LPF Album Reviews 2.0

[Stenners]

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Artist: !!! (chik chik chik)

Album: Myth Takes

Genre: Electro Indie/Dance Punk

 

Now this is a band almost garunteed to make you shake your ass! Chik Chik Chik's repuatation has grown leaps and bounds recently, everyone seems to now be declearing them their new faviroute band and within good reasson as this, their latest release, shows. This is a band not too focused on being cool or trendy, they are just being them selves and this brings up part of their charm.

 

The first track 'Myth Takes' is a real groove but this gets over shadowed by the hectic 'All My Heroes Are Weirdos' though the less approachable of the 2 tracks you really grow into that one with heavy drum lines. The 3rd track 'Must Be The Moon' opens with a steady bass line and is just a real dance track with some superbly funny down to earth lyrics it makes you want to dance and thats what this record should be doing, making you yurn to get out. And for me to turn around and say this is one of the weaker moments of the album your probably gonna turn around and say 'WHAT!!!?!?!' well in all fairness it is a bit long for its own good but I can imagine this scoring well at any club night. 'A New Name' a lot less bass heavy is still a perfectly strong dancey pop song, it reminds me of the Gorrilaz to an extent with a hint of michael jackson and Jamiroquai. This then progresses onto the superb 'Heart Of Hearts' which is so interesting yet so apparoachable, 'Sweet Life' whilst interesting feels pretty out of place and is sort of the weaker moment on the album this then flairs into another highlight of the album, the outrageously infectious 'Yadnus' with a heavy drum kick snare combo it puts u into march mode before scrawling into a zone of pure insanity, this is conventional dance pop mixed with the insane, sounds like something Kasabian wish they could make. 'Bend Over Beethoven' is pretty forgetabble and too long this is followed however but another highlight 'Break In Case Of Anything' which again is a mad foot stomper and ass shaker with a real retro feel, 'Inifold' is a soft and good way to end an album.

 

When you have an album u could dance all night to without the need to change discs you got something golden. Despite a couple of limited and unfourtenetly over long tracks this album is pure gold and is one of the most interesting Dance rock releases to date, one of their best.

 

8.75/10

[Friðbjörn]

album: Saturday night wrist

artist: Deftones

year: 2006

genre: hard rock/alternative rock/industrial/ambient

 

For an album coming out of a band practically splitting up, this piece here is great. The songs go in all possible directions, which is a good thing, and shows the diversity (and therefore superiority) the Deftones over those bands they're usually associated with. To be clear this album is in no way numetal. The album starts off with the obvious lead single Hole in the earth, which like many songs on the album is written solely by Chino the singer. He and Stef Carpenter the guitarist are the songwriters, but Stef doesn't quite write as much on this album. And those two goes usually go in seperate directions when writing, which explains all the different styles. Chino writes in an ambient mystic way often (Xerces, Pink Cellphone, Rivière), but sometimes kind of pop-esque easy going songs (Cherry waves), while Stef likes to be a little metal (Rapture, Kimdracula, Rats!Rats!Rats!). 2nd single is btw Cherry waves, which I personally find not too good. It's just too much pop. Other not too well done songs are Pink cellphone (different, I give Chino that, but it's kinda boring, aside from the monologue from Annie Hardy at the end about how because of anal sex Brits have bad teeth lol), and Combat, which is just weird. Key songs for the album are however U,U,D,D,L,R,L,R,A,B,Select,Start (which was in this fortnight's playlist), Beware, Kimdracula, Rats!Rats!Rats!, and Xerces. Xerces is kinda easy going, so is Beware, but Beware's more heavy. Rats!Rats!Rats! is remniscant of their old days, reminds me of songs like Hexagram and Nosebleed. Really heavy, features Chino's voice-molesting screaming, and goes into very a metal nature in the bridge.

The depth of the music is better than ever, seems like finally Frank the DJ has something to do, he provides the extras, and in some cases important melodies, but Deftones is as always guitar based music. The band's unafraid to go into dark deep unexplored directions while in other songs still maintaining a connection to their roots.

Not all songs work out really, but for the most part Deftones have done a good job.

 

rating: 7,9/10

 

 

coming up:

Tool - 10000 days

Taking back sunday - Louder now

[GraDoN]

love it love it love it!!!!!

[Friðbjörn]

what do you love?

[Stenners]

Yah is it the scores we giving? The harrasment i bombard any band that refers to heart ache more then 2 times per song? The structure of the weviews? :A

 

I need to know! If u like the insult thing I appriciate it cause i love it :A

[Jeezy]

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Artist:The Robot Explosion

Album: The Robot Explosion EP

Genre:Indie/Pop

Label: Indie

 

The Robot Explosion is a collective of 4 young artists including Andrew Dange Futral, Bess Hamilton Rogers, Jenny Owen Youngs and Saul Simon-MacWilliams.

The tracks on this EP are:

 

1. Voice On Tape

2. Fuck Was I

3. Secrets

4. Transmitter Failure

5. Total Eclipse Of The Heart

 

Now you probably think:"Hey I've already seen those 1st two tracks on the review of the Batten The Hatches CD....well those tracks are remixed versions of the songs, the difference is that you don't get Jennys typical guitar play, you get some great electronic sounds instead. This adds a whole new flavour to the songs. The most outstanding tracks on the EP are "Transmitter Failure"-which has a great melody, "Secrets" and the great cover version of "Total Eclipse Of The Heart". I never liked that song before but the cover is great. The song-writing on the whole EP is outstanding, the lyrics are deep and really touching. Jennys voice just makes it sound perfect. And the little outtakes between the songs are just funny.

 

For more info on the band....and to listen to 3 tracks from the EP go to

 

www.myspace.com/therobotexplosion

^^this is also the only place where you can buy the EP!

 

Rating

 

9/10

[Toxic1]

Cheap CD's worth listening too! Totally worth your pocket money!

 

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Artist: Talking Heads

Album: Fear Of Music [Remasterd 2005]

Genre: Funk/Alternative Rock/ Indie/ Disco

 

It would be bloody impossible to deffine this band into a specific genre, trying to would give even einstine a headache. Thats the simple reasson I love them, they are a band you cant deffinie they have their own sound and my God it's a good sound and totally worth a purchase or gander now at only £5 - £6 in most major record stores. Originally released in 1979, this album still sound devishylu fresh and clearly has an influence on many bands of today such as the bizzare vocal delivery of 'The Pixies' and 'Modest Mouse'. The opening track 'I Zimbra' is so full of disco funk thats what you would swear the album is all about 'Mind' is a lil more surreal and where the infectious 'Paper' shows where Modest Mouse got most of its influence from. It's just a great start which never really falters as the album goes on, the variety is forever present but it does feel as if it should all be together, it feels right. The best song on this album might be 'Life During War Time' a deep felt song about war ridden times of recent years and a constant worry of nuclear war between the USSR and US breakling out saying 'This Notebook wont help me during war time'. Overall this album is a very strong and nice mixed affair full of strong spots from a band that is so diverse that they clearly heavily influenced 'Modest Mouse' and 'LCD Soundsystem' which are 2 of the best bands currently in the Indie scene. This album is a monster where its only falter is, despite being remasterd, it hasnt transferd to well onto CD yet.

 

10/10

 

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Artist: Pulp

Album: Different Class

Genre: Brit Pop

 

Now I dont want to start any arguments with this statement but 'THIS IS THE BEST BRIT POP EVER HAS AND EVER WILL OFFER' this is clearly the jewl in the crown of britishness. More musically refined then Blur, yet still has all their charm, much more varied then Oasis.... yet their songs are just as instantly recognisable. Yes you have to love Jarvis and crew who manage to pull out great songs of their ass. People must of thought following an album such to the standards as 'His And Hers' would be verging on impossible! But they had done it with great style, everyone will get up and dance to this record 'Disco 2000' and 'Common People' are already classics and still enjoy heavy radio play where 'Bar Italia' and 'Sorted For E & Wizz' whilst not as well known are just as good. The whole album is strong, funny & full of quirky ideas, forget Oasis & Blur these are the true brit pop kings, go pick this up its like only £5.

 

10/10

 

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Artist: Modest Mouse

Album: Lonesome Crowded West

Genre: Indie/Alternative Rock

 

Now wait one second! People expecting a CD full of 'Float On's' and 'Dashboards' could just walk on right now. With the release of 'We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank' pending, all of Modest Mouses back catalouge has seen a dramatic fall in price, these albums used to be really hard to get a hold of.... once upon a time it was 'Good News' or Moon & Antarctica.... now u can easily get their whole 10 year back cataloug at a price of £5. Beasides 'Moon & Antarctica' this is their other MUST OWN classic. The album sounds like Pixies suffering some sort of deep inner torment that they havent figured out yet 'Teeth Like Gods Shoeshine' sums up the albums in 6mins, it has the hetic guitars with shouting/yelping (like other songs e.g. 'Convinient Parking') and then the focus goes onto nice melodic story telling (polar opposites) overall this album is a non stop thrill ride, sounds extremely raw and has so much energy. Every track is basically an indie gem and whilst not perfect and it does some times loose focus this is easily one of my faviroute albums of all time and its' only £5.

 

9.75/.10

 

These are staple classics that everybody should hear.

[Stenners]

If i had to list 3 albums that spend more time in my cd player or ipod i would find it hard! I love them all they are ideal for different situations for sure. It's amazing how influential Talking Heads really are despite holding a relativly low profile.

[Stenners]

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Artist: Pop Levi

Album: The Return To Form Black Magick Party

Genre: Rock/Psycadelic Rock

 

Pop Levi, whats his catch say whats its his appeal. The fact is simple, his appeal is that he sounds like he came from the 60's/70's sounding like many artists of yesteryear, in particular you can look at T-Rex for his influence but he also sounds alot like some similar artists, think 'The White Stripes' or 'Wolfmother' only with a lighter & more glam psych rock sound .

 

The opening track 'Blue Honey' is a nice track to show off this sound complete with tamberienes and low fi production it sounds like a remasterd tracks from yesteryear, the next song is completely the same 'Crying Chic' is again a simple repetetive instrumental over thos optomistic rock out vocals we love so much. Along with 'Blue Honey' u have another buzzingly optimistic gem in 'Dollar Bill Rock' the shrilling organ harmonies are soooooooooo 70's but they seem so 00's too. Another moment to look out for is for the intoxicationg Psych fest 'See My Lord' which is not only one of the best pscycodelic representations I have heard recently it could easily rank amongst the best of the 60's too. Though this album is for the most part it does have spells where it is hoplessley flat unfourtenetly songs such 'From The Day That You Were Born' and 'Flirting' leave little in terms of an impact.

 

Overall for the most part this album makes for a flawless listen, though the album at times becomes repetetive and caught up in its own retro formular its a shame cause for the most part its a brilliant jam er lam er jam

 

7.5/10

 

Pick Of The Tracks: Blue Honey, See My Lord, Dollar Bill Rock, Hadies Lady

[Stenners]

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Artist: Lemonheads

Album: It’s A Shame About Ray

Genre: Alt.Rock/Indie/Folk Rock

 

Released: 1992

I Got It For: £5

 

Pretty much forgotten indie rockers ‘Lemonheads’ where around in a time full of anger and grunge. That music hasn’t aged too well this on the other hand sounds like it was made for this generation, forward thinking at the time this album is a glorious combination of gentle and pacey indie. Full of strong hooks and catchy dancey riffs this album flows superbly without any need for skipping tracks, though each track rarely reaches 3minutes and some miss 2 minutes this works in it’s advantage as none of the tracks drag on and none of the tracks feel too short. A must buy anyways but if you find it at the likely sale price of around £5 you would be stupid not to buy it.

Rating: 9/10

 

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Artist: Sonic Youth

Album: Goo

Released: 1990

Genre: Alt.Rock

You Can Get It For: £5

 

Listed by Rounder Records as the best album of 1990 what you get is a very different Sonic Youth. A little more poppy then most of their back and indeed future catalogue this album offers creativity with a blend of hooky music, one of their best albums and a prolific band who have been making albums for over 23 years now. Word of warning though it isn’t for everyone because its not your run of the mill mainstream formula and bar structure.

 

9.5/10

 

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Album: Moon & Antarctica

Released: 2000

Genre: Indie

You Can Get It For: £5

 

I don’t know but this record seems to be in every store now, once a rarity in shops and once only on offer at an outrageous price tag you should jump on this whilst it lasts. Obviously word of a new album has pushed this album on the shelves and it’s even in Fop’s recommended sale items shelf. Why? Because it is a near masterpiece offering some of the smartest and at the same time bizarre lyrics your ever going to hear along with some beautifully produced and composed music, another must buy.

 

10/10

[Stenners]

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Artist: Go! Team

Album: Lightning, Thunder, Strike

Price: Approx £9

Released: 2004

Genre: Alternative

Everyone must of heard lead single ‘Ladyflash’, no? Well actually you probably have it’s just NO one seems to know who made it or what the title is. Check it out and you will be like ‘O Yeah’ well that’s not the only great song they have done. An album full of light hearted fun, scratches, samples and guest spots without being at all ‘Cheesy’, ‘Predictable’ or ‘Chavy’.

Yes in my opinion the best release of 2004, one of the best releases in the naughties and one of the best ‘producer’ or ‘DJ Team’ albums ever released. Yes this is a complete and enjoyable experience with absolutely no reason to skip… anywhere, and if you do then shame on you! The fun you could have from an album is rarely experienced, usually drearily head bopping, the occasional good hook. This album doesn’t rely on hooks, solos or bridges to give their stuff a kick, the edge and enjoyment is present threw out. The opener ‘Panther Dash’ starts off with a searing riff before launching into a fast paced, up beat opener that really fits the role of ‘opener’ and does it with real pride it anticipates and sets up the rest of the album very well, it’s just so happy that you eagerly await for what follows, the follow up to this is the single ‘Ladyflash’ continuing with the mood of ‘Panther Dash’ its truly upbeat, not a sign of angst anywhere, it makes good use of vocal samples and the added bonus of extremely well placed synth layers really make this track stand out, this is truly one to dance to despite being low on the bass, strange eh! Everyone before you know it will be just droning ‘Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeaaaaaaaa ehhhh’ and attempting to sing along with the other vocals and rap too! It’s just truly a track that makes you unlock your inner child its just pure fun! ‘Feel good by Numbers’ is more of an interlude than fully blown track it’s just, I don’t know charley brown esc piano melody with a drum loop, you feel the urge to dance like Snoopy and I say why not! Again one of those tracks that just unlocks your inner child with great joy. ‘The Power Is On’ is not as upbeat as the others but is hardly angst, its just proper dancey with shouting crowds and heavy on the scratches it’s actually one of the lower parts of the album, who would of guessed? But it doesn’t scream filler in fact it’s a track that screams ‘Dance You Fuckers!’ but in a non intimidating party starting way of course. This then goes back to the smiles with flute happy, old skool use of piano, guitar and whatever elese makes that tremendous sound that makes you think 60’s feel good cartoon/sitcom and seriously if your being put off by these terminologies, its extremely trendy sounding, it just reeks of Indie Cool Credits, it’s in a phrase ‘fun hip hop’ nothing wrong with that. This then travels on to the highly motivational and upbeat ‘We Won’t Be Defeated’ think of a revolution held but school kids rather then the suppressed and depressed, it’s nice to have a breathe of fresh air from all the politics! It sounds like something you would chant before a schoolyard game.

Half way threw the album as you can tell by the way this is written you do get swept up in the innocent fun this album offers, it’s trendy, original, cool, uplifting and great party music at times. Its very rare for uplifting music to be done so effectively, often it sounds dreary, cheesy and you would be condemned for ever listening to it. ‘Junior Kickstart’ kicks off with a quite dirty guitar riff but quickly rushes it’s self into a highly danceable track, which is of course very happy by nature. ‘Air Raid GTR’ is just an interlude made to sound like an air raid, can’t say much more, this is followed then by the excellent ‘Bottle Rocket’ and explosive old skool hip hop track with great emceeing, production and just general great fun, nothing better then a lil old skool thrown in the mix this is then followed by ‘Friendship Update’ which has a sloppy bass line and again very early TV inspired melodies, it’s just an uplifting tune which would never go a miss in any ones play list. ‘Hold Yr Terror Close’ is just like some sort of school recital, it’s bizarre just a young sounding vocalist singing over a piano at what sounds like some sort of auditorium. The last 2 tracks are brilliant ‘Huddle Formation’ is like ‘Ladyflash’ in that its vocal sample heavy and very danceable, trying to sing to this is hard but achievable and when you can its irresistible, in fact the vocalist doest sort of sound like Ladyfoxx from CSS at times… hmmmm? Anyways the closer ‘Everyone’s A V.I.P To Someone’ is possibly one of the best closing tracks I ever heard. Like most of the album it seems TV inspired, it sums up the album and closes off in glorious fashion, its slower then most of the tracks but still uplifting. It samples Ladyflash and well… just sounds like end credits. It makes you feel like what you experienced was something different, uplifting and something you wont forget. In many respects this is true but its more the feeling that this track makes you want to do it all over that gives its edge.

Uplifting romp, forget Basement Jaxx or Fatboyslim this is the DJ set to follow in future, uplifting, dancey and cooler then a penguin sucking a calypso, it may be inspired by American TV from the early years but it’s still an incredible album worth anyone’s attention.

 

10/10

[Stenners]

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Artist: The Knife

Album: Silent Shout

Price: Approx £8

Released: 2006

Genre: Synth Pop/ Alternative

 

Want to divulge in a dark, dark place without having to listen to Goth music that’s about as dark and twisted as a pink ruler. Well here is your answer with ‘The Knife’ true to the ways of the world of synth pop, this music isn’t your run of the mill pop music, sure the are some hooks and so on but this music is just weird, but not too weird to be considered enjoyable. Heavily reliant on fine production this all-electronic set up it’s hard not to get caught up into producing emotionless, soulless & repetitive electronic tunes.

The opener ‘Silent Shout’ is a great track full of great effects, well produced and just sets up the rest of the album so well, it sounds twisted as to be expected and wrong but at the same time oh so right, the following track ‘Neverland’ has a much more focused melody is a good minute or so shorter and just sounds great & is one of the more danceable moments on the album, which I really didn’t expect from an album of such style which is usually more suited to the acid trip session and at alternative bars. ‘Caption’ follows with a slow and uneasy intro, which after around 3minutes finally breaks into song, it’s crazy and makes the last 2 tracks look normal, the voice used is at a higher pitch and sounds so twisted and wrong that it suits the track down to a tee, though running at 6mins it doesn’t feel too long which in it’s self, for any song, is quite an achievement. This is then followed up by single ‘We Share Our Mothers Health’ which in typical fashion starts off with one weird intro which leads directly into the song well, you get a very bouncy effect with the main melody a lot more upbeat than the majority of the album it is a very strong track. The guys voice is weirder and not as fitting as the girls (I don’t know the names of the members, need to do more research) he just repeatedly says ‘You Say You Like It/ You Say You Need It/ When You Don’t) it’s kind of off putting and does hurt the track more than help it, trying to be weirder than weird hasn’t paid off. The next track is a haunting affair going back to similar vocal territory shown on ‘Caption’, yes ‘Na Na Na’ isn’t exactly forgettable it’s just not a track you would be in a hurry to put on just nothing special at all really other than being weird and a track to help the albums flow in between ‘songs’.

After that barrage of haunting yet somehow soothing noises we move onto ‘Marble House’ the newest single from the album is beautifully done, well produced and has all the feeling of a technological love ballad? Excuse me [some things I do for money/some things I do for free] case and point it is the most normal song at the same time, on the entire album, yes it has a standard format but all the weird vocals and noises are of course present. Another single in ‘Like A Pen’ is also another very strong track, it may be around 6minutes long but most of that is intro and outro! The actual intro and outro do their jobs for the song though the outro… a little overstretched but the actual song it’s self is a thumping triumph worthy in it’s self to be a track to carry an album but as you may tell from this review thus far… the is no need as by this point in the album you are already satisfied with the experience but the is more to follow! ‘From Off To On’ is a beautifully haunting track, sort of the direct opposite of ‘Like A Pen’ as far as pace and objection is concerned but the whispering light vocals over much calmer (still obscure) background music is just a treat, ‘Forest Families’, the next track, in my opinion doesn’t ever get quite going it promises so much but when it comes to delivery lacks a little, still a very nice track with some moments of brilliance threw out but unfortunately isn’t consistent threw out the track. ‘One Hit’ is a slightly flawed, though hook filled track, lyrics being about male aspersion and homemakers in general it’s the point of view of the male through out the most, acting like a master saying what women are meant to be doing in a very villainous manor, pretty smart. This leads into the infectious hook ‘Hooo Hooo Hooo – Huuu Huuu Huuu’ like an evil bad guy laugh, the title ‘One Hit’ refers to abuse in relationships. Yes it’s a real dancer this one and despite its flaws is another memorable stand out in this album. ‘Still Light’, the closer, is a slightly weaker version of ‘From Off To On’ though is a fitting closer, one of the weaker moments but in other albums this would be seen the creative gem.

So on review, this isn’t an album it’s an experience with elements of Kraftwerk present threw out you know it’s going to be something different. Rarley fails to deliver on so many levels & despite its minor flaws the album deserves many listens to be fully appreciated. This is haunting, twisted pop music at it’s very finest and is a recommended listen for people looking to broaden their horizons. This isn’t for everyone as it’s so different to most other electronic bands out there right now.

 

 

8.5/10

[Friðbjörn]

looking at those ratings you seem in a pretty good mood lol

[Stenners]

I wrote them all ages ago! lol i forgot to post them, the only i wrote today was Pop Levi! BTW im not in a good mood, those are just all class albums that i still listen to despite having them for such a long period of time.

[Friðbjörn]

lmao alright

just came out like anything you listened to today was great for some reason...lol

[Stenners]

HAHAHA i been listening to them, and yah they are great. But all that means is i I will be extra pissed off when it comes down to reviewing another Korn - Unplugged or Good Charlotte. To the extent I will proabably start chanting 'Death To The Communists' for no apparent reasson mid way threw the review.

[Friðbjörn]

lol

look out everyone when matt is mad

[Friðbjörn]

album: 10000 days

artist: Tool

genre: alternative metal?

 

 

I came optimistic to reviewing this album cause having heard Tool before I expected good things, great even. But unfortunately for Tool fans I must say I'm disappointed. At first listen this album sucked. At 2nd listen it did improve somewhat, but it's still overall boring. Also the speaker effect on Wings for Marie (part 1) is just annoying and gives me a headache.

Tool are also stuck in the power chords when they have heavy parts. I've heard them make good use of power chords in songs like Lateralus, but on this album it's just bland and simple and typical and therefore boring. The songs are also to monotonous, which is what happens when minimalistic music sucks. When it works well you love hearing a continuous tone again and again, but when it's done wrong like on this album it's just torture to the ears.

Even Maynard's singing, that has been influential for many singers in modern rock, is below par. He delivers nothing special. As usual Tool have interesting things to say lyrically and they experiment with things others wouldn't dream about, but that's just not enough. Also, when a song is boring, having it 11 minutes does not help. It feels like with the material Tool have on this album they could've done something much more with most of the tracks. They sound kinda interesting at the beginning but when you listen on you find nothing special.

The positive things about this album are that on two tracks they manage to get the best out of what is only close to being potential on the rest of the tracks. Those two diamonds among coal are Vicarious, and Right in two. It's the only two tracks I'll possibly keep on playlists, but that doesn't do enough for this album to make it to my CD wallet next time I have a long flight.

 

Now I don't know, you might dig this if you're a die-hard Tool fan, but if you're not don't buy this album.

 

rating: 2,7/10.

 

 

btw by all means share your opinions of the reviews/albums...do you agree, do you disagree? we'd like to hear it

[Friðbjörn]

as requested:

 

 

album: Louder now

artist: Taking back sunday

genre: angsty emo pop punk

 

Wow okay listening to this was for the most part a waste of time. When I get to know new music I'm happy, that is to say when it's any good. Judging by this album TBS are not a talented band. They're just repeating what every other so called "rock"band out there with airplay on mtv nowadays is doing. The guitars sound exactly the same as with other similar bands, the singer sings exactly like in those bands, etc. And that guitar sound sucks, and that singing sucks, and it's the same in every single song except two on this album. Only thing I'm glad about right now is knowing to stay away from TBS in the future.

The only two songs that are different from the pop punk formula evident in all other songs are Spin and Divine intervention. Well actually, Spin is by the formula, but it's easily the only good song by that formula I've heard. Props to TBS for being first in makin a good pop punk song. Divine intervention is different, it's more slow and easy, and features an acoustic guitar, which is a change (which for this band seems to be rocket science). Another point with some quality is the solo in Miami. Well done that, but it should've been longer, and to a better song...

 

Having said all this I can't possibly recommend this album to you unless you're into this pop punk clichéfest fad that seems to be going on.

And musically this is just recycling. I could as well call it a remix album, or better yet a cover album.

 

Rating: 0,5/10

[Stenners]

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Artist: The Rakes

Album: Ten New Messages

Genre: Indie Rock

 

Now if it were up to me, 22 Grand Job from 'The Rakes' last effort would be on every single persons playlist, but of course I have no control over what you play (well I like to let u think I dont when I actually do) anyways that song was class and their last album was pretty good to boot, needless to say this album has been set lofty expectations as a result, after an uninspiring and amatuer sounding Remix EP however my hopes of a strong follow up have been somewhat waverd. Unfourtenetly, yes my dashed expectations had been met on this album, it's very average the isnt much to tell it apart from other albums in this genre 'We Danced Together' which I reviewed not so long ago has grown on me a little since 'Little Superstitions' is pretty good too, in fact all of the tracks are pretty good but none of them are particually good which makes this album a very forgettable affair somewhat lacking to its predocesour. Could this be the begining of the end of this band? Will they be locked in the shed forever, forgotten and left to collect dust? Find out next month when they milk their release further with a remix album featuring the Queen!

 

Standout moments: We Danced Together, The World Was A Mess But His Hair Was Perfect

 

4.5/10

[Stenners]

http://www.offtopic.forum/data/MetaMirrorCache/3bbee8a380450879d289d5e32a78c426.jpg

 

Artist: Kings Of Leon

Album: Because Of The Times

Genre: Rock/Alt.Rock

Fans Of: Wolfmother, White Stripes, QOTSA, Hold Steady

 

Not very often is that I hear a straight up rock album this leaves a lasting opinion, nope for me it has to something special otherwise I simply dismiss it and never listen to it again....as...lets face it, most 'ROCK' albums offer nothing new or interesting, a slight disregard to 'The Hold Steady' who have been the exception of the rule so far this year. Kings Of Leon have always had my slight, if not entirley devoted attention.... I always thought the band had something but I never really got grabbed into their sound, I wouldnt mind listening to them, i would even put them on from time to time but i'd never say they where one of my faviroute bands & after listening to this, my opinion has probably changed. This album is a monster of guitar riffs, full of subtle and interesting melodies... here Kings Of Leon have pulled off an album with 13 perfectly fine and at times great rock songs. Nothing here really dips below good its just as consistent of a rock album that your going to get this day and age.

 

An interesting move by Kings Of Leon in the organisation of the album, the longest song 'Knocked Up' a song about pregnancy of course, runs at over 7 minutes long, this sort of track you'd expect nearer the end of the album and not the opener where a catchy.... perhaps single, usualy appears. No sir what you get is a heavily interesting song with great drumming and great guitar riffs, the sound is so familiar but interesting at the same time making it both fresh and accesible. 'Charmer' is another fine track and one of the strongest moments of the album it pulls in a more traditonal music structure and is hooky the screams on it are strange yet work this is then followed by THE highlight and my faviroute single of the year so far 'On Call' which is a brilliant hooky song that not only leaves an undeniably great first impression but also grows on you. This is pretty much how the whole album pans out other highlights include 'Black Thumbnail' 'My Party' and 'True Love Way' but im pretty sure with a collection of songs this consistent and strong everyone will find their own faviroutes.

 

Overall this album shows that Rock is still a driving force in inspirational music, this album not only sends you to cloud 9 whilst listening to it it also sends you to the V.I.P suite next to the big cheese himself, o who btw is paying & they serve fajitas! Everything is sound. A rock album that could deffine the early half of this century? Given time then most probably yes.

 

Standouts: Charmer, On Call, Black Thumbnail, My Party, True Love Way

Moods: Chilled, Active, Bizzare, Moshy Moshy, Dancey

 

10/10

 

If memory serves me right u can get this with modest mouse at amazon for just like $20, now thats a pretty mean bargain if u ask me lol.

[Friðbjörn]

I definately gotta check out that KOL album

 

 

new review

 

album: Hold your color

artist: Pendulum

 

Writing this review I was kind of at a loss what to say, cause frankly this album is hard material to review. I can't possibly pinpoint this album to any particular place, plus this is a genre quite new to me.

With that said I never expected to dig so many of the songs on this album. A lot of the time the beat in the songs sounds or is exactly the same (check out first 3 songs on it), which is among the rare downsides of this album. If you like drum and bass this is probably a classic in your eyes (hint Matt lol), if you don't, this might still appeal to you. The melodies are catchy, the beats are fast and driving, and the vocals are interesting when they're there.

The songs are pretty deep too, and long. A lot of them have a mystery about them, others are just plain good songs that make you want to dance. And this isn't dance music that always sounds the same, it's got its diversity. One thing I found really interesting is the use of an acoustic guitar in the song Girl in the fire, which is a song worth listening to most definately. Other tracks I'm not going to pick out, this album is strong as a whole.

Pendulum succeeds in impressing me with drum and bass, which is not something you'll see every day.

 

Rating: 7,0/10

 

 

Oh I got a request for you guys... could you plz do a review of the 2 albums "Make Yourself" and "Morning View" from Incubus if you have time? That'll be nice

I'll take those both next

[Stenners]

on another side note ^^

 

If u have a subwoofer that is the album it was made for

 

Thanks for doing my request lol

[Friðbjörn]

I do and I used it...

no problem

[Stllmn8j]

Can someone please reveiw Celldweller's self-titled album and Apathy-Eastern Philosophy please