Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Let My Bloggers Hear Mingus


Charles Mingus - Let My Children Hear Music (1971)

Charles Mingus was arguably the greatest bassist who ever lived. On his deathbed, he declared this album of his, Let My Children Hear Music, his favorite that he ever made. The sweeping big-band doesn't exactly match Mingus' usual leanings - towards straight be-bop in a smaller group, but its cinematic expansion across the whole album is truly remarkable. This is one of my all-time favorite jazz records, and I'll be putting up another Mingus record in the future.

http://www.mediafire.com(slash)?moj2hwcemyf
Genres: Jazz

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Praise Made In Haste (But Totally Deserved)


Good Luck - Into Lake Griffy (2008)

So, on Friday, I went to a 7-11 in Washington DC to see Bomb The Music Industry! play. One of the openers was a small trio called Good Luck. Consisting of one bassist, one guitarist, and a drummer, the small group managed to let their punky pop utterly destroy the small room.

Matt Tobey's emotional voice goes so well with the fast-paced, technical punk music that it's just obscene; his tapping guitar lines that act as bridges are so much more than I would've ever expected out of a punk trio born in Indiana. Not to mention Ginger Alford's powerful vocals on plenty of the tracks, just as well. Between the two of them, the songs are easily blazed through and the heartfelt lyrics are belted. Every song is a singlalong, every song is done perfectly. I'm very, very, very impressed with them and would say to keep tabs on this band; they're definitely going places.


Genres: punk, technical, lyrical, pop-punk
Link: http://www.mediafire.com(slash)?mztdocimnnd

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing


So, I'm seeing this band tomorrow, so I'll write the real review then. Until then, just take this: This is my favorite album of 2009 so far. It's everything I wanted it to be and more. I'll post a few of my other favorites later in the week. REAL REVIEW COMING TOMORROW. Sorry, I'm fucking exhausted from seeing Bomb The Music Industry! in a fucking convenience store. Awesome.

OKAY, it's now two days from then and the show didn't happen, so here's my review:

This album is basically a rock album, at its core. Classic line up: one guitar, one bass, one drummer, one keyboardist, and a singer/songwriter/guitarist who knows exactly what he's doing. The bearded Andy Hull has a higher, soulful voice that perfectly compliments the hard drum hits and punkish guitar parts in the background. Songs are yelled and screamed, sung sweetly, and generally blazed through. This is my favorite album of 2009 so far and I invite you to check it out and enjoy.

Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing (2009)


http://www.mediafire.com(slash)?zndyahrnnua
Genres: Rock, Indie, Punk, Folk

Friday, April 24, 2009

Big Two-Hearted River

Okkervil River released two cds over the past two years: 2007's The Stage Names and 2008's The Stand-Ins. The albums directly complement each other, with The Stage Names' glorification of rock stars, and The Stand-Ins subsequent destruction of the 4th wall, showing their true nature. The album covers perfectly describe this situation, where the first one shows the beautiful hand rising out of the quicksand, with the second showing the boozed up rockstar, laying in black abyss.

The albums are amazing. Between Will Sheff's yelps and croons, he perfectly writes out the lives of the characters he wishes to engage. Each song is penned perfectly, each orchestral hit that rings out behind the otherwise raucous, booming rhythm section is exquisitely composed. Okkervil River write indie rock songs that edge much closer towards punk rock than they do to bands like Death Cab.

Genres: Indie, Punk, Folk Rock
Links:

The Stage Names: http://www.mediafire.com(SLASH)?jygl2i1t0ik


The Stand-Ins: http://mediafire.com(SLASH)?ndhjamern23

Thursday, April 23, 2009

The Only Punk Band I'm Not Ashamed To Love

When I got into The Lawrence Arms, I figured it was just a phase. I thought to myself, "I used to be so into punk rock, this is just the closest I can get to those old days." Turns out that I still love them just as much as I did. Though I guess I owe them a little more of an explanation than that.

Alternating vocal duties, Brandon Kelly employs a harsh, gritty shout that is complemented beautifully by Chris McCaughan's melodic, tuneful voice. The music ranges from punk rock to nearly prog-like moments of clarity where the music has an atmospheric feel that builds up beautifully to the next passage.

The lyrics, as a whole, are intelligent; witty wordplay and cultural references that span from Shakespeare to Insane Clown Posse's fans (Juggalos) span across the whole album.

So yes, while The Lawrence Arms are the only punk band that I'm not ashamed to love, it doesn't mean they're any less deserving of attention than any other band. They're as intelligent as any indie band, while remaining the urgency and speed of punk rock. Plus, look out for recurring images; the whole album plays out like a book.

Genres: Punk
Link: mediafire.com(slash)download.php?mtmatbjkmmq