Sorry for the few readers that have been checking in to this somewhat boring blog. I haven't had a lot of time to dedicate to it lately, or maybe I just haven't had anything compelling come to mind to put out there. And this post doesn't necessarily mean anything compelling will be revealed either. Pretty much reviving it from the dead with some new music releases which I've really enjoyed this year so far.
Top releases of the year so far in no particular order:
Lucero - Women & Work (not released yet, but leaked so I have been jamming it non-stop)
Call me a crook, I download music off the internet. I have a compulsive disorder I guess and some may call it the downfall of the music industry, I call it exposure for artists that would otherwise possibly go unheard of and for music enthusiasts like myself, I would be uninterested in attending shows and basically be stuck with listening to mainstream music on the radio. I think the internet only benefits artists even if their music gets downloaded for free. If the music is good it will be spread by word of mouth by people like me who get off on spreading music around by my mouth and in this case, by word of keyboard. Anyhow, here's a snippet of a song off the new Lucero album, which was recorded a while back. Check out the new album next Tuesday and hey, you could even purchase it if you don't have ambition to seek it out on the internet.
Every Time I Die - Ex Lives
Okay well up until this release I have never really been able to get into this band. Lots of hype if you are into music at all you have maybe heard of these guys. The singer I give credit to and despite not really digging the music as a whole Keith Buckley is pretty bad ass. The new album struck a chord with me leaning more on the Southern Sludge undertones than their previous works. I must admit after really digging this release, I went back to gave their older work a chance and did in fact find more to like about it than I initially did. Perhaps I paid more attention to the overall sound and didn't let the chaos as the music initially rubbed on me, overwhelm my ears. This song is probably my favorite so far, but the album as a whole flows really well and incorporates all the different aspects of their work into one solid album that was good enought to bring me aboard the ETID bandwagon, which is more of a monster truck than a wagon.
Orange Goblin - A Eulogy for the Damned
Orange Goblin haven't released anything new in a while, but the recent release is top notch. Top notch in the 'Stoner Rock' realm. Ya, I admit, I like listening to music that got its genre name by catering to individuals who partake in the obvious activity, but that doesn't mean I'm a stoner, rather I enjoy the meaty, fuzzy guitar riffs, with undeniable groove and laid back vibe the music possesses. Check this album out for flat out riffs, grooves, and music that goes great with desert backroads and southern swamp-hoppin (made up that term) and just a flat out beer drinkin, and if you choose, grass smoking good time. The title track is undeniably a mellow paced, anthem that keeps the genre relevant without being too cliche, which for the last few years has become very common for bands in the said genre.
Castles - You, The Organ Grinder
This three piece from Belgium I heard about from a post by a podcast I'm subscribed to on facebook around the first of the year. The album name may be decieving, but the music itself is very unique and to me is a perfect combination of sludgy, alternative, almost proggy metal sound to them. Layered guitars with a gravelly, punk like vocals. It comes across as a blend of Mastodon and Coliseum, more on the Coliseum side of things. Their debut album is available on itunes and here is a video featuring two of their songs in a row recorded in a garage like setting and sounds pretty Fing cool if you ask me. Listen to the whole album for a real feel to these guys sound. It may take a listen or to, but if you like this type of think it will not dissapoint.
Just listen all the way through, the beginning may turn some folks off as it starts a bit slow.
King Giant - Dismal Hollow
This album was referred to me by one of my many internet friends whom I've never personally met, but am thankful to have gotten to know online since they give me someone to discuss and share musical loves with. These guys give off a heavy Danzig vibe with that Pantera esque southern crunch and heavyness that I love. The band members as evidenced in this video are heavy bearded big, bad, motherfuckers, which always makes you feel that way when you listen to the music. Anyone else ever feel that way? Haha, that just came to me as I was typing this. Anyway, check out this video, not only does the song rock, but the video is very entertaining, especially in today's zombie fetish that we have adopted. Anyway, I bought this album off their bandcamp page, which by the way, is the best online forum for bands to promote their music if you ask me. Hey I don't steal all my music online, in fact I'm sure I spend waaay more money on music than the average bear even with nabbing a ton for free.
http://kinggiant.bandcamp.com
Mother's Green - Swimming in the Sun
Another artist I would never have found out without the help of my internet buddies. I know, sounds lame, but I don't give a shit. I gotta feed this addiction somehow, and none of my long time friends are really gonna fill this void very well. I try and pass this stuff I find to them and on down the ladder if you get what I'm saying.
Check out the album, it is just came across as some relaxing, laid back, grooving music, which as of late I have regained a love for. Music taste seems to go in and out with me especially with the amount of music I listen to these days. This was a great find and was a perfect way to kick off my afternoon on the slopes last Friday afternoon. Another awesome thing about technology carrying your music with you wherever you may be, pop the earbuds in and just go with the flow. So awesome on the ski slopes.
http://www.mothersgreen.com/
Alright well this concludes my latest contribution to this blog. Oh wait, one more, the new Pelican track is fucking brilliant. Really looking forward to their new album out in April I think.
Hope you enjoyed the latest of my finds. I'd be willing to bet nobody made it through the whole thing and listened to all of the songs, and I don't blame you. In a perfect world everyone would listen to what I say and obey my every suggestion. Haha. Check back in like another 3 months for more. (hopefully I won't leave you hanging that long...)
Well, I liked all of these songs!
ReplyDeleteI haven't shaved in a really long time so that King Giant was really nice. Even if I was babyfaced right now, I really like the changes the song goes through, and its tempo feels just right. I also thought the guitar solo near the end drops at the perfect time. The Orange Goblin song was good stuff, too (even though the cover art is crazy).
I'm not as high on the new ETID as everyone at Decoy is, but the song you posted is one of the better tracks (in my opinion). Lucero and Castles tracks were solid. I dig the new Pelican, but deep down, I wish they would release something like "The Fire in Our Throats..." again.
Finally, I think I liked the Mother's Green track the least, yet I am finding myself wanting to check them out more than the others. Don't know what's up with that.
Anyway, made through all the songs and had a good time doing it.
Cool Nick, Glad you made it through and enjoyed the songs. That particular Mother's Green song is kind of an outlier, and the rest of the album is quite different actually. The first time I played the record that song (Song #3) on the album just hit me at a perfect time. The rest of the album is pretty lazy, stonery, riffy, solo-E, type stuff that I enjoyed. I always wish I could just put everything I listen to up on here and share, but it wouldn't really work, would it? Haha, I've already got over 40 albums out this year in my collection, not to mention older discoveries I've been late to boat on, so this year is really kicking off good music-wise. I really like the new Pelican track. REALLY like it. I am very enthusiastic about the new album. I always, feel liike they get the short end of the stick when it comes to the pioneers (ISIS, Pelican, etc..) in the genre. But oh well, I will admit, I do like ISIS a tad bit better, but I love me the instrumental outfits that do it right. That whole King Giant album is awesome. One of my favorites of the year so far. You may have hit the bandcamp link where you can listen to the whole thing. That Castles album is very good, and I hate it when people (not saying this is you) judge an entire album off a snippet of a song or one song. I'm an album man for sure, never bought into the "single" hype. :)
ReplyDelete