Monday, January 31, 2011

Matt and Kim- Sidewalks




ARTIST: MATT AND KIM
ALBUM: SIDEWALKS
RATING: 8/10
YEAR: 11/2/2010
TRACKLISTING:
  1. Block After Block – 2:55
  2. AM/FM Sound – 3:14
  3. Cameras – 3:32
  4. Red Paint – 3:06
  5. Where You're Coming From – 4:09
  6. Good for Great – 3:50
  7. Northeast – 2:51
  8. Wires - 3:58
  9. Silver Tiles – 3:36
  10. Ice Melts – 3:45
Album available at www.mattandkimmusic.com/

Whats that I have in my hand? Is it another late pass? Yes it is. I slept on this record for a while. I am very much a Matt and Kim fan, ever since I saw them on tour with Against Me! in 2007. Since then I have seen them many times live, each show more energetic than the last. The reason I slept on this record was because I knew it would be very cheery sounding, and its winter time. What do these things have in common? I have no motivation to be happy in the winter, therefore don't listen to much cheery music.

But I saw a video of them playing a newer song live and decided to check the new record out.

The album starts off with a very hip hop influenced track, called Block after Block. Not a bad way to start the record. Gets you into the groove pretty quick. This song is not nearly as good in my opinion as the track that follows it, AM/FM Sound. Such a poppy chorus, its really hard to stop your foot from tapping the ground to this awesome party track. Throughout the next couple tracks( Cameras, red paint) it gets kind of easy to blend the tracks together. A little change of pace on "where youre coming from" is refreshing at 5 tracks in.

The song northeast is not like many other songs on the record at all. Much slower, and quite heartfelt. Not just a party jam. Matt and kim apparently decided to re-record a classic song from their self titled release. An updated version of "silver tiles" was an unexpected joy for me. It wasnt as fast as the original recording, it seemed. It has been a while since I heard the original, but I feel like Kim added some new drum rolls that give the song a way more solid edge.

I enjoyed listening to this record, just like I do with other Matt and Kim records. I liked this one a bit more than I enjoyed their release"Grand." The downside of this record is that sometimes the songs bleed into one another where 2 minutes may have passed and you didnt notice a song change. This is by far the best produced record, the drums sound amazing. Kim really let the beats go free on this record. I hear a very strong hip hop influence. Most of the record is hip hop influenced in old school hip hop, especially the album opener. On top of the old school hip hop feel..I'm getting a vibe of Billy Talent meets Fang Island. Matts vocals are so well done on this record, his voice really does sound familiar to Animal Collective's Avey tare. High pitched, but not nasily. Perfect melody. This record is a great pick me up, and even though the songs do kinda bleed into eachother at times..whos to say that an album clocking in at a little over 30 minutes should be anything but a fun dance party?

Friday, January 21, 2011

The Love Language- Libraries




ARTIST: THE LOVE LANGUAGE

ALBUM NAME: LIBRARIES
RELEASE DATE: 7/13/2010
7.7/10




Pedals
Brittany's Back
This blood is our own
Summer Dust
Blue Angel
Heart to Tell
Anthophobia
Horophones
Wilmont
This Room


I have a late pass on this record. I was searching around for stuff to check out this week, but amidst my search I found out that Archers of loaf played an un-announced concert opening for the band The Love Language. I was intrigued by the band getting to have Archers of loaf open for them, so I went and checked out their last release, "Libraries"

The album opens well enough, with quite a large, dynamic sound to it. Sort of reminds me of "in the flowers" by Animal Collective. The album changes away from this sound on the 3rd track "This blood is our own." A voice that reminds me of Win Butler from arcade fire sings wonderfully over this sad 50s sounding ballad with a great string section behind the song.

"Summer dust" starts off, and it seems to take the record into a sound reminiscent of Arcade fires 2010 release "The Suburbs" Certainly this record was in need of a more rock centered drum beat, and this song provides a good change in tempo, even if only temporary. However, the piano work in "Blue angel" is definitely worth noting, as it leads so well into a Beatles-esque guitar solo.

Once again, the record gets a huge burst in tempo in way of the track "Heart to tell" Yet again somewhat sounding like Arcade fire, but not enough to be called a rip off. I really was not sure of his voice the first time I listened to this record, but on the second listen through I am growing quite fond of it.

The record seems to stay more on a well moving pace on the second half of the record, which is nice. The record is pretty lengthy, at least it feels like it. Not to say this is a bad record by any means, it seemed to move slow sometimes though.

The first time I listened to this, I didnt think it was anything special, and I cant say that I am the biggest fan of this record. However, it was good enough to warrant a second listen. I found myself remembering parts that I liked and looking forward to a part of a song to come in.

Overall, the record was pleasant to listen to. Echoes of Animal Collective and Arcade Fire are never bad things for a record to sound like, in this authors mind. Sometimes a bit dense, but overall the record has the hooks and melodies to keep you listening to it. Well constructed and well paced. I imagine I will be getting to know this record a little more.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Kriegshog S/T

ARTIST: Kriegshog
ALBUM: SELF TITLED
RELEASE DATE: 2010?
7.3/10




I asked a friend of mine to send me something to listen to so I can review it. I was told to check Kriegshog out, so with no prior knowledge of anything this band has done I checked it out.

The album starts off with a nightmare, literally. The first song is called nightmare and it sure does sound like what somebody in an asylum may be dreaming. Really set the tone for the record.

I was concerned when I saw one of the tracks was longer than 3 minutes.
They must have already sold out....


I'll be the first to admit that this kind of punk is not always my cup of tea. Sometimes I zone out on it. Too fast, too much going on in a song, etc. What sets these guys aside to me is that while I may zone out on it, it pulls me back in for just an over the top crazy aggressive part of a song. Its like trying to not listen to a friend tell a really bad story, but it takes a dark turn and youre suddenly drawn into the story, or in this case the record.

Fans of Cult ritual and Acid reflux are in for a treat, this is for sure one of the most intense hardcore punk records I've heard in a while.

For people that typically dont listen to this kind of music, keep this in mind:

Most things we listen to have structure, emotions, melody, and feelings.

This band has no structure, but you know they are mad about something. I personally cant understand what hes saying, I didnt look up lyrics. But sometimes in our darkest, most pissed off moments the songs we know words to really arent angry enough. So if you find yourself on the road, and you are feeling pissed but dont know why, I suggest this record to you.

At the very least, you will probably piss off anybody stuck in rush hour traffic.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Your skull my closet review

ARTIST: YOUR SKULL MY CLOSET
ALBUM: LET'S GET ACQUAINTED EP
YEAR: 2010



7.2/10

I had heard about this band being from Michigan, and I decided to stop my cynical attitudes towards bands from my state. So often, I am forced to hear Chiodos and Fireworks as great examples of Michigan music.

This was an odd record to hear. To me, it never really set ground. It felt very off-balance, but it seems thats what this band was going for. The audio samples mostly seemed irrelevant to me, but still I did not mind them, they were short and always lead into a song, which is about the only standard thing I noticed on this record.

However, it does need mentioning that the guitar tones were incredible. On the title track, I was a very big fan of the vocalists howls and screams, but not as much as I really enjoyed the guitar tones. For some reason, they reminded me of the tones that an 80s post new wave band would pick. The bass player holds down this song very well. The guitar leads give off a very melancholy vibe.


This album was nothing outstanding or special, but there are worse ways to kill a little time. I cant explain why, but this band sounds like Jawbox was listening to Bends era- Radiohead.