End of year (November/December) album roundup 2015

IT'S ALMOST JANUARY YOU LYING QUACK THIS ISN'T MONTHLY is what the 3 people who actually know I do this blog might be thinking as they click this. The truth is there weren't many albums in November I wanted to review. Traditionally, album releases slow down a fair bit this time of year, bar a few big names trying to cash in on holiday spenders and cookie cutter Christmas crap. On top of that, the albums I wanted to review weren't easy to get a hold of since... well, Australia. I did see a lot of incredible live shows and will include some brief comments on those here as well, just to make you jealous. So really, this is an even more comprehensive roundup than usual, despite there being only three new releases I want to talk about.

Note: yes I know Adele released a new album and Beliebers are frantically trying to cook up enough mash to go with his latest "bangers" but reviewing albums everyone already knows about is not the point of this blog. If you really wanna know my opinion on a specific album let me know and I'll include it in a roundup :)

Coheed and Cambria - 'The Color Before the Sun'

Genre: progressive rock, alternative rock
Favourite tracks: 'Here to Mars', 'Colors', 'You Got Spirit, Kid'

This new album is Coheed and Cambria's first departure from the high-concept sci-fi story driven albums they've been known for. Having given us the whole Amory Wars saga, a prequel, and then a prequel to the prequel, maybe it was time to for the band to abandon the conceptual underpinnings of their previous albums. After all, it'd become known that a lot of the story (for the fans who even followed it, I'd be lying if I said I understood it all) was a way for frontman and songwriter Claudio Sanchez to tell his own personal stories via analogy.

The issue is that a lot of the appeal of Coheed's music came from the scope and romanticism found in the storytelling. Not only did it feed into their lyrics but also the music, giving the listener a real space rock opera experience even if they weren't fully invested in the sci-fi story being told. 'The Color Before the Sun' is Coheed and Cambria without a doubt, but it's missing the epic scope that often elevates their songs beyond a lot of other alternative rock out there today. It manages to be an entertaining album in its own right with some stand out tracks, but without the epic musical journeys and crescendos found on their previous albums it doesn't quite live up to the band's reputation.

'The Color Before the Sun' is a safe rock album. There are no big riffs, guitar shredfests, or vocal acrobatics. It's decent, but it feels like leaving behind the conceptual underpinning of Coheed and Cambria's music has restricted the band more than it has freed them.

You can listen to "You Got Sprit, Kid" here:

Punch Brothers - 'The Wireless'

Genre: bluegrass, newgrass, folk, country
Favourite tracks: 'In Wonder', 'Sleek White Baby'

My mancrush on Chris Thile aside, the Punch Brothers have raised the bar on their most recent full length albums. 'The Phosphorescent Blues' only came out earlier this year and it'll definitely be making an appearance on my best of 2015 list (coming soon). The Punch Brothers take what is a traditional bluegrass band setup (mandolin, bass, guitar, banjo, and vocals) and push it to its technical, sonic, and musical limits.

'The Wireless' is a wonderful taster of an EP for fans like myself who wanted more after 'The Phosphorescent Blues'. The songs on this EP are a bit more clean cut for the most part but still do a great job of showcasing each member's technical and compositional prowess. The instrumental tracks are fun and full of raw energy, showing a deep appreciation for bluegrass tradition while also breaking rules to keep things fresh. The Punch Brothers always seem to have one foot in the past and one foot stepping ahead of the rest of the pack. As is the case on the track 'Sleek White Baby', a funny and painfully relevant song which points the finger at our modern obsession with mobile phones through a satirical 50s style "ad".

'The Wireless', like the Punch Brothers themselves, is more fun, energetic and modern than any bluegrass band has the right to be.

Listen to 'Sleek White Baby' here:

Mono/The Ocean - 'Transcendental' (split EP)

Genre: post-rock
Favourite track: 'Death in Reverse'

Mono are the best post-rock band out there right now. They've given us music that is wholly unique and astonishingly powerful, album after album, for over a decade. Their music is paradoxically raw and refined at the same time, noisy but painfully beautiful. 'Transcendental' is a perfect word for their music - it's far more than the sum of its parts. I had the absolute pleasure of seeing them live earlier this month and it truly exceeded all expectations. Played live, their music was more powerful than I could have imagined. It was a show like nothing else I've ever experienced - pure, beautiful noise played with total care and ferocity. 'Death in Reverse' the first of two tracks on this split EP is a fine showcase of what Mono can achieve in a little over 10 minutes, but if you want to hear them in all their glory do yourself a favour and pick up any of their full length studio albums. You won't be disappointed.

The second track on this album is from The Ocean, a band I am admittedly unfamiliar with. While Mono opt to blend beauty with ferocity, this track tends to transition from one to the other. It's a decent track, although when it really boils down to it the vocally lead section of the song is far less interesting than the thoughtfully constructed instrumentation around it.

You can listen to the EP in its entirety here:

THOUGHTS FROM LIVE SHOWS:

Chris Cornell live at QPAC

As is to be expected from such a legendary performer, this show was phenomenal. Chris played songs from his entire career and even some covers, all done flawlessly and effortlessly. New to this tour is the inclusion of a cellist that tours with Chris. The added depth given to the acoustic renditions of Chris's songs was a delightful and welcome surprise. Without much of a break, Chris Cornell captivated the entire audience for over two hours. Most would say he's getting old, a little past his prime maybe, but seeing him live confirmed this is definitely not the case.

Rise Against at Riverstage

This was my third time seeing Rise Against live and I'd have to say it was the best of the three. After the woeful (and I mean, wow, so bad) support acts, Rise Against put on an energetic and fun show. They never messed around as they charged through big hits and die hard fan pleasers, including some incredible variations on well-known songs. Noticeably missing from their set were any of the songs off their most recent album, but from the outset it was obvious this was a show for the long-time fans. And I don't think anyone left Riverstage disappointed.

So that's the last roundup of 2015. What have you been listening to over the holiday season?

I'll be doing a 'best albums of 2015' list type thingo in the next week or so with accompanying reviews and thoughts on each album. So look out for that if you're interested.

If you read this far congratulations. I'll no joke give you a free cookie. Like for real. Limited time offer, look in your mailbox it might be there.

Have nice day!

Album roundup - October 2015

It's a few days late because of exams, but here are my thoughts on the albums I listened to in October. There were some great releases this past month. Enjoy :)


Julia Holter - 'Have You in My Wilderness'

Genre: pop, art pop
Favourite tracks: 'Sea Calls Me Home', 'Betsy on the Roof', 'Have You in My Wilderness'

This is my first proper foray into the music of critically acclaimed singer and songwriter Julia Holter, and I am definitely glad I gave this album a listen.

There's a lot going on in Julia's music which is very poppy at its core, melodically at least. What sets her apart is the unbelievably lush instrumental accompaniment Julia uses. Primarily string and piano focussed, the instrumentation is brilliantly composed and mixed in a way that greatly enriches Julia's crystal clear (but somehow still whispery and soothing) vocals. Julia doesn't shy away from some fun surprises either, such as the saxophone solo in 'Sea Calls Me Home', which seems to come out of nowhere but really makes the track a knockout.

Simply put, this album is downright gorgeous in every way and worth a close listen. Fans of intelligent and interesting pop music won't be disappointed.

Listen to 'Betsy On the Roof' here: 

Shane Koyczan and The Short Story Long - 'Debris' 

Genre: poetry, spoken word

Favourite tracks: 'Debris', 'Shut Up and Say Something', 'For Instance'

This is the second collaboration between famed spoken word poet Shane Koyczan and The Short Story Long. Shane garnered world-wide attention for his poem 'To This Day', which appeared on his first album 'Remembrance Year'. Shane's command of the sonic and rhythmic qualities of the spoken word accompanied by carefully composed music proved to be a captivating combination. 'Debris' continues to use this combination to great effect, providing a collection of genuinely insightful and evocative (and often earnestly hilarious) poems.

Shane's poetry is incredibly accessible in its irreverence, honesty, and wit. Each poem is carefully written and delivered, showing a mastery of storytelling, metaphor, sound, and rhythm, never falling flat or feeling stale. The musical accompaniment is equally as nuanced and, in my opinion, does an even better job of underscoring Shane's poetry than on 'Remembrance Year'.

If you have an interest in spoken word already or are looking for a place to start, it's hard to go wrong with Shane Koyczan. 

Listen to 'Debris' here:

Ludovico Einaudi - 'Elements'

Genre: contemporary classical, neoclassical, minimalist

Favourite tracks: 'Petricor', 'Night', 'Logos', 'Song for Gavin' 

Ludovico Einaudi is one of the greatest composers alive today and 'Elements' is just further proof that his virtuosity and compositional prowess show no signs of slowing down. I'm a long time fan of Einaudi and would easily place his previous full length LP 'In a Time Lapse' among my favourite albums of all time (seriously, if you have functioning ears and haven't heard that album you should get on that). 

On 'Elements' Einaudi returns to a slightly more piano-centric and stripped back approach similar to earlier albums such as 'Divenire' and 'Nightbook'. While still occasionally reaching the epic scale of 'In a Time Lapse' this album places the piano front and centre for some truly beautiful and entrancing compositions. Sonically, Einaudi throws some electronic elements in the mix as he often does, which serve to give the pieces an edge and modern sophistication that goes beyond pure piano or orchestral composition. 

It's solid the whole way through with each piece having its own unique merits, but like all Einaudi albums the true mastery of his work is best experienced in one complete listening. I don't have much more to say about this album, it's truly wonderful. This was the album I was most looking forward to in October and I'm glad it delivered. 

Listen to 'Night' here:

William Basinski - 'Cascade' and 'The Deluge'

Genre: avant-garde, experimental, ambient
Favourite tracks: n/a

It's hard to describe Basinski's music so I'll try to keep this short. If you're unfamiliar with the world of experimental and ambient music and haven't heard of him before, William Basinski is an incredibly well regarded and accomplished artist. He's best known for his series of tape-loop compositions 'The Disintegration Loops' (2001-2002) which are still regarded as one of the best works in ambient music to date.

'Cascade' and 'The Deluge' are variations on a new tape-loop composition that features a lilting and eerie piano loop, melancholic and weightless in feel given the almost complete absence of sound in the low range. Each variation repeats the loop as different feedback loops and reverbs of varying lengths alter the sonic aspects of the loop before it fades into nothing. It's Basinski and I won't pretend to know the ins and outs of his process, each new release by Basinski seems so simple yet so detailed and complex. While 'The Disintegration Loops' will always be Basinski's signature work, these new compositions are astonishing and affecting in their own right. The music speaks for itself.

Listen to 'The Deluge' (including 'the denouement' and a shortened version of 'Cascade') here:

Boy & Bear - 'Limit of Love'

Genre: Indie, folk-rock

Favourite tracks: eh

Eh. I like Boy & Bear. Their two previous albums weren't amazing by any stretch, but among the mostly average songs were some real gems. This new album is like their previous two (like, a lot) but without the gems. It was so forgettable that the first time I listened to it I actually forgot I had and made a mental note to listen to the new Boy & Bear album before realising I in fact already had.

I've given it a few listens and gone a bit more in depth with some tracks to give this album a fair chance. Unfortunately, the songs here are at best a bit boring and forgettable and at worst a drag. There are also some bizarre production choices that make this album feel a bit off and stale, such as having the guitar tracks on most songs mixed to the very far right (it's seriously off putting, I had to swap headphones to check it wasn't an issue with my gear). Each track feels completely void of emotion and direction, to the point where it all sounds very similar, even for Boy & Bear. This wasn't an album I had on my radar in particular, I just thought it'd be a nice listen since, hey, Boy & Bear are a pretty decent band. But this was a disappointing album overall. 

THIS IS WHERE I'D PUT MY REVIEW OF THE NEW COHEED AND CAMBRIA ALBUM if I'd actually been able to purchase it on the day of its release and not three weeks later due to a goof by the local distributor. No stores (in Brisbane at least) had their shipments arrive until over two weeks after the release of the album. I've had a listen to the album but not closely enough to review it yet, so I'll let that roll over into November's roundup.

What did you listen to this past month? Any new albums you think I should listen to?

Thanks heaps for reading if you did. As always, have nice day :) 

Album roundup - September 2015

Hi, I'm Marco, and I listen to heaps of music. I also like to share my opinions on music, discuss music, and introduce people to new artists. Rather than write full reviews people probably won't read, I am going to do a monthly roundup of the new albums (and maybe some older ones I've only just got around to) I've been listening to accompanied with some thoughts on what's worth a listen and why. I'd like to point out I have no music education of any sort, I'm just a dude that listens to a lot of music that wants to share that with others and also push myself to think more deeply and critically about the music I listen to. September is coming to a close, so let's have a look at what's been filling my ears this month.

Firstly I want to point out that I will not be ranking these albums from best to worst, longest to shortest, heaviest to lightest or tastiest to blandest (they all taste like plastic or cardboard, by the way). That's not really the point of this blog. Music is incredibly subjective. In a world where someone can click something that catches their interest and form their own opinion within a matter of minutes, I find ratings and rankings a little pointless. This is about pointing people in the direction of what might capture their interest in the first place. Enjoy :)

Glen Hansard - 'Didn't He Ramble'

Genre: folk, acoustic, singer-songwriter
Favourite tracks: McCormack's Wall, Lowly Deserter, My Little Ruin

This is Glen Hansard's second full length LP as a solo artist. Fans of his previous album 'Rhythm and Repose' and the follow-up EP 'Drive All Night' will find a lot of familiar territory on 'Didn't He Ramble'. On this album, Hansard puts his vocal chops and mature approach to songwriting on full display accompanied by more lavish instrumentation than his earlier work. At its best, Hansard's songs are equal parts grace and vigour and there's no shortage of either on this album. Most tracks embellish Hansard's usual guitar-driven sound with a more detailed instrumental backdrop, featuring sweeping strings, fiddle and horns. For the most part, these instrumental choices pay off in spades, giving the songs twists and turns that make you sit up and take notice. At their core, the collection of songs on this album are still the quality, story-driven, sincere songs everyone expects from Glen Hansard, with more colourful instrumentation. It's not ground-breaking but it's a winning formula and compulsively easy to listen to. Listen to 'My Little Ruin' below:

Emancipator - 'Seven Seas'

Genre: electronic, downtempo, trip hop

Favourite tracks: Canopy, The Key

Douglas Appling, better known as trip hop producer Emancipator, originally caught my attention in 2013 with his album 'Dusk to Dawn' which I would definitely name among my favourite albums of that year. Unique instrumental choices and a real sense of dynamics were what originally made my ears prick up - it was instrumental trip hop with some fun twists that gave 'Dusk to Dawn' an original atmosphere. 'Seven Seas' features some of those elements that made 'Dusk to Dawn' so appealing - the jazzy phrasing, interesting use of woodwind and other traditional instruments mixed in with electronic sounds - but doesn't reach the same atmospheric or original feeling. The sound here is still signature Emancipator, but the aspects that made his music so intriguing get lost amidst a lot of the other competing ideas on this album. To me, a lot of the looped phrases and beats feel a tad lazy and uninspired. Those more unique instrumental choices don't shine through on most of the tracks here, leaving this album no more exciting than a lot of other downtempo and trip hop music already out there, something more likely to be heard playing on low volume in some sort of hipster cafe. The addition of vocal loops adds to the business of the album, often taking centre stage despite not being particularly interesting. While it's a decent album in its own right, with a few shining tracks, fans of trip hop won't find anything surprising here and newbies to the genre would be better off starting elsewhere. I'll be giving this one a few more listens to see if it grows on me, you can listen to it here: 

Chris Cornell - 'Higher Truth'

Genre: folk-rock, acoustic, singer-songwriter

Favourite tracks: Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart, Higher Truth 

Chris Cornell needs no introduction. He's one of the most influential vocalists and songwriters in rock history. Fans of Soundgarden and Audioslave will know what Chris is capable of, those familiar with his solo career will note it's a bit of a rocky road. Chris' goal with this latest album was to release a bunch of songs that would translate well to his fully acoustic solo show he is currently touring with (and which I will be seeing in November, you could say I'm a bit excited). 'Higher Truth' gives us some stellar songs and shows that Chris' voice is as strong and evocative as ever. Bar those few select tracks, the rest of the album is pretty run of the mill without many surprises. Each song is competent and enjoyable in its own right, but it quickly becomes obvious which are the real killer tracks here. The songs showcase Chris' voice but aren't the greatest example of his songwriting, never really reaching the raw emotional edge we saw on 'Euphoria Morning' (what I still believe to be Chris Cornell's best solo album) or some of the tracks on 'Carry On'.  Granted, I don't think that was the intended purpose of this album. This one is worth a listen for fans of Chris, but those unfamiliar with Chris as a solo artist would be better off starting with 'Euphoria Morning' or his live acoustic 'Songbook' album. You can listen to 'Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart' here: 

The Dead Weather - 'Dodge and Burn'

Genre: blues-rock, garage rock, alternative 

Favourite tracks: I Feel Love (Every Million Miles), Lose the Right, Impossible Winner

'Dodge and Burn' is the third album from rag-tag rock supergroup The Dead Weather. This whole album is ferocious, hard-hitting bluesy rock that's worth some foot-stamping and head-banging. Running at a break-neck, high adrenaline pace for most of the album, The Dead Weather deliver their unique style of slightly experimental rock with a fire that demands attention. Enjoyable from start to finish, with some out there guitar tones and jammable grooves, this is an album any blues rock fan will already have on their radar. Not every song here is exactly amazing, and some of the riffs and hooks feel a bit too familiar, but The Dead Weather do their thing and they do it damn well. Listen here: 

Shinedown - 'Threat to Survival' 

Genre: rock, alternative, post-grunge

Favourite tracks: Asking for It, Cut the Cord, Thick as Thieves

I have a soft-spot for Shinedown. I've been a fan for years and while their last album 'Amaryllis' didn't thrill me it had some enjoyable tracks. I was apprehensive about this new release, afraid that Shinedown were continuing down a path of commercialisation and losing what had made their first three albums worthwhile. Unfortunately, my fears were mostly realised. This album is by no means terrible, it's not really even bad. It's just aggressively average. A couple of tracks here can get your head-bopping or have some catchy hooks, but I feel like it's all pretty shallow and the appeal won't last. On the whole this album feels lazy. From the lyrics to the production, it's all too predictable and safe, especially towards the tail end of this LP. Some lyrics are almost cringeworthy, and some production choices (especially concerning the vocals) make no sense at all. The poppy hooks might get this album some air time, but it's not a good example of what this band is capable of. If you're new to Shinedown you're better off travelling back in time to their first two albums, 'Leave a Whisper' and 'Us and Them'. You can listen to their latest here: 

That's the roundup for September. Thanks for reading if you did. Let me know what you thought of these albums or what you listened to this month, I'm always open to suggestions. October brings new albums from Coheed and Cambria and Ludovico Einaudi, two releases I've been waiting for all year, so I look forward to sharing my thoughts on those and others. 

Have nice day.

Marco.