Another Mildly Exciting Edition of Record Reviews!!!
Records will be reviewed using the following nearly ridiculous grading scale:
1 Super Bowl Ring – Ok you did it…but so did Trent Dilfer.
2 Super Bowl Rings – Good stuff, but try again next year.
3 Super Bowl Rings – Better than most but can you prove you aren’t just lucky?
4 Super Bowl Rings – Party time! All doors will open to you but are you the greatest?
5 Super Bowl Rings – YES! The Greatest! Put them all on one hand and punch the World in the face!
And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead “Tao of the Dead” 2.5 Super Bowl Rings. Grandiose and boring.
I’ve listened to bands years ago that have a similar style to this band. For Love Not Lisa, Quicksand, and Failure all come to mind. (Failure especially.) The difference between those bands and Trail of Dead is that they had the hooks and sometimes even had songs. (If you read my stuff you know what I mean by that. If you don’t well I’ll try to explain in a later blog what I really mean by that statement.) Now I’m not saying that this band isn’t worth listening to…in fact this record has some pretty decent songs, “Pure Radio Cosplay” and “The Wasteland” are both good examples. But they are not the type of song that grabs you. The same goes for Trail of Dead as far as I’m concerned. I’ve given them multiple chances and they still haven’t grabbed me by the ears and insisted I become a fan.
The Boxer Rebellion “The Cold Still” 3 Super Bowl rings. This is a nice record to listen to when you feel sad but you don’t feel up to killing yourself.
This record sounds dark. Dark pop songs would be a good description and I usually don’t like music that sounds like this, but this might be an exception. It’s not great, but it’s not bad. “Caught by the Light” has a bit of a dour Ryan Adams feel to it. Yes there is a darkness, but also an underlying feeling of hope. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that this is not as torturous as listening to a Joy Division record yet not as fun as listening to a Matthew Sweet record. Highlights: “The Runner” and “Organ Song”.
Nicole Atkins “Mondo Amore” 3.9 Super Bowl Rings. Great voice but will she become someone special?
The description of this record is vague but not far off: “The Brooklyn-based singer’s latest LP features a bluesy, Derek and the Dominoes feel.” Is there a new indie-blues movement underway? If so I just listened to the new record from the front runner. The songs are bluesy without being cheesy blues. (Allannah Myles anyone?) “Cry Cry Cry” sounds like the mini-hit song. It’s catchy with a bit of a bluesy feel. “My Baby Don’t Lie” is closer to straight ahead blues but with some musical twists thrown in to keep it fresh. On top of everything Nicole has a terrific voice. She sounds similar to Jenny Lewis which in my book is a big plus. Nicole Atkins just made it on my “Artists to Watch” list.
The David Wax Museum “Everything is Saved” 3 Super Bowl Rings. Like a family party at a small rental hall on a Sunday. Nice once in a great while but not every weekend.
The indie band’s latest album features Mexican-influenced music and odd instruments, including a donkey’s jaw bone. Yet it still sounds familiar. Kind of like when Beck puts away the overt funky beats and sings about life. “Yes, Maria, Yes” is a rollicking toe tapper that would pull everyone out to the dance floor. Other songs drag more, “That’s Not True,” but even the slower tunes are somewhat interesting to listen to. “Lavender Street” is a slow walking tempo but the piano and guitar ring true. This is a good album overall but don’t expect miracles. Maybe “Everything is Saved” but probably not because of this record.
1 Super Bowl Ring – Ok you did it…but so did Trent Dilfer.
2 Super Bowl Rings – Good stuff, but try again next year.
3 Super Bowl Rings – Better than most but can you prove you aren’t just lucky?
4 Super Bowl Rings – Party time! All doors will open to you but are you the greatest?
5 Super Bowl Rings – YES! The Greatest! Put them all on one hand and punch the World in the face!
And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead “Tao of the Dead” 2.5 Super Bowl Rings. Grandiose and boring.
I’ve listened to bands years ago that have a similar style to this band. For Love Not Lisa, Quicksand, and Failure all come to mind. (Failure especially.) The difference between those bands and Trail of Dead is that they had the hooks and sometimes even had songs. (If you read my stuff you know what I mean by that. If you don’t well I’ll try to explain in a later blog what I really mean by that statement.) Now I’m not saying that this band isn’t worth listening to…in fact this record has some pretty decent songs, “Pure Radio Cosplay” and “The Wasteland” are both good examples. But they are not the type of song that grabs you. The same goes for Trail of Dead as far as I’m concerned. I’ve given them multiple chances and they still haven’t grabbed me by the ears and insisted I become a fan.
The Boxer Rebellion “The Cold Still” 3 Super Bowl rings. This is a nice record to listen to when you feel sad but you don’t feel up to killing yourself.
This record sounds dark. Dark pop songs would be a good description and I usually don’t like music that sounds like this, but this might be an exception. It’s not great, but it’s not bad. “Caught by the Light” has a bit of a dour Ryan Adams feel to it. Yes there is a darkness, but also an underlying feeling of hope. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that this is not as torturous as listening to a Joy Division record yet not as fun as listening to a Matthew Sweet record. Highlights: “The Runner” and “Organ Song”.
Nicole Atkins “Mondo Amore” 3.9 Super Bowl Rings. Great voice but will she become someone special?
The description of this record is vague but not far off: “The Brooklyn-based singer’s latest LP features a bluesy, Derek and the Dominoes feel.” Is there a new indie-blues movement underway? If so I just listened to the new record from the front runner. The songs are bluesy without being cheesy blues. (Allannah Myles anyone?) “Cry Cry Cry” sounds like the mini-hit song. It’s catchy with a bit of a bluesy feel. “My Baby Don’t Lie” is closer to straight ahead blues but with some musical twists thrown in to keep it fresh. On top of everything Nicole has a terrific voice. She sounds similar to Jenny Lewis which in my book is a big plus. Nicole Atkins just made it on my “Artists to Watch” list.
The David Wax Museum “Everything is Saved” 3 Super Bowl Rings. Like a family party at a small rental hall on a Sunday. Nice once in a great while but not every weekend.
The indie band’s latest album features Mexican-influenced music and odd instruments, including a donkey’s jaw bone. Yet it still sounds familiar. Kind of like when Beck puts away the overt funky beats and sings about life. “Yes, Maria, Yes” is a rollicking toe tapper that would pull everyone out to the dance floor. Other songs drag more, “That’s Not True,” but even the slower tunes are somewhat interesting to listen to. “Lavender Street” is a slow walking tempo but the piano and guitar ring true. This is a good album overall but don’t expect miracles. Maybe “Everything is Saved” but probably not because of this record.
Comments
Post a Comment
You are loved. Probably.