"Music is amazing. There's some metaphysical comfort where it allows you to be isolated and alone while telling you that you are not alone... truly, the only cure for sadness is to share it with someone else."
-Wayne Coyne
For those who like:
socially aware music
alt reggae
guitar and bass driven music
Pass if:
your reggae has to be pure roots
I've seen Passafire in concert before and they put on an energetic show despite playing for a small crowd. They've produced four decent albums already. Each is a mellow alternative reggae sound. I should probably clarify that point, because I have a tendency to make up genres and then assume people know what I'm talking about. They have a more rock sound than straight up reggae, though reggae shows through stronger. They fall somewhere between Sublime and Ziggy Marley, but closer to Ziggy. Or at least that's how I would have described their first four albums. This new one is something else.
Vineswas released just a couple weeks ago. They've picked up a heavier guitar driven reggae atmosphere, and it sounds great. The reggae sound is still there, but has taken on a less mellow and more rocking mood. Some of the songs have nearly metal sounds. A heavy bass guitar leads through the song 'Souvenir'. It goes into solos that are borderline metal bass tracks. The track 'Go' also follows a very fast bass line. In fact, the choppy style actually sounds like a ska riff but played on a bass guitar.
Several of the songs are more ska style than reggae. 'All of our Minds' has that very choppy beat. 'Invisible' is an interesting tune- it has the ska beat, but halfway through has a big guitar solo that reminds me of the guitar style of Avenged Sevenfold.
They still have a few of their traditional sounding songs too. 'Phoney Imposter' and 'Stowaway' are mellow alt reggae tracks.
And then there is 'Steam Rising'; it combines the ska and rock styles to form a kind of industrial ska not unlike 311.
Even the slower 'Right Thing' mixes in some guitar riffs, and yet the sounds flow together very well. This song also starts off the socially aware mood this band maintains. It's not about forcing others to do good, it's about leading by example with a natural sense of doing good.
Besides the social messages, they convey other uplifting ideals; being true to yourself is a common theme. 'Black Dog' is a moving tale of a stray dog he adopted and how they are now inseparable.
All in all, a great album. These guys are on their way up and mark my words, you will be seeing a lot more of Passafire, especially if you're into the reggae music scene. It was hard to pick one song to demonstrate, but in the end I picked 'Go'. As mentioned before, it has the bassist playing a ska beat, and I like how the reggae bleeds through during the chorus.
More extravagantly weird music videos!! Treat your eardrums if you like:
MGMT (or if you're over them)
electronic based pop music
Daft Punk
Cover your earholes if you don't like:
synthpop bands with lots of remixes
weird indie rock
I had no preconceived notions for these guys. I had never even heard of them before they were suggested to me. I guess if anything, the name sounds a little sci-fiey, so that's cool. Like maybe from a civilization that lives on the sun and I wondered if they'd have to be plasma people, or pure energy, or just have really badass space suits, because I bet if your imperial palace is on the sun, it's going to be really hot.
My first impression was that this band is a lot like MGMT. Not only the similar style of synthpop, but the singer's voice is pretty close too. I'm kind of over MGMT though, so this is a nice change. Singer Luke Steele has a rather high vocal range and he combines this with different styles of synthesizers for a wide range of singing styles. Sometimes he'll sing high giving the tune a trancy surreal sound. Mostly his regular singing voice alternates between a speaking/whispering rock voice and a third singing style reminds me of a modern day David Bowie. He did some synthpop in the 80's, so it's not too much of a stretch. These last two singing styles are legible, but when Steele gets all spacey singy, most of what he says is hard to interpret.
Their first album was released in 2008: Walking on a Dream. The first part of the album sticks to the dream pop side of the synthpop spectrum. It is slower and melodic. Steele uses a thicker clear voice for the verses and balances with high pitched choruses. Definitely something to enjoy if you like listening to music while working or otherwise more focused on something else.
The tone switches midway through the album with several choppy chaotic tracks. The dream pop style is quickly replaced with an electro rock sound reminiscent of Ghostland Observatory, especially with Steele's corresponding shift in singing style.
Whether you will more enjoy the first part or the second part of this album is entirely dependent on your musical tastes. Taken altogether, this is one of those albums that gets better the more you listen. The first time I previewed it without really paying attention, I wasn't sure I'd find much to say. After a couple more listens, I started to notice the versatility. And speaking of versatile, if remixes are your thing, Spotify has all of the bonus tracks and remixes. I usually skip over these, but this is one of those bands where the remixes really add to the songs, so check that out if you like the regular versions. They add a much heavier electronic element than the low key beats of the original tracks.
Below are two videos, the first is 'We Are the People'. The tune is driven by an acoustic guitar but still has the electro background. It is a slower MGMTesque track? The second I choose specifically for the Ghostland comparison, and after watching the video there was no way I could leave out this weird video. It has FISH PEOPLE!
WE ARE THE PEOPLE
BREAKDOWN
The second album, Ice on the Dune, was released in March 2013. This album is a bit more trancy than the first. It has a very similar atmosphere as Daft Punks album Random Access Memories, but was released several months earlier. This is especially noticeable in songs like 'Old Flavours' and 'Celebrate'. I suspect that most of you will enjoy this album more than their first. It is more polished and flows better than the first. It doesn't have that sudden shift in the middle, but yet it shows even more diversity. The Daft Punk sound is countered by the melodic, Bowiesque 'Keep a Watch'. Check out the song 'Alive'. Probably my favorite of all of their songs, and yet another weird music video:
"I'm kinda over gettin' told to throw my hands up in the air. So there."
Try it if you are into:
that one song on the radio ('Royals')
strong female singers
a mellow music mood
dream pop
Avoid if you dislike:
minimalist background beats
manufactured music
Before starting this album, I wasn't sure what to think, I liked that one song that is getting overplayed, but had my doubts about whether this would be just more pop music.
But I'm definitely glad I checked out this album. It has a good sound and is impressive for an album put out by this New Zealand girl when she was only 16.
The music does sound a little manufactured. What particularly gets me is when a singer provides background vocals for themselves. It's not a big deal, but I personally prefer bands with multiple singers, so I don't see the point of layering just one person's voice.
However, she does write her own lyrics. Some of them are a bit simplistic, and some of them offer some contradictory ideals. For example, sometimes she gets cocky, but other times she sings about the sudden weight of being famous and keeping herself grounded. But she does have a consistent message in rejecting our obsessions with image. Sometimes she uses sarcasm to get this point across, as you might have heard in the song 'Royal'.
So the lyrics aren't exactly her strong point, but I'm certainly willing to cut her some slack here considering she's young, writes her own material, and still manages to make a pretty valid point.
The music itself is very minimalistic. It's an electric background beat, not completely unlike the British indie rock band The xx. It is slightly surreal and allows her voice to dominate the tunes.
And dominate it does. If nothing else is to be taken from this review, know one thing: her voice is incredible. Her slow, hypnotic voice just gets more and more impressive as you listen. She conveys a passion for her music and her soft accent really draws in the listener.
She seems to be an interesting person as well. She posted the picture above on her twitter and presumably drew it herself.
Like it or not, you will absolutely hear more of this girl. She recently signed a 2.5 million dollar deal with Song Music Publishing, which includes the likes of Bright Eyes and Slightly Stoopid, and apparently is an employee owned company. Hopefully that means the artist will retain creative control.
If you haven't heard 'Royals' yet, then you should check that song out. It's one of her quickest tunes and arguably the best on the album. Most people seem to miss the idea that, as mentioned above, it's mostly sarcastic. She's highlighting her inexperience (due to being a teenager) and finds it ridiculous that people obsess about these symbols of wealth, but what do her peers actually know about Grey Goose, diamonds, and gold teeth?
I also like the track 'Buzzcut Season', a slower, dreamy tune with a meaning that is up for interpretation (perhaps living in denial about an imperfect world?).
Check out 'A World Alone', one of her quicker songs that seems to be about finding a friend while living in a superficial world:
Check this out if you like:
wacky music
pop/funk grooves
Rick James
Don't bother if:
you're afraid of ancient Egyptian curses
sexual puns make you uncomfortable
Imagine a band that doesn't take themselves too seriously...mostly humorous, maybe a little slapstick. Now imagine if that band made the same music, but took themselves entirely seriously. That's a good way to start describing Here Come the Mummies.
This funky group from Ancient Egypt (or Nashville), is wrapped in mystery. No one knows quite who is in this band! The rumors (rumors taken from their website, that is) say that this ancient group includes several Grammy winners, but because slavery record companies still exist, they're contractually prevented from making music outside of their record companies.
Pre-listen Bias:
I had assumed I was in for a group similar to They Might be Giants. While I'm a fan, TMBGiants are not exactly the most talented band out there. I mean, really- their best album is a children's album. While there are some similarities, The Mummies have the Giants beat, easily.
As ancient as their band members are, their music is anything but musty. Their groovy jams are shrouded with upbeat trumpets, sexy saxophones, and funky basslines. Oh, and sexual innuendos. Did I mention that yet? They must not have brushed off all the sand, because these guys are dirty. It's hard to tell if each line should be taken at face value, or if it's just another innuendo. It's constant, but it's not explicit. You could play this for about anyone really. Their music is fun!
There are some great musicians in this group. They pull from a lot of different influences, too. The trumpet plays with a zesty Latin flare, the Sax throws in some smooth soul, and the singers have a lot of different styles.
About those singers...it's difficult to tell how many they have. There is the main singer - a sharp crooner that is really into the ladies. Backup vocals are provided by a gruff skeezy singer who, at times, sounds a lot like Jack Black doing his grumbly singing voice.
And there are certainly more. It's hard to determine how many, because some of them only provide lead vocals on one or two songs. Other times, the whole band provides a chorus and the lead singer shifts back and forth. Now...this is going to sound odd, but one of the other singers sounds a lot like Weird Al. I know, farfetched, but let's think about this. He's never done any formal music, so if he tried, you know it couldn't be completely serious. Weird Al is extremely talented, more so than 95% of the musicians he parodies. And if he did decide to try something different, he wouldn't want to smear his Weird Al persona. Anyway, I digress...
Maybe I'm just cursed and am hearing things. However, with all the singers in this band, it's really hard not to hear the voice of other singers you think you might know. There were even a couple times I heard Michael Jackson. But not really; this was done on purpose. More than once, the hook from thriller snuck its way into the tune (not to mention his "YeeHeee").
Below are the studio albums in this collection, along with key songs from each.
Terrifying Funk from Beyond the Grave, released 2002
This is the album you should listen to first. Probably their best, but that's a tough call. It shows the variety of music they make, from the mysterious 'Strange', to the straight up sexual funk of 'Damn Good'. Or the Latin style 'Ra Ra Ra'.
All good songs, but try out 'Believe (in Things you Cannot See)', an upbeat fun track below.
(Unfortunately, they don't make official videos, and YouTube has nothing but live videos, so if you want a higher quality listening experience, I suggest checking them out on Spotify)
Everlasting Party(2003) continues where the last album left off. Really it's more of the same, but in a good way. The Latin style might be a little more noticeable on this album. You can hear it in 'Dirty Minds' and 'All about Sugar'. Or check out 'Boom Boom Room'. (Did I mention the innuendos?)
After a few years, they released Single Entendre in 2008. This one is a little slower. It has its good songs, but doesn't stir up quite as much excitement as the first two. Check out the title song, 'Single Entendre', or VIP, or 'OCDD'. That's read O.C.double D. Yep, exactly about what you think it is. I won't post a video for this one, because all I can find from this band are live versions of varying quality.
In 2010, they gave us Carnal Carnival. This one is weird. I didn't say bad, but it is out there. The sexual references are just out in the open now. The title song sounds like the theme to a burlesque carnival. Scratch that...IS the theme to a burlesque carnival. 'Creepin' is probably the most entertaining song about stalking that I've heard.
Next is Bed Bath and Behind released 2011. This one actually seems a little more traditional disco funk. A good album, if a little mellow by the standards they had already set. 'It's on Tonight' is some good straight up funk, featuring the Weird Al sounding singer mentioned above. For some steady toe tapping music, check out 'Glamazon'. If you're into music while gettin' it on, this album is especially full of baby makin' music with songs like 'Aeroplane Blonde'. I've also got to mention 'That's What She Said', because of course they're going to make a song out of that old joke.
Finally, just earlier this year, they came out with Cryptic. Wait, Cryptic...Crypt...now I get it!
This one, lyrically speaking, is probably their tamest. You could play this album to your grandma with only minimal blushing.
Somewhat like the last album, this album has the funk feel a la Rick James (but more of a modern sound). However, there are key songs that change up the tone. The songs 'Devil Better Run' and 'Come Alive' replace the funk bassline with an electric guitar for more of an epic rock sound. 'Cruel Sun' takes that in the opposite direction with a mellow, reggae tinted funk. For that pure soul funk sound, 'Revenge' is the way to go. This is probably their second best album, but again, this ranking is pretty arbitrary because it's all good.
Final thoughts:
I listened to this discography, more or less beginning to end. For a band to hold my attention and keep my toe tapping for six straight albums...well that's rather impressive. I will definitely be listening again. These guys are cursed until they can find the perfect jam. Well they've got to be pretty darn close!
Well, I wasn't sure how this album would turn out...but as they say, don't judge an album by its cover.
Listen if: you like electro you like violin you like classical music
Avoid if: You don't like songs without lyrics
Big Gigantic got it right when they combined a Sax with wompy techno music. So it's only natural that someone should follow that up with some violin techno. I wasn't too sure at first, but this quickly grows on you.
The interesting thing is that the violin is a fast paced
instrument by itself. Lindsey uses this to her advantage and much of the
time, the violin is setting the pace, dragging the electronic beat along,
instead of vice versa. You can hear the talent involved, and this gives
the tunes a chill feel while still being rather quickly paced. As a result, compared to Big G and other electronic artists, it's not so very wompy, but there is some pretty heavy electro in several of the songs. For other tracks, the violin is layered, providing a very unique
electronic sound.
It makes for a sound that, at times, sounds a little Celtic. Other times, I get weird classical music deja vu. The violin sounds like something I've heard before, but it's a little different.
There are no lyrics in this music, that would just ruin it. However, she does do a little singing, not forming any words, but just using her voice as another instrument. The music is very pretty with the occasional rising techno beat making it more intense.
The only slightly "negative" thing about this album is that it is easy to tune out by the end. You've already heard what she has to offer and there isn't a whole lot of variation...it'll be interesting to see if she can do another album without doing the
exact same thing. This should not discourage you from listening though, because it is a great album.
KEY SONG: Moon trance - WARNING: this video is weird. But the song is awesome.
We're going to start this blog out right, with Melophobia! Cage the Elephant's third album, released late 2013.
You will like this if:
you like rock music, or any music really
Avoid this if:
rock music elevates your blood pressure to dangerous levels
Melophobia (the fear of music)
If you know me (as opposed to my thousands of daily readers who haven't yet had the pleasure), you already know that Cage was one of my favorite bands before this album came out.
With all the hype this album received before it was out there, and the precedence set by their earlier two albums, I was, well, a little Melophobic about what I would find here. But that fear was quickly laid to rest. This album is hands down the best of
the year and a very real early contender for album of the decade.
The music is a plethora of contradictions. It is smooth and it is chaotic. Pretty and dirty. Deep and shallow. Dog and cat.
One of the biggest changes from their two earlier albums is that they seem to use a lot more distortion guitar. But they maintain that 'every song is way different, but very much Cage the Elephant' feel. Even within the song, a nice mellow tune will shift seamlessly into a heavy sound. It is quite impressive how they can change the mood of a song with little effort.
Matt, the lead singer, also has apparently discovered higher vocal octaves than before, because every now and then he lets out some high pitched singing that was no where in his first two albums. Overall, his vocals have gotten even better.
As a whole, you can tell that the band is still learning. Some bands come out and put all their tricks in their first album, and don't have many new ideas for the followup albums. Not these guy...they just keep improving. So, if you liked them before, you will definitely like this one.
They have the same mix of mellow pretty songs (which is weird, considering his voice and the music backing it up don't really seem capable of making pretty music) and rocking songs. There's some new instruments here and there, like the trombone, and lots of strange lyrics.
To top it all off, the band has confirmed they will be headlining their own shows for a US tour. They often upstage the other bands that play after them with their crazy energy and great songs, so this is exciting.
The highlight:
I really like the song "It's Just Forever", in part because of guest vocals from The Kills' Alison Mosshart. This girl has the same gritty-yet-pretty vocals that Matt has, so compliments this song quite well.
However, you should probably watch this music video for the first single "Come a little Closer".
It is pretty ridiculous:
Hello and welcome to my blog. Blogs have been all the rage for awhile, and of course now that they're old news is when I'm jumping on the bandwagon.
But since I listen to a lot of music, I thought it's about time that i catalogue my opinions on the albums to which I listen, so that you all may understand how much more I like music than you, and how your opinions are wrong, so listen to mine.
I like a lot of music, pretty much every style. I particularly enjoy hybrids of reggae and rock music (punk reggae, electro rock...and of course reggae rock). I started out early in life listening to country, and of lately have even come to appreciate certain hip hop acts. So a lot of the albums I review probably won't have very negative reviews. Instead, I hope to compare albums to other stuff you might have heard, so that you can use that to decide if it's something you should check out.
Each entry will have several points:
"The listen to if you like:" section where I describe related stuff and if you like that related stuff, you will probably like what I'm talking about. Conversely, I will also spell out some stuff that, if you enjoy, will mean you probably won't like this one. Simple, right?
Then my main description. This is the part where most of you will simply decide tl:dr. Most of the time I will try to be funny. Most of the time I will fail.
I'm also going to try to list some of my biases before starting the album.
Finally, i'll pull a key song or some key part and highlight it as the best part of whatever I'm talking about.
Then after all that is put up, it is YOUR job to comment! Don't worry, this isn't one of those pansy 'be nice to everyone' comment sections. Tell me if you disagree and feel free to trash other commentors.
So here goes....at least until I get bored with this.
