Let me first start by saying, I am thoroughly anticipating System of a Down's newest release. I think their new single is very sharp, nice intertwing of genre's. Some may say it's more or less a party anthem, I would tell them to listen a little closer to the lyrics. As fun as the music is, it's more of a politcal statement than anything.
So, you all have been awaiting the newest opinions I've formed over music for the past week. Here goes...
Again, it's a 1*-5***** rating system, PAY attention!
1. Ash "The Meltdown". So, one looks at the album cover, thinks, "Ok, this may be metal core, may be even screamo". However, one certainly would not expect to hear the rubbish that call themselves Ash. First of all, most of the songs start off very intense, heavy, potential for rocking very hard. Then, out of no where, this voice that would be more fitting for an emo, or even folk rock band begins to whine, and immediately, the cd is skipped to the next song, hoping that was a guest appearance of some sort. No, in fact, you can expect to hear this comparable to nails running down a chalk board voice throughout. It's easy to feel bad for the other musicians in Ash, as they obviously have great command of their sound. Guitars are very hard hitting, until the singer breaks in, and It's almost as if he swishes his hand to quiet what he would think is noise so that he can wail. It just gets warpped by the singer. Also, side note, know that I gave this cd a listen about 6 or 7 times, hoping each time I'd find SOMETHING to enjoy about it. I found that I just got more and more annoyed. Barely deserving a *.
2. Kasabian. Remember back in the mid to late 90's when a particular band, Lo-Fidelity All Stars tried to make it big? They had that one really great song about a man having an affair. I LOVED that band. Still do actually. So, when Kasabian started booming through the head phones at Tower, I knew that I was walking away with this one. Their dark, tance-like and heavily european inspired dance tracks have the feel of any band of this particular genre from the time frame mentioned above. Wanting to remember that sound? Pick this one up. ***
3. Bloc Party "Silent Alarm". When "Like eating glass" begins to thump through your speakers, it's easy to identify with bands like The Bravery, The Killers, etc. Certainly a band of this up and coming genre- you know the one, the reincarnation of 80's synth pop?- they DO posess a sound all their own. I would DEFINATELY give them a pick in my top five of 2005. The drumming is quite technical and very interesting. The genre they fit into seems to have very basic, fun, easy tracks to listen to, and while Bloc Party achieves all of this, they go one step further, and become masters over their peers. Vocally and lyrically, very solid, and the singer's voice IS quite enchanting. ****.5
4. Slightly Stoopid "Closer to the Sun". Again, the boys of Slightly Stoopid wow us with their contacts. How "cool" are you when you can get Barrington Levy to help you lay down a track? The music is quite the refreshment from last year's dissapointment, "Everything you need". Even their most loyal fans declared that album too maintstream and lacking sense and direction. The Sublime prodigy (and YES I can call them this as I am an AVID Sublime fan, and, even considering the circumstances, have the utmost respect for Bradley Nowell's once fantastic taste in music!), seems to, however fail in the lyric department yet again. Very simple, and Kyle's fake ya out dub style/rasta voice takes these boys 100 steps further from their best album, "Longest Barrel Ride". Don't get me wrong, better than EYN, but no LBR. Also, it's been rumoured that Miles has been kicking it in Philly with another great, G-Love. You can certainly tell the influence that man and his band impressed on these boys. Fave tracks on this one would be #6's feature with Barrington Levy, and #12. Good release, time, too. Just in time for summer time fun!! Get your bongs ready, kiddies! **.5
Ok, that's it for now. Whew, that took everything I had left in me from today! Cheers to being a broke ass fool, and boy would I enjoy a big ol' suck on a glass piece at the moment!!! But, alas, I will control myself....
**** Newer update-- NOTHING is cooler than watching my father play the Scrub Board to Black Oak Arkansas pounding through our stereo. Interesting story...Dad was around my age, and decided on a pilgramage to the town this fabulous, yet completely underrated southern rock band hailed from, Black Oak, Arkansas. Anyway, during the show that night he arrived, Jim Dandy, the lead singer, peered out into the crowd. My dad, lucky enough to have gotten a front row seat, caught the man's eye. Out of no where, Jim reaches down to hand my father his scrub, in exchange for my father's. For an entire song, Mr. Dandy played my father's scrub board, while he played his. Just imagine the intense feeling you would feel should your FAVORITE artist connect with you on a level like that. Anyway, Check these oldies but goodies out, you might be suprised!
So, you all have been awaiting the newest opinions I've formed over music for the past week. Here goes...
Again, it's a 1*-5***** rating system, PAY attention!
1. Ash "The Meltdown". So, one looks at the album cover, thinks, "Ok, this may be metal core, may be even screamo". However, one certainly would not expect to hear the rubbish that call themselves Ash. First of all, most of the songs start off very intense, heavy, potential for rocking very hard. Then, out of no where, this voice that would be more fitting for an emo, or even folk rock band begins to whine, and immediately, the cd is skipped to the next song, hoping that was a guest appearance of some sort. No, in fact, you can expect to hear this comparable to nails running down a chalk board voice throughout. It's easy to feel bad for the other musicians in Ash, as they obviously have great command of their sound. Guitars are very hard hitting, until the singer breaks in, and It's almost as if he swishes his hand to quiet what he would think is noise so that he can wail. It just gets warpped by the singer. Also, side note, know that I gave this cd a listen about 6 or 7 times, hoping each time I'd find SOMETHING to enjoy about it. I found that I just got more and more annoyed. Barely deserving a *.
2. Kasabian. Remember back in the mid to late 90's when a particular band, Lo-Fidelity All Stars tried to make it big? They had that one really great song about a man having an affair. I LOVED that band. Still do actually. So, when Kasabian started booming through the head phones at Tower, I knew that I was walking away with this one. Their dark, tance-like and heavily european inspired dance tracks have the feel of any band of this particular genre from the time frame mentioned above. Wanting to remember that sound? Pick this one up. ***
3. Bloc Party "Silent Alarm". When "Like eating glass" begins to thump through your speakers, it's easy to identify with bands like The Bravery, The Killers, etc. Certainly a band of this up and coming genre- you know the one, the reincarnation of 80's synth pop?- they DO posess a sound all their own. I would DEFINATELY give them a pick in my top five of 2005. The drumming is quite technical and very interesting. The genre they fit into seems to have very basic, fun, easy tracks to listen to, and while Bloc Party achieves all of this, they go one step further, and become masters over their peers. Vocally and lyrically, very solid, and the singer's voice IS quite enchanting. ****.5
4. Slightly Stoopid "Closer to the Sun". Again, the boys of Slightly Stoopid wow us with their contacts. How "cool" are you when you can get Barrington Levy to help you lay down a track? The music is quite the refreshment from last year's dissapointment, "Everything you need". Even their most loyal fans declared that album too maintstream and lacking sense and direction. The Sublime prodigy (and YES I can call them this as I am an AVID Sublime fan, and, even considering the circumstances, have the utmost respect for Bradley Nowell's once fantastic taste in music!), seems to, however fail in the lyric department yet again. Very simple, and Kyle's fake ya out dub style/rasta voice takes these boys 100 steps further from their best album, "Longest Barrel Ride". Don't get me wrong, better than EYN, but no LBR. Also, it's been rumoured that Miles has been kicking it in Philly with another great, G-Love. You can certainly tell the influence that man and his band impressed on these boys. Fave tracks on this one would be #6's feature with Barrington Levy, and #12. Good release, time, too. Just in time for summer time fun!! Get your bongs ready, kiddies! **.5
Ok, that's it for now. Whew, that took everything I had left in me from today! Cheers to being a broke ass fool, and boy would I enjoy a big ol' suck on a glass piece at the moment!!! But, alas, I will control myself....
**** Newer update-- NOTHING is cooler than watching my father play the Scrub Board to Black Oak Arkansas pounding through our stereo. Interesting story...Dad was around my age, and decided on a pilgramage to the town this fabulous, yet completely underrated southern rock band hailed from, Black Oak, Arkansas. Anyway, during the show that night he arrived, Jim Dandy, the lead singer, peered out into the crowd. My dad, lucky enough to have gotten a front row seat, caught the man's eye. Out of no where, Jim reaches down to hand my father his scrub, in exchange for my father's. For an entire song, Mr. Dandy played my father's scrub board, while he played his. Just imagine the intense feeling you would feel should your FAVORITE artist connect with you on a level like that. Anyway, Check these oldies but goodies out, you might be suprised!
VIEW 22 of 22 COMMENTS
but thank you for the kind words.