Two Albums

Hey everyone. First off I'd like to apologize for not posting anything in the last few months. I'm sure you all understand what I say when I say my life has been CRAZY lately. Anyhow, I'm sitting here at work (not working, obviously) and I decided to put my "lil library" on shuffle and make an update. I've been thinking a little about my favorite albums that I have heard this year and I decided I want to share. Now, only one of the albums was even released this year... but that's ok.

The first album I want to point out is one which I've been listening to almost constantly since I picked it up. The album Controller is the 3rd full-length album pressed by Misery Signals (the 2nd album featuring "new" vocalist Karl Schubach) on the Ferret Music label. Now, I'm no professional album reviewer and I don't know plenty about music and how it goes together, but this album is perfectly complete in all the right ways. The album takes off hard, opening with "Nothing" and keeps your heart pumping and ears bleeding throughout the rest of the album's 11 tracks. But the reason this album is so great is not because of it's face melting speed - even better than anything like that, the boys of Misery Signals really (to me anyhow) explored the full range of their musical skills. Technical riffs and rhythms, intense drum lines, dramatic creciendos and dimenuendos in all the right places, and even great singing (rather than simply the "growl") on a few tracks. Each and every time I listen to this album (and it's gotta be near 100+ times through by now) I hear new things musically that I didn't pick up before. So even if you're not into the hardcore scene much I highly suggest you give this album a listen. Found on Amazon --> http://www.amazon.com/Controller-Misery-Signals/dp/B001AZI20E/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1221523878&sr=8-1

The second album I wanted to mention is by the artist BT (his name is Brian Transeau) who is known for his innovation in the Trance genre. However, this album is more than the typical "techno" that I would shrug off normally. This Binary Universe, released in 2006, is something much more. The album seems to somehow seemlessly blend between, jazz, piano, orchestral, breakbeats, and everything inbetween, and blend beautifuly. Three of his seven tracks feature a full 110-piece orchestra and none of them feature any vocals. The album is sold with a DVD complimenting the CD which contains animated video to correspond with the tracks, as well as a brief commentary by BT on his work. In this commentary he mentioned that the project started out as a simply lullaby written for his daughter. The "lullaby" theme can be felt throughout the entire piece and I think that because he put so much love into this project it can really be heard in the music. I realize this sort of music typically isn't in my list of shared tunes, but sometimes you'll be amazed at the things you don't usually consider. And This Binary Universe is definately one of those times. Pick this album up. Found on Amazon --> http://www.amazon.com/This-Binary-Universe-BT/dp/B000G8OZ16/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1221523939&sr=1-1

Well, as short as the list seems, these two albums have been on repeat on my iPod for the entire summer. Of course I will say that the conclusion to Thrice's The Alchemy Index was spectacular. Disc III and IV were more than I ever could have hoped for. I have to get back to work and chances are I won't update again for a while (because of school), but I really wanted to get this posted.

Cheers!

New jammy-jamz!

Greetings my musically empassioned friends. Since I didn't give you all much last week I decided I'd post as many times as possible this week. I've got a few bands that I've seen/met that I wanted to share with you. So let's do it.

-->Maxium The Hormone is the English translation of one of the bands I saw last night at the Dropkick Murphys show here in town. They are a Japanese band with more energy and passion than I've ever seen. They are doing their first American tour right now and they are rockin hard. Band members: MAXIMUM THE RYOKUN (Singing and Plucking Little Brother), DAISUKE-HAN (Jumping and Yelling Freak), UE-CHAN (Slapping Bony Guy), NAO (Thumping and Singing Big Sister). From their myspace: "How does the music composed of the essential factors from Loud Rock, Hard Core and Heavy Metal sounds? What does it sound like if growl, horribly fast rap and pop tune come together?The answer is the sound MAXIMUM THE HORMONE bangs out!"
http://www.myspace.com/maximumthehormone
http://www.55mth.com/

-->The Photo Atlas opened for Thrice when I went to see them at The Black Sheep in Colorado Springs. These four guys are local to the Denver area and I'd say they're doing the area proud. Quoted from their myspace: "The Photo Atlas are the young Einsteins of the cacophonous dance party. Their dynamic post-punk tinged dance jams brings any audience their feet. The group’s music blends the angularity and drive of Fugazi, the gut-punch of At The Drive-In and the infectiousness of Bloc Party all into one explosive little package."
http://www.myspace.com/danceatlasdance
http://www.thephotoatlas.com/

-->Elision is a band that I haven't even heard until about ten minutes ago but I met Andrew, one of the members, at the Thrice show in CO. Springs. I'm glad I wrote down the band name because these guys have it goin on. From their myspace: "Their first album, "Reflecting on Refraction", is an album about change. Change in direction, both in music and in life. The aching melodies and dark bass lines mix with essences of rock, progressive, and alternative beats. "Reflecting on Refraction" is not an album of 11 non-identifiable songs. Each has its own personality and flavor, just like the guys." Give them a listen, you'll see I'm right.
http://www.myspace.com/elisionband

I know I didn't give you ton's of music but it's somethin. Right? right. I gotta do some homework. Hopefully I'll get one more post in this week sometime. Happy hump-day.

Long Time

Hey! Sorry it's been so long since my last post. Life = pure crazy. But lets get right to it. Some music news first.
Thrice released Come All You Weary EP today, which is only avaliable on iTunes. The Disc will be featuring the full album version of Come All You Weary, an acoustic version of “The Whaler” that Dustin did live on the radio, the Digital Sea video, and a special Digital Sea remix by Ben Weinman of Dillinger Escape Plan.
Solo-67, a group I've written about before, released the project they've been working on. The album is called Everybody has to know. The CD can be purchased on iTunes.
Greedyfeedr is another band I have mentioned before. They sent me an email letting me know they now have online sales of their CDs so if you liked them, be sure to support them!


-->Amplexus is a group of six guys coming from Ohio who know how to rock (in my humble opinion). They've found a perfect blend between metal and melody. I hope you like them as much as I do. Give 'em a listen.
http://www.myspace.com/amplexusrock
http://www.purevolume.com/amplexus

-->Free Yon is a hardcore punk band from Jersey. Rather than trying to explain them I'll just steal some words off their myspace. It seems a better description than I could ever give. "Now, they’re doing exactly what their motto claims: “Fuck it. Play whatever sounds good.” So far, this intellectual method has worked in favor of Free Yon’s music. With upbeat rhythm, unique vocals and complex instrumentation, anyone would be reasonably dumb to call their music repetitive. " Not your kind of music? Bummer for you :-P
http://www.myspace.com/freeyon
http://www.freeyon.com/

-->The Deadlight Effect is a quartet from Las Vegas, Nevada who crank out some serious metal/hardcore with a feel somewhere between Isis, Tool, Caliban, and Bullet For My Valentine. They released Omniscience in December of last year. I would say it's something you should definitely pick up. Lend your ears.
http://www.myspace.com/thedeadlighteffect
http://www.thedeadlighteffect.com/

Cell Phones

Cell phones are really starting to get to me. Everyone, even tiny children, have cell phones. Fine. I have one. But when the thing becomes an inseparable appendage fixed to your head/hand it becomes a problem. Why has this generation developed this desire to be in constant contact with everyone, all the time? Don't get me wrong, I'm probably just as bad as the next guy, but where did this need develop from? I was walking across campus this morning and more than once I almost got run down by someone texting so diligently that the person didn't even see me. I'm starting to develop some disdain for the technology that keeps us all in constant communication... but here's the rub. If we didn't have that then you wouldn't be reading about new music. Hmmm. Pros and cons I suppose.I wanted to apologize for my lack of posting last week but I'm afraid that with school and work I may only be able to post once or twice a week. Sorry, my life is just too busy. But if I could just do music... oh the life that'd be.I have to keep the bits short today... To the music.

--> Minus The Bear is an indie/experimental rock band from Seattle. Great stuff in my opinion. You be the judge.
http://www.myspace.com/minusthebear
http://www.minusthebear.com


--> These Arms Are Snakes is another band out of Seattle. These guys have the indie feel to them, plus a mix of mathcore/hardcore. Interesting combo. Check it out.
http://www.myspace.com/thesearmsaresnakes
http://www.thesearmsaresnakes.org


--> Windmills By The Ocean is a group that I'm struggling to describe. Indie, digital, rock, and probably much much more. Hear for yourself.
http://www.myspace.com/windmillsbytheocean


--> Stabilo is an indie/folk-ish rock group from Canada that a friend of mine suggested. Now I suggest it to you. Thanks Dylan.
http://www.myspace.com/stabilo
http://www.stabilomusic.com


--> Thirteen Senses is an indie group from the UK. Feels like Interpol a bit, and a bit like someting very new and lovely. Again, thanks to Dylan for the suggestion. Hear it.
http://www.myspace.com/thirteensenses
http://www.thirteensenses.co.uk


That’s all for now folks. have yourselves a lovely Monday.

Music > Physics

Grrrr!!!!!! I had this whole damn blog written. Then it decided to eat itself. I don't have time to re-type it now. Maybe tonight. Sorry.
Stupid technology. :(

Video Killed The Radio Star

"I heard you on the wireless back in Fifty Two
Lying awake intent at tuning in on you.

If I was young it didn't stop you coming through."

This is what happens when you go crazy. You start thinking about random new-age songs that get stuck in your head worse than the plague. Ok, my aim is to rip through the rest of the bands in my friends request area. So let's see if I can do it. I keep getting more though...

--> Untitled PS Project is a down tempo two piece out of LA. I'm thinking these boys are just starting out as they don't have a label or any large selection of songs to listen to. Nor do they have a band website, but I enjoyed the raw acoustic feeling of their stuff. Definitely full of emotion and passion, which is how music should be.

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/untitledpsproject

--> Atoms Inception appears to be a one man band out of Columbus, Ohio. This is definitely something to put your ears to. If I had to describe them I would say they have a sort of down tempo Stabbing Westward/Deftones feel. The vocal part is pure and smooth with killer guitar compliment with a bit of digital indie feel to it. Kyle Preston (of Atoms Inception) says his project is "dedicated to the art and beauty of music."

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/atomsinception

-->greedyfeeder is a four piece out of Toronto, Ontario Canada. I don't think I can describe these guys. A breath of fresh air amidst the typical alternative sound. Unique and creative, definitely. If you're bored of everything you've been listening to on your iPod then check out these guys. I definitely enjoy them.

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/greedyfeedr

--> Belle Porte is a seven member band hailing from Harbor City, California. These boys may look pretty young but they definitely have talent. A solid heavy rock sound with some pretty thrashing vocals. I think groups like these guys give somewhat stagnent Christian Rock scene a new flavor. Give 'em a listen why dontcha?

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/belleportemusic

--> Faster Than Fate is a five piece hard rock band from Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Solid rock sound with strong guitar riffs and a good rhythm, this band puts out some killer tunes to jam out to. I might be so bold as to say these guys have a young Story of the Year sound to them. I can see some great things coming from these guys. Ears... GO!

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/fasterthanfate


--> Solo-67 is a group of three boys from Denison, Texas who have very recently finished recording their debut album Everybody Has To Know which drops Feb. 19th. These guys are a pop punk band, so if that's not your flavor read no further. Generally you won't find me rocking any pop-punk bands anymore but every once and a while they are just what you need to get through the day. And I like these guys. So... since this is my blog I get to do what I like. For once. Oh yeah baby! Anyway, check these boys out.

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/solosixtyseven

Ok. Made it through the friends requests. I was actually worried that by the time I finished I would have two or three more waiting. Not that something like that would be bad, just that its hard to keep up with the flow! Anyway, don't let Monday get you down.

Slackin'

Sorry for posting sooner. Just been uber busy with everything. I went out on Friday (aka Vinyl Friday) and picked up a few albums I think the whole world should have. George Thorough & The Destroyers - Mavrick, Lynyrd Skynyrd - Gold & Platnum, The Who - Tommy, and Bruce Springsteen - The River. Pretty good mix of stuff. I found a wicked used vinyl store that, I imagine, will be getting more and more of my paychecks. Ok, to the new tunes. I've been getting alot of band requests on myspace lately so we'll go through the ones I liked first.

--> The Young Sea is a five man group from Chicago. They have a sort of ambient rock feel to them. Influences include Sigur Ros, Coldplay, Doves, Thrice, Mew, and The Police. I really enjoy these guys.


Links:
http://www.myspace.com/theyoungsea
http://www.theyoungsea.com/


--> Toy Box is a pretty rockin three piece (right now anyway) from Toronto, Ontario Canada. To me they feel like Papa Roach on crack but with their own sound. Pretty killer tunes.

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/toyboxmusic

http://www.voodoorecords.ca/

--> Awaken is another three piece from LA, California. These boys pump out some pretty loud rock/metal. Definitely worth a listen.

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/awakenca

http://www.awakenmusic.net/

--> Stars Below comes from Huntsville, Alabama. This isn't the type of band I typically push but I really enjoyed their music. Fully rock. But on the pop side of things. Very enjoyable all around.

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/starsbelow

--> Slaves to Gravity is a four man band from Atlanta, Georgia that definitely has something going on. If you like Circa Survive or new Thrice of Muse I think you'll love these guys who have a progressive Rock-ish feel to them.

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/slavestogravity

--> Inberst is a 5 member rock n' roll band out of Oceanside, CA. They take influence from all of the greats like The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Guns N Roses, Kasabian and MANY others. Their live show is familiar to all of these bands, while including their own jam oriented style. "We have no desire to re-create any of our favorite bands music. We are trying to put our stamp on the music that drove us to play. True music comes naturally, and that is our focus."

Yeah... I just stole that off their myspace. I'm getting lazy. They definitely have a great rock sound mixed with this sort of indie feel that I like.

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/inberst

http://www.inberst.com/

Ok people. I must be off for now. I only got through about half the bands... I promise it won't take so long for me to post again. I've just kinda been the suck lately. Have yourself a wonderful Sunday.

Nic fixing and Youtube

Neither of which have any direct connection to music. Both however, are on my mind. Today I wanted to do something a little different than my usual random bit + music... I watched Across The Universe last night. If you haven't seen it yet do yourself a favor and drop whatever you're doing right now, hop in your car/on your skateboard/mule/whatever and pick it up. Yes, this seems like a digression but it leads me back to my point. Today I feel like sharing some Beatles covers (beacuse the movie put me in the beatles mood). We will start with my favorite beatles song performed my my favorite band (Thrice performing Eleanor Rigby):



Here's another pretty good cover. This is Oasis performing Strawberry Fields Forever:


Just stumbled across a pretty wicked cover of Come Together performed by Soundgarden:


Here's another cover... The Fray performing Fixing A Hole as part of a BBC Radio 2 documentary about the 40th anniversary of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band album:


Also part of that BBC Radio documentary was Bryan Adams performing Sgt. Pepper's:


I've never heard of this guy but he did one hell of a cover of Blackbird. His name is Bjorn Nilsson:


And how 'bout Stone Temple Pilots performing Revolution:


And to wrap it up... Dustin Kensrue, my music hero, performs Oh Darling. Sorry for the crappy video, couldn't find a better one:



Alrighty, time to make like a banana. Oh, if you have any covers of Beatles tracks you wanna share don't hesitate to post them in comments!!! Thanks. Horray for humpday!

Pancake Day!!

That's right everyone, happy Pancake Day. More known to people as Mardi Gras. Also known as Shrove Tuesday to some, Pancake Day has a direct connection with Lent. Traditionally during Lent people would practice liturgical fasting which would only allow you to consume the plainest of foods. Thus, the day before Lent begins, people would use the remainder of any "rich" foods by making things like pancakes. So... go home, make yourself some pancakes for lunch, and celebrate this Tuesday!

Sorry for the non-music related post, but I thought it was interesting. Anyhow, to the heart of matters... I have a few more bands to share with you today. Go ahead and take a gander if you please:

Interpol is by no means an "underground" band but they definitely have that indie feel that I've been into lately. The four-man group comes from New York City.

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/interpol
http://www.interpolnyc.com/


Pedro the Lion has been another group I've been enjoying for a little while now. I was listening to a recording of Dustin Kensrue playing live someplace (I don't think it was the show he played at the Knitting Factory...) but he played a Pedro the Lion cover and I just had to check them out. Pedro the Lion comes from Seattle featuring David Bazan who has actually moved on to bigger things in his career. Quoted from their myspace:

"Though songwriter David Bazan fronts the enigmatic rock band Pedro the Lion, his emotionally charged narratives, eye for telling detail, and mournful voice have more in common with J.D. Salinger's "Nine Stories" or Flannery O'Connor's "Wise Blood" than with the usual lyrical slant of popular music. Bazan is a gifted storyteller, weaving parables of spiritual conflict, suburban ennui, and personal surrender into magnetic, well-crafted songs. David Bazan retired the Pedro The Lion band name in 2006. He's now releasing music under his own name. His first solo release "Fewer Moving Parts" is available now."

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/pedrothelion

http://www.pedrothelion.com/

Mute Math is a group a close friend of mine suggested to me over a year ago. Again, no underground band, but something everyone should hear. Mute Math has this electro-Alt feel to them. The four members come from New Orleans. Don't really know how to better describe them. Here is a quote from their myspace:

"Born in the dust-laden family garage with archaic samplers, Radio Shack mics, and broken record players, Mute Math have been noisily calculating their notes for the past few years. This electro-alt rock collaboration between longtime friends Paul Meany (vocals/keys), Darren King (drums), Greg Hill (guitar), and Roy Mitchell-Cardenas (bass) has crept up on the music scene with the onslaught of a worldwide fan-base driven to their website from countless video blogs and non-stop touring."

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/mutemath

http://www.mutemath.com/

Well, I need to get to class or I'm going to be late so that's all for today. Again, I know these groups aren't the underground stuff I was listing before, but I won't always be listing the same sort of stuff. I'm all about any good tunes. I hope you agree. Anyhow, have a great day filled with pancakey goodness.

Across the Universe

As quoted from MSNBC:
"On February 4, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. EST, NASA will beam "Across The Universe" to the star Polaris, 431 light years away. This is being done to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the song, the 45th anniversary of the Deep Space Network, and the 50th anniversary of NASA. The idea was hatched by Beatles' historian Martin Lewis, who encourages all Beatles fans to play the track as it is being beamed to the distant star. Additionally, this date will be known as "Across the Universe Day". The event marks the first time a radio song has been beamed into deep space, and was approved by Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, and Apple."

Just thought I'd share. I thought this was awesome! Anyway, sitting at school. Should be doing homework but I thought I'd post up a brief update. It seems like lately I've been in a sort of indie experimental mood so that's what I've been finding lately. I'll throw a few more bands your way.


Russian Circles is a two man instrumental band hailing from Chicago. Dave Turncrantz takes Drums and Mike Sullivan is on Guitar. These boys are on tour with Dälek and Red Sparowes in the very near future. If they are playing near you make the effort to pick up a ticket and enjoy their music. Quoted from Decoy Music:

"Those who have yet to experience Russian Circles can expect to be dazzled by a band that can plough through riffs and drums comparable to Mastodon but end up making an album full of music you actually want to play in your home at the end of the day I don’t know what more I can say about this band really, they’ve got all the bases covered… If you like Red Sparowes but want it cranked to eleven then go no further but if you are more interested in twinkling guitars and thoughtful interludes then they can provide that too – and damn it I couldn’t make it through the whole review without mentioning Explosions in The Sky; "You Already Did" sounds very influenced by the Texan quartet. In short I cannot recommend this enough, usually I’m into the much more orchestral/classical/'pretty' end of all things post-rock but these guys from Chicago have won me over."

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/russiancircles

http://www.russiancircles.net/

The Gersch is sort of like a thrash metal band. Loud and roaring. And off the beaten path. Don't have a lot of info on these guys really. Just stumbled across them on myspace. Give them a listen.

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/thegersch

That's all for now. I've got to focus on school for now. Happy Monday (bah humbug!!!).

P.S. - For all you Thrice fans out there (like me) last month the band gave us the date which Vols. III & IV drop... April 15, 2008. The date will be here sooner than you think. So be excited! Cause I said so. haha!

A first go at it...

Hi'a. So the concept behind this whole endeavour is simply to create an easy-to-access medium for sharing music. My passion. And no, not sharing like illegal downloading (cause that's bad mkay?), sharing new bands and artists that I stumble upon. The idea is that I'll begin to develop a pretty good list of bands/artists that people should hear more of. I'm thinking I may also post up new albums I pick up and think are worth a listen. Anyhow, enough yapping...
TO THE MUSIC!!!!!


Fragment is a band out of Lyon, France. It's a one man band featuring Thierry (I can't find his last name anywhere). It's somewhat difficult to describe his music but to quote Metal Invador's interview

"Very electronic in nature, very dark, very industrial,

very noisy, very ambient, very heavy and very,

very experimental"

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/fragmentmonolith

http://fragment-com.blogspot.com/

Pelican is a Chicago based quartet who's music is purely instrumental (or at least seems to be). Quoted from the band's biography:

"It becomes fitting, upon listening to Pelican's music, that the band hails from Chicago. When Tortoise and their contemporaries ushered in a new wave of instrumental music over a decade ago from the Windy City, it was a pastiche of genre-defying sound, simultaneously cohesive and expansive in influence. Similarly, Pelican's songs touch on so much from the canon of rock music. Yet they have refined their own sound over the course of their career—perhaps nowhere as progressively and courageously as on their third full-length, City of Echoes."

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/pelican

http://hydrahead.tortugarecordings.com/pelican/index.php

jesu is a group out of the UK featuring Justin K Broadrick, Diarmuid Dalton, Ted Parsons, and Dave Cochrane. The group (spearheaded by Broadrick) has a sort of industrial metal feel to it but the music is more melodic and down-tempo than the usual metal. The band also fits the category "shoegaze" (don't worry, I had to wiki it too...). Quoted from their myspace:

"There's still plenty of that patented guitar crunch here,

but Silver [album released April 2006] exhibits a stronger sense of

melody, as if the syrupy haze froze a bit and in the process

created something more crystalline."

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/officialjesu

http://www.avalancheinc.co.uk/jesu.html

Red Sparowes is a quartet out of LA, California featuring Bryant Clifford Meyer, Greg Burns, Dave Clifford, and Andy Arahood who pump out sweeping movements of sound that move through you like some ethereal being. Their music is purely instrumental. Quoted from their myspace (talking about Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun released 2006):

"From the opening bass volley to the closing snare hit, the members of Red Sparowes expertly navigate the hidden vibrations of what seems like a preordained trajectorychiming, weeping, droning; gracefully descending, and then vaulting upwards, booming, scraping the orchestral firmament before spiraling softly into the inevitable comedown."

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/redsparowes

http://www.redsparowes.com/

Well, that's all I'm going to give you for now. I'll be back soon to share more.