Album Review: Conditions

Found them sort of by accident and I wish I would have found them last year but The Temper Trap's Conditions is my new favourite for the year. They have a younger more vibrant U2 thing going with the guitars and Dougy Mandagi has got a great set of pipes that sound clear and smooth. The guitar is especially noticeable on Fools, and I like it. Overall the band is very tight sounding without much unnecessary clutter, and clean drums. The result is a very listen-able record that I don't foresee getting sick of any time soon. Hopefully their second instalment will be soon, and just as high quality. Got it off Amazon Downloads for 5.99 (2 bucks less than itunes) and its worth much more. Great tracks are Fools, Soldier On, Sweet Disposition and Love lost but definitely get the whole album. All the reviewers are calling them 'infectious' and I agree with that.

Album Review: Turning The Mind

I'm not heavy into electronica but I really enjoyed We Can Create, so when Maps' Chapman came out with this latest release in October I was curious. This album sounds somewhat different than Create. The Lyrics are lighter and more nonesensical, not that the lyrics of the genre have a history of depth, if that's possible. The beats and mixing seem to be a bit more conventional, but solid, and won't dissapoint fans. If I had to pick a favorite I would have to stick with Create but as I put in more listening time this release is gaining. There are several bright spots: Turning The Mind, Valium In The Sunshine, Without You and Let Go Of The Fear. Its been met with mixed reviews but I have to agree most with clashmusic as far as it being "thinking-man's pop". So settle down with a good HiFi set and enjoy - then add it to your running mix for some good beats.

Album Review: The Seldom Seen Kid

I haven't heard much to get excited about lately Until a few months ago I discovered Elbow. They are UK based (like most of the best bands) and don't get much play in the US. I heard them on the season finale of Rescue Me in the final scene when Tommy is on the floor bleeding out, I hope that wasn't the series finale, but if it was it was a fitting ending. Anyway this album got a Mercury Prize in 08' and the older Leaders Of The Free World is also very good. I have gone back in their collection as far as Asleep In The Back which is quieter but excellent listening. So if your in the mood for some alternative rock that won't get you down nor tire your ears out have a look at them. On this album I like, Grounds for Divorce, Mirrorball, Starlings, One Day Like This and The Fix.

Album Review: Trinity Revisited

I couldn't resist. All my favorites in one place! I was a little skeptical because the original Trinity Session by Cowboy Junkies is one of those iconic super-great albums, but the lineup was irresistible. Saw Natalie Merchant in concert with Sara when she was close to birthing our first, she is special to us. Ryan Adams is also a favorite of mine, too bad his voice is having trouble. And of course the CJ's, whom I discovered about 15 years ago with the Pale Sun Crescent Moon album. And on top of that Liz recommended the album, so I went for it and I'm glad I did.
Now I have Misguided Angel, I'm So Lonesome... and Sweet Jane and all the other tracks going through my head during the day, every day for the past week. At night I have to give them a good listen just so I can sleep! Not sure if I dare say this but this album is just as good as the original. I can't say better, ok maybe a little bit better, or like parents who say that they love each of their children equally but different...its like that.

Bruce Springsteen, University Park, Penn State

I bought 4 Compact Disks when I was a kid. CD's were new and pricey and came in those long boxes so I had to choose wisely. I listened to all of them over and over again and one was Bruce's album Tunnel of Love. From then on I was hooked on The Boss so I have been waiting for the chance to see him in concert for a long time. Tickets were all sold out in closer venues around NJ so M&C were keen to go for a smaller venue out at Penn State's main campus. We arrived about 10 minutes late and could hear Outlaw Pete from the parking lot. From then on The Boss was non-stop for the whole night. He played most of the good ones from his new album Working On A Dream and he sounded exceptional. You could really fell the energy in the crowd, and he delivered everything with a genuine heartfelt style. One of the many highlights was when he and E Street played Seeds, which I guess he used to play during his Born In The USA tours. Only ever recorded live, it was a real treat that he dedicated to everyone effected by the current hard times. Here is an old clip of Seeds if you want to have a look. He also played Waitin' On A Sunny Day from The Rising, (which was a great album), and right now I can't get either the title track, Working On A Dream, or Queen Of The Supermarket out of my head Anyway it was one of the best live concerts I have ever been to and it makes me wonder about what will happen to music when The Boss isn't around anymore, which hopefully won't happen for a long time.

Album Review: Secret Machines

I should probably be doing something else right now but I couldn't help it. I have had a few past recomendations that are excellent. I will start with Ali's recomendation and then eventually work my way up to Liz's. So here is the self-titled album from The Secret Machines. I knew they sounded familiar when I first checked them out. They consider themselves indie or sometimes 'space rock' which is kinda cool and it makes sense when you give them a listen. In fact sometimes they remind me of The Police, especially Underneath The Concrete, which is a great track on here. I'm also reminded of Rush but maybe that reveals too much about my nerdy listening roots, does anybody remember The Alan Parsons Project? Sorry, anyway this is very good listening and I really like thier earlier album Ten Silver Drops (maybe even a little better). All the tracks have a cool psychadelic guitar feel on a grand scale. Check out: Have I Run Out, Now You're Gone, Underneath The Concrete and I Never Thought to Ask. Or if it's hard to get into get the previous album first and work you way up to this newer one. Now back to that thing I have been dreading for the past months/years.

Album Review: Gossip In The Grain

Born in the best place to be born on earth. I have been following him since his earlier Trouble and then Till the Sun Turns Black. I guess he used to work in a shoe factory in Maine and then decided to quit his day job. I wonder if it was at Dexter? I've had a bunch of shoes from them - still have a pair of sweet wingtips. Anyway it's some excellent music - great songwriting and guitar with a folk feel. Check out: A Falling Through, Let It Be Me, and the title track Gossip In The Grain. Listen to the whole album though it's a gem especially if you need some quality mellowing out.

Album Review, Neon Bible

Not terribly recent, but new to my radar. This is a second album for Canadian band Arcade Fire. Little known fact that they went to prep school in Exeter - I had some friends in HS that lived out there (I think they attended Philips E. A. can't remember exactly). Anyway all the songs are quite good with some catchy alternative beats and even some pipe organ. They are officialy Indie/Art rock classified, although now that I think about it they might object to being classified in the first place. They remind me a bit of some Interpol but not as dark. The title of the band is named after an urban legend in Exeter about the local arcade there in town burning down. Really all the songs are solid but if I had to pick a few: Ocean of Noise, The Well and The Lighthouse, My Body is a Cage and Intervention are a place to start.

Steely Dan, Borgata, Atlantic City

I never thought the moment would actually come. I have fond memories of blasting their music during quite hours in the honours-on-campus housing in college. The geeky RA would yell at me and threaten to kick me out. I know it's weird, and to be honest most of the people at the concert had 70% less hair on top than me, but the songs are embedded in my unconsciousness from hearing them as a kid. Anyway you get the point, they are one of my all-time favourite bands.
So here's how it went down: Walter Becker came out with all the strings and horns and percussion and they started a rift that lasted for about 10 glorious minutes and turned into The Royal Scam from the self titled album. Then came in Donald Fagan and the other keyboards and 3 full-on 70's garbed backup singers. There were 13 in total and the sax and percussion were outstanding. You could tell that every member of the group was handpicked and Walter and Donald's obsession with perfect sound was evident. They moved through the best of Gaucho, Katy Lied, Aja, etc. mixed with some newer grammy winning Two Against Nature and Everything Must Go. I have always loved their lyrics and satirical commentary on money-lust, corporate greed and image obsession. Those lines paired with talented musicians and great sound made for a night I won't forget.

Album Review: Perfect Symmetry

I am probably the last to have heard Keane's newest album but things have been a little busy. Plus since leaving NZ it feels like my music inspiration has dried up. With Snow Patrol and now Keane, things are looking up.
I like this new album. Like Snow Patrol latest, Perfect Symmetry seems a little on the safe side as well, but I can't complain. Maybe it's because Tom Chaplin is now all cleaned up from rehab or something. In this case settled seems good and they sound as if they have found a groove. To me the other albums seemed a bit unstable and less polished. Sometimes you wondered if they wouldn't be able to keep it together enough to be around for very long. Anyway the songs from this album that stick out to me so far are: Spiralling, You Don't See Me, Again & Again and Love Is The End. Sometimes I hear some Killers-like sounds in here, only the lyrics actually make sense;)

Album Review: A Hundred Million Suns

It's been ages but I'm back and inspired by the new Snow Patrol album. I like it, and it's a solid release from the band. Nothing too surprising or ground breaking here. The same comforting Irish sound and slightly angst-filled but hopeful lyrics. That said the album is well made and will make any fan of Snow Patrol happy to listen. Seems to be holding up to multiple listening sans boredom as well, which is a good thing. Plus I got it DRM free off of Amazon Mp3 for 4 bucks (the whole album!) Next time they show up in Atlantic City I will be there. Good Tracks: If there's a rocket tie me to it, Please just take these photos from my hands, The lightning strike etc. etc.

Album Review: Because Of The Times

Some good old southern rock with an edge. Kings Of Leon have a strong third album here that I wish I would have found sooner. This is very addictive stuff, the songs will get in your head. Somehow I hear some 38 special here but a bit darker and harder and better. I would love to see them live - supposedly their shows are quite good. You can't ignore the amazing guitar on this album and combined with the lyrics I have to agree with the critics, they might just be one of the best US bands around. Arizona, Ragoo, True Love Way and Black Thumbnail are places to start.

Album Review: Narrow Stairs

Death Cab for Cutie's new album went up on Amazon Mp3 a short time ago so I thought I would have a go and check it out. It's always been my impression that most of DCFC's stuff is drooled over by teenies that love the overly dramatic but this album is different. The band seems to have matured here into a legitimate artistic voice. Although I still prefer The Postal Service this new album is very good, or very bad if you expected some of the same adolescent sob of previous albums. I'm still listening to it but, Bixby Canyon Bridge, Your New Twin Sized Bed and No Sunlight seem to stand out. Not sure what they are going for with the cover but give the contents a chance!

Album Review: Heal Me

To celebrate NZ music month I couldn't help but have a look at a local standby from Kaikoura. Salmonella Dub is an excellent representative of the diversity and depth of NZ's music artistry. If you like some cool, collected and dynamic groove & roots music Heal Me is for you. I really like Watching it Rain, Lightning and Gifts but the whole album is good for a first-timer to this music type. There is very much a reggae influence here so relax and have a good time!

New Zealand Music Month 2008

It's May again and I finally got one of the t-shirts this year.
Happy New Zealand Music Month!

Album Review: Playground

I really enjoy Jazz but not all the time. Sometimes I am intimidated by it because I don't know the genre very well. Anyway I was in the local record shop and this guy caught my eye: Manu Katche. He is a Jazz musician from France and I must admit the drums on this album are a real treat. He has worked on some great albums as a songwriter and played with some cool bands. The sax and trumpet on this album are also excellent. Released on ECM records this album was a good find. Make sure your audio system is clean and clear - might even want to get the lossless CD on this one, a cheap audio rig or a download won't do this justice.

Album Review: Keep It Simple

Not quite in time for St. P day but I finally got my hands on the latest album from Belfast's quintessential musician. Van Morrison is irreplaceable in any good music connoisseur's collection and this album is a welcome addition. All of his albums that I have listened to deliver depth and quality and this is the first new release of material since Magic Time released in 2005. The album delivers well, and in typical form with no real surprises but that should be a comfort to most fans. Like other albums of late there is some criticism of celebrity but it isn't overpowering. If you want a good solid song set from a true musician then this latest album is a must. I'll highlight tracks: Behind the Ritual, End of the Land, Keep it Simple and That's Entrainment.

Album Review: No More Shall We Part

I thought that before I dove into the newest Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds album I would spotlight one of the older greats. It's not that old, 2001, but it certainly is a listener's delight. Nick Cave's lyrics in general are some of the best I have heard. He has a blues rock sort of way of expression and vocal style not unlike Leonard Cohen and lyrical quality close to Lou Reed. Actually sometimes The National sounds a little similar as well. Anyway there is a lot of depth here and this will be an album frequently revisited if you add it to your collection. It's great for reflective quiet and careful listening. Currently I like: Love Letter, We Came Along This Road, Darker With The Day and Gates To The Garden, but that changes each time I spin the album. Check it out, he's an Australian icon with a long record of great albums.

The Best Music & Video Player

OK I have had 3 different i pod's including the Touch 16gig, Nano video and Classic and I was fed up! Video had to be in some special format that I had to use like three different programs to prepare. And as usual I was pretty much stuck with iTunes which rules your music with an inflexible iron fist. I spent half my time trying to jailbreak the touch to add open source apps but once I got it sweet Apple would issue a crushing update ruining all my hacking. Anyway I finally admitted defeat and went for the Cowon A3 60 gig and my music and video are now my own! This thing will play anything, from little home vids to ripped DVD's to xvids from file sharing. And it plays with any OS (windoze, mac, linux) so you can organize your music however you like, even drag and drop from any file browser. Did I mention that the sound quality is stunning - really the equalizer and effects etc are cool. This thing will also get FM radio, record video inputs, record voice with a built in mic and if you forget your buds it has some built in speakers, it also views power point and word documents and makes your lunch for you when your hungry! Now I am free and anxiously selling my iTouch on e-bay for some other sucker to buy and get stuck on iTunes with.

Album Review: We Can Create

If you have been suffering due to the long hiatus of The Postal Service or if you wish DCFC had some new stuff to put in the cue already then I have found the answer to your ailing. It's Maps' debut album and you will love it. Lots of good beats for running and riding and some brilliant indie electronics make a nice treat for your ears. Chapman is from the UK and I already look forward to installment #2 or if he decides to tour down-under? The album has had loads of critical acclaim and I have to agree with the other reviewers this album is a treat indeed. Don't Fear, Liquid Sugar, It Will Find You and So Low, So High are cool tracks but get the whole kit!