Recent Digs

Like I said, it's been quite some time since I posted, so I'm going to remedy that with some double post action! Here's just a rundown of some new bands/albums I've been listening to a lot lately.

1. Thrice - Vheissu

It's pretty obvious Thrice have fast become 

one of my favorite bands, which is a worthy accomplishment for any artist, as I change my mind more than you're girlfriend changes clothes when getting ready for a date.  I may have liked Thrice upon first listen, but something about Dustin's voice grated on my nerves. Now, looking back, the affection has grown ten fold and I can't believe how long it took me to really get into the post-hardcore 4 piece from California. I love (...!) Dustin's voice and his always interesting vocal melodies, Teppei's tasteful and measured guitar playing (and keyboard as well, in this case), Riley's groovy flashes of brilliance and Eddie's driving rhythms. To me, Vheissu is Thrice's 'Morning View' - when compared to the other records in their catalogue, this record stands out with its underlying idea of the ocean as a prevalent theme, with more laid back and soothing instrumentation, and in general songs that imprint a soothing air on the listeners mind. One thing that I really enjoy about Thrice are Dustin's positive messages he hurls at the listeners ears; it's always refreshing to know that there is hope, no matter how bleak the situation may seem.

2.Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance

I know I seem obsessive (I'll give you one guess to figure out what band is at #3) but this album is really good! With stand out tracks like Stare at the Sun and All That's Left, this high octane release from the quartet gets my blood going. At the moment 'Hoods on Peregrine'  is a track that I'm really digging at the moment (Teppei's riffing is tasty). A lot of people rank this as their favorite album, and while not personally my top Thrice album, I can easily see why. Appealing to fans of hardcore, melodic punk, rock and metal, The Artist in the Ambulance won me over with its aggressive riffing, soaring melodies and insanely catchy songs.

3. Thrice - The Illusion of Safety

I know, I know, enough drooling over Thrice. But I only recently started on my Thrice binge, and only really recently got into them. I also only recently got the album the boys released in 2002, The Illusion of Safety. Aggressive, in your face, and raw, this showcase of hardcore tinged with punk release has Teppei showcasing his chops on guitar. Songs are short and sweet, and listening to it doesn't make me look back and think, 'Wow, these guys have improved so much' (which arguably, they have) What I think I'm trying to say is that The Illusion of Safety isn't a record on which Thrice should look back on and be embarrassed. On the contrary, it should be seen as an important part of their past - a contextual gauge on how masterfully they have evolved and changed their sound over their duration as THE perennial genre-traipsing Californian band. 

* on a side note, it would be almost impossible for me to rank the Thrice albums, from what i think to be their best, to their worst. actually, that's a lie. as of now, Vheissu edges out The Alchemy Index, then it would be The Artist in the Ambulance and finally The Illusion of Safety. That was a lot easier then i thought it would be, but i doubt these rankings will stand (also, these are the only Thrice records i have) *

4. Have a Nice Life - Deathconsciousness

This album is a bit of a wild card for me; quoted on the band's website as the most depressing album of the year (or something along those lines :p), this record sounds like something I would not enjoy, as my personality is so contrasting to the records 'claim to fame'. I picked it up anyway, (and almost with some reluctance), put the album on while I turned off the lights and waited for sleep to take over. And I waited. And I listened. And I waited, and I listened, and I listened, and I listened...I listened to the album all the way through, a rare feat for someone who can fall asleep before the lights go out. After the ambient, spacey intro, the second track, with its grand, enormous sound (you'll understand), with the bass chugging away and the distorted guitar lacing its way through the bass's unshakeable groove; I was captivated. I kept thinking at the time, its so simple, but so beautiful! Looking back, I don't think thats correct as Have a Nice Life's music isn't complicated. It's powerful and... efficient? It has to be experienced to really appreciate it - no explanation would do it justice. The sound surrounds you when listening with (good) headphones and for me, made me experience what I like to call a musical epiphany - when the music feels so good it stirs a sense of euphoria, like it all makes sense, and leaves you in almost a heightened state of musical awareness. I know that sounds pretentious and down right stupid to some, but for those who have had music evoke such raw emotions in them will surely know what I'm talking about. I can't recommend this release enough. Give it a shot.

5. The National - Boxer

It seems that my musical tastes have shifted. Head-banging to down-tuned riffs that chug away and that Gothenburg brand of Scandinavian metal (they do it so well, those Scandinavians!) that I loved so much just sometimes can't keep my interest. Before getting The National's latest release, I had heard many good things, particularly from an awesome website called sputnik music (a site which I often frequent, and where I learn about great new music). At this website, there are a quite a bit of music enthusiasts that seem to really know their stuff, and normally when they rave over an album, it seems to be to overwhelming, and wouldn't be something I would normally like (ex. Have a Nice Life). I'd like to listen to all the releases they rave about, but sometimes I would get scared that if i don't like what they think is awesome,and that maybe I didn't have 'good taste' (which is a ridiculous notion, as all musical taste is subjective) Needless to say, now I always take other's peoples opinions on board regarding music, with an open mind, which has helped me broaden my taste. I always remember that I will like what I like, and I don't need to impress anyone by forcing myself to like this record or that artist. This album has secured it's way in my collection of favorites because it made me realize all of the above, as well as making me realize that I had been sorely missing out on great music before I encountered the Brooklyn based group from Cincinnati (not sure about that)!. Heart felt and well written lyrics adorn every The National song, and the instrumentation is awesome by an indie band's standards. The vocals are deep and almost gravelly, but compel you to keep listening, so as to unravel the character behind the crooning voice. Laid back and slick guitar work (like the riffs found on Green Gloves), and a slight hint of rock impressed me beyond my expectations. When I listen to this album it makes me repeat in my head, like a mantra "This is soooo good" (it's retarded, but I actually do think that).

I think I'll leave it at that. I'll try and keep the updates more regular from now on, but that's probably not likely. 

Much love

And The Winner Is...

It may be too early to write off any surprise, last minute releases, but I think it's safe to say that my Top Album of 2007 goes to Orange County's Thrice's latest release, The Alchemy Index: Volumes I&II - Fire and Water. I know this is my top choice out of the countless hours of quality music released this year because I came to this conclusion without a doubt in my mind, a mind that's normally plagued with indecision and commitment issues. On paper, the idea of a concept album that dealt with the 4 quintessential elements of life - Earth, Water, Wind and Fire seemed too grand in it's scale, as if the 4 piece post-hardcore outfit(a futile effort to pigeon-hole them into a genre, I know) had bitten off more than they could chew. While the possibility to pull off something truly amazing and inspirational was glimmering on the horizon, me, ever the cynic, saw it more like a mirage, as if their over zealous, ambitious ideas were blinding them - would it be possible to execute and integrate these elemental motifs in a memorable and effective way? The possibilities and ideas they could come up with were indeed endless, but at the same time would this creative approach be their bane? Conforming to the themes of Fire and Water might restrict instead of direct their musical ideas, compromising what COULD be an excellent release.

So I heeded the release date with trepidation.  I wanted it to be a good record, I really hoped they could pull it off - the videos they aired on their website that chronicled and hyped their impending release began to ease my paranoid mind. Maybe they could do it? And they just seemed like such cool, down to earth guys, you just wanted them to succeed, much like how audiences side with the protagonist whose against-all-odds-but-has-his-heart-in-the-right-place. They were the underdogs, as I'm sure I wasn't the only one who was scared for them. Obviously I was tripping (I think a bit too much).

After buying it (hooray for supporting quality artists), listening to it, digesting it, liking it, loving it, obsessing over it and recommending it to nearly everyone that will listen to me, it would be an understatement to say Thrice has succeeded. They passed with flying colors, and all preconceptions of how the record would turn out were tossed aside as I listened with giddy-like-a-school-girl excitement. From the harrowing sirens that mark the beginning of 'Firebreather' from the Fire disc, to the brutally beautiful 'The Flame Deluge' to the epiphany enducing 'Open Water' on the latter disc (Water), this is one of the better albums I have heard in a long time. A release that actually impacted and touched me emotionally, which is always a rare and quite frankly, special thing (the last being 65daysofstatic's 'The Destruction of Small Ideas"...I should write about that next). If I had to choose which disc I preferred, it would have to be the Water disc, by the slightest of margins, simply because of the tracks 'Open Water' (and as I type this 'Lost Continent' and the instrumental 'Night Diving' spring to mind, pleading their cases as most memorable track). I'll agree with the consensus and say The Water disc is the stronger of the two, aptly executing the water motif- with dreamy, smooth guitar riffs, parts of the track that seem to be underwater, a lyrical delivery that has a lucid and slippery quality to it - it really is a must listen. That isn't to say the Fire disc is without its moments, as Firebreather will most assuredly be stuck in your head for days, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

It's quite obvious that I'm pretty passionate about this release (understatement of 2007), but at lease I've found a record that I've enjoyed so much that I'm passionate about it. If that makes sense. I hope that everyone's found a record like that this year, and if they haven't, Thrice's Alchemy Index project sure isn't a bad place to start. Quick! Before 2007 comes to a close!

A very strong 4.8/5. (I should have just written a review...looking back)

*Honorable mention goes to Coheed and Cambria's Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume 2: No World For Tomorrow.

*I'll be making a top 10 album list as the year comes to a close so look out for that. Peace!