The Best Albums of April 2011

Hey there all!

Well, May is upon us (and with that, the ever-nearing end of school). This month had several great albums come out, so I'll get right to my top 2.

"Take Care, Take Care, Take Care" by Explosions in the  Sky

Well, it's just about impossible to equal "The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place," but this album from Explosions in the Sky comes close to matching their masterpiece. They've expanded their repertoire of musical tools, and the result is a post-rock album that you can easily float away in.

"Wasting Light" by Foo Fighters

This album was recorded on analog (super old school) and it succeeds in doing exactly one thing: rocking. There's a fury to this album that is backed up by the exorcising of some definite demons. The album is their best in a long time. 

I hope you like these albums and let's hope for a great musical month of May!

Until next time,

Andrew

"Victorious" by The Perishers

I'll begin this with a cliché: simplicity is beauty.

No doubt you've all heard it time and time again, but, the phrase is often used more as a general idea than a phrase applied to one specific action or entity.

Apply it to this album.

"Victorious" by The Perishers is a very simple, but very powerful album. It's made up of 13 well-crafted and subtle acoustic/acoustic rock songs. The chord progressions and melodies are simple (I was able to figure out the opening riff on "Midnight Skies" in no time at all--I don't play guitar though, so that's pretty much all I can play, mind you). And yet, in these simple melodies there's a weight, a soothing power.

These melodies are backed up by excellent and very sincere vocals. The songs are about all sorts of topics, from reflection to friendship and from love to feelings of humble triumph. Each and every song is delivered so earnestly that you can't help but ride the ups and downs of the music with the band.

In modern music, there seems to be a trend developing: "how much can you possible fit into one song?" Yes, I'm looking primarily the pop sector, but the idea has infected other realms of music as well. This album, however, takes its time and does nothing fancy. The album is an excellent fresh of breath air.

My three favorite songs on the album are "Midnight Skies," "Victorious," and "Best Friends."

Here's a link to their Myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/theperishers/music

Until next time, enjoy the music!

Andrew

"On Your Side" by A Rocket to the Moon

This, ladies and gentlemen, certainly falls under the umbrella of a guilty pleasure.

"On Your Side," by A Rocket to the Moon, is an album full of sugar-laden hooks and extremely catchy choruses. Most of the songs are variations on love songs, but quite frankly, they're so well done and infectious that it doesn't really bother me.

The songs on this album could be the soundtrack to someone's high school experience. From declaring that you really don't need that girl that you obviously still have feelings for (and you know it) ("Annabelle") to falling in love at first sight ("Dakota"), these songs cover most of the teen relationship bases.

The band can even check off the oft-neglected "my friends hate my girlfriend and she annoys me but I love her anyway" song subject box.

Despite the fact that most pop/alternative albums are of this general ilk, I can't help but prefer this album to many of its kind because the lyrics and song subjects are clever variations on the admittedly common theme. That, and the melodies in these songs are far better than those of comparable bands.

So, if you're in the market for a light 40 minutes of purely catchy music, look no further!

My three favorite songs on the album are "Mr. Right," "Like We Used To," and "Dakota."

Here's a link to their Myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/arockettothemoon/music

Until next time, get your friends to check out the blog and enjoy all the music out there,

Andrew

"Palomino" by Trampled by Turtles

What's not to like about bluegrass? You've got banjos being furiously plucked, vocals being earnestly delivered, and an all-around down home fun musical atmosphere.

Ever since Mumford and Sons hit it big, I've been looking for great bluegrass groups. I love Mumford and Sons, but I wanted even more of that sound. What can I say, I'm a sucker for the banjo.

Then, I stumbled across "Palomino," by Trampled by Turtles. Admittedly, I was initially drawn in by the album's cover. It struck me as an indie-esque album cover (their band name includes turtles but the album cover is of an owl? I must know more!), and I started listening to samples. I was immediately hooked.

Trampled by Turtles is one of the best bluegrass bands I have ever heard. Think Mumford and Sons but faster and more raw. This band can rock the socks off of bluegrass. At the same time, however, the group seems to be just as comfortable slowing things down in ballads that are beautiful in their own way.

The songs on this album are extremely well written, with lead vocalist Dave Simonett singing his heart out about love, loss and frustration. You can't go wrong with this album.

My three favorite songs on the album are "Wait So Long," "Victory," and "Bloodshot Eyes."

Here's a link to the band's Myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/trampledbyturtles/music

Until next time, enjoy all the music out there!

Andrew

"Hand Built By Robots" by Newton Faulkner

Well, ladies and gentlemen, it's starting to get pretty hot down here in southern California. I was enjoying the little cold streak we were having (Redheads aren't equipped well to handle lots of sun, in most cases). Anyway, with the rising heat and the gradually growing desire to have summer vacation instead of school, here's a great summer music album as a bit of a teaser!

"Hand Built By Robots" by Newton Faulker is simple, great acoustic guitar (with some extra bells and whistles every once in a while) with upbeat vocals. Google Faulkner (be sure not to click on the sites about the author, or you'll end up reading some very dry literature), take a look at his hair, and you'll immediately know the feel of this album. It's perfect if you happen to be sitting around a fire on some tropical island with no music to listen to.

Much like the artist he reminds me most of (Tyrone Wells), Faulkner's lyrics are the weakest part of his music. For the most part, they are uplifting and often verge on corny. Sometimes, though, that's exactly what we're in the mood for! So, just enjoy it for what it is: happy, relaxing music.

The best part of the album by far is Faulkner's guitar-work. It's simply ridiculous; I'm not sure I've heard anyone play the acoustic guitar more nimbly and effortlessly than Faulkner does in his music. Every once in a while, Faulkner will add piano or strings to his songs, which give them even more beauty and depth.

There's not much else to say about this music, other than to tell you exactly what you'll be doing when you listen: smiling.

My three favorite songs on the album are "To The Light," "Aging Superhero," and "Lullaby."

Here's a link to his Myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/newtonfaulkner/music

Until next time, enjoy all the music :)

Andrew

"Yuck" by Yuck

Anyone up for a return to the 90's?

I first saw this album on iTunes and was initially scared off by the album artwork. It's, shall we say ... interesting? Now, I am an avid listener to NPR's "All Songs Considered," and Yuck got some love on a recent show.

So, I decided to give it a shot. Oh jeez, I'm so glad I did. There haven't been many old-fashioned style rock and roll albums in a long time, a long long time. "Yuck" is a triumphant return to the 90s. Throughout the album, the listener is thrown headfirst into gritty guitars, a "low-definition" sound, and an overall awesome garage rock experience.

Now, I'm not a big fan of really hard rock, which is another thing this album has going for it. It rocks with some awesome guitar riffs, but it doesn't try to melt your face off (which I appreciate and take as a sign of musical maturity). Yuck shows restraint when it matters most, resulting in a few songs that could even be interpreted as semi-sorta-rock-ballads.

To say it even more simply, this album can groove. On a Rhapsody review of the album, the album is described as being able to both rock and roll.

There's not a whole lot of lyrical depth to this album, but the vocals are delivered rockishly yet boyishly at the same time. It's endearing, and I really enjoyed the semi-sweet vocals in contrast to the garage rock music behind them.

So, if you've been wishing on a star for a solid, 90s revival rock album, look no further than "Yuck." The end result is anything but its namesake.

My three favorite songs on the album are "Get Away," "Shook Down," and "Rose Gives a Lilly."

Here's a link to their Myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/yuckband/music

Until next time, enjoy the music and please spread the word about the blog!

Andrew

"Strict Joy" by The Swell Season

I'm a fan of indie movies (I know, try to contain your shock as I continue my most recent post on my blog that features a lot of indie music). One of my very favorites is "Once," starring Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. It's incredibly low-budget-feeling, even by indie movie standards, but it's honest and it's raw. I also like it because, a) Irish accents are cool and (b) the soundtrack is one of the best movie soundtracks I've ever heard.

This album by The Swell Season (which, on this album, is essentially just Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova with instrumental accompaniment) is a perfect album for those who were entranced by songs like "Lies" and "Falling Slowly" (I once sang a cover of "Falling Slowly" with two friends of mine for a Benefit Concert and I'm relatively sure it's partially responsible for my current girlfriend noticing me haha).

The delicacy is there, as are the raw and poignant vocals by Hansard and Irglova. As usual, their vocal harmonies are spot on, making each song an exercise in tranquility.

Hansard and Irglova broke up around the time of this album, however, and the lyrics reflect a sort of sad longing, a sort of wistful reminiscence and a "hope against logic" feel. The result is a set of songs that cuts right into your heart. You feel their pain, you feel their longing, and you feel their lingering hope.

"Strict Joy" is itself a perfect title for the album. That's what the album could be, almost as if Hansard and Irglova are filled with joy at creating such beautiful music, but it has to be restrained as a result of their complicated personal relationship.

Still, for anyone looking for absolutely beautiful songs, you don't need to look any further. "Strict Joy" is the album for you.

My three favorite songs are "Low Rising," "In These Arms," and "I Have Loved You Wrong."

Until next time, enjoy all the music out there, like the blog's Facebook page, and please recommend the page to your friends because I'd love to get some more regular readers :)

Andrew

"Siegfried: An Original Score" by The Calm Blue Sea

This is going to be a fairly short post because ... wait for it ... IT'S AN INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM.

The Calm Blue Sea is a little bit like Explosions in the Sky and a little bit like For a Minor Reflection. I think they're just as good. They have the ability to be as delicate as Explosions in the Sky at times, but they mostly choose not to.

"Siegfried: An Original Score" is an epic hour and a half of brilliant ambient rock. The band uses all the traditional instruments: guitars, drums, etc. They also use a lot of piano, which I love. Each song is like an independent mini-epic that combines to form one massive epic.

There are no lyrics to analyze, which means I really don't have that much else to say. If you're looking for value, this entire thing is only $9.99 on iTunes, and it's one of the better instrumental albums I've heard. Over such a long time, it could be easy to lose the listener's attention. This album grabs you and then doesn't let go. I caught myself air-conducting several times.

Ten bucks says you can't resist, either.

Here's a link to their Myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/thecalmbluesea/music

Until next time,

Andrew

"Narcotic" by No Second Troy

As paradoxical as it may seem, I never would have discovered this band or this album without the help of ESPN. Sportscenter had a special segment, and one of the intro songs the show used was "The Gardens After Lockout," which has been one of my top 20 favorite songs ever since I heard it several years ago.

I was blown away, by both the song and the band's name, which, having just been acquainted with Homer fairly recently, I found incredibly cool. Needless to say, I immediately bought the entire album (and was then pleasantly surprised by the album artwork, which I also think looks just plain cool).

"Narcotic" is almost an hour of epic alternative rock music that can be, at the same time, delicate. For some songs such as "Gone" and "The Gardens After Lockout," piano plays a very prominent role. As we know, that's an easy way into my musical heart and soul.

The lyrics on the album are fairly well-written, though they do not stand out by any standards from other songs at the time. Still, the band does take a multi-faceted stance on love, ranging from feeling "Feint" in a love's presence to comparing love to a "Narcotic."

Other songs are much more aggressive, "One In Ten" being a perfect example - the lyrics in the song are delivered with what amounts to growing frustration and determination to settle a score with a rival.

It's the vocals and instrumental melodies that take the biggest role in this album's success. The frontman sings with an extremely clear voice that is pretty much always right on point.

The music itself is my favorite part of the album, with every song featuring a very different melody. Listening to this album, you never feel tired of the same old melody. There is no filler present. Melodies are simple, but the band has done an excellent job of mirroring the emotions of the lyrics without being too in-your-face about it.

These two factors combine to create some really memorable choruses that are impossible to resist. This is no light album, but it's one of artistic merit that has not gotten the attention it deserved.

My three favorite songs on the album are "Feint," "The Gardens After Lockout," and "Gone."

Here's a link to their Myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/nosecondtroy

Until next time, enjoy all the music that's out there!

Andrew