Reviews
Heatmiser – Mic City Sons
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 by WLOY Staff
Anybody who listens to music frequently is destined to be asked the question, “Hey, where do I go next?” by the less experienced listener. Now, by no means am I pretentiously promoting my own listening habits. Though, I think we all have at least one album that we can swear produces instant satisfaction. Do I go to Radiohead, Brand New, Opeth, Thrice, or another cliché universal Sputnik favorite? No, well how about Elliott Smith? Close, I go with his earlier band, Heatmiser, and their final album, Mic City Sons. Immediately gratifying, beautiful lyrics and pleasant melodies are always major advantages when recommending music. (more…)
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The Twilight Sad – Forget the Night Ahead
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010 by WLOY Staff
Do you ever wish you could just sit down with a band and talk with them about their record? You know, get a little more insight into their inspiration, their connections, their sentiments. I know I have many times…
…just imagine…
Me: Hi, nice of you coming all the way to Glasgow just to talk to me about your new record, Forget the Night Ahead. The Twilight Sad: Of course, anything for you, Eric. You’re only like the best reviewer in the world.
Me: Why thank you, but let’s get down to business, shall we? I’m going to be blunt, I didn’t really enjoy your record. (more…)
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Third Eye Blind – Ursa Major
Monday, April 12th, 2010 by WLOY Staff
I was sitting in a friend’s dorm the other day with approximately 4 or 5 other people when a startling yet predictable phenomenon occurred. None of us were paying any particular attention to the background music that was playing from an adjacent computer. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, each one of us began to sing, move, and hum, all in harmony and melody with each other. The results were almost frightening, and it took each of us off guard considering we had not planned this in any way. What could have caused this strange event, you say? Yes, it was none other than “Semi- Charmed Life” resounding around the room. Scientists have been baffled for years by this phenomenon. Studies show that it is physically impossible to not join into the music when subjects hear that doo-doo-doo, du, du-du-du-doooo off the beginning of “Semi-Charmed Life.” While I give Third Eye Blind some credit for wanting to recreate that same mystique they managed to develop so well on their self-titled, I’m also a little sad at how they failed to do so and in turn put a little blemish on their legacy. Ursa Major, the first release of their two-disc set, isn’t a horrible record by any means, but it is a blight on that alternative band that you sang along to so many summer nights. (more…)
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The Jealous Sound – Kill Them With Kindness
Monday, April 12th, 2010 by WLOY Staff
As individuals that are often very fervent and passionate about music, it’s easy to underestimate the value of pure, unadulterated, enjoyability. It’s by no means a simple quality to convey, and certainly doesn’t take anything away from the music, but, simply put: what is complex often takes precedence over the simple in the world of those passionate about music and vice versa in the mainstream. Sadly, this leads us to sometimes forget about those greats that simply evoke emotion, whether it be through a cliché style or through means we’re so used to hearing. (more…)
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Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record
Saturday, April 10th, 2010 by WLOY Staff
Broken Social Scene have never been a band to go lightly on extravagance. The Canadian conglomerate of a band that began with 2 art-rockers quickly grew into a joint mish-mash of indie all-stars from a wide scope. With the sexy songstresses from Stars and Metric, it’s also worth mentioning that Broken Social Scene probably have one of the prettiest rock line-ups (sorry, Hayley Williams). This assortment of indie royalty grants Broken Social Scene the ability to experiment a little, and rarely do they pass up this opportunity. Forgiveness Rock Record is a rich display of Broken Social Scene’s many talents and areas of interest, from blaring horns sections to lighter pieces where Emily Hainses’ soft voice is most prominent. Yes, it’s also probably not too far from what you’re expecting to hear if you were one of the vehement fans of You Forgot It In People (then again, fans indifferent to YFIIP are few and far between). And in no way can you count this steady, tranquil progression against Broken Social Scene. Forgiveness Rock Record may not grant many gasps in shock and awe, but the group’s latest is sure to leave the rest of 2010 a target to catch up to as far as indie goes. (more…)
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Celeste – Morte(s) Nee(s)
Thursday, April 8th, 2010 by WLOY Staff
France’s Celeste have been busy in the business of uneasy tension. Their third full-length album in 3 years, Morte(s) Nee(s) continues in the tried-and-true tradition of harsh, melancholic, and brooding music. In 2010, Celeste reveals themselves to be more than simply a mirror of their French screamo counterparts Sed Non Satiata or Amanda Woodward. A tinge of black metal can certainly be felt here or there, but Celeste is really a screamo band at heart – and it fully embraces this quality on Morte(s) Nee(s). Heavy and dissonant, Celeste craft a distinct sound that’s sure to turn many away. The brooding atmosphere gets tiring, sure, but it never feels redundant or overused throughout the album’s 42-minutes. (more…)
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Groove Armada – Black Light
Thursday, April 8th, 2010 by WLOY Staff
Released in early March, the newest album from Groove Armada entitled Black Light reveals a darker side of the electronic duo. This time around, the group collaborated with vocalists featuring Nick Littlemore and SaintSaviour. What makes this album unique is that there are no purely instrumental tracks, and there seems to be a theme that flows through each song. This theme radiates a feeling of love lost in tracks like “Cards to Your Heart” and “Not Forgotten,” both featuring vocals by Nick Littlemore. (more…)
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First Quarter Report
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 by WLOY Staff
2010 seemed to start out a bit slowly, but sure did it pick up impressively. The heavyweight matches don’t take place until later in the year between Radiohead, Minus the Bear, The Gaslight Anthem, Jonsi, and a slew returning big names. The main trend, it seems, among the first quarter of 2010’s best comes from the refinement or subtle changes in a band’s sound. Rather than recreating the promising albums of the past, Titus Andronicus, Beach House, and Frightened Rabbit refused to regurgitate the same album that first garnered them a fair amount of credibility. Instead, the commencement of the decade has opened with evolving bands – sometimes for better, other times, not so much – and I find it heartening. On that note of evolution, risk-taking, and utter surprise, I give you the best of the best in the first quarter of 2010… (more…)
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Queens Club – Young Giant
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 by WLOY Staff
Besides a really cool design on their album cover, Queens Club rocks out with some great tunes. The band assembled in 2008 and is composed of the ex-members of the metal band The Chariot. Their new CD, Young Giant, was recently released on Tooth and Nail Records, which has signed similar popular bands like Anberlin. As I listened to the album, I was struck by the catchy guitar riffs and the energy that this group generates. This CD is packed with a number of great songs that are all worth listening to.
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Brand New – Daisy
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 by WLOY Staff
It’s hard not to have a strong opinion on Brand New”s brand new release, Daisy. The colossal wave of hype surrounding this album wasn”t replicated by any other band this year. Jesse Lacey and the rest had their destiny decided for them. Because of the expectations, Daisy was going to be a massive hit or a disappointment. Please excuse me for thinking that it doesn”t live up to either of these labels. Daisy, first and foremost, is what Brand New does best- progression. From the pop-punk of Your Favourite Weapon, to the emo-tinged Deja Entendu, to the masterpiece The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me, Brand New have managed to adapt and improve their sound while still remaining appealing and interesting.
(more…)
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