MUSIC REVIEWSFrom september 13th onwards, all reviews can be viewed through browsing and clicking the images of the album or their names as oposed to scrolling down to read through them all. I will try and update it for the rest of the other reviews prior to september asap. I will keep what is already here at the present. Now, it will, hopefully, be easier to find a a specific album review. -K REVIEWS...
Bad Dreams
 MUSE
Absolution Muse are one of those bands that blur the line between rock and pop. They have catchy tunes and that is all that matters. I did promise some different artists and Muse is a hybrid band. There has not been too many pop/rock bands that I adore. The other pop/rock bands are usually one hit wonders to me, anyway. Absolution is Muse's 2003 album. I decided to review this one because there are more songs worth listening to. Their most recent one has a few good ones including "supermassive black hole," "starlight," and "knights of cydonia." However, this is one is better. Muse is an English band that formed in 94' and released their first ep in 98'. Their music has been revered by new fanatics through their track on the crazed Twilight franchise (It's actually a good soundtrack to my surprise; I'll reveiw it when I put up the new section devoted to soundtracks). Since then, their music has expanded into new demographics- the die hard twilight kiddies fanatics everywhere. Little kids are actually checking out Muse, as oposed to just the kids who grew up in the 90's. "Time is running out" is one of my favorite from Muse. It's a slower track but holds on well. The riffs are hard enough to satify my taste and catchy enough for pop lovers. "Hysteria" is another track that does the same. The entire album is pretty damn catchy. With great piano introductions, electric guitar riffs, and banging drums that carry great melodies, it's a shame that they did not find buzz before this. The vocals are similar to Radio head's Thom Yorke and there is also some electronica that mirror Radiohead's tracks. So go and give them a listen. -k
xyz
xyz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  26/07/09 BAND OF SKULLS Band of Skulls is a new rock/alt band from the UK that formed in 08.' This band consists of Russel Marsden (guitar, vocals), Emma Richardson (bass, vocals), and Matt Hayward (drums). Their debut album was released on March 20th, 2009. They generated buzz through itunes, and everntually to the "old fashioned" compact discs. They are one of those bands of the new wave with their introductions through digital media. This new wave of up and coming artists are becoming abundant and facilitating musicians everywhere. "I know what I want" is the single that caught my attention. Their sound is a combination of white stripes and the black keys. The duets are great. There has not been many rock/alt bands (like sonic youth or the pixies) where the female and male vocalists share the spotlight. The entire album an equal amount of ballads and quick rock/alt riffs. "honest" is nice and slow song that's soothing. "Blood" is another single that pretty chill with some awsome riffs. "Cold fame" is another of my favorites. Ultimatetly, this entire album is pretty damn awesome! So if you're in the market for some new music, check this out. -k
xyz
xyz ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  2/07/09 AUDIOSLAVE Audioslave Audioslave came together in 2001 and had their album debut November 2002. This supergroup includes soundgarden's Chris Cornell , Rage against machine's Tom Morello, Tim Commerford (bassist), and Brad Wilk(drummer). This combination proved powerful with the release of their self titled album selling 5 million copies worldwide. This is my favorite album from them. Revelations and Out of Exhile are great but proved to have a lighter sound than this heavy-guitar driven album. The sounds of soundgarden are quite obvious in "chochise" and "like a stone." I'm enamoured by their guitar riffs which are perfect combinations of Rage and Soundgarden. Cornell's voice definately is distinctive from the grunge gods of Vedder and Cobain, in that, it's higher in pitch but still absolutely awesome! Cornell has gone solo, and in 08 he collaborated with Timbaland where his sound is lighter and taken a hip hop route. I definately frown up on that but what can I do. It ruined his rock reputation but hopefully he will return to his good ol' grunge rock and continue it with audioslave or soundgarden. So for the time being this album will keep me going. Hopefully he will get back to his senses. So go home...and give it a listen. -k
xyz --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  17/06/09 KINGS OF LEON Only by the Night Kings of Leon have been around since 2003 but have not really found much success until their single "sex on fire" was released. Well, actually they found fame, but only in the UK. Their fame kept on rising across seas and by 2004 they were deemed a second coming of rock&roll by the British Press. North American audiences began noticing them after their fourth album came out in 2008. Their sound is a mix of 70s vibe and the Strokes but with a southern...kind of boogie rock. You will understand what I mean once you listen to this album. Some of my favorites are of course "sex on fire," "closer," "crawl," "be somebody," and there are a few ones that I am borderline about. This album differs from the other ones that I have reviewed before this, in that, I am not enamored by all the tracks. It has a good mix of upbeat tempos and slower ones like "notion." It surprises me that these boys were Christian home schooled kids and now their songs revolve around sex, drugs, and rock&roll. So for an album that I did not completely love immediately, nor did all the tracks catch my attention, it's still worth listening to. can't wait for their concert coming up in august! Caleb's vocals are so fucking intense! i just love his vocals. -K
xyz --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  10/06/09 HOLLY BROOK Like blood, Like honey Holly Brook is best known for her vocals that were featured on Fort Minor's single "Where'd you go." She released her debut album Like blood, Like honey in 2006 under machine shop/warner bros' (by Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park/ Fort Minor) label and recieved critical acclaim and fame nationwide. Since then she has been touring with Duncan Sheik and her haunting vocals can be heard on every track of his album, Whisper House. Brook's music is taxed as alternative/acoustic/pop. Her voice resonates emotion and each track is melodic whilst the paino and guitar are entrenched to the soothing ambiance. Brook's vocals could be described as haunting, but fear not, it only enhances her songs in a positive and not creepy/scary way. She is a great writer and lyrically she has enough drama to get through quite a few other albums. The clarity of the acoustic guitar (and other strings), and piano creates a mood of peace and tranquility. And because it is a form of alternative pop it does have a hook to each song, but not as obvious as other pure pop songs. My favorite tracks are "what I wouldn't give," "curious," and "again and again," where the piano is simple and soothting. Her sound is distinct; if it has to be compared to other artists then it would probably be a mix of Sarah Mclaughlin and Dido. She definately has a mature sound for her age (20 at the release of this album) that overshadows the pure pop princess' of today. Brook has talent, unlike the Hannah Montanas out there. So where'd Brook go? well not to worry she has new solo material coming out soon. Pick up this album for the alternative to pure pop music out there. -k
xyz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  04/06/09 BIG WRECK Big wreck is one of those bands that had a few radio hits and then dissapeared. Their 1997 album In Loving Memory of...is one of those albums with a few commercial hits, but ultimatley it never gave this band much success through the 2000s. As the 90s came to an end, so did Big Wreck. The music scene evolved into a new era where hard rock was replaced by rock/pop/hip hop. Like other bands, these guys broke up and Ian Thornley went solo and fronted a new band call Thornley in 2004, which was released by 604 Records. Success was minimal, but perpetual with minor hits "so far so good," "come again," and few others. However I still love these guys. Their postgrunge/hard rock sound works for me. This album is great, and my favorite from them; it is not because the other ones were not good, but just because I cannot find a track that I disliked. It has a great mix of heavy and light tracks. It's also quite hooky for a hard rock album, not mistaking it for college rock of the 90s like Eagle eyed cherries or Third eye blind. So basically, if you are looking for some good old hard rock music then give this a listen. I promise it will not dissapoint you. -K
xyz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  30/05/09 INCUBUS Morning View is one of my favorite albums of all time (also my favorite album from these guys.) It was released in 2001 or 2002, so a few years back. The albums previously released (fungus mungus, s.c.i.e.n.c.e.) definately had an eclectic sound with plenty of energy that only Incubus fans can appreciate. Morning View still has that distinct sound, but it is more melodic; you can still hear the dissonance on a few tracks that I adore. This is the new, improved, and mature sound that they have grown into. If you were not a fan before, then this album will definately make you a fanatic. "Nice to know you" and "blood on the ground" are my favorites. It has a good mix of chillness and heavy riffs. The ambience of the album is tranquil ("aqueous transmission"), like being out on the water and watching the waves crash, while the sun sets or rises across the horizon, hence Morning View . It sounds cliche but that's how relaxing it is. At the same time the energtic and heavier songs like "warning" and "circles" changes the mood and makes you rock to it. The heavier tracks are thrown into the mix to give you a touch of Incubus' energy that is prevalent in previous albums. "Wish you were here," is the premier track that captures the entire album. Ultimately, a great album that has a mature sound from Incubus that you can run, play, and chill out to at the end of the day. Black Heart Inertia, the best of album comes out soon, summer of 09. -k
xyz --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  23/05/09
Alrighty this weeks review is on Pearl Jam's New/Old (re-issue) of their 1991 debut Ten album. This is the album that launched their careers and introduced them to the WORLD! This album turned them into one of the greatest grunge bands of the 90's. There are four editions that were released. "...the double-disc Legendary Edition to the absolutely stacked Super Deluxe Version, which features 2 CDs, a DVD of their 1992 MTV Unplugged performance, 4 LPs and a replica cassette of the band’s famed Momma Son demo tape. Plus, a remix of the album will be overseen by producer Brendan O’Brien, who worked with the band on four albums." -Rolling Stone Magazine. This is for the ultimate Pearl Jam fan. Who can forget tracks like "jeremy," "alive," "once," "black" which played on every rock station during the 90s. They are releasing this, and a few more are to come as there 20th anniversary approaches in 2011. I was five years old when these tracks were released; and by the time I grew out of my boyband/pop phase and into the good ol' grunge/rock in the 2000's, I can still remember hearing Eddie Vedder's voice resonating through the radio waves. I could just lose myself in these songs. I just cannot comprehend what rock has turned into. The rock bands of the millenium really cannot hold up the entity of rock better than early grunge bands like nirvana, stone temple pilots, sound garden, and of course pearl jam.With the emergence of new bands claiming to be rock slash something such as fall out boy, simple plan, all american rejects (who are boybands wearing mascara), they should just stop claiming the title and ruining what rock is all about. Respect cannot be given to bands like the mentioned above because they are feigning to be rock stars. At least boybands do not percieve to be something they are not. Enough of my venting, let's go back to Pearl Jam. People are breaking out their flannel, ripped jeans, and greasy hair, and smelling just like "teen spirit!" The flannel and grunge is coming back into style and what better way is there to do it with than having an epic band like Pearl Jam reissue their massive hits and inspiring kids all over the world in their garages practicing guitar riffs. Musicians that are adept and eminent is what music should be all about. So go get yourself a copy and emerge yourself with some grunge rock to match that flannel. You might just be amazed, even if you are not a fanatic of rock. -K
xyz
 The reissue is massive. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  16/05/09 COLD WAR KIDS! Cold war kids is a band that I discovered a few months ago while browsing through some records at Zulu. They are an American 4 man band from Fullerton, CA. Their track "Mexican Dogs" caught my attention and I have been enamored by their music eversince. They have been around since 2004 and had a debut EP in 05, Mulberry Street (full Bio can be found on their official site). Loyalty to Loyalty was released in 2008, but it's a shame that I had not discovered them until a few months ago. They have a unique sound that bridges between Jeff Buckley and radiohead (coincidently they covered "electioneering" for a radiohead tribute album to ok computer). Although i love cold war kids, Radiohead's tracks should not be tampered with, but Sia's Paranoid Android was not too bad, but that is a whole different post that should be left for another day. Willet's vocals are impassioned. There is this quietness to a few tracks that are eerie and chilling such as "on the night my love broke through" and "everyman I fall for" (which are my favorite tracks.) They do have a few up beat tempo tracks, so don't let the quiet tracks avert you. "Something is not right with me" and "every valley is not a lake" should ease that quiet intensity. The recording sounds old school; it is simple and you can hear the needle scratching sound on a few tracks. It gives it a snare sound. The lyrics are quite powerful. I usually dont listen to the lyrics but if you are into lyrics then its a plus. So there you go, an album that one should listen to when lounging around; but definately not something to run or work out to, excluding the up beat songs. So go home, listen to a few tracks, and you will thank me later ;) This is an indy rock band that puts all the other indy rock bands to shame! -K
xyz -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  9/05/09 Alright kiddies get ready
for an acclamation to Eddie Vedder! This entire soundtrack is covered
by Vedder (which, initally was the only reason why I decided to watch
the film).
This is an eleven track album which includes a cover of "hard sun"
(which is one of my favorites of all time) and an original written for
the movie, "gauranteed." The music leans more towards an acoustic
sound. Vedder's deep voice resonates intensity and makes up for what I
usually would not consider listening to, due to the high and folky
sound on a few tracks. It has a folk-rock J.Cash influence. It does
not have the Pearl Jam hard riffs of dissonance and loudness that are always felicitous and flawless(always awesome!), but it definately does not fall short
on the intensity of each song. The ambience of the songs captures the
revelation, elation, and dejection through out the enitre movie/album.
Each song depicts a certain scene in the film and the acoustic guitar
is eminent on all tracks especially "tuolumne," where Vedder's voice
is absent. Although all the songs were wonderfully written and
performed, "society" and "gauranteed" are two songs that sum up the
entire mood of the film. I have not come across a soundtrack that was soley dedicated to one artist, with the exception to original scores. Vedder is definately the perfect artist to tackle and perfect an entire soundtrack on his own. Over all it's-mellow, like Pink Floyd's "wish you were here", with a dark touch of the late J. Cash, and of course the Awesomenss of Vedder! The eleven tracks are perfect for a chill day out on the beach or a long drive like ths beautiful and sunny day we are having in Vancouver. - K
xyz
|
||||||
