Best Album You Bought Lately?

[Dutch]

Looking for music before our road trip to Myrtle Beach next week. Woot!

(For me, it's got to be The Killers, that album is awesome.)

[yabanci]

Beck, Guero

[st.cronin]

Modest Mouse - Good News for People who Love Bad News

[Dutch]

Beck, Guero

I'm guessing it's more than just one good song (E Pro)? I haven't heard the rest of the album yet.

[Schmidty]

Pavement's 2 disc remix of "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain". Oh and "Blinking Lights and Other Revelations" by the Eels.

I'm also having trouble waiting the two more days it'll take for Stephen Malkmus to release his new albom, "Face the Truth".

[Joe]

Keith Urban- Be Here

[cthomer5000]

The Decemberists - Picaresque

edit: 3 tracks for download here http://www.killrockstars.com/bands/factsheets/thedecemberists/

Only "The Engine Driver" is from the most recent album. I suggest either their first album (Castaways and Cutouts) or their most recent (Picasesque). Their 2nd (Her Majesty) is a distant 3rd (though still good).

[yabanci]

I'm guessing it's more than just one good song (E Pro)? I haven't heard the rest of the album yet.

In my opinion, E-Pro's not even close to being the best song on the album. The album is solid up and down. I particularly like Hell Yes, Black Tambourine, Go it Alone, Girl, Que Onda Guero, Missing, and Earthquake Weather. I'd rate E-Pro behind all these songs.

[Yossarian]

David Fridlund's new album Amaterasu

Funky piano work - not too chilled, not too rockin that it seems forced.

good track i've put here for y'all

http://www.davidfarrell.co.uk/aprilandmay.mp3

[BishopMVP]

Franz Ferdinand, Muse, Snow Patrol, Kenna, Jack Johnson or The Game. Listed in descending order of how close to the KillersI think they match up.

[AlexB]

Because I bought them both a bit late, best two I've recently bought have been Absolution by Muse and Employment by Kaiser Chiefs.

[ice4277]

(For me, it's got to be The Killers, that album is awesome.)
Great album. If you want something along those lines, check out Kasabian.

[AlexB]

Great album. If you want something along those lines, check out Kasabian.

I wouldn;t necessarily say The Killers and Kasabian are all that similar tbh - both great albums though. The Bravery are more like 'Hot Fuss' imho, but not quite as good (not far off though - the album is again well worht getting)

[Fidatelo]

Best CD I've bought lately: Weezer - Make Believe
Best CD I've got lately: Beck - Guero

Interestingly, I downloaded both, and after liking them decided to buy each of them, with the Beck album being the better of the two. But because the Beck CD had been out for a month or so, I could no longer purchase the "limited" edition of the album which has 3 extra songs at the end (2 of which I really like). Nice move music industry, way to lose a sale. Why not just charge more for the limited edition?

[HerRealName]

The Decemberists - Picaresque

edit: 3 tracks for download here http://www.killrockstars.com/bands/factsheets/thedecemberists/

Only "The Engine Driver" is from the most recent album. I suggest either their first album (Castaways and Cutouts) or their most recent (Picasesque). Their 2nd (Her Majesty) is a distant 3rd (though still good).

Seconded. As a bonus, Mariner's Revenge Song on Picaresque is now my kids' favorite song because I told them it was about a pirate.

[Easy Mac]

British Sea Power, The Zutons, Franz Ferdinand, Hot Hot Heat, Elefant, Kaiser Chiefs, Interpol, The Futureheads, The Mars Volta. All similar in nature to the Killers (except tMV).

I wouldn't recommend the Bravery. I had a listen to their stuff, and it sounded horrible compared to the Killers, like a poor imitation. Sounds exactly the same, but with less talent.

I'm going to see the Killers in MB in June, you should hang around a little longer. Are you going for senior week Dutch? Lots of young just out of high school girls... or are you going for black biker week.

[Bearcat729]

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Shake the Sheets is the best cd I bought last year,with the Franz Ferdinand self titled cd being second. I also liked the Interpol - Antics.

Can't say that I bought any of them recently but if you don't already have them they are all very good.

[Ksyrup]

This is the best of the stuff I've bought over the past month or two; I've been a bad boy and haven't updated my CD thread.

Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
Creighton Doane - Learning More and More About Less and Less
Dum Dog Run - DDR
Jackdaw4 - Gramophone Logic
System of a Down - Mesmerize
The Dissociatives - s/t
Andrew Bird and the Mysterious Production of Eggs
Strapping Young Lad - Alien

[cthomer5000]

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Shake the Sheets is the best cd I bought last year,with the Franz Ferdinand self titled cd being second. I also liked the Interpol - Antics.

Can't say that I bought any of them recently but if you don't already have them they are all very good.
I'll second the Ted Leo album. Easily one of the best I've bought in the last 6 months or so.

[McSweeny]

Far From Finished - East Side of Nowhere
Ducky Boys - Three Chords and the Truth
Street Dogs - Back to the World
Suspect Device - A Moment's Notice
Hudson Falcons - La Famiglia
Blood or Whiskey - Cashed Out on Culture

[DeToxRox]

the new System of a Down as Ksyrup said

Also..

"A Healthy Distrust" - Sage Francis
"The Note" - Bane

And forget new music, bands I love to road trip to..

Blind Melon
Sublime
Three Doors Down *Early stuff, yeah I said it*
Incubus

Etc

[DeToxRox]

Far From Finished - East Side of Nowhere
Ducky Boys - Three Chords and the Truth
Street Dogs - Back to the World
Suspect Device - A Moment's Notice
Hudson Falcons - La Famiglia
Blood or Whiskey - Cashed Out on Culture

Ducky Boys. Touche. Amazing band, I'd concur with that one.

[DeToxRox]

Dola..

Against Me! Any of their stuff is excellent road trip music.

[korme]

Anyone heard of Bear vs Shark? My brother was listening to them when we went to the Reds game last weekend.

Dave Matthews is great to listen to for road trips.

I will also second The Killers, just a sweet album through and through.

John Legend isn't bad either.

[McSweeny]

Ducky Boys. Touche. Amazing band, I'd concur with that one.

i think you follow me around waiting for me to plug the Ducky Boys and Against Me :D

[Dutch]

I'm going to see the Killers in MB in June, you should hang around a little longer. Are you going for senior week Dutch? Lots of young just out of high school girls... or are you going for black biker week.

Well, one would land me in jail and the other would well, sounds like jail. :)

Myrtle Beach is a family reunion for my family dating back to the 70's in reality.

[Easy Mac]

no no, the girls graduated high school... they're legal. Or at least they say they are. You're not a bouncer, its not your job to ID them.

[Dutch]

no no, the girls graduated high school... they're legal. Or at least they say they are. You're not a bouncer, its not your job to ID them.

:)

[DeToxRox]

i think you follow me around waiting for me to plug the Ducky Boys and Against Me :D

Ha, I'll beat you to the punch sooner or later. Just you wait, you sunvabitch!

[sachmo71]

System of a Down - Mesmerize



Can you at least update the CD thread with your thoughts on this one?
Also, did you buy the new QOTSA?

[samifan24]

Athlete, "Tourist"

[Calis]

I've been listening a lot to Iron & Wine's Woman King EP which is probably my favorite album released so far this year. Good stuff.

Finally grabbed Gallowsbird Park by Fiery Furnaces also, after having listened to their latest two releases non-stop for the past 3 months.

[andy m]

six organs of admittance - 'school of the flower' or 'dark noontide'.

[Flasch186]

still green day's

[Ksyrup]

Can you at least update the CD thread with your thoughts on this one?
Also, did you buy the new QOTSA?
I put my thoughts on the new SOAD in the NIN thread when it came up. Here's what I said back then, which I still stand by. It's a great album, and the songs are stronger than ever - they're still crazy and heavy, but nearly every song has a memorable/catchy chorus:


"I've had the new SOAD album for a couple of weeks as well. I thought Toxicity was one of the best metal albums in a long time. The first CD was a bit rough, but still good. The new one is also very good, although very different from Toxicity.

It's not as "epic"-sounding - the songs are looser, the guys seem to be enjoying themselves more, as opposed to having that serious, RATM-type attitude that permeated Toxicity. Some of the songs almost come off as whimsical, like track 10 (the first Hollywood song). They still have a tendency to go from serious to downright stupid lyrics (Violent Pornography, for example), but I can forgive that, especially since the vocal delivery really fits the music well, the overall point of the lyrics still comes through, and there's nothing quite as stupid sounding as on the first couple of records.

Serj is probably the most unique and versatile metal vocalist since Mike Patton. I know people hate the band in most part because of him, but he really is something special. He can pull off almost anything, and usually can switch 2-3 vocal styles in the course of one verse, which is amazing.

That said, I don't understand why the guitarist is featured so prominently as a vocalist on this album. As one person on another board said, "His constant mugging for attention is reaching Lars Ulrich proportions." The guy is a competent backup singer, good for adding a harmony here and there. At no point should he be given lead vocalist duties over someone like Serj. Unfortunately, he's all over this record - way too much of him. Serj is the star, not you, buddy!

Another minor tick against this album is that for a band that acts so anti-establishment, I find it ironic that they have no problem selling what is essentially one 75 minute CD as 2 separate releases. This album, all 11 tracks, clocks in at well under 40 minutes. The "second part" of this CD will be released in the fall. I'm sure it will be similar. Instead of cutting fans a break and releasing 16 songs on one 75-78 minute CD, they're doubling their coin by breaking it into two. Maybe that was the record company's idea and not there's, but I don't hear them bitching about it."
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I still feel the same way about the "second vocalist" - even moreso now, after seeing the video for BYOB over the weekend. I know he writes most of the musc and produces their albums, so I get the feeling he's decided he should be more visible in the band. Problem is, vocals is not where he should be. The harmonies work well most of the time, but when he takes over on lead, they really lose something by relegating Serj to head-banging in the corner.



Anyway, as for QOTSA, I downloaded an advance of the new CD and honestly, I didn't like it at all, so I trashed it and didn't buy it when it came out. I know everyone loved the last one and everything, but it really didn't do that much for me. I haven't listened to them in months, so there was no sense in wasting the money. But I'm probably a bad one to ask. I'm sure most people who like then think it's good, but probably not up to the last one. Just a guess.

[Ksyrup]

And btw, that dude from SOAD looks like a cross between Lars Ulrich and Mike Damone from Fast Times At Ridgemont High. Every time I see him, I think of Lars Ulrich trying to sell concert tickets and singing the Dream Police by Cheap Trick.

[kurtism]

Dogs Die in Hot Cars, "Please Describe Yourself"

Scottish power-pop, heavy influences (IMO) from XTC and the Talking Heads. Incredibly catchy, and well worth a listen.

[Ryche]

Nightwish's latest album 'Once'

If you like Evanescene, you'll love this. If you don't, you still might enjoy this album. Metal guitars with a classically trained female opera lead singer. This is their sixth album I believe and the songwriter for the band knows exactly how to blend her voice into the songs.

[Ksyrup]

I'm not really into Evanescence, but I probably should check out Nightwish, as well as The Gathering. I like the prog tendencies of these types of bands better than the goth alt-rock stylings of Evanescence. I've really been drawn to symphonic metal bands like Therion, so this would be a natural progression for me. Thanks for the tip.

[st.cronin]

My girlfriend for some reason loves Evanescence but doesn't like Faith No More. Myself, I can't tell which is which...

[Ksyrup]

I love FNM, but I'm not sure I see the connection. Evanescence, to me, sounds like goth Avril Livigne. In fact, they only have one style, and that's another reason they bore me - even if I liked it, I'd be sick of it halfway through the album, since they have that Linkin Park-type problem of just doing a variation on the same theme. FNM, OTOH, was all over the place - hard rock, funk, country, gospel, pop, prog...and that was just on King For A Day (my favorite of theirs).

[wade moore]

Best CD I've bought lately: Weezer - Make Believe
Best CD I've got lately: Beck - Guero

Interestingly, I downloaded both, and after liking them decided to buy each of them, with the Beck album being the better of the two. But because the Beck CD had been out for a month or so, I could no longer purchase the "limited" edition of the album which has 3 extra songs at the end (2 of which I really like). Nice move music industry, way to lose a sale. Why not just charge more for the limited edition?


Because then it would not be limited?

[CamEdwards]

Mike Doughty- Haughty Melodic is the last cd I bought. Excellent stuff by the former singer of Soul Coughing.

Also, I saw Snow Patrol listed above and I cannot recommend that cd enough. More Coldplay than the Killers, but it's easily my album of the year. I bought it more than a year ago and still listen to it on a regular basis.

[Ksyrup]

Here's one to definitely stay away from. Of all of the bad reviews I've seen for this PoS, this one is certainly the most entertaining...



Giles "s/t" CD
0/10 - [Victory]
Before I unleash the fuckin' fury, let it be known, for those unaware, that this CD is some sort of electronic side project from Thomas Giles Rogers, Jr., frontman of Between the Buried and Me. Now, back to business. Dear Victory Records and Thomas Giles Rogers, Jr.: What the fuck are you doing? Fuck you for releasing this abomination upon mankind. The fact that this massive load of audio diarrhea merely exists is bad enough. The fact that it was properly released is just a shame. The fact that it was properly released by the same label that at one point in time was responsible for absolute classics from Integrity, Earth Crisis, Bloodlet, and numerous others is just a fucking sin. So… this is what it's come to? Really? This is the steaming pile of shit we've landed in? Is that right? Could it possibly get any worse? No, I think not. Christ, I fuckin' hope not! I don't even really like Between the Buried and Me that much, but in my opinion it should be illegal for this CD to reside on the shelves of any retail establishment without brandishing an enormous sticker across the entire front cover that would read something to the effect of, "If you like Between the Buried and Me, you would be highly advised to think very carefully before spending even one cent on this CD. There is nothing of any mature listening value to be found within. This is a 21-minute EP of goofy electronics and silly vocals with some of the most retarded lyrics you will ever encounter in your life." Because let's be honest, what could Victory Records possibly stand to gain by releasing this other than milking sales off of overzealous Between the Buried and Me fans who foolishly imagine that this is going to be an interesting CD? Hell, I thought this was gonna be interesting. I like experimental electronic music, and I figured this kid might have some curious ideas to explore, and the cover art looks nice, so I was pretty intrigued to listen to this, right? Wrong. I was duped. But I got this for free and I'm not a particular fan of Between the Buried and Me, so it's no big deal. But I actually feel angry for any kid who's gonna spend money on this piece of shit and get fucked out of $10 – 15 with nothing to show for it. So what does it sound like? Stupid Casio keyboard types of programmed beats and electronics (quite possibly presets on your average midgrade synth that's admittedly a few steps above Casio quality) with hokey high-pitched singing or spoken passages that could be comparable to someone without very much talent trying impersonate Jamiroquai in a mocking fashion. That's it. 21 minutes of that. Over and over. In short spurts. It's absolutely atrocious and the lyrics are so unbelievably horrible that I cannot fathom it. Motherfucker, I have not hated a CD this bad in years. This might be the worst CD I've ever had to review. I'm physically angry at how forcefully this blows. Total suckfest. I was gonna give it a 1/10 since the layout is decent (it actually looks really nice until you open it up and see the idiotic photo of the "mastermind" behind this musical turd and the random disco ball slapped in out of nowhere) and the sound quality's good, but I refuse to do it. I refuse to acknowledge this CD as having anything of any remote value whatsoever. It is a disgrace that this CD was released and I am absolutely disappointed that the label would pay to press this thing up, much less promote it. And no, I'm not being unfair or overly critical. Not one bit. If anything this Mr. Rogers, Jr. should've put the damn thing out himself if he truly thought it was something that people might get a kick out of. But this isn't funny. Maybe Thomas Giles Rogers, Jr. and some of his friends think this is funny, but I assure you… it's not. Let me supply you, if I may, with the opening set of lyrics that grace this wonderland of sonic torment: "You can't piss on snow covered angels, You can't dance, fuck, dance, dance without getting tired, You can't stash a child, You can't eat your shit, Fuck the rules let's squirm this pit." Need I say more? Need I say more? I didn't think so. The CD ended 10 minutes ago and I'm still fuming. If the dude wanted to incite this kind of reaction from the listener, sucfuckingcess, my man. You win. But I urge anyone with any sense of dignity or respect for good music: Do not buy this CD. Stay as far away from it as possible. And if you see this kid around, flick him behind the ear really hard and tell him to shove the keyboard under the bed and get back to the wacky metal, will you? I want the last half-hour of my life back. Maybe I "can't piss on snow covered angels", but I can sure as hell piss all over this CD…
Running time - 21:22, Tracks: 9
[Notable tracks: fuck this CD, fuck every minute of it]



hxxp://www.aversionline.com/reviews/2367/<!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_166554--><!-- THE POST -->

[MizzouRah]

I'm still loving "My Chemical Romance" -Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge

That CD just keeps getting better and better the more I listen to it over and over again.


Todd

[bossfan2000]

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Cold Roses
Bill Mallonee - Friendly Fire

I also want to pick up the new cd by Hal...i would recommend checking that one out for sure...

[bossfan2000]

I'm still loving "My Chemical Romance" -Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge

That CD just keeps getting better and better the more I listen to it over and over again.


Todd

Yeah, "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" was one of my fav songs from last year..the entire cd is good...

[ThunderingHERD]

Well, I wasn't going to join in for fear of repeating myself, but go ahead and notch another one under The Decemberists and Iron & Wine for me. Also The Mountain Goats' Sunset Tree and The Hold Steady. And Patton Oswalt's Feelin' Kinda Patton for teh funny.

[Ryche]

I would agree that Evanescene is fairly simple artistically right now, but they do have a lot of potential for growth. Fallen is their first album and Amy Lee is very young.

If you like Nighwish, Lacuna Coil is another good one to check out. Same idea, female lead metal band. Heavier than Nightwish, but not too much.

As for the Faith No More comparison, ??? FNM is one of my all time favorite bands, but they are definitely one of the more unique bands to hit it big. There is very little out there that you can point at and say they sound like FNM, and most bands that do came afterward. Angel Dust is a flat out awesome album.

[Julio Riddols]

[Notable tracks: fuck this CD, fuck every minute of it][/b]

This only serves to make me want to hear this cd.. I really must know how bad it is.

[Karlifornia]

Earlimart-Treble & Tremble. Fuzzy guitars, whispered vocals. Think Elliott Smith plugged in. Download "First Instant, Last Report" and "Heaven Adores You"

[ageofquarrel]

I bought Walking Concert - Run to Be Born, about 5 months ago. It is brit pop influenced, which is a genre I am not into. But this cd has grown on me, despite its dumb lyrics.

Here is a mp3 on the some records website (http://www.some.com/walkingconcert.htm)

[Ksyrup]

Another band I've grown to like that has a new album coming out soon is Clutch. In fact, if you're looking for groovin' stoner rock, check these guys out.

Here's a song from the new album that comes out in June:

http://www.soundsoftheundergroundtour.com/burning_beard.mp3

I'd say they sound like a combination of Corrosion of Conformity, Rage Against the Machine, Kyuss, and Monster Magnet.

[Ksyrup]

"Shadow of the new Pretorian...tipping cows in fields elysian..."


I have no clue what that means, but it sounds great. :D

[Pyser]

Another band I've grown to like that has a new album coming out soon is Clutch. In fact, if you're looking for groovin' stoner rock, check these guys out.

Here's a song from the new album that comes out in June:

http://www.soundsoftheundergroundtour.com/burning_beard.mp3

I'd say they sound like a combination of Corrosion of Conformity, Rage Against the Machine, Kyuss, and Monster Magnet.

you and i have COMPLETELY different definitions of "groovin' stoner rock". holy crap.

[korme]

I'm still loving "My Chemical Romance" -Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge

That CD just keeps getting better and better the more I listen to it over and over again.


Todd
http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

[Easy Mac]

Dogs Die in Hot Cars, "Please Describe Yourself"

Scottish power-pop, heavy influences (IMO) from XTC and the Talking Heads. Incredibly catchy, and well worth a listen.
I'll agree its catchy, but aside from I Love You (Cause I Have To), there really aren't any really good songs on the CD. Its goofy, but I can't really listen to it in the car. I enjoy songs about dumb stuff, but I think they just didn't hit with me. Lounger and Godhopping are really the only other 2 songs I can listen to repeatedly.

[TLK]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/TheLionKing/B0009IW8VM.jpg

Today is the official release date. This disk is more like their earlier stuff, and quite a bit different (read: better) than "Good Mourning." Highest recommendation.

[DeToxRox]

Just .. uh .. found the new dredg cd "Catch Without Arms"

I once heard dredg described has Pink Floyd meets Tool. Although those are two leaders in their respective brands of music, it's hard to dispute it.

This CD is brilliant. It's not as dark as "El Cielo", it has an uplifting mood. The songs are great. Lots of instruments used, lots of imagery in the songs. These guys are artists in every sense of the word. Definetly get this CD when it drops, and for now, pick up "El Cielo".

[Dutch]

Well, I'm heading out tommorrow to South Carolina. I did take 2 recommendations from this thread. Beck and Kasabian. Also picked up Bloc Party which I bought just because I liked one of the songs.

[Chas in Cinti]

Not new stuff... but the best "Road" music for me are Bob Seger and The Allman Bros... something about them just BURN miles for me...

-Chas

[Dutch]

Not new stuff... but the best "Road" music for me are Bob Seger and The Allman Bros... something about them just BURN miles for me...

-Chas

I've got some good classic stuff. My favorite road trip music of all time is U2's The Joshua Tree.

[ThunderingHERD]

Well, it's not new but, since I've been repurchasing my record collection after it was lost in a flood, it fits the topic. Besides anytime is a good time to plug the <i>greatest album of all-time</i>: Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane over the Sea.

[Pyser]

Well, it's not new but, since I've been repurchasing my record collection after it was lost in a flood, it fits the topic. Besides anytime is a good time to plug the <i>greatest album of all-time</i>: Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane over the Sea.

wow, a NMH fan. theres, like, 8 of us. sweet.

ive always believed this is a concept album about the holocaust, but never actually looked into it or asked anyone. do you know, by chance?

[ThunderingHERD]

wow, a NMH fan. theres, like, 8 of us. sweet.

ive always believed this is a concept album about the holocaust, but never actually looked into it or asked anyone. do you know, by chance?

This is the spiel I always use when trying to push it on people:

Have you ever fell in love in a dream? Like, it doesn't even have to be with someone in particular, or anyone at all. But the emotion is just so crazily amplified. Then you wake up, and you realize--fuck, I'm not really that in love, it was just a dream. But the residual effects of it are still with you for a bit--it's such a beautiful, bittersweet feeling. That is exactly the emotion this album evokes--and it <i>is</i> the most emotionally evocative album I've ever heard.

I think that is what the album is about, even with no explicit exposition. But, to answer your question: not only from the lyrics, but also from listening to countless bootlegs (including the officially released Jeff Mangum Live at Jittery Joe's, which I highly recommend) and interviews, it is clear that the Mangum's "muse" was Anne Frank. See:

"There are lights in the clouds,
Anna's ghost all around,
hear her voice as it's rolling and ringing through me,
soft and sweet,
how the notes all bend and reach above the trees.
Now how I remember you,
how I would push my fingers though your mouth
to make those muscles move
that made your voice so smooth and sweet."

Note not only the Anna reference, but also the acknowledgement that this girl is nothing more than a mirage. She cannot speak for herself, her voice is "rolling and ringing" through the speaker in the song. If fact, the speaker has to "push (his) fingers through (her mouth) to make those muscles move" in order for her to speak at all.

For more obvious Anne Frank references, just look at "Holland, 1945" and "Ghost":

"The only girl I ever loved,
was born with roses in her eyes.
But then they buried her alive
one evening in 1945
and only weeks before the guns
all came and rained on everyone"

"She was born in a bottle rocket, 1929"

From "Oh, Comely"

"I know they buried her body with others,
her sister and mother and 500 families.
And will she remember 50 years later,
I wished I could save her in some sort of time machine."

The final song, "Tho Headed Boy, Pt. 2" is full of dreamlike imagery and references to the melancholy of waking:

"How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep wrapped in boxes so tight
Sounding only at night as you sleep"

"In my dreams your alive, and you're crying,
as your mouth moves in mine, soft and sweet"

"When we break, we'll wait for our miracle"

"Two headed boy, she is all you could need.
She will feed you tomatoes and radio wires
and retire to sheets safe and clean.
But don't hate her when she gets up to leave"


Anyway, I wouldn't really call it a concept album, but it definately follows a cohesive train of emotion from beginning to end.

[Pyser]

well, thats the closest anyone has ever come to agreeing with me, so it's a step in the right direction..

youre theory is interesting, too. time to fire up the old album again!

also, where did this guy go? does he still release stuff? i know he was releasing things under a different name before neutral milk hotel...elephant or something like that? i cant remember.

[ThunderingHERD]

well, thats the closest anyone has ever come to agreeing with me, so it's a step in the right direction..

youre theory is interesting, too. time to fire up the old album again!

also, where did this guy go? does he still release stuff? i know he was releasing things under a different name before neutral milk hotel...elephant or something like that? i cant remember.

Also, on the Jittery Joe's recording, when he's setting up a song on two different occassions, he says something to the effect of (I don't have a copy here with me, so this is paraphrasing): "This is about a family that lived in the 1940s, and I'd have dreams about them, one member in particular" when he would tries to explain further he sort of trips on his words and starts playing the song.

As for where he went, I guess he's just doing the same thing he's always done, except for the realeasing great albums and touring part. As far as I know he's never really released under any other names--Elephant 6 is the label that he and his buddies from Ruston, LA started up, which includes such bands as Olivia Tremor Control, Beulah, and Apples in Stereo. The most recent <a href="http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/interviews/n/neutral-milk-hotel-02/" target="new">interview I've seen him do is from 2002</a>.

The last "original" release he had was in 2001--but it was just a field recording of Bulgarian folk music.

[Pyser]

As far as I know he's never really released under any other names--Elephant 6 is the label that he and his buddies from Ruston, LA started up, which includes such bands as Olivia Tremor Control, Beulah, and Apples in Stereo.

maybe thats what i was thinking of...i think they all worked on each others albums or something like that? i feel like hes recorded other stuff under another name, but i could be wrong. i havent read up much on NMH since i first started listening back in 2000 or so...

but yes, back on topic, great album.

as for me, i just checked out the new Aqualung album. It's not great, but it's passable. worth a download, not a buy tight now...i think the best album i bought lately is Snow Patrol...maybe Embrace.

[BYU 14]

Though I am not normally a fan of this type of music, I am finding myself liking the latest album from "The 69 Eyes" (Devils) more and more every day. They are a Finnish Goth band and remind me of a cross between Type O Negative and The Cult. There are a couple of really catchy tunes on this album, worth a listen IMO.

[ISiddiqui]

Beck's Guero

And if it is 'lately', Green Day's American Idiot. It still is amazing even though I've listened to it over and over and over.

[mckerney]

Sparkle In The Finish (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002ZYDMY/qid=1117173060/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-4224999-6230204?v=glance&s=music&n=507846) by the Ike Reilly Assasination.

I'd also recommend downloading some Ookla The Mok (http://www.otmfan.com/html/audio.htm) for classic nerd rock. Songs like Mr. Worf are entertaining even if you're like me and don't like Star Trek, and Hockey Monkey is fantastic.


Ringside (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00080EV34/qid=1117173154/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-4224999-6230204?v=glance&s=music&n=507846) has a few excellent songs too, such as Criminal and Tired of Being Sorry.

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

Common Be

[Coder]

And if it is 'lately', Green Day's American Idiot. It still is amazing even though I've listened to it over and over and over.


Same here.. absolutely amazing CD.. not one single poor track

[Karlifornia]

Omaha dance-rockers (not that Bravery bullshit..real dance rock) The Faint do a cover of Holland,1945 by Neutral Milk Hotel

[Ksyrup]

Devin Davis' Lonely People of the World, Unite! Awesome album. Has that indie vibe, yet meticulously recorded and produced by Davis alone. Nice homage to a slew of 60's pop/rockers throughout. Vocally a little weak for my tastes (think Ben Kweller's creaky voice), but the rawness and energy more than make up for it. Only weak spot is track 4, which is built entirely on the Stones' Gimme Shelter riff, and I can't get past that. But some really great, witty lyrics all over pretty much every track. This is inspired (and inspiring) stuff.

I guess this means I have completely given up on my CD Review Thread...


Here's the AMG review, which I think is a bit over the top (in fact, this reads like the best review anyone has ever gotten in the history of music reviews), but it's still pretty much on-point:


Devin Davis spent two years crafting Lonely People of the World, Unite! in the studio, playing just about all the instruments himself as well as writing and producing. All that time and solitary effort have paid off in a big way, because this is the kind of guitar pop record that comes out of nowhere and leaves your jaw scraping the floor in amazement, sort of like the New Pornographers (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE4781BDA46AD7120CF812656DCA453F708CC57F282172E411BD2B02554860478E64FEDD881B7E574B466ADFF2EA11608D9CFED5CFFDF764C40&sql=11:osdnvwzia9uk)' Mass Romantic (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE4781BDA46AD7120CF812656DCA453F708CC57F282172E411BD2B02554860478E64FEDD881B7E574B466ADFF2EA11608D9CFED5CFFDF764C40&sql=10:5gjlea154xs7) or Sloan (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE4781BDA46AD7120CF812656DCA453F708CC57F282172E411BD2B02554860478E64FEDD881B7E574B466ADFF2EA11608D9CFED5CFFDF764C40&sql=11:t78e4j170wau)'s classic One Chord to Another (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE4781BDA46AD7120CF812656DCA453F708CC57F282172E411BD2B02554860478E64FEDD881B7E574B466ADFF2EA11608D9CFED5CFFDF764C40&sql=10:hdngtq5znu44). Davis' songs are an exciting blend of chamber pop (horns, keyboards, lush layers of acoustic guitars), power pop (hard-hitting electric guitars, jumpy rhythms, vocal harmonies), and classic '60s pop (glimpses of the influence of the Kinks (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE4781BDA46AD7120CF812656DCA453F708CC57F282172E411BD2B02554860478E64FEDD881B7E574B466ADFF2EA11608D9CFED5CFFDF764C40&sql=11:5xk0ikc6bb19), the Small Faces, and pop-psych bands like the Move (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE4781BDA46AD7120CF812656DCA453F708CC57F282172E411BD2B02554860478E64FEDD881B7E574B466ADFF2EA11608D9CFED5CFFDF764C40&sql=11:b1u06j5h7180) and the Easybeats (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE4781BDA46AD7120CF812656DCA453F708CC57F282172E411BD2B02554860478E64FEDD881B7E574B466ADFF2EA11608D9CFED5CFFDF764C40&sql=11:jgjqeat04xk7)). Best of all, they are suffused with an alarming amount of energy, with Davis' slightly geeky voice straining at the seams, the guitars careening wildly, and the chords and words flashing by at a blinding pace. Not too many bands these days are writing songs as hook-filled and alive as "Iron Woman," "Sandie," and "Moon Over Shark City," or as sweetly innocent and melodic as the quieter songs on the record, like "Deserted Eyeland," "Giant Spiders," and "The Choir Invisible." Davis' production touch is remarkably assured as well. He knows just when to cut the dynamics or jump them up a notch, and the record flows like an exhilarating live set. The whole record is filled with moments of head-nodding agreement with his choices, hilarious lyrics, and moments of audacity, like when he samples the Monkees (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE4781BDA46AD7120CF812656DCA453F708CC57F282172E411BD2B02554860478E64FEDD881B7E574B466ADFF2EA11608D9CFED5CFFDF764C40&sql=11:b1uh6j5h7180)' theme song ("We're the young generation and we've got nothing to say") in the boy band-dissing "Transcendental Sports Anthem," drops a perfectly blaring E Street (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE4781BDA46AD7120CF812656DCA453F708CC57F282172E411BD2B02554860478E64FEDD881B7E574B466ADFF2EA11608D9CFED5CFFDF764C40&sql=11:096gtr7lkl2x) meets Archie Shepp (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE4781BDA46AD7120CF812656DCA453F708CC57F282172E411BD2B02554860478E64FEDD881B7E574B466ADFF2EA11608D9CFED5CFFDF764C40&sql=11:6zaqoalabijn) sax solo into "Iron Woman," or hits the accelerator halfway through the Kinks-ish (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE4781BDA46AD7120CF812656DCA453F708CC57F282172E411BD2B02554860478E64FEDD881B7E574B466ADFF2EA11608D9CFED5CFFDF764C40&sql=11:dm7zefbkhgfn) barrelhouse piano rocker "Paratroopers With Amnesia," leaving your heart doing crazed jumping jacks. Lonely People of the World, Unite! is a small-scale triumph, and Devin Davis has left the competition in the dust. There are few guitar pop records of the last 20 years that are as exciting, well-constructed, and memorable as this.

[cody8200]

I love the Killers Cd Hot Fuss. Best cd I've heard in a while. I was dissapointed with Audioslaves Out of Exile and Springsteen's newest cd.

[digamma]

Old Crow Medicine Show

It's folk/bluegrass, but good stuff.

[samifan24]

Coldplay, "X&Y"

[AlexB]

Coldplay, "X&Y"

Wonder if they went for this title as it sums up all of their songs where x= the quiet melancholy bit and y= the power poodle rock riffs. Repeat three times.

Return to start for next song.

[Pyser]

Wonder if they went for this title as it sums up all of their songs where x= the quiet melancholy bit and z= the power poodle rock riffs. Repeat three times.

Return to start for next song.

if you listen closely, you can hear their same 4 chords that they build a song out of on every album. i cant remember the name, but its the "come up to meet you, tell me youre sorry" or whatever song it was from "rush of blood". which was also a song on their first album, and the exact same chords make yet another appearance on x&y. cheaters.

[Passacaglia]

Oh, hey, I forgot about this thread. I just downloaded a bunch of NMH songs, but haven't listened to them all. I'll have to check out that album, it sounds interesting.

[samifan24]

Wonder if they went for this title as it sums up all of their songs where x= the quiet melancholy bit and y= the power poodle rock riffs. Repeat three times.

Return to start for next song.

Hmm....sounds like you're a fan.

[AlexB]

Hmm....sounds like you're a fan.

;)

To be fair, their songs are good as long as you only hear them in isolation. As soon as I hear two or more in a row, the sameness of it all takes over: may as well buy a single and put it on loop than buy either of the first two albums! I bought both for 50c each in Asia, gave them both away within a week... The same thing applies to me with The Strokes. :(

[VPI97]

Coldplay, "X&Y" I tried listening to this last night while driving to Virginia. I didn't make it halfway before popping it out and putting in some Radiohead. I had heard too many clunkers by that point to consider this a good album. For the record, I though the same thing about A Rush of Blood to the Head....Parachutes is an excellent album, though.

[samifan24]

I tried listening to this last night while driving to Virginia. I didn't make it halfway before popping it out and putting in some Radiohead. I had heard too many clunkers by that point to consider this a good album. For the record, I though the same thing about A Rush of Blood to the Head....Parachutes is an excellent album, though.

To each his own. ;)

[Ksyrup]

Nightwish's latest album 'Once'

If you like Evanescene, you'll love this. If you don't, you still might enjoy this album. Metal guitars with a classically trained female opera lead singer. This is their sixth album I believe and the songwriter for the band knows exactly how to blend her voice into the songs.I finally got my hands on Once and Century Child. Wow! This is precisely the kind of stuff I'm looking for - symphonic metal. I think I might like this better than Therion, since the chick's vocals are generally better than the various opera singers Therion employs.

I recommend this over Evanescence, Lacuna Coil, and The Gathering, but only if you like European metal mixed with orchestra. This is top notch stuff.

What finally got me off my ass to check them out is the fact that the San Antonio Spurs' PA system guy played some during a quarter break of one of the Western Conference Final games. Turns out he's a big metal/prog rock guy, and put up a poll at Dream Theater's message board promising to play the song they voted for. And he did. Pretty cool!

[Ksyrup]

you and i have COMPLETELY different definitions of "groovin' stoner rock". holy crap.

"Few bands have managed to prosper inside a bubble of their own devising and outside the constricting rules of the music business as successfully and for as long as Maryland's Clutch; who continue to unleash album after album of barely evolving, groovy stoner rock, regardless of label affiliation and changing trends."

"Like the best of the American stoner rock scene, including Monster Magnet, Fu Manchu, and Nebula, Clutch excel at delivering no-frills hard rock, combining spaced-out lyrics with gut-churning riffs, basslines, and drumming, and on Blast Tyrant, they plow along with no fewer than fifteen tight, monolithic tunes that possess a strong Southern rock influence lingering underneath all the Sabbath style riffing."

"Stoner rockers" Clutch take hardcore where it has not gone before."

Hailed by the press as one of the finest live bands around, Clutch offer their brand of 'stoner rock'.

"Fallon emerges as the premier wordsmith of stoner rock on Pure Rock Fury."



Me and several others, apparently...

[Warhammer]

I've got some good classic stuff. My favorite road trip music of all time is U2's The Joshua Tree.

Playing the opening to "Where the Streets Have No Name" as the sun is rising is awesome...

That said, the best CD I have picked up lately is....

Victor Vito - Laurie Berkner

She is so much better than the Wiggles and other kiddy music... Yes, I have two kids under 4...

[Ksyrup]

I bought my daughter the two For the Kids compilations. She seems to like them, they have some artists I respect on them, and it's not filled with stupid Barney-type songs.