So, Forced Listening...
 

Someone brought this up in the thread about the merger, so I figured we could give it a try again. I know there are only like 3 semi-regular posters in here, and no one actually cares enough to write more than two or three words, but here it goes.

For those of you that don't know how this works:

1. Choose a song from the list in the post above your's. Try picking something you haven't really heard before.

2. Write a short review (~one paragraph) and give the song a rating out of 10.

3. List three or four songs for the next person to choose from. Include links to where the songs can be streamed, as well a genre or "For Fans Of."

4. Usually, the next person would post "dibs" so that no one could take their turn, but I highly doubt that will be necessary.

If you need an example:
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=426777


Here are a few suggestions to start things off:

[B]Polar Bear Club - "Our Ballads"[/B] (FFO: Small Brown Bike, Marathon)
http://www.myspace.com/polarbearclub
[B]The Jim Yoshii Pile-Up - "Thanksgiving Grey"[/B] (FFO: Owen, Kind Of Like Spitting)
http://www.last.fm/music/The+Jim+Yoshii+Pile-Up/Picks+Us+Apart
[B]Red 40 - "Frisco"[/B] (FFO: Jawbreaker. Ben Nichol's band pre-Lucero)
http://www.last.fm/music/Red+40/Complete+Discography

[B]The Jim Yoshii Pile-Up - Thanksgiving Grey[/B]

It starts off with a sort of slow dreamy sound. I expected it to pick up and get heavy all of a sudden but it didn't. It gradually builds. Like the music, the vocals begin soft but crescendo, which has a nice effect. I really the lyrics a lot; they play with assonance and rhyme without sticking to a pattern.
At first listen, I was slightly annoyed because it sounded like something one of my ex-boyfriends would listen to. But after I got past that dumb reason, it's good; it evokes emotion. Something I would listen to again.
8/10

Recommendations:
[B]Valencia - "Where Did You Go?"[/B] ('anti-neon' pop punk)
http://www.myspace.com/valencia
[B]Sparks the Rescue - "Hello Mexico" [/B](They're on Fearless Records, figure it out)
http://www.myspace.com/sparkstherescue
[B]Ludo - "Lake Pontchartrain"[/B] (theatrical nerdy guy music)
http://www.myspace.com/ludorock

[B]Valencia - Where Did You Go?[/B]

Oh, how I love songs with distant drumming intros. For some reason, they just pump me up. And this is no exception. Not soon after, palm muted guitars with a non-threatening amount of distortion joins in with the vocals. It slowly builds to a booming chorus; complete with great harmonizing vocals and pounding guitars. The lead guitar plays its part well during the chorus, creating a very dreamy lick. Dreamy lick... possible band name? Anyway, the song is riddled with cool post-production gems; chimes, a string quartet thrown in there, and guest vocals. It's refreshing, it's upbeat, it's very nicely done.
7.5/10

Suggestions:
[b]First To Leave - "Drag The Lake"[/b]
http://www.myspace.com/first2leave

[b]The Wonder Years - "You're Not Salinger, Get Over It"[/b]
http://www.myspace.com/thewonderyearspa

[b]Save Your Breath - "Your Oven's On Fire"[/b]
http://www.myspace.com/saveyourbreathband


By the way, I'm digging this idea :)

[B]Save Your Breath - "Your Oven's On Fire"[/B]

The first thing I noticed about this band is that they have Fireworks and The Wonder Years among their top friends. Which is fitting, because they sound a lot like those bands. Standard up-tempo pop-punk, catchy sing-along choruses, etc. If you're into that kind of thing, which I am, you'd probably enjoy this. It's nothing ground breaking, but still a pretty fun song nonetheless.

They apparently put out a split with Fireworks, too. (cool)
But, they are toruing with Attack! Attack! soon. (yuck)

Anyway... 7/10


Recommendations:
[B]William Elliott Whitmore - "One Man's Shame"[/B] (FFO: Langhorne Slim, Townes Van Zandt)
www.myspace.com/williamewhitmore
[B]Cheap Girls - "Her And Cigarettes[/B] (FFO: 90's Alternative)
http://www.myspace.com/cheapgirls
[B]Lemuria - "Pants"[/B] (FFO: Discount, The Ergs!)
http://www.myspace.com/lemuria

[B]Lemuria - "Pants"[/B]

So before the song even started playing I noticed the singer was a girl which I'm usually not too huge a fan of tbqh but this band pulls it off pretty well. Upbeat guitar riffs and her soft voice together with nice little drum fills here and there make for an extremely catchy song. The drummer's low backup vocals fit very well when he's singing; in fact I wish he sang more often in this song. The only complaint I have is the lyrics are kind of silly but I wouldn't listen to this kind of music for the lyrics anyways.

7/10 I'd give them another listen if I were in the mood.

Recommendations:
[B]Gwen Stacy - Gone Fishing, See You in a Year[/B] (FFO Across Five Aprils, Haste the Day)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi5AyLbH2tE
[B]Maybeshewill - Not For Want of Trying[/B] (FFO Pelican, Jesu, This Will Destroy You)
http://www.myspace.com/maybeshewont
[B]Hot Rod Circuit - Stateside[/B] (FFO catchy pop-punk)
http://www.myspace.com/hotrodcircuit

Dibs. Will do this as soon as I'm back at my apartment. Currently in the library with no headphones.

[QUOTE=B]I noticed the singer was a girl[/QUOTE]
Huh? The singer is a guy. :confused:

Maybeshewill - Not For Want of Trying

Starts out at what seems like the climax of the song, immediately pounding away on some heavy notes. Grabbed my attention. The song seems to shift back and forth from really heavy, pounding stuff and lighter, flowing melodies with piano. Then after the sound clip (What is it from? I like it.) they integrate really well, each part is clear and sounds good. The rest of the song is similar throughout.

Coming from a dude that used to listen to Pelican all day and night, this is pretty solid. Will definitely listen to them more and would recommend. 8/10

Recommendations:

[B]Happiness - Feet Fail Me Again[/B] (FFO Talking Heads, Action Action)
[url]http://www.myspace.com/sthlmhappiness[/url]

[B]Foot Ox - Tiny Animals[/B] (FFO catchy folk punk-ish stuff, Andrew Jackson Jihad)
[url]http://www.myspace.com/footox[/url]

[B]Intronaut - The Literal Black Cloud[/B] (FFO Isis, Mastodon, doomish caveman metal stuff)
[url]http://www.myspace.com/intronaut[/url]

[QUOTE=Mute Print;17137746]Huh? The singer is a guy. :confused:[/QUOTE]

lmao my bad c&p'd the wrong name
glad you liked them spence

[B]Intronaut - "The Literal Black Cloud"[/B]

This song starts out HEAVY. The vocals kick in around 0:45, and they immediately remind me of Mouth of the Architect (which rules). The song becomes more mellow around the one minute mark, but before long the heaviness is back. The song progresses in this pattern for the duration, alternating between heavy passages and mellow interludes, which probably keeps the song from becoming boring.

The only thing that's disappointing about this band is that their tour with Mastodon and Kylesa isn't hitting Buffalo.

8/10

Recommendations:
[B]Rust Belt Lights - "The Ground"[/B] (FFO: Lifetime, Kid Dynamite)
http://www.myspace.com/rustbeltlights
[B]The City On Film - "For Holly"[/B] (FFO: Braid, Hey Mercedes)
http://www.last.fm/music/The+City+on+Film/_/For+Holly
[B]Eating Glass - "Amongst The Wolves"[/B] (FFO: Pulling Teeth, Ceremony)
http://www.myspace.com/eatingglasshc

Intronaut is boss and that tour will kick ***.

The City On Film - "For Holly"

I've been a Braid fan for a long time, and the vocalist sounds like Bob Nanna on downers. But still good, nonetheless. Actually, if I heard this without knowing who it was, I'd probably think it was Braid.

But besides that, this song is really good. It flows well, the quiet part leads into a nice bridge, and then straight back to the chorus that's so catchy. Definitely easy on the ears without being too slow. I like this a lot, though. 9/10

Looks like I've got catching up to do. School hasn't left me much time for new music.

I'm repeating songs since I have to go to class in a few and I'm lazy.

[B]Happiness - Feet Fail Me Again[/B] (FFO Talking Heads, Action Action)
[url]http://www.myspace.com/sthlmhappiness[/url]

[B]Foot Ox - Tiny Animals[/B] (FFO catchy folk punk-ish stuff, Andrew Jackson Jihad)
[url]http://www.myspace.com/footox[/url]

[B]Annabel - Parade Rest[/B] (FFO catchy, softer pop punk, Tin Armor)
[url]http://www.myspace.com/annabelrock[/url]

Haha, it is Bob Nanna.

Oh, wow.

[QUOTE=boundbytransience;17127997]

[b]Save Your Breath - "Your Oven's On Fire"[/b]
http://www.myspace.com/saveyourbreathband

[/QUOTE]

Surprised to see SYB mentioned. I go to university with their guitarist, he is a funny guy.

[QUOTE=Gnarmageddon;17137749](What is it from? I like it.)[/QUOTE]
Just found out that it's from a movie called zeitgeist; it's supposed to be really interesting I'm watching it now on google video.
[url]http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-594683847743189197[/url]

edit: the quote is from around is around an hour and ten minutes in

Oh, I had no idea. I've heard extreme things about that film. Everyone's always complaining and ranting about it.

I might have to watch it, though. That quote got me pumped.

[QUOTE=team_racket;17137951]Surprised to see SYB mentioned. I go to university with their guitarist, he is a funny guy.[/QUOTE]

No ****? That's awesome :)
Are they relatively popular in that region?

Someone do my tracks!

[QUOTE=Gnarmageddon;17137802][B]Happiness - Feet Fail Me Again[/B] (FFO Talking Heads, Action Action)
[url]http://www.myspace.com/sthlmhappiness[/url]

[B]Foot Ox - Tiny Animals[/B] (FFO catchy folk punk-ish stuff, Andrew Jackson Jihad)
[url]http://www.myspace.com/footox[/url]

[B]Annabel - Parade Rest[/B] (FFO catchy, softer pop punk, Tin Armor)
[url]http://www.myspace.com/annabelrock[/url][/QUOTE]

Foot Ox - Tiny Animals

Guitar intro is quite catchy but oh god these vocals grate on me. It's like Modest Mouse if Isaac had a whiny bitch voice and sucked more. Synth seems maybe a little out of place but I do admit I enjoy it. The songs is really catchy and fun listening barring the vocals which kill it for me alas. These guys need a good vocalist. 6/10

Eisley - Many Funerals (FFO Hush Sound, Straylight Run)
http://www.purevolume.com/eisley

ES Posthumus - Pompeii (FFO epic soundtracks)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GusLypfx7OQ

Zydepunks - Blood Song(FFO Gogol Bordello)
http://www.purevolume.com/zydepunks

I think it's an organ and accordion, not a synth.
And Teague's vocals are so good. I used to think the same thing at first, but he really grew on me. He reminds me of being a kid so much.

[QUOTE=boundbytransience;17138633]No ****? That's awesome :)
Are they relatively popular in that region?[/QUOTE]

They aren't huge yet, but definitely have a strong following in my/their hometown and throughout the UK. They've toured and played a few radio shows too. Keep an eye on them though, they will definitely get bigger!

hey asshats, do mine

Eisley - Many Funerals

I'm a big Hush Sound large bundle of sticks so this better be good >:(

starts off very blandly. Once the band comes in, it has a decent groove. I can't tell if the vocals are reverb'd, or sung by two vocalists. Either way, it gets kind of annoying.

Distorted part is interesting for this kind of band. Not what I was expecting, and neat. Pleasantly heavy without drifting into nu-metal territory. And the second verse is better than the first.

Whole sing isn't actually uploaded? Weird.

Overall, a decent song. The echo-y vocals got on my nerves. Basically, it was like Hush Sound with less fun and more distorted choruses. I'm not sure if I like this song, but I'm curious enough to listen to more from them.

7/10

[B]The Reign Of Kindo - Great Blue Sea[/B] (FFO progressive indie jazz...I don't know who to compare them to :( I can't recommend them highly enough.)
http://www.myspace.com/thereignofkindo

BRIAN GO SEE THEM WHEN THEY PLAY IN BUFFALO

[B]Tenant - That Sinking Feeling[/B] (FFO non-poppy Finch)
http://www.myspace.com/tenantband

[B]Confide - Can't See The Forest For The Trees[/B] (FFO post-hardcore that's thematically consistent and if you don't mind christian lyrics)
http://www.myspace.com/confide
[B]
After the Burial - Aspirations[/B] (FFO TECH METAL)
http://www.myspace.com/aftertheburial

(Aspirations is in my top five songs of 2008, btw)

[QUOTE=BridgeToSolace;17141364]The Reign Of Kindo

BRIAN GO SEE THEM WHEN THEY PLAY IN BUFFALO
[/QUOTE]
Haha, I've seen them 5 times. So good.

[QUOTE=Mute Print;17142009]Haha, I've seen them 5 times. So good.[/QUOTE]

I can't count how many times I've listened to them in the past few months.

My go-to album for homework or whatever.

It's really dense but still really accessible and catchy.

[B]After the Burial - "Aspiration"[/B]

The song starts out with a relatively calm guitar intro. It would probably fit into a lot of mainstream music. Before long, however, the growling vocals kick in, and you realize, while fairly popular right now, this is not radio music. The vocals kind of remind me of Poison the Well in a way. Around 0:55, the music becomes extremely choppy, making me feel as though I am about to have some sort of spastic fit or a seizure.

Around 2:45, the breakdown hits, followed by a guitar solo that demonstrates some talent beyond just heavy breaks.

This was alright, but the choppiness was driving me insane.

4/10

Recommendations:
Rust Belt Lights - "The Ground" (FFO: Lifetime, Kid Dynamite)
http://www.myspace.com/rustbeltlights
Red 40 - "Frisco" (FFO: Jawbreaker. Ben Nichol's band pre-Lucero)
http://www.last.fm/music/Red+40/Complete+Discography
Giraffes? Giraffes! - "F[SIZE="2"]u[/SIZE]cking Ants Man! Where Are They Coming From?" (FFO: Tera Melos, Hella)
http://www.myspace.com/giraffesgiraffes

Heheh.

By choppiness, do you mean the fact that they mute the string after they hit it?

Because that's tech metal, baby! Makes the timing more interesting for me.

[b]Rust Belt Lights - The Ground[/b]

Intros are for wimps. I dig songs that get right into the thrashin', and Rust Belt Lights certainly did so. Their verses are filled with pretty standard punk / melodic hardcore guitar riffs [definitely in the vein of Kid Dynamite and Lifetime], and all the band members are pretty consonant throughout. Musicianship kicks ***. The vocals can be a little rough at times, which can kind of throw you off, but right when this happens, they go into some gang vocals that just pump you up again. Personally, the last 30 seconds of the song are the only thing that make it interesting. There's nothing new brought to the table per se, and I could almost predict what was next for each part of the song. Verse, verse, chorus, verse, verse, chorus, bridge, outro. It's standard, but they're great at what they do-- it's catchy, and it's very accessible. I'd like to see what else they release.

6.9 / 10

Do your worst:
[b]Rebuilt - "Hank"[/b] [FFO Go It Alone, Stay Gold]
http://www.myspace.com/nwrebuilt
[b]The Effort - "We Can Learn"[/b] [FFO Strike Anywhere, The Carrier]
http://www.myspace.com/theworkoutalwaysgetsyou
[b]Power - "YTID"[/b] [FFO Ceremony, Siege]
http://www.myspace.com/powersilima

Rebuilt - "Hank"

**** intros, they're for wimps. I like the bit of melody they inject into an otherwise somewhat generic hardcore formula. It's been done before, but it's done well here. It's very aggressive, and very quick, and unrelenting. The vocals are just kind of there, solid but little else. I, of course, have no idea what he's saying. The latter portion of this song is more melody based and less fast-aggressive-hardcore based, and it's neat.

This reminds of Set It Straight more than anything. It's very generic and formulaic, but it's well done.

7/10

The Reign Of Kindo - Great Blue Sea (FFO progressive indie jazz...I don't know who to compare them to I can't recommend them highly enough.)
http://www.myspace.com/thereignofkindo

Tenant - That Sinking Feeling (FFO non-poppy Finch that's still catchy with weird time signatures)
http://www.myspace.com/tenantband

A Girl, A Gun, A Ghost - Pangolin (FFO epic post-hardcore without clean vocals)
http://www.myspace.com/agirlagunaghost

If These Trees Could Talk - What's In The Ground Below (FFO post-rock) http://www.myspace.com/ifthesetreescouldtalk