Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Raine Maida - The Hunter's Lullaby

The Hunter's Lullaby cover art

This is the first solo album for the Canadian, he is well-known for being the frontman of Our Lady Peace. This album was originally released in 2007 but is just now being promoted to college radio. Since he is the voice of OLP, this is bound to sound similar to them. However, this has more piano and acoustic instrumentation than I recall the band having. Raine seems very angry during the majority of these songs. It is very mainstream rock sounding. I prefer Our Lady Peace's "Gravity" album much more, this really didn't impress me too much.

www.myspace.com/rainemaida
www.rainemaida.net

Monday, September 29, 2008

Kings of Leon - Only By The Night

Only By The Night cover art

The Followills (brothers Nathan, Caleb, Jared, and cousin Matthew, respectively) return for their fourth full-length album. Hailing from Nashville, they were originally referred to as the "Southern Strokes" for their blending of Southern rock with indie and garage rock. But this album feels restrained and doesn't really kick out the jams; there's some cringe-inducing lyrics as well (example: "You've come to kill, gonna spend it high, your parents grieve, I know they are right"). Their last album, "Because of the Times," was one of my favorite albums of 2007 and I still play it a lot, so don't get me wrong, I really dig these guys a lot. So it makes me very sad to say that this album is a big disappointment to me.

www.myspace.com/kingsofleon
www.kingsofleon.com

Friday, September 26, 2008

Koufax - Strugglers

Strugglers cover art

The band presents their fourth full-length album. Band leader Robert Suchran wrote this album in the fall of 2007 while living in Prague. Though they used to be known as an emo band, they now have more of a grandiose rock/pop/80's-influenced sound. I suppose they remind me of the Killers or U2 at times. Overall, it's decent stuff, and they throw in some worldly rhythms, Wurlitzer and sax on a few tracks, which is nice.

www.myspace.com/koufax
www.koufaxmusic.com

Thursday, September 25, 2008

All Girl Summer Fun Band - Looking Through It

Looking Into It cover art

The Portland trio of Kathy Foster, Jen Sbragia, and Kim Baxter (They used to be a quartet; former member Ari Douangpanya opted out of being a part of this record to focus on being a mom) offers up their third full-length and first since 2003's "2". This is also their first album to appear on their own agsfb label as the previous two were on K Records. They continue on their same style of making up-beat pop/rock. The girls all sing, and Kim and Jen trade off bass and guitar duties, with Kathy playing the drums on each of the songs (She also plays some other instruments as well, and is well known for her work as the drummer for The Thermals). They are exactly what their name implies, except their songs will still be just as fun in the winter as they are in summer.

www.myspace.com/agsfb
www.agsfb.com

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

The Mystery Tramps - We Are The Mystery Tramps EP

We Are The Mystery Tramps cover art

They're from Boston. I'm not sure how old they are, though they look like they are about fifteen. Prior to this EP, they released another EP and a full-length CD. They play a mix of pop/pop-punk/rock, though some songs teeter dangerously to the edge of being labeled as "emo". The vocalist whines his way through some of these tracks, which lessens their appeal. The songs without the whining are fairly decent though, so overall, this cd was a mixed bag for me.

www.myspace.com/themysterytramps
www.themysterytramps.com

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Mother Mother - O My Heart

O My Heart cover art

From Vancouver, this five-piece presents their second full-length album. There's a brother and a sister in the band; it's always good to see families making rock music together. The album is full of indie pop/rock with boy/girl vocals and harmonies, and some folk-rock influences (such as finger-plucked guitar, strings). It's quirky and can get a little crazy at times, but the songs are solid and they are lots of fun. It's unique, but instantly likable and catchy. Awesome stuff, this band is really good.

www.myspace.com/mothermotherspace
www.mothermothersite.com

Monday, September 22, 2008

Boston Spaceships - Brown Submarine

Brown Submarine cover art

Following the conclusion of Guided By Voices, Robert Pollard has released a number of solo albums; Boston Spaceships is his new band. It's a trio as Pollard is joined by Chris Slusarenko, another former GBV member, and John Moen, who is in the Decemberists. Boston Spaceships sound very similar to GBV, and should please fans of the latter as a result. It's full of upbeat rockers that maintain the power-pop/rock/indie/lo-fi status that GBV kept. The whole album of fourteen tracks clocks in at under 33 minutes. It's short, but it's fun. Robert Pollard and company keep the spirit of rock and roll alive, which is certainly a good thing.

www.myspace.com/bostonspaceships
www.bostonspaceships.com

Friday, September 19, 2008

Passion Pit - Chunk Of Change

Chunk Of Change cover art

Electropop from Boston. Rather busy sounding. Heavy on the synths. Apparently the guy behind this wrote these songs as a Valentine's Day present for his girlfriend, which explains titles like "Smile Upon Me" and "Cuddle Fuddle." Originally recorded solo, gigs now feature a full five-piece band. At times, I ask myself if this is a more intense, dancier version of LCD Soundsystem with higher pitched male vocals. At other times, I ask myself how the hell something like this ended up on FrenchKiss records.

www.myspace.com/passionpitjams

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Noah And The Whale - Peaceful The World Lays Me Down

Peaceful The World Lays Me Down cover art

Folk/pop/tweefolk from England. This is the band's debut. They are already big in the UK, having their song "5 Years Time" crack the UK chart's Top Ten. Mostly warbly/yelpy male vocals, which can be a bit much at times. However, the female backing vocals are very nice. Not bad stuff. Recommended if you like Thanksgiving/Adrian Orange, or Herman Dune, or K Records type stuff.

www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale
www.noahandthewhale.com

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

The Weeks - Comeback Cadillac

Comeback Cadillac cover art

They're a five-piece (two of which, the drummer and guitarist, are brothers) from Jackson, Mississippi. This is their debut album. If this is what Southern rock is nowadays, you can count me in. Rockandroll with bluesy-garage rock overtones, and a lead singer that sounds like he's smoked one too many cigarettes. Imagine the Kings of Leon crossed with the Black Keys. Or, simply imagine The Weeks, and just listen to the album.

www.myspace.com/theweeks

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Band Marino - The Sea & The Beast

The Sea & The Beast cover art

They are a five-piece from Orlando. This album, their debut, was originally released in 2006 but has seen a nationwide "indie record shop" push this past year. As for the music, it's indie folk-rock, complete with mandolin, banjo, and harmonica. The lead singer has a very distinct voice; imagine Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes spending time in the mountains and you might have Band Marino's vocalist. There's some filler on this album, but there is also quite a few promising songs, the best being "Every Time I Make A Girl Cry I Know I've Done My Job."

www.myspace.com/bandmarino
http://www.bandmarino.net

Monday, September 15, 2008

The Subways - All Or Nothing

All Or Nothing cover art

The second full-length for the powertrio that features Billy Lunn on guitar and vocals, Charlotte Cooper on bass and vocals, and Josh Morgan on drums. Though they are from Britain, they recorded this album in Los Angeles with the production assistance of Butch Vig, the drummer for Garbage and long-time producer (he's worked with Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Jimmy Eat World, Killdozer, etc.). The result is a much more polished sound than their debut; these songs sound ready for modern rock radio. That could be a good thing for people who didn't like the rawness of their first album, or a bad thing for people who loved the first album. Take your pick, and marvel at the fact that their lead singer must have taken screaming lessons from Dave Grohl.

www.myspace.com/thesubways
www.thesubways.net

Friday, September 12, 2008

Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Primary Colours

Primary Colours cover art

They are from Australia and the band members have awesome names like "Rob Solid" and "Danny Current." It's always great when members take on names related to their band name - and even better when their musical chops are just as cool as their chosen names. And cool this band is. They play a mixture of post-punk and garage-inspired punk. Perhaps if Wire was fronted by a sneering, snot-nosed, shirtless protopunk brat, you could have this band. Excellent stuff. The cover is also interchangeable so you can select your favourite primary colour to be the front, which is fun.

www.myspace.com/eddycurrentsuppressionring
www.ecsr.com.au

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Brian Wilson - That Lucky Old Sun

That Lucky Old Sun cover art

The new solo album from the legend that is Brian Wilson. The theme of this album is California, and all of the songs bear a sunny, warm vibe that feels just like how I imagine summertime California would. He gets help from Van Dyke Parks on the narratives, which are just spoken word over background music. Overall, it's a nice listen. What more can I say, it's Brian Wilson, you should know who he is and you either like him or you don't.

www.myspace.com/officialbrianwilson
www.brianwilson.com

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Prima Donna - After Hours

After Hours cover art

They're a five-piece from Hollywood. Lead singer/guitarist Kevin Preston also does guitar duty for Green Day's side project, Foxboro Hot Tubs. Prima Donna is a glam/punk rock band, complete with dumb lyrics, big guitars, and saxophone that would make the Stones proud of the instrument's usage in rock music. I like bands like this; they're not trying to reinvent the wheel, just playing music reminiscent of their favorite rock and rollers, and having fun doing it. Recommended if you like Green Day and The Darkness.

www.myspace.com/primadonna
www.primadonnarocks.com

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

The Airborne Toxic Event - The Airborne Toxic Event

The Airborne Toxic Event cover art

Debut for the five-piece that is based out of Los Feliz, California (near Los Angeles). Right now they are on tour opening for The Fratellis, which should be your first clue to the quality of the music they make. They play rock/post-punk. Imagine if Franz Ferdinand and Interpol had a one-night stand; this band could be the child that results. They're really good.

www.myspace.com/theairbornetoxicevent
www.theairbornetoxicevent.com

Monday, September 8, 2008

Jaguar Love - Take Me To The Sea

Take Me To The Sea cover art

Their debut; features Johnny Whitney, Cody Votolato (ex-Blood Brothers members) and J Clark (ex-Pretty Girls Make Graves). The vocalist, Johnny Whitney, continues on his Blood Brothers style of high-pitched screams, singing, screeching, and talking. The music is a less chaotic version of Blood Brothers. If you like the Mars Volta and hardcore, and want them combined, you may like this. If not, you will probably hate this, and probably hate the singer as well as he can get on your nerves very quickly.

www.myspace.com/jaguarloveband
takebacktheradworld.com

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Black Ghosts - Black Ghosts

Black Ghosts cover art

Debut album for the duo of Simon Lord (former member of Simian) and Theo Keating (The Wiseguys). They are based out of London. Marketed as a dancey electrorock group, several of the songs on here are slow and boring and highlight the fact that their singer isn't that good. However, the faster songs live up to the hype and should be suitable to fans of Klaxons, New Young Pony Club, and the like.

www.myspace.com/blackghosts
www.theblackghosts.co.uk

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Birdmonster - From The Mountain To The Sea

From The Mountain To The Sea cover art

The second full-length for the San Francisco group. Their first album brought them many comparisons to Modest Mouse, but this album is full of melodic indie rock that now comes with country/Americana/outdoorsy overtones. Male vocals that are very nice. My favorite song off the disc is "The Iditarod"; Greg Crane's music video for the song is gorgeous as well. An overall pleasing listen. Recommended for Band of Horses fans.

www.myspace.com/birdmonster
www.birdmonstermusic.com