OT: New Music?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon May 03, 2010 1:19 pm

Just finished listening to the new record from The Hold Steady. It's exactly what you expect: Another solid record full of anthems and witty lyrics and stories from the world's greatest bar band.

About the only thing I can detect a bit different from the last two albums is a bit more gloss, a bit more sheen, in the production. Some of the songs seem a bit darker, a bit more pensive.

Otherwise, it's a Hold Steady album. If you expected some big musical change in direction, you'll be disappointed.

I like this album because The Hold Steady does its chosen genre of rock so well. The band doesn't venture much from the script, but the script is pretty damn good. Sounds odd, but The Hold Steady is a lot like AC/DC in that regard.

Badger_Fan · Post by **Badger_Fan** » Mon May 03, 2010 1:41 pm

I've listened to "Heaven Is Whenever" a few times and I'm enjoying it, but it hasn't grabbed me like "Boys And Girls In America" or "Stay Positive" did. You're right about the increased polish, especially with the backing vocals, and Craig Finn is definitely trying to sing more than talk with each successive album. All in all, I'm happy.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon May 03, 2010 1:45 pm

Just finished listening to The National's new record at NPR.

I think this album is a bit more lush and fleshed out than "Boxer." Seems like there are more instrumental tracks used on each tune than the lo-fi approach of "Boxer." Definitely a bit more of a wall of sound.

Matt Berninger actually lifts his voice over a laconic mumble in a couple of tunes! But I wish the dude would change the cadence of his delivery a bit. He risks becoming the Gordon Lightfoot of alternative rock if he doesn't start mixing up his delivery. It's not a good thing when I start hearing "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" in my head when I listen to Berninger sing.

If you're a fan of The National, as I am, you know what I'm talking about!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon May 03, 2010 1:47 pm

Badger_Fan wrote:I've listened to "Heaven Is Whenever" a few times and I'm enjoying it, but it hasn't grabbed me like "Boys And Girls In America" or "Stay Positive" did. You're right about the increased polish, especially with the backing vocals, and Craig Finn is definitely trying to sing more than talk with each successive album. All in all, I'm happy.

Same with me. I don't think "Heaven" is as crunchy with the riffs or as chorus-driven with the anthems as the two prior records, especially "Boys and Girls."

Maybe that's not why it's gripping us in early listens. I think that's the case with me.

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Mon May 03, 2010 1:54 pm

matthewk wrote:Ratt's Infestation has been a pleasant surprise. Didn't expect this to be very good, but it sounds just like classic Ratt, minus some of the backing vocals. Many quality tunes with a couple of clunkers. The lyrics can be a little too cheesy, but overall it's not bad for a hair band. Yes, it sounds like it could have been released in 1986, but that's a good thing for them.

That Ratt album is surprisingly good - "Lost Weekend" sounds like an Invasion of Privacy outtake, and "Eat 'Em Up Alive" is as good as nearly anything from those first three records. Will be a great summer record.

My spring has been dominated by Cathedral's The Guessing Game. It's all over the place in a good way - heavy, Sabbath-style, doom, great hard psychedelic stuff, spacey Hawkwind drones; it could have come out at any time after 1970. Also beautifully mixed, with space for full, resonant tom-toms and sparkly flutes.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Mon May 03, 2010 2:47 pm

Still blasting the new Apples in Stereo in the car (granted, with the windows rolled up at stop lights...).

The Hold Steady doesn't do a thing for me, but I get why people like them for the most part.

The National even less so. I saw them live once & it rivaled Ambien as a powerful sleep aid. I think I even saw a glowing butterfly land on my shoulder (or maybe it was the booze talking).

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Mon May 03, 2010 3:31 pm

One more I forgot about. Coheed & Cambria. So far it's good, but I guess I expected something a little more different than their last couple.

This seems to be a theme so far amongst the spring releases I've listened to so far. Not a lot of chances being taken. Everything is pretty much what you'd expect from the bands. There hasn't been that Led Zeppelin III or Hysteria that (for better or worse) caught me off guard.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Mon May 03, 2010 4:01 pm

pk500 wrote:Just finished listening to The National's new record at NPR.

I think this album is a bit more lush and fleshed out than "Boxer." Seems like there are more instrumental tracks used on each tune than the lo-fi approach of "Boxer." Definitely a bit more of a wall of sound.

Matt Berninger actually lifts his voice over a laconic mumble in a couple of tunes! But I wish the dude would change the cadence of his delivery a bit. He risks becoming the Gordon Lightfoot of alternative rock if he doesn't start mixing up his delivery. It's not a good thing when I start hearing "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" in my head when I listen to Berninger sing.

If you're a fan of The National, as I am, you know what I'm talking about!

I feel the same way but my tolerance for The National is less. I love their sound but I just can't take the delivery of Berninger.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon May 03, 2010 4:16 pm

Yeah, it's definite mood music. Not something I can listen to every day.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon May 03, 2010 11:18 pm

Badger_Fan wrote:There is also a new Gaslight Anthem record coming out in the next couple of months. All in all, I'm pretty excited. What are you guys looking forward to?

I'm definitely amped up for The Hold Steady and looking forward to The National's new one, but I didn't know The Gaslight Anthem had a new one coming out. Love The 59 Sound. They obviously owe a huge debt to Springsteen, but even then, their songwriting is top notch.

I'm also looking forward to the new Band of Horses disc. All in all May is shaping up to be a great music month.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Tue May 04, 2010 9:39 am

You guys take this music thing a bit too seriously or you guys are doing great drugs. Here's another music blog I've enjoyed the last few weeks. Most of the bands you guys mentioned have been linked on here.

http://music.minneapolisfuckingrocks.com/

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Tue May 04, 2010 9:47 am

fsquid wrote:You guys take this music thing a bit too seriously or you guys are doing great drugs. Here's another music blog I've enjoyed the last few weeks. Most of the bands you guys mentioned have been linked on here.

http://music.minneapolisfuckingrocks.com/

LOL, great link, squid, and it reminded me that I completely forgot about the new New Pornographers album too.

It's bad when you find yourself wishing they made an iPod larger than 160 megs.

Badger_Fan · Post by **Badger_Fan** » Tue May 04, 2010 11:03 am

Brando70 wrote:
Badger_Fan wrote:There is also a new Gaslight Anthem record coming out in the next couple of months. All in all, I'm pretty excited. What are you guys looking forward to?
I'm definitely amped up for The Hold Steady and looking forward to The National's new one, but I didn't know The Gaslight Anthem had a new one coming out. Love The 59 Sound. They obviously owe a huge debt to Springsteen, but even then, their songwriting is top notch.

I'm also looking forward to the new Band of Horses disc. All in all May is shaping up to be a great music month.

Yeah, the Gaslight Anthem's new record is called "American Slang". I'm buying tickets today for the Hold Steady on July 3rd, the original Jayhawks lineup (Gary Louris and Mark Olson together again) on June 20th and The Gaslight Anthem in July some time.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue May 04, 2010 11:42 am

Louris and Olson would be the show that I'd definitely want to see on your list. Perfect harmonies!

Have fun.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Wed May 05, 2010 12:55 am

My lad and his band have been playing in the top 100 bands for skinny magazine, its kinda like a battle of the bands .
Well they made it thru all rounds and are in the magazine 6 pages past olivia munn so there is an excuse for me to buy a copy. They are on page 57 at the top my lad Evan is in the white t shirt. Beneath the veil.
Pretty damn cool.
http://issuu.com/skinnie_magazine/docs/may2010

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Wed May 05, 2010 9:14 am

EZSnappin wrote: My spring has been dominated by Cathedral's The Guessing Game. It's all over the place in a good way - heavy, Sabbath-style, doom, great hard psychedelic stuff, spacey Hawkwind drones; it could have come out at any time after 1970. Also beautifully mixed, with space for full, resonant tom-toms and sparkly flutes.

Thanks for this suggestion! Great stuff. Total 'your mom smokes acid' rock! lol.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed May 05, 2010 9:17 am

Jimmydeicide wrote:My lad and his band have been playing in the top 100 bands for skinny magazine, its kinda like a battle of the bands .
Well they made it thru all rounds and are in the magazine 6 pages past olivia munn so there is an excuse for me to buy a copy. They are on page 57 at the top my lad Evan is in the white t shirt. Beneath the veil.
Pretty damn cool.
http://issuu.com/skinnie_magazine/docs/may2010

That's fantastic, Jimmy. Thanks for the link. Lad looks like a little bad-ass mofo!

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Wed May 05, 2010 9:29 am

pk500 wrote:
Jimmydeicide wrote:My lad and his band have been playing in the top 100 bands for skinny magazine, its kinda like a battle of the bands .
Well they made it thru all rounds and are in the magazine 6 pages past olivia munn so there is an excuse for me to buy a copy. They are on page 57 at the top my lad Evan is in the white t shirt. Beneath the veil.
Pretty damn cool.
http://issuu.com/skinnie_magazine/docs/may2010
That's fantastic, Jimmy. Thanks for the link. Lad looks like a little bad-ass mofo!

Very damn cool. Congrats to him.

Spooky - glad you like the Cathedral record - it literally has something for everyone. Hard to believe that Lee Dorian, the lead singer & songwriter, got his start in grindcore pioneers Napalm Death.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Wed May 05, 2010 11:35 am

Lee Dorian is THE reason i got into death metal , after seeing a rockumentry in england id finally found that even heavier music i was wanting, it just fell into my lap.
I only ever got the first Cathedral album and was too slow for me at the time but listened to it not long ago and enjoyed it more.
Loved Hawkwind mainly cos they had naked chics on their album cover but was pretty mind blowing back then.
listening to "10 seconds to forever"? was it in head phones man if only i knew what acid was back then. Damn innocence.

Ill have to check Guessing game out.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Thu May 06, 2010 3:45 pm

Badger_Fan wrote:I've listened to "Heaven Is Whenever" a few times and I'm enjoying it, but it hasn't grabbed me like "Boys And Girls In America" or "Stay Positive" did. You're right about the increased polish, especially with the backing vocals, and Craig Finn is definitely trying to sing more than talk with each successive album. All in all, I'm happy.

I've been through Heaven Is Whenever a few times and really like it. I found Stay Positive somewhat uneven -- some great songs but also a few that just didn't connect with me. This album is more consistent and direct. It doesn't break much new ground, but there are some nice musical flourishes and Finn's lyrics show a newer, maturer perspective on "the scene." I even dig the clarinet cameo.

It's not on the same level as Almost Killed Me or Boys and Girls in America, but I think it's strong to quite strong. I don't think they or Drive-By Truckers can release an album I don't like.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu May 06, 2010 3:49 pm

Brando70 wrote:It's not on the same level as Almost Killed Me or Boys and Girls in America, but I think it's strong to quite strong. I don't think they or Drive-By Truckers can release an album I don't like.

Agreed. Same with Wilco. All three bands release albums that evoke various degrees of like with me, usually strong like or love.

Badger_Fan · Post by **Badger_Fan** » Thu May 06, 2010 4:00 pm

Brando70 wrote:
Badger_Fan wrote:I've listened to "Heaven Is Whenever" a few times and I'm enjoying it, but it hasn't grabbed me like "Boys And Girls In America" or "Stay Positive" did. You're right about the increased polish, especially with the backing vocals, and Craig Finn is definitely trying to sing more than talk with each successive album. All in all, I'm happy.
I've been through Heaven Is Whenever a few times and really like it. I found Stay Positive somewhat uneven -- some great songs but also a few that just didn't connect with me. This album is more consistent and direct. It doesn't break much new ground, but there are some nice musical flourishes and Finn's lyrics show a newer, maturer perspective on "the scene." I even dig the clarinet cameo.

It's not on the same level as Almost Killed Me or Boys and Girls in America, but I think it's strong to quite strong. I don't think they or Drive-By Truckers can release an album I don't like.

Wait until you hear the new Gaslight album. I think you'll like it.

Wilk5280 · Post by **Wilk5280** » Thu May 06, 2010 8:11 pm

Didn't realize that George Lynch and Oni Logan hooked back up with Lynch Mob and put out a disk in 2009 "Smoke and Mirrors" and it's pretty f'n hot.

Lynch Mob's "Wicked Sensation" is one of my all time favorite albums and listening to "Smoke and Mirrors" you wouldn't know that there was like what, almost 20 years (if not 20).. since Oni and George were rockin' it together?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed May 12, 2010 3:26 pm

Don't laugh, but Peter Frampton's new album, "Thank You, Mr. Churchill!" is pretty damn good. Dude has moved on from his bubblegum pop of the 70s, for sure. And he can still work the hell out of the fretboard.

Broken Social Scene's "Forgiveness Rock Record" is a grower, too. It's one of those records where you listen to individual tracks and are unimpressed. But when you listen to the entire record in one sitting, you appreciate it as a unique body of work, especially with repeated listens. Really unique sonic touches throughout.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Wed May 12, 2010 3:36 pm

pk500 wrote:Don't laugh, but Peter Frampton's new album, "Thank You, Mr. Churchill!" is pretty damn good. Dude has moved on from his bubblegum pop of the 70s, for sure. And he can still work the hell out of the fretboard.

Broken Social Scene's "Forgiveness Rock Record" is a grower, too. It's one of those records where you listen to individual tracks and are unimpressed. But when you listen to the entire record in one sitting, you appreciate it as a unique body of work, especially with repeated listens. Really unique sonic touches throughout.

I won't touch that frampton suggestion other than "I'll take your word for it".

Broken Social's albums are always good for 1 (maybe 2) GREAT TRACKS and then some others that make u shrug your shoulders. Haven't heard the new yet, but will.

Side note: I'm hard pressed to think of another band that gets as much 'hip' press as Broken Social Scene over the last 5 years, yet not many people (even the hipsters) could pick them of out a line-up or name the key band members. Interesting... (to this music geek anyway)