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La Verite – Elephant

March 8th, 2010 by Eric Loose

No matter how extensively I listen to purely instrumental music, I don’t think I’ll ever stop being surprised at how resonating an effect wordless music has on me. I’ve always been a sucker for lyrics. They often make matters simple, providing a context for me to spill my reactions and feelings. To say that instrumental music provides a little more freedom would be an understatement. Elephant is the proof. Upon constructing a musical soundscape both devoid of and teeming with life and energy at disparate points, La Verite have proven themselves to be surprising masters of their domain, providing the first not-so-subtle post-rock behemoth of 2010. Read the rest of this entry »

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New Releases for the Week of 3.8.10

March 8th, 2010 by Rich Rodrigues

Here are this week’s new releases. UK cartoon band Gorillaz are back with their first new album since 2005 and Serj Tankian releases his first live album. Enjoy! Read the rest of this entry »

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Top 40 Chart for the Week of 3.8.10

March 8th, 2010 by Rich Rodrigues

Here are this weeks charts. Spoon’s new album remains at #1 for a second straight week. This week’s charts are inspired by James Cameron and how pissed off he must be for not winning Best Director or Best Picture at the Oscars. On top of that…he lost to his ex-wife both times. WOMP WOMP! Read the rest of this entry »

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Suis La Lune – Heir EP (2008)

March 1st, 2010 by Eric Loose

As much as it pains me to admit it, my music of choice lately, as a whole, has its restrictions. Based on chaotic energy, dynamic guitars, overwhelming emotions and the like, “screamo” tends to be a bit off-putting because of the sheer tenacity and overwhelming nature of the music. It’s a large generalization, of course, but it’s fairly accurate when judging the music known for its ravenous screams. Enter Suis La Lune’s Heir EP. A mere quartet of songs, the Heir EP claws and digs its way into the ranks of the lofty, holy classics of the genre. Read the rest of this entry »

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Crime In Stereo – I Was Trying To Describe You To Someone

March 1st, 2010 by Eric Loose

It’s one thing to discover a band through their recorded material and consequently see them live, but it’s a whole ‘nother deal to be introduced to a band live and accordingly hear their album. Well, this is the case for me, at least. The whole system of expectations is just a bit out of whack. Sometimes sound and energy translate, many times it doesn’t… well, there’re just many more variables and uncertainties that leave me a little uneasy with the experience. This was the case with Crime In Stereo. Opening for Thrice and Brand New is no easy task, the frontman made himself memorable with his shrill screams amidst the post-hardcore-esque flurry of guitars. Anyway, going into the Long Island natives’ 2010 LP, I tried to keep an open mind, but I have to admit I was a little excited. And what happens when I get excited about something again?… oh, that’s right! I get let down. Read the rest of this entry »

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New Releases for the week of 3.1.10

February 26th, 2010 by Rich Rodrigues

Check out this week’s new releases and recommended tracks! They include Alkaline Trio, Dave Matthews, Rogue Wave, and the New Monarchs. Hope you’re all having a good spring break! As always, we’ll be back next week with more new music, so make sure you keep checking our website for the latest happenings in the music industry! Read the rest of this entry »

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Top 40 for the Week of 3.1.10

February 26th, 2010 by Rich Rodrigues

You ready for this week’s Top 40? Some of the top artists this week are seasoned artists (Spoon, Motion City Soundtrack) but some are new to the game (Mumford & Sons), proving that they have enough musical talent to top the charts among the rest. Oh yeah – it’s also Zach Morris’ birthday! Apparently, he’s ditched the blonde look! Man, I remember Saved By The Bell like it was yesterday. Forgive the nostalgia, but is anyone else feeling a bit old?
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Hot Chip – One Life Stand

February 23rd, 2010 by Eric Loose

Quirkiness is a funny quality. I mean, seriously, attach that label to music and attention will be paid- I guarantee you. This undoubtedly stems from what most eager music listeners strive for: something different, but not too far out of their comfort zone. Hot Chip fills this description fairly well. The dance-oriented band from the United Kingdom has been considered catchy enough for the mainstream but still satisfying for the more refined tastes of electronic enthusiasts (for something fun, at least). Hot Chip possess that “quirky” quality- a little hard to define, but definitely that ONE song or sound that sends your radar off a little. One Life Stand is satisfying in this sense. It leaves you with a little grin and your head bobbing whether you’re that audiophile with the Autechre discography or my little sister. That being said, don’t expect anything even close to consistency, because, once again, Hot Chip fails in this paramount aspect. Read the rest of this entry »

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Bat For Lashes – Two Suns (2009)

February 23rd, 2010 by Eric Loose

Listeners of every variety seem to be enthused by the unstable and the demented, don’t they? David Bowie with an alter ego- Cool! Thom Yorke as an unstable recluse for Kid A- Interesting! A heartbroken Justin Vernon alone in the wilderness- Intriguing! The success of these unstable releases from equally mad artists ultimately comes not from the unfortunate condition of the artist but from the art. Bat For Lashes mastermind Natasha Khan is a bit weird (no offense to the songstress, of course). Unfortunately, Two Suns cannot withstand its own ambience and minimalism and ends up collapsing in on itself. Her sophomore album certainly doesn’t fail at creating a lush atmosphere; the moodiness of Two Suns gets tiresome and (dare I say?) boring after the listener realizes that Bat For Lashes simply doesn’t have enough worthwhile material to make Two Suns an engaging experience. It might seem interesting at first, but after several subsequent listens, the soft, 80’s-esque music with haunting vocals fails to deliver more. The gaping hole in Khan’s work is her inability to create anything worthwhile beneath her ethereal musings and moods. Read the rest of this entry »

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Ke$ha – Animal

February 23rd, 2010 by Eric Loose

It was only a few days ago that I was reading a newspaper article about how “empowered girls” are becoming more assertive and seducing boys into having sex with them. The reporter outlined studies and observations that could be summarized as girls (predominately ages 16-24) becoming more like men, in the sense that they’re much more sexually aggressive. With her raunchy debut, Animal, there’s no doubt in my mind that Ke$ha (money sign purposeful) adds fuel to this fire. It’s not difficult to imagine teenage girls in ridiculous attention-getting outfits with bright colors (maybe a nod to Lady Gaga here or there) dancing with fruity liquor galore calling dibs on the guys that present themselves in the night ahead. It’s particularly easy to imagine, actually, because it’s a scene I witness every weekend- but this review isn’t about me. No, let’s keep the focus on Ke$ha, her sex-infused lyrics, surprisingly catchy pop beats, and her expectedly atrocious debut, Animal. Read the rest of this entry »