Rachel's - Handwriting LP: I'm not sure this can even be classified as post-rock for it seems to be something more. Stream / Download / Buy
Rachel's - Music For Egon Schiele: Rachel's is no longer a post-rock band. They are now just a plain old instrumental band. Some of the most interesting, engaging, emotional, sentimental and amazing instrumental music ever. Each song is a complete thought, complete emotion, beginning to end. Stream / Download / Buy
Rachel's - The Sea And The Bells: Rachel's is a post-rock band, but a better-than-most post-rock band. Stream / Download / Buy
2.19.2005
2.18.2005
Reviews: Michael Franti x2
Michael Franti - Songs From The Front Porch: Soulful, laid-back, but most importantly, enjoyable. Not going to make you rethink your musical tastes, but my broaden them slightly. Stream / Download / Buy
Michael Franti & Spearhead: A more conceptualized album, complete with radio segments/skits. Kicker is, I don't want to cut out the skits and burn it cause I think it will detract from the album, and what a fine album it is. Stream / Download (Videos) / Buy
Michael Franti & Spearhead: A more conceptualized album, complete with radio segments/skits. Kicker is, I don't want to cut out the skits and burn it cause I think it will detract from the album, and what a fine album it is. Stream / Download (Videos) / Buy
2.17.2005
Review: Flipper
2.16.2005
Review: Primal Scream
2.15.2005
Review: The Faces
2.14.2005
Review: Maggie Estep
2.13.2005
Review: Earlimart
2.12.2005
Review: Black Star
2.11.2005
Review: Devendra Banhart
News: Top 88 of '04 Complete With Reviews
Devendra Banhart was the final album I listened to last year and while I have listened to more albums released last year I have opted to not update the list. For now, the Top 88 of '04 is complete. Perhaps next year I will make a revised list which will surely be the Top 107 of '04, but not today. Tomorrow will continue with regular updates of albums from all years of release.
News: UponFirstListen Ripped Off
I read several music websites each day. All of the blogs you see to the right get a hit once a day (usually at night, after they've updated for the day) as does antimusic, velvetrope and pitchforkmedia. Others I check less frequently. Two of these are popmatters and stylusmagazine. Not that their news or reviews are any less entertaining or important, but they both have terrible layouts and are difficult to navigate and difficult to ascertain needed information. So, tonight, I'm browsing the internet at random and I decide to hit both of them up to see what I'm missed. Nothing major at popmatters (new Hood and Sage Francis review), but stylusmagazine has something interesting. Called "On First Listen" it's exactly what you think, only slightly different. They take established artists and make theire reviewers listen to them for the first time (the first one is a review of the Rolling Stones). Granted, their review is a lot longer than anything I write (or plan to, sans this and a feature here and there), but still, I can't help but feel violated. Of course, there's not much I can do, but the satisfaction of knowing that I've been doing this (at 3 different locations) for almost a year and a half, with more than 300 albums reviewed for the first time, makes me feel cheated. I plan to continue updating this site every day for as long as I possibly can (I already have the next 2 months worth of reviews sitting in a .txt document on my desktop, so assuming I have internet, you will see an update for at least that long. Additionally, I have approximately another 150 or so albums I have in the to-be reviewed column and that's not counting new stuff I discover, and trust me, I discover a lot of new music). UponFirsListen did it first, just remember that.
2.10.2005
Review: Saul Williams
2.09.2005
Review: pAper chAse/Red Worms' Farm
2.08.2005
Review: The Music
2.07.2005
2.06.2005
Review: Madvillain
2.05.2005
Reviews: Fiery Furnaces x3
The Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat: It feels so complete, even after just a solitary listen. I can't think of a reason why it needs to exit my CD player. Stream / Download / Buy
Fiery Furnaces - Gallowsbird's Bark: This one's going to take a lot longer [than Blueberry Boat] to get into, but I think it will be much more rewarding. Stream / Buy
Fiery Furnaces - EP: A b-sides collection that will see just as much play as both of their full lengths. For a more complete collection, add SBN versions of We Got The Plague, My Dog Was Lost and Up In The North along with the Fall and Clash covers (Winter and One More Time, respectively). Download / Buy
Fiery Furnaces - Gallowsbird's Bark: This one's going to take a lot longer [than Blueberry Boat] to get into, but I think it will be much more rewarding. Stream / Buy
Fiery Furnaces - EP: A b-sides collection that will see just as much play as both of their full lengths. For a more complete collection, add SBN versions of We Got The Plague, My Dog Was Lost and Up In The North along with the Fall and Clash covers (Winter and One More Time, respectively). Download / Buy
2.04.2005
News: Redesign & New Blog
I redesigned the site. Got tired of having a Blogger Template that other people have, so I made my own. Many thanks go to my lovely girlfriend, Sara, for the logo design, color scheme and basic layout. Never realized how powerful CSS and XML are. Started another blog (PenguinVirgin.blogspot.com) to document my adventures of Linux.
Review: Xiu Xiu
2.03.2005
Review: Wovenhand
2.02.2005
Review: Wilco
2.01.2005
Review: Walking Concert
1.31.2005
Review: Valley Of The Giants
1.30.2005
Review: Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1
1.29.2005
Review: Garden State OST
1.28.2005
Review: Twelve Girls Band
1.27.2005
Review: Thee Silver Mountain Reveries
Thee Silver Mountain Reveries - Pretty Little Lightning Paw: Talk about an acquired taste. The sad part is that I'm starting to acquire it. Buy
1.26.2005
Review: Taking Back Sunday
1.25.2005
Review: Slowdive
1.24.2005
Review(s): Shots Fired
1.23.2005
Review(s): Bloc Party
1.22.2005
Review(s): Secret Machines
1.21.2005
Review(s): Saves The Day
Saves The Day - Ups And Downs: Early Recordings and B-Sides: I've had most of these tracks for years (oddly, different versions) so I knew what to expect. What I don't get is why not fill the whole CD. This is supposed to catalog all of their early years, yet they only use a fraction of the alotted space on a CD while a ton of music goes unheard (all of the Sefler stuff, a bunch of B-sides, outtakes and covers). Just make your own compilation, I did. Download / Buy
1.20.2005
Review(s): Omar A. Rodriguez-Lopez
1.19.2005
Review(s): Nirvana
1.18.2005
Review(s): Sondre Lerche
1.17.2005
Review(s): Ben Kweller
1.16.2005
Review(s): FC Five
1.15.2005
Review(s): Joanna Newsom
1.14.2005
Feature: Top 88 of '04
I apologize for this being so late, but had I released this list at the end of last year or even the beginning of this year, it would have been a radically different list (what with most of the top 15 not being there). As a side note, I did a Top 11 of '03 list last year and struggled to come up with 11 of them, but this year, I can honestly say that the top 40 or so will be in some kind of rotation.
1. Green Day - American Idiot: More than I ever expected from a Green Day album, but less than I expect out of a truely amazing album. It is very solid and I will be purchasing it and I will be listening to it again.
2. Piebald - All Ears, All Eyes, All The Time: I must recuse myself from this review due to my undying love for Piebald.
3. The Futureheads - The Futureheads: This quirky acapella-pop record is the best record I've heard this year.
4. The Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat: It feels so complete, even after just a solitary listen. I can't think of a reason why it needs to exit my CD player.
5. Brian Wilson - SMiLE: Everything you'd want and wouldn't want in an album that took 35 years to complete. Far too many layers of texture to adequately judge on a single listen.
6. Feist - Let It Die: I had no idea Leslie Feist had this in her. It's just so good on so many levels. I may never enjoy it like I do Broken Social Scene, but it may be just as good
7. Rilo Kiley - More Adventurous: Make no mistake, this is definetly Rilo Kiley, but it's a slicker, more mature, (dare I say it...?) more adventurous Rilo Kiley. If you liked the previous albums, you'll like this, perhaps not as much though.
8. Bloc Party - Bloc Party EP: Every song feels like it could fall apart at any given time. This is why I listened to it so intently. And this is why I'll listen to it over and over again.
9. Sondre Lerche - Two-Way Monologue: Gone is the inhibition found on his debut and a more confident Sondre makes for a much better album.
10. Secret Machines - Now Here Is Nowhere: Now here is an album that I fell in love with Upon First Listen.
11. The Go! Team - Thunder Lightning Strike: Such a fun indie-rock record.
12. Loretta Lynn - Van Lear Rose: A fabulous album, but at times can be bogged down by too much White influence.
13. The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives: Did you like Veni, Vidi, Vicious? (yes) Do you like The Clash? (yes) You'll like this. (I do)
14. Interpol - Antics: I've tasted love's second culinary creation only to find parts of it stale and other parts not sweet enough.
15. the pAper chAse - god bless your blAck heArt: It just doesn't feel like an album, which is a shame.
16. Jens Lekman - When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog: All I could think of was the episode of Rocko's Modern Life where Philbert wanted to be a lounge singer. That aside, this is a very good pop album with some very good lyrics.
17. The Citizens - Are We There Yet?: If an awesome laid-back pop record with tons of Beatles influence is considered 'there', then yes.
18. The Music - Welcome To The North: It just doesn't rock like their self-titled album did, but it sure as hell is catchy.
19. Bob Dylan - The Bootleg Series, Vol. 6: Live 1964: Concert at Philharmoic Hall: The odds of winning the lottery: 1:135,145,920 Odds of this being bad: 0:135,145,920
20. Ben Kweller - On My Way: Gone is the naivete associated with Sha Sha. What's left is a better indie-rock record, but inferior pop record and a more mature Kweller.
21. Elbow - Cast Of Thousands: Elbow (and the Bunnymen).
22. Walking Concert - Run To Be Born: Just about everything Walter Schriefels touches (Gorilla Biscuits, Moondog, World's Fastest Car, Quicksand, Rival Schools) is gold. This is silver, but still a damn fine album.
23. Keane - Hopes And Fears: They sound like (insert modern-era Britpop act). In other words, they're good, but not great.
24. Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans: I'm really, really starting to like Sufjan Stevens. I look forward to hearing more.
25. Ben Folds - Super D: Worth it for the cover of Darkness' "Get Your Hands Off My Woman," but if you like Ben Folds, you'll also really like the rest of it.
26. Wilco - A Ghost Is Born: I thought previous albums were okay, but didn't get the hoopla. That aside, I really got into this album (despite the high pitched noise towards the end).
27. Wovenhand - Consider The Birds: I love it. Empty and dark without being boring, pretentious or fake.
28. The Delays - Faded Seaside Glamour: Better-than-average Brit-pop, even if the singer does sound like a girl.
29. The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free: Part of the allure of his first disc was the in-your-face attitude. Yeah, about that, gone
30. Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand: Pitchfork is losing its credibility.
31. Saves The Day - Ups And Downs: Early Recordings and B-Sides: I've had most of these tracks for years (oddly, different versions) so I knew what to expect. What I don't get is why not fill the whole CD. This is supposed to catalog all of their early years, yet they only use a fraction of the alotted space on a CD while a ton of music goes unheard (all of the Sefler stuff, a bunch of B-sides, outtakes and covers). Just make your own compilation, I did.
32. Sparta - Porcelain: Still not as good as The Mars Volta.
33. the pAper chAse - whAt big teeth you hAve: Chasing after a more melodic vocal doesn't seem to fully work for the pAper chAse, but it's not bad. Not until after did I find out that two of the songs are covers - they were that convincing.
34. The Elected - Me First: It's obvious who wears the pants in Rilo Kiley. (Hint: It's not Blake)
35. The Plastic Constellations - Mazatlan: It's good, but not nearly as good as the Futureheads or even the Unicorns.
36. Thee Silver Mountain Reveries - Pretty Little Lightning Paw: Talk about an acquired taste. The sad part is that I'm starting to acquire it.
37. Arcade Fire - Funeral: I have difficulty distinguishing the good from the bad when it comes to downtempo rock. This is no exception, but with so many people saying how good it is, I have no choice but to at least listen to it again. And again.
38. Xiu Xiu - Fabulous Muscles: It's good, but I don't really know why. Nor can I decide if I want to listen again, but I will.
39. Animal Collective - Sung Tongs: The Books done well.
40. Emperor X - Tectonic Membrane/Thin Strip On An Edgeless Platform: Somebody give this guy a producer and a recording budget.
41. Fly Pan Am - N'ecoutez Pas: By far the best Fly Pan Am album, but it's still not enough to be considered good.
42. Joanna Newsom - Milk-Eyed Mender: More indie folk-pop that's just nice to listen to, at least once you get past the 12-year old vocals.
43. Devendra Banhart - Rejoicing In The Hands: The indie-folk revoluting is being blogged about.
44. Killswitch Engage - The End Of Heartache: Now this can be a genre standard.
45. Leonard Cohen - Dear Heather: One part gospel album, one part Creator Talking Over Music From A Barren Landscape is a little slow moving, but worth at least one listen.
46. MC Lars - Radio Pet Fencing/Laptop EP: He's a total geek, he's white and he's rapping. Yet somehow, it manages to work, just don't ask me to explain it. (Props for the Piebald sample too)
47. DJ Kno/Kno vs Hov - The White Albulum: Far better than Danger Mouse's fiasco and even better than the original.
48. Sex Positions - Sex Positions: A better follow-up to American Nightmare's Background Music than their actual follow-up. With a little refinement, it could have surpassed the original.
49. 90 Day Men - Panda Park: I'm so confused. This was either genius or rubbish.
50. Patti Smith - Trampin': Having no frame of reference, this is a pretty decent, yet unappealing record.
51. R 'n' R - Infamous and Notorious: Hardcore-styled, and poorly yelled, vocals don't match up with the traditionally-styled rock instrumentation making for a frustrating listen.
52. Madvillain – Madvillainy: Avant-Garde Rap? I don't get it, but keep trying to push the genre forward, it really needs it.
53. The Album Leaf - In A Safe Place: Broken Social Scene (Feel Good Lost-era) meets Sigur Ros. Emphasis on the Sigur Ros.
54. The Whole Nine - Take What You Get: Seeing as how I'm an acquaintance of a member of this band, I'm going to take some extra space for its review. Bottom line is that it is too busy. Too much going on and the vocals get lost (poor production/mixing?). Additionally, none of the music stands out. It's all the same emo/pop punk whiny repetition (as are the vocals). The songwriting is not the strongest either. That being said, this band has the potential to fill the void left by Reach the Sky, which was a band that was "emo for the hardcore kids, and hardcore for the emo kids." Now all they need to do is work on that.
55. Various - Garden State OST: The epitome of a good soundtrack; a well thought-out mixtape of songs that come from and make you think of the movie.
56. Twelve Girls Band - Eastern Energy: Pretty interesting the first time through, but I doubt it'll hold up.
57. Saul Williams - Saul Williams: Not as innovative as Amethyst Rock Star, but it's more accessible and just plain better.
58. Bjork - Medulla: My first ever Bjork album is decent, but not as revolutionary as Bjork-fanatics have led me to believe.
59. FC Five - Final Countdown Five: Despite not being able to hear what is being said, this is some awesome hardcore.
60. Nirvana - With The Lights Out (3 Disc): Historically significant, but only for those diehard fans. Casual fans will enjoy some of the tracks but find most of it redundant.
61. Ratatat - Ratatat: There are a lot of aspects of this band that I like, but it lacks something. Most noticably, words.
62. TV On The Radio - Desperate Youths, Blood Thirsty Babes: If the goal of this record was to make me feel indifferent, then mission accomplished.
63. Omar A. Rodriguez-Lopez: A Manual Dexterity: Soundtrack, Volume 1: No substitute for a new Mars Volta album.
64. Mare - Mare: Doesn't match the instensity or the vision that that City of Caterpillar, but it certainly is brewing.
65. The Whole Nine - Falling Out and Falling In: "Until the day I die..."
66. Various - Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1: Such an amazing concept (too bad it didn't work out), but what's more amazing is how well this whole thing flows despite it large roster of bands, styles and nuance.
67. Various - the pAper chAse meets red worms' farm: Both of these bands compliment each other well and are a good introduction into each. The real gem, though is the remixed "Out Come The Knives" which is better described as an acoustic version.
68. Redneck Manifesto - I Am Brazil: As is the case with most post-rock it seems as though all of these songs are rough demos that need to be fleshed out with direction.
69. Liars - They Were Wrong, So We Drowned: Talk about ruining a band's potential.
70. Danger Mouse - The Grey Album: In what was easily the most promising and anticipated album of the year (and perhaps the last few years) I find the sum of the whole to be inferior to both pieces of the puzzle.
71. Califone - Heron King Blues: If I hadn't expected it to be mind-blowing, I'd probably have enjoyed it.
72. Converge - You Fail Me: I'm not even not a Converge fan, but even I realize that this outing is far insuperior to Jane Doe.
73. Blood For Blood - Serenity: Owing more to side-project Sinners and Saints than to side-project Ramallah, it's just a bad album for Blood for Blood.
74. Hot Water Music - The New What Next: Too polished, too slick, too much effort. Just break up already, before you really jump the shark.
75. Slowdive - Catch The Breeze (2 Disc): It's slow. It's post-rock. It's not as good as Low. It's still worth at least one listen.
76. The Get Up Kids - Guilt Show: Sacrificing musical maturity for the sake of record sales is something I cannot get behind if I didn't like you before you matured.
77. Talib Kweli - The Beautiful Struggle: I really hope that all the hype for his previous works holds up, because this is certainly not great.
78. The Pixies - Wave Of Mutilation: The Best Of The Pixies: I really don't see the huge allure to the Pixies. It's not that I'm unimpressed, just not impressed.
79. Shots Fired - Shots Fired: Erring on the side of generic, there are a few good songs, but not enough for this screamo/emo band.
80. Circle Takes The Square - As The Roots Undo: When trying to do more than the guy next to you, do it. Don't pussyfoot around.
81. Taking Back Sunday - Where You Want To Be: I never gave this band any credit before listening to them. Looks like I don't have to start.
82. Valley of the Giants - Valley of the Giants: Finally, proof that not everything a Broken Social Scene member touches is gold.
83. Apostle of Hustle - Apostle of Hustle: Too inconsistent, ranging from the terrible to the tolerable.
84. The Killers - Hot Fuss: Killer single, shitty album.
85. Charalambides - Joy Shapes: Absolutely riveting (compared to anything by The Azusa Plane).
86. Eric Clapton - Me and Mr. Johnson: Robert Johnson is good. Eric Clapton is good. Eric Clapton covering Robert Johnson? Not so much.
87. Ghost - Hypnotic Underworld: You'll be bored before you find anything rewarding.
88. Faithless - No Roots: I hate this album with much of my being, but I love the single (well, the single edit version).
1. Green Day - American Idiot: More than I ever expected from a Green Day album, but less than I expect out of a truely amazing album. It is very solid and I will be purchasing it and I will be listening to it again.
2. Piebald - All Ears, All Eyes, All The Time: I must recuse myself from this review due to my undying love for Piebald.
3. The Futureheads - The Futureheads: This quirky acapella-pop record is the best record I've heard this year.
4. The Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat: It feels so complete, even after just a solitary listen. I can't think of a reason why it needs to exit my CD player.
5. Brian Wilson - SMiLE: Everything you'd want and wouldn't want in an album that took 35 years to complete. Far too many layers of texture to adequately judge on a single listen.
6. Feist - Let It Die: I had no idea Leslie Feist had this in her. It's just so good on so many levels. I may never enjoy it like I do Broken Social Scene, but it may be just as good
7. Rilo Kiley - More Adventurous: Make no mistake, this is definetly Rilo Kiley, but it's a slicker, more mature, (dare I say it...?) more adventurous Rilo Kiley. If you liked the previous albums, you'll like this, perhaps not as much though.
8. Bloc Party - Bloc Party EP: Every song feels like it could fall apart at any given time. This is why I listened to it so intently. And this is why I'll listen to it over and over again.
9. Sondre Lerche - Two-Way Monologue: Gone is the inhibition found on his debut and a more confident Sondre makes for a much better album.
10. Secret Machines - Now Here Is Nowhere: Now here is an album that I fell in love with Upon First Listen.
11. The Go! Team - Thunder Lightning Strike: Such a fun indie-rock record.
12. Loretta Lynn - Van Lear Rose: A fabulous album, but at times can be bogged down by too much White influence.
13. The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives: Did you like Veni, Vidi, Vicious? (yes) Do you like The Clash? (yes) You'll like this. (I do)
14. Interpol - Antics: I've tasted love's second culinary creation only to find parts of it stale and other parts not sweet enough.
15. the pAper chAse - god bless your blAck heArt: It just doesn't feel like an album, which is a shame.
16. Jens Lekman - When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog: All I could think of was the episode of Rocko's Modern Life where Philbert wanted to be a lounge singer. That aside, this is a very good pop album with some very good lyrics.
17. The Citizens - Are We There Yet?: If an awesome laid-back pop record with tons of Beatles influence is considered 'there', then yes.
18. The Music - Welcome To The North: It just doesn't rock like their self-titled album did, but it sure as hell is catchy.
19. Bob Dylan - The Bootleg Series, Vol. 6: Live 1964: Concert at Philharmoic Hall: The odds of winning the lottery: 1:135,145,920 Odds of this being bad: 0:135,145,920
20. Ben Kweller - On My Way: Gone is the naivete associated with Sha Sha. What's left is a better indie-rock record, but inferior pop record and a more mature Kweller.
21. Elbow - Cast Of Thousands: Elbow (and the Bunnymen).
22. Walking Concert - Run To Be Born: Just about everything Walter Schriefels touches (Gorilla Biscuits, Moondog, World's Fastest Car, Quicksand, Rival Schools) is gold. This is silver, but still a damn fine album.
23. Keane - Hopes And Fears: They sound like (insert modern-era Britpop act). In other words, they're good, but not great.
24. Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans: I'm really, really starting to like Sufjan Stevens. I look forward to hearing more.
25. Ben Folds - Super D: Worth it for the cover of Darkness' "Get Your Hands Off My Woman," but if you like Ben Folds, you'll also really like the rest of it.
26. Wilco - A Ghost Is Born: I thought previous albums were okay, but didn't get the hoopla. That aside, I really got into this album (despite the high pitched noise towards the end).
27. Wovenhand - Consider The Birds: I love it. Empty and dark without being boring, pretentious or fake.
28. The Delays - Faded Seaside Glamour: Better-than-average Brit-pop, even if the singer does sound like a girl.
29. The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free: Part of the allure of his first disc was the in-your-face attitude. Yeah, about that, gone
30. Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand: Pitchfork is losing its credibility.
31. Saves The Day - Ups And Downs: Early Recordings and B-Sides: I've had most of these tracks for years (oddly, different versions) so I knew what to expect. What I don't get is why not fill the whole CD. This is supposed to catalog all of their early years, yet they only use a fraction of the alotted space on a CD while a ton of music goes unheard (all of the Sefler stuff, a bunch of B-sides, outtakes and covers). Just make your own compilation, I did.
32. Sparta - Porcelain: Still not as good as The Mars Volta.
33. the pAper chAse - whAt big teeth you hAve: Chasing after a more melodic vocal doesn't seem to fully work for the pAper chAse, but it's not bad. Not until after did I find out that two of the songs are covers - they were that convincing.
34. The Elected - Me First: It's obvious who wears the pants in Rilo Kiley. (Hint: It's not Blake)
35. The Plastic Constellations - Mazatlan: It's good, but not nearly as good as the Futureheads or even the Unicorns.
36. Thee Silver Mountain Reveries - Pretty Little Lightning Paw: Talk about an acquired taste. The sad part is that I'm starting to acquire it.
37. Arcade Fire - Funeral: I have difficulty distinguishing the good from the bad when it comes to downtempo rock. This is no exception, but with so many people saying how good it is, I have no choice but to at least listen to it again. And again.
38. Xiu Xiu - Fabulous Muscles: It's good, but I don't really know why. Nor can I decide if I want to listen again, but I will.
39. Animal Collective - Sung Tongs: The Books done well.
40. Emperor X - Tectonic Membrane/Thin Strip On An Edgeless Platform: Somebody give this guy a producer and a recording budget.
41. Fly Pan Am - N'ecoutez Pas: By far the best Fly Pan Am album, but it's still not enough to be considered good.
42. Joanna Newsom - Milk-Eyed Mender: More indie folk-pop that's just nice to listen to, at least once you get past the 12-year old vocals.
43. Devendra Banhart - Rejoicing In The Hands: The indie-folk revoluting is being blogged about.
44. Killswitch Engage - The End Of Heartache: Now this can be a genre standard.
45. Leonard Cohen - Dear Heather: One part gospel album, one part Creator Talking Over Music From A Barren Landscape is a little slow moving, but worth at least one listen.
46. MC Lars - Radio Pet Fencing/Laptop EP: He's a total geek, he's white and he's rapping. Yet somehow, it manages to work, just don't ask me to explain it. (Props for the Piebald sample too)
47. DJ Kno/Kno vs Hov - The White Albulum: Far better than Danger Mouse's fiasco and even better than the original.
48. Sex Positions - Sex Positions: A better follow-up to American Nightmare's Background Music than their actual follow-up. With a little refinement, it could have surpassed the original.
49. 90 Day Men - Panda Park: I'm so confused. This was either genius or rubbish.
50. Patti Smith - Trampin': Having no frame of reference, this is a pretty decent, yet unappealing record.
51. R 'n' R - Infamous and Notorious: Hardcore-styled, and poorly yelled, vocals don't match up with the traditionally-styled rock instrumentation making for a frustrating listen.
52. Madvillain – Madvillainy: Avant-Garde Rap? I don't get it, but keep trying to push the genre forward, it really needs it.
53. The Album Leaf - In A Safe Place: Broken Social Scene (Feel Good Lost-era) meets Sigur Ros. Emphasis on the Sigur Ros.
54. The Whole Nine - Take What You Get: Seeing as how I'm an acquaintance of a member of this band, I'm going to take some extra space for its review. Bottom line is that it is too busy. Too much going on and the vocals get lost (poor production/mixing?). Additionally, none of the music stands out. It's all the same emo/pop punk whiny repetition (as are the vocals). The songwriting is not the strongest either. That being said, this band has the potential to fill the void left by Reach the Sky, which was a band that was "emo for the hardcore kids, and hardcore for the emo kids." Now all they need to do is work on that.
55. Various - Garden State OST: The epitome of a good soundtrack; a well thought-out mixtape of songs that come from and make you think of the movie.
56. Twelve Girls Band - Eastern Energy: Pretty interesting the first time through, but I doubt it'll hold up.
57. Saul Williams - Saul Williams: Not as innovative as Amethyst Rock Star, but it's more accessible and just plain better.
58. Bjork - Medulla: My first ever Bjork album is decent, but not as revolutionary as Bjork-fanatics have led me to believe.
59. FC Five - Final Countdown Five: Despite not being able to hear what is being said, this is some awesome hardcore.
60. Nirvana - With The Lights Out (3 Disc): Historically significant, but only for those diehard fans. Casual fans will enjoy some of the tracks but find most of it redundant.
61. Ratatat - Ratatat: There are a lot of aspects of this band that I like, but it lacks something. Most noticably, words.
62. TV On The Radio - Desperate Youths, Blood Thirsty Babes: If the goal of this record was to make me feel indifferent, then mission accomplished.
63. Omar A. Rodriguez-Lopez: A Manual Dexterity: Soundtrack, Volume 1: No substitute for a new Mars Volta album.
64. Mare - Mare: Doesn't match the instensity or the vision that that City of Caterpillar, but it certainly is brewing.
65. The Whole Nine - Falling Out and Falling In: "Until the day I die..."
66. Various - Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1: Such an amazing concept (too bad it didn't work out), but what's more amazing is how well this whole thing flows despite it large roster of bands, styles and nuance.
67. Various - the pAper chAse meets red worms' farm: Both of these bands compliment each other well and are a good introduction into each. The real gem, though is the remixed "Out Come The Knives" which is better described as an acoustic version.
68. Redneck Manifesto - I Am Brazil: As is the case with most post-rock it seems as though all of these songs are rough demos that need to be fleshed out with direction.
69. Liars - They Were Wrong, So We Drowned: Talk about ruining a band's potential.
70. Danger Mouse - The Grey Album: In what was easily the most promising and anticipated album of the year (and perhaps the last few years) I find the sum of the whole to be inferior to both pieces of the puzzle.
71. Califone - Heron King Blues: If I hadn't expected it to be mind-blowing, I'd probably have enjoyed it.
72. Converge - You Fail Me: I'm not even not a Converge fan, but even I realize that this outing is far insuperior to Jane Doe.
73. Blood For Blood - Serenity: Owing more to side-project Sinners and Saints than to side-project Ramallah, it's just a bad album for Blood for Blood.
74. Hot Water Music - The New What Next: Too polished, too slick, too much effort. Just break up already, before you really jump the shark.
75. Slowdive - Catch The Breeze (2 Disc): It's slow. It's post-rock. It's not as good as Low. It's still worth at least one listen.
76. The Get Up Kids - Guilt Show: Sacrificing musical maturity for the sake of record sales is something I cannot get behind if I didn't like you before you matured.
77. Talib Kweli - The Beautiful Struggle: I really hope that all the hype for his previous works holds up, because this is certainly not great.
78. The Pixies - Wave Of Mutilation: The Best Of The Pixies: I really don't see the huge allure to the Pixies. It's not that I'm unimpressed, just not impressed.
79. Shots Fired - Shots Fired: Erring on the side of generic, there are a few good songs, but not enough for this screamo/emo band.
80. Circle Takes The Square - As The Roots Undo: When trying to do more than the guy next to you, do it. Don't pussyfoot around.
81. Taking Back Sunday - Where You Want To Be: I never gave this band any credit before listening to them. Looks like I don't have to start.
82. Valley of the Giants - Valley of the Giants: Finally, proof that not everything a Broken Social Scene member touches is gold.
83. Apostle of Hustle - Apostle of Hustle: Too inconsistent, ranging from the terrible to the tolerable.
84. The Killers - Hot Fuss: Killer single, shitty album.
85. Charalambides - Joy Shapes: Absolutely riveting (compared to anything by The Azusa Plane).
86. Eric Clapton - Me and Mr. Johnson: Robert Johnson is good. Eric Clapton is good. Eric Clapton covering Robert Johnson? Not so much.
87. Ghost - Hypnotic Underworld: You'll be bored before you find anything rewarding.
88. Faithless - No Roots: I hate this album with much of my being, but I love the single (well, the single edit version).
Review(s): Rilo Kiley
1.13.2005
Review(s): Redneck Manifesto
Redneck Manifesto - I Am Brazil: As is the case with most post-rock it seems as though all of these songs are rough demos that need to be fleshed out with direction. Buy
1.12.2005
News: Top 85 of '04 Coming Friday
I've finally finished listening to all of the albums I wanted to listen to from last year (at least for the purpose of this list) and will post a Top 85 of '04 on Friday. It will be missing entries (you will see a number, but no album) and that's because I have yet to post a review for that album. As I post the reviews of that album I will update the list.
Review(s): MC Lars
MC Lars - Radio Pet Fencing/Laptop EP: He's a total geek, he's white and he's rapping. Yet somehow, it manages to work, just don't ask me to explain it. (Props for the Piebald sample too) Download / Buy Laptop EP / Buy Radio Pet Fencing
1.11.2005
Review(s): Mare
1.10.2005
Review(s): Jens Lekman
1.09.2005
Review(s): Fly Pan Am
1.08.2005
Review(s): Talib Kweli
1.07.2005
Review(s): Hot Water Music
1.06.2005
Review(s): Ben Folds
1.05.2005
Review(s): Feist
1.04.2005
Review(s): Converge
1.03.2005
Review(s): Emperor X
1.02.2005
Review(s): The Delays
1.01.2005
Review(s): Blood for Blood, The Citizens, Leonard Cohen
Blood For Blood - Serenity: Owing more to side-project Sinners and Saints than to side-project Ramallah, it's just a bad album for Blood for Blood. Download / Buy
The Citizens - Are We There Yet?: If an awesome laid-back pop record with tons of Beatles influence is considered 'there', then yes. Download / Buy
Leonard Cohen - Dear Heather: One part gospel album, one part Creator Talking Over Music From A Barren Landscape is a little slow moving, but worth at least one listen. Stream / Buy
The Citizens - Are We There Yet?: If an awesome laid-back pop record with tons of Beatles influence is considered 'there', then yes. Download / Buy
Leonard Cohen - Dear Heather: One part gospel album, one part Creator Talking Over Music From A Barren Landscape is a little slow moving, but worth at least one listen. Stream / Buy
12.31.2004
Review(s): Apostle of Hustle, Arcade Fire, Bjork
Apostle of Hustle - Apostle of Hustle: Too inconsistent, ranging from the terrible to the tolerable. Stream / Buy
Arcade Fire - Funeral: I have difficulty distinguishing the good from the bad when it comes to downtempo rock. This is no exception, but with so many people saying how good it is, I have no choice but to at least listen to it again. And again. Stream / Buy
Bjork - Medulla: My first ever Bjork album is decent, but not as revolutionary as Bjork-fanatics have led me to believe. Stream / Buy
Arcade Fire - Funeral: I have difficulty distinguishing the good from the bad when it comes to downtempo rock. This is no exception, but with so many people saying how good it is, I have no choice but to at least listen to it again. And again. Stream / Buy
Bjork - Medulla: My first ever Bjork album is decent, but not as revolutionary as Bjork-fanatics have led me to believe. Stream / Buy
News: I'm back
I'm back from skiing. Had the time of my life, can't wait to go again next year. Didn't get a chance to listen to as many albums as I had wanted to, but got a few done. Sick as a dog right now, so I won't be doing any listening today, but maybe tomorrow.
12.24.2004
News: Vacation
Going skiing in Vermont. Site will not be updated until I get back around the first of the year. Hopefully, I will have finished listening to all the album released this year and will have a top 10 list for all of you.
Review(s): Plastic Constellations, Pleasant Grove, Andy Pratt
The Plastic Constellations - Mazatlan: It's good, but not nearly as good as the Futureheads or even the Unicorns. Stream / Download / Buy
Pleasant Grove - Auscultation of the Heart: It's good, just not something you're going to listen to repeatedly. Stream / Buy
Andy Pratt - Resolution: Too cheesy to take seriously. Stream
Pleasant Grove - Auscultation of the Heart: It's good, just not something you're going to listen to repeatedly. Stream / Buy
Andy Pratt - Resolution: Too cheesy to take seriously. Stream
12.22.2004
Review(s): Path Of Resistance, Piano Magic, Placebo
Path of Resistance - Who Dares Wins: Daring to sound like Hatebreed doesn't win. Stream / Download / Buy
Piano Magic - Low Birth Weight: Not as magical as advertised. Download / Buy
Placebo - Black Market Music: I tossed around a half dozen reviews in my head while listening to this (both strongly bad and good) only to come away more confused. It's good, I think, but you might hate it. Stream / Buy
Piano Magic - Low Birth Weight: Not as magical as advertised. Download / Buy
Placebo - Black Market Music: I tossed around a half dozen reviews in my head while listening to this (both strongly bad and good) only to come away more confused. It's good, I think, but you might hate it. Stream / Buy
12.21.2004
Review(s): Palace Music, Panoply Academy Glee Club, Jaco Pastorius
Palace Music - Viva Last Blues: He's no Bob Dylan, but it's still awesome. Stream / Buy
Panoply Academy Glee Club - Rah!: Some people may use the word 'genius' for this band. Not me. Stream / Buy
Jaco Pastorius - PunkJazz: The Jaco Pastorius Anthology (2 Disc): Disc 1 has some under-developed songs, but Disc 2 is mind-blowingly amazing. Stream / Buy
Panoply Academy Glee Club - Rah!: Some people may use the word 'genius' for this band. Not me. Stream / Buy
Jaco Pastorius - PunkJazz: The Jaco Pastorius Anthology (2 Disc): Disc 1 has some under-developed songs, but Disc 2 is mind-blowingly amazing. Stream / Buy
12.20.2004
Review(s): One Fifth, Outburst, Over My Dead Body
One Fifth - Demo/Evergreen Terrace Split Tracks: If I could understand the words, I'd love this band. I like this band. Buy
Outburst - Miles To Go: ...before they're any good. Download / Buy
Over My Dead Body - Sink Or Swim: It's no No Runners EP, but it's a lot better than Rusty Medals And Broken Badges. It's just sad they broke up. Download / Buy
Outburst - Miles To Go: ...before they're any good. Download / Buy
Over My Dead Body - Sink Or Swim: It's no No Runners EP, but it's a lot better than Rusty Medals And Broken Badges. It's just sad they broke up. Download / Buy
12.18.2004
Review(s): New Order, No Denial, No Warning
New Order - Power, Corruption & Lies: Boring without words. Awesome with words. Stream / Download / Buy
No Denial - Soundtrack Of Decline: Every word of every song sounds the same. Download / Buy
No Warning - Ill Blood: Layering a vocalist's own vocals on top of previously recorded vocals has got to be one of the worst ideas in music. Download / Buy
No Denial - Soundtrack Of Decline: Every word of every song sounds the same. Download / Buy
No Warning - Ill Blood: Layering a vocalist's own vocals on top of previously recorded vocals has got to be one of the worst ideas in music. Download / Buy
Review(s): Miltown, Molasses x2
Miltown - Miltown: A precursor to Audioslave (not good).
Molasses - Trilogie- Toil & Peaceful Life: S...o.... s....l...o...w.
Molasses - You'll Never Be Well No More: Just as slow as 'Trilogie' but what it gains is texture to the songs, making it far superior, if still slightly unlistenable.
Molasses - Trilogie- Toil & Peaceful Life: S...o.... s....l...o...w.
Molasses - You'll Never Be Well No More: Just as slow as 'Trilogie' but what it gains is texture to the songs, making it far superior, if still slightly unlistenable.
Feature: mp3 Links
Every artist and CD on UponFirstListen will now come with a link to one of the following: a. Legal mp3 downloads b. streaming song clips. All future reviews will come with these links and the archive will be updated (though I anticipate that taking a great deal of time and effort). In the event that I cannot find samples or mp3s of the album in question, I will find a link for the artist. In the event that neither can be found, I'll link you to somwhere you can purchase it (not Amazon, though I may link to them for samples).
12.17.2004
Review(s): Loretta Lynn, Mezzanine, Miles Between Us
Loretta Lynn - Van Lear Rose: A fabulous album, but at times can be bogged down by too much White influence.
Mezzanine - Zimbabwae Mousesmear/Transcending Dada: I didn't even make it through 3 songs before ejecting it.
Miles Between Us - When It Counts: Not as hard as some bands, but hard enough.
Mezzanine - Zimbabwae Mousesmear/Transcending Dada: I didn't even make it through 3 songs before ejecting it.
Miles Between Us - When It Counts: Not as hard as some bands, but hard enough.
12.15.2004
Feature: Top '04 Nominees
The following albums were albums that have been released this year and I have either reviewed them or plan to review them before the year is out. After I finish reviewing them, I will compile a Top 10 of '04 list. At the same time I will release the "Reader Top 10 of '04" list. Click here to vote. Please only include albums that have seen a review on this site. If you must choose something not this list, include it as an 11th or 12th option with a review of your own.
90 Day Men - Panda Park
Album Leaf - In A Safe Place
Animal Collective - Sung Tongs
Apostle Of Hustle - Folkloric Feel
Arcade Fire - Funeral
Bjork - Medulla
Bloc Party - Bloc Party EP
Blood For Blood - Serenity
Brian Wilson - SMiLE
Califone - King Heron Blues
Charalambides - Joy Shapes
Circle Takes The Square - As The Roots Undo
Citizens - Are We There Yet?
Clapton, Eric - Me And Mr. Johnson
Cohen, Leonard - Dear Heather
Converge - You Fail Me
Danger Mouse - Grey Album
Delays - Faded Seaside Glamour
DJ Kno: Kno vs Hov - The White Albulum
Dylan, Bob - The Bootleg Series Vol. 6 Live 1964: Concert at Philharmonic Hall
Elbow - Cast of Thousands
Elected - Me First
Emperor X - Tectonic Membrane/Thin Strip On An Edgeless Platform
Faithless - No Roots
FC Five - Final Countdown Five
Feist - Let It Die
Fly Pan Am - N'ecoutez Pas
Ben Folds - Super D
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
Futureheads - The Futureheads
Garden State OST
Get Up Kids - Guilt Show
Ghost - Hypnotic Underworld
Green Day - American Idiot
Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives
Hot Water Music - The New What Next
Interpol - Antics
Keane - Hopes And Fears
Killers - Hot Fuss
Killswitch Engage - The End Of Heartache
Kweli, Talib - Beautiful Struggle
Kweller, Ben - On My Way
Lekman, Jens - When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog
Lerche, Sondre - Two Way Monologue
Liars - They Were Wrong So We Drowned
Lynn, Loretta - Van Lear Rose
Mare - Mare
MC Lars - Laptop EP
MC Lars - Radio Pet Fencing
Music - Welcome To The North
Nirvana - With The Lights Out
pAper chAse - god bless your blAck heArt
pAper chAse - whAt big teeth you hAve
pAper chAse/red worms split
Piebald - All Ears, All Eyes, All The Time
Pixies - Wave Of Mutilation: The Best of the Pixies
Plastic Constellations - Mazatlan
R 'n' R - Infamous and Notorious
Ratatat - Ratatat
Redneck Manifesto - I Am Brazil
Rilo Kiley - More Adventurous
Rodriguez-Lopez, Omar - A Manual Dexterity, Soundtrack Volume 1
Saves The Day - Ups and Downs: The Early Recordings
Secret Machines - New Here Is Nowhere
Sex Positions - Sex Positions
Slowdive - Catch The Breeze
Smith, Patti - Trampin'
Sparta - Porcelain
Stevens, Sufjan - Seven Swans
Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free
Taking Back Sunday - Where You Want To Be
Thee Silver Mountain Reveries - Pretty Little Lightning Paw
TV On The Radio - Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
Twelve Girls Band - Eastern Energy
Valley of the Giants - Valley of the Giants
Various - Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1
Walking Concert - Run To Be Born
Whole Nine - Take What You Get
Wilco - A Ghost Is Born
Williams, Saul - Saul Williams
Wovenhand - Consider The Birds
Xiu Xiu - Fabulous Muscles
Click here to vote.
90 Day Men - Panda Park
Album Leaf - In A Safe Place
Animal Collective - Sung Tongs
Apostle Of Hustle - Folkloric Feel
Arcade Fire - Funeral
Bjork - Medulla
Bloc Party - Bloc Party EP
Blood For Blood - Serenity
Brian Wilson - SMiLE
Califone - King Heron Blues
Charalambides - Joy Shapes
Circle Takes The Square - As The Roots Undo
Citizens - Are We There Yet?
Clapton, Eric - Me And Mr. Johnson
Cohen, Leonard - Dear Heather
Converge - You Fail Me
Danger Mouse - Grey Album
Delays - Faded Seaside Glamour
DJ Kno: Kno vs Hov - The White Albulum
Dylan, Bob - The Bootleg Series Vol. 6 Live 1964: Concert at Philharmonic Hall
Elbow - Cast of Thousands
Elected - Me First
Emperor X - Tectonic Membrane/Thin Strip On An Edgeless Platform
Faithless - No Roots
FC Five - Final Countdown Five
Feist - Let It Die
Fly Pan Am - N'ecoutez Pas
Ben Folds - Super D
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
Futureheads - The Futureheads
Garden State OST
Get Up Kids - Guilt Show
Ghost - Hypnotic Underworld
Green Day - American Idiot
Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives
Hot Water Music - The New What Next
Interpol - Antics
Keane - Hopes And Fears
Killers - Hot Fuss
Killswitch Engage - The End Of Heartache
Kweli, Talib - Beautiful Struggle
Kweller, Ben - On My Way
Lekman, Jens - When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog
Lerche, Sondre - Two Way Monologue
Liars - They Were Wrong So We Drowned
Lynn, Loretta - Van Lear Rose
Mare - Mare
MC Lars - Laptop EP
MC Lars - Radio Pet Fencing
Music - Welcome To The North
Nirvana - With The Lights Out
pAper chAse - god bless your blAck heArt
pAper chAse - whAt big teeth you hAve
pAper chAse/red worms split
Piebald - All Ears, All Eyes, All The Time
Pixies - Wave Of Mutilation: The Best of the Pixies
Plastic Constellations - Mazatlan
R 'n' R - Infamous and Notorious
Ratatat - Ratatat
Redneck Manifesto - I Am Brazil
Rilo Kiley - More Adventurous
Rodriguez-Lopez, Omar - A Manual Dexterity, Soundtrack Volume 1
Saves The Day - Ups and Downs: The Early Recordings
Secret Machines - New Here Is Nowhere
Sex Positions - Sex Positions
Slowdive - Catch The Breeze
Smith, Patti - Trampin'
Sparta - Porcelain
Stevens, Sufjan - Seven Swans
Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free
Taking Back Sunday - Where You Want To Be
Thee Silver Mountain Reveries - Pretty Little Lightning Paw
TV On The Radio - Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
Twelve Girls Band - Eastern Energy
Valley of the Giants - Valley of the Giants
Various - Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1
Walking Concert - Run To Be Born
Whole Nine - Take What You Get
Wilco - A Ghost Is Born
Williams, Saul - Saul Williams
Wovenhand - Consider The Birds
Xiu Xiu - Fabulous Muscles
Click here to vote.
12.14.2004
Review(s): Leadbelly, Logh x2
Leadbelly - King of the 12-String Guitar: He's no Robert Johnson, but he'll do.
Logh - Everytime A Bell Rings, An Angel Gets His Wings: Painting the picture of a sparse and barren landscape, this album still manages to fill you with hope.
Logh - The Raging Sun: A bit more of a traditional rock outing, but more of the same Lift To Experience meets Slint simplicity.
Logh - Everytime A Bell Rings, An Angel Gets His Wings: Painting the picture of a sparse and barren landscape, this album still manages to fill you with hope.
Logh - The Raging Sun: A bit more of a traditional rock outing, but more of the same Lift To Experience meets Slint simplicity.
12.07.2004
Review(s): DJ Kno, Lapsus Linguae, Lard
DJ Kno/Kno vs Hov - The White Albulum: Far better than Danger Mouse's fiasco and even better than the original.
Lapsus Linguae - You Got Me Fraiche/Parade! (And That's An Order): I have no idea what I just listened to. I think it sounded like the pAper chAse, but I'm wrong.
Lard - Pure Chewing Satisfaction/'70s Rock Must Die: It's no Dead Kennedy's but it'll suffice for a fix of Jello Biafra.
Lapsus Linguae - You Got Me Fraiche/Parade! (And That's An Order): I have no idea what I just listened to. I think it sounded like the pAper chAse, but I'm wrong.
Lard - Pure Chewing Satisfaction/'70s Rock Must Die: It's no Dead Kennedy's but it'll suffice for a fix of Jello Biafra.
12.05.2004
Review(s): Killswitch Engage, King Crimson, The Kinks
Killswitch Engage - The End Of Heartache: Now this can be a genre standard.
King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King: Just about everything I thought I knew about this album was wrong and I enjoyed it immensely, much to my chagrin.
The Kinks - Something Else By The Kinks: I just didn't expect the something to be mediocrity.
King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King: Just about everything I thought I knew about this album was wrong and I enjoyed it immensely, much to my chagrin.
The Kinks - Something Else By The Kinks: I just didn't expect the something to be mediocrity.
12.02.2004
Review(s): Jack Kerouac, The Killers, Killswitch Engage
Jack Kerouac - Jack Kerouac Collection (3 Disc): Maybe it's because he doesn't rely on sophmoric humor and imagery, but Jack Kerouac will forever be my icon of the Beat Generation, sorry Allen Ginsberg.
The Killers - Hot Fuss: Killer single, shitty album.
Killswitch Engage - KillSwitch Engage/Alive Or Just Breathing: If either of these are genre standards, the whole genre is in trouble.
The Killers - Hot Fuss: Killer single, shitty album.
Killswitch Engage - KillSwitch Engage/Alive Or Just Breathing: If either of these are genre standards, the whole genre is in trouble.
12.01.2004
Review(s): Rickie Lee Jones, Janis Joplin, Keane
Rickie Lee Jones - Evening Of My Best Day: A wonderful mix of jazz, soul, r&b, blues, folk and rock 'n' roll.
Janis Joplin - 18 Essential Songs: I always heard that her emotion didn't carry over on recordings very well. If that's the case I probably would have cried at one of her performances.
Keane - Hopes And Fears: They sound like (insert modern-era Britpop act). In other words, they're good, but not great.
Janis Joplin - 18 Essential Songs: I always heard that her emotion didn't carry over on recordings very well. If that's the case I probably would have cried at one of her performances.
Keane - Hopes And Fears: They sound like (insert modern-era Britpop act). In other words, they're good, but not great.
11.30.2004
Review(s): Jawbreaker, The Jealous Sound, Jerry Seinfeld
Jawbreaker - 24 Hour Revenge Therapy: A bit more mellow than previous albums, but on the whole is very complete and ejoyable.
The Jealous Sound - Kill Them With Kindness: Good enough live for me to download their album. Good enough album for me to recommend listening to it.
Jerry Seinfeld - I'm Telling You For The Last Time: They'll be lots of smirking, but little laughing and in the end you're better off buying the first 3 seasons on DVD.
The Jealous Sound - Kill Them With Kindness: Good enough live for me to download their album. Good enough album for me to recommend listening to it.
Jerry Seinfeld - I'm Telling You For The Last Time: They'll be lots of smirking, but little laughing and in the end you're better off buying the first 3 seasons on DVD.
11.29.2004
Review(s): Interpol, Jawbox, Jawbreaker
Interpol - Antics: I've tasted love's second culinary creation only to find parts of it stale and other parts not sweet enough.
Jawbox - Novelty: Post-punk is post-punk is post-punk. You either like it or you don't. I still don't get it.
Jawbreaker - Unfun: It's like Green Day, but with more talent and insight (American Idiot excluded).
Jawbox - Novelty: Post-punk is post-punk is post-punk. You either like it or you don't. I still don't get it.
Jawbreaker - Unfun: It's like Green Day, but with more talent and insight (American Idiot excluded).
11.27.2004
Review(s): Bill Hicks, Hood, Howlin' Wolf
Bill Hicks - Rant In E Minor: There are a few tracks that bog down this comedic collection, but on the whole it's wildly hilarious.
Hood - Cold House: Nearly-engaging electronic music, good overall ambience, very well paced, but it just doesn't do it.
Howlin' Wolf - Howlin' Wolf/Moanin' In The Moonlight: Being a fan of traditional blues, anything that tries to make it something that it isn't gets little recognition, so I'm not recognizing these two albums.
Hood - Cold House: Nearly-engaging electronic music, good overall ambience, very well paced, but it just doesn't do it.
Howlin' Wolf - Howlin' Wolf/Moanin' In The Moonlight: Being a fan of traditional blues, anything that tries to make it something that it isn't gets little recognition, so I'm not recognizing these two albums.
11.26.2004
Review(s): Girls Against Boys, Series 7 OST (Girls Against Boys), Heart Attack
Girls Against Boys - Nineties vs Eighties: A little too much drone going on.
Various Artists - Series 7 Soundtrack: All but two tracks are Girls Against Boys, but they seem to have progressed and learned a major chord or two. It's still not good, but at least it's something. The real savior is the cover of Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart.
Heart Attack - Last War 1980-1984: An 80's punk version of The Ramones with just enough Black Flag and political awareness to make it interesting.
Various Artists - Series 7 Soundtrack: All but two tracks are Girls Against Boys, but they seem to have progressed and learned a major chord or two. It's still not good, but at least it's something. The real savior is the cover of Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart.
Heart Attack - Last War 1980-1984: An 80's punk version of The Ramones with just enough Black Flag and political awareness to make it interesting.
11.24.2004
Review(s): Girls Against Boys x2, Girls Against Boys vs Guided By Voices
Girls Against Boys - Freak*On*Ica: Too much electronic instrumentation takes away from the momentum they seemed to be building in my 'acceptable' category.
Girls Against Boys - You Can't Fight What You Can't See: A weak first half is not entirely saved by a strong(er) second half.
Various Artists - Girls Against Boys vs Guided By Voices: The Bout of the Century: I don't know about Bout of the Century, but the first half is a little too boring while the second half is more of the same from Guided By Voices.
Girls Against Boys - You Can't Fight What You Can't See: A weak first half is not entirely saved by a strong(er) second half.
Various Artists - Girls Against Boys vs Guided By Voices: The Bout of the Century: I don't know about Bout of the Century, but the first half is a little too boring while the second half is more of the same from Guided By Voices.
11.23.2004
Review(s): Girls Against Boys x2, Richard Hawley
Girls Against Boys - Cruise Yourself: With each passing track, I find myself enjoying this band more and more.
Girls Against Boys - House Of GVSB: Boredom, or familiarity, sets in as the fourth GVSB album I've listened to in a row. Sadly, I've got 5 more, but those will wait until I forget what they're going to sound like.
Richard Hawley - Late Night Final: If all easy listening was this good, I'd listen to a lot more easy listening.
Girls Against Boys - House Of GVSB: Boredom, or familiarity, sets in as the fourth GVSB album I've listened to in a row. Sadly, I've got 5 more, but those will wait until I forget what they're going to sound like.
Richard Hawley - Late Night Final: If all easy listening was this good, I'd listen to a lot more easy listening.
11.22.2004
Review(s): Allen Ginsberg, Girls Against Boys x2
Allen Ginsberg - Holy Soul Jelly Roll: Poems & Songs (4 Disc; Moloch!, Caw! Caw!, Ah!, Ashes and Blues): Some of the legacy of Allen Ginsberg has been diminished, but I attribute it mostly to the poor recording technology of the late '50s and the '60s. When he's got his A game, it's wonderful, but sadly, one can only have an A game for but a fraction.
Girls Against Boys - Tropic Of Scorpio: It's always akward when a band has yet to finalize a direction and a sound for their music. This is no exception.
Girls Against Boys - Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby: It's nice when a band finalizes a direction and a sound for their music. Unless you don't like what they finalized.
Girls Against Boys - Tropic Of Scorpio: It's always akward when a band has yet to finalize a direction and a sound for their music. This is no exception.
Girls Against Boys - Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby: It's nice when a band finalizes a direction and a sound for their music. Unless you don't like what they finalized.
11.19.2004
Review(s): The Explosion, Forced Reality, Gang Green
The Explosion - The Explosion/Steal This/Sick Of Modern Art: Nothing that quite matches the energy or intensity of their debut, Flash Flash Flash, not that I thought it ever would.
Forced Reality - 13 Years Of Forced Reality/Forced Reality: Maybe it was cool 13 years ago, because it's not now.
Gang Green - Older...Budweiser/Another Case Of Brewtality: What Andrew WK is for partying (on I Get Wet) Gang Green is to alcoholism, though the final track of the first disc may be the best ode to alcoholism ever written or performed.
Forced Reality - 13 Years Of Forced Reality/Forced Reality: Maybe it was cool 13 years ago, because it's not now.
Gang Green - Older...Budweiser/Another Case Of Brewtality: What Andrew WK is for partying (on I Get Wet) Gang Green is to alcoholism, though the final track of the first disc may be the best ode to alcoholism ever written or performed.
11.15.2004
Review(s): Cave In, Down to Nothing, Bob Dylan
Cave-In - Jupiter/Moons Of Jupiter: Almost enjoyable, but no.
Down To Nothing - Save It For The Birds/Down To Nothing: More of the same hardcore you've undoubtedly heard by now.
Bob Dylan - I Was So Much Younger Then (4 Disc): If the quality was better, it'd be a valuable resource. Because the quality is not good it is important only for it's historical significance. Disc 4, however is a wonderful addition to any fan's library because it showcases early Dylan in a live setting as he manifests his own past to various interviewers.Bob Dylan - I Was So Much Younger Then (4 Disc)
Down To Nothing - Save It For The Birds/Down To Nothing: More of the same hardcore you've undoubtedly heard by now.
Bob Dylan - I Was So Much Younger Then (4 Disc): If the quality was better, it'd be a valuable resource. Because the quality is not good it is important only for it's historical significance. Disc 4, however is a wonderful addition to any fan's library because it showcases early Dylan in a live setting as he manifests his own past to various interviewers.Bob Dylan - I Was So Much Younger Then (4 Disc)
10.09.2004
Review(s): Lauryn Hill, The Hives, Betchadupa, Green Day, Brian Wilson, Cave In x3
Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill: I understand why it is so praised, but it just doesn't do it for me.
The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives: Did you like Veni, Vidi, Vicious? (yes) Do you like The Clash? (yes) You'll like this. (I do)
Betchadupa - 3DEP/Betchadupa/Flying Nun Comp Tracks/Sleepy News/Supa Day: If this is the best that Australia has to offer, we might as well blow Australia up (after we rescue Matt Billingsly).
Green Day - American Idiot: More than I ever expected from a Green Day album, but less than I expect out of a truely amazing album. It is very solid and I will be purchasing it and I will be listening to it again.
Brian Wilson - SMiLE: Everything you'd want and wouldn't want in an album that took 35 years to complete. Far too many layers of texture to adequately judge on a single listen.
Cave-In - Antenna: Take away all the distortion, layering, pyschadelia and inovation of The Mars Volta and you'd have this.
Cave-In - Until Your Heart Stops: I appreciate the initiative of trying to do something more with the genre of metal, but I don't appreciate it when it's LAME.
Cave-In - Epicenter/Botch Split/Tides Of Tomorrow:I cannot stand the vocal delivery of this band whatsoever.
The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives: Did you like Veni, Vidi, Vicious? (yes) Do you like The Clash? (yes) You'll like this. (I do)
Betchadupa - 3DEP/Betchadupa/Flying Nun Comp Tracks/Sleepy News/Supa Day: If this is the best that Australia has to offer, we might as well blow Australia up (after we rescue Matt Billingsly).
Green Day - American Idiot: More than I ever expected from a Green Day album, but less than I expect out of a truely amazing album. It is very solid and I will be purchasing it and I will be listening to it again.
Brian Wilson - SMiLE: Everything you'd want and wouldn't want in an album that took 35 years to complete. Far too many layers of texture to adequately judge on a single listen.
Cave-In - Antenna: Take away all the distortion, layering, pyschadelia and inovation of The Mars Volta and you'd have this.
Cave-In - Until Your Heart Stops: I appreciate the initiative of trying to do something more with the genre of metal, but I don't appreciate it when it's LAME.
Cave-In - Epicenter/Botch Split/Tides Of Tomorrow:I cannot stand the vocal delivery of this band whatsoever.
10.04.2004
Review(s): Ghost, The Gits, Woody Guthrie
Ghost - Hypnotic Underworld: You'll be bored before you find anything rewarding.
The Gits - Frenching The Bully: Female fronted 'punk' that brings comparisons to the Gorilla Biscuits (vocals) and Three Doors Down (music), but in the end, all of the songs run together and seem to lose focus.
Woody Guthrie - Dust Bowl Ballads: This disc puts into perspective the genius of Bob Dylan.
The Gits - Frenching The Bully: Female fronted 'punk' that brings comparisons to the Gorilla Biscuits (vocals) and Three Doors Down (music), but in the end, all of the songs run together and seem to lose focus.
Woody Guthrie - Dust Bowl Ballads: This disc puts into perspective the genius of Bob Dylan.
9.26.2004
Review(s): The Futureheads, The GC5, The Get Up Kids
The Futureheads - The Futureheads: This quirky acapella-pop record is the best record I've heard this year.
The GC5 - Never Bet The Devil Your Head: Renewing my faith in the value of punk rock is an album for fans for "The Gang's All Here"-era Dropkick Murphys.
The Get Up Kids - Guilt Show: Sacrificing musical maturity for the sake of record sales is something I cannot get behind if I didn't like you before you matured.
The GC5 - Never Bet The Devil Your Head: Renewing my faith in the value of punk rock is an album for fans for "The Gang's All Here"-era Dropkick Murphys.
The Get Up Kids - Guilt Show: Sacrificing musical maturity for the sake of record sales is something I cannot get behind if I didn't like you before you matured.
9.20.2004
Review(s): Evergreen, Faithless, The Fire Theft
Evergreen - Evergreen: The first post-Slint Avante Gardecore album is a mixed affair, but one that will at least warrant another listen.
Faithless - No Roots: I hate this album with much of my being, but I love the single (well, the single edit version).
The Fire Theft - The Fire Theft: If 'Return of the Frog Queen' has the feel of a classic, The Fire Theft's self-titled debut already is.
Faithless - No Roots: I hate this album with much of my being, but I love the single (well, the single edit version).
The Fire Theft - The Fire Theft: If 'Return of the Frog Queen' has the feel of a classic, The Fire Theft's self-titled debut already is.
9.16.2004
Review(s): The Deviants, The Dresden Dolls, Jeremy Enigk
The Deviants - Ptooff!: Put down the drugs.
The Dresden Dolls - A is for Accident: It seems as though nothing they do is an accident as this live collection showcases versions of familiar songs that barely (save for some clapping and laughing) stray from their original.
Jeremy Enigk - Return of the Frog Queen: It's not good, but it's got the feel of a classic.
The Dresden Dolls - A is for Accident: It seems as though nothing they do is an accident as this live collection showcases versions of familiar songs that barely (save for some clapping and laughing) stray from their original.
Jeremy Enigk - Return of the Frog Queen: It's not good, but it's got the feel of a classic.
9.13.2004
Review(s): The Cure, Karen Dalton, The Desperate Bicycles
The Cure - Three Imaginary Boys: Sometimes I hit myself for jumping on the bandwagon late.
Karen Dalton - It's So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You The Best: So raw, so emotive, so engaging. Man, do I love the blues.
The Desperate Bicycles - Another Commercial Venture: Punk is supposed to be about the singles and this post-punk band is no exception with this collection showing off several wonderful singles, but nothing that brings it to another level.
Karen Dalton - It's So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You The Best: So raw, so emotive, so engaging. Man, do I love the blues.
The Desperate Bicycles - Another Commercial Venture: Punk is supposed to be about the singles and this post-punk band is no exception with this collection showing off several wonderful singles, but nothing that brings it to another level.
9.09.2004
Review(s): David Cross, Crowhate Ruin, Cul De Sac
David Cross - Shut Up, You Fucking Baby: David Cross' punchlines aren't what's funny, it's his little additions, side tracks and tangents that he throws in with the story that'll get you laughing.
Crownhate Ruin - Until The Eagle Grins: SSD ripoff that doesn't get the exposure it deserves based upon the label behind them.
Cul De Sac - Ecim: One of the better pieces of post-rock by a band not name Godspeed or Explosions.
Crownhate Ruin - Until The Eagle Grins: SSD ripoff that doesn't get the exposure it deserves based upon the label behind them.
Cul De Sac - Ecim: One of the better pieces of post-rock by a band not name Godspeed or Explosions.
9.06.2004
Review(s): Bitish Sea Power, John Cage, Charalambides
British Sea Power - The Decline of British Sea Power: If it ends after track 10 it makes the Top 10 of 2003. It doesn't end after track 10.
John Cage - Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano: Oddly-timed piano pieces isn't something to listen to straight through.
Charalambides - Joy Shapes: Absolutely riveting (compared to anything by The Azusa Plane).
John Cage - Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano: Oddly-timed piano pieces isn't something to listen to straight through.
Charalambides - Joy Shapes: Absolutely riveting (compared to anything by The Azusa Plane).
9.02.2004
Review(s): John Coltrane, Animal Collective, David Bowie
John Coltrane - Ultimate Blue Train: This may be my favorite jazz album.
Animal Collective - Sung Tongs: The Books done well.
David Bowie - Low: A nice collection of songs but not the album that 'Ziggy Stardust' was.
Animal Collective - Sung Tongs: The Books done well.
David Bowie - Low: A nice collection of songs but not the album that 'Ziggy Stardust' was.
8.31.2004
Review(s): Can x2, The Chameleons
Can - Monster Movie: Proto-Post-Rock
Can - Tago Mago: Another piece to the puzzle that links Prog to Post-Rock.
The Chameleons - Strange Times: Influential, perhaps. Forgettable, absolutely.
Can - Tago Mago: Another piece to the puzzle that links Prog to Post-Rock.
The Chameleons - Strange Times: Influential, perhaps. Forgettable, absolutely.
8.22.2004
Review(s): David Banner, Blind Faith, Centro-Matic
Banner, David - MTA2:Baptized In Dirty Water: I'd rather spend $18 on a disc with 6 really strong tracks than $12 on a disc with 18 tracks, 6 of which are really strong. This disc has several really strong tracks, but too much filler.
Blind Faith - Blind Faith: The blue balls of Rock 'n' Roll.
Centro-Matic - South San Gabriel Songs-Music/Flashes And Cables: Add Centro-Matic to the ever-growing list of emotionally convincing indie-folk.
Blind Faith - Blind Faith: The blue balls of Rock 'n' Roll.
Centro-Matic - South San Gabriel Songs-Music/Flashes And Cables: Add Centro-Matic to the ever-growing list of emotionally convincing indie-folk.
8.20.2004
Review(s): Aqualung, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Ash
Aqualung - Still Life: Just listen to Elbow. Just don't forget the name.
Art Ensemble of Chicago - Bap-Tizum: Quite possibly the worst jazz album I have ever heard. This includes all vocal-jazz wastes of time.
Ash - 1977: Inexplicably enjoyable.
Art Ensemble of Chicago - Bap-Tizum: Quite possibly the worst jazz album I have ever heard. This includes all vocal-jazz wastes of time.
Ash - 1977: Inexplicably enjoyable.
8.18.2004
Review(s): 14 Iced Bears, 2pac, The Album Leaf
14 Iced Bears - Let The Breeze Open Our Hearts: Just listen to The Stone Roses.
2pac - All Eyez On Me: I had some respect for 2pac before listening to this.
The Album Leaf - In A Safe Place: Broken Social Scene (Feel Good Lost-era) meets Sigur Ros. Emphasis on the Sigur Ros.
2pac - All Eyez On Me: I had some respect for 2pac before listening to this.
The Album Leaf - In A Safe Place: Broken Social Scene (Feel Good Lost-era) meets Sigur Ros. Emphasis on the Sigur Ros.
8.09.2004
Review(s): The Dresden Dolls, The Beatles, Stabbing Westward
The Dresden Dolls - The Dresden Dolls: Evanescence done well is basically a female version of the pAper chAse done not as well.
The Beatles - Anthology 1: Worth owning for historical relevance, but offers little in the way of repeat listening.
Stabbing Westward - The Essential Stabbing Westward: Some bands don't have enough good songs for a greatest hits. Stabbing Westward doesn't have any.
The Beatles - Anthology 1: Worth owning for historical relevance, but offers little in the way of repeat listening.
Stabbing Westward - The Essential Stabbing Westward: Some bands don't have enough good songs for a greatest hits. Stabbing Westward doesn't have any.
8.06.2004
Review(s): Nailbomb, Birdsongs of the Mesozoic, Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto
Nailbomb - Proud To Commit Commercial Suicide: This doesn't sound like a live album. There's no crowd, no fuzz and no difference in the songs from their debut.
Birdsongs of the Mesozoic - Sonic Geology: If I were make a movie, I'd call on them to make the score, but I wouldn't release that score commercially.
Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto: Awfully bluesy for a jazz album, but I like it.
Birdsongs of the Mesozoic - Sonic Geology: If I were make a movie, I'd call on them to make the score, but I wouldn't release that score commercially.
Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto: Awfully bluesy for a jazz album, but I like it.
8.05.2004
Review(s): Bud Powell, Phew x2
Bud Powell - The Amazing Bud Powell: Amazing is right.
Phew - Phew: There's something very peaceful and calming about Eastern-influenced music. This is no exception.
Phew - Our Likeness: Knowledge of the language would make for a far more enjoyable listen.
Phew - Phew: There's something very peaceful and calming about Eastern-influenced music. This is no exception.
Phew - Our Likeness: Knowledge of the language would make for a far more enjoyable listen.
8.04.2004
Review(s): Machito, Pro-Pain, Proclamation
Machito - Kenya: If Ricky Ricardo (of 'I Love Lucy') made a jazz album, it'd be awesome, right? See for yourself.
Pro-Pain - The Best of Pro-Pain: Assuming a chronological tracklist, early Pro-Pain was far better than their later material, which sadly dominates this disc.
Proclamation - Let The Truth Be Told: Edge bands are a dime a dozen and few rise to the top of their chosen genre. Proclamation fail to do so.
Pro-Pain - The Best of Pro-Pain: Assuming a chronological tracklist, early Pro-Pain was far better than their later material, which sadly dominates this disc.
Proclamation - Let The Truth Be Told: Edge bands are a dime a dozen and few rise to the top of their chosen genre. Proclamation fail to do so.
8.02.2004
Review(s): Wynton Marsalis, Marginal Man, Procol Harum
Wynton Marsalis - Black Codes (From the Underground): How I could have missed this guy when I went through my jazz period I don't know, but I regret it.
Marginal Man - Identity/Double Image: Choose an identity, because you have far more than two images presented here.
Procol Harum - A White Shade of Pale: Pink Floyd (or David Bowie) with Beatles' pop sensibility. Why this band is not bigger, I will not understand, but I hereby make it my mission to educate people about them.
Marginal Man - Identity/Double Image: Choose an identity, because you have far more than two images presented here.
Procol Harum - A White Shade of Pale: Pink Floyd (or David Bowie) with Beatles' pop sensibility. Why this band is not bigger, I will not understand, but I hereby make it my mission to educate people about them.
8.01.2004
Review(s): The Polyphonic Spree, The Whole Nine, Morrissey
The Polyphonic Spree - Together We're Heavy: Despite boasting more members than an NFL roster, this effort seems slightly sparser than their first. It is just as enjoyable though, just in a different way.
The Whole Nine - Falling Out and Falling In: "Until the day I die..."
Morrissey - Suedehead: The Best Of Morrissey: What a self-centered, self-loathing and depressed individual. I still liked it though, perhaps too much.
The Whole Nine - Falling Out and Falling In: "Until the day I die..."
Morrissey - Suedehead: The Best Of Morrissey: What a self-centered, self-loathing and depressed individual. I still liked it though, perhaps too much.
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