rmgebhardt
03-16-2006, 07:44 PM
So you wanna know what each Decoy contributor is jamming this week? You also want to know what some of the guys in your favorite bands are listening to? Then take a long gander at this week's list and feel free to add what you guys are spinning too.
Ben Only Wishes He was as Meaty as: Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band - Shiny Beast
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/beefheart.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.beefheart.com)
After reading about the debate I didn't mean to start in regards to Pearl Jam, I found myself listening to a fair bit of the Captain's catalogue and realized that Pearl Jam doesn't have anything on them. While PJ has progressed and gotten better over time, I don't think any of their albums stand out as much as Shiny Beast does in Beefheart's myriad of musical compositions. Here he was, 15 years into the game, supposedly washed up for about 6, and he puts out one of the best records of his career. Opener "Floppy Boot Stomp" would still be fresh today and there's not a weak track to be found anywhere on the record. Not only is it one of his best, it's also one of his most accessible. If you didn't get started with Safe as Milk, this might be your next best bet. Pearl Jam, my ass. This is a true testament to longevity, creativity, and the pursuit of something more than you've done before.
Aaron, In a Drugless Haze, Stumbled Upon: Set Your Goals - Reset
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/setyourgoals.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.myspace.com/setyourgoals)
One of the most recent signees to Eulogy Recordings are having their EP Reset re-released before the band are set to drop their debut LP for the label. Reset is a collection of five original songs and a Jawbreaker cover of "Do You Still Hate Me?" Set Your Goals shine some light on a fairly dull genre right now with their upbeat and more punk rock influenced hardcore that reminds me of a Kid Dynamite or even some of the melodic stylings of a Good Riddance. With the future bright as ever for these guys this EP only gives you a brief glimpse of what to expect from these California natives. Definately mark them down as a band you should be listening to as well as if Reset is any example of what is to come, its going to be very fucking good.
Jordan Likes Crying in His Soup While Spinning: Malcolm Middleton - Into the Woods
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/malcolm.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.malcolmmiddleton.co.uk/)
I had gotten the Malcolm Middleton album when it first came out. I found what I thought was the best song on it, “No Modest Bear,” and pushed the album aside. I didn’t listen to it for months. Then recently, I decided to give it another shot. Shit, I was hooked from the first song. It was pure, beautifully tragic, heart breaking bliss. Lyrically devastating. Musically, it’s almost joyful, uplifting at times, but never cheesy. Malcolm comes off as the kind of character that would laugh at the end of the world and give it a high five. It’s hard to nail down the genre this would be in, but one might call it, “manic-depressive, post-indie, Scottish rock.”
Jake Ryan (of The Chariot) Has Been Swatting at Things Left and Right to: Flyleaf - Flyleaf
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/flyleaf.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.flyleafmusic.com/)
Not only are they some of the most legit, most loving, and inspiring group of people, they have this band that is somethin' awesome too. I have a hard time not listening to their whole record pretty much everytime I think of listening to a song of theirs. It's hard for me to say what song is like my favorite on the record, but if you are like a type of person who wants to hit the highlights then there are a few songs for you to hear. "Fully Alive" totally a heavier song on the record; "Sorrow" ballad-esck, huge chours; "All Around Me" is probably closest to being my most favorite on the whole record; "There for You" I think Dave Navarro played some on it, so it's gotta be good right? Yes. Awesome huge rock with a girl who has one of the best voices i've heard ever... all backed with a purpose and personal beliefs. to me it's pretty great.
Jayme Likes to Pretend He Goes to School so He Can Turn Things in Late, Like This Pick: The Killing Tree - The Romance of Helen Trent
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/killingtree.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.myspace.com/killingtreeband )
Alright, we all know that Rise Against’s song “Swing Life Away” damn-near made them a household name; however, the majority of teens adding that song to their myspace page wouldn’t have a clue as to what Revolutions Per Minute or The Unraveling sound like, much less Tim McIlrath’s band (well, one of) pre-Rise Against, The Killing Tree. On The Romance of Helen Trent, the listener gets a downright heavier and harder version of the band you all know and love. With more intensity, a more “hardcore” focus, and all around tougher demeanor, The Killing Tree is everything that Rise Against should be. Another thing that The Killing Tree exhibits that Rise Against simply doesn’t, is an exploration of their sound, at times sounding like everything from Give Up the Ghost to Comeback Kid to Botch to Stretch Armstrong. Fans of any of these aforementioned bands should give The Killing Tree’s The Romance of Helen Trent a solid listen and enjoy.
Nick Martin (of Underminded) Proves He Knows His Classics With: Bob Dylan - No Direction Home Bootleg Series
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/bobdylan.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.bobdylan.com/)
He's better than anything you listen to. You listen to these demos he did in the 60s and you realize, as a musician, to push yourself harder into writing music that matters. Music with substance is hard to find nowdays, so why not get inspired by the greatest fuckin' musician of the 20th century.
Matt (of Intelligence) Wills You All to Listen to: Pinback - Summer in Abandon
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/pinback.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.pinback.com)
With the weather finally warming up here in Virginia, I have been rediscovering that certain summer groove in old and new albums I have been listening too. Pinback has once again truly amazed me with their simplistic arrangement, but strong accent on melody and rhythm, provided by excellent work on the drums. Some possible comparisons or influences would be Broken Social Scene, Air, and even a little bit of Talking Heads in the groove and vocal spacing. From the upbeat summer anthem "Non-Photo Blue" to the somber "Bloods on Fire" to the slightly quirky "Fortress", this album has a little something for everyone while still having a coherent vision.So if you're in that summer mood, give this band a try and see what you think.
Kamran Should Write More Reviews Instead of Listening to: Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan – Ballad of the Broken Seas
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/marklanegan.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.isobelcampbell.com/)
Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age) and Isobel Campbell (Belle & Sebastian) both have impressive, if not dissimilar résumés, which is exactly why it would be natural for them to pair and release a record. I’m planning a review for this, so I don’t want to give too much away, but if you enjoy Nick Cave, Tom Waits, or Leonard Cohen, then this release, which carries more of Lanegan’s signature than Campbell’s, will be right up your alley.
Adam, Even While Giving Birth to Another Kid, Had Time to Listen to: All Rise - These Questions Have No Answers
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/allrise.jpg
Website / Listen (www.allrisemusic.com)
All Rise have been treading around the Cali music scene for several years, gaining aknowledgement as the best unsigned band around. Somethings never change as the band still find themselves label-less whilst making some of the best melodic rock you'll ever hear. Over the past 3 years they have put out an EP and many demos, but finally just put the finishing touches on their first full-length, These Questions Have No Answers. Singer Adam Iscove has vocal similarities, almost uncannilly, to Christopher Hall, former lead man of the alt-industrial group Stabbing Westward, a very chilly, melodic croon. Musically, they are very comparable to Kaddisfly, Incubus, and Open Hand. They also get compared to Peter Gabriel and The Police quite often, although I'm not sure the comparisons are warrented. Reguardless of who you think they sound like, the band has made tremendous strides and I'm still amazed a label hasn't scooped them up. Between Mute Math, Push To Talk, and now All Rise, they are proving that you can wear the 80's influences well, without aping the psuedo nu-wave craze.
Marc Eats Babies for Breakfast While Blasting: Doomriders - Black Thunder
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/doomriders.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.myspace.com/doomriders)
I've never been too big on the whole "stoner rock" phenomenon, but Doomriders managed to pull me in. Some will find this band to be a bit cheesy, others will find it to be a classic (like myself). The opening track "Black Thunder" sets the mood and gives you a good idea of the trip your about to take. Then we reach "Listen Up" which is the anthem for this album, and definitely what will get and keep your attention. This is an album for any fan of Entombed, High On Fire, Black Sabbath, or Motorhead. Not to mention it has Nate from Converge/Old Man Gloom fame if that means anything to you. Don't dismiss this, you will miss out. This is just another reason why Deathwish continues to be the most dominating label to date.
Josh Wouldn't Vote Republican for a Million Dollars, but He Listens to: Electric President - Electric President
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/electricpresident.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.radicalface.com/6928/22173.html)
Electric President seemingly came out of nowhere with this ten song electro-pop full length. Drawing influences from Why? and The Postal Service, the duo have compiled an album of dreamy, reduced songs which bare complexity and maturity years beyond their peers. Though primarily an electronic outfit, the inclusion of live instruments layers the contents quality and enhances the listeners’ pleasure. Though this album has yet to get much attention, it wont be long before its boldly original material begins to turn heads.
Jordan (of Caldwell) Will Explode if He Doesn't Get His Daily Dose of: Kid Dynamite - Kid Dynamite
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/kiddynamite.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.jadetree.com/bands/artist/kid_dynamite)
This is the first full length to come out of Philly's greatest, yet most short lived band, Kid Dynamite. This cd is a textbook definition of what hardcore punk should be! 27 minutes of pure punk energy, and being harder and more emotional than any "hardcore" cd I've heard coming out in the past few years. Simple, short and to point rock and roll music with plenty of gang vocals and sing along parts. No metal core breakdowns? No problem.
Rick Wishes that Posting This Article Didn't Take Him Over an Hour to Do, but at Least He Got to Listen to: P.O.S. - Audition
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/pos.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.rhymesayers.com/aDetail.php?aId=22&cT=Bio)
I'm not the biggest hip-hop and rap listener on this staff, but I lover listening to some good indie hip-hop when I get a chance, especially if it's from someone on Rhymesayers. P.O.S. was an impulse purchase at Target while I was buying groceries and I'm glad I picked it up. There are some great beats and more than enough slick rhymes to keep me interested. This disc hasn't left my car deck all week and I don't see it coming out any time soon. Give this a shot if you like Atmosphere or Aesop Rock.
Jared Wants to Live Like a Wildman with Only One CD to Listen to: Shadows Fall - The Art of Balance
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/shadowsfall.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.shadowsfall.com/)
Thank you Shadows Fall. Thank you for rescuing me from the grip of Nu Metal. Back in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, I was a Nu Metal junkie. Having grown up listening to rock and punk music, I was easily swayed by it’s faux angst and commercial success. Luckily, I was curious and ventured into harder forms of metal. The Art of Balance was one of the albums I dug myself out with. It’s not often I find an album I can spin front to back and not skip over at least one track.
After seeing a video for “Thoughts Without Words” on my daily adventures on the world wide web, I was hooked on the song. Naturally, I checked out some of their other material which I found too heavy at first, but later came to love. The The Art of Balance is full of 10 great tracks, but “The Mystery of One Spirit” is a 5 min masterpiece. Littered with intricate guitar work, I think this song more than any other on this record, showcases what Shadows Fall signature sound is. Following directly after the breakdown are a couple of great guitar solos. Clocking in at about a solid minute, those solos take up 1/5 of the entire song.
If there ever was a record deserving of a perfect score, this The Art of Balance is it. Only after repeated listens and investigating the breadth of the genre have I been able to come back to this album and declare it a classic.
Ben Only Wishes He was as Meaty as: Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band - Shiny Beast
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/beefheart.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.beefheart.com)
After reading about the debate I didn't mean to start in regards to Pearl Jam, I found myself listening to a fair bit of the Captain's catalogue and realized that Pearl Jam doesn't have anything on them. While PJ has progressed and gotten better over time, I don't think any of their albums stand out as much as Shiny Beast does in Beefheart's myriad of musical compositions. Here he was, 15 years into the game, supposedly washed up for about 6, and he puts out one of the best records of his career. Opener "Floppy Boot Stomp" would still be fresh today and there's not a weak track to be found anywhere on the record. Not only is it one of his best, it's also one of his most accessible. If you didn't get started with Safe as Milk, this might be your next best bet. Pearl Jam, my ass. This is a true testament to longevity, creativity, and the pursuit of something more than you've done before.
Aaron, In a Drugless Haze, Stumbled Upon: Set Your Goals - Reset
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/setyourgoals.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.myspace.com/setyourgoals)
One of the most recent signees to Eulogy Recordings are having their EP Reset re-released before the band are set to drop their debut LP for the label. Reset is a collection of five original songs and a Jawbreaker cover of "Do You Still Hate Me?" Set Your Goals shine some light on a fairly dull genre right now with their upbeat and more punk rock influenced hardcore that reminds me of a Kid Dynamite or even some of the melodic stylings of a Good Riddance. With the future bright as ever for these guys this EP only gives you a brief glimpse of what to expect from these California natives. Definately mark them down as a band you should be listening to as well as if Reset is any example of what is to come, its going to be very fucking good.
Jordan Likes Crying in His Soup While Spinning: Malcolm Middleton - Into the Woods
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/malcolm.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.malcolmmiddleton.co.uk/)
I had gotten the Malcolm Middleton album when it first came out. I found what I thought was the best song on it, “No Modest Bear,” and pushed the album aside. I didn’t listen to it for months. Then recently, I decided to give it another shot. Shit, I was hooked from the first song. It was pure, beautifully tragic, heart breaking bliss. Lyrically devastating. Musically, it’s almost joyful, uplifting at times, but never cheesy. Malcolm comes off as the kind of character that would laugh at the end of the world and give it a high five. It’s hard to nail down the genre this would be in, but one might call it, “manic-depressive, post-indie, Scottish rock.”
Jake Ryan (of The Chariot) Has Been Swatting at Things Left and Right to: Flyleaf - Flyleaf
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/flyleaf.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.flyleafmusic.com/)
Not only are they some of the most legit, most loving, and inspiring group of people, they have this band that is somethin' awesome too. I have a hard time not listening to their whole record pretty much everytime I think of listening to a song of theirs. It's hard for me to say what song is like my favorite on the record, but if you are like a type of person who wants to hit the highlights then there are a few songs for you to hear. "Fully Alive" totally a heavier song on the record; "Sorrow" ballad-esck, huge chours; "All Around Me" is probably closest to being my most favorite on the whole record; "There for You" I think Dave Navarro played some on it, so it's gotta be good right? Yes. Awesome huge rock with a girl who has one of the best voices i've heard ever... all backed with a purpose and personal beliefs. to me it's pretty great.
Jayme Likes to Pretend He Goes to School so He Can Turn Things in Late, Like This Pick: The Killing Tree - The Romance of Helen Trent
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/killingtree.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.myspace.com/killingtreeband )
Alright, we all know that Rise Against’s song “Swing Life Away” damn-near made them a household name; however, the majority of teens adding that song to their myspace page wouldn’t have a clue as to what Revolutions Per Minute or The Unraveling sound like, much less Tim McIlrath’s band (well, one of) pre-Rise Against, The Killing Tree. On The Romance of Helen Trent, the listener gets a downright heavier and harder version of the band you all know and love. With more intensity, a more “hardcore” focus, and all around tougher demeanor, The Killing Tree is everything that Rise Against should be. Another thing that The Killing Tree exhibits that Rise Against simply doesn’t, is an exploration of their sound, at times sounding like everything from Give Up the Ghost to Comeback Kid to Botch to Stretch Armstrong. Fans of any of these aforementioned bands should give The Killing Tree’s The Romance of Helen Trent a solid listen and enjoy.
Nick Martin (of Underminded) Proves He Knows His Classics With: Bob Dylan - No Direction Home Bootleg Series
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/bobdylan.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.bobdylan.com/)
He's better than anything you listen to. You listen to these demos he did in the 60s and you realize, as a musician, to push yourself harder into writing music that matters. Music with substance is hard to find nowdays, so why not get inspired by the greatest fuckin' musician of the 20th century.
Matt (of Intelligence) Wills You All to Listen to: Pinback - Summer in Abandon
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/pinback.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.pinback.com)
With the weather finally warming up here in Virginia, I have been rediscovering that certain summer groove in old and new albums I have been listening too. Pinback has once again truly amazed me with their simplistic arrangement, but strong accent on melody and rhythm, provided by excellent work on the drums. Some possible comparisons or influences would be Broken Social Scene, Air, and even a little bit of Talking Heads in the groove and vocal spacing. From the upbeat summer anthem "Non-Photo Blue" to the somber "Bloods on Fire" to the slightly quirky "Fortress", this album has a little something for everyone while still having a coherent vision.So if you're in that summer mood, give this band a try and see what you think.
Kamran Should Write More Reviews Instead of Listening to: Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan – Ballad of the Broken Seas
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/marklanegan.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.isobelcampbell.com/)
Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age) and Isobel Campbell (Belle & Sebastian) both have impressive, if not dissimilar résumés, which is exactly why it would be natural for them to pair and release a record. I’m planning a review for this, so I don’t want to give too much away, but if you enjoy Nick Cave, Tom Waits, or Leonard Cohen, then this release, which carries more of Lanegan’s signature than Campbell’s, will be right up your alley.
Adam, Even While Giving Birth to Another Kid, Had Time to Listen to: All Rise - These Questions Have No Answers
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/allrise.jpg
Website / Listen (www.allrisemusic.com)
All Rise have been treading around the Cali music scene for several years, gaining aknowledgement as the best unsigned band around. Somethings never change as the band still find themselves label-less whilst making some of the best melodic rock you'll ever hear. Over the past 3 years they have put out an EP and many demos, but finally just put the finishing touches on their first full-length, These Questions Have No Answers. Singer Adam Iscove has vocal similarities, almost uncannilly, to Christopher Hall, former lead man of the alt-industrial group Stabbing Westward, a very chilly, melodic croon. Musically, they are very comparable to Kaddisfly, Incubus, and Open Hand. They also get compared to Peter Gabriel and The Police quite often, although I'm not sure the comparisons are warrented. Reguardless of who you think they sound like, the band has made tremendous strides and I'm still amazed a label hasn't scooped them up. Between Mute Math, Push To Talk, and now All Rise, they are proving that you can wear the 80's influences well, without aping the psuedo nu-wave craze.
Marc Eats Babies for Breakfast While Blasting: Doomriders - Black Thunder
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/doomriders.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.myspace.com/doomriders)
I've never been too big on the whole "stoner rock" phenomenon, but Doomriders managed to pull me in. Some will find this band to be a bit cheesy, others will find it to be a classic (like myself). The opening track "Black Thunder" sets the mood and gives you a good idea of the trip your about to take. Then we reach "Listen Up" which is the anthem for this album, and definitely what will get and keep your attention. This is an album for any fan of Entombed, High On Fire, Black Sabbath, or Motorhead. Not to mention it has Nate from Converge/Old Man Gloom fame if that means anything to you. Don't dismiss this, you will miss out. This is just another reason why Deathwish continues to be the most dominating label to date.
Josh Wouldn't Vote Republican for a Million Dollars, but He Listens to: Electric President - Electric President
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/electricpresident.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.radicalface.com/6928/22173.html)
Electric President seemingly came out of nowhere with this ten song electro-pop full length. Drawing influences from Why? and The Postal Service, the duo have compiled an album of dreamy, reduced songs which bare complexity and maturity years beyond their peers. Though primarily an electronic outfit, the inclusion of live instruments layers the contents quality and enhances the listeners’ pleasure. Though this album has yet to get much attention, it wont be long before its boldly original material begins to turn heads.
Jordan (of Caldwell) Will Explode if He Doesn't Get His Daily Dose of: Kid Dynamite - Kid Dynamite
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/kiddynamite.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.jadetree.com/bands/artist/kid_dynamite)
This is the first full length to come out of Philly's greatest, yet most short lived band, Kid Dynamite. This cd is a textbook definition of what hardcore punk should be! 27 minutes of pure punk energy, and being harder and more emotional than any "hardcore" cd I've heard coming out in the past few years. Simple, short and to point rock and roll music with plenty of gang vocals and sing along parts. No metal core breakdowns? No problem.
Rick Wishes that Posting This Article Didn't Take Him Over an Hour to Do, but at Least He Got to Listen to: P.O.S. - Audition
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/pos.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.rhymesayers.com/aDetail.php?aId=22&cT=Bio)
I'm not the biggest hip-hop and rap listener on this staff, but I lover listening to some good indie hip-hop when I get a chance, especially if it's from someone on Rhymesayers. P.O.S. was an impulse purchase at Target while I was buying groceries and I'm glad I picked it up. There are some great beats and more than enough slick rhymes to keep me interested. This disc hasn't left my car deck all week and I don't see it coming out any time soon. Give this a shot if you like Atmosphere or Aesop Rock.
Jared Wants to Live Like a Wildman with Only One CD to Listen to: Shadows Fall - The Art of Balance
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/ListeningStation/shadowsfall.jpg
Website / Listen (http://www.shadowsfall.com/)
Thank you Shadows Fall. Thank you for rescuing me from the grip of Nu Metal. Back in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, I was a Nu Metal junkie. Having grown up listening to rock and punk music, I was easily swayed by it’s faux angst and commercial success. Luckily, I was curious and ventured into harder forms of metal. The Art of Balance was one of the albums I dug myself out with. It’s not often I find an album I can spin front to back and not skip over at least one track.
After seeing a video for “Thoughts Without Words” on my daily adventures on the world wide web, I was hooked on the song. Naturally, I checked out some of their other material which I found too heavy at first, but later came to love. The The Art of Balance is full of 10 great tracks, but “The Mystery of One Spirit” is a 5 min masterpiece. Littered with intricate guitar work, I think this song more than any other on this record, showcases what Shadows Fall signature sound is. Following directly after the breakdown are a couple of great guitar solos. Clocking in at about a solid minute, those solos take up 1/5 of the entire song.
If there ever was a record deserving of a perfect score, this The Art of Balance is it. Only after repeated listens and investigating the breadth of the genre have I been able to come back to this album and declare it a classic.