Basically because I want to procrastinate from packing and finishing my 10 page paper. I’m just going down my list of music in my “2009” iTunes playlist.
Amanda Overmyer – Solidify
I love Amanda, like most people on VFTW do. She has that great blues rock sound that my parents listen to all the time. This is a solid album, and really shows how watered down she was on American Idol. Unfortunately I doubt many people who mostly listen to mainstream music would fully appreciate the talent she has. Fucking shame.
Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Keeping in line with my vaguely-hipster cred, I fucking love Animal Collective. This isn’t my favorite album by them, though, and that title easily goes to “Sung Tongs.” I think this one comes in a close third following “Strawberry Jam.” MPP is a bit less out there than some of their other albums and slightly more mainstream friendly. Still good, but I want another “We Tigers” esque song.
Architects – Hollow Crown
I have listened to “In Elegance” far too much this year. Yeah, it’s metalcore, but this album is fucking fun. Best listened to walking through campus or something else that’s mundane, Expecting to hear more from these guys, they’ve got some talent in them.
As Tall As Lions – You Can’t Take It With You
I pre-ordered this shit. I don’t pre-order often. I love ATAL. They are one of the few bands worthy of me actually having one of their t-shirts. Sounds mundane, but seriously I don’t buy band merchandise usually. This is indie shit out the wazoo, but I love it. Very talented guys, chill sound, beautiful music. Probably up in the top 3 for me.
Children of Nova – The Complexity of Light
A friend randomly recommended this band for me. That person is my new best friend. These guys are pretty much (and criminally) unknown. They have won a ton of local awards in San Diego, where they’re based. Excellent concept EP. I’d describe them as hard progressive rock. Great set of guys, I definitely recommend checking this shit out ASAP.
The Dear Hunter – Act III: Life and Death
TDH lets me hang on to the fond memories of The Receiving End of Sirens. Of course, TDH is nothing like TREOS. This is definitely indie prog, and is fantastic and epic. If the “Act III” in the title doesn’t give it away, there are two other acts in this series of concept albums. I wouldn’t say this is the best, I think I love Act II more. However, this is a solid album nevertheless and Casey’s voice still makes me melt.
Dethklok – The Dethalbum II
The greatest thing about Dethklok is that despite the fact that it’s a cartoon band that is supposed to be making fun of metal music and it’s fans, it’s legitimately great music. The lyrics are absurd and fucking hilarious, but the musicality is fucking amazing. Most of all, it’s just fucking fun. I can do two of my favorite things at once: headbang and laugh. I think I like this one more than the first, too.
Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
Keeping in line with hipsterness. Grizzly Bear, like Animal Collective, probably won’t be famous anytime soon because they’re so far out there from where mainstream music currently sits. This is still fucking great. Although I still like “Yellow House” the best, Veckatimest is pretty legit. Great chillout and study music. Always puts me in a calm, peaceful mood.
HORSE the Band – Desperate Living
I had nearly forgotten how great this band was. I hadn’t listened to them in a long time until this album came out, then I remembered why I used to love them so much in sophomore year. It’s fucking brilliant. Mixing experimental metal-esque prog shit with Nintendo sounds? FUCKING LEGIT. This album is by far my favorite of the year, I’m not even kidding. It’s fantastic. It’s just so much fun to listen to, and the talent is just outstanding. Fucking brilliant, I love it.
Kris Allen – Live Like We’re Dying
I’ve only listened to this once because I just obtained it like a week ago. Unfortunately, I can’t even remember the songs except “Live Like We’re Dying” (which is obnoxiously catchy and has been the Earworm of Doom for a while) and of course the “Heartless” cover. From what I remember thinking, it’s not bad. Given that 90% of pop music makes me want to strangle someone and I did not experience such anger, I can safely say this sits in the 10% of pop that I can stand. Not that it’s anything new or interesting, but it’s pleasant white noise. Sorry, Kris.
MSTRKRFT – Fist of God
This shit is also legit. Great fucking electronic/dance music. I dare you not to at least bop your head to this shit. I feel like one issue they suffer from is that some of the songs sound quite similar to each other, and it start to sound like one song after a while. However, I’m usually dancing so I don’t usually give a fuck. Fun, funky, energetic. Fine by me.
Mute Math – Armistice
If it hadn’t been for The Receiving End of Sirens, Mute Math would have dominated my freshman year of college. Their first album is pretty spectacular, but this one kicks it to a whole different level. Funky, energetic dance rock. I in particular dance a whole fucking lot to these guys. And Paul Meany sometimes rocks a keytar. That alone should make you want to listen to this shit. Very legit, another one in my top 3 of the year.
Portugal. The Man – The Satanic Satanist
I feel like I’ve used this word way too much in this post but LEGIT. P.TM never fails to impress me. Not only do these guys pop out a new album every year, each album is great and their sound evolves with every one of them. Creativity abound, seriously. I’d say this album is a bit more chill than the others, but it’s still great. I also wish I could sing like John Gourley. So. Fucking. Much.
Rx Bandits – Mandala
I just got into these guys this year, but they’re quickly becoming one of my favorites. Great ska-esque rock. Don’t have as much to say about them as the others since I haven’t been listening to them for as long, but they are a pretty sweet band. I especially love that they use horns, rock music needs more trumpets and shit. IMHO.
Saosin – In Search of Solid Ground
Unfortunately, I am not as impressed with Saosin as I was with their self-titled debut. That shit right there was some legit screamo. This one just feels like they’re becoming another mainstream band. Less intense, somewhat formulaic. A bit of a letdown, for me at least. Still love these guys, but I don’t see myself listening to this album on repeat like I did the debut.
Tokio Hotel – Humanoid
Tokio Hotel would be my guilty pleasure if I ever actually felt guilty about anything I like. Suck it, bitches. Seriously, this is a pretty decent record. I like the electro pop direction they’re going in. “Love and Death” is a pretty kickass song, and I had no fucking idea Bill had that kind of range. You go, Bill. It’ll be interesting to see where they go after this one. I wouldn’t mind even more electronic in their sound, it works pretty well for them actually.
Shit I have but I haven’t listened to enough to form an opinion
- A Storm of Light – Primitive North
- Amesoeurs – S/T
- Olafur Arnalds – Found Songs
- The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – Fruit
- Bon Iver – Blood Bank
- Cage the Elephant – S/T
- Clark – Growls Garden
- Converge – Axe to Fall
- The Fall of Troy – In the Unlikely Event
- Faunts – Feel.Love.Thinking.Of
- The Flaming Lips – Embryonic
- Isis – Wavering Radiant
- Just Went Black – Crossroads
- Lacuna Coil – Shallow Life
- Mastodon – Crack the Skye
- Maybeshewill – Sing the Word Hope in Four-Part Harmony
- MONO – Hymn to the Immortal World
- Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
- Patrick Wolf – The Bachelor
Expect those reviews to come later. Time to stop procrastinating.
No comments:
Post a Comment