Music Weekly

Blood Stain Child

Joseph (Zero Industries) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:48:14 +0000

This is my first review of a foreign band. Blood Stain Child hails from Japan. They are a power metal band of (in my opinion) high caliber. Their music is definitely different than anything I’ve listened to, aside from the fact that they are Japanese. It’s interesting that many of their songs have English throughout them. If you’re looking for something different, or if you want to listen to a Japanese band, you should check them out. Links of streams and lyrics are hard to come by for them here in the States, as they are pretty underground, but if you’re interested, look here: Blood Stain Child on Myspace here: Blood Stain Child on Wikipedia and possibly here: Note, it’s all in Japanese

AotW: All The Stars and Boulevards

Darren (AngelsEminence) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:27:17 +0000

For those who like to lean back and relax to some peaceful music, Augustana is your band with their album “All The Stars And Boulevards.” They began in 2002 with Dan Layus gathering friends together to record some music, and started their band shortly after.My personal favorite is “Stars and Boulevards” (track #5), and I suggest you give it a listen. You might like this band if you listen to bands such as Snow Patrol or The Fray. I do agree that the album cover is.. different, but don’t let it dissuade you.

If you decide to check them out, here’s their website: http://www.augustanamusic.com/

Track listing:

“Mayfield” – 3:16
“Bullets” – 3:11
“Hotel Roosevelt” – 3:50
“Boston” – 4:06
“Stars and Boulevards” – 4:21
“Feel Fine” – 3:45
“Wasteland” – 3:59
“Lonely People” – 3:48
“Sunday Best” – 3:22
“California’s Burning” – 3:45
“Coffee and Cigarettes” – 4:02

Fingertight

David (youlnvrgess09) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:06:46 +0000

With such a name as “Fingertight” you expect “off-the-handle” straining vocals and weird guitars, and that is what you get. This band hailed from California and made their mark without following too much of the bands that resided around them. One thing is for sure they packed one hell of a punch. Signing with Columbia Records in 2001, they recorded “In the Name Of Progress” their first full length album which led with the single, “Guilt” which shot the album up to 34 on the US Billboard Charts in the same year.

The first song, “Fear In Me” is very pacey and heavy hitting, with an awesome guitar riff included. Headbanging seems involuntary and you cant help but sing along after a couple listens. The album really takes shape when “Guilt” starts to play after a weird filler track (“515 Mellus”). Listening to the lyrics makes so much sense, and again you find yourself tapping your foot, bobbing your head. Great vocals, with such a great chorus.

It is a very, up and down album, with weird synth filler tracks and quick, heavy paced songs followed by slow melodic ones. But I feel this shows what this band was fully capable of. “Emo This” is a great song, albeit the vocals, which I feel ‘ been cleaner. Straight after is the fierce “At War” with a title which speaks for the magnitude of this song. Skipping Magical(Coming to this later on) is Bellevue, which again is such a composed song, with gripping lyrics and a rhythm which slowly drags you in.

Now, back to Magical. Such an amazing song. I cant really describe the emotions which are felt when listening to the song. Listening to it now I find it hard to write about it, but trust me when I say, it hits home. Again, the unclean vocals make it realistic, more heartfelt and you can see the singer really feeling the song.

Sadly, their first full-length studio album was their last, and they split up shortly after the album started to lose the new-music touch. I wish they were still around as I feel the band still had so much to give, but whats done is done and I am thankful for them sticking it out to produce one hell of an album.

Tracks to listen to -

AotW: Fight With Tools

Joseph (Zero Industries) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:24:05 +0000

This style of this album varies from the other albums and artists I have posted. The band, “The Flobots”, combines Hip Hop and Rock elements. By this, I mean that they combine guitar and drums in a way that sounds like Rock, yet they freestyle the lyrics together.

“Fight with Tools” by The Flobots

One of the most important parts of any song to me are the lyrics. They have to be meaningful and inspire me in some way. This album certainly does just that with every song. My personal favorites are “Stand Up” and the more popular song “Handlebars” (you may have heard Handlebars, so check it out). The songs vary from one another in an interesting way, yet the entire album feels tied together. The Flobots give the listener the sense that they are listening to a broadcast that is taken over by some rebel group trying to get their message across to the masses. The album is certainly worth listening to, so check it out!

The Flobots Myspace

The Flobot’s Official Site

Buy the Deluxe Edition on amazon.com

AoTW: Ocean Eyes (Deluxe Edition)

Dylan (Dilpickle1) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:37:55 +0000

I was going to creatively rick roll you all today, but I got to writing the article… and it just…failed. Wasn’t worth having a low quality post just to make a joke. Instead, I’ll do a somewhat mainstream album and call it a day. Its a late post, and I apologize for that. Today has been… eventful. So instead, I’ll do an album that was released today. That album?

“Ocean Eyes (Deluxe Edition)” by Owl City

Yes, Owl City. The first time I gave him a listen, I didn’t really care for him. Just like other bands that have taken over my life, I’m sure this guy will too. The guy being Adam Young and his instruments. I love his synthpop/electronica/Alt Rock sound, that is unlike most mainstream music. Give them a listen, you might enjoy it. The deluxe version of the album has 19 songs total, one of them being a remix of “Hello Seattle”. If you buy the hard copy of the album, you get a picture book full of pictures of Adam and him playing.

Owl City Myspace

Buy the Deluxe Edition on amazon.com

Innerpartysystem

Darren (AngelsEminence) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 04:46:48 +0000

Innerpartysystem began as The Takeover in 2006, started by Patrick Nissley and Jared Piccone. They are known as an alternative rock or electronica band, and are becoming increasingly popular. They signed to Stolen Transmission, who also helped bands such as the Killers and My Chemical Romance. Their discography consists of 3 EPs, 1 full-length album and a couple of mix tapes. After The Download EP, the band signed onto Island Records, and a year later released their self-titled full album.

Innerpartysystem [2008]

Track listing

1. Die Tonight Live Forever [4:41]

2. Last Night In Brooklyn [4:20]

3. Don’t Stop [4:18]

4. Structure [3:58]

5. Everyone Is The Same [3:49]

6. Obsession [4:20]

7. This Empty Love [4:49]

8. New Poetry [4:02]

9. This Town, Your Grave [4:55]

10. Heart of Fire [4:08]

11. What We Will Never Know [4:15]

12. Home [2:54] (instrumental soundscape, hidden on cd)

New Poetry [4:02]

2. This Town, Your Grave [4:55]

3. Heart of Fire [4:08]

4. What We Will Never Know [4:15]

5. Home [2:54] (instrumental soundscape, hidden on cd)

The Secret Handshake

Haley (haleysicle) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:18:35 +0000

From my personal collection – The Secret Handshake performing at the Sokol Underground in Omaha, NE on June 28, 2009. The Sercet Handshake was an opener for The Cab.

The Secret Handshake, solo project of Luis Dubuc hailing from Dallas, TX deserves your attention. You may have already heard his sound if you listened to 2008’s Punk Goes Crunk where he did a cover of “I Wish” by Skee-lo, which is his most popular song to date. He also was on tour for most of 2008 and 2009 with The AP Tour. The Secret Handshake has three albums released, his most recent being My Name Up In Lights, released April 2009.

I have had the pleasure to meet and talk with Luis on two occassions, in Austin, TX and Omaha, NE. He is a very genuine person who appreciates every single fan he has. His live performances are full of heart and energy, not one person in the crowd is standing still. Luis writes, sings, plays keyboard, and mixes all of his songs himself–when he is on tour he travels with a drummer and a bassist. He is truly a very passionate musician.

The Secret Handshake’s sound could be best described as electronic pop. Fans of Boys Like Girls, Cobra Starship, The Cab, My Favorite Highway, of Hello Goodbye should enjoy this band. If you are looking for songs to download, I recommend “Summer of ‘98″ (also check the video out!), “Everyone Knows Everyone”, and “Midnight Movie” from One Full Year released 2007. This is my favorite The Secret Handshake CD. For a new sounding Luis, check out “TGIF”, “All For You” (video available), and “Saturday”. My Name Up In Lights is especially interesting to those 80’s/90’s kids! Give it a listen, you’ll see what I mean!

The Secret Handshake
“Summer of ‘98″ video

AoTW: Hello Fascination

Darren (AngelsEminence) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:42:23 +0000

One of my all-time favorite bands, Breathe Carolina is a mix of screamo and electronica. So for those who have listened to The Medic Droid, Kill Paradise, and Attack Attack, be prepared: you’re going to love this band. They have two published albums, however its Hello Fascination [2009] I want to talk about.

Hello Fascination is the most recent of their albums, and my personal favorite. The entire album is great, and there aren’t any songs that you won’t listen to. As with most albums these days some titles may seem strange but don’t doubt them. My personal favorite is “I Have to Go Return Some Video Tapes”. Here’s the track listing:

Hello Fascination [3:21]
I’m the Type of Person to Take It Personal [4:14]
Take Me to Infinity [3:35]
Dressed Up to Undress [3:40]
I.D.G.A.F. [3:14]
Welcome to Savannah [3:36]
I Have to Go Return Some Video Tapes [3:43]
The Dressing Room [3:28]
Tripped and Fell in Portland [3:56]
Can I Take You Home? [3:53]
My Obsession [4:22]
Velvet [3:15]
Rescue [4:57]

Visit their website to find out more: http://www.breathecarolina.net/

Give it a listen and I hope you enjoy.

electronic, powerpop, screamo, electronica, emo

(The Band) 3

Dylan (Dilpickle1) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:39:21 +0000

Straight from Woodstock, New York I bring you “3″. How did they get that name? Well, It was founded by just three people. However, It wasn’t just three regular old people. It was Josh Eppard, Joey Eppard, and Chris Bittner. Who are these people, you ask? Well you may or may not know Josh Eppard as the former drummer of Coheed and Cambria. Joey would be his brother and Chris is just another random person i’ve never heard of until I found three. Now, the only founding member in the band would be Joey.

Anywho, Some of their best songs are on their newest album, titled “Revisions”. You should check it out. His voice is very much original, so be aware that you might not like it.

3’s Website

Edit: Just found out who Chris Bittner is! Thanks to Neesh, I learned that he is an engineer who recorded the first 3 Coheed albums and mixed the first 2. That means that all three founding members of the band are important people.

Just a quick note…

Dylan (Dilpickle1) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:26:45 +0000

Hey y’all, just wanted to note that we have had a couple changes. You know our real names now! Under the title of each post, you’ll see our names, followed by our Zune Tags. What are our zune tags, you ask? Its those things on the right that show our plays, and names on the Zune Social.

Also, I need to back down from having myself on the posting schedule, so there is a new writer to take my place. His name is Darren and is a good writer. Welcome, Darren.

I will still be posting when people can’t make their posts, so i’m not leaving completely.

Much love,

Dylan