LPF Album Reviews 2.0

[azemkamikaze03]

lol thanks

 

Stenners and Jeezy can you do me a favor?

reveiw the LPF Sessions and then PM me your

opinions.

[Toxic1]

People often say their debut is the superior album =D

 

That's not true. I've always seen a split between all of Animal Collective's albums. Some prefer the extreme stuff off the earlier albums and then alot of others prefer the poppier experimental stuff off recent albums. And then you got some that like it all. Critically all four of their main albums have got around the same critical praise. Sung Tongs and Feels got them a wider audience due to them expanding their sonic pallette and infusing pop melodies into their crazy natured sound. AC was never a band that put out an excellent debut and then declined. There is just too much depth in songwriting in all four of them. Especially Panda Bear and Avey Tare. And as time goes by, they have really honed their skills at making great pop music.

[Jeezy]

lol thanks

 

Stenners and Jeezy can you do me a favor?

reveiw the LPF Sessions and then PM me your

opinions.

 

Yeah I'll do that asap

[Stenners]

I can't review LPF Sessions objectivley im afraid! lol

[Stllmn8j]

I can't review LPF Sessions objectivley im afraid! lol

 

Lol just talk about how bad everyone's tracks sounded next to yours!

[Stenners]

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51O2VFNq1fL._AA240_.jpg

 

Artist: Bonde Do Role

Album: With Lasers

Genre: Electronic/Alternative/Carribian

 

 

Yet another electronic band from brazil, shocking! Though this band

was achieving it's self a nice bit of press amongst the alternative circuit & the press, the album

was quickly and fastly becoming eagearly antiscipated after promising

performances live which has seen this little brazillian band turn into the NME hot topic,

despite not speaking a word of English!

 

http://myspace-263.vo.llnwd.net/00799/36/28/799848263_l.jpg

Live, this band are extremely fun & Sexy

 

How does this fun quirky attitude translate to record though, well you can hear good intentions

threw out the record! It's trying sooo hard to being fun & in some cases such as 'Tieta'

the more meditarrian based sound does help alot! But unfourtenetly threw out most

of the album this really just doesnt pull threw as it should. It often sound repetetive

& in general dissapointing, even the quirks end up missing later in the album making them

flat dire and repetetive! 'Gasolina' is an example of a terribly boring song.

 

http://www.radiomagnetic.com/images/artists/bondedorole2.jpg

It doesnt seem hard to identify the brains of the outfit

 

So my final thoughts on this album as whole? How shall I sum it up! I may of been a bit

harsh looking back on it the are some moment when I feel yea this band can be really good

offering a more carribean/south african vibe to many of it's other counter parts such as CSS

unfourtenetly they just dont do what bands such as CSS do so well and thats sound confident

and fun both live and on record, not terrible by any means just in general very dissapointing!

 

Rating: 4.5/10

 

Reccomended Tracks: Solta O' Frango, Tieta, Office Boy

 

Solta O' Frango Video:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgb6FxuaPQA

Office Boy: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv8mZh3MHhA

Vitligo: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhEc6dlPkU8

[Stenners]

http://www.decoymusic.com/images/top10_2006/hellogoodbye.jpg

 

Artist: Hellogoodbye

Album: Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!

Genre: Pop

 

This is an incredibly electronicly enhanced pop band very much a band

that thrives on artifical sounds & heavily proccessed vocals, actually to be fair

I thought their EP was pretty damned good and showed alot of promise

for what was essentially an MTV band who got a break on 'The Real Life' This

their first full length album has been met with an eager audience looking to latch

onto the next hot thing, Here (In Your Arms) has been a massive radio hit, this

doesn't suprise the lyrics are simple, actually very dumb & typical but the is no denying

it's catchy and dancey i'm not gonna lie I actually can find myself dancing like

an idiot to this song even if it destroys my credibility.... but still

“I like where you sleep/When you sleep next to me/I like where you sleep/Here,”

hmmm right.

 

http://www.themuse.ca/media/images/i_2006-11-16/hellogoodbyeWEB.jpg

We came, we saw & we pissed off the neighbours

 

What you are essentially looking at here is very much an album displaying

Hellogoodbyes former selfs, the tunes are simple and often just go into on blur

of familiar ground, lack substanance they are all sappy. It's all been over produced

actually any of the bands charm seems to have left them, what made the EP

fun & enjoyable was the more organic sound, it now feels totally devoid

of emotion. 'All Time Lows' sounds very much an pop punk jam but on the posetive

'Stuck To You' is actually very enjoyable and more riff raff rather than hop skip prance

in it's approach.

 

http://www.spin.com/features/band_of_the_day/images/2006/07/060731_hellogoodbye.jpg

We are real manly men, honest look at dem gunns!

 

What the hell was I going to expect from this album? It was much more sugary pop

than I though it would be, though they are still JUST about acceptable as

an alternative to other forms of pop but actually when it comes down to it they

are lyrically weak, musically repetetive and very clique. Yea sure u can get drunk

dance to their songs but you wont care about them in a couple months time.

 

Rating: 4/10

 

Reccomended: Stuck To You, All Of Your Love, Touchdown Turnaround

 

Here (In Your Arms) Music Video -http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8bUkxTznujo

[Stllmn8j]

The show they got thier break on is called "The Real World" lol

[Stenners]

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51k%2BlPMvKBL._AA240_.jpg

 

Artist: Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Album: IsIs (EP)

Genre: Alternative/Punk/Noise

Similar To: Be Your Own Pet, Adam Green, The Hives, The White Stripes

 

It's been a year since the underwhelming 'Show Your Bones' reared

it's head to the hopful public, yes it was very luke warm & very much

restrained.... it lacked any lunecy about it where as their debut 'Fever To Tell'

was brilliant, I showed great love for the bands dynamics and lunetic

approach to their music! It was incredibly approachable but at the same time

warrented repeated listens. This EP is a collection of songs recorded between

the time period of Album A to Album B.

 

http://www.offtopic.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/f1658da9cb43c7af07a134a5ec0439a6.jpg

Hott! Shes got a lil pink bow on her panties!!!!!!

 

I am pleased to say this EP is alot less restrained, it's pretty obvious

their intentions of their sophmore album were alot different then what the

record label wanted it to be! Its alot noiser, the slower and haunting opener

'Rockers To Swallow' sounds very dark, mysterious it has lots of noise guitar

rather then a simple melodie, Sprawling guitars ratterling and providing

plenty off feedback. The following track 'Down Boy' is a synth laced foot stomper

with an incredibly hooky errr hook! 'Kiss Kiss' is the standard lets rock fast

track and is good but one of the weaker moments as it's kind of standard. 'IsIs'

showcases Karen O's superb vocals with another haunting shuffling sound

its a rocking track without being over the top at anything, its just a simple shuffleing

drumming rhythem, the guitar whales on in the background n Karens vocals sets the mood

superbly. This closes on the pacey adrenelin fest that 10x10.

 

http://pinkrabbitsays.typepad.com/write/img/yyy_chair.jpg

The rejects from the 7dwaves, Confused, Vacant & Proud

 

At the end of it all this EP is a wonderful additon to their discography

its more wild, less restrained then their previous effort & shows that maybe

they arent out of ideas but the record label is constricting them. Karen O's voice

just as vibrant as ever this EP is a great lil listen & all of the tracks trump those

shown of 'Show Your Bones' (cept Cheated Hearts which is a ch00ne).

 

Rating: 8.75/10

Reccomended: Rockers To Swallow, Down Boy, IsIs

 

Music Video: Down Boy http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=eSpDVcVKsXE

[Black_Angel]

Karen O is so hot, Karen O is so great *sings*

[Stenners]

http://www.offtopic.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/1122453a180ef7042a7fbdae81cde4f4.jpg

Artist: of Montreal

Album: Hiss Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?

Genre: Alternative Pop

Similar To: The Little Ones, Circulatory System, Oh NO! Oh MY!

 

Kevin Barnes formed his little music project after a girl

who so happend to be named Montreal dumped him like a sack of bricks

this project 'of Montreal' named after the forementioned girl was his

emotional release & in the past has dished out some real personal lyrics

no more so than in this album 'Hissing Fauna, You Are The Destroyer' a concept

album of sorts showing the lead up and after effect of a nervous breakdown

& the chage of charecter he experianced during a rough period in his life time, the

album is a lot darker lyrically but still sounds upbeat the music is very swooing

the production is very ambitious and the erray of sounds, melodies and instruments

found in each song does make this album quite overwhelming on first listen.

 

http://s.yottamusic.com/i/auzh.1ebR

This band gives whole new meaning to bending the guitar

 

The album opens very much on a high note with 'Suffer For Fashion'

a highlight immediatly shoving its hooky lil self into your brain, it's catchy

and poppy though very hetic, this is a very common theme threw out the first half

'Cato As A Pun' is a very delicate song again a nice lil highlight to have this early

in the album. The lyrics do progressivley get darker 'Comeon Chemichals' refering

to anti depresents, nice! By the time 'The Past Is A Grotesque Animal' kicks in, the

self indulgant almost 12minute track u find in any indie album you have been

swayed in an uptempo musical display which swayed u with the amount of hooks

and sing out loud moments. 'TPIAGA' is the seperator of the album, representing his change

of persona, the 2nd half is alot more funk orientated then the 1st half & as a result

this clever lil move stops the album from getting stale and old before it's even finnished.

This funkier half of the album is litterd with highlights as well such as the fun, catchy

n down right brilliant 'Shes A Rejector' with the great lyrics 'Theres the girl that left me bitter/

wanted to pay some other girl to go up n hit her/but i cant i cant i cant/ i want to though/

i cannnnt/no!'. Did I mention I love kevin barnes vocal delivery on this album? The dude is

on top form offering his varied and very unique vocals which are ensured to deliver

a hook.

 

http://www.howwastheshow.com/images/Of%20Montreal.jpg

Yah did I mention Barnes is a lil excentric?

 

This is one of the best concept albums I have heard, no lie it's a serious and

very personaly doccumentation of his recent problems & he does a good job of

delivering it. The production can be a bit exhausting (especially on headphones

so note that ipod fans) but the effortless flow of songs showing an erray of emotions

, heart stopping melodies and hooks is to be admired. One of my faviroute albums of 07

without a doubt and I hope that many of u try this little album out.

 

Rating: 9.25/10

Reccomended: Suffer For Fashion, Cato As A Pun, The Past Is A Grotesque Animal, Bunny Ain't No Kind Of Rider & Shes A Rejector

 

Music Video: Suffer For Fashion http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=IWaq90jy3oU

[Toxic1]

Neat video.

 

That album for me is around 7.8/10

[Stenners]

http://www.mtoliveco.com/secure/images/StrawberryJam-16oz.jpg

In other words, cover unavalible

Artist: Animal Collective

Album: Strawberry Jam

Genre: Psych Pop/Alternative/Experimental

Similar To: The Unicorns, Apples In Stereo & Xiu Xiu

 

Wild wild wild wild wild band, providing some amazing summery psych pop

tunes that slowly but surley reveal there beauty to you, embedding ur head

waiting for the eggs to hatch.... at first you dont feel it as the lava slowly begin

to hatch u begin to understand the beauty of their music, before long these turn

into fluttering butterflys ratterling around your brain & they dont seem to quit. This

is how I would describe Animals Collective music, often their melodies and quirks are

hidden deep within the music amongst masses of feedback and noise. This one of 2007's

most eagerly antiscipated albums amongst the Alternative crowd has finnaly been

released to the public, albeit not in the way Domino would of wanted.

 

http://www.revolver.nu/bilder/concert/con_animal_collective.jpg

Understated cool

 

The band known for their unothordox use of turn tables, samples and unothordox

production has built them a very nice reputation.... essentially it's not cool to dislike

this band. On this album things seem a whole lot more clear, less muddled & a hell of alot

easier to get into then the likes of 'Feels' it's alot more instant and alot easier to grab

hold of. Melodies swoon around you like nothing else, it's all very dream like in fact

like walking in a carnival on a major trip. Soniclly this album is a blast and the opener

'Peacebone' could be the best most hooky pop song to rear it's lil head this year, I can't

help but sing along 'GOOOOOOD TIMES' its truley uplifting and high spirited without

being cheesey. 'Chores' is another brilliant example of an extremely hooky and dancey

song, it's incredible. Not only does this album have 2 of the best pop songs recorded this

year or millenium it also has 2 incredible 'Song Songs' which grow with you in time and have

more complexity in them. 'Fireworks' the highlight of the album in my opinion has a brilliant

touch of bass its quirky, muddeled & very deeply layerd but in a good not over

produced way, each time u hear this song u hear something new. As goes with the lullaby

like Cuckoo Cuckoo which is also brilliant. However it's not all solid gold (although most of it is)

#1 is incredibly dissapointing re hash of old ideas only done in a pretty weak way.

 

http://www.halftheory.com/data/images/calendar/20061103_animalcollectivephoto2006_300.jpg

Animal farm! Watching that stoned is a task, this one the other hand isnt

 

This album is an experiance, an experiance you can only truley experiance

with the AC, it's got plenty to it.... body, soul, imagination & energy. It's incredibly

trippy & although the lyrics are a tad questionable as usual the vocal delivery

is unothordox yet familiar it's very well deliverd. The amazing flow of the album

also has to be mentioned its just an onslaught and sounds like an album rather

than a collection of songs, this is a summer album that only comes around every so

often, a summer album thats both summery, light & fun but also deep, challenging

and rewarding which will warrant many repeat listens. A truley remarkable album from

a truley remarkable band!

 

Rating: 9.75/10

Reccomended: Peacebone, Chores, Fireworks & Cuckoo Cuckoo

Music Video: Fireworks http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=W6KPDWNAPBU

 

The music video is incredible! I NEED SHROOMS!

[Toxic1]

Nice review on the new Animal Collective. Alot of my thoughts are in the Animal Collective thread. This whole album is amazing; however, my absolute favourites will probably always be Cuckoo Cuckoo and Fireworks. Peacebone and For Reverend Green are the killer pop songs. Chores is never content to stick to a particular sound and continually evolves. Derek is a great closer more akin to Sung Tongs, Feels, and Panda Bear's "Person Pitch". #1's arpeggio goes on a lil long in the beginning, but I like how one slips into the other and the song has some really kick ass effects on Avey's vocals. And Panda Bear's singing on #1 is great too. Unsolved Mysterious has alot of cool unorthodox sounds as well and a chorus that delivers. Winter Wonder Land is probably the weakest song, but it's still a good lil pop song. Overall, this album is instant gratification like no other Animal Collective album I've heard. This isn't a bad thing because I'm getting something totally different off of each of their albums. Where they will go, who knows.

 

9.5/10 as of right now. I just can't stop listening to this and I know I'm not the only one with this problem. These songs were great live, so I knew this would be decent. The most anticipated album of the year has delivered. But hot damn, Strawberry Jam is mighty sweet. Sweeter than I thought it would be.

 

PS: Geologist doesn't use turntables from what I remember. Found this though:

 

-- 2 18 PA Speakers

--- Mackie Mixer

--- 3 Minidiscs

--- Unknown Reverb Rack

--- Boss SP404 Dr. Sample Phrase Sampler

--- "Devil Mic" Toy

--- Circuit Bent Sound Generator

--- QSC Amplifier Head

--- Behringer UB1204FX Pro Eurorack 12 Input Mixer with FX

[Stllmn8j]

That vid was kind of an experience lol

[Toxic1]

Agreed. They did a very good job with the Fireworks video. The sound quality isn't great on the video, but thats because of the compression making it sound like a pillow is over it. I just play the song in Itunes and watch the video.

[Stllmn8j]

Agreed. They did a very good job with the Fireworks video. The sound quality isn't great on the video, but thats because of the compression making it sound like a pillow is over it. I just play the song in Itunes and watch the video.

 

For as cheesy as it could have turned out w/ the flashlights and all,it turned out very good

[Toxic1]

For as cheesy as it could have turned out w/ the flashlights and all,it turned out very good

 

I think those were glow sticks, but they really aren't a big element in the video. It's all about the other cool lights and effects.

[Stllmn8j]

I think those were glow sticks, but they really aren't a big element in the video. It's all about the other cool lights and effects.

 

The reverse fireworks were awsome

[Toxic1]

Cuckoo Cuckoo is f*cking nuts!!! I love that song sooooooo much. Beautifully harsh stuff.........

 

I wish Safer and Street Flash would've been on the album. I heard Safer will be on the Peacebone single. Street Flash will probably go on the next album.

[Toxic1]

http://www.offtopic.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/273d9a8cbdf69c1a7d10d8f43da0be7c.jpg

 

The Berg Sans Nipple - Along The Quai

 

http://store.saddle-creek.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/tl-10.jpg

 

This album is great. It's got alot of stuff I love to hear all wrapped up into a seductively dark and atmospheric package. I got to see these two guys open up for Do Make Say Think. For only having two people on stage, they can put shame to alot of other larger bands. They make a whole lot of shit go on at once. Like stated by another reviewer, "the album somehow manages to easily weave dreamy electronica, percussion-heavy Afrobeats, layers of feedback, pop melodies and dub blankets, creating a cohesive collage of everything that's influenced the duo since birth." There is also alot of Tropicala influences all over too.

 

On opening track, Ghost, the keyboard arpeggio tricks you into thinking you might be hearing Linkin Park if LP got brilliant all of a sudden, but then alas you know the sounds and percussion created are way too technical for anyone in Linkin Park to pull off. A very strong opener with amazing drum layers. "Mystic Song" flirts with tropicala percussion and video game like synths.

 

"Aquarium Life" is a huge highlight. The melodica (air controlled keyboard harmonica) really makes you feel like you're in Paris.........if it was completely submerged in the ocean. A very atmospheric song flourished with perky keyboard and xylophone leads, a driving bass passage, beautiful noises, and a sad yet defiant trumpet cry. "Of The Sung" is very Animal Collective like in it's child-like nature, and nonetheless a pretty listen with strange little sounds and awesome reverb decaying percussion hits and vocals.

 

"Horse Shoes and Hand Grenades" is another highlight with its driving bass and the dominating sounds of glockenspiel, steel drums, bongos. The noise generated around 2:30 is freakin amazing sounding. And at the end it just dissolves into a huge dizzying blur of noise and cascading drums.

 

The title track is by far the most video game sounding like track. It has a very brief passage of rapping at the bridge of the song that is masked by a frequency distorting effect. It's the weakest song on the album, but some may find it catchy.

 

From here the last two songs create unbelievable atmospheres. "Carnival Days" an "Nonante-Trois" are by far the biggest highlights.

 

Carnival Days is absolutely insane. The percussion is totally wrapped up into noise and travels around the speakers from side to side at times. The song actually makes you feel like you are going mad at times. It lives up to its name and really has a saddening effect to it despite it's extremely manic nature.

 

"Nonante-Trois" What can I say. This closing track is my absolute favourite song on the album and is one of my favourite songs of the year. There really is something so different about this song. I get this feeling of being a soldier in vietnam or some other strange land on a dirty street on a hazy and humid day while the sun is setting. It's like I'm there. A monumental song with breathtaking percussion and melodica. The vocal effect kicks ass and so does the steel drums. Thank you Berg Sans Nipple for taking me to another time and place. Wow........

 

Here is a link:

 

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ihvdv3

 

9.0/10

 

1. Ghost

2. Mystic Song

3. Aquarium Life

4. Of The Sung

5. Horseshoes And Hand Grenades

6. Along The Quai

7. Carnival Days

8. Nonante-Trois

 

---------------------------

 

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q160/jadigioia/albums/blog%20photos/antlers.jpg

 

The Antlers - In The Attic Of The Universe

 

http://www.sharinglemons.com/artists/The_Antlers/albums/53-In_The_Attic_of_The_Universe.jpg

 

This isn't my review below, but I absolutely agree with it and want to spread the aural pleasure:

 

I feel like I've been totally caught off guard. This album came out of nowhere. And it's instantly conquered many other albums that are fighting for spots at the top of my favorite albums of '07 list (it's already getting very crowded). This album is very different from Uprooted (which I can't get enough of), yet very similar at the same time. This one sounds so full and lush and all those sort of words, but still gentle and delicate. And I am still hearing Neutral Milk Hotel and Antony & The Johnsons all over the place, while he is also continuing to carve out his own unique sound. Hard to pick a favorite song. Have I ever explained that one of the qualities of an album that I value the most is the ability to listen straight though and not skip a song. This album has that quality. Download it for free and thank me later:

 

batteringroom

 

------

 

These are my closing words on "In The Attic Of The Universe":

 

This very thematic gem of an EP is only like 27 minutes or so, but it feels very profound and has captured my heart strings as well. "On The Roof" and "The Universe Is Going To Catch You" are strong highlights with the former being extremley elegant. But the cake goes to the closer "Stairs To The Attic". One of my favourite songs of the year. Overall, a very spacey affair of sounds. This kid has talent.

 

Link: http://www.sendspace.com/file/a4rhe8

 

9.0/10

 

1. In the Attic

2. Look!

3. On the Roof

4. Shh!

5. The Universe Is Going to Catch You

6. The Carrying Arms

7. In the Snow

8. Stairs to the Attic

 

I've listened to these two cds alot, so I got a connection with 'em. "Along the Quai" was a grower for me, but I knew greatness was there. "In The Attic Of The Universe" was instant gratification though. What are your thoughts? Even after a half-assed listen.

[Stenners]

Very nice reviews, they sound like really really good albums! It has been a good year thus far, albums constantly becomming 'Album Of The Year' in my lil head. I will be sure to check em out

[Stllmn8j]

New Request!

 

The Chariot-The Fiancee

[Toxic1]

http://www.offtopic.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/04840281388da9f4e4415eb8fcb6b349.jpg

 

New Grizzly Bear video

 

Song: Central & Remote

Album: last year's critically acclaimed "Yellow House" (my favourite album of 2006)

 

This is what Pitchfork had to say about the video:

 

Grizzly Bear's "Central and Remote", from last year's terrific Yellow House, is at once old-timey (the folksy melody), vaguely menacing (the rumbling, cinematic percussion), and delicately beautiful (the overlapping Brian Wilson harmonies). Directed by Jesse Ewles, the song's surreal video manages to capture all those qualities. It depicts an epic high-noon showdown, time and place unknown, between a flower-headed guy who plants flowers and a villainous figure with a machine gun. Well, duh. Just remember, if you will, the wisdom of Obi-Wan Kenobi: If you stomp on my flower head, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine. MTV's Subterranean has the clip.

 

Link: http://www.subterraneanblog.com/2007/07/06/video-premiere-grizzly-bear-central-and-remote/

 

A weird little video, but I dig it. If you liked how menacing the movie The Wizard of Oz is, then you probably will like this video.

 

If you use Safari, it won't show. Use Internet Exploer or Firefox.

 

Video Sound Quality: not great, it's heavily compressed (like a pillow on top as usual)

[Toxic1]

New Request!

 

The Chariot-The Fiancee

 

I could do it, but you probably wouldn't want me to. Its got the barebones gtr, bass, and rock drums only. And from the sounds of it, it's probably hardcore or some kind of punk. We'll see...........

 

You should check out that Berg Sans Nipple album from atop of this page..........