LPF Album Reviews 2.0

[Friðbjörn]

matt were you serious when you asked to review stuff?

[Jeezy]

matt were you serious when you asked to review stuff?

why shouldn't he?

[Friðbjörn]

I dunno lol I replied he didn't answer that and hasn't said anything

I wanna be sure before I intrude the thread or something

[Jeezy]

I dunno lol I replied he didn't answer that and hasn't said anything

I wanna be sure before I intrude the thread or something

 

Well...he probably want's to get as much music covered as possible...I just started posting stuff...so..don't worry

[Friðbjörn]

alright

thanks, will do

[Black_Angel]

The new Arcade Fire song is actually alright, XFM are plugging it well loads.

Hated their older stuff though, the guy's voice seemed more annoying :|

[Stenners]

Fri of course I was serious, i want to exapnd the range of music coverd, i can only listen too so much music + it gives a wider point of view.

[Friðbjörn]

alright good stuff, I'm gonna try and post a review tonight

[Friðbjörn]

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/1239/200pxincubuslightgrenadiw0.jpg

 

Incubus - Light grenades

November 28, 2006

genre: alternative rock?

 

Incubus has usually delivered a variety of different style songs, sometimes mixing them, for us to munch on from each of their albums. I could name Make yourself and Morning view for instance.

And Light Grenades is no exception, and no disappointment. Incubus is a band that strayed from numetal early on, but still keeping a DJ and actually having use for him. They also have one of the better guitarists of mainstream success out there, and probably the most original guitarists out of those that get the most airplay. Complex fretwork at times, unusual and fresh chords and arrangement thereof, along with sharp drumming make this a very interesting album instrumentally.

I heard the first single before the other songs, entitled Anna-Molly. A smart move on behalf of the label, very catchy tune that. And not just catchy, it has decent instrumentation in my eyes and the singing follows well. The aforementioned DJ plays a marxophone in this song, nice to hear some little used instruments in a single, instead of always drums guitar piano bass and maybe strings. If you listen to that single however and expect a full album in that direction you'll be disappointed. That not being a bad thing, Incubus is a diverse band and can handle going into different directions and still maintaining a recognizable sound. Like Mike Einziger the guitarist said, it is actually almost like the album is "13 different bands playing 13 different songs" (http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1537605/20060801/incubus.jhtml). Therefore it's hard to pick out any key tracks to the album, for in a sense they're all their own different things. A few worth listening to though are the title track, Love hurts, Oil and water, Paper shoes and Earth to Bella part 1, not to take anything away from most the others though.

Having liked all the tracks (they are after all well crafted and relatively fresh and superior the the other stuff circling MTV these days) I'm afraid they'll fall into obscurity all too soon. Incubus have proved to be stuff that not everyone likes, and those tracks here won't last that long in our memories unless we're hardcore Incubus fans. The boys of Incubus can be happy though on a job well done, and not everyone nowadays goes in with the same attitude to do an album. It's honest music.

Rating: 7,5/10.

[crazy robster]

It's nice to see there are more people reviewing now, this means we get more opinions on various genres of music! That's good. Congrats to Jeez and Fribs for their great reviews, you do a great job guys. You and Matt together make a brilliant team keep it up!

[Stenners]

http://www.offtopic.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/4b00658492f55595c0b1597fd0f4c1a5.jpg

 

Artist: LCD Soundsystem

Album: Sound Of Silver

Genre: Funk Indie

 

I found LCD Soundsystems to be brilliant, a stroke of genius if you will. It was intelligant song writing with a great groove and something to shake your thing to. Expectations as you expect of this album were probably set unrealisticly high, like so many great bands the tricky 2nd album can often be the bands downfull and course an unexpected turn of opinion of those who once loved your music most, but it's a simple problem either put out a similar album to keep exisiting fans or broaden your horizons and try to captovate a new audience. It's fair to say LCD Soundsystem deffinatly early enough in their carrer to do either of these and with this album they achieve both. It's brilliant it's got the fimilarity of the last album but is different enough to keep the exisitng crowd interested and also try to reach out to new fans. 'Get Innocuous' is a lovely way to start the album it may clock at nearly 8mins but it doesnt feel that long and isnt a choir to listen to, the following track is one of the stand outs 'Time To Get Away' its just a hooky song to set you up for the single 'North American Scum' which is one of the strongest tracks they have put to date.

 

Though I must point out a slight problem with LCD Soundsystem, their songs for the most part like their debut are very long for the most part when a majority of the songs clock in at around 7mins you got to have a long attention span to really get into it. People who tend to skip songs before hearing them in the entirety this album is your worst nightmare! Though these songs are genuingly good and interesting 'Someone Great' is sort of a venture of sorts implying a gentle melody provided by xcylophone in fact I could go on explaining why all the tracks are so good, they are all gems in a diamond crusted crown, if only they were a lil more tightly knit this album could easily become a classic, but for now its just a proper good dancey album.

 

9/10

[Stenners]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/57/GC_good_morning_revival.jpg/200px-GC_good_morning_revival.jpg

 

Artist: Good Charlotte

Album: Good Morning Revival

Genre: Pop Punk

Mood: Angsty

 

I know this one has already been reviewed but this is another reasson I wanted multiple reviewer, multiple opinions are good! Their last 'The Chronicles Of Life And Death' was horrible even by GC's standards, though I must admit 'Get Your Hands Off My Girl' proved some sort of promise from the band, though I never liked it. The pointless intro leads into a rather predictable GC song 'Misery' which as per usualy offers the predictable rash guitars and hooky melodic chorus only it doesnt hook me so much as it does irritate, the next track is even worse working on the formula I expected, dissapointing so far as I expected that the band may of finnaly movedf on making me at this point to think the question 'will these guys ever mature and progress?'. The 4th track Dance Floor Anthem is slightly more interesting but equally annoying, I can't see this acheiving what it wants to be and thats a floor stomper at the latest Metal/Punk/Emo clubs which seem to be popping up, I can tell you this, this will neverr get played at 'The Pit' no sir e bob.

 

We then get braught onto the glimmer of hope of the band actually changing their sound, people in this sort of genre can do it. MCR slightly less annoying now they have matured slightly Fall Out Boy have done it to a degree with their acceptable last effort but so far this bands main offer is this change in pace. Which quite frankly reminds me of basically all the other bands in this genre trying a similar thing, truth be told I cant see any originality so far in this album though like i said this is the crack of light in a dark dank cave so far, the lyrics are horrible on this song by the way. Victims Of Love is another typical stadium rock anthem which really is a lil lack luster and full of more teenage angst as usual, this continues threw out the album, the end run of tracks is desirably weak. Where Would We Be Now sounds like the dreery onslaught from Coldplay only with heavier guitars, Break Apart Her Heart reminds me of Limp Bizkit at times but the hook reminds me of countless other pop punk bands.

 

The is no denying that my opinion of this band as being a record label toy without any creative control isn't going to change. The fact is they have put them same album out countless times now and lets face it im getting more and more sick of it. It's consistent which is a plus! But its the bad kind of consistent, i consistently want to throw my sound system in the bin. And the fact is, how much longer has this band got in them, with AFI, MCR and FOB all progressing and offering something different the creativitly challenged GC will surley be left in the dark and hopfully dropped from their label.

 

2.5/10

[Stenners]

http://www.offtopic.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/c88ece4d037883dcb1af50de9e27666c.jpg

 

Artist: Sun Kil Moon

Album: Tiny Cities

Genre: Accoustic/Soft Rock

 

I really liked Sun Kil Moons's debut (which has recently been re-released review soon) this is their second album and I never knew about it till recently! It was released in 2005 and the thing that is really curious and especially interesting to me is that its, in its entirety, a tribute to Modest Mouse. Okay so now this may be a bad way to introduce the album as im pretty sure we have all heard the horrific Linkin Park tribute album but this is different. The opening track 'Exit Does Not Exist' is a beautiful cover if not cut short the next track is dangerous territory, a cover of one of my all time faviroute Mouse tracks 'Tiny Cities Made Of Ashes' is done with a beautifully soft vocals and really nice guitar and soft backdrop. Essentially what makes this cover album so interesting is the fact it sounds like Sun Kil Moon wrote all these songs themselves, they have made them there own. It sounds totally different to the Modest Mouse version but non the less are strong, unfourtenetly I miss the squeels and yelping that made the originals a special part of my heart.

 

The standout moments are deffinatly the covers of Never Ending Maths Equation, Jesus Christ Was An Only Child & Convinient Parking, Never Ending Maths Equation doesnt branch too far from the original but the other 2 once hyperactive manic songs translate really well into accoustical gems, though not perfect this is one of the best tribute albums I have ever heard and on a + people who cant get into Modest Mouses wild sound can get into this much more approachable and softer version of their stuff & get to experiance both Sun Kil Moons brilliant and soothing music with Isaac Brooks amazing thought provoking lyrics! Nice one!

 

7.5/10

[Jeezy]

http://www.offtopic.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/f4a316f467bbb94849d1428aa3dc9da2.jpg

 

Artist: Stephen Marley

Album: Mind Control

Label: Republic

Genre: Reggae

 

After getting this album and listening to it for the first time it really got me caught with the first few notes. Stephen Marley who's the 2nd son of Bob Marley carries on the great tradition of his family.

With tracks like "Hey Baby", "Iron Bars" and the first single "Traffic Jam" he creates a true image about his life and people in Jamaica.

"Traffic Jam" also offers a great beatbox beat. Alone this is worth the 14 bucks for this CD.

You can find some great collaborations on this album, including Mos Def, Julian and Damien Marley and Ben Harper. This album is for everyone who's open to some great reggae music and for all Bob Marley fans. Seriously get your hands on this album! One of the hottest reggae releases this year.

 

Rating

 

9/10

[Friðbjörn]

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/9334/200pxlinesinmyfacechronyk1.jpg

 

album: Lines in my face

artist: Chronic future

 

This album came out in 2004. CF is a rapcore (along with other genres/definitions) band from Arizona, USA that mixes rap, rock and pop. They could be compared to Flipsyde somewhat, but not that much though, at least what I've heard from Flipsyde.

 

This album starts out with two of its best songs, Time and time again, and World keeps spinning. Time and time again is CF's probably most famous song, and it's one of those simple yet effective pieces. The verses are rhytmic funkish rap, and the choruses are sort of pop punkish. It's not as bad as it sounds lol. The verses are the best though, in spite of not so complex rhymes. Nice song if you're in a good mood I think. World keeps spinning is a weird song. It sounds Hawaii-ish, and has rap in the verses, that sounded sort of sarcastic, while yet dealing with the problems of society lyrically. The chorus is melodramatic, simple powerchord riff but the vocals really deliver a good angsty feeling.

The songs that follow are of less quality but they nonetheless have their moments. The verses on the first half of the album usually have rap, and then come pop punk choruses, which frankly remind me of stuff like Good charlotte and Fallout boy and My chemical romance, which is something I don't consider giving CF credit.

Among the diamonds in between though is a song called New York, NY. Starts off with a cartoonish piano melody, which is then accompanied with catchy guitar, also the funkish style that of Time and time again. The lyrics and vocals also make up for the simple and all too typical power chord choruses. It's very listenable and tolerable, and a good song, but as far as music theory goes it is no rocket science. Once again the verses are definately superior to the choruses and bridges.

The rest of the album is so so. Some of the tracks are worth playin again, but they will soon be forgotten and never brought up again. Emotions like sadness and sorrow and missing are defining for the songs, and the rap steppes aside and is replaced by bland all too poplike punksongs. The 2nd half is an album to put on if you're wallowing in self-pity, so there you have a use for that. Otherwise don't listen so much to it.

CF gets my respect though for making it work mixing pop, rap, punk, funk, rock and other stuff together and succeeding where they so do.

Rating: 5,2/10

 

 

 

oh btw...if anyone has any requests by all means just ask for a review

[Stenners]

This weeks single run down: UK

 

Artist(s): Girls Aloud Vs Sugarbabes

Track: Walk This Way

Genre: Pop

 

Now why on earth would anyone subject us to this trash, the original concept is trashed (they are both the same type of music btw) and the cover is given a 'modern' beat. Really its a total embarrasment of a track. Just because its for charity doesnt mean its good to buy it, screw this track and give money directly to the comic relief people. One of the worst covers ever!

 

2/10

 

Artist: Maximo Park

Track: Our Velocity

Genre: Alternative Rock/Indie

 

This track is a pretty electronic out look on Maximo Park, reminds me of rock that would be pushed out in the 80's to some extent. Whilst the synth melody is pretty nice the hook is pretty average at best. Lyrically again its okay but I really do enjoy the plonky plonk synth used! But a step back as a whole for this band who once again prove that despite thinking their the artiest thing around they really really arent and pull out an average indie disco hit at best.

 

4/10

 

Artist: Hilary Duff

Track: With Love

Genre: Pop

 

This the latest release from arty conceptial artist Hilary Duff shows her more experimental and out there then ever.... nah not really this track is an average dancey track which may enjoy some chart success, to me its extremetly flat and generic.

 

3/10

 

Artist: The Rakes

Track: We Danced Together

Genre: Indie Rock

 

Kind of tired indie track which I feel I have heard way too many times before but will still be an indie disco hit regardless.

 

5/10

 

Artist: Calvin Harris

Track: Acceptable In The 80's

Genre: Electro/Synth Pop

 

Love this song, its my track of the week. It's hooky as anything and has made appeal and is original and it only cost £1 to produce! Madly good song which also has a superb funny video!

 

9/10

[Stenners]

Artist: Camille Jones Vs Freddie Le Grand

Track: Creeps

Genre: Dance

 

Lets face it dance music has improved recently, well thats what we all say as the was a genuingly good dance song put out last year in 'Yeah Yeah' by Bodyrox. Anyways does this follow suit? Not really its fairly generic but it is a good dancable track, it's not bad. 6/10

 

Artist: Simply Red

Track: So Not Over You

Genre: Pop/Accoustic

 

This is a fairly dreary track that your nan would find approving its like anti cool, the lyrics are quite laughable and predictable. Everything about this track just screams no and thankfully I dont see this one beccoming a hit! 1/10

 

Artist: Lilly Allen

Track: Alfie

Genre: Pop

 

Now this is just quite frankly a fun a pop song, I find it irritating, bad choice in single I believe on what is a fairly substantial pop album. This is pretty annoying the jingle type melody is off putting and irritates rather then captivates the mind, worst single shes put out to date. 4/1o

 

Artist: Robbie Williams W/ Pet Shop Boys

Track: Shes Maddona

Genre: Pop

 

A single from the worst album of the year is never going to be pretty & this emphesises the trajic fall that Robbie Williams is experiancing right now, once considerd to be the jewel in british pop music is now a joke. Not as laughable as say Rudebox the single but its just so cheesey its best thrown in the bin, the collaberation with the Pet Shop Boys is cheesey. 2.5/10

 

Artist: Howling Bells

Track: Low Happening

Genre: Indie/Alt. Rock

 

Sounding a couple years ahead of most of the indie pack in the mainstream 'The Howling Bells' re-release 'Low Happening' from their superb self titled debut. This sums up the album pretty well but it feels somewhat out of place as a single, the lyrics arent that good to be honest but musically its sound as can be, catchy too and could work at an indie disco. 8/10

[Stenners]

Artist: Whysome

Album: Of The Need To Wait

Genre: New Hardcore/Emo

Released: 2005

Label: Inside Agency

 

Interestingly reccomended this album by Napster so I gave it a listen, what u got here is an album with soft melodic verses and heavy thumping choruses with screaming vocals. Suprisingly the is some genuinley good moments of interest in this formula on this album anyways. The first track 'In Silence' starts off with chugging guitars before go into simple guitar riffing, this then leads into the typical melodic bit with the usual angsty sounding guitars and vocals present, though as I said not all of the music is predictable, credit to the band they do mix it up a bit, though not as in your face as many bands apparent 'experimental touch' this band does mix it up although subtely and this is what makes it work. 'The Life' is pretty sub standard and genuingly sounds like radio friendly rock, the 3rd track is a heavy thumper with melodic verses which is one of the stand out moment, again radio play in mind is obvious. 'Since Whe You Fade' is obviously one of the more interesting moments in the album its a very slickly produced track with just an acapella over a gental atmospheric melody which then builds up (as it does) but suprisingly this stays in focus and doesnt take the predictable route of going into chugging heavy guitars over angsty screaming, well done.

 

'Too Late Now' is nice too the intro even has some funkatronic guitar work which continues in the track with the synth. It's almost happy and to an extent at times it sounds like it should be accompinied by Huggy Bear, this builds up nicley into an atmospheric end with slick production again present, if not a lil too heavily produced though, it feels flat by this stage and has no emotion but still a pretty good song. 'Talking To Stones' starts off a bit generic but that too throws up some interesting moments but again its kinds of a typical angsty song, 'Cracks' too has this problem where its just not interesting 'Vacancy' is pretty horrible. 'Breathing Ashes' sounds very new hardcore or emo but 'Dimmer' is quite a fitting way to end an album.

 

The are some moments that will suprise you on this album, not quite as predictable as your average emo band but not really that ground breaking either, the is also a total lack of hooks present making this album sort of fall flat on both ground but it has to be said its really not that bad and any fan of this type of rock should find something to enjoy.

 

5/10

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

2nd playlist of the month will be up tommorow, featuring 15 tracks hand picked by me, jeezy and fri based on albums/singles we have or are about to review

[Friðbjörn]

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/6275/200pxgametheorycovercy8.jpg

 

album: Game theory

artist: The Roots

year: 2006

genre: jazz rap w/ elements of soul and funk

 

The roots ain't your everyday hip hop squad. They consist of a full band of instrument players and one vocalist, a rapper. Them writing their own songs instead of samplin everything makes them stand out, and definite elements of rock, funk, soul, and RnB add to their arsenal.

Game theory is their 9th studio album. I haven't gotten a chance to check out all their albums, but GT is definately progression from what I've heard. Roots are a diverse band, but most songs are driven by a strong steady beat from ?uestlove, accompanied with skilled rhymes from Black thought (who btw was on Fort Minor's Right now) and of course jazzy rhythmic melodies from the band.

GT is a heavy and serious album though, somewhat dark. The band itself described it as not MC-based which is true, the focus isn't only on Black thought, the instrumentation does many a time come first. When BT comes in his rhymes blend well with the melodies. Samples where they are are neatly done. The live instruments aren't something you notice behind the lyrics, which could be a weekness, but when there are instrumental parts they're certainly not slack, so that's quite well done.

Tracks to check out are among others In the music, False media, Long time, and Here I come.

 

If you like straight down rap this isn't necessarily the album you're lookin for. It isn't your typical rap album, but I think as always for the Roots this is a piece that other hip hoppers look to and admire. It's hard to define into genres, although above I did try, so tellin fans of this and that genre to listen to this is nonsense. It's just an album, and a good one. To like it for the most part you have to like rap though. If you don't this ain't your album, cause the vocals are probably 90+% rap. If all you've heard of rap is 50 cent and nelly though, this album might be something you like.

Overall in comparison with other rap albums of 2006 this one's in the top 3 (a bad year really but alright I'd still put it in the top 3 of a good year). Instrumentally it's a rarity for rap, and is equal or better than your average rock/pop release nowadays.

Lyrics deal with dark things like social problems, and as such it's not a party album, but that wasn't the Roots' intension either. They succeeded in makin a socially aware album.

 

This is a great piece (all the tracks with about 2 exceptions are solid) but not a masterpiece, therefore;

Rating: 8,5/10

[Stenners]

http://www.offtopic.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/3eb70a7758b7c812f757bbf8a20ae8a0.jpg

 

Artist: Hot Hot Heat

Album: Make Up The Breakdown

Genre: Alternative/Indie

Label: B-Unique Records/ Sub - Pop

Released: 2002

 

This band have a lot of style, charisma and swagger bout them, their music often full of energy and makes you want to shake ur lil thing with the split in it! Anyways yea like say 'The Rapture' this band employs alot of electronic dancey elements to their music and it works for the most part, but like 'The Rapture' these elements do sometime infuriate rather then make u want to dance. No, Not Now clearly trys to inforce a melody and dance groove but their own jitterness and random use of effect pedals and synths totally trash it however the sublime 'Bandages', 'Get In Or Get Out' and the spine tingling dancer 'Talk to me, dance with me' more than make up for the lack luster moments.

7/10

[Stllmn8j]

Is there anyway I can get a review of Maylene and The Sons Of Disaster's new album when it comes out the 19th or 20th? I want to know if it's worth tracking down and paying for.

[Friðbjörn]

20th this month?

anyway I'm sure anyone of us 3 can do it...

[Stllmn8j]

Yea this month,it is floating around on torrents though

[Friðbjörn]

ah okay

 

well I don't have torrents...but if anyone can get me a dl link I can review pretty soon no problem

[Stenners]

LPF Review 2.0

March '07 Playlist

Continued

 

01 - !!! (Chk Chk Chk) - Myth Takes (Stenners)

02 - Young Buck - Buck The World (Jeezy)

03 - Deftones - U,U,D,D,L,R,L,A,R,A,B, Select, Start (Fri)

04 - Arcade Fire - No Cars Go (Stenners)

05 - Calvin Harris - Acceptable In The 80's (Stenners)

06 - The Bird & The Bee - Again & Again (Jeezy)

07 - The Roots - Long Time (Fri)

08 - Hadouken! - That Boy That Girl (Stenners)

09 - Marcy Grey Ft. Fergie - Glad Your'e Here (Jeezy)

10 - Stephen Marley - The Traffic Jam (Jeezy)

11 - Tool - Vicarious (Fri)

12 - Jenny Owen Youngs - Voice On Tape (Jeezy)

13 - Incubus - Paper Shoes (Fri)

14 - LCD Soundsystem - North American Scum (Stenners)

15 - Chronic Future - The World Keeps Spinning (Fri)

Total Run Time - 1Hr 00Min 12Sec

http://rapidshare.com/files/21682655/marchplaylist2.zip.html

 

ENJOY! I tHink the is a goOd miX Of sONgs tHeRe