Music Reviews

[Nivek]

Re: Music Reviews

Good thing Smashing Pumpkins are getting back together then.

whaaaaaaaaaaaat?

Where'd you hear that?

The original four or the pumpkins circa 1999?

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Music Reviews

whaaaaaaaaaaaat?

Where'd you hear that?

The original four or the pumpkins circa 1999?

It's all over on myspace, at least the 90s music group I'm in.

I'm not sure if its the original or 99 "version" since I'm not that familiar with the band.

[Nivek]

Re: Music Reviews

It's all over on myspace, at least the 90s music group I'm in.

I'm not sure if its the original or 99 "version" since I'm not that familiar with the band.

Get to know the Smashing Pumpkins...great band!

[BGarrett7]

Re: Music Reviews

I'm not sure if its the original or 99 "version" since I'm not that familiar with the band.

Given the history that Iha and Corgan have, and based on statements that he made on the night he ran the ad in the Chicago Tribute, it's pretty much a given that it's likely to be Billy, Chamberlain, and two other non-Pumpkin artists.

[Nivek]

Re: Music Reviews

Given the history that Iha and Corgan have, and based on statements that he made on the night he ran the ad in the Chicago Tribute, it's pretty much a given that it's likely to be Billy, Chamberlain, and two other non-Pumpkin artists.

If that's the case, just make a new band name.

[CM1847]

Re: Music Reviews

If that's the case, just make a new band name.

They did, it was called "Zwan."

Corgan wants Iha back. It's unclear if he will get D'Arcy back or not though, she left before they broke to start an acting career. Everything I'm hearing is that it won't happen with Iha. I could see Corgan going forward if he gets Iha on board and just finding a replacement bassist, but I seriously doubt it will happen without Iha.

Of course he just walked off of the stage in a concert because of fans requesting Pumpkins songs, so the whole thing might have been a publicity stunt, who knows.

[CM1847]

Re: Music Reviews

My Morning Jacket - Z

Great album, first album I have heard from this band. They changed a couple of members since last time and their sound changed too apparently. I love this album, really good mix of 60s pop("What a Wonderful Man"), moody quiter songs("Knot Comes Loose") and a lot in between. The album starts out with a few songs with a ton of "oooh's" and "aaaah's" then goes into a pop song phase and finished off with a few laid back, softer type songs. Even go into country a little(apparently they used to have more country in their music) on "Lay Low."

Bought it on some reviews and suggestions, for $8 at Best Buy, can't beat it. One of my favorites of the year so far(and there have been a lot of great ones this year). Definitely overshadowing the new Franz Ferdinand album I bought on the same day.

9 out of 10

Listen to: "Wordless Chorus", "What A Wonderful Man" and "Into the Woods."

Best line: "A good showerhead and my right hand - the two best lovers that i ever had."

And, yes, I do intend to dig up this thread everytime I feel the need to review a new album.

[OHguy00]

Re: Music Reviews

Anyone pick up OAR-"Stories of a Stranger" yet?

[CM1847]

Re: Music Reviews

Anyone pick up OAR-"Stories of a Stranger" yet?

I didn't, but probably will tomorrow or Saturday while it's still on sale. I've never been a huge fan of their studio albums, but I listened to that first single and it's just amazing. I just hope they put out another double live album next year, those should definitely be released yearly for this band.

[dieselboy]

Re: Music Reviews

The Fall of Troy - Doppleganger

9.0/10

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Music Reviews

waht woudl u give their first cd though?

I know this is an old question, but seeing how nobody answered it, I'll go ahead.

Audioslave's self-titled album is more of a demo album, in my opinion. The guys were simply jamming with each other. Chris would sing his lyrics and the guys would play how they normally did, which results in a kind've forced fuse between Soundgarden and Rage Against the Machine. The debut was a good effort, but there was very little chemistry between the guys, which was probably a big part of the short breakup of the band. Chris took upon himself to get the guys back together and sort everything out, which earned him a lot of respect with Tom, Tim, & Brad (see Zack de la Rocha's departure). After about 2 years of constant touring, the band followed up their self-titled album, which in my opinion, is their real debut album: Out of Exile. On OOE the guys actually work together as a band, crafting the songs together, which is why OOE is much better than their self-titled.

As for a number grade for the self-title, I'd give it a 7.0 out of 10.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Music Reviews

Franz Ferdinand: You Could Have It So Much Better

Franz Ferdinand literally exploded into mainstream rock with the release of the song Take Me Out. The single took hold of mainstream rock with a surprising force as it keep toes tapping and people humming the tune everywhere. Like most songs on their debut, Take Me Out was a crafty, catchy pop-rock song. The debut was fantastic; catchy songs, fun lyrics and excellent melodies. I would have been happy if Franz Ferdinand simply stuck to their previous formula for their sophmore album, but I am nothing less than surprised at You Could Have It So Much Better.

With the release of their new single, Do You Want To, I have to admit I was skeptical about the album. Initially, the song was almost too pop-rock and too catchy for my taste. I only listened to the song two or three times before purchasing the album, but it was stuck in my head. Surprisingly, the song has the same driving force that Take Me Out had, which prompted me to pick up their first album.

Unlike Take Me Out;however, Do You Want To is not the best track on the album, in fact it is one of the weakest and barely fits in to the rest of the album. The rest of the album is great. Pop-rock is the core of most songs, but Franz Ferdinand layers the songs and structures the songs almost perfectly. From the almost grinding guitar solo in Do You Want To, to the piano ballad Fade Through, to the dance sensation and album closer Outsiders, Franz Ferdinand is clearly exploring different avenues in their music. Their fun lyrics and crafty melodies are still there, but their overall sound seems to be in transition, which is a fantastic thing. The most apparent example of the transition are the three soft-rock tracks on the album: Walk Away, Eleanor Put Your Boots Back On, and Fade Through. All three involve an acoustic guitar and the latter two throw a piano into the mix.

Whether You Could Have It So Much Better is a transition into something bigger and better remains to be seen. What can be seen;however, is Franz Ferdinand getting better in their songwriting abilities and building on the popular and critical succes of their debut.

Songs to keep on repeat: Fade Through, Walk Away, Eleanor Put Your Boots Back On, and Fallen

8.75 out of 10

[joer625]

Re: Music Reviews

The Fall of Troy - Doppleganger

9.0/10

too bad it only has like 4 new songs on it...still amazing tho

[CM1847]

Re: Music Reviews

O.A.R. - Stories of a Stranger

One of the best live acts around there come out with another studio set with mixed results. They seemed to have move their focus from hippie college students to soccer moms. This is a pop album, it's a nice, polished, well produced pop album. As AMG put it "they are firmly in the adult alternative genre now." They brought some big names to help out with writing and producing(including Glen Ballard, who has worked with DMB among others, and Tom Lord-Alge who has worked with Blink 182). They even bring in guest female vocalists to help out with the harmonies on a few songs.

The music is still solid though. "Love and Memories" is a terrific pop song and most of the rest of the album falls in line. Good pop melodies and hooks. The most intriguing part of the album is imagining what they will do with these songs in a live setting. The CD comes with a bonus disc(at least at Best Buy) that has 2 of the new songs played live(4 songs total). "Heard The World" and "Lay Down" are much better played live than the studio versions. I am crossing my fingers that "52-50" gets on the live album that is sure to be released sometime next year, it, like a lot of these songs, just scream to be taken into a live setting where the band is at it's best. The song "Wonderful Day" from their last live album appears here in surprisingly good form.

I've never been a HUGE fan of OAR's studio stuff, and this one is really no exception. "In Between Now & Then" is a better studio album. It takes a little bit to get used to, if you put in the album and turn straight to track #2("Love and Memories") you might seriously think you bought the wrong album. Their sound is different here, but at the bottom of it all, it's still OAR. If you enjoy their studio work, you will probably find a way to love this one as well, but if you are like me and a bigger fan of their live stuff, just wait until they put out another live album.

Bottom Line: Overpolished and produced for a jam band like this, can't help but think this is their "Everyday" album(DMB).

5 out of 10

Listen to: Love and Memories, Wonderful Day, Lay Down and 52-50.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Music Reviews

"Lullabies To Paralyze" - Queens of the Stone Age

Great, great album. From start to finish there isn't a skip-worthy track here. More consistent than their last album(and doesn't have those really annoying radio clips between songs!). A lot of good pop hooks in the songs but also a lot of out-there type stuff like they did on "Rated R." My album of the year so far, I have gotten a few albums since this one, but I keep putting this one back in my CD player. Catchy, rocking, good music.

9 out of 10

I'll cosign on this. Just picked up the album today, and its a solid, hard rock album. Very Black Sabbath and Zeppelin-esque.

Hey, Ohguy00, have you picked up Audioslave's "Out of Exile" yet? I knew you were asking about it right before it was released and I haven't checked to see if you have it or what you thought about it.

EDIT: Can this thread get a sticky?