Category Archives: CD Review

CD Review, Deerhunter, Entertainment, Music

CD Review: Halcyon Digest [2010]

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Band: Deerhunter
Release: 9/2010
Label: 4AD

1. “Earthquake” – B-
2. “Don’t Cry” – A
3. “Revival” – A
4. “Sailing” – A
5. “Memory Boy” – A_
6. “Desire Lines” – A
7. “Basement Scene” – A-
8. “Helicopter” – A-
9. “Fountain Stairs” – A-
10. “Coronado” – A
11. “He Would Have Laughed” – A+

Comments: Deerhunter is another one of those bands whose releases I greatly anticipate. Last year’s EP Rainwater Cassette Exchange tickled my fancy, as I gave it about as high of a grade as anything else I heard. I anticipated that I’d be doing the same with this LP. Not the case. There are some cuts that seem like leftovers from Rainwater: the jungle-jangle “Revival,” coincidentally the best song on here, the upbeat saxophone-included ditty “Coronado,”and “Don’t Cry,” an engaging encounter with a youngster who’s in a difficult situation similar to the one that Bradford was in at the same age. Though, more likely, it might just be adult Bradford talking to child Bradford. Next topic: atmospheric songs. These are quintessential to Deerhunter’s discography and probably always will be. Atmosphere + singing is a little bit better than plain old instrumental, but I’m a proponent in the belief that a band can do without these. The folk-tinged “Memory Boy” delves into some thought provoking issues. “Is there anyone who wants to see the sun go down, down, down, down, down, down, down?!” “Desire Lines” has Lockett Pundt and crew taking a stab via vocals, dominant bass lines, arpeggios, and consistent drum beats at the sound of ’90s alternative. “Basement Scene” is reminiscent of ’50s and ’60s Buddy Holly/girl group material with, of course, a decent amount of psychedelia thrown in the stew. “Helicopter” is refreshing and, for lack of a better word, chill. The Jay Reatard dedicated “He Would Have Left” is a similarly chill exposition that holds up well over its near 8 minute length. In conclusion, this record deserves a spot among Deerhunter’s best. It might not contain several game-changing songs that Microcastle or Rainwater possessed, but it does come close.

Grade: A- (92)

CD Review, Music

CD Review: Crush [2010]

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Band: Abe Vigoda
Release: 9/2010
Label: Post Present Medium

1. “Sequins” – B+
2. “Dreams of My Life (Chasing After You)” – B
3. “Throwing Shade” – B
4. “Crush” – B+
5. “November” – B
6. “Pure Violence” – B
7. “Repeating Angel” – C+
8. “To Tears” – B
9. “Beverly Slope” – B
10. “We Have to Mask” – C+

Comments: Ha ha! What funny guys Abe Vigoda are. Well, funny…sort of. They’ve all but ditched their lo-fi “tropical” punk aesthetic for something more…hi-fi and softer.  This record sounds a bit like a Bloc Party record in that it combines traditional post-punk revival tendencies with synth/electro pop. It’s a wimpy showcase that is momentarily fun, but rather stale. I sense they had a hard time parting with their earliest asset: tropicalismo. There are some slight elements of that genre present on this record like on “Pure Violence” in the form of reverb-drenched guitar riffs (a la Real Estate and the like). The band gets all Arcade Fire Suburbs on “To Tears.” I might even have to call this out as “chillwave.” Gross. I guess if you plan on falling asleep in the middle of listening to this then it’s all right.

Grade: B- (83)

Classic CD Review, Entertainment, Music

Classic Review: Stanley Road [1995]

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Artist: Paul Weller
Label: Go! Discs

1. “The Changingman” – A
2. “Porcelain Gods” – A-
3. “I Walk On Gilded Splinters” – B+
4. “You Do Something To Me” – A+
5. “Woodcutter’s Son” – B+
6. “Time Passes” – B+
7. “Stanley Road” – B+
8. “Broken Stones” – B
9. “Out of the Sinking” – A-
10. “Pink on White Walls” – B+
11. “Whirlpool’s End” – A+
12. “Wings of Speed”- A+

Comments: I consider this the Modfahjah’s serious, yet bittersweet phase. I’ve been listening to these songs on a fairly irregular basis since about the year 2000. Collectively, they’ve never struck me as worthwhile listens… up until very recently. After seeing Weller in a live setting, I realized that the guy isn’t that bad! No, no, even more shockingly…he’s good! Of course, the sound he’s maintained over his solo career is in a faraway land from punk rock or “mod” rock…whatever that was. On this release in particular, Weller is pretty much down for anything. An extended guitar solo here and there, a soft piano-rock unrequited love ballad, an inspirational oldies power-pop number, country sounding tunes, and other goodies. Even the songs that aren’t “great” tend to flow real well with this album as a whole. The core of this album is in “You Do Something to Me,” Weller’s solo magnum opus “Whirlpool’s End,” and, of course, the gospel piano track “Wings of Speed.” I remember listening to “Wings” when I was a wee lad. I hadn’t heard anything like it. Its gospel swagger (which was something I never would have termed it years ago) was captivating. I think I downloaded it on Napster or Kazaa. That’s how much impact it had on me. It’s still such a touching ditty.

Grade: A- (90)

Classic CD Review, Music

Classic Review: Pinkerton [1996]

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Band: Weezer
Label: DGC Records

1. “Tired of Sex” – A
2. “Getchoo” – A-
3. “No Other One” – B+
4. “Why Bother?” – A
5. “Across the Sea” – A
6. “The Good Life” – A
7. “El Scorcho” – A
8. “Pink Triangle” – A-
9. “Falling for You” – B
10. “Butterfly” – B

Comments: Blue vs. Pinkerton. Blue vs. Pinkerton. What’s the deal? Those two are the only albums that independent-minded fans of Weezer consider worthy of discussion. As you all know Weezer Blue is a heck of an album.  It’s loaded with indefatigable pop/rock numbers.  This record has been claimed to be ‘darker’ and more ‘raw’ and that’s relatively accurate. The rhythm guitar, as on Blue, is the main force behind the goodness on here. It’s not nearly as catchy as Blue (no standout tracks), but a large portion of it is awesome.

Grade: A- (91)

CD Review, Entertainment, Local Music, Music

CD Review: Black Hole [2010]

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Band: Young Adults
Release: 11/2010
Label: AMDISCS

1. “Reverie 1” – N/A
2. “Let Us Out” – A-
3. “Wasting Time” – B+
4. “Black Surf” – B
5. “Rip It Up” – A
6. “Impression” – A
7. “Over the Edge” – B+
8. “Life Under Review” – B
9. “Annulation” – B+
10. “Bummer Summer” – A-
11. “Drifing” – A
12. “Reverie 2” – C-
13. “Campfires” – B+

Comments: Funny how a band from the East Coast can have a set of influences quite similar to a higher profile band from the other coast and end up having the same album production esthetic and “punk” sound. On that note, these dudes also have an opening instrumental eerily comparable to the other band’s instrumental tracks. Young Adults are more rough around the edges, but quite clearly have direction and polish. Comparison notwithstanding, Young Adults Demo, reviewed on here back in May, was cheaply recorded and that very fact could’ve dulled some hooks and the demo’s overall catchiness…what I’m trying to say is I think that the band re-recorded some of those tracks and obtained a fuller sound for this full-length. This is true (to me, anyway) on “Rip It Up” and the ever-so-Fugazi-in-a-great-way “Impression.” I think he’s singing “leave an impression” on that one.  A highlight of the band’s instrumental get up is that sort of rolling high-pitched notes only post-punk lead guitar line that’s been utilized by a bunch of bands, most recognizably UK dark-rock group Editors. Unlike Editors, Young Adults turn up the punk levels to max, but always seem to have semblances of pop, which is nice for a band that has a sizable Boston following, but hasn’t yet jumped in the cross-country van to play to an ever-so eager underground. “Drifing” is one of the best tunes on here! Not like “yo, I’m gonna keep listening to this song over and over,” but it’s simply an immediate winner. By the way, the band I’m speaking of in the first sentence is No Age and these dudes should open for them when they hit the Middle East Downstairs.

Grade: B+ (87)

Listen To “Drifing” —

Upcoming Dates:
9/28 – Middle East Downstairs – Opening For Best Coast
11/6 – Great Scott – CD Release Show

CD Review, Entertainment, Music, No Age

CD Review: Everything In Between [2010]

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Band: No Age
Release: 9/2010
Label: Sub Pop

1. “Life Prowler” – A-
2. “Glitter” – A
3. “Fever Dreaming” – A
4. “Depletion” – A+
5. “Common Heat” – A-
6. “Skinned” – A-
7. “Katerpillar” – B-
8. “Valley Hump Crash” – A
9. “Sorts” – B
10. “Dusted” – B+
11. “Positive Amputation” – B
12. “Shed and Transcend” – A
13. “Chem Trails” – A+

Comments: No Age is back in No Age form. Once again! What that means is the same as it has ever meant for Dean and Randy: 1)  catchy noise-punk and 2) atmospheric experimentalism. The dudes could have definitely abandoned the filler atmosphere stuff like they did, to an extent, on Nouns. The instrumental sample heavy tracks on that album fit well. Not really so much the case here, but that’s fine! “Life Prowler” is a harmony of the sampler, the drum kit, and the guitar. Dean’s drums hammer away…Randy’s guitar enters a short while later. Dean sings. The samples come on. Noise. This is pretty cool introductory fare; a little taste of what the band is all about. It’s not a life changing track or even close to a great one, but it serves its purpose well. “Glitter” is the first song off this album that we all got to listen to. I’ve heard better, but it captures the “sound” so to speak of the band’s 2009 Losing Feeling EP. I really like how it comes together (via noise assault) toward the end. Y’all want punk No Age? Good. “Fever Dreaming” is moshing material a la “Brain Burner.” It shreds so great, though it doesn’t seem to be mixed as soundly as it could be.  “Depletion” is another heavy yet catchy number. “Common Heat” is slower, but still a really good track. The shaker really stands out! “Skinned” changes up so often it’s almost hard to keep up with, but that’s nearly the beauty of it. “Katerpillar” is a decent little sound collage. “Valley Hump Crash” is lyrically cheesy, but the Minutemen-esque guitars compliment the surfer rock sampling very nicely. “Sorts” is really good. “Dusted” is just as good as “Katerpillar.” And “Positive Amputation” is not too positive. “Shed” is at first a mere noise explosion, but it picks up and becomes…so so fun. I love the back-and-forth on the verses of the closer, “Chem Trails.” The firecracker sound effects are cool, as well. I contemplated not counting some of the atmospheric tracks, but in the end I decided that since they are an inevitable part of the album, I must. Had I not included them, this would be amongst my very very favorites. The songs that rock on here…rock hard. So the tell-tale question…is this better than Nouns? Nope! It’s well-rounded effort, but even the best tunes on here are a few light years behind 75% of the Nouns LP.

Grade: A- (90)

Art, CD Review, Entertainment, Femmes, Film, Music, pictures, reviews, Video

Belated Album Review: (500) Days of Summer

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Full Title: (500) Days of Summer
Artists: Various
Year: 2009
Label: 20th Century
Tracks:
1) “A Story of Boy Meets Girl” – Mychael Danna and Rob Simonsen
2) “Us” – Regina Spektor– 9/10
3) “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” – The Smiths– 9
4) “Bad Kids” – Black Lips 10!!!
5) “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want” – The Smiths – 9
6) “There Goes the Fear” – Doves-9/10
7) “You Make My Dreams” – Hall & Oates- 8
8) “Sweet Disposition” – The Temper Trap – 10
9) “Quelqu’un m’a dit” – Carla Bruni- 8
10) “Mushaboom” – Feist- 8
11) “Hero” – Regina Spektor- 8/9
12) “Bookends” – Simon & Garfunkel – 10
13) “Vagabond” – Wolfmother- 7/8
14) “She’s Got You High” – Mumm-Ra- 8
15) “Here Comes Your Man” – Meaghan Smith – 9
16) “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want” – She & Him- 8

Comments:
First things fucking last, this review will be centered on the actual record itself and not the placements of the songs in the film, which for the record (no pun intended lol) is executed quite well. Ok, so here we have a great ensemble of “Indie” pop artists with music that reflects the various themes of love and loss in the gem, (500) Days of Summer. Things kick off with Regina Spektor’s spectacular “Us.” I really dig her vocal range and the odd nature of her singing; yet despite its idiosyncracies the song still feels very pop like and indeed catchy. Being a huge Smiths fan, I enjoy their offerings on here. I admire Zooey Deschanel and her group She and Him for covering “Please.” Naturally, it does not match the original, but it is not too far off and in fact, some of it’s flaw (though it has very little flaw) is due to it sounding too much like the original and not really venturing in its own direction. I appreciate the fact that my favorite band, the Black Lips (like y’all didn’t know!) are receiving more exposure with the inclusion of their triumphant song, “Bad Kids.” Those that like this ditty, please check out the rest of their discography. Check it out on here! Alright, that’s enough KLYAM promotion midway into a review. “There Goes the Fear” (Doves) and “Sweet Disposition” (The Temper Trap) rank as some of my favorite tracks and definitely some of my favorites of recent times. I feel like those two songs, especially, the latter have hit potential, if they are not big enough already. Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bookends” completes the coming of age, twenty-something feel of this album/film and Meghan Smith’s cover of the Pixies’ “Here Comes Your Man” is amazing and truly brings out the tune’s pop hooks, even more than the original. All in all, one of my favorite soundtracks from one of my favorite films.

Grade: A/A-

Art, CD Review, Classic CD Review, Drugs, Entertainment, humor, Music, music video, pictures, Random, reviews, TV, Uncategorized, Video

Classic Review: Locust Abortion Technician

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Artist: Butthole Surfers
Full Title: Locust Abortion Technician
Year: 1987
Label: Touch and Go/Latin Buggerveil
Tracks:
1) Sweat Loaf– 9
2) Graveyard- 8
3) Pitsburg to Lebanon- 7/8
4) Weber- 5
5) Hay- 7/8
6) Human Cannonball- 8
7) U.S.S.A.- 8
8) The O-Men-7
9) Kuntz– 9
10) Graveyard- 8
11) 22 Going on 23- 8/9

Comments: Early Butthole Surfers equals Music made for, by, and of heavy psychedelic drug use and Locust Abortion Technician is no exception. This is the pinnacle of the Buttholes’ highly experimental music. They dabble in Punk, Heavy Metal, Noise Rock, and definitely psychedlia. Without a doubt this is the group’s best offering up until then and since. I really dig the humor and chaos of “Sweat Loaf,” it is certainly a fantastic opener and really sets you up for what is to come. “Kuntz,” a remixing of an old Thai song and “22 Going On 23,” a disturbing/awkwardly amusing recount of a sexual assault case and its effects on the victim, round out my favorite tracks on this record. Overall, this is the kind of album that should be heard for its experimentation and the overall sound collage, oh and yeah, also for you and your pals to giggle and say “WTF?!!!” Turn it up at loud volumes, blast it as high as you can and freak out the whole neighborhood! In short, I feel like this serves better as a handbook for those who want to make experimental music, rather than an album you listen to again and again. With that being said, it is quite listenable and worthy of praise for it’s somewhat brave and unquestionably unique style. Basically, the Buttholes entered the studio and fumbled around with what they had (which was limited), took tons of acid (amongst other substances I can imagine) and ultimately created a really cool, trippy experience for all of us music lovers.

Grade: B

CD Review, Entertainment, Music

CD Review: Interpol S/T [2010]

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Band: Interpol
Release: 9/2010
Label: Matador Records

1. “Success” – B+
2. “Memory Serves” – B
3. “Summer Well” – B
4. “Lights” – B+
5. “Barricade” – A-
6. “Always Malaise” – B-
7. “Safe Without” – C+
8. “Try It On” – B-
9. “All of the Ways” – B-
10. “The Undoing” – B

Comments: I started listening to Interpol a few short years ago, a few short years after their so called glory days. Paul Banks’ crazy voice was really great and the band basically shit out a bunch of excellent tracks over a two year span. Then they signed to Capitol and people accused them of sucking. The songs on their major label debut didn’t suck; they just weren’t as good. Now, the band is back on Matador. Last year Banks recorded a solo album Julian Plenti Is Skyscraper, which had a couple of really awesome songs. I think Interpol have had their day by now. They’ve already gotten to the outer reaches of their musical limit. If you can’t stand this band to begin with, good luck trying to like this! Fans will probably find a few songs particularly worthy of attention. It’s not as terrible as the online community is making it out to be. It’s exhausted and boring with a few somewhat catchy hooks here and there. It drags. I’ve always been able to tolerate Interpol at their weakest, which may be why I’m attempting to stick up for them here. “Lights” has a good build-up and becomes pretty solid. “Barricade” is the most memorable and most catchy tune on this album.

Grade: B- (83)

Art, CD Review, Classic CD Review, Drugs, Entertainment, Femmes, humor, Music, pictures, Punk, Quotes, rant, reviews, Video

Classic Album Review: Superfuzz Bigmuff

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Artist: Mudhoney
Full Title: Superfuzz Bigmuff plus Early Singles
Year: 1988 (recorded), 1990 (released)
Label: Sub Pop
Tracks:
1) Touch Me I’m Sick– 10
2) Sweet Young Thing (Ain’t Sweet No More)– 9
3) Hate the Police (The Dicks)- 8
4) Burn It Clean- 8
5) You Got It (Keep It Outta My Face)– 9
6) Halloween (Sonic Youth)- 8
7) No One Has- 8/9
8) If I Think- 8
9) In “N” Out of Grace– 9
10) Need- 8
11) Chain That Door- 7/8
12) Mudride- 7/8

NOTE: “The album contains the entire Superfuzz Bigmuff EP, the A-sides and B-sides of 2 singles, and 2 covers from split singles with Sonic Youth and The Dicks.”- Wikipedia.

Comments:
For those of you youngsters out there that are strugglin’ with the ladies, here’s a new pick up line for y’all to try out. Tell em’ “Touch Me I’m Sick!” So, after you get clocked in the face, grab a case of beer and get rowdy with this sucker. Here we have the legendary Mudhoney at their muddiest. Loud, fuzzy, muzzy guitars, pouding drums and the distinctive, apathetic drone of singer, Mark Arm. These songs have that filthy feel to them, but at the same time the riffs are memorable/catchy and Arm’s vocals are pretty damn clear, especially for this kind of music. As we all know this became the template for the Seattle Scene and what would become known to the rest of the world as “Grunge” (yes, I hate the term too, but it’s useful as a point of reference). This record and this band are without a doubt influential, but a tad bit overrated. Don’t get me wrong, most of the songs on here are good, it’s a very good record, but there are only a few great, stand out tracks, and yes they are exquisite. “Touch Me I’m Sick,” is fucking great for headbanging and I can imagine moshing; as a whole Mudhoney is great for an intoxicated state, particularly “Touch.” It’s a classic for a reason, well many reasons. Of course sonically it showscases the garagey Seattle sound better than any other tune in their catalog, but for me, the lyrics and presentation of those lyrics are also extremely vital. It’s a song I can relate to, a different kinda love ballad, if you will. You see it’s the honest male emotion that’s key here- “I’m a creep and I’m a jerk”- Arm’s nastiness and brutal delivery turns girls off, while spineless blokes like John Mayer sing about your daughter and tell the females exactly what they want to hear, so they can love him, at least they used to. But enough of that ranting and raving, “Touch” is complemented by its B-Side, “Sweet Young Thing,” which is the second track on this compilation, making it one of the greatest singles of all time. “In ‘N’ Out of Grace” is certainly one of my favorite tracks and exemplifies the group’s excellent guitar playing; one of the best riffs I have ever heard. All in all, this is a really good record, but not exceptional. I feel like Mudhoney is more of a “sound” band, like they have a great sound to almost all of these songs, but for me to love this thang, I need more fabulous tracks. It’s definitely worth a few listens and if you like “grunge” music, then well, you suck if you haven’t heard this and shouldn’t call yourself a fan of said style, but I’ll give you a break and let you listen to this and impress your average mainstream listening friends.

Grade: B+