Monday, April 27, 2009

Old Links


If any of the links I posted for download stop working, just let me know and I'll repost it.

K.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Into the Flood by As Tall As Lions (2007)


I really love this band. The singer, Dan Nigro, has one of the best voices I've heard. Their music is original, beautiful, lovely, and worth listening to (obviously). Each instrument is played to it's full potential. The drummer, Cliff Sarcona, is one of my favorites ever. He has a very unique style. Also, the bass lines are fucking hot. Julio Tavarez makes me want to turn up my sub woofer to full blast every song.

"505" is a great way to start this 5-song EP. The screams of "now I don't wanna be alone" get me every time.

The title track is full of energy. The guitar chords, drums, and bass all come together in explosively fast motion.

"We're the Ones That Keep You Warm at Night" just plain kicks ass. As do all of the songs on this EP.

"Breakers" is my fucking favorite. This song has a drum part that I'm obsessed with in the beginning, followed shortly by the best bass line I've heard in a long, long time. I need to see this song live. I ALWAYS turn it up. Also, Dan's voice is hauntingly beautiful when he sings:

If all alone it came to me
Now I'll surely believe
If all alone it came to me
My love, you'll see

The end jam on "Breakers" is insane, too.

"Blacked Out" is probably my least favorite on Into the Flood, but it's still kickass.

Here they are playing "Breakers" live. The sound quality is decent.



Track Listing:
  1. 505
  2. Into the Flood
  3. We're the Ones That Keep You Warm at Night
  4. Breakers
  5. Blacked Out


www.myspace.com/astallaslions

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Elliott Smith by Elliott Smith (1995)


I'm positive everyone reading this has heard of Elliott Smith and has heard this album, so I'm just going to review it briefly and post it here fo free.

This is the second album recorded by Mr. Elliott Smith. I've posted some other entries about him as well. The self-titled album is a very dark and depressing one. It starts off with "Needle in the Hay". You may have heard this before as it was featured in the Wes Anderson-directed movie, The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) in this scene, in which the character Richie Tenenbaum KILLS HIMSELF (or does he)? This is one of the best movies of all-time by the way.



It is the first song I've heard by Smith. The song's somber tone and Elliott's soft voice layered over the acoustic guitar make the song a truly special one.

The third song, "Clementine", has one of the best melodies on the album. Smith's voice in the song is soft, almost whispering, which is not surprising because it is how he sings on the entire album.

"Southern Belle", the fourth song, is also dark, but faster than NeedleHay (haha) and more forceful.

"Single File" is one of my favorite songs. He brings a distorted guitar into the song as well as his acoustic, and creates one of the best songs on the album.

"Satellite" stands apart from the rest of the songs. Smith compares lovers to satellites in a beautiful way.

"Alphabet Town" is another slow, grim song. It references Alphabet City in Manhattan. The song includes a harmonica which somehow makes it even more depressing.

Finally, my current favorite track on the album, "The Biggest Lie", has a foot tapping beat and makes me want to sing along with Elliott about the girl who broke is heart. It also has an almost-guitar solo in the middle that fits the song perfectly and hooks the listener right into Elliott's world.


Track Listing:

  1. Needle in the Hay
  2. Christian Brothers
  3. Clementine
  4. Southern Belle
  5. Single File
  6. Coming Up Roses
  7. Satellite
  8. Alphabet Town
  9. St. Ides Heaven
  10. Good to Go
  11. The White Lady Loves You More
  12. The Biggest Lie
Click on the lyrics to get it! If you don't already have it.

So help yourself to this bitter pill
Or somebody else will

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Track Review: Kicked In (Superchunk Cover) by Death Cab for Cutie


I've mentioned before that one of my favorite all-time bands is Death Cab for Cutie, so if you read this blog you're going to notice quite a few posts about their releases. This song is a cover originally by Superchunk, off their fourth album Foolish. The cover comes from a Merge Records compilation Score! 20 Years of Merge Records: The Covers!, which features a million indie rock juggernauts (I just had to use that word). You can buy that from the Merge website here.

I don't know much about Superchunk, but this cover is infectious and a must-have for me personally and anyone who loves Death Cab and/or Ben Gibbard. Gibbard's vocals throughout the song and Walla's production at the end make this song so great. Click on the lyrics to get it.

I wish the nights were warm again this month, we could stay up all night.

www.deathcabforcutie.com

Monday, April 6, 2009

Sæglópur EP by Sigur Rós (2006)


I wasn't much into Sigur Rós until I watched that Take Away show, so I need to catch up. This band has really amazed me so far. They have a true talent for capturing feelings and sharing those feelings through their music. Sæglópur is an EP released from the 2005 album Takk.... The title song, meaning "Lost at Sea", builds into an explosion of percussion and guitars as the piano chords keep the structure of the song in tact. It then subsides into a calming, beautiful melody. Hear for yourself:



The next song, Refur, is slow moving but really grew on me after the first listen. I just wish it were longer.

Ó friður, meaning "Oh Peace", is another truly gorgeous track; slow, but like Refur it grew on me after a few plays.

Get this 4 track EP. If you don't like it, you probably won't like Sigur Rós, but it's worth a try.

Get it here

www.sigur-ros.co.uk

Friday, April 3, 2009

Will Be Posting More Soon

Been pretty busy lately, but I'll be posting more soon. Believe me, I've got some good stuff. :)