AndyY9587
09-21-2007, 01:52 AM
Enjoy this weeks mega huge Listening Station and the wide variety of bands contained within. The awesomeness of this Listening Station can only be matched by that of the badass that is Samuel L. Jackson. I urge you to check out all the below chosen bands as I have actually done for once and I am very intrigued by quite a few.
Nick Brien:
Children of Bodom - Tokyo Warhearts
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/5108jVuBLiL._AA240_.jpg
Website (http://www.cobhc.com/) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/childrenofbodom)
Finnish melodic death metal doesn't sound much more raw than Children of Bodom's first two albums, Something Wild (1997) and Hatebreeder (1999). There are a ton of moments that make the listener feel like they're in the middle of a Dream Theater or an In Flames album (ironically, both bands have also released live Tokyo material). Tokyo Warhearts is one of the best live albums I've ever listened to. It's one of those live albums that delivers just enough of that "live" ambiance to make you feel like you're there, with tons of crowd reaction included. The live versions of these songs are uncompareable to their album counterparts (as in "better").
Chancellor Hicks:
Dayton Hicks - Purevolume.com Demos
http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2006/08/18/snakes/story.jpg
Website/Listen (http://www.purevolume.com/daytonhicks)
Ok, its a little weird and lame to send in my brothers music to be reviewed. But even if I wasn't his brother, I would really be into his music. The thing that sucks is that he doesnt have a cd out yet. But he has a few demo songs on his purevolume site. He is currently working on finishing his debut cd, and the demos on this site arent even worthy of his latest music. If you like Reggae, Acoustic, Folk, Bluegrass and Rock and Roll... You can safely say that you will enjoy my brothers music. Be on the lookout for his new release soon.
(Editor's Note: Yes this is selfless whoring, but it's his brother, you know? Its nice for him to throw out some free promo for his brother. Also thanks to lack of an actual release and thus no cover art, another chance for me to insert a picture of my hero.)
Blake Woosley:
Eisley - Combinations
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51UTyUWfC0L._AA240_.jpg
Website (http://www.eisley.com) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/eisley)
Eisley has always been synonymous with dreamy, joyful, indie-pop, and to a certain extent those connotations are still valid. There are more than a few moments on Combinations that could have been on previous releases. However, the band ventured into somewhat new territory, using darker melodies and atmospheres, and even writing their “heaviest” song yet (if it can be called that). Aside from being really, really hot, the Dupree sisters can also really, really sing, and it is still the vocals that make Eisley anything remotely special. Not to say that the musicianship is bad, but it’s the amazing vocal harmonies and melodies that carry this band. If you are a fan of the indie-pop genre then you are probably already familiar with Eisley. If you haven’t become acquainted, I highly recommend doing so.
Dan Alcinii:
Seabear - The Ghost That Carried Us Away
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g253/AndyY9587/image.jpg
Website (http://www.seabearia.com/) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/seabear)
Lately, I've been finding myself discovering and enjoying more and more Icelandic bands. For example...okay, so I can't think of any other band at the moment other than Iceland's best hardcore band, I Adapt, but whatever. It's almost as if everyone writes off Iceland's music scene even though they've been producing some of the better indie/folk acts around lately - Bjork, she's even from the same city, Reykjavík, in Iceland. Seabear definitely fall in this category, and if you enjoy acts like Peter, Bjorn & John, Final Fantasy, Great Lake Swimmers, Jens Lekmen, or Stars, definitely give this band a try.
Sidenote, if you don't think Seabear sound like any of the above mentioned bands, I'm really fucking tired so give me a break. You fucking assholes
Rick Gebhart:
Five Finger Death Punch – The Way of the Fist
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/61Z50ZqpTfL._AA240_.jpg
Website (http://fivefingerdeathpunch.com/ ) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/ffdp)
I’m sure I’m one of the few people around who actually thought Motograter and Ghost Machine were good bands. For nu-metal, they weren’t so bad, and there’s just something about Ivan Moody’s voice that just feels authentic and interesting. I enjoy both his growls and his rough, melodic singing. For all intents and purposes Five Finger Death Punch is basically a continuation of Moody’s previous bands since the sound really doesn’t differentiate itself that much. There are the heavier Motograter moments as well as some melodic Ghost Machine inspired passages. It’s just all around good nu-metal. Yeah, you read that right, good nu-metal.
Ross Hamm
Jairus - Jairus
http://www.drownedinsound.com/images/11893.jpeg
Website/Listen (http://www.myspace.com/jairus)
It's this grasp of calming melody that pegs Jairus' otherwise frantic attack as something special. Even when they get technical their winding, complex riffery encases you like a spider's web, each silky note coerced from the fret board wrapping your ears in glistening tones. Meanwhile their echo-drenched synths bathe you in soft light and elevate you high above the splintered rhythms of the hardcore pummelling whilst their softer guitar lines carry you off into the sunset on a wave of droning, string-bending bliss.......Yes I stole this review from some douche on CDNOW, wanna fight about it?
(Editor's Note: Lazy Bastard)
Dave Spak:
Dan Deacon – Spiderman of the Rings
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41btKX%2BbfAL._AA240_.jpg
Website (http://www.dandeacon.com/) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/dandeacon)
My recent obsession with electronic music has led me to Dan Deacon and I couldn’t be happier. This is some of the most fun music I have ever heard. Even in the worst of moods, listening to a song like “Wham City” will cheer me up instantly with its ridiculously quirky sing along. The songs contained in Spiderman of the Rings are as clever and entertaining as the title of the album. I recently got to see him play with Girl Talk and Simian Mobile Disco at Avalon in Boston which was a sold out show and became quite infamous around here. The people were really into the music and were dancing and singing along to everything. Dan Deacon looked like a big kid in his ridiculous neon shirt surrounded by his toys and the trippy green skull. It’s quite a sight and I highly recommend checking out the music as well as a show. If you don’t like something this fun, you may not be human
Andrew Akins:
Within Temptation - The Heart Of Everything
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51eoJfW%2BhvL._AA240_.jpg
Website (http://www.within-temptation.com/) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/withintemptation)
Gothic Metal has been my genre of the past few months. I've had this album since before it came out and never really listened to it. I recently pulled it out and has it ever amazed me. The Dutch Gothic Rock band, Within Temptation, who is fronted by a female lead vocalist can captivate listeners who don't even have a love for this genre. The lead vocalist has an AMAZING voice and the orchestration in their songs will engross the listener in a barrage of beautiful music. My favorite track from the album would probably be the first single, "What Have You Done" which features guest vocals from Keith Caputo from the band Life Of Agony.
Andy Young:
Ratatat - Classics
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/31r6SPcOUqL._AA240_.jpg
Website (http://www.ratatatmusic.com) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/ratatatmusic)
Never before has an instrumental album struck me as catchy but on Classics, Ratatat has succecfully became the first to do so. They are very basic, just guitar, drum machine and synth. Ratatat make music that's reminiscent to Neptune's like beats. But the dancy, poppy arrangements are just fun, as simplistic as they may be.
Special thanks to this week's overachievers:
Cameron Buchholtz:
El Paso Hot Button - When I Needed Sympathy
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g253/AndyY9587/EPHBcover1.jpg
Website/Listen (http://www.myspace.com/ephb)
One-man-bands are typically way too gimmicky to ever really be taken seriously.
This was the case with El Paso Hot Button’s first two records. They were fun,
but they really only existed to help you learn the songs before experiencing his
insanely awesome live show. But that’s not the case with his newest full-length,
When I Needed Sympathy. This is simply a great record, and if you didn’t know
otherwise, you would think it was a full band.
Bishop Allen - The Broken String
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/61hIqBsBjfL._AA240_.jpg
Website (http://www.bishopallen.com) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/bishopallen)
Typically, lyrics are one of the last things that draws me into a band. Such is
not the case with Bishop Allen; in fact, the lyrics are by far my favorite part
of The Broken String. They discuss a wide variety of topics including a civil
war battle, crashing weddings, saving a discarded piano and flying on an
airplane all with a sense of both sentimentality and glee that simply puts a
huge smile on my face. This record is a collection of the best songs off of
their 2006 monthly EPs, yet still somehow flows perfectly and feels like a true
album. It really cemented the fact that Dead Oceans is my new favorite label.
Armand Babian:
immanu el – they’ll come, they come
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g253/AndyY9587/00_-_Theyll_Come_They_Come.jpg
Website (http://www.immanu-el.com/) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/immanuelband )
The Swedes don’t fail do they? Nope, they certainly do not. So far this year we’ve seen topnotch releases come out of Sweden from the likes of Aerial, pg.lost, and Scraps of Tape. The latest edition to Swedish invasion comes from dreamy post-rockers immanu el, whose newest album they’ll come, they come may be the best one yet (though it’s going to be really hard to trump the new Scraps of Tape.) On they’ll come, they come, immanu el bring us dreamy melancholic vocals drowned in lush atmospheres, somewhat akin to fellow Swedes Ef. In fact, the vocals of both bands are primarily done by Claes Strängberg, so the comparisons are going to be inevitable. None the less, this is a really solid release and a must listen if you’re into all things post-rock.
Ours to Alibi – Beacons
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g253/AndyY9587/00_-_Beacons1.jpg
Website/Listen (http://www.myspace.com/ourstoalibi)
Weary, we fell upon the land, with our roots like anchors. Realizing that the dirt in a womb means everything and nothing, from the depths, I cried out for a beacon. And then… we all made kites.
Chris Pandolfo:
Opeth - Ghost Reveries
http://static.metal-archives.com/images/8/5/1/7/85177.jpg
Website/Listen (http://www.myspace.com/opeth)
Opeth was one of those bands that seemed to just slide by my musical radar. I've always enjoyed whatever I had heard from them but I never got to actually sit down and listen to one of their albums in their massive discography. Thanks to Mr. Dyess (the Sins Of Arcadia that everyone on this site loves so much), I was able to finally sit down and listen to every Opeth album as he sent me an enourmous folder over night through AIM last week. Although each and every record of theirs is great in it's own way, not one of them has fully sunken in yet, and that leaves me excited enough to keep replaying the albums and continue my massive Opeth binge.
I now realize why it is essential to know of Opeth's musical abilities and incredible song writing. If this band has somehow slipped passed your musical radar too then I recommend you track them down! Listen to Opeth.
Rosetta - Wake/Lift
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51gbgq6gcqL._AA240_.jpg
Website/Listen (http://www.myspace.com/rosetta)
I'll keep this nice and short. I love spacey music very much, and I love emotional music very much. This band describes their music as "Metal for Astronauts." and that is a perfect explanation for what Wake/Lift is. This album is absolutily breath taking from start to finish and it has made it into my top 10 of the year. The opening track "Red In Tooth And Claw" is one of the best things i've heard this year, period. Check out this album.
Nick Brien:
Children of Bodom - Tokyo Warhearts
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/5108jVuBLiL._AA240_.jpg
Website (http://www.cobhc.com/) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/childrenofbodom)
Finnish melodic death metal doesn't sound much more raw than Children of Bodom's first two albums, Something Wild (1997) and Hatebreeder (1999). There are a ton of moments that make the listener feel like they're in the middle of a Dream Theater or an In Flames album (ironically, both bands have also released live Tokyo material). Tokyo Warhearts is one of the best live albums I've ever listened to. It's one of those live albums that delivers just enough of that "live" ambiance to make you feel like you're there, with tons of crowd reaction included. The live versions of these songs are uncompareable to their album counterparts (as in "better").
Chancellor Hicks:
Dayton Hicks - Purevolume.com Demos
http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2006/08/18/snakes/story.jpg
Website/Listen (http://www.purevolume.com/daytonhicks)
Ok, its a little weird and lame to send in my brothers music to be reviewed. But even if I wasn't his brother, I would really be into his music. The thing that sucks is that he doesnt have a cd out yet. But he has a few demo songs on his purevolume site. He is currently working on finishing his debut cd, and the demos on this site arent even worthy of his latest music. If you like Reggae, Acoustic, Folk, Bluegrass and Rock and Roll... You can safely say that you will enjoy my brothers music. Be on the lookout for his new release soon.
(Editor's Note: Yes this is selfless whoring, but it's his brother, you know? Its nice for him to throw out some free promo for his brother. Also thanks to lack of an actual release and thus no cover art, another chance for me to insert a picture of my hero.)
Blake Woosley:
Eisley - Combinations
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51UTyUWfC0L._AA240_.jpg
Website (http://www.eisley.com) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/eisley)
Eisley has always been synonymous with dreamy, joyful, indie-pop, and to a certain extent those connotations are still valid. There are more than a few moments on Combinations that could have been on previous releases. However, the band ventured into somewhat new territory, using darker melodies and atmospheres, and even writing their “heaviest” song yet (if it can be called that). Aside from being really, really hot, the Dupree sisters can also really, really sing, and it is still the vocals that make Eisley anything remotely special. Not to say that the musicianship is bad, but it’s the amazing vocal harmonies and melodies that carry this band. If you are a fan of the indie-pop genre then you are probably already familiar with Eisley. If you haven’t become acquainted, I highly recommend doing so.
Dan Alcinii:
Seabear - The Ghost That Carried Us Away
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g253/AndyY9587/image.jpg
Website (http://www.seabearia.com/) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/seabear)
Lately, I've been finding myself discovering and enjoying more and more Icelandic bands. For example...okay, so I can't think of any other band at the moment other than Iceland's best hardcore band, I Adapt, but whatever. It's almost as if everyone writes off Iceland's music scene even though they've been producing some of the better indie/folk acts around lately - Bjork, she's even from the same city, Reykjavík, in Iceland. Seabear definitely fall in this category, and if you enjoy acts like Peter, Bjorn & John, Final Fantasy, Great Lake Swimmers, Jens Lekmen, or Stars, definitely give this band a try.
Sidenote, if you don't think Seabear sound like any of the above mentioned bands, I'm really fucking tired so give me a break. You fucking assholes
Rick Gebhart:
Five Finger Death Punch – The Way of the Fist
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/61Z50ZqpTfL._AA240_.jpg
Website (http://fivefingerdeathpunch.com/ ) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/ffdp)
I’m sure I’m one of the few people around who actually thought Motograter and Ghost Machine were good bands. For nu-metal, they weren’t so bad, and there’s just something about Ivan Moody’s voice that just feels authentic and interesting. I enjoy both his growls and his rough, melodic singing. For all intents and purposes Five Finger Death Punch is basically a continuation of Moody’s previous bands since the sound really doesn’t differentiate itself that much. There are the heavier Motograter moments as well as some melodic Ghost Machine inspired passages. It’s just all around good nu-metal. Yeah, you read that right, good nu-metal.
Ross Hamm
Jairus - Jairus
http://www.drownedinsound.com/images/11893.jpeg
Website/Listen (http://www.myspace.com/jairus)
It's this grasp of calming melody that pegs Jairus' otherwise frantic attack as something special. Even when they get technical their winding, complex riffery encases you like a spider's web, each silky note coerced from the fret board wrapping your ears in glistening tones. Meanwhile their echo-drenched synths bathe you in soft light and elevate you high above the splintered rhythms of the hardcore pummelling whilst their softer guitar lines carry you off into the sunset on a wave of droning, string-bending bliss.......Yes I stole this review from some douche on CDNOW, wanna fight about it?
(Editor's Note: Lazy Bastard)
Dave Spak:
Dan Deacon – Spiderman of the Rings
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41btKX%2BbfAL._AA240_.jpg
Website (http://www.dandeacon.com/) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/dandeacon)
My recent obsession with electronic music has led me to Dan Deacon and I couldn’t be happier. This is some of the most fun music I have ever heard. Even in the worst of moods, listening to a song like “Wham City” will cheer me up instantly with its ridiculously quirky sing along. The songs contained in Spiderman of the Rings are as clever and entertaining as the title of the album. I recently got to see him play with Girl Talk and Simian Mobile Disco at Avalon in Boston which was a sold out show and became quite infamous around here. The people were really into the music and were dancing and singing along to everything. Dan Deacon looked like a big kid in his ridiculous neon shirt surrounded by his toys and the trippy green skull. It’s quite a sight and I highly recommend checking out the music as well as a show. If you don’t like something this fun, you may not be human
Andrew Akins:
Within Temptation - The Heart Of Everything
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51eoJfW%2BhvL._AA240_.jpg
Website (http://www.within-temptation.com/) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/withintemptation)
Gothic Metal has been my genre of the past few months. I've had this album since before it came out and never really listened to it. I recently pulled it out and has it ever amazed me. The Dutch Gothic Rock band, Within Temptation, who is fronted by a female lead vocalist can captivate listeners who don't even have a love for this genre. The lead vocalist has an AMAZING voice and the orchestration in their songs will engross the listener in a barrage of beautiful music. My favorite track from the album would probably be the first single, "What Have You Done" which features guest vocals from Keith Caputo from the band Life Of Agony.
Andy Young:
Ratatat - Classics
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/31r6SPcOUqL._AA240_.jpg
Website (http://www.ratatatmusic.com) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/ratatatmusic)
Never before has an instrumental album struck me as catchy but on Classics, Ratatat has succecfully became the first to do so. They are very basic, just guitar, drum machine and synth. Ratatat make music that's reminiscent to Neptune's like beats. But the dancy, poppy arrangements are just fun, as simplistic as they may be.
Special thanks to this week's overachievers:
Cameron Buchholtz:
El Paso Hot Button - When I Needed Sympathy
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g253/AndyY9587/EPHBcover1.jpg
Website/Listen (http://www.myspace.com/ephb)
One-man-bands are typically way too gimmicky to ever really be taken seriously.
This was the case with El Paso Hot Button’s first two records. They were fun,
but they really only existed to help you learn the songs before experiencing his
insanely awesome live show. But that’s not the case with his newest full-length,
When I Needed Sympathy. This is simply a great record, and if you didn’t know
otherwise, you would think it was a full band.
Bishop Allen - The Broken String
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/61hIqBsBjfL._AA240_.jpg
Website (http://www.bishopallen.com) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/bishopallen)
Typically, lyrics are one of the last things that draws me into a band. Such is
not the case with Bishop Allen; in fact, the lyrics are by far my favorite part
of The Broken String. They discuss a wide variety of topics including a civil
war battle, crashing weddings, saving a discarded piano and flying on an
airplane all with a sense of both sentimentality and glee that simply puts a
huge smile on my face. This record is a collection of the best songs off of
their 2006 monthly EPs, yet still somehow flows perfectly and feels like a true
album. It really cemented the fact that Dead Oceans is my new favorite label.
Armand Babian:
immanu el – they’ll come, they come
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g253/AndyY9587/00_-_Theyll_Come_They_Come.jpg
Website (http://www.immanu-el.com/) Listen (http://www.myspace.com/immanuelband )
The Swedes don’t fail do they? Nope, they certainly do not. So far this year we’ve seen topnotch releases come out of Sweden from the likes of Aerial, pg.lost, and Scraps of Tape. The latest edition to Swedish invasion comes from dreamy post-rockers immanu el, whose newest album they’ll come, they come may be the best one yet (though it’s going to be really hard to trump the new Scraps of Tape.) On they’ll come, they come, immanu el bring us dreamy melancholic vocals drowned in lush atmospheres, somewhat akin to fellow Swedes Ef. In fact, the vocals of both bands are primarily done by Claes Strängberg, so the comparisons are going to be inevitable. None the less, this is a really solid release and a must listen if you’re into all things post-rock.
Ours to Alibi – Beacons
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g253/AndyY9587/00_-_Beacons1.jpg
Website/Listen (http://www.myspace.com/ourstoalibi)
Weary, we fell upon the land, with our roots like anchors. Realizing that the dirt in a womb means everything and nothing, from the depths, I cried out for a beacon. And then… we all made kites.
Chris Pandolfo:
Opeth - Ghost Reveries
http://static.metal-archives.com/images/8/5/1/7/85177.jpg
Website/Listen (http://www.myspace.com/opeth)
Opeth was one of those bands that seemed to just slide by my musical radar. I've always enjoyed whatever I had heard from them but I never got to actually sit down and listen to one of their albums in their massive discography. Thanks to Mr. Dyess (the Sins Of Arcadia that everyone on this site loves so much), I was able to finally sit down and listen to every Opeth album as he sent me an enourmous folder over night through AIM last week. Although each and every record of theirs is great in it's own way, not one of them has fully sunken in yet, and that leaves me excited enough to keep replaying the albums and continue my massive Opeth binge.
I now realize why it is essential to know of Opeth's musical abilities and incredible song writing. If this band has somehow slipped passed your musical radar too then I recommend you track them down! Listen to Opeth.
Rosetta - Wake/Lift
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51gbgq6gcqL._AA240_.jpg
Website/Listen (http://www.myspace.com/rosetta)
I'll keep this nice and short. I love spacey music very much, and I love emotional music very much. This band describes their music as "Metal for Astronauts." and that is a perfect explanation for what Wake/Lift is. This album is absolutily breath taking from start to finish and it has made it into my top 10 of the year. The opening track "Red In Tooth And Claw" is one of the best things i've heard this year, period. Check out this album.