fan who won't own the discography unless he can find the album for seven bucks, used. However, I will hunt down every Cerberus Shoal album and pay outrageous prices just to obtain them. Considering the similarities, I think this speaks volumes for how superior Cerberus Shoal is.
And again, Tarantula AD is an awesome name. Priestbird is not. This cannot be emphasized enough.
Jordan Is Conceptual Art Put To Industrial Use
Judgement Day (http://www.stringmetal.com)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/judgementday.jpg:
Dark Opus
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/stringmetal)
This dude Anton Patzner tours and writes with The Faint and Bright Eyes. He's worked with a dozen other bands and random projects, but Judgement Day is a little project he's got going with his brother. All that needs to be said... STRING METAL! Cello! Violin! Drums! Check it, rock it, blast it!
Editor's Note: This sounds interesting. Well, it would if the guy had never made the horrid mistake of involving himself with hacks like The Faint and Bright Eyes. It's like he wants me to have no expectations whatsoever heading into this thing. Sly buildup to a sweet new band? Or is it simply more of the same: Overrated, boring crud that hundreds of kids gobble up for no apparent reason? On the other hand, Anton is a pretty Satanic name and metal is a pretty Satanic genre, so they could go together quite well. What shall I do?
Dave Spak Submits Come Rain, Shine, Sleet, Or Snow
Shudder To Think (http://www.southern.com/southern/band/SHUDD/)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/shuddertothink2.jpg:
Pony Express Record
Listen (http://www.amazon.com/Pony-Express-Record-Shudder-Think/dp/B0000029IV/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-7981509-9128935?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1174533683&sr=8-1)
Shudder to Think is a pretty hard band to categorize. They are one of the most eccentric indie rock bands I have ever heard. They tread the line between accessible indie rock and completely avant-garde rock. I wish I had known about Pony Express Record years ago. It’s too bad I was so young when they were first getting popular because I would have loved to see them live. If you are new to the band, I would listen to “X-French Tee Shirt,” which is one of the best songs on the album and was actually covered by bands such as Incubus. The song “No Rm. 9, Kentucky” is a good example of their songwriting, which is all over the place but also part of their appeal. Vocalist Craig Wedren has one of the most distinguishable voices around and is able to hit an impressive range of notes throughout the album, as heard best on “So Into You.” It’s strange to think that this was released on a major label in 1994, but then again, Sonic Youth was also expected to be the next big thing around that time. Unfortunately, neither band really enjoyed the success they deserved but we still have their incredible albums.
Editor's Note: I see Shudder to Think in used bins all the time and think I should buy at least one album. But I never do. Yet I see nothing wrong with looking for used Fastball records. Fastball, folks. Wow.
Daniel Seeks The Future In The Past
Clint Mansell (http://www.myspace.com/mansellclint)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/thefountain.jpg:
The Fountain OST
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/mansellclint)
I've been studying for my final exam all week, and to not fall asleep I've been listening to Clint Mansell's soundtrack for The Fountain. I've never watched the movie and I've only seen a couple of previews for it, but this soundtrack definitely makes it seem as though this movie is phenomenal.
Editor's Note: Who wants to talk about The Fountain on here? It's a fun discussion, what with our unbiased movie/music reviewer guy who never, ever argues with people. I personally wasn't at all floored by it.
Ben Takes Him This Day His Daily Bread
With Passion (http://www.withpassionmetal.com)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/withpassion2.jpg:
What We See When We Shut Our Eyes
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/withpassion)
I could have picked any number of discs this week, but, since I am a firm believer that one good turn deserves another, I'm picking With Passion. This is my second time selecting them in this little Listening Station thing. They have two records on Earache. Coincidence? They are from Sacramento, where I live. Coincidence? Probably not. My friend Andre Mendoza, creator of Guevara Entertainment, a Christian metal/grind label, told me about With Passion back in 2004, saying they were his favorite metal band in the city. A few years later, I finally got around to buying their album. And now it turns out my girlfriend works with Jeff, one of their guitarists.
Jeff is an engineering major who drives a bread truck and plays guitar in a totally sweet black metal band. Or that's what one would assume from the band's previous album, which he had nothing to do with. On What We See When We Close Our Eyes, the keyboards are gone and in its place is a band that focuses more on technicality and speed metal than gloomy pseudo-symphonic keys to make them seem more eclectic. Sometimes, their technical skill wanders way from typical tech-metal flavorings and somehow dives into the indiest of the indie: math-rock. Just listen to "Through the Smoke Lies a Path" and tell me you don't hear a strange Hum meets Mr. Metaphor riff or nine. Try it.
Of course, the band still gets caught up in all the trappings, but for such a shift in style, this is a really good record. And it was hand-delivered before they hit the road. Sweetness.
Editor's Note: Holy name drops! Go see these guys on tour! I haven't even seen them live yet!
Downside: This album cover is really, really bad.
Oh, and uh...enjoy? I guess?
Johnny Will Laugh At Girls Because They're Stupid
Good Charlotte (http://www.goodcharlotte.com)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/goodcharlotte.jpg:
Good Morning Revival
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/goodcharlotte)
Let me first just start by saying that I realize that my scene points, as I type, are plummeting. It has not been acceptable to listen to Good Charlotte since about 2001, so generally, I did my best to avoid the Brothers Madden. The problem came about two weeks ago when I saw their new video for "The River" on TV. The first time I changed the channel. The second time I watched and by the third time I loved it. It wasn't the typical GC sounding song. It had a very un-pop punk feel to it. The rest of the album is the same way. Gone are the days of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" and a more modern, dance-synth sound has replaced it. No, Good Charlotte are not doing anything new or different, but they are showing they are adaptable, even if they sound a lot like Jonezetta.
Editor's Note: Say what you want about Good Charlotte, but there's truly nothing better in the entire world than singing "Girls don't like boys; girls like cars and money." Not because it's a particularly strong statement, but because the innate hook will sink itself deep inside the cranium of your fellow man and they will hate you for days because the song simply will not leave their head. It's pretty funny. It's like the stinkpalm: Sure, now it's in your head, but you put it there yourself, so it's not nearly as bad for you as it is for everyone else. Of course, if you're not into people hating you, you probably shouldn't sing that lyric. Maybe just sing "Boys will laugh at girls when they're not funny" if that's the case.
Rick Is A Bittersweet Symphonic Metal Band Called Life
After Forever (http://www.afterforever.com)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/afterforever.jpg:
After Forever
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/afterforeveronline)
Up until this album, After Forever seemed pretty average to me. Since they were a symphonic metal band, though, I listened to them regardless of their mediocrity. There isn’t exactly a glut of symphonic metal bands (at least that get any exposure in the US) like there are metalcore and screamo bands. Because of this, I’ll settle for average just to have something new to listen to. With their self-titled album, set to be released at the end of next month, After Forever has actually put together a pretty solid release. There’s still a little too much inherent cheese, but that’s pretty much a staple of the genre that many bands find hard to eschew. Whereas their peers Sirenia played down the keys and orchestral passages on their latest release, After Forever have indulged their songs with plenty of well intentioned orchestration. For the most part, it works. It gives this release a very epic feel, not unlike mid-career Within Temptation. So for the two other people that come to this site and listen to symphonic metal, pre-order this album now because it’ll be a welcome treat when it hits stores next month.
Editor's Note: Oh man, I like where this is going. Prepare for more later. Foreshadowing isn't as fun when it's obvious, but…there will be more symphonic metal in this Listening Station. But from whom?
Scott Collects Only The Finest Marsupials
Panda Bear (http://www.myspace.com/rippityrippity)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/pandabear.jpg:
Person Pitch
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/rippityrippity)
I was going to choose Priestbird's In Your Time this week, which is a very cool, more rock-oriented follow-up to Book of Sand (and only really suffers from a stupid name change on the part of the boys in Tarantula AD that makes them sound like some 60's redneck-rock revival band), but since it was discussed at length in last week's Listening Station, I decided to go with another album I've been enjoying: Animal Collective side project Panda Bear's new album, Person Pitch. It's an extremely eclectic collection of tunes that turns modern indie rock on its head by seamlessly introducing a myriad of influences and styles while maintaining a distinctly dream-like quality that will have your head spinning and your ears asking for more ... if you're a fan of seriously weird shit in your music, that is.
Editor's Note: I finally got my first Animal Collective disc last week. Some of their songs are too bogged down. I will consider myself a casual fan who won't own the discography unless he can find the album for seven bucks, used. However, I will hunt down every Cerberus Shoal album and pay outrageous prices just to obtain them. Considering the similarities, I think this speaks volumes for how superior Cerberus Shoal is.
And again, Tarantula AD is an awesome name. Priestbird is not. This cannot be emphasized enough.
Jordan Is Conceptual Art Put To Industrial Use
Judgement Day (http://www.stringmetal.com)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/judgementday.jpg:
Dark Opus
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/stringmetal)
This dude Anton Patzner tours and writes with The Faint and Bright Eyes. He's worked with a dozen other bands and random projects, but Judgement Day is a little project he's got going with his brother. All that needs to be said... STRING METAL! Cello! Violin! Drums! Check it, rock it, blast it!
Editor's Note: This sounds interesting. Well, it would if the guy had never made the horrid mistake of involving himself with hacks like The Faint and Bright Eyes. It's like he wants me to have no expectations whatsoever heading into this thing. Sly buildup to a sweet new band? Or is it simply more of the same: Overrated, boring crud that hundreds of kids gobble up for no apparent reason? On the other hand, Anton is a pretty Satanic name and metal is a pretty Satanic genre, so they could go together quite well. What shall I do?
Dave Spak Submits Come Rain, Shine, Sleet, Or Snow
Shudder To Think (http://www.southern.com/southern/band/SHUDD/)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/shuddertothink2.jpg:
Pony Express Record
Listen (http://www.amazon.com/Pony-Express-Record-Shudder-Think/dp/B0000029IV/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-7981509-9128935?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1174533683&sr=8-1)
Shudder to Think is a pretty hard band to categorize. They are one of the most eccentric indie rock bands I have ever heard. They tread the line between accessible indie rock and completely avant-garde rock. I wish I had known about Pony Express Record years ago. It’s too bad I was so young when they were first getting popular because I would have loved to see them live. If you are new to the band, I would listen to “X-French Tee Shirt,” which is one of the best songs on the album and was actually covered by bands such as Incubus. The song “No Rm. 9, Kentucky” is a good example of their songwriting, which is all over the place but also part of their appeal. Vocalist Craig Wedren has one of the most distinguishable voices around and is able to hit an impressive range of notes throughout the album, as heard best on “So Into You.” It’s strange to think that this was released on a major label in 1994, but then again, Sonic Youth was also expected to be the next big thing around that time. Unfortunately, neither band really enjoyed the success they deserved but we still have their incredible albums.
Editor's Note: I see Shudder to Think in used bins all the time and think I should buy at least one album. But I never do. Yet I see nothing wrong with looking for used Fastball records. Fastball, folks. Wow.
Daniel Seeks The Future In The Past
Clint Mansell (http://www.myspace.com/mansellclint)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/thefountain.jpg:
The Fountain OST
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/mansellclint)
I've been studying for my final exam all week, and to not fall asleep I've been listening to Clint Mansell's soundtrack for The Fountain. I've never watched the movie and I've only seen a couple of previews for it, but this soundtrack definitely makes it seem as though this movie is phenomenal.
Editor's Note: Who wants to talk about The Fountain on here? It's a fun discussion, what with our unbiased movie/music reviewer guy who never, ever argues with people. I personally wasn't at all floored by it.
Ben Takes Him This Day His Daily Bread
With Passion (http://www.withpassionmetal.com)
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/withpassion2.jpg:
What We See When We Shut Our Eyes
Listen (http://www.myspace.com/withpassion)
I could have picked any number of discs this week, but, since I am a firm believer that one good turn deserves another, I'm picking With Passion. This is my second time selecting them in this little Listening Station thing. They have two records on Earache. Coincidence? They are from Sacramento, where I live. Coincidence? Probably not. My friend Andre Mendoza, creator of Guevara Entertainment, a Christian metal/grind label, told me about With Passion back in 2004, saying they were his favorite metal band in the city. A few years later, I finally got around to buying their album. And now it turns out my girlfriend works with Jeff, one of their guitarists.
Jeff is an engineering major who drives a bread truck and plays guitar in a totally sweet black metal band. Or that's what one would assume from the band's previous album, which he had nothing to do with. On What We See When We Close Our Eyes, the keyboards are gone and in its place is a band that focuses more on technicality and speed metal than gloomy pseudo-symphonic keys to make them seem more eclectic. Sometimes, their technical skill wanders way from typical tech-metal flavorings and somehow dives into the indiest of the indie: math-rock. Just listen to "Through the Smoke Lies a Path" and tell me you don't hear a strange Hum meets Mr. Metaphor riff or nine. Try it.
Of course, the band still gets caught up in all the trappings, but for such a shift in style, this is a really good record. And it was hand-delivered before they hit the road. Sweetness.
Editor's Note: Holy name drops! Go see these guys on tour! I haven't even seen them live yet!
Downside: This album cover is really, really bad.