|
User
Soundoffs 1
News Articles 8
Band Edits + Tags 1
Album Edits 49
Album Ratings 298
Objectivity 73%
Last Active 02-16-11 5:19 am
Joined 09-02-06
Review Comments 1,220
| Hasa Diga Eebowai
Finally saw Book of Mormon this weekend--on Broadway, no less. Although
it should go without saying, it's pretty much the best thing since Jesus
swung by America for a spell. List is the albums I listened to on the
Megabus trips there and back. | | 1 |  | La Dispute
Rooms of the House
I've been spinning this one a lot lately. I'm sort of surprised to say this, but it
might actually be my favorite by the band.
Favorite Track: Tough to pick, given how well it all flows together, but "35" has
been stuck in my head (in a good way, so far) recently. | | 2 |  | Manchester Orchestra
Cope
Just huge-sounding. I feel like RAGC! and Bad Books are siphoning off a bit of the
sonic versatility of Manchester's earlier stuff, which is sort of a shame, but they
compensate well with the bite-size epics on-display here. Even so, I'll probably still
need to hear it a few more times before really appreciating it.
Favorite Track: "Every Stone." Subject, of course, to change. | | 3 |  | The Hold Steady
Teeth Dreams
It's taken me way too long to get around to listening to these guys, but I'm glad I
did. Based off of reviews, I was surprised by the vocal style, but in retrospect, I'm
not sure what I was really expecting anyway.
Favorite Track: "Oaks." The simple choice, maybe, but there's a reason for that. | | 4 |  | Counterparts
The Difference Between Hell and Home
A little late to the game on this one as well. Mainly because, despite being an
unabashed acolyte of the NWOAHM back in my salad days, I now seem unfairly
averse to the mere mention of metalcore. Not sure why, since despite the garbage
groups, I'm sure there are still plenty of fantastic acts like this keeping the flame
alive.
Favorite Track: "Wither." | | 5 | | Cheatahs
Extended Plays
Just a fun album. Pairs surprisingly well with emerging from the Lincoln Tunnel and
into the Big Ol' Wormy Apple.
Favorite Track: "The Swan." | | 6 |  | Intronaut
Habitual Levitations
Yet another band I've been indefensibly lax in listening to, especially considering
how much I enjoy stoner-ish, sometimes-sorta-sludgy post-metal. This reminds me
if Meshuggah had a baby raised by Isis, who taught the child to chill out a little.
But just a little.
Favorite Track: "The Way Down." | | 7 |  | Chevelle
La Gargola
Really unsure how I feel about this one. It's definitely more aggressive than I'd
been expecting, and while I can appreciate that, I also think's Chevelle's great
sense of crunchy melodicism is what has sort of set them apart from--and, frankly,
well above--a lot of their radio rock peers. Chevelle reviews often note the obvious
influence of Tool, and while I think it's definitely an apt comparison, this album
brought it to mind in a atypical way, in that it sort of reminds me of Tool's earlier,
less dynamic/atmospheric work. Which is fine. But still, I feel like something
valuable may have been sacrificed in the process. Time will tell.
Favorite Track: "One Ocean." Probably unsurprising, given what I mention above.
And it's possible I mainly pick this since it stands out for the contrast it provides.
But I don't think that's the whole story, since the song itself is really well-
constructed. | | 8 |  | The War on Drugs
Lost in the Dream
A definite change of pace. Tried to use this one to get to sleep in the wee hours
on the way back, but ended up being too engrossed by it to do so. Well, that and
the lady across from me kept rolling around in her sleep and accidentally kicking my
shins. So, a little of column A, a little of column B.
Favorite Track: "An Ocean Between the Waves." Clearly, I just like songs about
oceans is all. | | 9 |  | I Am the Avalanche
Wolverines
Since I was already up, figured I might as well embrace the energy. Nothing really
innovative or groundbreaking here, but I feel like the vocals have always been
enough to set these folks apart from the pop-punk pack.
Favorite Track: "Anna Lee." | | 10 |  | The Republic of Wolves
His Old Branches
Another perennial listen lately. Surprised these guys don't get a lot of attention on
this site, given how well they fit into the Brand New niche of intellectual, post-
hardcore-tinged alt rock. Ah, genres. Such a totally worthwhile thing.
Favorite Track: "Through Windows." Though, again, with this one it's tough to truly
play favorites. | |
IronGiant
04.06.14 | never really liked la dispute at all but 1 is killer I really love the narrative lyricism of the album and the instrumentals are incorporating a lot of other influence besides just post hardcore | thecheatisnotdead
04.06.14 | Yeah, they're really firing on all cylinders these days. Dreyer does an excellent job pairing storytelling with poetry this time around, whereas Wildlife and Somewhere.. seemed to emphasize just one respective side of that combination. | IronGiant
04.06.14 | and he sounds so whiny on those other albums. here he sounds confident and it makes a huge difference |
|
