LPF Album Reviews 2.0

[Friðbjörn]

just reminds me how neon bible disappointed me lol

[Stenners]

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Soulwax

Most Of The Remixes

Club/Electro/Dance/Rock

 

The biggest remix franchise going, Soulwax, have really made an impact on

the pop and indie world with their recent lavishings of remixes ranging from

artists such as Kylie Minouge to Hot Chip all the way down to DJ Shadow

and Justice. Most of their remixes are found on this disc, the famous

'Standing In The Way Of Control' remix is indeed found here & like most of

the stuff here just totally destroys the original with flaire and a grimey dance

beat. Most of these songs can be found as B-Sides or free downloads but

what really truley makes this collection worth while is the '2ManyDjs' mix

disc (the other half of soulwax) which mixes all these remixes into an effortless

mash as well as introducing 2 new remixes such as 'Get On The Floor' by Hot

Chip. The flow is effortless and this is one of the best mix cds and remix compilations

ever to grace this fine earth, one is perfect for a casual liste & the other is the

ulitmate party CD.... highly reccomended.

9.5/10

 

Artists Featured: LCD Soundsystem, Gossip, Arthur Argent. Daft Punk, Human Reasources

, 808 State, Robbie Williams, Kylie Minouge, West Phillips, Justice, Sugababes, Tiga,

Playgroup, Klaxons, Felix Da Housecat, Ladytron, Muse, Gorrilaz, Hot Chip, The Lords Of Acid

& DJ Shadow

[Friðbjörn]

quite a list that

 

nice cover btw lol

[Jeezy]

is that on the cover the complete album title?

[Stenners]

Thats the cover, its selling title is most of the remixes.... but seriously it could work either way

[Stenners]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51OEKKg3g4L._AA240_.jpg

Los Campesinos

Hold On Now, Youngster

Twee-Core/Pop/Indie/Alternative

 

I tip this band hottly for this year, getting much appriciation amongst the alternative

scene and even indicating the potential for mainstream dominance, this album is the

first debut to cause any sort of infuriatingly strong stur this year. Within good reasson

also, their EP and singles was a delight of hooks, sleek & clever production & manic

use of the cowbell and xcylaphone. The music is very fun the isn't anything about it

I would consider serious its got sweet melodies swooning everywhere & I mean everywhere

its infectious pop at it's very finest. The lyrics are twee as you would expect from such

a band but not sickingly so (see architecutre in helsinki) the use of the stringed instruments

makes it all the more upbeat and dancey.

Upon first listen I was instantly grabbed by the ammount of energy this 7piece from Cardiff

seem to project, sounding like a cross between Arcade Fire, Pulp & of Montreal,

it's almost impossible to dislike it, yea it was very instant & I feared that

as a result I would grow tired of this album within 10 listens... this now being my 12th listen

I love it more now then I did when I first listend to it earlier this week.... back to the

production, the production has led it's self in a way to display just enough at a glance but

when you really pay attention you notice many fine details, like when a woman reveals

her self from being a crush to being a potential love of your life. Threw out the album is

pretty much essential but it's the final 4 tracks which really steal the show & if you think

this just all fun and play with twee all over it... the odd outburst of noise and ratterling

guitars is very welcome and varies it up. Sure at first the is no real clear differntation of

styles between song but as time goes on they become an imprint of there own, in my opinion

the first ESSENTIAL album of 2008 (it will be released in Feb). 9.75/10

 

You, Me, Dancing

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj6SO_yKMe8

 

We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fTbj0Wyx12Q

[Stenners]

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/9093/spagfinalmo9.jpg

Artist: The Smashing Pumpkins

Album: American Gothic EP

Genre: Accoustic/Alternative

 

The brain child in Billys own world, 'The Smashing Pumpkins' re-surfaced last year

with the extremely average, forgettable album that was 'Zeitgeist', about 4 or 5

months later the 'band' returns with this latest iTunes exclusive EP 'American

Gothic' the idea being an accoustic (mainly accoustic) collection of songs. What

does this mean? Well it certainly doesn't sound like German rock like the last instalment

and it's alot more pleasing on the ear then Zeitgeist could ever of hoped to be.

The songs all take the slow and gentle approach offering simple melodies and layerd

vocals all being more sedated then that found Zeitgeist, think more 1979 then

Bullet With Butterfly Wings, again the is the real lack of spark, zane or inspiration

which plauged the last album, the are some nice moments and 2 of the songs

'Rose March' and 'Sunkissed' do indicate some sort of return to form and the are

moments of hope amongst this but ulitmatley they are all pretty much forgetable

and none of the songs really go anywhere, they lack direction.... for the fan of

the Pumpkins this is a nice collection of song but its also a reminder that the glory

days seem to be going... still its a step up from Zeitgeist. 5/10

[Stenners]

http://www.freemyspacegraphics.com/Graphics/Hi_Hello_Graphics/images/hello.jpg

 

HELLO!

 

This is the 2nd PSA for this topic!

 

You know how I was finding it pretty much nearly impossible to find anything, well recently

I was walking along cyberspace looking for Lightspeed Champions new album when

 

http://www.offtopic.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/45c4084d0fc0d03109bc23ac3bd4f09d.gif

 

Threw up an awnser to a site that seems to exclusivley specialise in uploading full lenght

albums I actually want, so not only do I have a whole bunch of albums to choose from now,

I also download off of a super fast server and not torrents nor off of rapidshare! This

is only a good things at it means I, can now dive into more stuff then usual ^.^

 

Not only that I also have money! And have baught some new albums

 

Normal service will be resumed! YAY!

 

Byeee x

[Jeezy]

could you tell us that site?

[_deemy_]

could you tell us that site?

 

Lol yeah that'd be great..

[Stenners]

http://www.offtopic.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/87c5fe1b19a11f9c9ef91fb83d99961c.jpg

Lightspeed Champion

Falling Off The Lavender Bridge

Folk/Alternative

 

Devonte Hynes found fame with british art-rock/post-hardcore band 'Test-Icicles'

who I actually rather liked even if they did sound like a watered down version of

'The Blood Brothers' this album has been a long way comming ever since the release

of single 'Galaxy Of The Lost' during the summer, which if im sure you look back

I rather liked. But as for the actual album I was rather skeptical, I have seen him

support a couple of bands now & he either went from good to just average but

nothing really did catch me as anything more then another folk artist. Thankfully

with the help of the likes of 'Emmy The Great' and 'Sufjan Stevens' the arrangements

on this album make it a couple shades better then the average folk album.

The album plays its way with a very stringy and and American feel to it, the layers

of strings on the majority of the songs are what adds a thick of melodies to the

quite bare songs, this is by no case a lo-fi album it's pretty pop, but it is 'pretty

pop' with the melodies on this album all being pretty heart warming. Devs voice

sounds better and ever & lyrically is suprisingly strong, considering what the

Test-Icicles were capable of putting out. Lead single 'Galaxy Of The Lost' is a

memorable song with a nice hook and at a relativley short running 3.57 but you

also have the 'Midnight Suprise' which boasts a 9minute + run time and is one of the

highlights of the album offering a pop to epic to pop to epic type strucutre were

the melody changes enough to keep the listener interested but doesnt leave the

song lacking in any direction as if it were a blind bat in an area of brazil it had never

been off its tits on acid.

Sure by no means will this album set the world a light nor will it change your life but

the is enough substanance and re-play value here to keep anyone from the devote

to casual listener to enjoy, full of nice simple melodies, nice lyrics & focused. The

only criticism you can really throw at it is the seemingly lack of variety, no the

songs dont all sound identical, but the isnt that song that sounds truely different

not a song with that certain jen er ses quar (I know thats spelt wrong, just pronounce

it) so in the end this is a good album but not a great one but it's most certainly

worth the look. 7.5/10

 

Galaxy Of The Lost

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaHJJgoR0-s

 

Midnight Suprise

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3rMwc10uNOg

 

Midnight Suprise (Edit)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_JYimwhl7y0

[Stenners]

http://www.offtopic.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/5698f8cd22ea79b403f93d9f311d0c7a.jpg

The Hood Internet

The Mixtape Vol. 2

Mash Up/Electronic/Rap/Indie/Alternative

 

The mash up culture is steadily becomming a bigger and bigger deal, people on

these very forum would of seen hopefuls such as Agent, Ref and Me doing them

early on then LP jumped on the bandwagon and stole them from us . Anyways

better mixes have been released since, far better (see Soulwax) and my other

faviroute 'The Hood Internet' this is their 2nd FREE release for all to download,

just click the link I provided to get a hold of them. As you can see from the artwork

the jist of this is to mix the best of the alternative scene with some of the biggest

urban acts.

The mix bleeds effortlessly into one mix designed for parties & im glad to report

most of this works amazingly and is a brilliant specital to see these genres mixed

together so effortlessly. The mix includes plenty of moments where you think they

just wont work and rarely is this the case, sure the is the odd hiccup but for any

one at all curious at genre mashing and ideas I suggest they check this out & people

looking for free thrills and a new thing to throw on at a party this is the first port

of cool. It's as if mine and Jeezys music taste had sex! 9/10

 

http://www.thehoodinternet.com/

[Stenners]

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The Mountain Goats

Herectic Pride

Folk/Indie/Pop

 

Indie folk veterans The Mountain Goats have been tredding around these parts for

some time now & being as sure footed as a Mountain Goat has yet to mis-step and

release full several thousand feet into the valley which has claimed other bands in

the past. This return LP offers more of the same but maybe a bit more polished with

a higher emphesis on hooks and strings... as you do now days, but unlike many of

the bands that seem to ship emphesis this way this band actually make a pretty

convincing job of it, no it's not groundbreaking, must have stuff but it is something

that fans of such stuff will appriciate & appriciate alot. The vocals are soft and at

times jarring and the tempo is rather sedated without being comatised, this is an album

which is pretty, heart warming & a good stop stay for the next truely great thing

in this field but nothing more, it will never get old but you will never list this as one

of your faviroute albums either.

 

7.5/10

[Stenners]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41V8xF0lS2L._AA240_.jpg

Lupe Fiasco

The Cool

Hip Hop/Rap

 

The problem with the worlds rap music scene is the undeniable truth that 95% of all

mainstream hip hop is aload of gash which vaugely resembles the hip hop of old and

is now covered with self important artists with as much integrity and intelligance as

as a 25year old rapist who still thinks the KKK are nothing more then a group of people

pretending to be ghosts & it shows lyrically. Sure they may hide behind lavishes of

$thousand dollar beats but it doesn't hide anything from people such as myself who

has heard hip hop from the 80's and 90's where it was actually fun or ACTUALLY

political, the was always the hint of self importance but not to the level the is today.

Lupe broke into the mainstream with 'Kick, Push' and his last effort demonstrated hip

hop a part of its former self, sure it was flawed but it was still very enjoyable and

a couple levels higher in terms of quality then its competetition.

'The Cool' continues in much the same vein with some nice beats, Lupes flawless delivery

and flow and some quirky lyrics.... sure they arent the best lyrics your ever going to

hear but they arent self important, egotistical or degrading and don't make me, the listener,

feel patronised or stupid. The album has the usual staple of what you expect to hear

from a modern day hip hop star, some soft piano moments, sampled vocals on the hooks,

the bangers and the branch into alternative territority. It has to be said clearly the stand

out on this track is the branch into less familiar territory, his stab at alternative music

works very well & largely due to the help from UNKLE we have one of the best modern

day rap tunes in 'Hello/Goodbye' the production on that track is sweet, the vocals range

from soothing to haunting and the drumming on it is utterly brutal, this is the track that

will bridge to gap from fans of Rock & Alternative and Hip Hop on this album. Other mentions

are sure to go to the mega single 'Superstar' which is just about as hooky as one could

ask from a modern hip hop tune. Now where does this album ultimatley stumble? Well for

that we could just look at the intro, the is some degree of self rightousnous which

is kind of vomit enducing, the album can stray into reptetive territory with far too many

tracks using similar hooks, string arrangments and structure, but i'm more then happy

to look past all this as this is one of the best hip hop releases in ages. 8.5/10

 

Superstar

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=CDZshrAgve4

[Jeezy]

 

It's as if mine and Jeezys music taste had sex! 9/10

 

now that sounds interesting..I'll check it out

 

and I agree on that review of "The Cool"

[Stenners]

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Paint It Black

New Lexicon

Hardcore/Post Hardocre/Emo/Punk

 

Far thrown from the Psuedo Emo band this band is actually what defined emo and

hardcore music, screaming, heavy hard hitting drums and releentless guitart thrashing,

the sort of music that will make you go wild and sling yourself half a mile across the

venue whilst being a brutal yet forgiving with your fellow breverind as possible. People

who claim to listen to real punk or real emo would know what i'm on about. The psuedo

emo and punk band ala Funeral For A Friend or MCR are in effect abiliterated by the

music on offer here, it's aggresive and thrashy yet repeated listens will show that this

band have put in some thought to melody as it reveals it's self on multiple listens.

As with most hardcore bands their main weapon in their aresnal is being as tight as

a teenage crop top without ever slowing down or giving thought to the listener, it's

a non stop ballistic of emotion expressed in the best way possible for band like this..

yelling, thrashing and smashing. The songs here are so fist pumpingly furious that

I was suprised they found places to lay down hooks and melodies & this is no easy feat

o sure this band is far from being the perfect hardcore band, they do get a bit repetetive

and tiresome and I cant really see myself listening to this to a large extent but for

a quick anger outburst you could do much worse. 7/10

[Stenners]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61l%2BBNJS56L._AA240_.jpg

Hello Blue Roses

The Portrait Is Finnished And I Have Failed To Capture Your Beauty.....

Pop/Indie

 

Pop music is a fical area now, everything has ended up so complicated or protentious

that it is becomming harder and harder to find good holesome pop music which doesn't

have to hide behind gimmicks in order to sound pleasing. You will be damned lucky to

find a duo that can offer care free melodies, harmonies and beauty in this day & age..

well this is exactly what this is. Bejar, of the The New Pornographers & Destroyer, has

teamed up with his girlfriend to make music which sounds no more complicated then

what a duo should come up with, the vocals on this album are superb with the Soprano

vocals offerd by Bejar's GF and other half of the band with Bejar providing suitable harmonies.

The sound will go off as a beautiful mix of strings, synths, fuzz guitars and accoustic

instruments & it all blends so effortlessly.

This music is so easy to get into and easily grabs and captivates everyone, the lyrics

are also worthy of a mention, without sounding pretentious or forced these lyrics are

some of the smartest I have heard in a while, the music pretty much follows the same

vein, the are many moments where they could of gone all out pretentious on you but it

all flows so effortlessly and modestly.... it knows it has done enough to capture the

listeners attention and the fuzzy guitar present in some song sounds essential and

not forced. It's been a long time since I have heard an album of this kind pulled off

so effortlessly and done so well.... this is the kind of pop music I have been long yurning

for and I'm glad it has arrived. 10/10

[Stenners]

http://www.offtopic.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/3c990ad2f168da93acb37c8803a6ec15.jpg

Bob Mould

District Line

Contempory Rock/Emo/Adult

 

Bob Mould has been active in the music industry for well over 20 years now, mainly

laying around as a solo artist but is perhaps rememberd more for his work in influential

80's band 'Husker Du'. Listening to this music from the off go you can tell, that though

still clearly talented and having an eye for a good hook and guitar hook he's currently

in an identity crisis. Crossing between the works of contempory rock acts such as

'The Lemonheads' to more 'Husker Du' like qualities and just sounding like a down right

typical mainstream emo or rock act. This is a blend which really can appeal to some

people but having heard his past work is nothing more then a big dissapointing to me,

for fans of radio rock this could very well be an introductory path into more obscure

sounds as the polished sheen and the typical radio friendly strucutre here can help

guide people to other more defined band in the Contempory rock genre.

This is by no means a bad album, it's just not a very interesting or fresh one, its very

average, the hooks are there but so is the lack of imagination. I liked Bob Moulds

old work quite alot but now his age seems to show and he's trying to stay relevant

but incorporating sounds which just dont work with his older styles of song writing

in the way I or he would like. I would at least give this a go if your into mainstream

rock bands but for those of you looking for something more inspirational or interesting

your better off just giving this one a miss. 5/10

[Stenners]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41VdwPTH3OL._AA240_.jpg

Cat Power [2CD Deluxe Edition]

Jukebox

Alternative/Folk/Singer Songwriter/Covers Album

 

The covers album could be ill fated in many cases, often involving artists doing the

all too dangerous notion of taking a well repspected song and playing with it, ya

know as if someone was to reinterprit 'The Mona Lisa' & where as many bands cock

up.... say if Korn were to do it they would just draw Mona Lisa in a bra and go boobies,

the sheer stupidty yet shallowness of it will ensure people who didnt give the titties

about the originals may buy into it because its like well modern cool innit. Others would

probably divulge and try to change the style of the picture completely to make it

seem like an original piece... as if it was done by the artist but stickin true to the

original at the same time.... now after that comparrison is very safe to say that

Cat Power clearly plays homage to the 2nd Category... thank god.

This isn't the first time Cat Power has played into this territory before... & this is why

I felt safe with the prospect of this album, 2000's 'Covers' was a superb cover album

which gave classics the Cat Power sound of her melodicly beutiful whispery voice

over plucks of folky guitar and lavishes of piano. This album does it pretty much in the

same vein if not better, she feels more confident in this, the sequal to covers, then

ever before... all of these songs seem to adapt to the Cat Power sound flawlessly

with the passion in her voice and the comfortable way of which the arrangments seem

to fit as if she wrote these songs her self.... well one of them is a new one of hers

and the is a cover of Cat Power classic 'Metal Heart'. The thing about this album is

that it just doesn't tire, the first disc is only around 45mins long with the 2nd only

adding about 20mins to run time it doesn't feel overly long and can easily be split

into 2 sittings rather then one big one.... & that is the point of most of these 2 disc

sets even if they could fit onto one.

Beautifully arranged & deliverd by ms.power, this is one fine example of a cover album

where everything sounds as if it was written & dreamed up by the girl her self & is

a great appetite filler for those people... who, like me, thought 'The Greatest' was

just one limping dissapointing slap in the chops. This Deluxe Edition is currently going

for cheaper then the standard disc & the 2nd disc is totally worth its weight in the

package.... sure it's not the best thing she has done but hell, she does have quite

high standards and as far as Cat Power releases go, this one ranks up there... nice

return to form love! 8.5/10

[Stenners]

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John Maus

Love Is Real

Experimental/Pop/Alternative/Blues/Dreamy

 

This record has been out for a fair while now & I have had the record longer then it's

been out (about errm 5months now) & I have finnaly got around to reviewing it. Why?

you ask.... well it took a while to sink in completely so I did dismiss it a couple times

but neve ever felt like I spent enough time with it, but now I think I have spent enough

time with it to give an honest opinion. John Maus of The Animal Collective is the latest

to go into the solo route & like his peers he goes down the dreamy atmospheric pop

route, only this one is alot more lo-fi and to an extent alot more experimental and out

there. The album is minimalist but it is at the same time, the is plenty going on but

its all very well hidden & it does literally take several listens to uncover most of this. However

despite being one of the most daring of the recent AC releases it is also... the one i'm

most indifferent with... at times the songs flow effortlessly and I think GREAT this is the

best thing I have heard in ages but sometimes its all a bit of an effort... I think it really

does depend on your mood... but as usual AC pull out good and John Maus effort continues

their flawless legacy. 9/10

[Stenners]

http://www.gigwise.com/artists/00022894_Lightspeed2.jpg

Lightspeed Champion <> Tell Me What It's Worth

 

Common case of a song that sounds much better in context to the album then

it does stand alone, as part of the album it does it's job and carries it threw very

nicely, it's a very nice song but it seems to loose something when its pulled

out of context and thrown into the wild alone... allll alone. Sure the melodies

are nice as are the vocals but it's utterly forgettable and isn't really single

material... it's just another folk song really... a good one but a passable one.

<6>

 

http://www.artthreat.net/files/artthreat/300px-Thief_-_Radiohead.jpg

Radiohead <> Jigsaw Falling Into Place

 

In Rainbows whoared the majority of the best albums of 2007 lists.... I think

they mainly got that by namesake alone, sure it's a very very good album but

I absoloutly do not think it's the best. This the first single off of it is a very

good introduction to it.... it's a really nice song & one of the most approachable

on the album. Once again Yorkes lyrics are clever without sounding alienating

or protentious.... but it lacks the glamour of past singles.

<8>

 

http://www.getyourpeople.com/Sons-and-Daughters_04.jpg

Sons & Daughters <> Darling

 

If I were lead to believe everything I hear, I would believe this band would

be the second comming of Jesus with the awnser of all lifes mysterys tatooed

on their ass which they are whilling to whip out willy nilly for any girls beckon

call... o and its very toned girls. Sure enough this 'the next best thing' are

one of the best 'next best things' I have heard in a while in the mainstream

potential sense but this, the latest single of a good but not spectacular album

, is no wear near as good as the last single 'Gilt Complex' sure its got the hooks

and nifty shuffeling guitar but it lacks any real edge.

<7>

 

http://www.theredalert.com/images/maeshi.jpg

The Mae Shi <> Run To Your Grave

 

If the is one thing Matt likes and thats some enthusiasm and fun in a world

full of forums with bleek banners with even blinker heads in the banners as

if they just discovered their worst inner fear... only to forget it minutes later

anand being very pissed off that they forgot it as it's on the tip of their

tounge. Yea you know the feeling, so if your scared of bright t-shirts, gang

rape of joyful vocals and a dancey bouncey bundle of joy then avoid, if

thats something you can do with right now.. this is your ideal remody.

<8>

 

http://www.offtopic.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/0fc047e3d99345c29a4b498dca15d995.jpg

Robyn <> Be Mine!

 

Robyn is a bit of an odd one, the Sweedish pop star effectivley dissapeard

from the UK alltogether for 10years... now all of the suddern she is back and

doing rather well for her self. Sure her last song was a poppy hooky affair

which gatherd some respect and a shit load of plays in Lesbian bars..... yes

I know this from first hand experiance, but eitherway it was a semi-shiney

gem amongst a pile of dog poo and for that it gave me some respect for

the girl. This isn't too bad either from that perspective, but as a general

listening point this isnt my thing at all..... but for a pop/dance tune it isnt

too bad.

<6>

[Friðbjörn]

I would've thought they'd choose 15 step or maybe bodysnatchers, oh well

[GraDoN]

for some reason i always thought robyn would be hotter than that -.-

[Stenners]

http://www.offtopic.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/26835080755ee761f7e75918dbda586a.jpg

Xiu Xiu

Women As Lovers

Experimental/Post-Rock

 

Xiu Xiu (Pronounced Shoe Shoe) are not a band anyone is able to dive into head first,

no not at all. If your thing isn't getting into a diverse and unique sound which WILL

like all new things take some getting used to then just walk on away. Pretty much considerd

as one of the most consistent experimental acts on the modern circuit, Xiu Xiu has put

out an array of critically acclaimed albums & this is their 6th in only 8 years & has easy

been followed with the greatest deal of hype. This album it's self relies heavily on the

unerving use of brass and strings and heavy use of percussion is an understatement, but

this unerving and ununusalr, foreign & alien edge is balanced with a sense of pop, which

is strangely catchy and in ways has an edge of irony.

It's this albums strongest point, the sense that it has a split personality and is quite frankly

unpredictable and schitzophrenic which gives off the most obvious and greatest sense of

urgency and is, despite being quite unapproachable, ironically the element that gives it

the greatest sense of approachability and relatability. So as I write long into this review

i'm pretty sure this is the sort of thing I would wank myself a rash over, but alas no, it

just hasn't really clicked with me in the way his other albums have and whilst some of the

songs are really good such as 'I Do What I Want, When I Want', ' No Friend Oh!'

& 'F.T.W' everything else doesnt really stick with me.... other then the frankly

greatest cover of 'Under Pressure' ever which is a moment of pop genius.

Yes this album does have moments where it strokes the right chord with me but it continues

to drop it and isn't the essential piece of work I had hoped from one of my faviroute artists,

yes it's a nice album & does provide a just about reasonable level of satisfaction but I will

see this album as nothing more then a stop stay till the next one and will not really be rememberd

much more then for the cover of 'Under Pressure' & 'No Fruiebd Oh!' which is one of my

faviroute songs this year. 6.75/10

 

I Do What I Want, When I Want

[Stenners]

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Modest Mouse

This Is A Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About

Indie/Alternative/Rock

Original Release: 1996

 

Modest Mouse at this point where a tiny little band made up of 3 band members

and having released a handful of EPs and having a debut album that wasn't released

until 2001 under their belt this was the first 'proper' album the general public were

subjected to. Now they are seen as this super massive pop indie band but this was

a band right at the begining, still finding their sound & way. This is reproduced brilliantly

in this album which amplified an empty, lonley and soul searching feeling and sound about

a group of young kids (only around 20 when this album was released, Isaacc has

some of the most insightful and mature lyrics your likely to hear) and you would be suprised

to hear how young they were when this album surfaced.... it's incredibly well developed

and very mature and sophisticated... though the edge of youth is their with some rough

edge production and plenty of yelling and bursts into spasticated guitar and vocal work.

The opening track 'Dramanine' has one of the most beautifuly constructed atmospheres

I have ever heard in a debut, this is the sound of a song from a band of many years, not

of a band found in the redneck areas of America by a skinny hick who takes pleasure

by wrapping the guitar around his head.

http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/1573.jpg

The sound on this album deffined what the band would sound like from the period

of 1996 - 2000 and whilst 'Lonesome Crowded West' & 'Moon & Antarctica' are the

superior albums as a collective, this song has some of the most unique and ground

breaking songs from the band. 'Tundra Desert' is incredibly raw and heavy with nothing

more then nervous ramberlings over guitar squels, the are plenty of melodic moments

with beautiful soft and soothing female voclas at the start of the album, the instrument

diversity is present with use of slide guitar & chello being very dominent in this albums

steak. The isn't really a weak song on this album which really cant be said about their

last 2 efforts and it shows why this band is so highly thought of.... unlike the last 2

efforts. Though about a good 20minutes too long this album can be a real joy to listen

its mix of immaturity and maturity is bothing suprising and charming & is an album that

should be checked out for its insightful nature and drastic mix of melodic charmers to

nervous wrecks. 9/10

 

Dramamine

 

Head South

 

Taundra Desert

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YEtC4PB-BCg

 

Talking Shit About A Pretty Sunset