The Black Keys - Blakroc

The Black Keys- Blakroc

1. Coochie (featuring Ludacris & Ol' Dirty Bastard

2. On the Vista (featuring Mos Def)

3. Hard Times (featuring NOE)

4. Dollaz & Sense (featuring RZA & Pharoahe Monch)

5. Why Can’t I Forget Him (featuring Nicole Wray)

6. Stay Off the Fuckin’ Flowers (featuring Raekwon)

7. Ain't Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo) (featuring Mos Def & Jim Jones)

8. Hope You’re Happy (featuring Billy Danze of M.O.P., Q-Tip & Nicole Wray)

9. Tellin’ Me Things (featuring RZA)

10. What You Do to Me (featuring Billy Danze of M.O.P., Jim Jones & Nicole Wray)

11. Done Did It (featuring Nicole Wray & NOE)

First off, this is not just The Black Keys. This is a collaboration album with tons of rappers, featuring Ludarcis, Ol' Dirty Bastard (R.I.P.), Mos Def, RZA, and many more talented rappers. Also featuring the booming female vocals of Nicole Wray. This album was made in 11 days. Nearly one day per song. Many people may wonder how they got ODB's vocals. Well, ODB had some tapes which were signed over to his brief Roc4Life venture under Def Jam, with intention for a new album to be released. This is an astonishing mix of music. Any rock/rap collaboration is great in my books. It has all of the perks of rap, but with the sound of black keys in the background. After seeing them live this summer in Denver, and briefly meeting Patrick Carney (their drummer), I think that this C.D. is a great addition to their previous ones. I would have been sadly deprived if my friend had not told me about them.

Suggested Songs: Coochie, Ain't Nothing Like You, and Done Did It

The Black Keys Links: The Black Keys Website The Black Keys Myspace

Blakroc Links: Blakroc Website Blakroc Myspace

Maybeshewill - Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony

Maybeshewill - Sing the Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony

1. You Can't Shake Hands With A Clenched Fist

2. Co-Conspirators

3. This Time Last Year

4. Accept And Embrace

5. How To Have Sex With A Ghost

6. Our History Will Be What We Make Of It

7. Last Time This Year

8 Sing The Word Hope In Four-Part Harmony

For a band with no words, Maybeshewill sends quite a message. How you ask? Well, Their song titles, sound clips from movies in their songs, and their instruments. I have fallen in love with last.fm stations. I just plug in experimental, and it gives me a great mix of Mogwai, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Maybeshewill. This C.D. takes you on a trip, the destination is your call. Their music is so compelling and sucks you in. Their sound clips and samples from movies help take their music to the next level. In their song This Time Last Year, a sample is used from the movie I Heart Huckabee's. That sound clip just makes the music insane. It makes a statement about america, that is so true. If you are a fan of any experimental music, then give Maybeshewill a listen.

Suggested Songs: Co-Conspirators, This Time Last Year and How To Have Sex With A Ghost.

Maybeshewill Links: Maybeshewill Website Maybeshewill Myspace

Nine Inch Nails: Another Version of the Truth

Trent Reznor has done it again. Well, actually. The fans have done it this time.

If you recall, back in 2008, Trent Reznor posted the C.D. The Slip for free on the Nine Inch Nails website. He left it with a note saying "This one's on me."

This time, the fans have given back to Reznor. A group of over a dozen NIN fans recorded their last show in Vegas on their 2008 Lights in the Sky Tour. They all sent in their videos to a girl by the alias of Torgo on Echoing The Sound. Torgo was the person who originally posted the idea of making the live dvd. In detail, she planned out how to shoot each and every song on the show. Having volunteers sneak in cameras, and telling them where to stand and so on.

The band also started finding out about this project, as the following message was posted.

"The venue for Friday night's performance in Victoria will have a very relaxed camera / camcorder policy... hmmn..."

They knew they had something that was going to happen. And they made it happen.

That leads us to now. After almost a year of piecing it together, Another Version of the Truth is finally done. The downloads are released, and it looks amazing. All of the download links are on thisoneisonus.org. The downloads are mostly in torrents, but they have nearly every video type possible. Please go and download it, and give them your support. This kind of thing is amazing.

For a group of fans to spend over a year editing and piecing the video together, is amazing. As Reznor said, "Nine Inch Nails fans kick ass." I don't think he could have said it any better.

Here is the trailer.

Links:

Nine Inch Nails Website

thisoneisonus.org

echoing the sound - the original post of the idea

thisoneisonus twitter

La Dispute Posts Downloads

The band La Dispute has posted up downloads of their EP's on their blog.

The downloads are free, unless you would like to donate. The donations, however, do not go to the band. They go to the Well House, which is a shelter for people in Grand Rapids (their hometown). Check out the Well House website at http://www.wellhousegr.org.

From La Dispute's Blog:

'To those of you who are able to donate, I also want to stress that every dollar and cent donated to Well House will be used by the board and residents of Well House (there are actually 3 houses with 12 residents and 4 live-in staff members currently) to aid the funding of both the houses themselves (installing further solar panels, purchasing seeds and tools for produce farming, etc) as well as several fantastic and forward-thinking programs geared towards transitioning people with housing problems into self-sustaining, self-providing individuals. Rather than relying on government handouts and misappropriated programs that fail to address the housing crisis on its most basic levels, Well House provides a positive, communal environment for struggling people and families that addresses both financial and emotional need, all the while assisting in the general betterment of the community. I don’t mean to drag on or preach or anything, and I’m certainly not trying to guilt you into giving money, but, man, the place is so cool. I can’t stop talking once I start. People can be both extremes, I have a hard time remembering that sometimes."

This type of thing is truly a great thing to do. You do not have to donate, like they said. If you do, it goes for a great cause.

The stuff they have posted on the site for download are the following

Here, Hear

Here, Hear II

Here, Hear III

Untitled 7"

Winter Tour Holiday CD-R

You can download these at http://andtothegloriouspast.wordpress.com, the official La Dispute blog.

Image from the La Dispute last.fm.

Hellogoodbye - When We First Met EP

Hellogoodbye - When We First Met EP

1. When We First Met

2. Not Ever Coming Home

This is probably the shortest thing I will every review. Anyways.

Alas, Hellogoodbye has released new tracks. It has been a while since they had released. This is due to their touring, and two of their members leaving. Jesse Kurvink, their ex-keyboardist, decided to go back to college, and along with Jesse, Chris Profeta left also. This was their lineup that they finished their tour with. This two song EP is not like their first EP, which consisted of tracks like Bonnie Taylor Shakedown, and Shimmy Shimmy Quarter Turn. This EP is much like their last release, Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!. It is a combo of Z!A!V!D! and Forrest Kline's Ukulele EP. Very relaxed music, with catchy guitar work and vocals. This EP really shows how much they have progressed as a band. Through out 2009, Hellogoodbye has also released a few covers, mainly of The Beatles. You can download both of these from their website, for free. I can't wait until they release their next c.d.. So far, no date has been set for release, nor has a name been chosen for their new album. Stay tuned for more.

Download Links (directly from the HGB website):

When We First Met EP

'09 Covers

Do You Want To Know A Secret? - Beatles Cover

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon Cover

Suggested Songs: When We First Met and Not Ever Coming Home

Hellogoodbye Links: Hellogoodbye Website Hellogoodbye Myspace

NeverShoutNever! - [Hot Topic] EP

NeverShoutNever! - [Hot Topic] EP
1. Jane Doe
2. What is Love?
3. Big City Dreams (Live)
4. She's Got Style

Note: The reason that the words Hot Topic are in brackets is because that this EP is just titled EP, but is only sold in physical copy at Hot Topic stores. Just to get that out of the way. Also, this is how I type the name. He changed it like this back in 2008, and is how I prefer it.

This EP features b-sides from The Summer EP, live versions of songs, and songs from his upcomming debut c.d. titled What Is Love? which is set to come out January 26, 2010 [as of right now]. Jane Doe has been a demo for a while. This is the version [as far as I know] that will be released on his debut c.d.. This EP was a surprise to me. Not because he came out with a new EP, but the fact that all of his original songs, Big City Dreams, and She's Got Style, were recorded as a full band. If anything, this is his best EP progression wise. Don't get me wrong, all of his EP's have been great, but this one sets a new standard for his music. I can't wait for Ingle's debut c.d. for NSN. Also, check out the video for the song What Is Love? on his myspace. Or if you are lazy, click here.

Suggested Songs: What Is Love?, Big City Dreams (Live), and She's Got Style.

NeverShoutNever! Links: NeverShoutNever! Website NeverShoutNever! Myspace

Bring Me The Horizon - Suicide Season: Cut Up

Bring Me The Horizon - Suicide Season-: Cut Up

1. "The Comedown (RobotSonics)
2. Chelsea Smile (KC Blitz)
3. It Was Written in Blood (L'Amour La Morgue)
4. Death Breath (Toxic Avenger)
5. Football Season Is Over (After The Night)
6. Sleep With One Eye Open (Tek-One)
7. Diamonds Aren't Forever (I Haunt Wizards)
8. The Sadness Will Never End (Skrillex)
9. No Need For Introductions, I've Read About Girls Like You on the Backs of Toilet Doors (Ben Weinman)
10. Suicide Season (The Secret Handshake)
11. Football Season Is Over (Utah Saints)
12. Sleep With One Eye Open (Shawn "Clown" Crahan )
13. Chelsea Smile (Travis McCoy)
14. Suicide Season (Outcry Collective)

First off, this c.d. is not like one I typically review. This is a remixed version of their c.d. Suicide Season. The idea was started when lead vocalist Oli Sykes asked a friend to remix a song. He was so pleased, he had the entire c.d. remixed. These are no amateur remixes either. Some of them are from other musicians with bands. Skillex is actually ex-lead vocalist of From First To Last, Sonny Moore. Ben Weinman is the guitarist for the band The Dillinger Escape Plan and other remixes from members of Slipknot, Lostprophets and The Secret Handshake. This c.d. is really like nothing I've heard a harder band do, and frankly, it's really cool.

Suggested Songs: Diamonds Aren't Forever, It Was Written In Blood, and Chelsea Smile.

Bring Me The Horizon Links: Bring Me The Horizon Myspace Bring Me The Horizon Twitter

Apollo's Child - Masquerade of Aspersions

Apollo's Child - Masquerade of Aspersions

1. In The Darkness

2. Starting Line

3. Let's Be Honest

4. Better Left Unsaid

5. Apology Neglected

6. Modern Trilogy

7. Recovering Insomniac

8. Run Away

Music beaming from the heart and soul of musician Sean Ryan, comes his project Apollo's Child. Does the name Sean Ryan sound familiar? You might know him from his covers of songs on youtube (Though he more recently made his videos private). His soft and meaningful voice just tear through the words to make the song ever so much more touching. In his EP Masquerade of Aspersions, you hear the sincerity of his voice, and also his musical creativity being that he is the only one in the band [playing piano, singing, and guitar]. This c.d. was just great for being a more unknown artist. I mean, he is not a one hit wonder, his music actually stands for something. Enough rambling about his musical talent and how great his musicianship is.

Want to hear this c.d.? Sean Ryan has posted the download of this for free on his website at ApollosChild.com.

Suggested Songs: Starting Line, Apology Neglected, and Modern Trilogy

Apollo's Child Links: Apollo's Child Website Apollo's Child Myspace

The Horrors - Primary Colours

The Horrors - Primary Colours

1. Mirror's Image

2. Three Decades

3. Who Can Say

4. Do You Remember

5. New Ice Age

6. Scarlet Fields

7. I Only Think of You

8. I Can't Control Myself

9. Primary Colours

10. Sea Within a Sea

This band sounds like The Twilight Zone on a bad acid trip. Ghostly vocals, that slightly resembling the vocals of Depeche Mode. They sound like a newer version of The Cure almost. But enough comparisons. The Horrors are very psychedelic, as their main genre is psychedelic rock. I cannot really describe their sounds in words more then I already have. Well, I can make the addition that some of their keyboards/synthesizers sounds like a horror show. Their lyrics are simplistic yet deep. I have no clue how that is possible. I am in no way trying to be negative, but their sound is so unique (gotta love U.K. rock). I am at a loss of words to describe this c.d.. Just give it a listen, or their music in general.

Suggested Songs: Who Can Say, I Can't Control Myself, and Sea Within A Sea

The Horrors Links: The Horrors Website The Horrors Myspace

Stephen Jerzak - Smile, Happy Looks Good On You EP

Stephen Jerzak - Smile, Happy Looks Good On You EP

1. King
2. Party Girl
3. Lonely Hotel Room
4. Timebomb

This EP being the first songs I have heard by Stephen Jerzak, I am impressed to the max. This EP consists of mostly upbeat songs with catchy lyrics. After listening to these four songs on the EP, I know for sure that I will be listening and staying updated with Jerzak. Something that I found was awesome, is that he is my age [17] and can make music like this. Yet another good artist to fit the feel of the Holiday break. I'll keep posting reviews as I write them.

Note: Jerzak posted a link to his song Sunshine for free on his myspace. (Click here to download Sunshine by Stephen Jerzak)

Suggested Songs: King, Party Girl, and Timebomb

Stephen Jerzak Links: Stephen Jerzak Website Stephen Jerzak Myspace

Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures

Them Crooked Vultures - Self-Titled

1. No One Loves Me & Neither Do I

2. Mind Eraser, No Chaser

3. New Fang

4. Dead End Friends

5. Elephants

6. Scumbag Blues

7. Bandoliers

8. Reptiles

9. Interlude with Ludes

10. Warsaw or the First Breath You Take After You Give Up

11. Caligulove

12. Gunman

12. Spinning in Daffodils

Spawning of the roots from Queens of the Stone Age, Nirvana, and the great Led Zeppelin, here is the supergroup Them Crooked Vultures.

Them Crooked Vultures was a supergroup started with Dave Grohl [on drums], Josh Homme [on vocals and guitar], and John Paul Jones [on bass and keyboards, and also featuring Alain Johannes [their touring rhythm guitarist]. This band was actually recommended to me by one of my good friends, and I was instantly impressed. I heard this album because on November 9th, 2009, they posted their entire album on their YouTube page. Upon hearing their music, I began to feel vibes from all of the musicians, but also they came together and formed this musical amoeba, to form a supergroup. I do not give that title to just any band, it has to be a truly amazing band, and Them Crooked Vultures hits home for that. You can hear all hints of their [past and present] bands sounds in Them Crooked Vultures, but they still have a sound unique to themselves. Anyways, go check them out, I really recommend them. Go buy their c.d. when it is released on November 17th, 2009 in the US or go listen to it on their youtube page (Link posted above, and below in Links).

Suggested Songs: No One Loves Me & Neither Do I, New Fang, and Bandoliers

Them Crooked Vultures' Links: Them Crooked Vultures Website Them Crooked Vultures Youtube

Fake Shark Real Zombie - Meeting People Is Terrible

Note: I wrote this before I went off on a Hiatus.

Fake Shark Real Zombie - Meeting People Is Terrible

1. Six Sick Suck

2. Avril Kadaver

3. Siamese Disease

4. Running For The Razors

5. Jewelry

6. Angel Lust

7. Horses In Heaven

8. Sestri Levante

9. Cherry Lava

10. Love Lice

11. Don't Forget

12. Meeting People Is Terrible

At first listen, you think "What in the hell kind of music is this?" After a listen to a few songs you realize, hey this is like a mathcore version of Mindless Self Indulgence. But that is true, and also false. Not all songs on the c.d. sound like that. It is a very unique sound I have heard from only a few bands. FSRZ has a pretty sweet variety of music, just on this one c.d. From listen you feel like you have been listening to different bands all together. I apologize because this review is all over the place. I guess it goes along with their music, but in a good way. I by no means am trying to put down any bands I review on this website. Here, you check them out at their myspace and let me know how you feel about their music. Also, I strongly suggest you check out the song Don't Forget, which is track number 11. It is an amazing seventeen minute long song, it is well worth the time. (Note: Well, it is listed as 17 minutes but has a good five or so minutes of silent time.) I would actually like to see a video produced for this song, the ideas are infinite.

Suggested Songs: Running For The Razors, Horses In Heaven, and Cherry Lava

FSRZ Links: FSRZ Myspace

Owl City - Ocean Eyes

Owl City - Ocean Eyes

1. Cave In

2. The Bird and The Worm

3. Hello Seattle

4. Umbrella Beach

5. The Saltwater Room

6. Dental Care

7. Meteor Shower

8. On the Wing

9. Fireflies

10. The Tip of the Iceberg

11. Vanilla Twilight

12. Tidal Wave

I got this c.d. the day it came out. However I did not listen to it until about two weeks later. I waited until I was in an airplane flying to the city of San Francisco. Looking out the window to see clouds fly by made this c.d. so much better for the first time. I never thought [Owl City's founder and only member] Adam Young could possibly make another c.d. as good as his first one Maybe I'm Dreaming. Alas, I was wronged. The song most people would be familiar with is the song "Fireflies." This song is by far one of the best on the c.d.. Also, for those who like the band Relient K, they will be happy to hear that Matt Thiessen has joined up with Owl City to lend his vocals to a few of the songs on this c.d. I could go on and on about how great I think this c.d. is, but I will leave that up to you to decide.

Suggested Songs: The Bird and The Worm, Dental Care, and Fireflies.

Owl City Links: Owl City Website Owl City Myspace

Paramore - Brand New Eyes

Paramore - Brand New Eyes

1. Careful

2. Ignorance

3. Playing God

4. Brick By Boring Brick

5. Turn It Off

6. The Only Exception

7. Feeling Sorry

8. Looking Up

9. Where The Lines Overlap

10. Misguided Ghosts

11. All I wanted

12. Decode

I have been a Paramore fan ever since their song Emergency. They hit a giant surge of popularity, and are still on the rise. What makes them from most bands that gain popularity that fast, is that they didn't sell out. Overall I am pretty impressed with this album. It is still catchy, and shows off Hayley Williams' amazing voice. For all of you Twilight fans, you will already know the song Decode, due to the fact that it was on the Twilight OST. For the rest of you who have ever listened to Paramore, you should really like this c.d.. While some of the songs might not be as catchy as Crushcrushcrush! or Misery Business, they are still catchy in the fact that you can sing this while driving in a car, or in the middle of a classroom, while busting into dance.

Suggested Songs: Careful, Playing God, and Decode.

Paramore Links: Paramore Website Paramore Myspace

Death Cab For Cutie - The Open Door EP

Death Cab For Cutie - The Open Door EP

1. Little Bribes

2. A Diamond and a Tether

3. My Mirror Speaks

4. I Was Once a Loyal Lover

5. Talking Bird (demo)

I sadly was ill-informed of the release of this EP which saddens me. Death Cab For Cutie is at it again working their music of epic proportions. Ever since their relase of Narrow Stairs, I was not sure that they could top that. But alas, they have yet again shocked me by making an EP that is better then ever. I later realized, these were recorded for the cd Narrow Stairs, but they did not match the feel of the c.d. They have lost none of their musical abilities, and Ben Gibbard specifically is sounding better then ever. Right here is a good list of songs when you are just going for a drive on a back road, or even hanging out with your friends just having a chill time. As all of the cd's I review, I strongly suggest this EP for any fan of Death Cab For Cutie.

Suggested Songs: Little Bribes, My Mirror Speaks, and Talking Bird (demo)

Death Cab For Cutie Links: Death Cab For Cutie Website Death Cab For Cutie Myspace

Muse - The Resistance

Muse - The Resistance

1. Uprising

2. Resistance

3. Undisclosed Desires

4. United States of Eurasia

5. Guiding Light

6. Unnatural Selection

7. MK Ultra

8. I Belong To You

9, Exogenesis: Symphony Pt. 1 (Overture)

10. Exogenesis: Symphony Pt. 2 (Cross-Pollination)

11. Exogenesis: Symphony Pt. 3 (Redemption)

Muse...A band most people associate with the song Knights of Cydonia on Guitar Hero. Well Muse is much more then that. They are a band that give the term music a different meaning. Their style of music is very unique, with very few bands being close to the same genre. Anyways, to this c.d.. It sounds like a futuristic march of armies crossing many galaxies. (Bizarre description, I know.) The album artwork on this cd is also very intriguing. A twisted hexagonal color wheel, this really struck my interest. With some of their songs sounding similar [ in my opinion] to Queen, Hollywood Undead, and many other, it is simply amazing of how they can fuse the music styles together, and still be good. For any true fan of music, this c.d. should be in your collection. Muse is one band that is a must.

Side Note: I also love how Muse can make people sound dumb, without even saying words. What I mean by this is, I saw a video (which will be posted below) of the band Muse, performing on an Italian tv show. Their vocalist, Matt Bellamy, and their drummer, Dominic Howard, actually traded places, and played an entire song. The tv show host (not knowing the band at all) actually interviewed the drummer, thinking he was the actual singer.

Link to Youtube

Suggested Songs: Uprising, or really just any Muse song.

Muse Links: Muse Website Muse Myspace

Brand New - Daisy

Brand New - Daisy

1. Vices

2. Bed

3. At The Bottom

4. Gasoline

5. You Stole

6. Be Gone

7, Sink

8. Bought A Bride

9. Daisy

10. In A Jar

11. Noro

When I first started listening to this c.d., I was very confused. Halfway through the first song, I heard the Brand New I recognized. Overall, I was decently pleased with the c.d.. It was not as upbeat as Sic Transit Gloria type, but not as slow as Limousine. It is a happy medium in between the two. One song that I was no expecting was Be Gone. With very down south style guitar riffing, and very choppy vocals, though short, this song was still catchy, and very unique to the rest of the c.d.. After one full listen through the c.d. it will leave you thinking, what will Brand New come out with next.

Suggested Songs: Vices, You Stole, and Be Gone.

Brand New Links: Brand New Website Brand New Myspace

Jonny Craig - A Dream Is a Question You Don't Know How To Answer

Jonny Craig - A Dream Is a Question You Don't Know How To Answer

1. So Many Of Us Hide Our Black Hearts

2. I Still Feel Her, Part III

3. What I would Give To Be Australian

4. I've Been Hearing That You're Freaky

5. 7 AM, 2 Bottles And The Wrong Road

6. The Garbage Pail Kid Gang Bang

7. Taking Time For All The Wrong Things

8. No Matter How Hard I Dig They Always See Right Through Me

9. I'm Jonny Craig Bitch

First off, I am ecstatic that Jonny Craig made a solo c.d.. As you will learn, I am a huge Jonny Craig fan. I first learned about him from his ex band Dance Gavin Dance's c.d. Downtown Battle Mountain. That lead me to his current band Emarosa.
Also, as you will hear from any Jonny Craig fan, the c.d. was too short. I agree with this, but I was not let down by it at all. One thing I absolutely loved about this c.d. was the continuation of the I Still Feel Here series that he started on the Emarosa c.d. Relativity. The first song I heard of this c.d. was 7 AM, 2 Bottles And The Wrong Road. I listened to that song on repeat for days. His futuristic sounding synths, along with his smooth voice just make that song [and all others] stunning. This c.d. was just an amazing addition to any collection for a fan of Jonny, Dance Gavin Dance, or Emarosa.

Suggested Songs: I Still Feel Her Part III, 7 AM 2 Bottles And The Wrong Road, and Children of Divorce.
Jonny Craig Links: (Solo) Jonny Craig Myspace (Band) Emarosa Myspace (Old Band)Dance Gavin Dance Myspace

Pianos Become The Teeth - Old Pride

I apologize if these first reviews are sloppy. I'm just getting back in the hang of writing reviews.

Pianos Become The Teeth - Old Pride

1. Cripples Can't Shiver

2. Filial

3. Jess And Charlie

4. Pensive

5. Prev

6. Quit Benefit

7. Sleepshaker

8. Young Fire

After first hearing this c.d., I was stunned. I had never heard music of this genre lift me off of my feet, and just make me feel great.

Pianos Become The Teeth is a five piece band from Maryland, who fuses together roots of post-hardcore with some instrumental and ambient sounds.

Their lyrics, along with their instruments are so raw, they just cut deep and give you a connection with their music. In the song Cripples Can't Shiver, there is a part in the middle of the song [from 2:45ish to 3:46] where a woman is speaking about her husband being diagnosed with an illness. This was a very unique style of breakdown, not like anything I had heard before.

The last song on the c.d. [Young Fire] has a very down pace type feel to it. It is very similar to the band Mogwai. (See the song Ithica Ø 27)

Suggested Songs: Cripples Can't Shiver, Pensive, and Young Fire.

Pianos Become The Teeth Links: Pianos Become The Teeth Myspace