Roncag
11-05-2005, 10:34 AM
So you wanna know what each Decoy contributor is jamming this week? Take a long gander at this week'd list and feel free to add what you guys are spinning too.
Rick is Playing Pocket Pool while listening to: Calico System-They Live
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/calico.jpg
Website: (http://www.calicosystem.net/) :: Listen: (http://www.purevolume.com/calicosystem)
Yeah, I know that melodic metalcore is becoming quite the saturated and cliched genre, but occasionally there are still bands that managed to make a decent album in this genre. Calico System's They Live isn't exactly going to blow you away with innovation, but it also isn't going to make you fall on your ass laughing because it's so lame. Pretty much if you dig melodic metalcore in the vein of Beloved, Evergreen Terrace, and From Autumn to Ashes you'll quite easily be able to get into this cd. I'd especially recommend giving the tracks "Running with Scissors" and "The Apparition" a listen when this cd drops as I think they're two of the best on the disc.
Josh Tabbia is Spacin' Out To: Gordo Gringo-Everybody Loves The Party
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/gordo.jpg
Website: (http://www.gordogringo.com/) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/gordogringo)
Gordo Gringo’s decision to change musical directions couldn’t have been a better choice. The new direction sees the band playing a folk rock influenced indie, comparable to likes of Wilco, Death Cab For Cutie, The Cure and even Rilo Kiley. Though the band establishes their influences, Everybody Loves the Party is full of originality and enough charm to hook any open minded listener. The album is self produced and the production quality is excellent. Though this album was released earlier this summer, seemingly under the radar, the fourteen tracks that document the band’s new direction compose an album that is easily one of the year’s best.
Johnny L is Creaming To: Joe, Marc's Brother-Around The World With...
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/joemarcs.gif
Website: (http://joemarcsbrother.com/) :: Listen: (http://joemarcsbrother.com/mp3/Underwater.mp3)
Joe, Marc's Brother is a three piece power-pop outfit out of Nashville who specializes in Brian Wilson-like three part harmony and crunchy guitar riffs that will ensure head nodding and foot tapping. They seem to take almost every style of popular Western music from the last fifty years and throw it into a blender, without a hint of sarcasm, mimicry, or presumption. The result is some of the best power-pop the world has seen in the last 10 years. If you are in the mood for anything in the range of The Beach Boys, Guster, Melee, or Delour give er a taste.
Jordan is Rolling His Eyes at Pop-Punk While Spinning: Caspian-You Are The Conductor
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/caspian.jpg
Website: (http://www.capsianmusic.net) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/caspiantheband)
Forming in Beverly, Massachusetts, Caspian embodies the oceanic essence of this costal town. The first release from the band, You Are the Conductor, sees a release this November from Dopamine Records (http://www.dopamine-records.com/) and offers six blissful instrumental tracks that present a band on the trajectory to greatness. Through all the rhythmic guitars and undulating harmonic compositions, Capsian weaves a luxurious tale that closely mimics the evolution of nature. Layers of organic richness are elaborately constructed in an angelic portrayal of the music that interjects a placating wave into the soul and numbs the senses into submission. Caspian slyly avoids relying too much on feedback and reverb on their debut release, and instead focuses on highlighting the rich instrumentation of their music with their young talent as the navigator. You are the Conductor comes in quick with the three lead off tracks "Quovis," "Further In," and "Further Up, but slowly begins to recede into the sonic landscape with "Loft" and ultimately winds down to deep sleep with the cool stylings of "Last Rites." A debut release with this much ambition and vision has not been seen since Explosions in the Sky's famous demos that attracted the attention of Temporary Residence. Caspian's first move into the music world is a memorable one, and a big leap forward for the stateside instrumental scene. If you are in the mood for more bands like Explosions In the Sky, Mogwai, ISIS, and Pelican don't miss this one.
Dara "I'm Not A Chick" Khan is Vibing To: Songs Of Green Pheasant-Songs Of Green Pheasant
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/songsofgreen.jpg
Website: (http://fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/artistInfo.php?id=99) :: Listen: (http://fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/release.php?id=170)
Songs of Green Pheasant, whose self-titled debut hit Europe in September and is arriving in North America on November 15th, is the solo project of the deeply gifted and reclusive Duncan Sumpner. His music is beguiling and transparent, crystalline, lovely and scary, unreal and too real, and somehow weightless – like drinking from a mountain spring in the fog. His sound recalls the most ethereal moments of Simon & Garfunkel, built on a litany of psychedelic and dream-pop influences. So, while it's true that a lot of 'quiet' music isn't much to sneeze at, there are some artists that demand your attention regardless of volume. Songs of Green Pheasant is one of those artists; the sort that proves that music does contain magic, however softly stated. This could be my favorite album of the year.
Truman Is Interviewing His Mom While Listening To: New Atlantic-New Atlantic Ep
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/newatlantic.jpg
Website: (http://www.newatlancticrock.com) :: Listen: (http://www.purevolume.com/newatlantic)
During the winter months, I always get in the mood for some soft tunes that have some good melodies. New Atlantic have crafted a good debut EP with their new self-titled release. This EP is definitely for fans of power-pop. If the EP is not enough to convince you the band is going somewhere make sure to head over to the bands purevolume site where you can download four brand new demos. This EP is guaranteed to get you in the mood for the changing leaves.
Adam Is Teaching His Kid To Appreciate Prog By Playing Him: Opus Dai-Actum Procul
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/opusdai.jpg
Website: (http://www.opusdai.com/) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/opusdai)
The band formerly known as OHM, now reformed as Opus Dai has been breathing new life into California's ambitious progressive rock scene. Taking cues from Tool, The Mars Volta, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd, this band is reaching their collective pennacle at the perfect time. This Ep sounds like the perfect precursor to an overwhelmingly overdue and anticipated full length album scheduled for an early 2006 release date through Double Blind Records. Throw in their highly unique middle eastern influences and you have a band poised to please fans the world over.
Ben is Watching His Beard Grow While Blasting: Alamaailman Vasarat & Tuomari Nurmio-Kinaporin Kalifaatti
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/vasarat.jpg
Website: (http://www.vasarat.com/) :: Listen: (http://www.vasarat.com/albums.htm)
Don't let the long words fool you; this band is not one you should stray from. The latest release from Finnish death-prog-folk-polka-punk band Alamaailman Vasarat features one of the biggest names in Finnish music, Tuomari Nurmio. Nurmio is considered to be the Finnish equivalent of Tom Waits and his unique vocals are a perfect fit to the normally voiceless music of Alamaailman Vasarat (Hammers of Hell). This release, Kinaporin Kalipaatti, would be as at home playing a wedding, Bar Mitzvah, or sex dungeon. With fervent use of two percussionists and two cellists and absolutely no guitars, this brass-and-string-fueled album brings more than a dab of creativity to the plate. Unfortunately, it is all but impossible to find in the U.S. Visit www.vasarat.com (http://www.vasarat.com ) for information on importing it. It's worth every cent.
Jared is amazed Nu Metal can still survive in today's musical state: Index Case - Index Case
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/indexcase-st.jpg
Website: (http://www.indexcase.com/) :: Listen: (http://myspace.com/indexcase)
Nothing this good, not even Slipknot's latest effort, has come out of of Iowa in awhile. I first heard about Index Case back in 2002. They spent a lot of time making this album and not out on the touring circuit. A dangerous move for a band rarely heard of outside their locale. Index Case is a straight up return to the golden era of Nu Metal. It's thick, low, heavy metal. They fit perfectly into the Ozzfest lineup. All pigeonholing aside, Index Case does have a few great songs. My favorites are "Listen" and "Why Dreams Bleed." I had given Nu Metal up for dead a long time ago, but it's good to see someone is still chugging along.
Rick is Playing Pocket Pool while listening to: Calico System-They Live
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/calico.jpg
Website: (http://www.calicosystem.net/) :: Listen: (http://www.purevolume.com/calicosystem)
Yeah, I know that melodic metalcore is becoming quite the saturated and cliched genre, but occasionally there are still bands that managed to make a decent album in this genre. Calico System's They Live isn't exactly going to blow you away with innovation, but it also isn't going to make you fall on your ass laughing because it's so lame. Pretty much if you dig melodic metalcore in the vein of Beloved, Evergreen Terrace, and From Autumn to Ashes you'll quite easily be able to get into this cd. I'd especially recommend giving the tracks "Running with Scissors" and "The Apparition" a listen when this cd drops as I think they're two of the best on the disc.
Josh Tabbia is Spacin' Out To: Gordo Gringo-Everybody Loves The Party
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/gordo.jpg
Website: (http://www.gordogringo.com/) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/gordogringo)
Gordo Gringo’s decision to change musical directions couldn’t have been a better choice. The new direction sees the band playing a folk rock influenced indie, comparable to likes of Wilco, Death Cab For Cutie, The Cure and even Rilo Kiley. Though the band establishes their influences, Everybody Loves the Party is full of originality and enough charm to hook any open minded listener. The album is self produced and the production quality is excellent. Though this album was released earlier this summer, seemingly under the radar, the fourteen tracks that document the band’s new direction compose an album that is easily one of the year’s best.
Johnny L is Creaming To: Joe, Marc's Brother-Around The World With...
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/joemarcs.gif
Website: (http://joemarcsbrother.com/) :: Listen: (http://joemarcsbrother.com/mp3/Underwater.mp3)
Joe, Marc's Brother is a three piece power-pop outfit out of Nashville who specializes in Brian Wilson-like three part harmony and crunchy guitar riffs that will ensure head nodding and foot tapping. They seem to take almost every style of popular Western music from the last fifty years and throw it into a blender, without a hint of sarcasm, mimicry, or presumption. The result is some of the best power-pop the world has seen in the last 10 years. If you are in the mood for anything in the range of The Beach Boys, Guster, Melee, or Delour give er a taste.
Jordan is Rolling His Eyes at Pop-Punk While Spinning: Caspian-You Are The Conductor
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/caspian.jpg
Website: (http://www.capsianmusic.net) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/caspiantheband)
Forming in Beverly, Massachusetts, Caspian embodies the oceanic essence of this costal town. The first release from the band, You Are the Conductor, sees a release this November from Dopamine Records (http://www.dopamine-records.com/) and offers six blissful instrumental tracks that present a band on the trajectory to greatness. Through all the rhythmic guitars and undulating harmonic compositions, Capsian weaves a luxurious tale that closely mimics the evolution of nature. Layers of organic richness are elaborately constructed in an angelic portrayal of the music that interjects a placating wave into the soul and numbs the senses into submission. Caspian slyly avoids relying too much on feedback and reverb on their debut release, and instead focuses on highlighting the rich instrumentation of their music with their young talent as the navigator. You are the Conductor comes in quick with the three lead off tracks "Quovis," "Further In," and "Further Up, but slowly begins to recede into the sonic landscape with "Loft" and ultimately winds down to deep sleep with the cool stylings of "Last Rites." A debut release with this much ambition and vision has not been seen since Explosions in the Sky's famous demos that attracted the attention of Temporary Residence. Caspian's first move into the music world is a memorable one, and a big leap forward for the stateside instrumental scene. If you are in the mood for more bands like Explosions In the Sky, Mogwai, ISIS, and Pelican don't miss this one.
Dara "I'm Not A Chick" Khan is Vibing To: Songs Of Green Pheasant-Songs Of Green Pheasant
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/songsofgreen.jpg
Website: (http://fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/artistInfo.php?id=99) :: Listen: (http://fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/release.php?id=170)
Songs of Green Pheasant, whose self-titled debut hit Europe in September and is arriving in North America on November 15th, is the solo project of the deeply gifted and reclusive Duncan Sumpner. His music is beguiling and transparent, crystalline, lovely and scary, unreal and too real, and somehow weightless – like drinking from a mountain spring in the fog. His sound recalls the most ethereal moments of Simon & Garfunkel, built on a litany of psychedelic and dream-pop influences. So, while it's true that a lot of 'quiet' music isn't much to sneeze at, there are some artists that demand your attention regardless of volume. Songs of Green Pheasant is one of those artists; the sort that proves that music does contain magic, however softly stated. This could be my favorite album of the year.
Truman Is Interviewing His Mom While Listening To: New Atlantic-New Atlantic Ep
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/newatlantic.jpg
Website: (http://www.newatlancticrock.com) :: Listen: (http://www.purevolume.com/newatlantic)
During the winter months, I always get in the mood for some soft tunes that have some good melodies. New Atlantic have crafted a good debut EP with their new self-titled release. This EP is definitely for fans of power-pop. If the EP is not enough to convince you the band is going somewhere make sure to head over to the bands purevolume site where you can download four brand new demos. This EP is guaranteed to get you in the mood for the changing leaves.
Adam Is Teaching His Kid To Appreciate Prog By Playing Him: Opus Dai-Actum Procul
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/opusdai.jpg
Website: (http://www.opusdai.com/) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/opusdai)
The band formerly known as OHM, now reformed as Opus Dai has been breathing new life into California's ambitious progressive rock scene. Taking cues from Tool, The Mars Volta, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd, this band is reaching their collective pennacle at the perfect time. This Ep sounds like the perfect precursor to an overwhelmingly overdue and anticipated full length album scheduled for an early 2006 release date through Double Blind Records. Throw in their highly unique middle eastern influences and you have a band poised to please fans the world over.
Ben is Watching His Beard Grow While Blasting: Alamaailman Vasarat & Tuomari Nurmio-Kinaporin Kalifaatti
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/vasarat.jpg
Website: (http://www.vasarat.com/) :: Listen: (http://www.vasarat.com/albums.htm)
Don't let the long words fool you; this band is not one you should stray from. The latest release from Finnish death-prog-folk-polka-punk band Alamaailman Vasarat features one of the biggest names in Finnish music, Tuomari Nurmio. Nurmio is considered to be the Finnish equivalent of Tom Waits and his unique vocals are a perfect fit to the normally voiceless music of Alamaailman Vasarat (Hammers of Hell). This release, Kinaporin Kalipaatti, would be as at home playing a wedding, Bar Mitzvah, or sex dungeon. With fervent use of two percussionists and two cellists and absolutely no guitars, this brass-and-string-fueled album brings more than a dab of creativity to the plate. Unfortunately, it is all but impossible to find in the U.S. Visit www.vasarat.com (http://www.vasarat.com ) for information on importing it. It's worth every cent.
Jared is amazed Nu Metal can still survive in today's musical state: Index Case - Index Case
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/indexcase-st.jpg
Website: (http://www.indexcase.com/) :: Listen: (http://myspace.com/indexcase)
Nothing this good, not even Slipknot's latest effort, has come out of of Iowa in awhile. I first heard about Index Case back in 2002. They spent a lot of time making this album and not out on the touring circuit. A dangerous move for a band rarely heard of outside their locale. Index Case is a straight up return to the golden era of Nu Metal. It's thick, low, heavy metal. They fit perfectly into the Ozzfest lineup. All pigeonholing aside, Index Case does have a few great songs. My favorites are "Listen" and "Why Dreams Bleed." I had given Nu Metal up for dead a long time ago, but it's good to see someone is still chugging along.