In the summer of 2005, when i was working at a summer camp near Scranton PA I discover the music of Jimmy Eat World, Anberlin, and The Killers. Some i thought was a load of crap, but most grew on me and they are some of my favorite now. At the time i was al about classic rock and had just recently discovered new wave and the music of the Police and U2. So lets come back to the Killers-the Killers had that sound to it. Their debut album Hot Fuss It had the big guitar sound, that i love. It had the punky music to it that made U2 popular. More imoprtatnly it had great songs. Tunes like "Mr. Brightside" and "Jenny Was A Friend of Mine" and "Some Body Told Me". The whole record was pretty good. However, like with almost all records there was some songs that were not so great.
When there shopmore album came out Sams town i was disappointed. It didn't have that feel that Hot Fuss had. It didnt have that almost danceable beat and Brandon Flower's awkward voice was kinda over bearing at times. There was to much synthesizers and the bass was to low. It was an alright recorded, but no where near what Hot Fuss was.
This past Tuesday The Killers new cd came out. It is entitled Day and Age. My first impression was that The Killers were trying to fall back on what they had done on their album. The album as a whole. They brought back that big Las Vegas sound. Cuts like "Losing Touch" invoke a al Andy Summers on guitar, with horns and syths to back it up. It also seems to be about a person who is trying to figure out ones self in the midst on success that can falter at any point. I guess that what is going on the recorded. They back up to what made them popular in the first place: un akward singing, big sound, big songs, and just good soungs. The Killers are trying to find them self and not trying to rile on contemporaries for influence. "Joy Ride" sound like it could have been written in back in the 1970's, it invoked a disco sound to it, with the drums and the saxophone; which they pulled of well. "This is Your Life" seems to start of akward with what sounds like chants made from a radioshack synthesizer. However, it surprised me. It turned into an song that would fit in great to any The Smiths. It is one of my favorit track of the album. In conclusion the cd is worth getting. Way better than anything Solo Axl Rose- Gun's n' Rose-can put out. I highly recommend Day and Age, its a worth while listen.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
For fans of The Almost and Underoath
For those who have a liking with side "emo bands" projects, or the hard core beats and melodies of Underoath have a surprise in store for them this comming Tuesday, the 24th of November. Aaron Gillespie’s pet project The Almost's new ep No Gift to Bring comes out. According to the new Tooth and Nail Pod cast, Gillespie sound on this new record is a bit more striped down. On that same pod cast there is even a taste of their forthcoming record. Along with new songs by Copeland, Chis Crowder and And Then there Were None, The Almost has an remake of “The Little Drummer Boy“; it is there for ones listing pleasure.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Underoath, Saosin concert
November 12th 2008, at the grand regency was a night that I will not forget any time soon, at least my body not forget at least for a couple more hours. Last night, the hard core scream-o act, Underoath headlined a show with the support of some very notable bands which included: Famine, The Devil Wears Prauda, and Saosin. Going back to july 20th (when I bought the tickets), I found out that these bands where supporting the heading act I purchased the ticket right away( actually and half hour after they went on sale). So my expectations were pretty high, and I knew or thought that it was going be a sold out show. Well it was an almost sold out show. It was just shy about an hundred. Anyways, both Underoath and Saosin have put out some great albums and Devil Wears Prauda is a respectable band so I hoped the night would not be filled with filler, like that of Sunday’s Hawthorne Heights show in which the only decent band was Emery. Moreover, I was most excited to see the how Underoath’s new material stood up to the rest of their set. Because I saw them open for Tacking Back Sunday so I hoped to get or see something more from them.
The first to take the stage was the Famine. After an brief delay, due to a technically, the band came on. The front man, of which I don’t recall is name, told the crowd to “come in and leave the merch stuff alone, you can buy it latter”. From what I can remember the band had an unique energy. The sound was great. Even though some of today hardcore acts can be some times be cookie cutter and bland. The Famine was not. There music had a grove to it, unlike most metal bands. However, it was not as groovy as Disturbed, (which is a good thing). It was groovy and that separated them from the rest. Moreover, they were tight, and their fist pumping music entertained the crowd, at least the some of the people I saw. I think the emo girls who waited all day to be up front were not so pleased. However, I think this is evidence of how Underoath is perceiving their own change in style of music. They took on and are playing with bands more suited to thier new heavy direction. Don’t get me wrong, Underoath has always been an heavy hard-hitting band, but they were playing with more punk and poppy bands in the past. So the Famine was a very well suited band for Underoath. I think they will gain some ground by being on tour with them. Fans of Devil Wears Prauda will like them too.
The next band that came on the stage was the Devil Wears Prauda. Another hard core- metal band. They came on the stage and were very entertaining. The crowd received them very well. This is evident by the fact that the crowd was singing along to extensive parts to some of their songs. I have never seen them or listen to more than one of there songs, but I think they had a great stage presence. They had control threw all the synchronized head banging and body slamming. It was almost choreographed and was partly amuszing (the “back street boy of metal” hahah jk.) Moreover, they showed a connective ness with the crowd. Near the end of the set the key board player, launched himself from the stage to the barricades, where I was standing, and embraced the crowd. The band left the stage with the crowd ceahring “one more song”, but sadly they did not come back for an encore. They definitely made an impression and made a fan out of me. I due plan on getting their new album, which has been recommend to me by a friend.
The third band supporting Underoath was Saosin. The odd band out on the tour I have to say. They were the lightest sounding band. Meaning that they were not metal or hard core. However, they have flavors of both styles of music. They were entertainning but, the singing was barely hearable. At least, from where I was standing the sound was off balance and the voices were overcome by the guitars and drums. Along with the ingoing people around me it was not as pleasant as it could be. So I got out and made my way to the back, where I could hear “the voices“;(no pun attended) better than I could in the crowd, but still not great. The set was pretty good. They played threw the songs on their one album, which took three years to create, and Anthony Green fronted ep. They played and keep to themselves . No head banning and the lead singer, with his new found dreads all out had a swagger to presence. Unlike the other bands front men he never reached out to the crowd. They seemed content to just play their music, I guess it is not a bad thing just felt odd. The set ended with an oldie, one of there first ep in which Circa Survive’s Anthony Green sung on, Seven Years. It was a solid way to end the set. It is great song, not a very well know song to radio but, the ones who came out for the band new it and that’s who they were pleasing; their fans.
Finally after a moderate deal of setting up the stage, Underoath came on. Now, I have seen the band before, when they were supporting Tacking Back Sunday when they didn’t have much time to play. However, this was not the case this time around. The band came on to a hysterical crowd. This time their set up change drastically. This time they had a projector screen in which they played a short movie clip. It seemed to be a horror movie with some kind of message, of which I did not grasp, and then they came on. They open with one of there new songs of there new album, “the lost in the sound of separation”. I’m pretty sure it was “Breathing in a New Mentality”, which was the first track of the new recording. So it was a good starting off point if I have nothing else to say. However, the sound was still crap so it was still hard to hear because I got pushed back up front. (haha people with out jobs who waited in line for hours for a good view) Then they worked threw the new material and evenly dispersing the older material like “a boy blushed red and blue” and “Its Dangerous Business Walking out Your Front Door”. They played for about an hour then they came on to do a three song encore. Which was really cool because they already played for a long time and they looked like they were having fun so it makes it more fun for the audience. They ended on there lead single, “Writing on the Walls”, form there 2006 album “Define the Great Line”.
It is a good thing that these guys stay true to who they are. They work hard, don’t bow down the any body and focus on the music. It truly shows, and tonight was evidence of that. Because they put on a memorable show, mines the horrible sound, it will be night that I will lest forget.
The first to take the stage was the Famine. After an brief delay, due to a technically, the band came on. The front man, of which I don’t recall is name, told the crowd to “come in and leave the merch stuff alone, you can buy it latter”. From what I can remember the band had an unique energy. The sound was great. Even though some of today hardcore acts can be some times be cookie cutter and bland. The Famine was not. There music had a grove to it, unlike most metal bands. However, it was not as groovy as Disturbed, (which is a good thing). It was groovy and that separated them from the rest. Moreover, they were tight, and their fist pumping music entertained the crowd, at least the some of the people I saw. I think the emo girls who waited all day to be up front were not so pleased. However, I think this is evidence of how Underoath is perceiving their own change in style of music. They took on and are playing with bands more suited to thier new heavy direction. Don’t get me wrong, Underoath has always been an heavy hard-hitting band, but they were playing with more punk and poppy bands in the past. So the Famine was a very well suited band for Underoath. I think they will gain some ground by being on tour with them. Fans of Devil Wears Prauda will like them too.
The next band that came on the stage was the Devil Wears Prauda. Another hard core- metal band. They came on the stage and were very entertaining. The crowd received them very well. This is evident by the fact that the crowd was singing along to extensive parts to some of their songs. I have never seen them or listen to more than one of there songs, but I think they had a great stage presence. They had control threw all the synchronized head banging and body slamming. It was almost choreographed and was partly amuszing (the “back street boy of metal” hahah jk.) Moreover, they showed a connective ness with the crowd. Near the end of the set the key board player, launched himself from the stage to the barricades, where I was standing, and embraced the crowd. The band left the stage with the crowd ceahring “one more song”, but sadly they did not come back for an encore. They definitely made an impression and made a fan out of me. I due plan on getting their new album, which has been recommend to me by a friend.
The third band supporting Underoath was Saosin. The odd band out on the tour I have to say. They were the lightest sounding band. Meaning that they were not metal or hard core. However, they have flavors of both styles of music. They were entertainning but, the singing was barely hearable. At least, from where I was standing the sound was off balance and the voices were overcome by the guitars and drums. Along with the ingoing people around me it was not as pleasant as it could be. So I got out and made my way to the back, where I could hear “the voices“;(no pun attended) better than I could in the crowd, but still not great. The set was pretty good. They played threw the songs on their one album, which took three years to create, and Anthony Green fronted ep. They played and keep to themselves . No head banning and the lead singer, with his new found dreads all out had a swagger to presence. Unlike the other bands front men he never reached out to the crowd. They seemed content to just play their music, I guess it is not a bad thing just felt odd. The set ended with an oldie, one of there first ep in which Circa Survive’s Anthony Green sung on, Seven Years. It was a solid way to end the set. It is great song, not a very well know song to radio but, the ones who came out for the band new it and that’s who they were pleasing; their fans.
Finally after a moderate deal of setting up the stage, Underoath came on. Now, I have seen the band before, when they were supporting Tacking Back Sunday when they didn’t have much time to play. However, this was not the case this time around. The band came on to a hysterical crowd. This time their set up change drastically. This time they had a projector screen in which they played a short movie clip. It seemed to be a horror movie with some kind of message, of which I did not grasp, and then they came on. They open with one of there new songs of there new album, “the lost in the sound of separation”. I’m pretty sure it was “Breathing in a New Mentality”, which was the first track of the new recording. So it was a good starting off point if I have nothing else to say. However, the sound was still crap so it was still hard to hear because I got pushed back up front. (haha people with out jobs who waited in line for hours for a good view) Then they worked threw the new material and evenly dispersing the older material like “a boy blushed red and blue” and “Its Dangerous Business Walking out Your Front Door”. They played for about an hour then they came on to do a three song encore. Which was really cool because they already played for a long time and they looked like they were having fun so it makes it more fun for the audience. They ended on there lead single, “Writing on the Walls”, form there 2006 album “Define the Great Line”.
It is a good thing that these guys stay true to who they are. They work hard, don’t bow down the any body and focus on the music. It truly shows, and tonight was evidence of that. Because they put on a memorable show, mines the horrible sound, it will be night that I will lest forget.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
review 1: sigur ros; october 3rd 2008 @ The greek threater
October 3rd 2008 Sigur Ros played an exquisite concert at U.C. Berkley’s Greek Theater and it was an unforgettable night to say the least. The Icelandic band with its melodic and classical infused style of rock played to a packed house. The Greek Theater and the band’s music complemented each other very well. Having great views of the San Francisco Bay area and the surroundings of the historic Greek theater made for a great place to have the genera defying band play. The presence of being in a place with much history, some of the material used in construction dating back to ancient times, made for a memorable event; even that better. Most left satisfied even though the audience had to deal with the “bad” weather.
Before Sigur Ros took the stage the opening act, Parachutes played a short set; no more than forty minuets long. Parachute’s sound was very similar to the headline act; almost a rip off. However, the music was interesting and the songs; or should I say pieces were enjoyable. The amebic and atmospheric music seemed to please the crowd. As with Sigur Ros, the band is from Iceland and they sung in their native tongue, Icelandic. At the end of the set the band took a bow and with a quick turn around the headline act was ready to take stage.
The night really started when Sigur Ros took the stage. As 9:30 rolled along the band took the stage and dived in to a song of there 2001 album, Rimur called Svefn-g-engla. As the song progressed one knew that the night was going to be very special; one that will be not forgotten anytime soon. Lead singer Jónsi Birgisson sung in a very high falsechetto. Even though none of the songs were in English it did not take away from the power and the beauty of his voice. As well as signing Birgisson was the guitar player. He utilized the guitar as almost a cello. He has a violin bow string and played most if not all the of the songs in a fashion that Jimmy Page would be proud. It was very interesting and added a droned out ethereal quality the sound of Sigur Ros. To Accompany Brigisson was George Hólm on bass guitar, Kjartan Svession on the keys, and last, but surely not the least was Orri Pall Dyrasson on the drums. Together the five piece band put on a stellar performance. For about two or so hours the band played there many off the better know pieces. The sound in the theater was impeccable. At times the sound in the theater can be poor as some may say. However, this night the sound techs paid special attention because the band sounded very balanced; from the grassy area at the top down to stage level. The quality of the sound took away an distraction that may have ruined the night.
Along with the music the band played to an every changing light show. When the show begun the band was in shadows. Then soon the lights began to unravel which included at huge screen as the band begun to play. As the band got deeper into the set the light show begun to reveal even more colors and images. At times the band was playing to a stage show that was reminiscent of a Nine Inch Nails show, with stock footage in black in white save the unsavory imager that accompanies Nine Inch Nails. Then the it would have abstract images of the band playing, most focusing on the interments rather than the people. Then at times there would be ever changing abstract art displayed behind the band. There where also canoes of confetti shot in the audience and the place was filled with color, helped by the breeze it covered the entire place. For each song there was something different to be experienced for all senses; save the sense of taste.
As the night was coming to an end, Parachutes joined Sigur Ros on stage to help perform the percussion with to the song, Glósóil. About this time the weather started to come in. The rain and at times the pouring rain did nothing to take away from this event. The band came around for an encore and then the rain came and stopped just as the band finished there last song. It almost enhanced the night. A rock n’ roll show is supposed to be spontaious and unpredictable and surely the weather helped with that.
In conclusion the show was one to be remembered. The return of Sigur Ros to northamerica was well greated and for good reason.
Before Sigur Ros took the stage the opening act, Parachutes played a short set; no more than forty minuets long. Parachute’s sound was very similar to the headline act; almost a rip off. However, the music was interesting and the songs; or should I say pieces were enjoyable. The amebic and atmospheric music seemed to please the crowd. As with Sigur Ros, the band is from Iceland and they sung in their native tongue, Icelandic. At the end of the set the band took a bow and with a quick turn around the headline act was ready to take stage.
The night really started when Sigur Ros took the stage. As 9:30 rolled along the band took the stage and dived in to a song of there 2001 album, Rimur called Svefn-g-engla. As the song progressed one knew that the night was going to be very special; one that will be not forgotten anytime soon. Lead singer Jónsi Birgisson sung in a very high falsechetto. Even though none of the songs were in English it did not take away from the power and the beauty of his voice. As well as signing Birgisson was the guitar player. He utilized the guitar as almost a cello. He has a violin bow string and played most if not all the of the songs in a fashion that Jimmy Page would be proud. It was very interesting and added a droned out ethereal quality the sound of Sigur Ros. To Accompany Brigisson was George Hólm on bass guitar, Kjartan Svession on the keys, and last, but surely not the least was Orri Pall Dyrasson on the drums. Together the five piece band put on a stellar performance. For about two or so hours the band played there many off the better know pieces. The sound in the theater was impeccable. At times the sound in the theater can be poor as some may say. However, this night the sound techs paid special attention because the band sounded very balanced; from the grassy area at the top down to stage level. The quality of the sound took away an distraction that may have ruined the night.
Along with the music the band played to an every changing light show. When the show begun the band was in shadows. Then soon the lights began to unravel which included at huge screen as the band begun to play. As the band got deeper into the set the light show begun to reveal even more colors and images. At times the band was playing to a stage show that was reminiscent of a Nine Inch Nails show, with stock footage in black in white save the unsavory imager that accompanies Nine Inch Nails. Then the it would have abstract images of the band playing, most focusing on the interments rather than the people. Then at times there would be ever changing abstract art displayed behind the band. There where also canoes of confetti shot in the audience and the place was filled with color, helped by the breeze it covered the entire place. For each song there was something different to be experienced for all senses; save the sense of taste.
As the night was coming to an end, Parachutes joined Sigur Ros on stage to help perform the percussion with to the song, Glósóil. About this time the weather started to come in. The rain and at times the pouring rain did nothing to take away from this event. The band came around for an encore and then the rain came and stopped just as the band finished there last song. It almost enhanced the night. A rock n’ roll show is supposed to be spontaious and unpredictable and surely the weather helped with that.
In conclusion the show was one to be remembered. The return of Sigur Ros to northamerica was well greated and for good reason.
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