11.26.2008

Review: Music Tapes - For Clouds And Tornadoes:

Upon first listen I liked it much better than First Symphony as it had more of a Daniel Johnston feel to it. Still, by the end, it does get a little grating.

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  • 11.25.2008

    Review: Mogwai - The Hawk Is Howling:

    Upon first listen they never were one of those post-rock bands that went for the grandiose peaks, a trend that continues here. It's not bad, but I think it's a poor follow-up to Mr. Beast. Of course, it really is difficult to pass judgement on a piece of instrumental music upon first listen.

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  • Purchase for $14.25
  • 11.24.2008

    Review: Martin Rev - Les Nymphes:

    Upon first listen it's sleep-inducing electronic music.

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  • Purchase for $10.84
  • 11.21.2008

    Reviews: Immortal Technique x3

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    Revolutionary, Vol 1: Upon first listen unobscene production coupled with interesting, thought-provoking lyrics in a surefire winner in the hip-hop arena. Still, it feels like he's either rapping a half beat too slow or his production is a half beat too fast which is distracting only until you're used to it.

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    Revolutionary, Vol 2: Upon first listen it seems like he got his timing back on track, to accompany his even more politically-charged lyrics. There are a couple of moments and a few tracks that I wish didn't make the cut, but by-and-large it's a much more solid album than Vol 1 - and the first one was really good.

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    3rd World: Upon first listen he realizes he can repeat a line a few times and have a "chorus" which works sometimes, but not always. It's certainly a more stylized, more polished, record, which isn't inherently bad.

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  • 11.20.2008

    Review: I Am Kloot x2

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    Gods And Monster: Upon first listen nothing I Am Kloot does is noteworthy. Which is why I can't figure out why I consistently drawn to their work. Somehow I missed this release a few years ago, something I know regret.

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    Play Moolah Rouge: Upon first listen it's a little more repetitive than Gods and Monsters (and their self titled and Natural History before that), but still oddly compelling.

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  • Purchase for $11.99
  • 11.19.2008

    Reviews: Hatebreed x4

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    Under The Knife: Upon first listen the production's a little muddy (it is, after all, an independent hardcore/metal release), but there's not doubting it's ferocity, intensity and overall heaviness.

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    Satisfaction Is The Death Of Desire: Upon first listen I came to Hatebreed a bit late (Perseverance), so it's taken me a long while to get back to what most consider their masterpiece. Now I can see why. Heavy, catchy, brutal - it's all here and less refined than later albums.

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    The Rise Of Brutality: Upon first listen it's a bit more polished than their earlier works, but still just as heavy. But between Satisfaction and Perseverance, I'm not sure how much more you could need.

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    Live Dominance: Upon first listen the prominence of the vocals makes it feel like less of a live album of hardcore/metal. At least, if my experience is any indication. Still, it's a wonderfull, one-stop shop for Hatebreed fans, covering all of their albums and giving further creedence to the idea that in the dictionary, next to the word for "breakdown" should be an audio clip of Hatebreed.

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  • 11.11.2008

    Review: Make Do And Mend - We're All Just Living:

    Upon first listen I have no idea how to descrbie these guys. I guess Brand New-esque? Whatever it is, I really liked it.

  • TheirSpace, where you can purchase it for $7
  • 11.10.2008

    Review: Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue:

    Upon first listen it's a very retro-'70s singer-songwriter album. Her last solo album did not hold up on repeated listens and I don't anticipate this one to either. Still, there are a couple of tracks I really like (Carpetbaggers with Costello, especially).

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  • Purchase for $9.99
  • 11.07.2008

    Review: Last Lights - Last Lights:

    Upon first listen this band had the unfortunate experience of showing up on my playlist right after American Nightmare's Background Music, all but ensuring I wouldn't be able to appreciate it. That being said, this was one of those bands that I listened to one track on their MySpace profile and immediately went to their website to purchase their record. Normally I do more research, listen to a few more tracks - maybe even the entire album - before making a purchase, but not this time.

  • TheirSpace, where you can download their Demo for free and purchase this EP for $5
  • 11.06.2008

    Review: Kings of Leon - Only By The Night:

    Upon first listen I can only come to one of two conclusions: A) Kings of Leon got exponentially better since the last time I listened to them or B) I've never properly listened to Kings of Leon.

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  • Purchase for $9.72
  • 11.05.2008

    Review: Dustin Kensrue - Please Come Home:

    Upon first listen it's a perfectly adequate folk record. I'm sure if you were a big Thrice fan, this would be amazing, but as a more passive fan, it comes off as less than that. Not to say it's not worth listening to now and again.

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  • Purchase for $10.64
  • 11.04.2008

    Review: Hostage Calm - Lens:

    Upon first listen I instantly began comparing it to Highwire Days. Melodic hardcore punk at its finest. Not too deep, but completely adequate.

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  • Purchase for $10