Foiled Again...

Blue October re-relesed their album Foiled. And to be honest...I have no idea what to think about it. The original release was amazing and they didn't do too much to it this time around. They added a rerecording of "Calling You" (Which I find to be inferior to the original) and two remixes of "X Amount of Words" Any one who knows me would expect me to be uber excited about this. I'm a huge remix nerd and "X Amount of Words" is one of my favorite Blue October songs. But both remixes (one by the legendary Paul Oakenfold) fall short of the original. So is there any reason to consider buying the re-release if you already own the original. Yes, there is one. They included a disk called "Teach Your Baby Well Live" which documents the Blue October experience live. Now this disk will not turn the music world on its ear but it does showcase of well Blue October performs live. If you don't own Foiled already this is a great purchase. If your already lucky enough to own a copy save your cash and get a copy of their new album Approaching Normal

Guess who is back!!!

That's right, the school year is nearly over and you know what that Means? It means that good ole' Noun here will be able to focus on his blog once again, everyone rejoice!!!!

All right lets jump right into this with a review of music I shouldn't have yet. Green Day's new album "21st Century Breakdown" I have to be honest with you, there were moments where I though I was listening to stuff that they forgot to put on "Dookie". There are moments on this album (Know Your Enemy for example) that make you think its 1993 again. But there are some songs that just pull so far away from Green Days older sound (Songs like Last Night On Earth are quite reminiscent of Wake Me Up When September Ends)

This album is worth a shot. If your a fan of Green Day its a solid album, If you want a good listen its a fine album, if you want punk rock I would avoid this particular Green Day undertaking.

Nerdy Beats

I just downloaded an album (LEGALLY!) of some of the most nerdy remixes I have ever heared. The Album is called "Old Nerdy Bastard" and I have to be honest its one of the most intertaining albums I have listened to in a long while. The original mixes of the songs on the album were already amazing but these remixes just kick up the nerdy...I meat we are going from w00t to
\/\/()()7. In my opinion the most intriguing track on the album is 99 Balloon Flights (The Grammar Club vs. Nena) mixxed by Baddd Spellah. First off 99 Luftballoons is one of the best songs ever any way and the lyrics overlapped on this beat are just wicked. This album also tends to harry Potter fans with the bands Ginny and the Heart Breakers, Harry and the Potters, and The Whomping Willow all making an appearance. The low point of the album? I hate to say it but it has to be Pwn Monkey (Jonathan Coulton vs. ... well, everyone) mixed by The Evolution Control Committee. The idea of mixing Code Monkey over a slew of other classic songs is great but to be honest with you it just sounds like there was no effort put into this. The beats seldom match and there are moments where polyrhythems kick in (in a bad way) and the music is in dissonance with the vocals. Over all though this is an entertaining album for anyone who has ever been called a nerd or has proudly called them self a nerd! Go ahead watch your anime, roll your d20, read Harry Potter and ROCK ON!

Rediscovery...

Recently me and my roommate have discovered the simple beauty in the world. Were both huge metal/hard rock fans. On any given day you can hear tool or Dethklock blasting from our room. But lately all we've been able to listen to is Tori Amos, of all people. I'm starting to believe that in the natural evolution in musical taste that if you expose yourself to extrema loudness for too long it becomes boring so when a stripped down starts it sounds so different. I can zone out a Cannibal Corpse song but when a song by Lykke Li starts I snap to attention. Has any one else had experiences like this? Feel free to drop me a line and let me know what you think.

Im Back...with A Review!!!!

I know its been for-freakin-ever since I posted a new blog but I have been so bogged down with school that I haven't had much of a chance to update. But things are calmer and I'm back with a review.

I know I'm about 2 years late on this album but I only just recently came into this band and I'm obsessed: Ghost Machine. Ghost Machine is a 5 piece industrial metal band fronted by Ivan Moody (Of Motograter and Five Finger Death Punch fame). The album I'm stuck on is their second release Hypersensitive. As far as metal albums go this one has it all, its catchy, slow and melodic in some areas and pounding in the next. This is one of those albums that will never get the recognition it deserves. Songs like Desert Rose and Bondage are beautiful. Bondage has some amazing guitar work. This album also gets you in a fighting mood. The tracks What You Made Me-Ugli and Skank just put me in the mood to go out and pick a fight. In my opinion the best track on the album has to be Headstone. The only negative thing I can say about it is that it starts off sounding like a Slipknot song, but everything after that is just amazing. The lyrics have moments of Poe-esqu sounds ("Your silhouette Up on the mantle Your Sadist smile Painted on my lips Your pale flesh And your heartbeat" haunting images) and the chorus id catchy as all get out. Ivan's "ohs!" at the end of each line in the chorus will have you singing along in no time.

If your a fan of the Bands Motograter, Five Finger Death Punch and Clay People this album is a no brainer purchase. If your just looking for a solid industrial album Hypersensitive is a good place to start.

Sad...

I am massively upset. Ive never been one to get tore up when a band changes its line up but I finally found one that pushes me over the edge. Shiny Toy Guns have replaced Carah Faye Charnow, the lady with the golden voice that brought us the hit Le Disko with a Pussycat Dolls reject: Sisely Treasure. Normally this wouldn't phase me much but she is just such a departure from Charnow's vocal style. That coupled with the more organic sound the band is going with really just depresses me. Don't get me wrong, the stuff that Gregori Petree sings on their new album (Season of Poison) is amazing but every time I hear Treasure sing my skin crawls and I miss Carah all the more. If your a hardcore Shiny Toy Guns fan go on and get the new album but if this is the first time you've ever heard of them please go out and buy We Are Pilots (Vol. 3) and stick with that...I'm gonna go listen to Rainy Monday and more for a while.

Oasis is back!

That's right, the infamous brit-rock band is releasing their first record of new material since Heathen Chemistry back in 2002. Their new release is called Dig Out Your Soul and its quite a departure from the "Wonderwall" Oasis we've all come to expect. Oasis claims that this is going to be a huge album with some pretty heave tracks. Every member of Oasis had a major contributing part in the album composition which is something not all bands can say. In promotion of the upcoming album Oasis is now on a 18 month world tour and they also handed out sheet music to street bands. That's right weeks before the album hit shelves Oasis handed out copies of their new songs for bands to learn and busk them on the street. Personally I'm a huge Oasis fan and cant wait for the new album to drop which thankfully is tomorrow. So go listen to wonderwall and champagne supernova one more time and prepare to look at Oasis in a whole new light.