[b]The Alter Boys - Auto-erotica (2:41)[/b]

Starts off with some very smooth horns in the background, and an awful lot of wah in the foreground. It sounds pretty good, a little determinedly typical of the sound which, since it seems to be done on purpose, I don't mind.

Bass has been playing since the start, but as the vocals start it gets a lot more pronounced, sounding louder and twangier. The wah continues on its way. The vocals switch between a kind of crooning whisper (the one they start on) and a deeper regular voice. It sounds more like a guy with a not-so-deep voice, making his voice deeper, which again fits quite well. The vocals, coincidentally, remind me of the kind of thing Dog Fashion Disco have, when they're not screaming/yelling/etc. When the latter voice is singing - the "sex and lies" bits - I like the way the music kind of follows him. It's nothing big, just enjoyable.

There's not much else to say, really. It's quite a short song, and once this pattern's been established not much else happens, though there is a short horn solo towards the end. It manages to be relatively smooth without sounding like Kenny G, for which it earns my thanks. Anyway, it's short, catchy and reasonably enjoyable. It really does actually remind me of the non-heavy bits of Dog Fashion Disco, just entirely without the heavy bits on either side.

If anything, the relentless wah ends up being the most annoying thing, as it does more or less the same thing the whole way through and is just loud enough to be irritating. I'm not too bothered, though.

7/10

[b]Songs;[/b]

Murder By Death - The Devil in Mexico (indie, I suppose)
Burning Saviours - Dark Lady (heavy metal/early doom)
Tinariwen - Tamatant Tilay (rock/Tuareg traditional)

I would like to get back into the swing of doing this, but unfortunately I don't have access to software that will let me download songs now that I'm at uni... if it'd be possible, Barkeep, could you e-mail me any of those three? If it's not possible, then I revoke my dibs.

Cheers.

Murder by Death - The Devil in Mexico

A sampled-sounding vocal track is complemented by a nifty piano progression to kick off the track, which reaches a ritardando and slows at about the :45 mark. Synths and clean electric guitar have replaced the piano, and the vocals become a bit more distinct. The cello adds another nice dimension to the track, while the vocalist sings, "Well, his heart ain't made of nothin' but piss and vinegar, and his boots have trampled more than you would know." At the end of this verse, the song drops in volume and the piano returns, as well as some somewhat-electronic percussion. 2:48 sees an explosion in instrumentation and vocals, with the return of the cello and guitars, and the vocals are more robust and assertive - one memorable line in this passage includes, "Black heart, you shot the plan to Hell and the apathy ate you up inside." 4:05 is a change-of-pace, with a swift arpeggiated guitar progression setting the tone for a pretty memorable instrumental passage, quickly followed by a somewhat-exasperated mantra of "Someone say a 'Hail Mary' for this house; bless the corners and burn the Devil out!" over screams. The track ends with a carnival-esque synth progression.

Obviously, since this is Forced Listening, this was my first Murder by Death track. A couple of my friends casually name-drop this act, but I never really bothered to check them out. I was surprised with the track in a good way - I wasn't a huge fan of the decrescendos (it seemed like they took longer than was really necessary) - but the song always made up for it with the different passages. The outro for 'The Devil in Mexico' was probably my favorite part of the track; the vocals were so convoluted and expressive, and I liked that.

7/10

---

These tracks you can find on the Ye Olde LiveJournal:

Fair to Midland - Dance of the Manatee (Alt/Indie)
Paper Street Saints - Wrestling the Angel (Hard Rock)
TRUSTcompany - Rock the Casbah (Hard Rock cover of The Clash original)

[url]http://tony-robbins.livejournal.com/1294.html[/url]

bump

bump :(

Fair to Mainland - Tibet

Whoa, this song kicked me in the nuts hardcore. Very heavy intro which leads into a lighter verse with an angular guitar riff. It's okay so far, nothing stand-outish. The chorus is easily the worst part so far, the vocals are really cheesy and forced in that higher range. The vocalist usually has a good tone though. This heavy bridge with the Godsmack-esqe vocals is silly. Second part of the bridge with the acoustic and e-Bow guitar part makes sense of the previous part. It's a very dynamic shift and I really enjoyed how it was done. Back to the chorus; I am actually enjoying the piano in the background. Adds a lot of energy.

Overall, I would put this at a 5.5. It's not something I would normally listen to, but it was a slightly refreshing take on hard rock.


Try these:
Ghost - Motherly Bluster
DJ Shadow - Monosylabik
Tycho - Dream as Memory

[b]Tycho - Dream As Memory[/b]

I did a little reading before listening, seems this might be quite interesting.

It's slow and bouncy to start with, very melodic with simple synth bits repeated. Pretty much how it was described - it has that super mellow "sunshine" feel, I think Lemon Jelly may sound a bit like this too. The drums are sparse, mixing acoustic and electronic drum hits. There's also some cut up "aah" samples, which are very Broken Social Scene ish. It's pretty nice.

Some of the underlying bass notes give it a minor sound, where the melody is mostly major key type stuff, with some bluesy bits every now and then. A few fast glitchy drum runs bends the calm, but doesn't break it.

The song runs through a number of sections, with a number of synth voices similar to harps, pianos and flutes. It is nicely constructed, as some sections can overlap in nice complementary fashion. Some noises come in towards the end, but they don't stand out.


I liked it quite a bit and want to check out some more. Spring is just about here, and this music would fit it nicely. Some bits of the music try and make it less pretty, it's probably intentional.
8.5/10

________________________________
[b]Shpongle - Once Upon The Sea Of Blissful [/b] .. super chill out electronic
[b]Dead Letter Circus - Alien [/b] .. new wave of aus rock
[b]Conjure One - Pilgrimage [/b] .. instrumental trip hop/dance/journey thing (7 min)
[b]Peccatum - Black Star [/b] .. chillout electronica/black metal (8 min)
[b]Suicidal Rap Orgy - Blood Clot Lunch[/b] extreme gore rap
[b]The Bird - Where Lines Become Circles[/b] .. ethnic drum'n'bass

Yeah, I'd bump that.

dibbed, i'll do it later tonight

[B]Shpongle - Once Upon The Sea Of Blissful Awareness[/B] - 8/10

This song is an exercise is nice production, as i listen to it through headphones i sense of lot of nice textures and various layers of sound. I've heard a lot about Shpongle, and from what i am listening to this is not a disappointment.

This starts out with some synth keyboards, a lot of ambient electronic parts coming together to make some beautiful passages. One small part in particular i find fascinating is the introduction of the percussion, this trippy electronic noise kind of warps itself into a hip-hop drum pattern. After this some bassy noises happen, and the drums come back and we have some rhythm. Some vocals come in, a female voice. It's very pleasing chillout kind of stuff so far.

There's not a lot to discuss with this song apart from the fact listening to it through headphones yields notice for some well thought out production and that it's good chillout music. Every now in then the vocals break from the rhythm for some playing around with electronic sounds, and it all sounds really good. The outro features a whistle/flute kind of sound, which i like. This is a good song, it makes me want more Shpongle for sure.

[B]Songs[/B]

Black Sabbath - Supertzar (Symphonic Rock)
Butterfingers - Everytime (Rock/Rap)
Babes In Toyland - Bluebell (Riot Grrl)
Anthrax - Metal Thrashing Mad (Thrash)
Soundgarden - Gun (Grunge)

bump

[B]Butterfingers - Everytime [/B]

The title of "rock/rap" both wearies but also intrigues me, as I haven't heard the genre pulled off well in a while.

The songs starts off with some kind of synthy keyboard type thing (I am at a loss of words to describe it at the moment) and sounds oddly familiar (again it escapes me.) Soon a piano joins in accenting with chords, as well as an organ which excites me because I think I have a fetish for them. Once the drums come in, it rolls with a nice little groove.

As expected the vocals are rap style, and the guy's got some kind of accent. English I'm assuming, but I'm an ignorant American, what do I know. Lyrically, the song is themed like "Everytime I [do this] [consequence.]" None of the lines are particularly related to each other and are for the most part random, except for the fact the writer obviously cannot catch a break.

A little past halfway the song goes into a break, using reversed vocals to poke fun at subliminal messages in song. Kind of neat, but only lasts for a few bars and then returns back to the main beat.

Not really much more to say about the song, sticks to the main beat with a few changes here and there. Also, not quite as "rock" as I expected, which is not a bad thing. I would say that the only really complaint that I would have about this song is that the lyrics are pretty juvenile - but they're dumb and fun, which I can roll with.

8/10

My Picks

Beyond the Embrace - Release (Metalcoreish... closer to the metal)
Look What I Did - Minuteman for the Moment ("confusing the s[FONT="Verdana"]hit[/FONT] out of hardcore kids since 2003")
k-os - The Rain (bluesy soulful track)
Scott Walker - Jackie (60's Pop/Rock)
Tub Ring - The Promise Keeper (Experimental Rock)

As I said, I haven't heard k-os in literally years, and that's back when Exit came out, so I'm quite glad to hear new material. Honestly, I love the man's voice. Musically, it's quite well composed for hip-hop/r&b genre type stuff.

Awesome chorus, and awesome transition back to verse.

Of course, genrewise lyrics are a major piece, unfortunately, unlike his rapped material, he lacks. I just don't see the wit that I was amazed by the first time I heard Superstarr pt. 0.

6/10, cool song.

My picks:
This Runs Through - Writing Books And Changing Lives [metalcore]

Ampere - Wormwood, Radiation [screamo]

Limp Wrist - I Love Hardcore Boys, I Love Boys Hardcore [hardcore]
[url]http://www.mediafire.com/?5mwpp41itx2[/url]

From Graves Of Valor - The Architect [melodic death metal]

Hecate Enthroned - Forever In Ebony Drowning [black metal]

As Cities Burn - Timothy [indie]

[QUOTE=Dand;15273336]The songs starts off with some kind of synthy keyboard type thing (I am at a loss of words to describe it at the moment)[/quote]

I believe that's a mobile phone. :thumb:

[QUOTE=Dand;15273336]As expected the vocals are rap style, and the guy's got some kind of accent. English I'm assuming, but I'm an ignorant American, what do I know.[/QUOTE]

Australian ftw.

Every time I play scrabble, I make the word "at"

Every wet fart, leaves a stain where i "sat"

Read the lyrics for the Limp Wrist song. :)

and I like his vocals, oh well.

Hardcore Superstar - Bag On Your Head

Hard rock, not hardcore, it starts off pretty slow and ballsy - a bit like Foo Fighters hard sound. Some shouts of HEY in a very stadium rock kind of way. Then slows down before busting into this other faster riff, which sounds familiar, but I can't think of where I know it. The guy has a somewhat harsh voice, but he keeps it fairly melodic - almost like Guns n Roses vocals with distortion.

It seems like such a Spat Out Plath kind of song, not saying that's a bad thing, just implying it. :P No, what I mean is that there's a fairly predictable and simple song structure. The verse is not very melodic, not dissonant, just hard. This is no nu-metal tune, the verse is just as hard as the chorus, except the chorus is much more melodic.

During the chorus, the shouts of "Bag on your head", despite it being the title, just sounds so corny. Not much else to say really... Post-chorus is going back to the slow bit from the intro. What do you say about a song that repeats itself?

The synth in the middle is kind of cool, but I don't notice the synth anywhere else in the song... obviously just for show.

In the end, it really just boils down to a song by some guys trying to sound cool without putting in much effort. After this many beers, it bugs me. It should be about trying to make music that means something or expresses something. But don't worry, I've seen much worse show off bands than this (Showpony from Queensland, you ****ing wankers - a 5 minute completely random drum solo is not awesome, and a bassist that can only do 3 quick notes of slap bass at a time, but jiggles his head to take the focus away from that fact, is still lame at bass)

If I wanted heartfelt hard rock... I know Soundgarden and Down and others
If I wanted something catchy... well there is plenty to choose from
If I wanted some guys trying to sound cool, I'd

Sorry, this just doesn't do anything for me - not bad, but not at all interesting
5/10


________________________________________

[b]Dead Letter Circus - Alien [/b] .. new wave of aus rock
[b]65daysofstatic - I Swallowed Hard, Like I Understood[/b] .. Glitch electronic/post rock
[b]Azure Ray - If You Fall [/b] .. bouncy indie pop
[b]Conjure One - Pilgrimage [/b] .. instrumental trip hop/dance/journey thing (7 mins)
[b]Suicidal Rap Orgy - Blood Clot Lunch[/b] .. extreme gore rap

[B]65daysofstatic - I Swallowed Hard, Like I Understood[/B]

This is yet another band that I've seen the name mentioned a lot, on and off the forums and have been meaning to check out for a while now.

The song starts off pretty relaxed with a little piano and some electronic noises. A guitar comes in shortly just hitting some power chords. To be honest the tone of the guitar worries me... it sounds like it was recorded very amateurishly.

Then BAM! everything comes in and my worries are put to rest. I love the mix of the electronica style drums and rock style rhythm. They definitely add this extra energy to the song.

There is a nice break where everything kind of mellows out and the piano comes front and center. Its a nice change of pace and eventually builds up for the song's third section.

The song end a little abruptly but I can let that slide. I totally enjoyed this song. It had great flow and very dynamic. I definitely plan of checking more of these guys out.

9/10

My Picks:
These Arms Are Snakes - The Sh[FONT="Verdana"]i[/FONT]t Sisters (Post hardcore, I think?)
Look What I Did - Minuteman for the Moment ("confusing the sh[FONT="Verdana"]it[/FONT] out of hardcore kids since 2003")
Adrian Belew - Ampersand (Experimental Rock)
I Monster - Daydream In Blue (Kind of experimental electronic stuff)
Tub Ring - The Promise Keeper (Experimental Rock)

biiiummp

[b]Adrian Belew - Ampersand[/b]

I know Adrian Belew is from King Crimson, and he plays in a weird way, but that's about it.

Some noisy guitar starts it off, they are somewhat dissonant and lightly distorted, like a squirrel theme. Somewhat annoying. Massive drumming comes in, sounds like Danny Carey on Ticks And Leeches... a bit of reading confirms that it is him. These drums are way out of place with the guitar tone. A big name bassist as well, eh? However, I can't hear the bass that well.

"Ampersand" is sung a couple of times, it's probably meant to sound like the Batman theme, because it does. It seems as though every instrument is trying so hard to be in control. Some singing and cruddy sounding guitar go here: file as verse. The drums just don't stop, sure Danny can play, but it sounds ridiculous for a song like this.

Then there's a chorus of sorts, the guitar sounds even more harsh (and shite) here, like it was inspired by broken glass. This song was obviously not written to be melodic. There's few time changes in here. After the chorus is a strange guitar solo, but it's pretty good compared the rest of the guitaring I've heard so far.

More of verse and probably another chorus - it's hard to tell in this song. In the middle, it tones down a bit, though the drums are still very tribal and fast, just quieter. This bit actually sounds ok to me.

It finishes with about 30 seconds instrumental chaos, which for me is the worst bit yet. I hate this kind of thing, but I can't say I'm surprised this is how they finished it.

The guys can definitely play, it's just a pity they had to do it in such an offputting style. Difficult music for the discerning wanker.
2/10
________________________________

[b]Azure Ray - If You Fall [/b] .. bouncy indie pop
[b]Dead Letter Circus - Alien [/b] .. new wave of aus rock
[b]Hollenthon - Conquest Demise[/b] .. symphonic death metal
[b]Suicidal Rap Orgy - Blood Clot Lunch[/b] .. extreme gore rap

I'll do "Dead Letter Circus - Alien" :)

^seems to have forgotten
bump

stealing of dibs unless duckie ducks in with a post

[b]Suicidal Rap Orgy - Blood Clot Lunch[/b]

Wow, this is incredibly bad. The tag of "gore rap" is probably as accurate as you can get in defining genre, it has some spacy rap beats and samples with a vaguely death metal styled voice rapping over the top. The music itself is a fairly solid minimilistic backbeat with subtle electronic melodies and sampling running through it, a vaguely pop-industrial NIN style sound. It's far from groundbreaking but it serves a purpose, pity anything good about this song ends there.

Vocal wise we have some guy continuously swearing for 4 minutes in a faux-scream/growl, he sounds like an angsty high school student whose voice has hardly broken yet who wants to offend everyone by saying naughty words. Later on we have a female vocal, singing in the same fashion. The song is pretty much built around this, which I find disappointing. Whilst attitude and offensive humour does have it's place in music this band does it in a particularly bad fashion, it is more akin to angry late primary school students who want to offend their parents for being denied access to the X-box after listening to some ICP and Cannibal Corpse. No thanks.

3/10

[b]Songs[/b]

Dio - Straight Through The Heart (Classic Rock)
Return To Forever - After The Cosmic Rain (Jazz Fusion)
Burzum - Ea, Lord Of The Deeps (Black Metal)
PJ Harvey - To Bring You My Love (Indie/Rock)
Link Wray - The Swag (Rockabilly)

We need to find a way to attract new/more users to this thread. You guys are cool and all, but it's kind of lame and pointless with just the same three or four people participating.

Yeah *shrugs*

Not much we can do IMO.

I wonder if maybe we start a new thread it would attract new users. It wouldn't be as big or intimidating.

[QUOTE=blueyxd;15458770]^seems to have forgotten
bump[/QUOTE]

Ah, sorry about that :(

[B]Dio - Straight Through The Heart (Classic Rock)[/B]

Before listening to this track I'd only ever heard one of Dio's songs before, which was Holy Diver, which I liked a lot, but I never bothered venturing into any other of his material. Normally, I don't like this classic rock/metal from the 80's but I must say, this song really impressed me.

It starts off with a drum fill, leading into the main riff of the song. It's a great heavy, mid-tempo riff. The drums keep a steady 4/4 beat with a fill every 4th bar, where the other instruments cut out. I love the transition from the verse to chorus - powerchords and thumping drums while Dio sings powerfully [I]"And here it comes again, Straight through the heart"[/I], then returning to the main riff.

After repeating the verse/chorus again, we reach a bridge, which consists of 16's on the hi-hats and powerchords on the guitar again. There is some great harmonizing on the lines: [I]"Shout to the wind
How can you hurt me this way
Oh once it begins
It looks like it's coming to stay"[/I]

At about 3 minutes in there is a guitar solo. It starts off slow and eventually builds up into a high screech and then another guitar enters harmonizing with the other. The chorus is played another couple of times with a guitar solo over the top of it. The song ends with the cymbals and guitars in unison.

This song has sold me, and therefore I'm gonna have to check out more of Dio's material.

8/10

*This is my first time doing this and I found it difficult to describe everything but I should improve with time.

[B][U]Songs:[/U][/B](If you need help in finding any of these just ask :))

Reuben - Return Of The Jedi (Alt. Hard Rock)
North - Ruins (Post Rock)
Death - Empty Words (Death Metal)
Air - You Make It Easy (Electronica)
Biffy Clyro - Bodies In Flight (Alt. Rock)

Bump :)