What Are You Listening To?

[Music Head]

listened online



Philadelphia band formed in 2004. On new label Atlantic for this third release, after nice reviews for the last one, which reached #24 on the U.S. charts. David Bottrill of Tool, Muse fame takes over the production chores. Some very good music on here, if I could just get by those screeching vocals of Anthony Green (Geddy Lee on steroids). As of now, I can't. Could be a break out but not for me.

I DO NOT LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Compendium

Best Track - Frozen Creek

Up on the pebble driveway
There sits a house
It's the loneliest place

I haven't spent much time there
I wasn't allowed
It just didn't feel right

I open both of my eyes
Still see an empty place, so empty

But if I keep them closed
And there's still a chance, that something is out there

But it's all built upon a burial ground
It just doesn't feel right
It just doesn't feel right

I made a promise to you long ago
That I'd do anything to keep this home

On top the frozen creek
I would love to take you there
Swear it froze through me
On top the frozen creek, oh

Up on the pebble driveway
There sits a house
But its the loneliest place

I haven't spent much time there
I wasn't allowed
It just didn't seem right

If I open both of my eyes
Still see an empty place, so empty

But if I keep them closed
Then there's still the chance
That someone is out there

But it's all built upon a burial ground
It just doesn't feel right
It just doesn't seem right

I made a promise to you long ago
That I'd do anything to save this home

On top the frozen creek
I would love to take you there
Swear it froze through me
On top the frozen creek

I would love to take you there
I would love to take you there
I would love to take you there

1) Strange Terrain - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ1XjWWVUJE
2) Get Out - 1.0 - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0wRuCgIFmU
3) Glass Arrows - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJuaYrBHG2U
4) I Felt Free - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ROr9HTmfCY
5) Imaginary Enemy - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFY_ahPZmzs
6) Through The Desert Alone - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNbDpF9hzZk
7) Frozen Creek - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfPKugH77h0
8) Fever Dreams - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBQ-LgJj9Vw
9) Spirit Of The Stairwell - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amgYPbKBbcA
10) The Longest Mile - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vGHdiZSWdo
11) Compendium - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYAnQ3mHPWo
12) Dyed In The Wool - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBwVRw6K63M

Average Rating - 1.5

[Tiggi]

Brighton Alternative Folk/Rock band.

This album captures the sound of a live band better than any I can think of.

&

Talking Heads - Talking Heads: 77



Debut from a band that got it right most of the time, and packed it in before they sullied their reputation.

Sounds remarkably fresh for a 33 year old album.

Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better

Run run run run run run run away...

&

Garbage - Beautiful Garbage



I know a lot of people dismiss this band, but I've always liked them. This one wasn't great at first, but it's certainly grown on me over time.

Tricked-up Alternative Rock.

[JonG]

Garbage - Beautiful Garbage

I forgot all about this band. That's a 90's flash-back for me!

[Tiggi]

The UK's favourite bunch of young upstarts, it seems.

I've sung the praises of head honcho & songwriter Alex Turner before, and it looks like I'm doing it again.

Fine, energetic Alt Rock...

[Music Head]

listened online



Formed in 1992 in Colorado with members from various places through the incarnation. Robert Schneider is the frontman and the only remaining member from the original lineup. This is the bands seventh studio album. The first I have heard. While they tout the Beach Boys and other 60's era groups as influences, I can't help but detect the ELO loud and clear. Maybe that wasn't apparent on earlier albums, but it is here. Started out not too good for me, but there were a few tracks later on that were catchy. Schneiders sometimes squeaky vocals are a little grating, but my ears adjusted. It is obvious that the lead vocals on my favorite track and the next, are not the same person. Either that or some recording genius screwed with the vocal track on those or the squeaky ones.

I DO NOT LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - C.P.U.

Best Track - Next Year At About The Same Time

1) The Code - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG8AMd4Ur_U
2) Dream About The Future - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu4EE0N2a_Q
3) Hey Elevator - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4KiWBNzhas
4) Strange Solar System - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlxzY0X7jyk
5) Dance Floor - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6-m6ZgD670
6) C.P.U. - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCUr6tKoBTc
7) No One In The World - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgtPAct6om4
8) Dignified Dignitary - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSxze5LPgyc
9) No Vacation - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0w3Ck6HAOE
10) Told You Once - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du3RuHZdJ7M
11) It's All Right - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kfTRlS-XUo
12) Next Year At About The Same Time - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stPT5THcW98
13) Floating In Space - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNHLHV01yhE
14) Nobody But You - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEbXlTaOMIU
15) Wings Away - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZHdh5fzj74
16) Time Pilot - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCsbdP2bJ8Y

Average Rating - 1.4

[Music Head]

from my library (digital)



Canadian member of Broken Social Scene does some night work on the side. This was his third solo album, which received wide critical acclaim. This was one of my wild card purchases, not having heard much by him. Listened to the latest album online and liked a few things, so took a fly on this one. Hard to put a tag on the guy, indie being the closest, with some country/folk flavor. Three really great tracks.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Tinsel And Sawdust

Best Track - Hangover Days

It was in your basement apartment
with all of its earth and sea
making love on the carpet
under the light of the tv
outside the sour moon minstrels
shook their dark tambourines
the morning came in sinister
well window light menacing
with clouds up above and clouds down
below
killing time but it won't stand still
you said you never make a promise
that you can keep
I thanked you for being honest
you said, don't pull that shit on me
these are the hangover days
of frosted glass and metallic gleam
all the new non-places
erase my memory
we try so hard, we try so hard
we try so hard to love
it was underneath London bridge
I finally realized what you mean
meanwhile all of fashion's latest
were nipping at the heels of history
I tried to send you a postcard
but all I could write were apologies
so out the Columbia hotel window
I threw my heart into the street
with stars up above and stars down
below
killing time but it won't stand still, it won't stand still

1) Fire - ** - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl1ogf2MxyA
2) Hangover Days - *** - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRrLxmMuCBs
3) Brownie Hawkeye - **
4) We All Lose One Another - *** - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYqLJz0piKs
5) Parry Sound - **
6) I'll Bring The Sun - ** - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYdeNlnLyoI
7) Tinsel And Sawdust - *
8) Feral Republic - **
9) Pavement Puddle Stars - *
10) Almost Summer - *** - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVnF0GsiwoY
11) Pink Night - ** - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D45Z8gwOhIo
12) These Are The Days - **

Rating - 2.1

[Tiggi]

The UK Post-Punkers, not any of the numerous others with the same name, especially the US one with the upside-down-able drum kit.

Strong debut from '83, which contains echoes of Teardrop Explodes, Magazine, & Killing Joke.

This was another album I read about ages ago in one of those magazine "unsung album" articles, and it is a very good album.

[Music Head]

from my library (vinyl)



Fifth album by the Brit new wavers. The second album after Midge Ure had taken over vocal chores from John Foxx, who left the band for a solo career. The previous album, Vienna was their most successful to date, so the pressure was on. This one reached #4 in the U.K. with singles The Thin Wall and The Voice both cracking the top 20. Not so fast in the U.S. where the album peaked at #144 with no singles in sight. A couple of great tracks for me, the title track and the best being Stranger Within. An excessive number of duds though. But the good ones pulled it through.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - The Ascent

Best Track - Stranger Within

Light comes through a crack in the door
I tape up the windows once more
Tight like a cold hand of steel
Don't fear the stranger within

Hands that petrify in the air
Eyes catching things never there
Sweet tension caught on my breath
Don't fear the stranger within

Watch every shape that escapes
Scared to make the final mistake
Speak to hear the sound of your voice
Don't fear the stranger within

Sit in the corner with your back to the wall
Pray to your God with your head in your hands
Your mask of fear is shrinking fast
It's closing in more amour
You stand on borrowed time, your sweating palms and chilling brow
Your wide-eyed panic makes you laugh, you cry and laugh
Freeze until the noise decays, a shuffle from behind a door
Your throat is tight, it makes you choke and smoke and choke
Eyes will grow accustomed to the dark, a stifled scream that won't come out
There's nothing more to fear from the stranger within

Don't fear the stranger within
I feel the stranger within
I see the stranger within
Don't know the stranger within
I am the stranger within
I am the stranger within

1) The Voice - ** - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTUoYDYcM0o
2) We Stand Alone - ** - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsbUT-5swgI
3) Rage In Eden - *** - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaN5JqUSTQw
4) I Remember (Death In The Afternoon) - * - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-SIJa2wB6Q
5) The Thin Wall - ** - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYGx00779f8
6) Stranger Within - *** - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHXJeIJ26Pg
7) Accent On Youth - * - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAJhfv4FYl4
8) The Ascent - * - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfZEVd2L9o0
9) Your Name (Has Slipped My Mind Again) - * - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrxh9oXf0aU

Rating - 1.8

[Tiggi]

Fragrantly Alternative singer-pianist with a voice in the vicinity of Michelle Shocked.

The music from her band is original & refreshing, and this album is a delight.

[Music Head]

^^

Looks like you liked that a lot better than I did, from my earlier review of the same album.