The Dear Hunter - Act III: Life and Death (2009)

Man, it has been a while, but I do have a lot of new reviews ready. So, The Dear Hunter finally released their 2nd full length, 3rd album “Act III: Life and Death.” I already knew what was coming thanks to that crappy leak. But, when you get to hear the final produce, GODDAMN IT’S GOOD! I mean everything about this album is awesome. From the story to the music, from the case itself to the post cards, it’s an overall awesome experience.

The music is fantastic, starting off bold and heavy and ending lonely and optimistic. Casey and the band really pushed themselves on this record and it pays off to the listener. I mean, the way they move from a heavy song like “In Cauda Venenum” to the dramatic, sadder song of “What It Means to be Alone” is impeccable. Even Casey’s voice is flawless as he sings from track to track, acting out each scene with the band and his vocals. The musical and lyrical throw-backs, as well, really helps to interact the listener throughout the whole experience.

As well, his lyrics are pretty straight forward this time. There are some word-plays here and there, but over all you can follow the story on your own. From what I can tell, the story, and the Boy, heads towards war. There he goes through loneliness and regret but slowly adapts to the war with help from four people that he meets along the way. What will happen when he goes off into the heart of war? He meets his father and half-brother (who looks just like him) and decides, after hearing how his father took no mercy on his Mother (Ms. Terri), to kill him and the son (his brother) and take his identity.

Also, since I got the deluxe version of the album, I got four extra tracks including an a capella version of the track, “Writing on a Wall,” “Untitled 1” track, and both Movement 1 & 2 from their home site. I also got an autographed poster from the whole band. Along with everything else, you also get the post cards that give you the lyrics and help you through the story with amazing pictures and a very cool comic that tells the story of Act 2.

After all the waiting and everything, The Dear Hunter new album does not disappoint. You will be sure to find the entire album enjoyable and not want to miss a moment of music. I’m giving “Life & Death” 5 out of 5 stars. And now the wait begins for Act 4.

Cheers!

El Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez - Cryptomnesia (2009)

Sorry, it has been a while since I’ve wrote a review. I’ve been kind of busy, and kind of lazy, but hopefully now I can continue. So I’ll restart this with “Cryptomnesia,” the highly anticipated album from Omar Rodriguez-Lopez second solo group El Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez.

To be honest, there was nothing to really anticipate. I heard about the album and what it would hold. I thought, “Well, if Cedric is going to be singing on it, it might sound like ‘Se Dice Bisonte, No Búfalo.’” Well…I was wrong. It was basically another ORL solo album. Omar is just playing different riffs through effect pedals, Cedric is singing incoherently, the drummer is doing whatever the fuck he feels like, and the bassist is playing a Latin bass line. As well the effects used in the background is what really turned me off, it just annoys and bugs you till you just eventually just tune it out and then switch to a different album.

But there is always a good side to every album. For those who worship ORL solo albums will just as well cream to it just as they do to all ORL albums. If you have heard any of his albums you know what you are in for. That’s a good thing, right? As well, there are some gems on here that even I could enjoy. Tracks like “Half Kleptos” and “Shake Is for 8th Graders” are pretty forward driving and have some sense to them… very little though.

The drum work on the album is very impressive; it holds a lot of jazz roots and punk styling, amidst the chaos of the rest of the band. The lyrics, from what I could hear or even understand, are laughable in a good way. You could tell that Cedric didn’t really give a shit and just went off on whatever he felt like…wait, isn’t that every Mars Volta album?

Tl;dr? The album is a blender of conflicting tones, styles and ideas, set on “overkill” and served over ice, mixed with smooth spice rum. If you’re an ORL fan-boy, you will no doubt love this album, BUT if you’re an Mars Volta fan and that’s it, you might as well skip it. So while I didn’t enjoy all of it, I did like some of it. Omar is really doing what he set out to do, challenging your ideas and ideals of music; though this could also be hurting him in the long run. I’m giving “Cryptomnesia” 3 out of 5 stars. Not bad, but not good either. Enjoy your ORL drinks, I haven’t trademarked it yet.

Cheers!

Not much of an Update

God I'm tired. Thinking about joining a band and doing shows, get me out and away from the house.

Good god.

Anyways, I haven't had any free time lately to sit down and listen to music to a point where I can review it so it might be a week or two before you see a new blog. Im even thinking of starting to make them come out on Tuesdays. New albums are release every Tuesday, might as well pick up something I post here as well. Items in the wood-work:

The Demonstration - Accidents With Intelligence
Neutral Milk Hotel
Mastodon - Blood Mountain
Isis - Wavering Radiant, along with Oceanic
Intronaut - Prehistoricisms
Maybe a Red Sparrow album

maybe some older albums too. I don't know, too much is and has been going on to do anything.

Speaking of Isis, I might go to one of their shows coming up. The Mastodon show was crazy as hell so I want to see what Isis will be like.

Im done, cheers.

The Mars Volta - De-Loused in the Comatorium (2003)

After leaving At the Drive-In, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler Zavala went onto create the Mars Volta. A beautiful, dangerous and ground breaking group that is sure to set the standards for all experimental rock, if not all rock bands to come. The first full length album, courislly titled, “De-Loused in the Comatorium” proves this beyond a shadow of a doubt.

The album, made pretty much right after leaving AtDI, if not before, is jaw dropping. Cedric voice, although known mostly now days as the high pitch serpent that it is, is reeling back and forward between its post-hardcore rants to an almost Robert Plant sound, spouting out the overly difficult to follow lyrics. His words are passionate, though, filled with love and pain. It makes sense once you understand about the back-ground of the album and who inspired it. Omar playing and band directing, however, is remarkable. He brings a sound that we’ve all heard before in Spanish music, but twists it and turns it from traditional to rock ballets and then to some other form of music. Cedric voice is one thing, but it is Omar’s arrangements that make the album.

The album artwork is pretty cool itself. Throughout the pages holds random quotes, drawing, and information to decode the album and the story that it tells. From research that I’ve found, the story follows a character named Cerpin Taxt who overdoses on painkillers and is taken into a inder world where all of his creations have come to life. All of this happens while he’s in coma. He finally wakes to find that the world is left is much better than the world he’s living in and kills himself….I’m not kidding.

The one down side to the album is the band’s used of ambient sound-scape. For instance, the song, “Cicatriz ESP” is 12 minutes and 29 seconds long, give or take your computer or cd-player. However, a long muffling occurs around 6:00 minutes in with the music falling out from behind it. The music then picks back up around 9:20. 3 minutes of ambient and random guitar playing. I guess it might be a cooling down period for the listener but still, 3 minutes is a little overkill. The other downside is the story. The album booklet doesn’t come with the lyrics but you could’ve brought a little booklet that tells you the story, confusingly and give you the lyrics. I didn’t like that idea but it worked in the long run, I guess.

Over all though I enjoyed the album, it is exciting and confusing as it is haunting and beautiful. It begins as abruptly as it ends. It’s a defining moment in music that cannot be passed up. Go get this album, it’s worth the money. 5 out of 5 stars. Enjoy the music folks.

Cheers!

Portugal. The Man - Church Mouth (2007)

“Church Mouth” is the very reason why I started listening to Portugal. The Man. The second release has a southern feel, the double-sided lyrics and the style of the band offers much to the listen as any other of their albums.

Highlights of the album would have to be the band, the music, and the words. The band is highly in tune, playing in sync with each other. Their harmony with each other either gives a song a Baptizes chorus or an eerie effect. This adds to the music as they mix blues and gospel with their already jazz, rock and R&B feel. This is hinted at more than once in songs like: “Dawn,” “Children,” and “The Bottom.” Each song is full with lyrics that speech out of each side of the mouth.

The burned bulbs of the album would really have to be “speed bumps.” Basically something that slows down the album which can take place from song to song or even in one song. Such as “The Bottom” where we get the drawn out end chorus which just slows down the song. I guess these can be forgiven with an awesome record that “Church Mouth” is.

But this album is really a slower record, meant to be enjoy on a lazy day or on a drive one sunny day. This is why I really do like the album, it’s meant to be slow and allow you to digest everything brought to your ears. Though I understand this, I have to give “Church Mouth” 4 out of 5 stars. A great album, but if you’re new to Portugal. The Man then you might want to pick up “Censored Colors” first.

Enjoy the, and yours’, music.

Cheers!

Dirty Old Church Mouth

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (2008)

Ah, Fleet Foxes, a rarity indeed. A band, that I just so happen to come across one late night, who found a place in my heart. I can’t say I’ve heard a band that has gotten me as ecstatic as this on just their first, self titled at that, album.

The sound and feel of the album is that of the seasons Fall and Winter. You can just see the leaves turn brown, red, and yellow in the chilled air, and yet you have a smile on your face the whole time. It’s also really great driving music for those long trips and that’s only the beginning. Singer and main song writer Robin Pecknold voice and words are full of age and wisdom, while there are hints at pain and sorrow under his soft voice that brings a tear to your eye. As well, his voice harmonized beautifully with the rest of the band, Skyler Skjelset, Nicholas Peterson, Casey Wescott, and Craig Curran. Their single and biggest hit, “White Winter Hymnal” goes beyond to show this natural harmony, as well as, “Quiet Houses.” (Video of White Winter Hymnal at the bottom.)

I didn’t really hear much of a problem with the album nor band. They do seem to show some progressive tendencies in some of their songs which come mostly in the form of end-of-song jam sessions (ie; The ending of “He Doesn’t Know Why.”). This isn’t a bad thing at all, so don’t get me wrong here. Though they need to order their album just a little different, the does slow down a little from time to time with a slower, sadder song. Example: Going from Ragged Wood to Tiger Mountain Peasant Song slows downs the album because of they both began.

So in the end, I did enjoy this album to its’ fullest. A number of songs will never leave my player from this album alone. This is a band you shouldn’t ignore and by listening and then buying this album, you will understand what I mean. 5 out of 5 stars for this bad boy. Pick it up today and get on the Fleet Foxes band wagon. Enjoy your music folks.

Cheers!

Mastodon - Crack the Skye (2009)

Mastodon has become one of those bands that everyone needs to know. Metal head and those (non)alike will tell you that these guys have serious skills. So after a year since their award winning album “Blood Mountain” that news broke that they were recording their fourth studio, everyone’s ears were hungry for their genius. Finally the time has come, “Crack the Skye” is release onto the world.

I actually got to hear most of the album, excluding the final track, “The Last Baron,” about a month head in advance. What I heard made my jaw drop. This band was no longer jerking around and they proved it with just the opening track, “Oblivion,” having about ¾ of the band doing vocals. The album then gives way to their single, “Divinations” which just surf the ether. “Quintessence” then picks up the weight and grooves it way in that led ways into the Russian inspired tracks, “The Czar” and “Ghost of Karelia” which just haunts your soul. The album then takes a turn for the tragic with the emotional “Crack the Skye” that then drops us off at the epic quest of “The Last Baron.”

The sound of this album is truly mind altering. Wind and the Ether, the Sprit World, all of this played a part in the making of this album. The ideal song to hear this quality is, “Ghost of Karelia.” All of the band members are in sync with one another as they harmonize in instrument and voice. The screaming they once did is still on here, but they use it wisely, thinking carefully where each part is leading and how their voices should sound. The lyrics they sing deal with the concept of a boy projecting himself out of his body, getting lost in space, and finding help in the Mad Monk Rasputin. The lyrics also derive from the drummer’s childhood with dealing with his sister’s death. All of this leads to an emotional album, dealing with despair, lost, hopelessness, and faith. This can be seen throughout Paul Romano’s awesome artwork.

I can’t true see a down side to this album as I listen. They moved on from their past albums and are ready for a new future. As well, as the days went on after CTS release, I don’t think they have sold out. They are trying out something new while still keeping with familiar styles. This is the Mastodon I’ve hoped for in the past.

This is an incredible album, one that must not be passed up. Once you’ve listen to it as lease once you will understand why I’m giving “Crack the Skye” 5 out of 5 stars. So go get this album and enjoy it and if you can, try to find the all instrumental version of the album, it’s an awesome experience as well. Enjoy your music sound-land.

Cheers.

Musical Rant

Sigh. It bugs me when someone says a band or musician has sold out. I guess it depends on the band but it still bugs me. This idea was brought up after watching a video of two kids talking about how they don’t like Coheed and Cambria anymore, saying that they sold out and refusing to support them anymore. I don’t know, just something about that left a bad taste in my mouth.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying they don’t have an option to share with everyone; it was just invalided reasons for not liking them. I’ll post a link to the video towards the end if you want to watch and see what I mean, but still…Honestly I don’t think Coheed has sold out. They are a progressive band and their music changes from album to album so I don’t see what the big deal is. However, I will say that their last album, “No World for Tomorrow” wasn’t their strongest, but I still enjoyed it.

I digress; I don’t think you can really label a band as “selling out” until they have milked everything they can from themselves. (i.e. Kiss. Hey, I listen to Kiss too and I want you to find me a fan who think they haven’t sold out. Metallica is pretty close as well.) Examples would have to be candy, condoms, and games about them (not being feature in a game but actually having a game for your band). Pretty much if a band is going far, FAR beyond selling t-shirts, albums, and live DVDs, then they could be labeled as selling out. Is this really a bad thing? No. It’s your band, you should be making money off of yourself. Just always keep the fans in mind first. Once you quit making albums, stop touring but still trying to sell your name it’s kind of hard to like you. But having your shirts sell at Wal-Mart or Target along with your albums is not selling out to me.

That about does it for my little rant. I’m going to try and keep the reviews coming, but I’m a busy person. So if you can think of anything for me to review, shout it out. Here’s the link for the video as well: Coheed Rant.

Cheers

Portugal. The Man - "Censored Colors" (2008)

Portugal. The Man has not lost their touch with their anticipated third release, “Censored Colors.” If there were ever a starter album for a band, then any new fan needs to pick this up right away.

The flow of the album is so smooth and subtle that you can barely notice the spaces between the tracks, making it sound as though the whole album is nothing but one long, epic song. Though, I do have to point out that the later portion of the album is supposed to be in this design. I have only heard a hand full of bands that can honestly pull that off, including Meshuggah.

The music sounds great, you just get the feel of blues, jazz, rock, folk and indie from each track. As well, the addiction of brass and strings instruments onto the album only helps fuel Portugal’s unique soundscape. The harmony each band member has between each other is beautiful and well executed on all the tracks. The best example would have to be the song, “Salt.” That’s just one of favorite songs that will never leave my mp3 player.

The main, if not only problem I had with the album is with John Gourley. Maybe I should restate that; I like Gourley, I think he has an amazing voice. He just rambles from time to time, which doesn’t help to understand his already confusing and diverse lyrics. Thankfully you have the lyrics on hand to help you understand, so no big deal, I guess. If anything, sometimes the album just drags, and you just want them to get on with it (ie, track 6: “Out and In and In and Out”).

One idea I took away from this album is that it’s a telling of African American’s hardships through the years. I know it seems weird and kind of insane to say, but if you listen and look carefully at the lyrics, you can get that from them. “Lay Me Back Down” could be about the Slaves coming over to America from Africa and go from there. I mean, even the title seems to point to this idea. I’ll example this some other time if someone, anyone, wants me to.

Closing thoughts about the album is that I enjoyed and I can’t help but like it. I find myself singing alongside the band, dancing to the music, even going as far as playing air guitar to the song, “Hard Times.” This album deserves 5 out of 5 stars. This should be in your collection from here to eternity, so go out there and get “Censored Colors.” Enjoy your music!
Cheers.

PS: Here’s a song from the album. Have a listen to it if you’re want to hear what they sound like.