The Mars Volta - Live: This limited edition EP makes me wish I were there (note: this is the first and last time Upon* will use an emoticon as part of a review)
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People: This disc will not be reviewed at this time, for it requires repeat listens.
12.31.2003
12.24.2003
Review(s): Do Make Say Think
Do Make Say Think - & Yet & Yet: On of the biggest criticisms of post-rock is that it is too predictable. Do Make Say Think do nothing to alter this perception.
12.19.2003
Review(s): The Polyphonic Spree
The Polyphonic Spree - The Beginning Stages Of...: The beginning stages of this disc are amazing. However, the final track (clocking in at a whopping 30+ minutes) is nothing but an Azusa Plane ripoff of boring buzzing and humming. It's so annoying in fact, that it sours the remainder of the disc.
12.16.2003
Review(s): The Mars Volta, John McLaughlin x2, Dag Nasty
The Mars Volta - De-Loused In The Comatorium: I'm speechless.
John McLaughlin - After The Rain: By only playing 2 original compositions, this disc proves (to me, at least) that the guitar is a viable jazz instrument, strong enough to stand alone.
John McLaughlin - Electric Guitarist: A more group-oriented outing is a more traditional jazz record for McLaughlin. The guitar is still present, it's just less of a focal point, letting the ambient nature of emotion of jazz really bleed through.
Dag Nasty - Field Day: One of the most criminally overlooked bands in the evolution of both emo and melodic punk. Of course, when you're good friends with Ian MacKaye and he had just done Embrace, it's no wonder.
John McLaughlin - After The Rain: By only playing 2 original compositions, this disc proves (to me, at least) that the guitar is a viable jazz instrument, strong enough to stand alone.
John McLaughlin - Electric Guitarist: A more group-oriented outing is a more traditional jazz record for McLaughlin. The guitar is still present, it's just less of a focal point, letting the ambient nature of emotion of jazz really bleed through.
Dag Nasty - Field Day: One of the most criminally overlooked bands in the evolution of both emo and melodic punk. Of course, when you're good friends with Ian MacKaye and he had just done Embrace, it's no wonder.
12.15.2003
Review(s): Papa M, Vince Guaraldi
Papa M - Whatever, Mortal: Papa M is Dave Pajo. Dave Pajo is Slint. Slint is post-rock. Papa M is not post-rock. Albums by singer/songwriters are exceptionally difficult to rate Upon First Listen, because musically, they all sound the same. Lyrically is where a good singer/songwriter excels, and it's difficult to decipher all the lyrics on the first attempt and, furthermore, without a lyric sheet.
Vince Guaraldi - Jazz Impressions Of Black Orpheus: Piano-jazz that rivals anything Duke Ellington ever did (er..sort of). Starting off with seemingly no-better intentions than another disc regulated to the "Elevator Music" bin found at Tower Records it quickly evolves into something different. Something with a distinct style and flair that makes you want to hit the "Repeat" button on the CD player.
Vince Guaraldi - Jazz Impressions Of Black Orpheus: Piano-jazz that rivals anything Duke Ellington ever did (er..sort of). Starting off with seemingly no-better intentions than another disc regulated to the "Elevator Music" bin found at Tower Records it quickly evolves into something different. Something with a distinct style and flair that makes you want to hit the "Repeat" button on the CD player.
12.10.2003
Review(s): M. Ward
M. Ward - Transfigurations Of Vincent: Have you ever psyched yourself up for an album so much that it was bound to disappoint UponFirstListen? I have, and that's why this disc will not get a review.
12.01.2003
Review(s): Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie - Free Ride: I respect Dizzy Gillespie. He's a wonderful musician and I enjoy almost all of his work. But upon hearing this CD, one has to wonder, is porno music without the actual porno worth listening to? Almost, Dizzy, almost.
11.28.2003
Review(s): The Noisies
The Noisies - The Folk Fission Odyssey: I like CDs that make me laugh. This CD made me laugh a lot. Consequently, I like this CD a lot. More focused than his previous outing.
11.26.2003
Review(s): The Noisies, Cave In x2
The Noisies - Somewhere Under A Rainbow: I have tremendous respect for singer/songwriter Dave Noisy, brainchild of The Noisies. Not only does he sing about subjects that I can relate and agree with (animal rights, turning away from God) but he does so without caring about other's opinions. Created using only his computer and self-released, this is one of the best CDs I've heard in a long while.
Cave-In - Creative Eclipse: I suppose if they had called it what it really is - Predictable Eclipse - it wouldn't have sold as many copies (not that it sold too many anyway).
Cave-In - Beyond Hypothermia: Doing absolutely nothing that hasn't been done before. However, if you like by-the-books metal, check them out.
Cave-In - Creative Eclipse: I suppose if they had called it what it really is - Predictable Eclipse - it wouldn't have sold as many copies (not that it sold too many anyway).
Cave-In - Beyond Hypothermia: Doing absolutely nothing that hasn't been done before. However, if you like by-the-books metal, check them out.
11.25.2003
Review(s): Guided By Voices
Guided By Voices - The Best of Guided By Voices: Human Amusements at Hourly Rates: Having never heard a song by this band, I picked up their greatest hits (32 tracks for $10.99) after hearing some good things. Perhaps I wanted it to be better than it was. And perhaps, their albums are better than this compilation suggests.
11.24.2003
Review(s): Mono
Mono - Under The Pipal Tree: Too much 'fluff' and not enough substance (particularly in the middle of the disc) plagues this debut. Still, what I like, I really like and look forward to listening to their further outings.
11.18.2003
Review(s): Linkin Park, The Beatles
Linkin Park - Meteora: Music for disaffected youths should be made by disaffected youths. Meanwhile, Linkin Park could use their obvious talent to make good music.
The Beatles - Let It Be...Naked: This disc further reinforces the notion that the Beatles are in desperate need of remastering their entire catalog.
The Beatles - Let It Be...Naked: This disc further reinforces the notion that the Beatles are in desperate need of remastering their entire catalog.
11.15.2003
Review(s): By The Grace Of God, Carnivore, Champion, China The Beautiful, Damage Control, Deathwish, ErrorType: 11
By The Grace Of God - For The Love Of Indie Rock: Two years ago, By The Grace Of God would have been my new favorite band. Now, they just seem derivative and boring. Though, I can't help but shake the instinct that there's something different, even special, about them.
Carnivore - Retaliation: Metal with song names like: Angry Neurotic Catholics, Suck My Dick, Jesus Hitler and Word Wars III And IV. Need I say more?
Champion - Count Our Numbers: Hardcore has fallen out of my favor, save for the truely unique. Champion is not unique. (Points for the AIAC cover though)
China The Beautiful - Demo Songs: I forget how I found out about this band, but I'm glad I did. I cannot wait to see what they do next.
Damage Control - Can't Keep Us Down: Why didn't anyone tell me that Youth of Today was reforming under the name Damage Control? Better yet, why did they decide to get less talented?
Deathwish - Tailgate: "Not bad, not really memorable" says http://www.bnrmetal.com/groups/dthw.htm. I concur.
ErrorType: 11 - Amplified To Rock: Rumor has it that Walter Schreifels and Artie Shepherd disbanded World's Fastest Car for "creative difference" leaving Artie to form ErrorType: 11 and Walter to form Rival Schools. Well, if you listen to this record and United By Fate back to back, the only possible "creative differences" there could have been was wether the toilet paper goes over the top or under the bottom.
Carnivore - Retaliation: Metal with song names like: Angry Neurotic Catholics, Suck My Dick, Jesus Hitler and Word Wars III And IV. Need I say more?
Champion - Count Our Numbers: Hardcore has fallen out of my favor, save for the truely unique. Champion is not unique. (Points for the AIAC cover though)
China The Beautiful - Demo Songs: I forget how I found out about this band, but I'm glad I did. I cannot wait to see what they do next.
Damage Control - Can't Keep Us Down: Why didn't anyone tell me that Youth of Today was reforming under the name Damage Control? Better yet, why did they decide to get less talented?
Deathwish - Tailgate: "Not bad, not really memorable" says http://www.bnrmetal.com/groups/dthw.htm. I concur.
ErrorType: 11 - Amplified To Rock: Rumor has it that Walter Schreifels and Artie Shepherd disbanded World's Fastest Car for "creative difference" leaving Artie to form ErrorType: 11 and Walter to form Rival Schools. Well, if you listen to this record and United By Fate back to back, the only possible "creative differences" there could have been was wether the toilet paper goes over the top or under the bottom.
11.12.2003
Review(s): Cerberus Shoal
Cerberus Shoal - Mr. Boy Dog: Cerberus Shoal is one of those bands that you can listen to once and then never again. Kind of like The Boredoms. I'm sure, however, that you can sift through their discography and come away with one disc that is truely good and in need of multiple listens.
11.11.2003
Review(s): Equal Vision Records Presents..., Cerberus Shoal
Various Artists - Equal Vision Records Presents...Inventing The Scene: This disc is one part sampler and one part compilation. You buy it for the unreleased songs of your favorite band and Equal Vision Records hopes you'll listen to their new crop of bands. Well, it worked, because I bought it. Only thing is, all their new bands suck.
Cerberus Shoal - Homb: Post-rock meets the Gregorian Monk Chant makes for an interesting record that shows more promise than actual good music.
Cerberus Shoal - Homb: Post-rock meets the Gregorian Monk Chant makes for an interesting record that shows more promise than actual good music.
11.10.2003
Review(s): Cerberus Shoal
Cerberus Shoal - Farewell To Hightide: Less jazzy than Crash My Moon Yacht and with many more words, but nonetheless beautiful and breathtaking.
11.09.2003
Review(s): Cerberus Shoal
Cerberus Shoal - Crash My Moon Yacht: Post-rock with very jazzy undertones makes for an enjoyable listen, one that will be heard again.
11.07.2003
Review(s): Brian Jonestown Massacre
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request: I liked this album [when the Beatles did it].
11.05.2003
Review(s): Blood Red, Breaker Breaker, Against Me!
Blood Red - Demo/Hostage: Yet another "Starting Back Thursday" band. If you didn't care then, you won't care now.
Breaker Breaker - Out Of Service: I've always had a soft spot for these guys. Maybe it's because I have their red demo tape (limited to like 30 copies) and I was hoping they'd be huge. Solid hardcore, with nothing special.
Against Me! - As The Eternal Cowboy: Leave it to Fat Wreck Chords to release a mediocre album by an established artist with a good track 'wreck chord'.
Breaker Breaker - Out Of Service: I've always had a soft spot for these guys. Maybe it's because I have their red demo tape (limited to like 30 copies) and I was hoping they'd be huge. Solid hardcore, with nothing special.
Against Me! - As The Eternal Cowboy: Leave it to Fat Wreck Chords to release a mediocre album by an established artist with a good track 'wreck chord'.
11.04.2003
Review(s): Explosions In The Sky
Explosions In The Sky - Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place: Godspeed it surely isn't. Good it surely is.
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