Archive for August, 2008

Of Montreal – Skeletal Lamping

{ 08/24/2008 @ 12:13 am } · { Uncategorized }
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Of Montreal’s new album – Skeletal Lamping has leaked onto the internet. Its street date is October 7th, 2008. This is a pretty early leak and is quite unfortunate, but oh well, things go on. The album itself is supposed to be a concept album stemming from Hissing Fauna… the bands previous album. More info can be found out about the album here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeletal_Lamping

If you find it, listen to it and if you like it, buy it. You’ll have plenty of time to decide if its worth your dollars. First impressions are positive.

Silver Jews Frontman Hating On Radiohead..?

{ 08/22/2008 @ 12:09 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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Yeah, you read it. Dave Berman, leader of the Silver Jews has lashed out at Radiohead a bit, basically calling them overrated. Berman had a lengthy interview with the pretentious online music hub, Prickfork. The entire interview is here: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/142559-interview-silver-jews

The bits he said about Radiohead don’t seem to be altered by being taken out of context, so here they are:

“To me, what I would like to hear from Radiohead would be something besides a feeling. I would like it if Radiohead would sing something that you could take with you.”

*****

“You can go through the whole new Radiohead album and try and tell me what they’re saying, and all you’ll get over and over again is things are miserable, don’t try, things suck. And it’s all gray. There’s nothing there. Never before has there been a “greatest band in the world” who had so little to say about anything. The music-listening world has become such an aficionados world. People want to react to a poem or a painting, but they’re like “I’m not qualified. I’m not educated.” But they treat their personal preferences for music as if they weren’t anything but this complete monolithic subjectivity, and we talk to each other in that way: “They suck, and they’re the worlds greatest band.”

__________

First off I’m just curious as to if he’s listened to the new Radiohead album (In Rainbows). I just thought it was interesting that someone as in touch with their indie side as Dave Berman would call a Radiohead album essentially emotionless. It surprises me that someone with his presumed emotional depth (he is a poet, writer, cartoonist, blah, blah, blah) would be able to understand the complexity/simplicity of emotions as well as the vast range that Radiohead chooses to employ. Apparently I’m wrong. See for yourself. Berman’s comments just seem pretty tacky and a bit tactless.

Who am I to judge, that’s Berman’s job.

Albums That Matter 08′ (So Far)

{ 08/20/2008 @ 5:11 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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[The Essentials]

Stephen Malkmus – Real Emotional Trash

S.M.’s most adventurous album in terms of flat out shredding. Malkmus’ guitar playing on this gem is nothing short of impressive. 10 strong songs riddled with classic Malkmus humor and laced with interesting characters. Malkmus’ stellar guitar work threads the album together like a self indulgent Quicksilver Messenger Service album. I reviewed the album track by track months ago and it can be found below.

Tokyo Police Club – Elephant Shell

A newer band with only a couple EPs floating around. TPC is making some of the most exciting music I’ve heard in a while. Only one song on the 11-track album breaks the 3-minute mark and it just scathes it. The songs are fast, incredibly wordy and ten times as catchy. The guitar hooks will stick with you for hours and track 2, In A Cave, will have you singing for days following a single listen. There is no excess on this album whatsoever and the dynamics of the album are strong. The quieter songs fall exactly where they should and the climaxes exactly where they should. This album clocks around 33 minutes total and will have you hitting the repeat all button on your media player.

She & Him – Volume One

Folk/Indie Rock anyone? She & Him is composed of Zooey Deschanel, yes the actress, and respected folk rocker M. Ward. Together they make up She & Him and have managed to pump out Volume One, which is hopefully the first of many volumes to come. Their debut album is carried by Deschanel’s unmistakable charm and M. Ward’s beautifully melodic guitar work. The two sing together on a couple songs and their voices fit quite nicely together. Deschanel’s lyrical themes center around mostly lost and/or the pursuit of love and are sung in such a manner you’ll feel as though you’re in some cheap motel in the 50’s. She & Him also plug through a couple of covers including an amazing rendition of ‘You Really Got A Hold On Me.’ If you’re into the whole indie/folk/rock scene then check this album out soon.

The Black Keys – Attack And Release

The B. Keys are about ready to jump from the shadow of White Stripes comparisons, and by about ready, I mean, they’re WAY beyond White Stripes comparisons (and I love The White Stripes). The Keys most recent release showcases the Ohio two pieces ability to fuse garage rock and blues in an interesting and powerful way. The result is garage blues rock? Whatever it is, its damn good. Strange Times is a great rock track while Psychotic Girl illustrates they know the importance of dynamics. Still the opening track suggests that the listener might be in for more than a mere garage rock extravaganza. Check this album out, its one of the better ones out their right now.

The Raconteurs – Consolers of the Lonely

The sound of Jack White wailing on his poor guitar is unmistakable. His hooks are some of the hookiest in the biz. The White Stripes’ Icky Thump showed a more sophisticated side of Jack White that had started to emerge on Get Behind Me Satan. Consolers of the Lonely is simply White’s current abilities and interests being indulged by a full band. This album is much more than Icky Thump with a full band, don’t get me wrong now, but Jack White has shown through this album that The Raconteurs are also HIS band, and not as much of a collaborative effort as their first album suggested. While the first Raconteurs release had vocal styling of other members, Jack White is the featured vocalist on nearly every song. I say this like it’s a bad thing…Ha. Consolers… is a great rock album and not much more. But that’s all a good rock album SHOULD be..just rock.

Atmosphere – When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold

A long album title and some hip-hop to make it worth your time to read. If you’re looking for a solid hip-hop release this year, this is it. Slug’s lyrics are exceptionally strong throughout the majority of the album. There are a couple of low points, but really they aren’t worth mentioning. When Life Gives you Lemons… is a much more relaxed album than Slug’s most recent work. It actually follows right in line with Sad Clown Bad Summer 9, Atmosphere’s most recent EP release. Both of these records showcase a more a style that not only flows extremely well but is typically an easy listening experience. Ant’s beats are solid and Slug’s raps are as good as ever. This album is definitely near the top of my albums this year.

[Other Great Listens]

My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges

A good listen. The album starts strong mixing elements of Wilco and Kings Of Leon. Track 2 is my personal favorite, Touch Me I’m Going To Scream Pt. 1 while the third track, Highly Suspicious is easily my least favorite. This album is an appropriate follow up to the phenomenal ‘Z,’ but not nearly as good. This being said, I wouldn’t say My Morning Jacket is moving in the wrong direction. This album relies on the bands southern roots while never fully embracing that sound, whether that’s a good or bad thing, you decide.

Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes are a newer act and with their newness they bring originality. They are a group of youngsters playing their way through an interesting and country/folk riddled indie rock expedition and the end result is nothing short of awesome. The music made by this group is something I look forward to for years to come. I’m a huge fan of the expansive and genre mixing they utilize especially on the third track, Ragged Wood.

Albert Hammond Jr. – ¿Cómo Te Llama?

The Strokes guitarist second venture into solo stardom is a fun and fast paced pop record that will rattle around in your head for days. Albert’s first solo album, Yours To Keep, was great. It was a quick album of light and fun songs with hooks that will have you playing the songs on repeat. If you like either of his albums and haven’t heard the other, definitely fix that, as it is a problem. Great driving music, party music or just plain sunny day music.

________________________

So ha, already fulfilled my promise, kinda. I’m planning on a bit of expansion. There are a couple albums passing through my ear cavities presently that I’m digging, so expect a part2/future releases of 08 thread a bit later on.

Peace

Jim-In-E

{ 08/20/2008 @ 3:29 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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Soooo,

A mass apology to all three of you reading, I am sorry for the lack luster effort I have put into this interweb space in the last 4 months+. I’ve kind of just been enjoying my summer/working. School is about to start back up, and with that, I do believe I will start the blogging more regularly. We’ll see though, I make no promises. Maybe I’ll pound out a list of my favorite albums of the year so far, and maybe a couple you should look out for. Who knows, I feel like any promises made right now could easily just be lost in the void, so we’ll see. But I do have every intention of more frequently maintaining this space of mine. I’ll be moving all my stuff up to school in the next week, so expect the hardcoreness to re-emerge in the next month.

Until then..