Maths

(insert lame joke about hating math, functions, how this record equates to something amazing. ok good, now it's out of the way)

Another steller 09 release this time coming by way of the United Kingdom's screamo/post-hardcore quintet, named Maths. The solid musicianship is what will strike you first, from the very start of Belief in Sorrow, where the guitars almost call to mind post rock tremolo picking and song structures. The harsh vocals and seamless segue between tracks make it a quick but highly enjoyable listen. Harsh impassioned vocals plus (haha! I hate myself for that) a band that is up to the challenge of keeping their brand of screamo fresh make Maths stand out from the pack - and of the 09 releases as well. Well worth scoping out.

---> Maths' myspace

\m/ SLAAAAAAYEEEERRRRRR!!! \m/

Please watch this

KsE isn't really Starting Over...

Killswitch Engage have been quoted as saying this record will be 'different and more progressive' (actually don't quote me on that quote), but after hearing this new song and the other two released tracks, I'm not sure if I'm buying that.

Is this a bad thing? I don't necessarily think so. How many bands have said that their new record will be new, fresh, original, mind blowing, face melting, tear inducing products of their collective genius? I couldn't count that high (I just can't count very high, period (!), if i'm being honest with you all)

With Killswitch, it's almost a given that, after verses screamed by the might Howard Jones, we are treated to an uplifting chorus that makes us want to bro out and hug everyone while singing along. And I'm ok with that. Hugging men included (I'm a lover not a fighter). Would you want a Big Mac to start using progressive meats sandwiched between the gallons of mayonnaise? Or progressive sauces? One horse meat and tartare sauce a la flambee Big Mac, go big time? That is a ridiculous point, but for all the whining about Killswitch's stagnant progression, I can't help but wonder how many people would be upset at the new and pretentious song writing they used on their self titled record, which drops the 30th of June. Or how Alive or Just Breathing was so much better than anything, and their new creative efforts have gone in vain. I see differences in their songwriting already, when using this latest single as a point of comparison. Leads that see Joel and Adam D actually working the fretboard, Howard Jones embracing an alt-rock vocal line in the chorus - to me its the Killswitch I know and love, just tweaked. If you pay to watch Batman, don't get offended when you see the Bat Nipples poking through his body hugging suit (yea, 3000mgs of Taurine & Caffeine is the only way to explain that little analogy). Or likewise, when you watch Paul Walker in Fast and the Furious and can't get over the fact he couldn't act his way out of a paper bag, don't start whining - go watch Amelie.

Adam D isn't behind the helm of this one, Brendan O'Brien (famous for working with big name acts like Incubus and Pearl Jam) produced, but I don't think that will affect the sound of this record very much. Killswitch Engage will be Killswitch Engage, booty shorts and cape and all. Howard has been quoted as saying this record will deal with darker subject matter, which is intriguing to me - but no one seems to care about that. Whaaatevs, I am just way too jacked up on an energy drink right now. They pioneered the Massachusetts metalcore scene, and yet when Motorhead put out septuplet albums (or however Lemmy has cranked out), people generally seem to dig it. Just sayin'

Check out the latest single off Killswitch Engage's Self Titled fourth record, entitled 'Starting Over'

Killswitch Engage - New Music - More Music Videos

A Glimpse Into Octahedron

The Mars Volta will be releasing their 5th full length album on the 23rd of June, and have already leaked a single entitled Cotopaxi. With Octahedron almost a month away, two more songs have popped up on the good ol' tube. 'Desperate Graves' and 'With Twilight as my Guide' both do not disappoint, and as Cotopaxi did before them, pretty much confirm this new offering from the Mars Volta will be the bees knees. 

Check out the slow burning, but excellent With Twilight as my Guide:

And after you try and get that ethereal keyboard part out of your head, peep Desperate Graves (the chorus is so bomb):

Get your linkage here:

+++Desperate Graves

+++With Twilight as my Guide

Oh and another thing

Go and listen to this record. Now.

Silversun Pickups - Swoon Stream

I'm not even going to say anything - you just need to click this link and listen to one of the top albums released so far in 2009. 

+++ Silversun Pickups - Swoon

Thrice At Bamboozle Left

There were two main reasons why I wanted to catch the Bamboozle Left festival here in Southern California - Thrice were playing, and they were gonna give a sneak peak of their album by playing some new material, and the Deftones were in attendance as well. There's only one reason I didn't get to experience both things in the flesh - I'm an idiot. I thought it was a month away until I looked at Thrice's twitter updates about being sunburnt and thanking fans and slowly the rusty cogs began to turn. TODAY is April 5?!  I found this pretty poor quality of the untitled Thrice song, which you can watch here. I don't know if it was the shitty sound quality (though props for whoever put it up) that's detracting from it, but I managed to curb my fanboy-ism enough to hold off judgement until hearing it laid down on an LP. I dig that bass riffage though. OK, I'm off to listen to it 27 more times.  

New Thrice Song at Bamboozle

*edit* re-upped link with a better quality version. 

Coachella 2009

(This is the first post about music in...forever!)

Since I'll be in the area when April rolls around, there's no WAY, no excuse to miss this years Coachella. The line up is ridiculous! To peep the listed artists, check out this link ---> Coachella 09. I'll try and write up some of the people I'm down to see, but the more I check out who's playing, the more I see my list exponentially growing. Here are some awesome artists that will be playing, and that I will be trying to watch come April:

April 17

Beirut, Coner Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Crystal Castles, Franz Ferdinand, Genghis Tron, Girl Talk, Leonard Cohen, Los Campesinos!, M. Ward, Morrissey, Paul McCartney, Silversun Pickups, The Aggrolites, The Airborne Toxic Event, The Black Keys, The Bug, The Hold Steady, The Presets

April 18

Atmosphere, Billy Talent, Calexico, Dr. Dog, Fleet Foxes, Glasvegas, Henry Rollins, Mastodon, Michael Franti & Spearhead, MSTRKRFT, The Killers, Turbonegro, TV on the Radio, 

April 19

Antony and the Johnsons, Fucked Up, The Gaslight Anthem, Lupe Fiasco, Lykke Li, My Bloody Valentine, Okkervil River, Paolo Nutini, Public Enemy, The Cure,  Yeah Yeah Yeah's

WOW. I pretty much just typed up everyone that was there, that's how RIDONK the line up is for the festival. I'm sure I missed out other quality acts worth seeing. How is there enough time in the day to watch everyone? I don't even have a ticket yet and I'm already tripping. 76 more days to score a ticket to one of the most solid festivals I've seen in a while!

(I'm beyond pumped! Here's hoping I get tickets to all 3 days...and that I have enough cash money to actually buy a ticket!)

Coachella oh nine home page