Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Sebastien Grainger - Sebastien Grainger And The Mountains



This is his debut solo album. He is best known for his work with the drum-and-bass dance-punk duo, Death From Above 1979. He continues to play upbeat dance rock/punk on this album, but for the most part, it is less abrasive and more accessible than DFA1979. In fact, this album really rocks. It is recommended for people who like to dance.

www.myspace.com/sebastiengrainger
www.sebastiengrainger.net

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The So So Glos - Tourism/Terrorism



They're a quartet of young dudes from Brooklyn, and they play rock/punk/garage. The singer reminds me of The Hives' Howlin' Pelle Almqvist. They have a bit of a DIY/lo-fi feel to them. They are really cool but, unfortunately, the singer likes to say "fuck" so there's not too many radio-friendly songs. Of course if you aren't playing them on the radio it doesn't matter so play them to your heart's content!

www.myspace.com/sosoglos
www.thesosoglob.blogspot.com

Monday, October 27, 2008

Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads



The five lads from Leeds return with their third album. They continue to combine Britrock, mod, pop, post-punk, new-wave, and rockandroll influences into their music. While the songs aren't as immediately catchy as the ones on their first album, Employment (see: "I Predict A Riot"), they display a more muscular sound that even incorporates different instruments, such as djembe and agogo bells, on a few tracks. They sound more mature while not forgetting that it was the energy and youthful exuberance on their first album that made them so much fun. I am very pleased with this album on first listen and think that it will only get more enjoyable with repeated plays.

www.myspace.com/kaiserchiefs
www.kaiserchiefs.co.uk

Friday, October 24, 2008

Ryan Adams And The Cardinals - Cardinology



You've probably heard of Ryan Adams. The prolific songwriter returns for a new album with his band, The Cardinals. This will be their third official album together, though The Cardinals also played on Ryan's 2007 solo album, Easy Tiger, and an EP, Follow The Lights, in addition to their work on the full-length albums Cold Roses and Jacksonville City Nights. I know a lot of people that love to hate Ryan Adams, but I found this album to be a very enjoyable listen. For the most part, it is laid-back alt-country, though there is some rock thrown into the mix at points as well (example: the track "Magick"). It's very polished, but very listenable.

www.myspace.com/ryanadams
www.ryan-adams.com

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Tom Gabel - Anna Is A Stool Pigeon single



He is the lead singer for Against Me! This is the single for his debut solo EP, Heart Burns, which comes out on October 28, 2008. The sound is different from Against Me! in that it is acoustic-guitar based, but it still has politically-charged lyrics and Tom's trademark angry young man spoken vocals. It's good stuff, the EP is something to look forward to.

www.myspace.com/tomgabelmusic
ifeelsicktomystomach.blogspot.com

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Lindsey Buckingham - Gift Of Screws



Let it be known that I love Lindsey Buckingham, so this review may be a bit biased. You should recognize his name from Fleetwood Mac, or perhaps from Buckingham Nicks. Gift Of Screws is his fifth solo album and showcases his wonderful fingerpicking guitar style, incorporated excellently into the pop/rock sound that he creates. It's great stuff from a great musician. Mick Fleetwood plays drums and John McVie plays bass on "Wait For You" and "Gift Of Screws." Additionally, Fleetwood plays drums on "The Right Place To Fade."

www.myspace.com/lindseybuckingham
www.lindseybuckingham.com

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Chris Difford - The Last Temptation of Chris


He was the co-founder (with Glenn Tilbrook) and lyricist for the British pop/new-wave band Squeeze. This is his third solo album. His lyrics tend to be stories about everyday events and people, sometimes deviating to topics that most writers wouldn't want to touch (example: "Reverso" is about vasectomy). The songs are all very good and if you listen to the lyrics, you will enjoy the little slices of life that Mr. Difford presents to us.

www.myspace.com/cdifford
www.chrisdifford.com

Monday, October 20, 2008

Jackson United - Harmony And Dissidence



Chris Shiflett has played with Foo Fighters, No Use For A Name, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, and Viva Death, among other bands; this is the second album for his band Jackson United. Alt-rock with punk influences which are evidenced through the 'political' themes that are present throughout the album's lyrics. Possibly if Green Day collided with the Foos, we would get this sound. It's okay stuff, but nothing amazing. Recommended if you like Against Me!, Rise Against, or punk rawk.

www.myspace.com/jacksonunited
www.jacksonunited.com

Friday, October 17, 2008

The Little Ones - Morning Tide



Very nice pop on the debut for the Los Angeles quintet. The music has a warm, sunny, upbeat feel to it. Soak up the sun with this album. I saw them at SXSW '08 and they were good, and so is their CD. Recommended if you like pop music influenced by the Beach Boys. It would also fit nicely next to bands such as Death Cab For Cutie or The Shins. On the chorus to the title track, the lead singer pretends he is Noel Gallagher circa What's The Story, Morning Glory?, which is amusing.

www.myspace.com/wearethelittleones
www.wearethelittleones.com

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Eagles of Death Metal - Wannabe in L.A. single



The new single from their third album, Heart On, which comes out on October 28, 2008. If you're not familiar with them (you should be!), the core of EoDM is Josh Homme (Kyuss/QOTSA) and Jesse Hughes. Homme rocks the drums and Hughes does vocals and guitar duty. They are a lot of fun and they know how to rock without getting too serious and overblown about it. Great stuff, I can't wait for the new album.

www.myspace.com/eaglesofdeathmetal
www.eaglesofdeathmetal.com

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Jack's Mannequin - The Glass Passenger



The main man behind this band is Something Corporate's Andrew McMahon. According to a friend who saw him play with Something Corporate about five years ago, he is amazing live; he treats his piano in much the same way Ben Folds does - believing that the keys aren't the only part of the instrument that should be played. McMahon was diagnosed with leukemia a few years ago, but has undergone treatment and is now in recovery. This is the second album for Jack's Mannequin. It is very polished piano-pop with 'emo' leanings. I really enjoyed the song "Caves," which tops the seven-minute mark. Recommended if you like Jimmy Eat World's newer stuff, Dashboard Confessional, The Fray, and bands of a similar nature.


www.myspace.com/jacksmannequin
www.jacksmannequin.com

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Japanese Motors - Japanese Motors



Awesome! garage pop/surf/rock on the debut from the Costa Mesa, California quartet. I can't really say too much more about them, except that they are coolest band I have listened to in a while. Picture the Strokes going surfing. This band is SO GOOD.

www.myspace.com/thejapanesemotors
www.thejapanesemotors.com

Monday, October 6, 2008

Catfish Haven - Devastator



Rock with soul/blues influences from the Chicago power trio of George Hunter (vocals/guitar), Miguel Castillo (bass), and Ryan Farnham (drums). This is their second full-length. I can definitely dig a band that sounds like this, they know how to rock. As an aside, I saw them open for The Hold Steady in 2006 and they had a touring guitarist with them who was still learning the songs. He would leave the stage at times for short intervals, presumably to snort cocaine or have sex with groupies. Good times.

www.myspace.com/catfishhaven
www.catfishhaven.com

Friday, October 3, 2008

Cold War Kids - Loyalty To Loyalty



They're from California, this is their sophomore album. They are classified as "indie rock," though that term really doesn't mean much these days. I think they sound like they have the vocalist of Ghostland Observatory (though Cold War Kids' lead singer, Nathan Willett, wishes he was Thom Yorke instead of the guy from Ghostland) crossed with the boring Kings of Leon songs. I'm not very impressed with this CD, all songs seemed rather dull and annoying to my ears.

www.myspace.com/coldwarkids
www.coldwarkids.com

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Ben Folds - Way To Normal



Way To Normal is the third proper album from everyone's favorite piano rocker. In the nineties, Ben was the leader of Ben Folds Five, who gave Weezer a run for their money as the coolest power-pop band that your nerdy friend liked. Today, Ben is now 42 years old, yet he still appeals widely to the college-aged demographic. His songs continue in his melodic poppy piano rock tradition. His first solo album, Rocking The Suburbs, was fun and had songs that were about characters you could actually care about and relate to, with witty lyrics. But something is missing on this new album. The jokes aren't that funny, the music is mostly just okay, and when Ben swears, it's no longer exuberant and much-needed, like it was on the "Fuuuuuuuuuuuck!" that was on the song "Rocking The Suburbs". Despite its setbacks, however, the album does open with "Hiroshima (B B B Benny Hit His Head)", a catchy song that offers a nod to Elton John. And even if you don't like Ben Folds, you can listen to the lyrics and picture him falling off a stage in Japan, which is sure to bring a smile to your face.

www.myspace.com/benfolds
www.benfolds.com

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Tobias Froberg - Turn Heads



Froberg is from Sweden and this is his third album. He has produced several songs for the solo work of Peter Bjorn and John's Peter Moren. Moren makes a guest appearance on this album, contributing vocals to the song "Just Behind A Brickwall". Froberg's music is best classified as singer-songwriter indie pop, with some folk-pop influences that are reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel. There's lots of piano on this record. Froberg has a fairly pleasing voice which makes for a nice listen. The upbeat tracks are fun.

www.myspace.com/tobiasfroberg
www.tobiasfroberg.com