Farewell For Now

Hi this is Obed um... first off i wanna say i had fun doing this blog. It was rad. A lot has happened and because of this i couldn't update and can't update the blog until maybe after my classes end so today was my first day in college and hopefully not the last day of this blog. Be on the look out for my best albums of 2012. no album battles sadly. Until further notice this is the last post until December, 18, 2012 if we live that long (joke). *pic from high school of the dead chapter 25.

Playlist: Fear Farewell Forever

Salli and me made a good July playlist on grooveshark except the fact that anything from oceania isn't on there so heres a youtube link and the rest of it is on grooveshark enjoy and sorry for the lack of album reviews this summer. Its a busy summer. like i said before if you like the songs buy them recording music ain't free. I don't know who Purity Ring is or Braids Salli :/


Fear Farewell Forever?


1. Violet Rays by Smashing Pumpkins from Oceania.
2. 36 degrees by Placebo from Placebo
2. I'd Like To Know by Supergrass from I Should Coco
3. Watching the Detectives by Elvis Costello from My Aim Is True
4. History by Cast from All Change
5. Belispeak by Purity Ring from Shrines
6. When i'm Small by Phantogram from Eyelid Movies
7. Lammicken by Braids from Native Speaker
8. Marrow by St. Vincent from Actor
9. Abducted by Cults from Cults


seriously though the first half is Alternative/britpop and the second is trip-hop/indie i know its not a fluent list but bear with us we are both into different genres lately.

This Months Playlist: Hope Heart Aches

Hope Heart Aches

1. Huh (intro) by Spiritualized from Sweet Heart, Sweet Light.

2. Blue Monday by New Order from Power, Curruption, & Lies

3. This Charming Man by The Smiths from The Smiths

4. Boys Don't Cry by The Cure from Greatest Hits 

5. Why Can't You Be Nicer To Me by The White Stripes from De Stijl

6. Love Interruption by Jack White from Blunderbuss

7. Advise by Graham Coxon from A+E

8. Pay No Mind (Snoozer) by Beck from Mellow Gold

9. Pay No Mind by Sonic Youth from The Eternal

10. The Sea Is Calling by The Temper Trap from The Temper Trap

11. Atmosphere by Joy Division from Total

you listen to the put-together-in-a-few-mins

playlist and enjoy awesome music 

BOOM in out

A+E by Graham Coxon

Blur's guitarist and brit(pop/)rock icon Graham Coxon's 7th solo album gives a whole other out-look on his musical versatility as well as his personal interests concerning music, for the likings of Sonic Youth and The Jam. He's also a personal favorite of mine and I just love him to bits. So while Blur are rambling on with their on-off plans for a come-back, this album is a nice little treat in the middle of all the fuss and so far one of the best releases in 2012.

1. Advice: Impressively dynamic opener, probably the best off the album. Basically this is what Graham does best - simple, fuzzy guitar jams. This is downright catchy too! It's really vibrant and fresh, even if it has a strong 90's feel to it. A proper tune this one. LOVE it.

2. City Hall: This is a first introduction to more of the electronic direction he's taken on this album. It's driven by a stompy beat with shrieking guitars bringing some roughness in and it all just comes together real neatly. 

3. What'll It Take: Here the electronics really kick in. Though the chorus gets a bit too repetive after a while, the guitar and synths really fuse into each other quite nicely and make you kinda wanna just jump around the room. There's something really exciting about this. 

4. Meet and Drink and Pollinate: I'm really digging the vocals on this one, also the guitar work is yet again top notch. It's pretty raw, but all the while it's all about subtleties. 

5. The Truth: Starts off pretty ominous, then turns out to be a full-on grunge tune. The guitar drones on this are just oh so good, not to mention the vocals. Graham's fascination with bands such as Dinosaur Jr. makes a clear stance here.This just owns, that's about it really.

6. Seven Naked Valleys: Clever guitar line here, can't help nodding my head to this.

7. Running for Your Life: . The chorus is just insanely fun and sparky. Really stands out cause of the sheer energy of it. I bet this is just immense live. 

8. Bah Singer: Just a brilliant guitar-driven track. I'm really into the chorus here. 

9. Knife in the Cast: This is a good toned down breather in the middle of all the guitar mayhem, not that it's easy or anything, it's quite bleak and dreary like wandering around on a lonesome, barely lit street at 2am and you'd rather just be home. This really made an impact on me. 

10. Ooh, Yeh Yeah: The album goes out with a lovely, laid-back tune. The simple, but catchy chorus is easy on the ears. This song just makes me feel genuinely happy.

Verdict: Graham's music has always been somewhat naive and lovestruck. Though being in his early 40's, he's still got that essence of a reckless 20-year-old and it strongly reflects the sound of this album, but on the contrary this is probably Graham's darkest album yet, also to my mind his best. Big props for putting in an electronic twist, it's a bit out of his comfort zone, but it really works. All in all a fine album, with a lot of texture and energy.

Rating: ♪♪♪/♪♪♪♪ Three Out Of Four Eighth Notes                                 

Notes on The Temper Trap by The Temper Trap

The Temper Trap by The Temper Trap

Australia's indie rockers The Temper Trap released the self titled sophomore album this year and well second albums are hard to make because you have to over achieve and make an album that is better than the debut album. Most of the bands that come out with second albums usually take the longest recording the second and making sure its absolutely perfect and make it so it surpasses the expectations the debut made. In reality most bands fail when trying to overcome the expectations set upon them.

the ones that do though make incredible albums and eventually peak long after the sophomore album. In a way this is the most important album for The Temper Trap, this album will determine whether they get to bask in their glory or if the have to work for the next couple of albums trying to fix the mistakes made in the second album.

Track Review:

1. Need Your Love: This is the first single of the album and it sounds OK. Its no Sweet Disposition or Fader but its good, it has the electro that The Temper Trap are famous of having Incorporating the sound that Australia is famous for.

2. London's Burning: The song starts like that of an epic apocalypse movie with news of riots and such. In my opinion this song is way better than need your love the vocals are catchier the drumming is way better and there's a way better vibe emitted from this song.

3. Trembling Hands: This song is very calm an soothing and the singing in the beginning is lulling. the music is very calm and it builds for a better chorus. when the chorus does come in its really a big entrance.

4. The Sea is Calling: This song is great. It's a lovely little melody. The guitar is picked and the synth is suitable for the calmness barely heard. It's impact on the mood is tremendous however and you can feel its deep tone when the chorus begins. The song gets way better as it goes on I recommend listening to this one all the way through.

5. Miracle: It has a weird sounding thumping sound. It's calm like the songs before it. It's really soft and thin. Whisper vocals almost and quite quiet. It's really modest and if you hear the synth it's really great too bad it's not so loud and out there because it is really really a good line. The additions to the song become better as the song goes on.

6. This isn't Happiness: The drums are louder and more upbeat for this one. It's still calm but that's The Temper Traps signature sound. So far this album is a very good follow up to Conditions. At first glimpse the song sounds repetitive but unbelievably it gets way better as it nears the end of the song.

7. Where Do We Go From Here: Way more upbeat then the Few songs before and it is thicker too. The impressive yet modest beat keeps the listener engaged and with the vocals very well outputted there's no skipping anytime soon. The weird thing I'm noticing is the ending gets better and the endings are the best part of the song so it's like a cone. The song gets increasingly better as it goes on.

8. Never Again: The beginning is pretty nice. I think it must get way better if it's already pretty good. The singing is top notch as expected. The progressions are really great, modest, yet good enough to send change in motion.

9. Dreams: His vocals get a lot deeper. It's a bit more flowing due to synth being ever present. Also the drum helps the movement of the piece very well. The pitter-patter of the percussion give it a steady base and the synth has room to change a bit. The progression is a little more acute but it's still good and it doesn't make you lose interest.

10. Rabbit hole: Wow all I can say is I'm impressed as how long my attention span for this album has been. This song is acoustic but it's different because it's thin but it sounds like its thick mainly because of the vocals. After the electric enters its thicker but the mood stays the same.

11. I'm Gonna Wait: Sounds Grander and the atmosphere in this song stretches really far. It's thin but because the strings are coming in and around it sounds like your in a huge field surrounded by stars everywhere. It's calm but grandiose.

12. Leaving the Heartbreak Hotel: clicking and beeping mark the beginning of this song. It's a thin song but the message is clearly put out. The picture is painted and all that's left is your imagination to fill it in with the colors. It's a great song and this is a great album.

Verdict: Totally exceeding my expectations and blowing away my mind. The Temper Trap is a band here to prove its worthiness with its modesty. It Is not in your face and trying to make you happy like "here I am look at me look look look I am trying to get your attention" no it's more around the lines of a polite gentleman with something to say asking for a min or two which eventually ends up as a 50+ min listening session.

Rating: ♪♪♪/♪♪♪♪ THREE Out Of Four Eighth Notes

Notes on Happy to You by Miike Snow

Happy To You by Miike Snow

Miike Snow is an electronic indie pop band from the land of Switzerland with an American singer. Miike Snow is known for the songs Animal, Black and Blue, A Horse is Not a Home, Cult Logic (may favorite) and Silvia. After the mind blowing performance in Coachella featuring Lykke Li they quickly rose up in the music ladder. Though Happy to You wasn't as hyped as muck as the debut they released two singles so far and two extraordinary videos which makes you look and wonder what the message in the video are. In a way Miike snow are starting a really great trend with the music videos and more coming according to Andrew Wyatt. Well anyway that's just a small introduction of Miike Snow to the track review.

Track Review (click on the links too): 

1. Enter the Jokers Lair: Its different from the stuff they made before its strange though some of the additions to the song sound out of place until other layers are added to the song. Miike snow went up the weirdness level in the weirdness scale. Of course that's not really a bad thing because Miike Snow are pulling it off and they aren't chasing people away with the odd synth and strange loopings. Miike Snow are driving their way into a new realm of music and they will continue to influence the next generation of musicians.

2. The Wave: The Wave is the second single to come out of this album. This is the song with the second music video in the Jean Noel series. The song is similar to the stuff from the debut which is probably why its more of a single than Enter the Jokers Lair even though that song sounds a bit more experimental and should be a single. The thing about this song is that it has really great battle ready snare drum. The piano helps make an anticipating feel and the vocals sound very taunting especially with the vocal processors. There's a lot of sparkling and twinkling in this song making a very magical sounding song. The chime bells are the most magical instrument. The addition of flutes gives it a old era feel.

3. Devils Work: This is probably going to be the next single if there's another single released. This song sounds very dramatic because of the hammered piano. The progressions in this song are as follows... piano enters, vocals enter, drums enter, twinkling synth enters, horn synth enters, other horn synth enters, vocal processes change, bouncing twinkling synth enters, bleeping synth enters. Throughout the song many of these instruments/processes change or exit and/or return later or leave completely from the song. Really the only constant in this song are the vocals (though the vocal processors change a bit), the piano, and the drum beat.

4. Vase: This song is pretty good its got a very catchy beat its very simple in the beginning with only the slapping snare and beeping. The vocals are very modest not to extravagant. The song is very thin at most there are about four things playing all at once. its a pretty modest song with a great beat ill just leave it at that.

5. God Help this Divorce: More twinkling. More chime bells. The song title is very ironic and you would think the song would be a tad less happy but its not its like Port of Morrow by The Shins when its trying to be sad its actually being pretty happy.

6. Bavarian #1 (say you will): March style drumming and twinkling. Its a reoccurring theme in the music of this album. Whistling yeah that's another great add in this song the singing in this song is really good better than all the songs before. The progression is pretty complex and it goes through a series of exits and entrances and this just enhances the sound of the singing. Its a great song and i remember his live performance with this song and it was great.

7. Pretender: This song has the smashing piano and well the vocals are pretty sad. Its a really realistic song though. The additional instruments added on after a while really give it a sad feeling. The song lyrics says something around the lines of "waking up to reality isn't great because you notice that your getting older that even in the children's faces you can see the wrinkles growing in.

8. Archipelago: For those geography savvy people Archipelago is a cluster of islands grouped together. this song captures that feeling the peaceful and wonderful feeling of the ocean, the beach, the waves, the atmosphere. The song is really pretty it has some really cute sounds that make you smile a little and close your eyes and imagine floating by the ocean right by the peaceful little islands.

9. Black Tin Box: This song has something that others don't have. A collaboration with Lykke Li, from  INGRID records which Miike Snow helped to establish. This song is really good its one of the calmer and more ambient sounding tracks they have. Personally this song is one of my favorites in the album because its long and its progression is elongated out. The vocals from Lykke Li are pretty good. Its very good and super calm. The song is very chill it has the right amount of energy and stillness that it makes it seem relaxing, maybe its just because of the addition of Lykke Li but the song is really good and the Coachella performance was just mesmerising with the dark lighting and the strobe lights it was really good in setting up the mood for the track Animal and Cult Logic, and looking at Lykke Li dancing was very fun it looked like Andrew and Li had something going there and it was really fun.

10. Padding Out: The piano is very loud and the drumming is soft. Here's the first single in the album. Yes its worthy of being a single because it has so many progressions and the mood changes and the thickness/thinness. The music video is really strange and it goes through this storyline of a weird transformation and like it doesn't make sense until you watch the second video and even then there are still questions that need to be answered. This song is awesome though and through its very processed vocals there is a message.

11. Garden: This sounds a lot like Black Tin Box its very calm and twinkly. The drum gets louder and so does the synth it gets very loud. This song can be summarized in two word calm and reverb. it has a lot of echoes and his voice is very calming.

12. No Starry World: I'm not gonna lie this is one of my least favorite tracks. Its not because of any good reason its just i get bored easily. The clicking and Other such effects are good but it doesn't move me. It just isn't "there" and for all those who have the same feel the same way about songs that you feel but don't really dig then you know what i mean.

Verdict: Mainly the thing with Miike Snow is the drumming that gets you moving. The synth is really extraordinary and the vocals are amazing. The most notable thing about this album is the amount of twinkling and the amount of strange synth it has. It's the difference between the debut and this one. The debut is a lot catchier and has more upbeat songs but there aren't as much changes in the beat like this album has. The progression is really good in this album i have to give Miike Snow some sort of acknowledgement for that.

Rating: ♪♪♪/♪♪♪♪ Three Out Of Four Eighth Notes

New playlist: Go around circles

Go

Around

Circles

1. The Wave By Miike Snow from Happy To You
2. Beauty Towne by Xiu Xiu from Always
3. Tormenta by Making Movies From In Deo Speramus
4. Everyone Can't Be Confused by White Rabbits fromMilk Famous
5. Heartsink by Blood Red Shoes from Fire Like This
6. Sixteen Saltines by Jack White from Blunderbuss
7. 001 by Millionyoung from Replicants
8. Cut You by Cloud Nothings from Attack On Memory
9. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division from Permanent
10. If You Will Have Me by Kaiser Chiefs from The Future Is Medieval

Playlist for MAY of 2012

Notes on MIA Pharaoh by Miniature Tigers

MIA PHARAOH is the newest album by Miniature Tiger. In other words my queen or my goddess. Isn't that right Celeste? Yup well this album is very pop filled and you can hear elements from the 80's which isn't very... original. Nowadays everyone is doing that style ITS BEEN DONE BEFORE!!!!! First off Of Montreal started that sound first and this whole record sound like a bunch of wanna be Of Montreal jams yeah i said it. Well this record is mainly about girls and love and all the good stuff that men don't really understand, this is like women are like "untouchable" and they will always be hard to get well that's what its shouting to me. The connection to the artwork is hard to understand a strawberry in a blue pool of water with two hands (of a woman) holding it. What does that have to do with any of these songs just like the artwork this album needs an explanation. OH and this album is very childish and in the view point of a horny teenager.


Track Review:
1. Sex On The Regular: The sound is very very very very poppy no kidding its extremely pop filled and the lyrics.. they aren't that great its about a really sexually active man. Its disgusting really too much info added in this song and also its about sex. To inject such vile trash into the indie music stream really its terrible. This is stuff that you would hear on pop radio if you really want to do this why don't you just become straight pop? Making songs about sex is something that won't make a good album but an album that will wither and fade away with time this song/album is anything but timeless.

2. Female Doctor: This songs music sounds good right? but the terrible fetish leaking into the tracks its terrible, TERRIBLE!!! The music video is terrible too. So basically its about peoples obsession with hot doctors. its a Terrible song.

3. Cleopatra: I like this song because it sounds better and tame but its about sex again... its like WTF!!!!!!!!!!!! really i could describe it but it just gets me angry.


4. Afternoons With David Hockney: Its acoustic yet has an electro drum beat. Overall the electronics remind me of Starfucker's debut album but yeah a bad copy of it.

5. Easy As All That: ok this song is good not about sex but love and this is ok. as far as the music goes its ok it reminds you of going to a carnival where they have games and prizes right next to a tea cup ride.

6. Flower Door: um yeah like the last song its really reminding me of a watered down starfucker and with higher pitched singing and different percussion.

7. Boomerang: This is the best song on the album its just pure fun. course this has a double meaning and it seems innocent but ehhh not really. I like this song and its really rad the guitars are very suitable for this song and the bass is great too. I have a boomerang and if i see this band live (click on the link) i would totally bring a boomerang. 

8. Ugly Needs: mmmmm yeah its not a really good sounding song already and it gets annoying. The guitars are ok here because they add this tension that is very much needed but it doesn't last for long.
9. Angel Bath: mmm it goes through some phases thats probably what makes this track alot better than the rest, lots of progressions and sudden changes in the song but at times it sounds like stuff Of Montreal is famous for.

10. Husbands and Wives: this is a boring song in the beginning i yawned several times. Its like this most of the time then theres a change but even that isn't very impressive becasue it sounds like MGMT/Pandad Bear sounding transitions. So in other words its been done before.



Verdict: YAWWWWWNNN!!! This album is boring and if the cool songs are upbeat they are infected by the terrible sex and lust appeal. The songs without this theme suck and are boring except for two songs and in reality this albumis only worth two songs Boomerang and Angel Bath. Really was expecting more from Miniature Tigers but all i got was this lame synth pop crap that also isnt original either.

Rating:♪/♪♪♪♪ one out of four eighth NOTES

Notes on Noctourniquet By The Mars Volta

The Mars Volta are a really great band. No lie if you don't like the Mars Volta at all take your ears off now and go listen to MDNA because you have no taste in music whatsoever. If you do like them then great keep it up your getting somewhere musically. The Mars Volta are a Mexican American band from El Paso, Texas. They are one of the most experimental and great musical acts in all of America. If you haven't at least heard of The Mars Volta then you really don't know much about music. To tell you the album in a few words i would say its something else. It really is different from the other albums yet it still has that Latin and Mars Volta sound we all are familiar with.

Track review:

1. The Whip Hand: The first song of the album and already you can hear a very hard sound. The singing is the same as you would expect and its not different from the other albums. The music on the other hand...there's something in the sound that is different. you can hear a bit of De-loused and some of Frances and i still can't put my finger on whats changed. Its not the fact that there's electronics because they've done that before but its not the heavy guitar or the layered atmosphere. Lets just say its a really thick atmosphere and the transitions are out of this world really you can't compare anything in this song to anything other than The Mars Volta. Its great if you haven't heard anything by The Mars Volta before you can't start here at Noctourniquet because this is different yet the same as what they did before... You just need to listen to all the albums in order. If you have heard the other albums i suggest you stop listening to this album now and start from the beginning then listen to this album to see why this song/album is so strange.

2. Aegis: This is a really great song, really i promise. The drums are so... the only word to describe it is epic. The weird guitar filter sounds closest to something Muse could do but way watered down. The vocals are just as amazing as usual and there is so much power in the lyrics and the way he sends the listener the message. In this song you can see exactly how effective his vocals, the drums, and the guitar are to send a clear visual painting to the listener. Its beautiful extremely beautiful you can visualize everything feel everything and use your brain to fill in the gap between hearing and seeing what the lyrics scream to you.

3. Dyslexicon: Already the song is full of energy full of power and chaos and its just the start. Hmmm well the vocals are really really good they change a lot and when i say a lot its pretty impressive because I'm not so easy to impress and man they swayed me before i even had a chance to turn away. The energy in this song is tremendous. Its brilliant really when you think about the production and the making of this album they honestly took the time to make a really great album and in this song you can hear how much effort they put into the album overall.

4. Empty Vessels Make The Loudest Sound: Wow the transition from the last song right into this song is something to be envious about. This song is thinner then the songs before and its calm less chaotic and slow. The song is a perfect balance from the chaos its completely great but yet its still grabbing your attention and its atmosphere is filled with a path that's both smooth and bumpy it is smooth then it slowly shows the grooves in the path the pebbles and little cracks in the pavement and it is beneficial to the voyage through the song.

5. The Malkin Jewel: The transition is great here too. When it starts oh my its so tasty the guitar licks the vocals which is like yelling and whispering at the same time. Oh my the scrumptious bass guitar is so pleasing and with the side of heavy chaotic drums you can't go wrong. The beautiful little lo-fi recording of an acoustic Arabic instrument and a busy passageway just adds to its brilliance. The "chorus" is just really in your face its yelling at you for attention and the imagery in the album oh man i can visualize it i can see and hear the clicking and clacking and the chaos and the anger and rage you can hear it, feel it, and almost relive it. this song is extraordinary and it is a MUST listen. If you only had to buy one song on this album this song is the one to get and its not because its a single i heard this song before it was a single and i immediately fell in love with it.

6. Lapochka: This one has a lot of really fast tapping its crazy. The song sounds so eerie its almost too eerie but its very enjoyable it gives you chills down your spine. It has a great refrain. "how long must i wait" and it repeats this over and over and its begging you to listen closer and pay attention to the message. Well in all frankness this is what every Mars Volta song does. The best part of the song is the drumming its just insane.

7. In Absentia: For all of those who are really deep into the progressive rock scene this song title should remind you of the title of an album by Porcupine Tree. With this in mind i wanna see if there's a connection between the two bands. While listening to it and then listening to Porcupine Tree i can't really see anything in common between the British progressive and  Mex-Am bands. I guess the closest thing you can find between the two is the drumming and its pretty much the same with Porcupine Tree extremely good, loud, epic drumming. The song is long but when you really put in the attention span its always getting your attention and the singing towards the end of the song it reminds me of Thom Yorke's singing in the end of Lotus Flower except here Zavala does this without the help of a echo making software (no offence to Thom or Radiohead intended)

8. Imago: Sounds of the cracking of a thousand stars in the start of this song. The thumping and the exploding sounds give it a chilling feeling a feeling of the end of something bigger than you could imagine. There's a feeling of being lost and trying to find an exit from the fate you hold. Its a great song it takes you on a dark and sad journey and takes you through and it leaves you wondering.

9. Molochwalker: On the first note the guitar is very energetic and full of life. Talking about energy you must mention the drumming which seems off but is very on key and it dissolves any form of calmness its all over the place spanning from one end to the other and there is no place where you can't hear loud drumming. The best part of this song is the tempo change. The transition to this tempo change is a really good one. You gotta listen very closely for that very crucial point in the song.

10. Trinkets Pale of Moon: Again you hear the same sounds of Malkin Jewel but instead of walking its more of a chanting and this sound doesn't cut off at the first 10 seconds it continues to loop. Another difference is the softer less heavy guitar, in fact its mostly acoustic. The looping is amazing it really flows well with the guitar and vocals or rather it flows well and it fits in very well with it. During the halfway point in the song the song has an additional element a buzzing and also the looping gets a little distorted. There's also an addition of other percussion instruments in the loop. After a while though it slowly gets thinner and the guitar is solely playing along with the percussion and the looping ends.

11. Vedamalady: Beeping and ringing start the song off. Once this resides you are eased by the acoustic guitar and the beautiful vocals. this song gets very loud and you need to hear the vocals because this whole album has a story behind it.

12. Noctourniquet: The beeping actually sounds very nice and it has a very steady beat... The vocals start really shortly after the looping beeps starts and they steadily give way to an amazing sound full of cringing guitars bleeding drum rolls and really great off beat yet still on beat feel. This is almost a trademark Mars Volta sound the off drums that still keep time perfectly but in an eerie way. There's a certain point in the song that sounds almost mystical and unreal and it stands out a lot just giving it a few listens and there is so much in this song similar to things they have done before.  When you listen closer still you can hear the differences that really make this album stand out from the other albums and its really mind blowing.

13. Zed And Two Naughts: What is this sound in the start of the song? It sounds like a bubbling of something like tar or oil almost and it sounds very mechanical like part of a huge rusty metal machine. The song afterwards just gets taller, farther, wider and it just E X P A N D S and its grand. This song is grand, in order to actually feel the atmosphere of this song and any song on this album you gotta actually listen to it.


Verdict: WOW i mean WOW. This album right here is the real thing. Buy the CD the Vinyl or if possible the Cassette and run you hand through it because that thing you will hold is one of the best things you will ever hear in your life you may not like it now or tomorrow but you need to listen to it more than once to capture its brilliance, its beauty, its awe. This album is one of the best things i've heard in a long time and i love this album it is the best album to come out this year and it probably will stay that way for a while if you don't like this album or listen to it and can't capture it i feel bad for you because im afraid your going deaf. The lyrics are beautiful the music is beautiful and the way this album and this band paints pictures in your head makes you really apreciate what The Mars Volta does. BY ALL MEANS LISTEN TO IT, BUY IT IF YOU LIKE IT, AND SUPPORT THIS AMAZING AMAZING BAND! Really thats how much i enjoy this album and im sure that you will too.


RATING: ♪♪♪♪♪/♪♪♪♪ FIVE out of Four eighth notes.

Notes on Port Of Morrow by The Shins

Lots of people think they know a lot about The Shins. They dismiss this band almost immediately after they hear the name because The Shins are a "hipster band" from Portland "land of the hipsters" weird huh? Well its true well the part were they're from Portland well at least now they are but they're actually from Albuquerque, NM. Yeah from what i heard its pretty cold and rainy there sounds depressing. Oh well Portland may have depressing weather (opinion not fact) but this record doesn't have that same feel its very happy even when its not intended to be. There's the Shins sound still in the record even if its new material and yes sometimes that gets old but from listening to it it doesn't seem to affect the album that much and its not tiring.


Track review:

1. The Rifle's Spiral: Sounds like the Shins so far, the vocals haven't changed. The sound is a little bit different but i can't quite put my finger on what it is that changed. There's a vocal effect somewhere in the middle of the song that makes his vocals sound like they are being passed under a water filled tube. The rest of the song mainly has a lot of repetition.



2. Simple Song: The ahhhhsss get the song started and then the guitars get in. Well the sound is very good i like it not just because its a single but because the catchy lyrics sound a lot like the stuff the shins usually do its just as daring and packed with emotion. The little weird buzzing its different not necessarily bad just something else. This song has gone through a lot to be how it is essentially and that's good its very well defined.

3. It's Only Life: This song sounds really "lovey dovey" type sound and that really describes the song. Basically Mercer is giving advise to a girl who gets her hopes crushed. He is basically trying to get her happy again. The music isn't very happy sounding but it does actually help the lift you mood up. The lyrics do the same. Basically its says life sucks but get over it except it says it in a less rude way than i just did.



4. Bait And Switch: Bruuuunnnggg!!! wow that was loud and powerful i actually like this song its more appealing to me than Simple Song because it sound so smooth. If there was a lable for this sound "CRISP" would be the best word to describe it. The vocals are great the music is great what isn't there to love? The ending is really great too and Mercer totally nails the end! 



5. September: This song is really nice its slow but its in a perfect spot in the album. It has a sort of in the same room sound as if he was preforming right in front of you. Very warm feeling song overall.



6. No Way Down: The sound is happy the recording sounds like that of the song before. The song is Flowing right into your ears it is a very easy listen all you need to do is play it and you won't mind it even if there are strange pluckings during the guitar solo and almost abstract lyrics.


7. For A Fool: Eh its not as good as the songs before it and it is very slow. There's a big gap between the energy in this song and the song prior. I don't really like it because it isn't really as thick as the songs before and the drumming is very dry and repetitive it lacks any real flavor. The lyrics are same as usual so there's no surprise there.



8. Fall Of '82: When you can start tapping to this song by 10 seconds then you already know its a good song. The good thing is you can hear it get really thin but it comes back up and does it in such a fine fashion its catchy. Not to mention the trumpet solo which is bland and not as improvised as it would seem but it is pretty good it should be a little more aggressive though.



9. 40 Mark Strasse: Whistling is good it gives it a very nostalgic feel but then it goes and fades away which made me sad. Its slow and thin which is something i just don't like and the volume is low. The best thing in the song would be Mercers vocals which actually show a hint of the really talented scale of singing he can do.



10. Port Of Morrow:
 This is probably the weirdest song on the album and i kind of wish there was more of this sound in the album. It sounds a lot like Broken Bells and you can hear a lot of similarities between the two projects. Its probably the song with the closest hint that Mercer was still in a Broken Bells mood. i really like the song it reminds me of the great sounds in Broken Bells.


Verdict: I'm kind of mixed with what i should think about it its almost like a love/hate thing but only not as strong more like a like/dislike relation with the album. I know that i am not gonna listen to this full album for a while and that's it i think its great but it really could be better maybe if Mercer wasn't trying to do everything and actually getting the whole band in line to make the record with him and not try to orchestrate it all himself then this album could sound a little better but overall its a really great Shins record. It just seems to have something missing.

Rating: ♪♪♪/♪♪♪♪ ThREE OuT Of FoUr EiGhTh NoTeS

Notes on Milk Famous by White Rabbits

So you heard of the White Rabbits and you were gonna look for a good opinion on the new album. Well i don't know if you can call me a good opinion but this album in my opinion is pretty good, this is after the album Its Frightening with the ever famous Percussion Gun. So i heard this band is from Brooklyn, NY but is originally from Colombia, MO... I think i respect this band a little more now... still i think SSLYBY is better. Anyway this album is different from the sophomore album and the debut and you can notice its the same really energetic stuff  to expect from them but its more i guess watered down and it isn't as "loud".

Track Review:

1. Heavy Metal: The drums are great and all the random sounds all fit in well. The vocals kind of remind me of a tame Of Montreal and the guitars are very different attack style yet you see the same things just looping and i guess the thing i like about this track is the attack in the guitars and the seemingly random sounds. The thing i don't like about the track would be the repetition of the same chords over and over.

2. I’m Not Me: Well this song is pretty loud, i hear the same attack guitars and the guitars don't stop they continue. You can definitely hear an Of Montreal bleeding into the song. The bridges are the best in my opinion. The thing i don't like in the  song would probably be how the guitars drown the drums down a great deal.

3. Hold It to the Fire: The drumming is I guess best described as distorted in the beginning. The guitar is calm and it strums and goes in and out a narrow tunnel and the vocals have the same effect, it sounds like its getting drowned by the other guitar and the drumming. I don't know if its good really, it sounds ok, but the in and out effect of the vocals kill the songs vibe overall and the ending of the song too.

4. Everyone Can’t Be Confused: Hmm I like this song a lot more, its got great piano and really great guitar to accompany it. The sound of it is great I like it and the sudden attack on it is very noticeable. It's a calm song, not so much as dancable but it is great to jog/run to its got a steady pace so naturally a great song to run to.

5. Temporary: I don't know why but for a second I heard the Friendly Fires. I still here the Friendly Fires debut album sound... reminds me of the song Photobooth I think its the bass, the vocals, and the random guitar coming in when it pleases but I hear the Friendly Fires in this song.

6. Are You Free: I guess its a reoccurring theme but if you noticed most of the songs start off jambled up and it slowly pulls itself together and after its together you can't hear much disconnect its very steady mainly just to hook you in I suppose.

7. It’s Frightening: Same title song as the title of the sophomore album ... It sounds calm and slow. Where's the energy? Where's the drop? It only gets thicker but the sound still is slow. Louder yet quiet and it just cuts off eventually. It reminds me of North by Phoenix by the way.

8. Danny Come Inside: Ok here's the energy. I guess the drumming is the energy in White Rabbits. Also I guess the guitars have distortion and that brings some energy to the song. Really though after a while it still sounds pretty calm and not much compared to the very upbeat sophomore album. I kind of feel disappointed they have so much energy yet in this album you can hardly hear it.

9. Back For More: It's kind of the same thing its not so upbeat and it lacks energy so yes disappointed is the perfect word for What I feel now. Yeah totally feel disappointed I don't hear anything that satisfies my thirst of new White Rabbit material.

10. The Day You Won the War: It starts off as chaotic as before but quickly pulls itself together and I finally hear something worth dancing to. I can get into this I do believe it needs a good combination of both guitar, drums, and vocals to have energy and upbeat sound its a good comeback but still not a full recovery.

11. I Had It Coming: Now this is more like it its made quite a bit of improvement its not that upbeat but the random guitar, clicking, and twanging gives it energy that you can't find in other songs in this album but still its just not enough to make a full recovery it still lacks suficiente energy and power to sway. Still a good end to the album even though it deserves more energy inputted in the song.

Verdict: well to tell you the truth i don't really wanna listen to it all the way through again i don't like the flow because theres some good songs but its like a shirt its clean and good and then you notice some stains on it so you look through your closet for a shirt that doesn't have stains, you get me? yeah but it had some good songs and mainly the bad songs... they lack enough energy.

Rating:♪/♪♪♪♪ one out of four eighth NOTES

Notes on Rooms Filled With Light by Fanfarlo

You've heard of Fanfarlo right? You've better have and especially since they have a new album out. This album since i heard this album with Memoryhouse, they both sound a like and the big difference is that Fanfarlo is a British indie band while Memoryhouse is a Canadian Dream-pop band which is just a sparkly version of Indie-pop. This is a pretty good album musically and it has a steady and uniform sound but when you piece it all together do you get a good looking pic or just a jumbled mess? lets look closer at it to see. 

Track review (track list confirmed buy Fanfarlo no seriously buy it):

1. Replicate: The violins they're cool, and there's a nice crescendo and decrescendo. The song starts to add a synth sound of some kind, its an OK sound but it really doesn't fit in with the orchestral sounds very out of place. The ensemble of strings in this song is really good i give em that but i really don't dig the song i can't find anything that drives me torward them.

2. Deconstruction: Hmmm its up beat and its got strings and all the fun things you can dance with...hmm what do you call that? Right Rhythm something that moves even the ugliest people rhythm well i don't know about people liking this song but it does have rhythm. The ending is kind of slow and soft.

3. Lenslife: I really dig the bass, its a walking bass and on top of that the percussion is like everywhere there's bells, wood, bass drum and snare and it all comes into play on the sound its deep and slow rise to action in thickness.

4. Shiny Things: This is a soft song its got a thin texture and it doesn't have many things going on it just raises volume a lot. The guitar is really good though and when it gets loud it makes you wanna jump up and raise your hand in the air in triumph.

5. Tunguska: Saxophones yeah its good to have them in songs and this song has a long portion with them and also a guitar/harp that is strumming as if muted or like playing an electric as an acoustic but since its not loud its sounds like muted strings you get me? the vocals towards the end of the song makes you wanna sing along and its good.

6. Everything Turns: Dramatic piano plays and then some string sounding synth plays weird in a background full of xylophones and bells. later the bass drum goes in and guitars follow. its a nice little instrumental.

7. Tightrope: Hmmm i might consider this my favorite track because of its thin layer but it overlaps and just for a bit it gets thick and there's harps, bells, rattling, piano, trumpet and its all progressing so fast you can't tell what's next and and it just keeps changing its a very good song when you consider all of this. Also the song is really catchy and the song would be great without vocals/whistling but adding the vocals/whistling actually makes it so much better.

8. Feathers: This is a Nice catchy song its got a tame start and bells again. The vocals are great too especially her voice it really makes this track stand out. Clapping adds A connected frame work for audience involvement. Yeah that means i was clapping to it gotta a problem with that?

9. Bones: Its so calm and its probably the thinnest song for the longest period of time. It has a really good balance and i like the bass drum when it gets thin and the vocals are the only other thing making sound. Its a short song.

10. Dig: The title of the song reminds me of the song by Incubus. Its not even close to sounding like incubus though sounds more like Arcade Fire style music its got so much going around and so moving its got a classic feel to it.

11. A Flood: You know i don't like this song it reminds me of coldplay and i HATE coldplay so yeah the resemblance makes me hate the song.

12. Everything Resolves:Damn this song is short i didn't even catch much of a glimpse of it. its got a lot of stringed instruments that's all i got.

Verdict: Overall its good it has so many different instruments and its really thick every song seemingly flows into each other and its all so amazing there's so much going on and i applaud that.

Rating: ♪♪/♪♪♪♪ two out of four eighth NOTES

Notes on The Slideshow Effect by Memoryhouse

I'm not too keen on this little duo from Canada. I just know 1. They're Canadian 2. They're a duo and 3. They made a new album that i am gonna review. in this album which didn't seem to grab my attention they're's a lot just saying that. They call this genre they specialize in called Dream pop and then also Chillwave. i really didn't feel to impressed by the album and i really cant call my self a big fan but I've heard the previous album and i felt a lot stronger on that one I'm afraid. Well anyway if you see anyone taking my patented (not really) track reviews tell em i started this first!!! anyway...track review below.

Track Review(tracks verified at THIS SITE: !@#$): 

1. Little Expressionless Animals: Owwww.... this song starts off with her vocals and when you have full volume on your speakers it hurts your ears. When you turn it down its actually a very soothing anthem. The violins are super i love the feeling it gives you.

2. The Kids Were Wrong: The drumming is a bit quicker its not as slow but the song still has a sad feeling in it. i guess that's the mood of the whole album but its a good jam its not so chillwave sounding its like more of a Trip-hop ballad around the lines of Portishead and Massive Attack not so much chillwave.

3. All Our Wonder: I fell in love with her vocals in this song its so beautiful. The beginning with the bells oh my god just so heart wrenching you know it touches your heart and makes it race. Its a really really really good track i recommend this song above all others.

4. Punctum:  The Acoustic guitar is really great in this song its a change from the normal. Still not hearing chillwave anywhere in this song it just sounds like indie-pop to me.

5. Heirloom: This song is pretty much the same sound as the others before it. i can dig it though its really smooth all the way through and it has a really good bass line when it gets thinner.

6. Bonfire: Its calm and it has the campfire feel to it a slight tinge of country guitar, a slight folk feel but a great calm song something to listen to before dosing off to sleep.

7. Pale Blue: The start is slow and its a really good start for a slow one cus it hooked me as soon as it started getting thicker and louder. i like the song a lot its my second favorite song. NO i don't like beach house like Memoryhouse Shut up.

8. Walk With Me: The beginning has synth. OK i don't know its a calm song but its not really growing on me like the other song did.

9. Kinds of Light: This is a really slow start to slow, i didn't get hooked into this song by the likes of it. I can feel the sadness in the song and its a tremendous force of pain coming from the guitar.

10. Old Haunts: The last song is just as sad and cold as the other songs but it has a special effect in it that grabs your eye sockets and pulls tears out. its like begging you to pour your eyes out. the vocals sound so isolated and in need of warmth that's you wanna rush and sooth them but alas you cant reach them in time.

Verdict: If you all think Beach house is better get off right now and go to your bathroom and unclog your ears because this woman can sing and she isn't singing about a crappy animal. This band is actually good and i like their dream-pop a lot more. She connects with the audience and i can feel what she feels because of her really good singing.

Rating: ♪♪♪/♪♪♪♪ ThREE OuT Of FoUr EiGhTh NoTeS

Notes on Scars and Stories by The Fray

Hey its Obed, i got a guest review from one of my friends from last.fm David Garibay and he is filling in for an album from the band he loves The Fray. I was into em for a while but you know its not my thing but anyway this is his take on it.

1. Heartbeat: 1st song of the album, pretty good, i like how Isaac left his piano and did something different.


2. The Fighter: 2nd track, have to say one of my favorite songs on the album but not the best, I personally hate the fact that this song reminds me of the band Coldplay which i personally don't like, other than that, i like the soft rock-ish tone of the song.


3. Turn Me On: This is a pretty wild and 'groovy' song which is not normally my taste but i actually love it!! The fray has never done a song like this but i wouldn't mind if they did more because i actually like it.


4. Run for your life: Hmm, this song is alright but kind of boring. i like it but it gets annoying, i don't know what is it but i just don't love it.


5. The wind: Isaac's voice doesn't really go well with the tone of music in this song, it kind of sounds lie a mess. all in all i really don't like this song.


6. 1961: My favorite song in this album!! i love the acoustic tone in his voice with the guitar-ish country melodies.


7. I can barely say: one of his best vocals in the album and great use in piano which he is known for.


8. Munich: great tempo, chorus are similar to one of his new songs in the album, edgy and great use of drums and bass.


9. Here we are: didn't like so much, lyrics are nice but the tempo could've been better, back up vocals -thumbs down.


10. 48 to go: reminded me and was actually very similar to 1961 but not as good.


11. Rainy Zurich: ugh i really don't like this song, lyrics remind me of the glee show, great use of the piano which is great played with his voice but that's about it.


12. Be still: hmm don't like the song, probably the worst in the album, his vocals sound dry and boring with squeaks here and there.


13. Maps: too uppity not my style, sounded like Coldplay once again but it was an OK song.


14. Ready or not: pretty good, kind of rock-ish with a taste of hip hop which i hate but in this song i really like, i could've loved it if it didn't feature some girl in it -her vocals lagged it.


15. Why: hmm not good, all i have to say is WHY,..Beat is pretty good but vocals not so much.


16. Boulder to Burmigham: good, could've been great if the girl didn't butt in with her nasty voice, made it sound old and boring.


17. Streets of Philadelphia: save the best for last? NOT >:( pretty disappointed because last minute and thirty seconds of this song is peer instrumental with no vocals which ticked me off -did they run out of lyrics err what.


Verdict: Over all not impressed with this album. i had my hopes up and was waiting for the album to come out, i don't regret spending my money on it which i actually did, but the fray could've done better not their best. They tried something new so ill give them props for that.


Rating: ♪♪♪/♪♪♪♪ ThREE OuT Of FoUr Eighth NoteS

Radiohead Kansas city 2012

It was awesome as expected yes my mind was blown away.

Setlist:
Bloom (last min add)
15 step
Morn Mr. Magpie
Weird fishes Arp
AllINeed
Pyramid song
Daily mail/super collider
Nude
Identikit
Lotus flower
There there
Feral
How to dissapear
Reckoner
Separator
Idioteque
Lucky
Everythings in its right
Give up the ghost
Paranoid android
Street spirit (not played)

Sprint center
















as shown from waste central

posted from Bloggeroid