New Music Update April 8th, 2006
Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:19 pmQuality not quantity.
Heavy Rotation
Flaming Lips -- At War With the Mystics
The Flaming Lips are back, and while Yoshimi stayed at home, elements of the Lips earlier works borrowed some of her modern sensibilities and maturity to give you this album. The same catchy music and breathtaking lyrics you expect, with just enough wierdness to remind you that this is the Flaming Lips. Play it or I'll kneecap you. Recommended: 11, 1!, 8 (I like 10 but it has a naughty @ 1:27) RIYL: College Radio, XTC, Yoshimi.
(The Acadamecian composed most of that review. Now let me tell you a funny story about why 'Yoshimi' is not in the studio. A former Music Director* took the stations copy to a Flaming Lips show and got it signed. Then he kept it and didn't get another copy for the station. If you see him feel free to kick him in the junk. Then again someone probably would have stolen it anyway.)
Placebo -- Meds
Androgynous Glam influenced BritRock that often focuses on sex and drugs. While this sounds very much like a Placebo record their sound has also evolved logically over the years. Blur + Joy Division X Roxy Music = Placebo. See also Snow Patrol, Clearlake, or T.Rex. Play 1 (featuring Alison Mosshart of The Kills), 3, 13, 8, 2 or 10 (featuring Michael Stipe of R.E.M.)
Black Angels -- Passover
60's Proto-Punk revivalists deliver a full length. Buchmeyer was more impressed by their EP, and isn't sure they deserve to be named after a Velvet Undergound song...but you be the judge. Try 1, 4, 2, 5 or 10 if you like The Stooges, Shocking Blue, Early Rolling Stones, Velvet Underground....
Pretty Girls Make Graves -- Elan Vital
Born out of the Murder City Devil, PGMG moves towards a more subdued and poppie sound. This album is definetely more popish and less edge than some of their earlier work. Play 1, 11, 2, or 4 if you are a fan of Rainer Maria, Denali or Murder City Devils.
Maritime -- We, The Vehicles
Ex-Promise Ringers deliver more upbeat pop in the vein of DeathCabForCutie or Aloha. Try 2, 9, 5 or 3.
Essex Green -- Cannibal Sea
Essex Green move one step forward from the year 1967 with this one. It's a good thing...many fresh jams from this baby E6 band. If you enjoy Dressy Bessy, Apples in Stereo then try 1, 2, 3, 6, or 12.
Seekonk -- pinkwood
Dreamy slowcore pop from Portland, Maine that gets a little fuzzy at times. Play 6, 1, 3, 5 or 7 if you dig Low, Mogwai or American Analog Set.
Mono -- You Are There
Loud, Intense Japanese Post Rock for fans of Explosions in the Sky or Mogwai. Try 1, 3, 4, or 6.
See You On The Moon! Songs for Kids of All Ages.
A bunch of Awesome Artitsts doing childrens songs. You seriously need to listen to this! Start with 1 (Alan Sparhawk), 10 (Glissandro 70), 11 (Mark Kozelek) 3 (Sufjan Stevens), 4 (Montag), 7 (Broken Social Scene) or 14 (Hot Chip) and go from there.
Local
The Envy Corps -- I Will Write You Love Letters If You Tell Me To
Ames Locals go big with a polished album paced with radio hits. Fans of Coldplay, Radiohead or The Doves should take note (like you don't know who The Envy Corps are and you live in Ames? Come On! What, you live under a bridge? Damn Troll) Start with 1, 2, 5, 3
A Vague Sound -- Everything You Had Ever Hoped For
Funky electronic beats and Synth-pop jams from Iowa City. Fans of New order, or Cabaret Voltaire should try 1, 3, 15, 17 or 5.
Loud Rock
Venom -- Metal Black
Heavy Metal with a touch of something new, still has the catchy chorus and 'Evil' feel. Mercyful Fate, Iron Maiden and general Heavy Metal fans should play 1, 2, 3, 7 or 14.
Vore -- Maleficus
Crushing Death metal that knows how to Crunch without chugging. If you worship Meshuggah or Decapacitated play 1, 2, 4 or 7.
Kalas -- s/t
Minor Key, Melodic riffs mixed with angular rock. Stoner goodness for those who enjoy Sleep or High on Fire. Play 5 or 9.
Cannibal Corpse -- Kill
Straight Up, Old School Death Metal with more technical guitars. Play 4, 13, 3 if you enjoy Morbid Angel, Mortitian etc.
*No, it wasn't Servo...it was Kyle Drea.[/b]
Heavy Rotation
Flaming Lips -- At War With the Mystics
The Flaming Lips are back, and while Yoshimi stayed at home, elements of the Lips earlier works borrowed some of her modern sensibilities and maturity to give you this album. The same catchy music and breathtaking lyrics you expect, with just enough wierdness to remind you that this is the Flaming Lips. Play it or I'll kneecap you. Recommended: 11, 1!, 8 (I like 10 but it has a naughty @ 1:27) RIYL: College Radio, XTC, Yoshimi.
(The Acadamecian composed most of that review. Now let me tell you a funny story about why 'Yoshimi' is not in the studio. A former Music Director* took the stations copy to a Flaming Lips show and got it signed. Then he kept it and didn't get another copy for the station. If you see him feel free to kick him in the junk. Then again someone probably would have stolen it anyway.)
Placebo -- Meds
Androgynous Glam influenced BritRock that often focuses on sex and drugs. While this sounds very much like a Placebo record their sound has also evolved logically over the years. Blur + Joy Division X Roxy Music = Placebo. See also Snow Patrol, Clearlake, or T.Rex. Play 1 (featuring Alison Mosshart of The Kills), 3, 13, 8, 2 or 10 (featuring Michael Stipe of R.E.M.)
Black Angels -- Passover
60's Proto-Punk revivalists deliver a full length. Buchmeyer was more impressed by their EP, and isn't sure they deserve to be named after a Velvet Undergound song...but you be the judge. Try 1, 4, 2, 5 or 10 if you like The Stooges, Shocking Blue, Early Rolling Stones, Velvet Underground....
Pretty Girls Make Graves -- Elan Vital
Born out of the Murder City Devil, PGMG moves towards a more subdued and poppie sound. This album is definetely more popish and less edge than some of their earlier work. Play 1, 11, 2, or 4 if you are a fan of Rainer Maria, Denali or Murder City Devils.
Maritime -- We, The Vehicles
Ex-Promise Ringers deliver more upbeat pop in the vein of DeathCabForCutie or Aloha. Try 2, 9, 5 or 3.
Essex Green -- Cannibal Sea
Essex Green move one step forward from the year 1967 with this one. It's a good thing...many fresh jams from this baby E6 band. If you enjoy Dressy Bessy, Apples in Stereo then try 1, 2, 3, 6, or 12.
Seekonk -- pinkwood
Dreamy slowcore pop from Portland, Maine that gets a little fuzzy at times. Play 6, 1, 3, 5 or 7 if you dig Low, Mogwai or American Analog Set.
Mono -- You Are There
Loud, Intense Japanese Post Rock for fans of Explosions in the Sky or Mogwai. Try 1, 3, 4, or 6.
See You On The Moon! Songs for Kids of All Ages.
A bunch of Awesome Artitsts doing childrens songs. You seriously need to listen to this! Start with 1 (Alan Sparhawk), 10 (Glissandro 70), 11 (Mark Kozelek) 3 (Sufjan Stevens), 4 (Montag), 7 (Broken Social Scene) or 14 (Hot Chip) and go from there.
Local
The Envy Corps -- I Will Write You Love Letters If You Tell Me To
Ames Locals go big with a polished album paced with radio hits. Fans of Coldplay, Radiohead or The Doves should take note (like you don't know who The Envy Corps are and you live in Ames? Come On! What, you live under a bridge? Damn Troll) Start with 1, 2, 5, 3
A Vague Sound -- Everything You Had Ever Hoped For
Funky electronic beats and Synth-pop jams from Iowa City. Fans of New order, or Cabaret Voltaire should try 1, 3, 15, 17 or 5.
Loud Rock
Venom -- Metal Black
Heavy Metal with a touch of something new, still has the catchy chorus and 'Evil' feel. Mercyful Fate, Iron Maiden and general Heavy Metal fans should play 1, 2, 3, 7 or 14.
Vore -- Maleficus
Crushing Death metal that knows how to Crunch without chugging. If you worship Meshuggah or Decapacitated play 1, 2, 4 or 7.
Kalas -- s/t
Minor Key, Melodic riffs mixed with angular rock. Stoner goodness for those who enjoy Sleep or High on Fire. Play 5 or 9.
Cannibal Corpse -- Kill
Straight Up, Old School Death Metal with more technical guitars. Play 4, 13, 3 if you enjoy Morbid Angel, Mortitian etc.
*No, it wasn't Servo...it was Kyle Drea.[/b]