Modest Mouse
We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
This is one of these CD's I can't decide how I feel about it. I mean, there's the song Dashboard that caught my attention on the radio, which prompted me to get the album. But the rest of the songs are... I don't know. Sometimes the lead singer sounds like he's stoned or drunk out of his mind just goofing off on the microphone. He sounds like a drunk version of the singer for Talking Heads. It's not that it's a bad album, but I think it's one of those albums that you have to be in the right frame of mind, or a die hard fan, to enjoy. I guess if you're already a big fan of Modest Mouse, then you'd probably enjoy the album. If you're not already familiar with them, then I wouldn't start with We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank. Although the song Dashboard is a very catchy song, so I would recommend checking it out. But hey, I give them credit for trying to do something different other than "the norm".
Eisley
Combinations
Eisley. Maybe you've heard this band from Tyler, TX. Then again, maybe not. Either way, it would do you good to check out their new album Combinations. I believe this album will increase their fan base immensely and get them one step closer to taking over the world. Well, maybe not take over the world, but be ready to hear more about Eisley within the next year. Combinations is a well crafted album that takes you away with hypnotic melodies and vocals from a lead singer that really sounds like Leigh Nash from Sixpence None The Richer. This album came at the right time because I was frustrated with most recent music and wanted to hear something new. But most of what's out now doesn't really do anything for me. We have a million different Pop, Emo, Rock, and R&B bands, and everyone's doing the same shit. Even the bands that go out of their way to be different wind up sounding the same, because they all try to do the same thing to sound different! (You catch what I'm saying?) So when I heard this album, I felt that I had found a band that's really doing something new. If you're looking for something fresh and creative to listen to, then check them out. And with their upcoming tour with Mute Math (scroll to banner at the bottom of this site), all the more they get to show their skills to audiences all over.
KMFDM
Tohuvabohu
TOHUVABOHU! Tohuva-what?!?!?! What language is that?!?!? Since most of you are probably as clueless as I am to know what that means, let's consult Wikipedia. Here's their definition:
Tohu va bohu (תֹ֙הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הוּ) is a biblical Hebrew phrase found in Genesis 1:2. It means "formless and empty," and describes the condition of the earth before God said, "Let there be light."
Oh and I forgot to mention it's the title of the new album by veteran industrial band KMFDM. It's everything you'd expect by a band with credentials such as KMFDM. The title track Tohuvabohu is an example. It's over five minutes worth of electronica and hard rock mixed together with that mysterious word repeated over and over in the chorus, "TOHUVABOHU". The themes on the album are pretty intense as they explore war, hatred, etc, so don't really expect a "positive" vibe here. But what you can expect is a chaotic album with some slamming beats.
Billy Corgan
Blinking With Fists
On my last review of a great poetry book, I wrote about Leonard Cohen's Book Of Longing. I want to follow that up with another great book of poems by Billy Corgan. You must have known I would eventually cover this one, didn't you? After expressing my true appreciation for his work in music, I had to dig into this one. In Blinking With Fists, another side of Billy is shown apart from his music, although you still can see how some of the poetry connects to his songwriting. He has a way of playing with words so freely, that even in the most abstract of his poems, you somehow find a way to connect what he's saying. So if you are a lover of his music or just really into good poetry, then this book might speak to you on different levels.
The Honorary Title
Scream And Light Up The Sky
There have been some great bands recently coming out of NYC. Another one I'm adding to that list is The Honorary Title. Coming from Brooklyn, home of Coney Island and the the Notorious B.I.G., The Honorary Title puts Brooklyn on the map with a debut album titled Scream And Light Up The Sky. With a strong brit rock influence and a singer that sounds like he's got 3 different voices, this album is one of the better debuts I've heard. So, about that lead singer's voice. Certain songs have him starting out really low and by the time he belts out chorus you'd think he was suddenly possessed by Robert Smith from The Cure. That voice is definitely a major key in what makes the band's sound work. Themes of relationships and heartbreak exist throughout and the poetic lyrics magnify each song on the album. I think that The Honorary Title puts out what bands like Dashboard Confessional seriously lack. You'll just have to hear them to see what I mean.
Absolute Garbage
Garbage. A band who's music is anything but their name. A band who's Scottish lead singer has "done a lot worse than shit on my boyfriend's cornflakes". A band who's lyrics can relate to people who have real issues in life like bad relationships, insecurities, etc. And a band who's music has held up from late 90's until now. Needless to say, I got excited when I heard they were releasing a greatest hits album called Absolute Garbage. Well, it's about damn time! If other bands that haven't even been out 5 years can put out a "Greatest Hits" album, what more for these guys who have been around since the grunge era died off? If you're familiar with Garbage's music, then all the songs you'd expect to be on their greatest hits are here, except for one! In my humble opinion, Hammering In My Head from the amazing album Version 2.0 should have been on here. Anyway, as with all greatest hits albums, you follow the transition of their music from when they started with Only Happens When It Rains and the bouncy track Stupid Girl, all the way to their latest album Bleed Like Me. AND, there's also #1 Crush, the "obsessed lover" song from the Romeo and Juliet movie soundtrack. How many times have those lines been stuck in your head after hearing that one? "I would die for you, I would die for you..." And with that haunting background in the song, it is definitely one of their better songs over the years. Overall, this album captures what defined Garbage as one of the premier bands out there.
Leonard Cohen
Book Of Longing
Pick up this book, flip open to any random page, and your attention will be held captive by Leonard Cohen's poetry and drawings. Sometimes the poetry is very cryptic, others are more in your face, but one thing common throughout is his passion for good art. He deals with romance, spirituality, and a lot of questions about life. Leonard's personal sketches in the book illuminates each work of poetry (and also shows his vast knowledge of the female body). Book Of Longing is an enlightening and provocative collection of great poetry all wrapped up in one book.
