Orange County natives THROWDOWN have released their 6th studio album, Deathless, through E1 Entertainment. A definite stray from the band’s hardcore and metalcore roots, Deathless is an abrasive, in-your-face metal record that truly highlights vocalist Dave Peter’s extreme versatility.
It’s a truly rare occasion for me to not know where to start in reviewing an album. I can usually ramble for hours about any new music I’ve been listening to as long as I can find a listening ear on a patient, nonviolent person. With Field Music’s (Measure) though, there is so much to be said, and I’m struggling with where to start and how much to cover since I feel saying too much would ruin the wonderful experience provided on this album.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up (Measure) on recommendation from Amazon, but I saw potential, and after a few listens I discovered that these guys are like those friends you have who are so musically trained and gifted that it’s disgusting. The kind who can pick up a blade of grass, hold it between their clasped hands, and play the entire works of Bach in perfect key. OK, maybe I’m exaggerating a tad, but the songs are catchy, dramatic, and intelligent.
Swedish metal trio, KONGH, are preparing for the official US release of their progressive doom-metal masterpiece, Shadows of the Shapeless. Presented via Seventh Rule Recordings, Shadows of the Shapeless originally saw a European issue date in early 2009 through Trust No One Recordings (Isis, Cult of Luna).
While many bands do heavy well, KONGH pull it off better than most. Incorporating styles that mimic everything from Neurosis’ Souls at Zero to Opeth’s Deliverance, Shadows of the Shapeless offers listeners an opportunity to experience the best elements of doom, sludge, progressive, and atmospheric metal, all within the disc’s 57-minute run.
For nearly a decade, I’ve been convinced that traditional music has been tapped out and that the only amazing or unique albums would be found in the experimental scene. Lately though, with the emergence of breakout bands like Vampire Weekend, MGMT, Kaiser Chiefs, etc., my interest in Alternative Rock has been completely rejuvenated.
Case in point: the band Surfer Blood caught my eye recently. I initially picked up their new album, Astro Coast, from a recommendation on Amazon, not only because the sample clips showed great potential, but also because I don’t have a single album in my collection with a shark on the cover, much less a mixed up, mosaic of one. 
After repeated listens, I’ve developed quite a love for this album. It’s an addiction that goes far beyond the maritime cover. The album has a lighthearted charm throughout every song despite the stylistic fusion taking place. At first I didn’t know how to define their style since every song has a unique feel to it. I constantly found myself wondering, “Is this New Wave/Lo-Fi/surf punk? Is it Dance Pop/Ambient/Alt rock?” Honestly, I still can’t narrow it down, but it may be their desire to experiment with sound, as well as their brilliant execution of it, that makes Astro Coast that much more quirky, addictive, and harder to stop listening to.
For more info on Surfer Blood check out:
Coming home from my night job in Los Angeles is good for a number of reasons. There’s less traffic on the commute and a wide variety of nocturnal eye candy. There’s Micro-Miniskirt Girls shivering in 40-degree Fahrenheit weather in front of the clubs, and the Shambling Undead leaping in front of my car. It’s like a drive-thru safari all along Hollywood Blvd. Once I park in the city garage and slink past our resident homeless guy as he sings lullabies to the soda cans in the trash, I pretty much sprint to my apartment. Unfortunately, it’s 3:30 AM and I’m so wired from panic and adrenaline that the only thing I can really do to calm down is watch TV- and at 3:30 in the morning, unless you want Enzyte ads, the only thing that’s watchable is VH1’s aptly-titled Insomniac. What sets this program apart from all other music-video shows is that it actually plays music videos- and this, boys and girls, is how I discovered Owl City.
Got a hankering for rich, melodious guitar riffs!?!? Are you craving a harmonic somberness that would choke a donkey!?!? Well fiend no more! Those familiar with Buckethead’s avant-garde rock stylings may be somewhat underwhelmed by the news of a new release by the artist—he usually drops about 4 to 5 full-length LPs a year—but don’t let his latest effort, Shadows Between The Sky, get washed away in his ocean of a discography. This release offers a 44-minute glimpse at a melodic dream, a woven tapestry of soul filled with jubilant guitar progressions and melancholy overtones that will leave any instrumental music lover craving more.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about the music industry over the years, it’s that nothing is stable. Bands may appear to be doing very well, and then suddenly and unexpectedly break up. Five years ago, Cave In fans were bummed to learn the band was taking a hiatus. To those not in-the-know, in the music industry “hiatus” is just another way of saying, “We want to see other bands.” Most of the members went on to “side” projects. Stephen Brodsky to a solo career, Adam McGrath to Clouds, and Caleb Scofield to Zozobra and Old Man Gloom. As the weeks, months, and years passed, the future of this band seemed even less bright. Then, in the summer of 2009, Cave In announced a limited number of live shows as well as the Planets of Old EP.
I was given this album to do an early review last week and was simply ecstatic. Upon my first listen, I honestly was at a loss for words. I knew early on what I was getting myself into: singer songwriter filled with emotion, passion, and originality. Basically what every true artist/musician should have while entering this extremely competitive industry and are focused on not just a single but a complete body of work. It took some time for me to gather my thoughts on what I really wanted to say. I never intend for my posts to sound cliché. One of the great things about writing for a blog is that there are no limits. You can be completely original and just speak (write) from the heart and feel like you’re having more of a conversation with someone instead of just telling someone. Voice your opinion with the intent to convince others, sound good? GREAT! With that being said, on to my appreciation (review) of this great body of work that is Corinne Bailey Rae’s The Sea…kept short & sweet.
