CD Review 22: Ben Folds

Artist: Ben Folds
Album: Lonely Avenue
Label: Nonesuch
Yays: 4, 5, 9, 11, 7
Nays: 1, 2, 3, 6, 8

Genre: ROCK – Piano Driven Alt Pop
RIYL: Elvis Costello, Ben Kweller, Joni Mitchell

Words by: Nick Hornby, Music by: Ben Folds

In order to accurately accompany Nick Hornby’s lyrics each one of Ben Folds’ songs has its own personality. Some are upbeat and quirky (5), some have a smooth jazz/R&B flavor (8), some are like ballads (11), and some are slow and dreamy (6). Don’t be afraid to stray from the picks! (Just don’t wander too far into the no-plays.)

To find out more about the inspiration behind each song read Hornby’s blurbs in the liner notes. They’re short and interesting.

Also, if you give this a private listen, try track 3 about Levi Johnson. You know, the guy that knocked up Bristol, Sarah Palin’s daughter. LAWL

CD Review 21: Klaxons

Artist: Klaxons
Album: Surfing the Void
Label: Polydor
Yays: 1, 7, 4, 2, 8
Nays:

Genre: ROCK – Brit/Alt/Pop/Rock
RIYL: Does it Offend You, Yeah?; Arctic Monkeys; Panic! At the Disco

Klaxons are a rock band, influenced by 80’s and 90’s rave music. In fact, their bass player calls it “nu-rave.” Whatever you call it, this album sounds like alt/pop/rock to me.

It’s a little aggressive and experimental for pop-rock, but pop-rock none the less. Perhaps this is just what the future of pop-rock will sound like? Spin Magazine said that “even Klaxons’ most ominously rambunctious tracks grind out plenty of bug-eyed dream pop chants.” I’d say that that’s about right.

CD Review 20: Kingslyn

Artist: Kingslyn (like Brooklyn but with Kings)
Album: Drunken Country Curse
Label: self-released
Yays: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 5, 2
Nays:

Genre: LOCAL – Indie/Americana
RIYL: Erich Skelton, Marry a Thief, American Aquarium

With the help of Philip Strickland, Scooter Fowler, and Matt Bundrick, Erich Skelton has been reborn from the ashes of Marry a Thief in Kingslyn. What makes this band different? As Skelton puts it, Kingslyn is like a glass of pop-rock sweet tea with a country lemon in it. I would also say that this CD/musical project is a little more consistent. The tracks mesh together a lot better since you don’t have the electronic highs and lo-fi lows of Marry a Thief.

After Marry a Thief broke up, Skelton needed some new material. So, he “took a month and just went off and tried to write, or if not write then get out and create some stories to write about. What came out was a reflection on things that have happened over the last two years: a lot of drinking and running around with ridiculous women, doing everything a Southern boy would do.”

CD Review 19: Those Lavender Whales

Artist: Those Lavender Whales
Album: Let’s Be Friends! I’m Sorry I’m So Sleepy
Label: Fork and Spoon Recordings
Yays: 1, 2, 4, 5
Nays: CLEAN

Genre: Rock – Bedroom Indie Pop
RIYL: Neutral Milk Hotel, Sebadoh

Those Lavender Whales have played during several WUSC events, including a showcase and an event on Greene Street. Aaron Graves gets by with a little help from his friends, recruiting various peoples to play live shows with him. Graves’ lyrics are fun, quirky and whimsical and so is the instrumentation that accompanies them. Musical instruments include, but are not limited to: guitar, bass, drums, banjo, accordion, slide whistle, glockenspiel, and various other percussion. Each track has something different to offer, so give ‘em a whirl.

CD Review 18: The Hush Now

Artist: The Hush Now
Album: Shiver me Starships
Label: self-released
Y’args: 1, 3, 5,
N’args: CLEAN

Genre: Rock – Pop
RIYL: My Bloody Valentine (circa Tremolo EP and Isn’t Anything)

The Hush Now played at SXSW this year as part of their tour to promote their previous release, Constellations (2010). Shortly after, the band headed back to the studio to record Shiver Me Starships, which they gave away for free online (yes! it’s still available at http://www.sixstarpromotion.com/hush-now-free-album-download/ and if you go to their website http://thehushnow.com/ you can download almost everything else they’ve every done) This album is upbeat, and at times sounds like a typical pop band. The band plans to do another tour to support this album before going back to the studio again to record another full-length album.

CD Review 17: Interpol

Artist: Interpol
Album: Interpol
Label: Matador
Yays: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9
Nays: 8

Genre: Rock – Alt/Rock
RIYL: The Cinematics, The Walkmen (circa You & Me)

Interpol is slightly less pop-rock than, say, Turn on the Bright Lights. However, some of the tracks remind you of it, especially #5 “Barricade.” Even the name reminds me of “Obstacle 1” (or 2).

This album has a strong emphasis on the rhythm section, which is appropriate given that bassist Carlos Dengler left the band shortly after the making of Interpol. The band is currently being aided live by Dave Pajo (Sting, Yeah Yeah Yeahs).

Track 8 “Try is On” has a dirty word in it, but if you give this album a private listen I recommend it.

CD Review 16: of Montreal

Artist: of Montreal
Album: False Priest
Label: Polyvinyl Record Co
Yays: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10
Nays: ALL CLEAN

Genre: Rock – Alt/Indie/Rock/Pop
RIYL: Takka Takka, Wolf Parade, updated 70’s funk

of Montreal was formed in Athens, GA in 1997. These guys are strangers to neither indie rock nor outrageous shows. In fact, don’t be surprised if you see a little peen (compliments of lead singer Kevin Barnes, circa Pitchfork February 2010) or find glitter on your body/in your sheets/on your clothes for days/weeks/months.

This album is really upbeat (except track 11). It’s hooky, occasionally dancing the line between pop-rock and indie-pop, and a little funky (see: track 7, 9). The whole thing ends up making me want to dance even though at first I don’t want to. There’s just something about the tracks that doesn’t appeal to me at first but then I find myself swaying and toe tapping to the beat. It’s sort of like a member of the opposite sex that you end up liking because of their “personality,” as opposed to their looks.

CD Review 15: James

Artist: James
Album: The Morning After The Night Before
Label: Mercury Records
Yays: Disc 1 - 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
Disc 2 - 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7
Nays: Disc 2 - track 3

Genre: Rock – Alt/Brit/Pop/Rock
RIYL: The Smiths, Morrissey

This 2 disc album started as 2 mini-albums; The Night Before was released in the UK in April while The Morning After is set for release this month. This light shines through in that the two discs have rather different feels.

The Morning After (green disc) was recorded in 5 days in a big room with no overdubs, in an effort to “capture something spontaneous.” Some of the tracks start off slow, but they pick up. This album is more subdued than the other.

The Night Before (pink disc) was recorded virtually – the band members uploaded, downloaded and updated each other’s songs and then producer Lee “Muddy” Baker put the album together. This album is more upbeat and less “campfire-y” than the other album.

CD Reviews! / CD Review 14: Throw Me the Statue

I've decided to start putting my CD reviews on here.

I'm going to go back and post ones that I've already done on the date that I last modified them [since I'm not 100% sure when I wrote them and am too lazy to look for them all in the library and find out when I reviewed them (I wrote the dates on the CDs)].

So here's the 1st one I'm posting/14th CD I've reviewed.



Throw Me the Statue
"About to Walk EP"
Yay: 1, 2
Nay: None
Indie-Pop/Rock
RIYL: Pedro the Lion, Black Bear, Jens Lekman, Cake

Last year TMTS, at that point mainly just founder Scott Reitherman, released "Moonbeams" which includes tracks 1&2 of this EP. Afterwards, Reitherman assembled a live band to assist him on-stage. This year TMTS played at SXSW and the Sasquatch Festival, as well as opened for Cake in Seattle.

This EP is super indie-catchy and includes the music makings and engineering of Casey Foubert of Pedro the Lion.

Track 2 – one word: glockenspiel.

CD Review 13: Lenka

Lenka
"Lenka"
Yay: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11
Nay: CLEAN
Genre: Rock - Champer Pop
RIYL: Regina Spektor (plus pop), Yael Naim (minus the foreign), Charlotte Sometimes (minus the band)

Very catchy singer/songwriter. Kinda 'edgy' pop. Her single "The Show" was an iTunes free download about three weeks ago.

I really enjoyed this album. So spin it!

CD Review 12: The Trophy Fire

The Trophy Fire
"A Lifetime In The Middle Of The Ocean"
Yay: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9
Nay: CLEAN
Genre: Indie Rock
RIYL: Pinback, Jimmy Eat World, Death Cab

Mostly mellow and 'melodic' with emo lyrics. Kinda catchy when it's not being boring.

HRO would call this 'meaningfulcore.'

CD Review 11: The White Tie Affair

The White Tie Affair
"Walk This Way"
Faves: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8
Clean
Pop-rock
RIYL: Metro Station, electronic-y Pop-Rock

If Metro Station and a 90's boy band had a music baby, this would be it.

The lyrics are catchy, cheesy, and sometimes just plain bad. The vocals are also kind of whiney.

But... I kinda like this anyways. :)

This band has potential. If they get a new lyricist they could be a hit. Well, I guess they could be a hit anyways. Warped Tour '09? A Hot Topic CD & T-shirt promo sale for their next album? Idk, we'll see.

CD Review 10: Polysics

Polysics
"We Ate the Machine"
Faves: 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13
No-no's: none
Rock: Japanese power pop/rock

This is their second album under MySpace Records. They've gotten poppier since signing but it is MySpace Records. What do you expect?

Just play this. It’s pretty awesome.

CD Review 9

Artist: Every Avenue
Title: Shh, Just Go With It
My Picks: 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 11
CLEAN

Genre: Emo Power-Pop-Rock

I’m fairly certain that we had their EP, Ah!, in rotation last year. I have no idea if it made it to the library or not. Tracks 3 (Where Were You) and 4 (Think of You Later) were on it. They’re a little different on this album. I like the versions on the EP better.

This band’s “album art” is all blue and pink and gives me a headache if I look at it too long. They’re playing at Warped Tour. The guy’s voice is a bit different from the new, typical sounds of pop-rock. The album goes downhill toward the end and I got bored. It’s a bit of a letdown from the EP.

RIYL: All Time Low and Mayday Parade

CD Review 8

Artist: The Less
Title: Loud Machines
My Picks: 1 2 3 4 7
CLEAN

Genre: Local (Atlanta) / Pop Rock

I first saw these guys at NBT last summer playing with Holiday Parade and Permanent Me. They’re from outside of Atlanta and are pretty nice.

They’re a pop rock band with some keys and acoustic guitar mixed in (along with strings on track 6).

I <3 this CD. All the tracks are good but my faves are in the picks. They’ve got a new song on MySpace that I like. You can also check them out on YouTube, they have dance episodes with their drummer, Casey which they call “Casey dance-isodes.” They’re amusing.

RIYL: Holiday Parade, Permanent Me, Pop Rock!

CD Review 7

Artist: Marry a Thief
Title: I Am Dying To Outlive You
My Picks: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
CLEAN

Genre: Local (Columbia) / Pop Rock

Heard of Erich Skelton? He’s been around Columbia for a while so you probably have. We also have pretty much all of his albums in the local section so if you haven’t heard of him go pull some albums and play them. But anyways, this is his new band.

Basically, Marry a Thief is the magic of Erich Skelton but in the form of an actual band.

Tracks 4 & 7 are a bit more singer-songwriter / lo-fi but are still great.

I love Erich Skelton. I love Marry a Thief. I love this CD. I love all the tracks. I love lamp.

RIYL: Erich Skelton

CD Review 6

Artist: A Cursive Memory
Title: Changes (Vagrant)
They’re all clean and good (if you’re into this): 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 11

Genre: Pop Rock

“ACM,” as the sticker on the CD calls them, is as Kitchens puts it: very Hot Topic.

This CD is typical of the new pop rock shit that’s going around. Upbeat, slightly electronic, pop rock with feminine-ish and slightly whiney male vocals that sings about girls and love and feelings and mushy stuff.

ACM has played with Senses Fail and New Found Glory. They'll be playing with Armor for Sleep as well as at Bamboozle and Warped Tour (yeah, they're one of those bands.) Warped will <3 this band. There will be tee shirts in Hot Topic this summer, I’m sure.

RIYL: Sherwood, Boys Like Girls, Taking Back Sunday, Motion City Soundtrack

P.S. I personally put this in a CD case because for some reason they sent us all of the components of a CD in a case but no case. So, yeah, enjoy. :)

CD Review 5

Artist: The Raveonettes
Title: Lust Lust Lust
My Picks: 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10
CD’s Picks: 1 2 4 6 9
CLEAN

Genre: Indie Pop

Anyone remember the Kmart commercial for Route 66 jeans with all of the WB stars on it, like the young couple from Reba and Beverley Mitchell from 7th Heaven? Well, the song on there was “That Great Love Sound” by the Raveonettes.

I don’t know all that much about them, so…

Their website describes their music as “noisy, fuzzed-out guitar, sweet boy-girl harmonies, and sleazy surf-punk twang” and “a clash between Mods and Rockers”. Pandora says their music has “punk influences, repetitive melodic phrasing, paired vocal harmony, minor key tonality and electric rhythm guitars.” Sounds about right.

I can’t tell if they’re trying to embrace the claims that they went pop or what. The tracks go back and forth. Most of the CD’s picks are pop-ier while the rest of the tracks are kinda indie.

RIYL: The Manhattan Love Suicides, The Hong Kong, The Kills

CD Review 4

Artist: Chris Walla
Title: Field Manual
They’re all good (and clean): 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Date: 02/18/08

Genre: Pop Rock

FINALLY! Something with "Death Cab for Cutie" in the RIYL that actually sounds like Death Cab! ... mainly because Chris Walla is the guitarist and producer for Death Cab for Cutie (as well as the producer of Tegan & Sara and The Decemberists).

This is his first attempt at recording his own stuff. Not bad for a first try. Chris plays all of the instruments except drums (done by Jason McGerr from Death Cab and Kurt Dahle from The New Pornographers).

It's got a Death Cab feel sans Ben Gibbard's voice (which, let's face it, is part of Death Cab's magic).

Spin this shit before he goes Top 40!

RIYL: Death Cab meets OK Go on track 2 meets the Beatles a little bit… sometimes… but maybe that’s just me (it probably is)

CD Review 3

Artist: Make Out Party
Date: 01/28/08
Title: Lengths and Limits
Picks: 2 3 4 5 6
No-No's: Clean!

Genre: Pop Rock

After reading the review of this that Ashley gave me (some random sheet of paper thing) I basically got that these guys don't like scene kids and all of these bands that are popping up online *cough*myspace*cough* so they're taking back the music scene!
YAY!... Sounds like a winner.
Oh, and cute name Mr's We-Don't-Like-Scene-Kids.

I think they've got potential.
An amateur version of Boys Like Girls' "Holiday" sorta comes to mind.
Watered down pop rock. Yup yup yup.

They've played with Over It and Stereo Stero, if that means anything to you.

The RIYL on the CD is all over the place so here's a new one: Relient K, Boys Like Girls, Permanent Me.