Archive for the ‘Suggestions’ Category
Classic Albums: ‘Relationship of Command’ – At the Drive-in
If my math is correct (and it usually is), legendary El Paso alt-punkers At the Drive-in would have been putting the finishing touches on one of the finest records of the last decade; if not of all time, at this time ten years ago. So with that (and a little coincidence too, as you’ll see) in mind, I decided to write this little piece about it.
Last week, I was growing a little tired of playing (fantastic) ‘Kezia’ by Protest the Hero on repeat, and looked for the nearest CD to switch into my stereo. Due to my laziness and a recent change of address, that CD was ‘Relationship of Command’. Instantly memories of this fantastic record came flooding back. The summer of 2001, just a few months after my first foray into nu-metal, was dominated by ROC. I’d played the CD so much that it was scratched beyond belief and I was given a new copy that Christmas by my surprisingly hip parents. I remember being at that stage in life where you can’t help but feel frustrated – feeling like an adult but still just a kid – and something about ROC’s raw intensity and hypnotic lyrics helped me feel connected to something at a time when I felt apart from everything. So I immersed myself in its ferocity, its cryptic imagery, its fleeting moments of beauty. And despite my young age, I’d like to think that I really understood the album; and that’s what made it so important to me. continue reading
Three Valentine’s Day mixtapes for you
Other than chocolates, plush teddy bears, and red roses, what says Valentine’s Day more than music?
Of course, there’s generally three kinds of people who want specific music on this holiday. 1) The person happily in love with someone wants music that reflects that. 2) The person who may or may not be pining for a love lost, but who is feeling the loneliness that this day can bring to those unattached souls. 3) The person who probably just got out of a bad relationship and needs some angry music to help vent.
So with that in mind, I concocted three Valentine’s Day mixtapes for your enjoyment.
First up is what I’m calling the “Madly in Love” mixtape. The other two appear after the jump.
1. “Book of Love” – The Monotones
2. “Us” – Regina Spektor
3. “Eyes Wider Than Before” – Scott Matthews
4. “Never Had Nobody Like You” – M. Ward
5. “Paperweight” – Joshua Radin
6. “This Magic Moment” – Ben E. King and The Drifters
7. “Here In My Room” – Incubus
8. “Passenger Seat” – Death Cab for Cutie
9. “At My Most Beautiful” – R.E.M.
10. “You Picked Me” – A Fine Frenzy
11. “Sea of Love” – Cat Power
12. “Blue Eyes” – Cary Brothers
13. “Such Great Heights” – Iron & Wine
14. “All My Days” – Alexi Murdoch
Anything that comes associated with the tag ‘dream pop’ immediately gathers my attention. Upon listening to Teen Dream by Baltimore’s Beach House, I discovered it to be the perfect description. This record takes you through a journey filled with layered delay, synths, electronic and live drums, and cryptic yet enchanting lyrics that ultimately add up to a soothing and well…dreamy experience. The song structures aren’t exactly predictable, but you will find yourself catching on and singing certain segments over and over again. It’s early yet but this album should be a player on several year end lists.
RIYL: Band of Horses, Grizzly Bear, Bear Colony
Now and then I’ll stop by to let you know what I think is worth checking out. Here are my rec’s for the week:
Miike Snow – Miike Snow (2009)
Infectious kick-based dance jams never get old, at least not to me. This band not only knows how to craft a song, they explore their progressions and melodies to the fullest and let the listener know to expect more than a simple pop hook or synth riff. You could probably DJ a party, play this record, sit on your ass for an hour and still get everyone moving.
RIYL: Passion Pit, Discovery, Crookers, Phoenix
Lupe Fiasco – Enemy of the State (2009)
‘09 was a tough year to rank mixtapes, but Lupe’s latest effort has to be a contender for the top spot. Featuring beats like the National Anthem (Radiohead), All The Way Turnt Up (Travis Porter ft Sean Teezy & ATL), and Angels (Dirty Money), Lupe once again establishes himself as perhaps the most intelligent and eloquent rapper in the game. The only complaint I have is that it’s only 22 minutes and change long, but then again Lupe is dropping his full length, Lasers, later this month. I guess we can say he succeeded in creating some additional hype for what will surely be one of the year’s best efforts.
RIYL: Jay Electronica, Wiz Khalifa, Mos Def
Motion City Soundtrack – My Dinosaur Life (2010)
MCS is back and once again they waste no time letting you know. My Dinosaur Life is an emotional roller coaster ride that kicks off with inspiration, brings you to the depths of sorrow and picks you right back up again. Singer and songwriter Justin Pierre has established a new sense of maturity in his writing, likely as a result from shedding old habits and becoming clean. If you liked the Motion City Soundtrack you heard on Commit This To Memory, you’ll love this record. It’s a pop-punk blaster, perfect for putting the windows down and taking a mental trip away from it all.
RIYL: Blink-182, The Matches
Vampire Weekend – Contra (2010)
This band brings it. There are so many interesting things going on during this album that one can’t help but think, how the hell did they think to use THAT sound? Vampire Weekend shows that their self-titled debut was only a hint of what they could accomplish and on Contra, they again take traditional song structure and morph it into something much different, but ironically catchier and more rhythmically validating. I’d be shocked if this album didn’t make my 2010 top 10 list.
RIYL: The Strokes, Ra Ra Riot, Harlem Shakes
The American Dollar – Atlas (2010)
I’m not going to lie, there is a reason that The American Dollar hold a special place in my heart: they help me sleep. This isn’t a bad thing – in fact, sleep and music are two of my favorite things, so a combination of the two is naturally awesome. Merely anointing them as my personal Mr. Sandman, though, doesn’t do their work justice. On Atlas, this Brooklyn-based duo take the listener through an enchanting instrumental journey of beautiful piano-based chord progressions, thoughtful melodies and dreamy soundscapes – but with a driving rhythmic force.
RIYL: The Album Leaf, Explosions in the Sky, Hammock
Jersey Shore’s Real Estate
Mike “the Situation” Sorrentino and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, cast members of MTV’s Jersey Show, were on Conan O’Brien the other night. Snooki commented on her ideal guy: ”He has to be a juicehead. You know, shooting up.”
Okay, okay… we didn’t want to put anything Jersey Shore related in this post, but it was just too damn difficult not to do so after seeing the Conan clip. But lets cut to the chase about a band that sure is representin’ Jersey: Real Estate. continue reading
Everyone knows the drill when it comes to remix albums: its normally filler to keep their fans appeased during long tours or any stint of time without any new content coming out to hold back the rage and impatience.
Now, remix albums may have gotten a bad rap since many of them aren’t at all necessary and they mostly bring nothing of real value to the table. However, when we heard Bring Me the Horizon (BMTH) released a remix album of Suicide Season, we were not very thrilled. Regardless, we picked it up and gave it a listen.
Now if you don’t already know, BMTH is pretty heavy in its sound and this album is quite eccentric in terms of the people who were chosen to remix the tracks; the good kind of eccentric that gives you a grand for being friendly — though I doubt those exists, but I digress. The list of remixers contains many familiar names including Sonny Moore, The Secret Handshake, Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes and others.
If you’re a fan of hardcore music or are curious for something new, we sugguest you take a look at this album.