Addicted To Bootlegs

Wow, I haven’t posted on here FOREVER.

Anyway my recent addiction has been finding bootlegs of concerts online and adding them to my iPod. Nothing can quite compare to an awesome rock show and bootlegs provide the live thrill. My source of finding these bootlegs is primarily this wonderful site. There are good bootlegs and bad bootlegs, but most of these one’s seem to be high quality. It’s surefire that there’s one really loud chick or drunk guy yelling that the band, that WILL piss you off. Tune them out.

As for the legal implications, um…ya it’s technically illegal, but I’m sure that 90% of you download your music for free anyway. I don’t do that. I only download free music if it’s something that just isn’t offered in commercial form (i.e. bootlegs and unreleased rarities).

Anyway there are some gems out there. I suggest the following 3: a club show by Weezer from 2000, Minus the Bear on my favorite of the tours I saw them on, and Dustin Kensrue at the Knitting Factory from this Thrice site (scroll down). Enjoy.

Review- Maybe I’ll Catch Fire by Alkaline Trio

Alkaline Trio’s 2000 release, Maybe I’ll Catch Fire, is not there best work, but it is still a CD that is worth listening to.  It is another chapter of delightful darkness for one of the most under appreciated bands out there.

One thing that catches you right off the bat is the sound of the album’s production.  It manages to sound like it was cheaply recorded, but still is extremely tight and “clean”.  It’s hard to explain but one listen to any of the tracks and one instantly is able to recognize the effect I speak of.  I absolutely love it, it might have my favorite production sound of any album.

Matt Skiba, Alkaline Trio’s guitarist/lead singer, is one of the most brilliant lyricists in music.  Some may shy away from his stylings as being too focused on dark imagery.  Others may write him off for trying to make every verse and chorus so  damn catchy, but if that’s a bad thing than music has no chance.

The album kicks off at full gallop with Keep ‘Em Coming.  The third track You’ve Got So Far To Go is a terrific tale of love, smoking, and booze carried by bassist/vocalist Dan Andriano.  It the type of song that other bands often try and fail miserably at pulling off, but these guys always seems to get right.

Maybe I’ll Catch Fire, more than any other Alkaline Trio disc, showcases Skiba’s unique ability to sing even the most terrible things in a inviting and pretty way.  This style is clear on the title track Maybe I’ll Catch Fire and Fuck You Aurora.

The album ends with it’s best track, the bipolar bliss of Radio.  The song starts with with a soft and simple guitar intro that is  ridiculously hard to get out of your head.  Skiba matches this with a soft almost crooning vocal about revenge.  Just when the listener is getting lulled into a sense of peace, the chorus hits like a bag of bricks to the side of the head.  The guitar suddenly turns harsh and Skiba bellows at the top of his lungs about his wish for an ex to take her radio into the bath.  It’s such a good track.  If nothing else, go download this song.

Peaks and valleys are the biggest problem with this album.  While there are no bad songs on this album, some just don’t live up to the others.  While it’s not to the point where one must reach desperately for the skip button, I sometimes find waiting for the best tracks to come along and tuning out others.  But overall it’s not a huge problem, and the album does keep you coming back for more.

Score: 8.4/10

Site Plans (NEW PROJECT)

Okay, so I’ve strayed away from real writing for some time. My bad. Anyway, I’m gonna have some (i.e. massive amounts) of spare time this summer so I’ve decided to start a new project. I’m gonna start working through my musical collection and reviewing all the CDs I have. It’s quite ambitious, and I’ll probably fail. But I’m gonna give it a shot. There will be no rhyme or reason to what I write about and when, but I’m gonna go for it.  I guess I’ll probably start by expanding previous reviews that I’ve done.  Wish me luck.

The Top 10 Albums Of 2006 (And Other ‘Year In Review’ Stuff)

As 2006 comes to an end one is forced to look back on the year that was. Here goes…

Top 10 Albums of 2006

1. Bug Sessions Volume One Saves the Day

I guarantee you won’t find this on other top 10 lists, and probably for many good reasons. It’s an EP. It’s old material that is just played acoustically. It was only available at Saves the Day shows. All that aside, when you get down to it this is an amazing, amazing album. This was literally the only thing in my car’s CD player from July to September. Every track is better than it original version (with the possible exception of “Freakish”). The new versions of “You Vandal” and “Sell My Old Clothes, I’m Off To Heaven” are inescapably fantastic and are the highlights of the album. It’s really tough to describe what makes Bug Sessions so great. This album may be hard to find, but it’s worth the effort.

2. The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me Brand New

After waiting years for their follow up to the masterpiece Deja Entendu, Brand New finally delivered with this record. While it can’t quite match Deja (which is expected) it is still a must hear record. The best way to describe it is as an incredibly disturbing record to listen to, but in a good way. Singer/songwriter Jesse Lasey takes a more somber approach to the lyrics on this album. The imagery is filled with religious references and, at times, pure hatred and frustration. While the middle tracks (5-8) aren’t Brand New’s best, the albums bookends are superb. “Sowing Season (Yeah)” is a bio-polar blast of anger. “Millstone” best captures Brand New’s brand new sound. “Degausser” might be the best song of 2006. “Luca” is the only song to ever make me jump from my seat listening to it, courtesy of the car crash ending. And “Archers” is the furiously straight forward hit single that won’t be. This is the best “real” album of the year.

3. With Love And Squalor We Are Scientists

WAS are just one of those bands that does everything right. Their music is killer. Their videos are top notch. They have the best band website ever (www.wearescientists.com). And on top of all of that they rock some serious facial hair (well except for the dangerously good looking frontman Keith Murray). Their debut LP could easily be the album of the year in a weaker musical year. “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt” kick starts the rock party. “It’s A Hit” and “Lousy Reputation” are almost too simple and fantastic for their own good. One great thing about WAS is that they are never playing “in sync”. The drums are doing one thing, and the bass is doing something completely different, while the guitar is doing something else on it’s own. It makes With Love And Squalor so interesting and fun to listen to. This is an album that just doesn’t get old to listen to. Let me put it this way, you won’t be finding yourself skipping any of these songs on iPod shuffle.

4. Shipwrecked On Shores 1090 Club

A band close to my heart. As the only band that really matters from my hometown of Billings, MT I had seen 1090 Club play many times. But it wasn’t until this album, their LP debut, that I really appreciated how wonderful their music is. Their unique band arrangement (guitar, violin, keys, drums) allows for music that doesn’t sound like anything you’ve probably heard before. There really is no low point to this album. Every track is great, though “Hello” and “Business End” are probably my favorites. Seriously, find this record and thank me later.

5. Patient Pending Heavens

If you ever wondered what it would be like if Matt Skiba fronted Interpol…well now you know. The album combines the darkness of Skiba’s work in Alkaline Trio with delicate and haunting backing music courtesy of Josiah Steinbrick. There are many different musical ideas in here, but they all seem smooth and cohesive. It’s kind of like an Alkaline Trio album for indie snobs and hipsters. But it’s best enjoyed by those who are neither.

6. Sam’s Town The Killers

Apparently it’s tough to follow up a miltiplatinum album like Hot Fuss, but The Killers did so in fine style. Gone is the synth attack and 80s style. In it’s place is a much more straight forward brand of heartland rock. Well that and some pretty awesome facial hair. The first three tracks (“Sam’s Town”, “Entrelude”, and “When You Were Young”) do a fantastic job of setting up what the album would be. What it becomes is a nostalgic look back on values and ideals that have fallen by the wayside. It is as good a follow up as could be expected.

7. Black Holes And Revelations Muse

Muse is the most massive sounding musical trio I can think of. Their songs seem large enough that they echo. Black Holes maintains the underlying darkness of their previous work, while giving an air of optimism. The second track, “Starlight”, might be the most beautiful song of the year. The album ends with the sprawling life on Mars journey “Knights of Cydonia”. It’s a grandiose ending to a grandiose album.

8. State Of Emergency The Living End

State of Emergency is The Living End’s most complete album to date. It truly showcase everything The Living End can do with their rockabilly/punk style. There are fast paced singles (“Long Live The Weekend”). There are distant chants of spoiled youth (“Wake Up”). And of course there are wicked guitar solos (“Into The Red”). It’s really everything you need for a good time.

9. Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not Arctic Monkeys

Clever observation rock from Brits. While it’s nothing new Arctic Monkeys make it seem fresh, with punky guitars and pure energy. Frontman Alex Turner has a cheeky way of pointing out the obvious and a voice that fits what he’s saying. And if “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” doesn’t get you moving than you are officially a robot.

10. The Pick Of Destiny Tenacious D

I’m gonna be honest. I’m a hardcore D fan. So basically anything they’d release I’d like. This album is probably only for hardcore D fans (much like the film it is the soundtrack for). The CD is a lot better and makes more sense if you’ve actually seen the movie. “Master Exploder” might be my new favorite D song. “The Government Totally Sucks” is also priceless. If your looking for some mindless entertainment look no further.

Honorable Mention

The Crane Wife The Decemberists—Honestly this would probably be top 10, but I literally just got into The Decemberists a week ago and have had a chance to listen to this album.

Stadium Arcadium Red Hot Chili Peppers—I love the Peppers, but this album is too much. There is no need for this to be 2 disks. Too many filler tracks.

Return to Cookie Mountain TV on the Radio—Good stuff, but I think these guys are over-produced, which is never good when one of the guitarists is the producer.

The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living The Streets—Very good for the situation. The success (overseas) has made it impossible to make an truly street-simple album like Original Pirate Material. Mike Skinner is still the best MC alive.

Other Stuff

Best Songs- “Degausser” Brand New
“Snow (Hey Yo)” Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Counting” Heavens

Best Live Band (Tie)- The Living End and Brand New

Worst Live Band- Hawthorne Heights

Worst CD I Bought- “Coming Home” New Found Glory

Best Music Video- “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt” We Are Scientists

Best YouTube Band- At The Drive-In (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBmRbMZdsnU)

Most Anticipated Albums For 2007- Alkaline Trio, Hot Hot Heat, Interpol, Modest Mouse, Motion City Soundtrack, and many more…

2006 was a great music year. Here’s hoping 2007’s is an even better. Cheers.

I Think This Sums Up What’s Wrong With The Grammys…

Category 7

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
(For established duos or groups, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

• My Humps
  The Black Eyed Peas
  Track from: Monkey Business
  [A&M Records]
• I Will Follow You Into The Dark
  Death Cab For Cutie
  Track from: Plans
  [Atlantic Records]
• Over My Head (Cable Car)
  The Fray
  Track from: How To Save A Life
  [Epic]
• Is It Any Wonder?
  Keane
  Track from: Under The Iron Sea
  [Interscope Records]
• Stickwitu
  The Pussycat Dolls
  Track from: PCD
  [A&M Records]

Yes, that’s right Death Cab for Cutie apparently makes the same type of music as The Pusscat Dolls and The Black Eyed Peas.  The worst thing is that “My Humps” has a better chance of winning than “I Will Follow You Into The Dark”.  Disgusting.