Roncag
11-16-2005, 09:30 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 Looking At Himself Shirtless In The Mirror While Blasting: Dimmu Borgir-Stormblast
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/dimmu.jpg
Website: (http://www.dimmu-borgir.com/) :: Listen: (http://www.dimmu-borgir.com/)
For those of you who are Dimmu Borgir fans, you might be wondering, "What the heck is Rick listening to this old album from 1996?" Well, I'm NOT listening to the original version of Stormblast. Dimmu Borgir has gone back to the studio to re-record and update their classic third release. You might think that a band re-engineering a previous work is only asking for failure, but I will wholeheartedly disagree. Dimmu Borgir manage to make an almost decade old effort sound brand new and fresh (which just goes to show how little progress has been made in the black metal genre). For those of you who may have been disappointed by the latest releases from Children of Bodom or Arch Enemy, make sure to pick this disc up. It's the real deal.
Josh Tabbia is Making a Shrine to Codeseven While Listening To: Spit For Athena-Piss Is Perfect
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/spitfor.jpg
Website: (http://www.spitforathena.net) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/spitforathena)
Spit for Athena despise their last effort, 2004’s Extermina, and on Piss is Perfect the band set out to record the best album of their career, and the material present proves that they’ve done just that. Self proclaimed as sounding like the Smashing Pumpkins meets Today is the Day with a heavy Helmet influence, the twenty three tracks that make up the band’s third full length are guaranteed to satisfy any listener looking for a fresh take on the alt. rock genre.
Johnny L is Plotting His Personal Revenge of the Emo Nerds while listening to: The House Harkonnen-Vol.4
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/hk.jpg
Website: (http://www.thehouseharkonnen.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/thehouseharkonnen)
The House Harkonnen plays rock and roll music. They don't play pretentious retro dance rock. They don't spend more on outfits than instruments. They don't play sad, depressing music. They are not at all emo. They want you to have a good time. The House Harkonnen showcases massive dual guitar solos, unforgettable vocals and rock 'n' roll melodies. With an unbelievable live show and a record to match, The House Harkonnen will kick you in the ovaries and then skip town. If you dig the Foo Fighters, Open Hand, Anberlin, or The Juliana Theory this is for you.
Jordan is Debating The Semantics Of Animal Collective's Originality While Rocking: This Will Destroy You-Young Moutain
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/thiswilldestroy.gif
Website: (http://www.thiswilldestroyyou.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/thiswilldestroyyou)
This Will Destroy You make another strong case that Texans are leading the US instrumental scene by and large. The quartet's first album, Young Mountain is a passionately beautiful work of art, marking an ethereal passage through dusty back roads and open landscapes. With tired feet, the album climbs steadily onward with a monolithic linear momentum that rests heavily on intense emotional buildup via repetitive guitars and hypnotic reverb. Through this approach, tracks like "Happiness We're in this Together" and "I Believe in Your Victory" mark an eerie semblance to earlier works by Explosions in the Sky, but we see modifications on the method by use of violins and electronic samples--as heard in "Grandfather Clock." This is not to say that This Will Destroy You is not an original group of musicians, just that it knows the genre well and has an appreciation for its predecessors as well as the local artists who have cleared the path before them. The band certainly gets a it more aggressive than Explosions in the Sky has ever cared to, due to the difficulty of deflating the overbearing tension of the acline. "This World is Our ____" marches forward with unforeseen energy, and the closing moments of "There are Some Remedies worse than the Disease" cap an end to a brilliant journey. It's likely that Young Mountain is one of the best independently released instrumental albums of the year, so don't make the mistake of missing out on this spectacular debut album from this humble group.
Truman Is Interviewing Fidel Castro While Listening To: Cavil At Rest-Self-Titled EP
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/cavil.jpg
Website: (http://www.cavilatrest.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/cavilatrest)
Cavil At Rest have done what few bands can do they have made an impressive EP that is only three songs long. One thing that sticks out about the EP is how good the vocals sound. The singer of the band has a really strong voice. From the three songs on the EP I think this band may be a band to watch out for. I would definitely recommend the EP to anyone who likes well structured indie rock.
Eric Is Cutting Himself While Blaring: Pillory-No Lifeguard At The Gene Pool
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/pillory.jpg
Website: (http://www.pillorygrind.com/) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/pillory)
None of the members of grindcore band Pillory are black-haired sXc kids and their myspace page is completely barren of any comments from anorexic scene girls with usernames like "beautiful pain ♥". Pillory, however, can show most bands in the modern grindcore scene a thing or two about pioneering the boundaries of the genre without turning into an amorphous blob of sound that most experimental grindcore bands become. An immaculate mixture of cataclysmic breakdowns, harsh screams, pig squeals, and drilling riffs gives Pillory a chance to win any metalhead over, no matter what tickles their pickle. Be warned, while listening to the tracks "Somewhere Between" or "The Morning Grind", an unexpected mosh session may ensue with your living room furniture and/or household pets. Fans of The Red Chord, Despised Icon, The Taste of Blood, and Job for a Cowboy should definitely pursue this band.
Ben is Keeping An Eye Out For Carl Winslow While Ghettoblasting: Need New Body-Where's Black Ben
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/neednewbody.jpg
Website: (http://www.neednewbody.com/) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/neednewbody)
There are a lot of bands out there who strive to be different. Need New Body is one of them. But instead of trying to cater to their eclectic audience, they instead wholeheartedly cater to themselves, but would not be particularly off-put if their audience enjoyed the ride, as well. The easiest description would be self-involved Casio-rock with hints of funk-hop, noise, and jazz. But most likely, it will leave listeners feeling perplexed and thoroughly discombobulated. Need New Body only need one because they wore out their last one coming up with this album.
Brent Wonders Why He Looks So Much Like Trent Reznor While Spinning: The Outside - You are the alpha...Gracias por Nada
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/theoutside.jpg
Website: (http://www.the-outside.com ) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/theoutside)
The Outside. I'll keep this description short and sweet, just like this EP. These guys (and one girl) are out of New York, and sound something like earl- Deftones meets The Start. This is their second EP and according to a recent conversation with the singer, whose name is Tree (she developed the nickname because of her loyatly to the herb), another EP is due out shortly.
Adam Thinks Out With the New In With The Old Is A Better Motto While Jamming: Junius-Blood Is Bright
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/junius.jpg
Website: (http://www.juniusmusic.com ) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/junius)
Junius is one of the forerunners of the burdgeoning space rock scene in the New England area. They are part of the dynamic line-up that forms the Radar Records roster, which includes Baby Boy H, Constants, and Seneca, all of whom you are sure to hear more about for their ambitious and eclectic art. With Junius's newest effort, the 5 track Ep Blood is Bright, they are out to prove that Cave In and The Mars Volta aren't the only one's who can think their way through some mind blowing pretentious and epic sounds. Add a touch of Aereogramme, Hum, and Interpol and you will start to get the picture. Let's just hope enough people pay attention now to ensure that we don't discover the brilliance after they are dead.
Dara "I'm A Pepperoni Not A Taco" Khan is rocking: Shugo Tokumaru - L.S.T.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/shugo.jpg
Website: (http://www.shugotokumaru.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/shugotokumaru)
Shugo Tokumaru says his sole influence is The Beach Boys, but that shouldn't stop fans of Sufjan Stevens or Broken Social Scene's quieter moments from enjoying his work. Nor should his singing, which is entirely in his native Japanese-the language barrier can't hide this young songwriter's gifts. Though his new full-length, L.S.T., isn't quite the landmark that his 2004 debut Night Piece was, it's only a notch down, and still offers up the same unassuming-but-infectious listening experience.
Rick is Looking At Himself Shirtless In The Mirror While Blasting: Dimmu Borgir-Stormblast
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/dimmu.jpg
Website: (http://www.dimmu-borgir.com/) :: Listen: (http://www.dimmu-borgir.com/)
For those of you who are Dimmu Borgir fans, you might be wondering, "What the heck is Rick listening to this old album from 1996?" Well, I'm NOT listening to the original version of Stormblast. Dimmu Borgir has gone back to the studio to re-record and update their classic third release. You might think that a band re-engineering a previous work is only asking for failure, but I will wholeheartedly disagree. Dimmu Borgir manage to make an almost decade old effort sound brand new and fresh (which just goes to show how little progress has been made in the black metal genre). For those of you who may have been disappointed by the latest releases from Children of Bodom or Arch Enemy, make sure to pick this disc up. It's the real deal.
Josh Tabbia is Making a Shrine to Codeseven While Listening To: Spit For Athena-Piss Is Perfect
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/spitfor.jpg
Website: (http://www.spitforathena.net) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/spitforathena)
Spit for Athena despise their last effort, 2004’s Extermina, and on Piss is Perfect the band set out to record the best album of their career, and the material present proves that they’ve done just that. Self proclaimed as sounding like the Smashing Pumpkins meets Today is the Day with a heavy Helmet influence, the twenty three tracks that make up the band’s third full length are guaranteed to satisfy any listener looking for a fresh take on the alt. rock genre.
Johnny L is Plotting His Personal Revenge of the Emo Nerds while listening to: The House Harkonnen-Vol.4
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/hk.jpg
Website: (http://www.thehouseharkonnen.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/thehouseharkonnen)
The House Harkonnen plays rock and roll music. They don't play pretentious retro dance rock. They don't spend more on outfits than instruments. They don't play sad, depressing music. They are not at all emo. They want you to have a good time. The House Harkonnen showcases massive dual guitar solos, unforgettable vocals and rock 'n' roll melodies. With an unbelievable live show and a record to match, The House Harkonnen will kick you in the ovaries and then skip town. If you dig the Foo Fighters, Open Hand, Anberlin, or The Juliana Theory this is for you.
Jordan is Debating The Semantics Of Animal Collective's Originality While Rocking: This Will Destroy You-Young Moutain
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/thiswilldestroy.gif
Website: (http://www.thiswilldestroyyou.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/thiswilldestroyyou)
This Will Destroy You make another strong case that Texans are leading the US instrumental scene by and large. The quartet's first album, Young Mountain is a passionately beautiful work of art, marking an ethereal passage through dusty back roads and open landscapes. With tired feet, the album climbs steadily onward with a monolithic linear momentum that rests heavily on intense emotional buildup via repetitive guitars and hypnotic reverb. Through this approach, tracks like "Happiness We're in this Together" and "I Believe in Your Victory" mark an eerie semblance to earlier works by Explosions in the Sky, but we see modifications on the method by use of violins and electronic samples--as heard in "Grandfather Clock." This is not to say that This Will Destroy You is not an original group of musicians, just that it knows the genre well and has an appreciation for its predecessors as well as the local artists who have cleared the path before them. The band certainly gets a it more aggressive than Explosions in the Sky has ever cared to, due to the difficulty of deflating the overbearing tension of the acline. "This World is Our ____" marches forward with unforeseen energy, and the closing moments of "There are Some Remedies worse than the Disease" cap an end to a brilliant journey. It's likely that Young Mountain is one of the best independently released instrumental albums of the year, so don't make the mistake of missing out on this spectacular debut album from this humble group.
Truman Is Interviewing Fidel Castro While Listening To: Cavil At Rest-Self-Titled EP
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/cavil.jpg
Website: (http://www.cavilatrest.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/cavilatrest)
Cavil At Rest have done what few bands can do they have made an impressive EP that is only three songs long. One thing that sticks out about the EP is how good the vocals sound. The singer of the band has a really strong voice. From the three songs on the EP I think this band may be a band to watch out for. I would definitely recommend the EP to anyone who likes well structured indie rock.
Eric Is Cutting Himself While Blaring: Pillory-No Lifeguard At The Gene Pool
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/pillory.jpg
Website: (http://www.pillorygrind.com/) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/pillory)
None of the members of grindcore band Pillory are black-haired sXc kids and their myspace page is completely barren of any comments from anorexic scene girls with usernames like "beautiful pain ♥". Pillory, however, can show most bands in the modern grindcore scene a thing or two about pioneering the boundaries of the genre without turning into an amorphous blob of sound that most experimental grindcore bands become. An immaculate mixture of cataclysmic breakdowns, harsh screams, pig squeals, and drilling riffs gives Pillory a chance to win any metalhead over, no matter what tickles their pickle. Be warned, while listening to the tracks "Somewhere Between" or "The Morning Grind", an unexpected mosh session may ensue with your living room furniture and/or household pets. Fans of The Red Chord, Despised Icon, The Taste of Blood, and Job for a Cowboy should definitely pursue this band.
Ben is Keeping An Eye Out For Carl Winslow While Ghettoblasting: Need New Body-Where's Black Ben
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/neednewbody.jpg
Website: (http://www.neednewbody.com/) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/neednewbody)
There are a lot of bands out there who strive to be different. Need New Body is one of them. But instead of trying to cater to their eclectic audience, they instead wholeheartedly cater to themselves, but would not be particularly off-put if their audience enjoyed the ride, as well. The easiest description would be self-involved Casio-rock with hints of funk-hop, noise, and jazz. But most likely, it will leave listeners feeling perplexed and thoroughly discombobulated. Need New Body only need one because they wore out their last one coming up with this album.
Brent Wonders Why He Looks So Much Like Trent Reznor While Spinning: The Outside - You are the alpha...Gracias por Nada
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/theoutside.jpg
Website: (http://www.the-outside.com ) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/theoutside)
The Outside. I'll keep this description short and sweet, just like this EP. These guys (and one girl) are out of New York, and sound something like earl- Deftones meets The Start. This is their second EP and according to a recent conversation with the singer, whose name is Tree (she developed the nickname because of her loyatly to the herb), another EP is due out shortly.
Adam Thinks Out With the New In With The Old Is A Better Motto While Jamming: Junius-Blood Is Bright
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/junius.jpg
Website: (http://www.juniusmusic.com ) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/junius)
Junius is one of the forerunners of the burdgeoning space rock scene in the New England area. They are part of the dynamic line-up that forms the Radar Records roster, which includes Baby Boy H, Constants, and Seneca, all of whom you are sure to hear more about for their ambitious and eclectic art. With Junius's newest effort, the 5 track Ep Blood is Bright, they are out to prove that Cave In and The Mars Volta aren't the only one's who can think their way through some mind blowing pretentious and epic sounds. Add a touch of Aereogramme, Hum, and Interpol and you will start to get the picture. Let's just hope enough people pay attention now to ensure that we don't discover the brilliance after they are dead.
Dara "I'm A Pepperoni Not A Taco" Khan is rocking: Shugo Tokumaru - L.S.T.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/shugo.jpg
Website: (http://www.shugotokumaru.com) :: Listen: (http://www.myspace.com/shugotokumaru)
Shugo Tokumaru says his sole influence is The Beach Boys, but that shouldn't stop fans of Sufjan Stevens or Broken Social Scene's quieter moments from enjoying his work. Nor should his singing, which is entirely in his native Japanese-the language barrier can't hide this young songwriter's gifts. Though his new full-length, L.S.T., isn't quite the landmark that his 2004 debut Night Piece was, it's only a notch down, and still offers up the same unassuming-but-infectious listening experience.