May 2012
3 posts
30 tags
Best Summer Tracks
I know it’s not summer yet, but it is never too early to start planning your summer playlist, and with Memorial Day weekend coming soon you need hot tracks to play at your party/barbeque/goth gathering so you can get laid and shit. Things I suggest for you to bump while them girls be drinkin’ that purple drink is
“Blueberry (Pills & Cocaine) - Danny Brown (Play this when...
24 tags
Attack on Memory - Cloud Nothings
This Cleveland act has invoked the ghosts of hardcore and punk of past and dressed them in new clothes. There is a noxious air to this record that is filled with the sentiments of Generation X kids who now are of course women and men, all of their detachedness, their rage, their want for retribution, and the futility of it all. This album is a kind of exorcism from all of those dark emotions and...
On Omar Rodriguez Lopez's new album
So today for the first time in a long time Omar decided to release a new album the way he always used to last year, and I think no one should even talk about it or him. It feels wrong; who are we to him, to his life, to anything? This man has shared his life with us for so many years, and here he is again in a moment where he is in pain, in the truest sense of the word, and we will judge him and...
April 2012
4 posts
19 tags
Django Django - Django Django
Before listening to this British psychedelic group, I didn’t know much about them and it took me a couple of listens to fully grasp the positive qualities of this very strong first release. They possess a large sound, often filled with chants, tribal-like drums, and ever-climbing chords.
The album contains a great range of sounds that compliment each other well while still maintaining a strong...
17 tags
Lana del Rey - Born to Die
At this point there has been so much said aboutAmerica’s newest pop star Lana Del Rey that I almost feel bad adding more oil to the fire, but certain things need to be said. People seem to be so shocked and disappointed that Del Rey is not who they wanted her to be because she was born into a world that craves “realness” in all of its music, to escape the over-produced and false radio music that...
19 tags
The 2 Bears - Be Strong
British duo The 2 Bears’ debut effort is digestible but for those who are not fans of dance and smooth electronic music will not be converted by it. At times, they create textures of sound that feel as good as they sound, like the first track “The Birds & The Bees” which gives off a Lionel Richie “All Night Long” vibe. However, there is also the negative side, like “Bear Hug,” which is as...
New Management/Name
So it’s been a while since we posted anything at all, and sorry for that, we went through lots of busy times, and plenty lazy time, mostly lazy times. However, we are back on track, and from now on this will only be run by one writer, Diego Ugaz, member of local NJ band Cloned Moor Solares, and co-creator of new label Nuclear Lenses. However, the previous editors will also still get a huge...
October 2011
2 posts
16 tags
Björk - Biophilia
8.6 / 10
No one has been able to paint the human soul with a voice as consistently and honestly as Björk has for the past twenty years (thirty something if we count her first release as an eleven year old). There is no secret to her formula if there even is one, she has one of the most legendary voices of our generations, is a great composer, and always keeps challenging herself. Her music...
16 tags
Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne
8.3 / 10
What would happen if two of the richest most successful rappers of the modern era were to record an album together? The result is a very opulent and ostentatious record filled with expensive samples, great production, good verses, bad verses, and last but possibly most important a feeling of success and pride. Kanye West and Jay-Z’s Watch the Throne is the next step...
September 2011
7 posts
16 tags
St. Vincent - Strange Mercy
9.4 / 10
You know that moment when you listen to a song and you lose consciousness of what is being said because everything is in such harmony that you drift away into a better place? That is what all of Strange Mercy feels like. St. Vincent’s third album plays like a very emotionally invested affair full of perfectly placed and played instruments. Annie Clarke gels together so many elements of...
Introduction
We have a new writer for our reviews, and together we will put our ratings of the albums into one. Our new writer’s name is Diego. He is a college student.
16 tags
Neon Indian - Era Extraña
8.2 / 10
With every new release it’s becoming more apparent that this “small movement” of chillwave music is not such a small movement at all. Some might frown at this because it’s just 80’s music but now, but that’s the thing of it that is likeable, it is the feel of the eighties with our modern problems, and even more beneficiary; our modern technology. In this day and age, even the little guy...
8 tags
Watchclonedmoor:
Evanx Aguiluz recorded and edited this short video for our song “Your Hatred Breathes”
Good up and coming band from New Jersey!
25 tags
Best albums of the year so far
I have heard a pretty good amount of albums this year, so I thought it would be nice to compile a list of the best albums so far.
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Haven’t posted here in a while because of school and whatever, so I’m just going to quickly say something about some of the albums that have been leaked.
Strange Mercy is the best one so far, this album is so great. There are no words for it. I thought Surgeon and Cruel were going to be the only good ones, but there are so many more which are amazing. Annie Clark really outdid...
thedripreview asked: What's your favorite song from a movie?
August 2011
16 posts
6 tags
Going to the AfroPunk Festival on Saturday
Excited to see Toro Y Moi, Gym Class Heroes, Santigold, and Das Racist!
7 tags
Anna Järvinen - Anna Den Tredje
7.7 / 10
Anna Järvinen has a sweet melodic voice, and she utilizes this to her advantage to make catchy and elegant indie pop. The downside to this album was that it was in Swedish, a language I wish I knew and understood. The songs were catchy enough for me to give them a listen to and enjoy it. Standout track, “Lilla Anna” was a rather relaxing and dreamy track, Järvinen’s...
7 tags
Little Dragon - Ritual Union
9 / 10
Little Dragon’s latest album Ritual Union was a very anticipated album for me. Getting exposed to Yukimi’s vocals in “Wildfire” really got me excited, and I could not wait for this album to com out since then. The overall feel of this album is smooth, Yukimi’s vocals are jazzy and charming, and this is what won me over. Songs like “Shuffle A...
13 tags
Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover
8.6/10
If you like Wolf Parade, then you will certainly like Sunset Rundown. I fell in love with Wolf Parade’s Apologies To Queen Mary, and this album is very easy to fall in love with. Spencer Krug has been recognized as one of Indie Rock’s most famous frontmen for his contributions with Wolf Parade (Vocals), Frogs Eyes (vocals), and Indie supergroup Swan Lake (Vocals)....
7 tags
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal...
9.4/10
Recommended
I’ll keep reviews short instead of writing more. This album was great to listen, every song in this album had an effect on me. The songs are so out of this world, this is something new for me, and I am sure it is new for most people too. Maybe this is one of the reasons I really enjoyed this album, the songs were so different, especially songs like How Can U Luv Me,...
14 tags
Mogwai - Mogwai Young Team
8.5/10
Recommended
Best Tracks:
Summer
Radar Maker
With Portfolio
13 tags
The Verve - Urban Hymns
8.7/10
Recommended
Best Tracks:
Sonnet
Bittersweet Symphony
The Drugs Don’t Work
15 tags
Yuck - Yuck
9.3/10
Recommended
Best Tracks:
Get Away
Operation
Shook Down
The Wall
14 tags
WU LYF - Go Tell Fire To The Mountain
9.5/10
Recommended
Best Tracks:
Dirt
Heavy Pop
Cave Song
Summas Bliss
14 tags
The Dismemberment Plan - Emergency & I
9.6/10
Recommended
Best Tracks:
You Are Invited
Gyroscope
8.5 Minutes
8 tags
Cut Copy - Zonoscope
9.5/10
Recommended
Best Tracks:
Where I’m Going
Blink And You’ll Miss A Revolution
Alisa
8 tags
Destroyer - Kaputt
9.5/10
Recommended
Best Tracks:
Blue Eyes
Kaputt
Downtown
Songs for America
1 tag
Album Reviews
In order to get more album reviews up we will now be omitting the writing portion, and just add if an album is recommended or not. The best tracks of the album will still be there.
9 tags
Tim Hecker - Ravedeath, 1972
6.6/10
Maybe I’m just not a huge fan of ambient music, but this album was boring to me. I think it is a little overrated. None of the songs had me wanting to hear them over and over again. Hearing the album was not bad, the sounds are relaxing at times, they take you out of this world, but this is something I did not enjoy.
Best Tracks:
The Piano Drop
5 tags
Woods - Sun & Shade
7.9/10
Woods’ new album Sun & Shade is an a calming album. Psych Folk is an interesting genre, and Woods’ embodies this. The songs are filled with gentle instrumentation and flower powere filled vocals. This album reminds me of a nice and sunny day, and song “Who Do I Think I am” is a great track to prove that. The only problem with this album is that some of the...
10 tags
Metronomy - The English Riviera
9.6/10
Metronomy’s The English Riviera is an album that will take you by surprise. The sound of this album is like spending a summer in space, and something you don’t want to stop hearing. This album is replete with songs that stand out, songs that make you have them on repeat, songs that will complete your summer. Track “Everything Goes My Way” is an excellent song...
July 2011
33 posts
12 tags
Planningtorock - W
8.4/10
Planningtorock was an artist I was really anxious to listen to, Janine Rostron, the face of Planningtorock has a distinct sound that has been inspired by The Knife’s Karin Dreijer Andersson. The vocals in W are like no other, her voice changes in every song, with each song offering the listener to enter into a different world. Opening song, “Doorway” is literally the...
7 tags
The Weeknd - House Of Balloons
9.2/10
The Weeknd’s debut album House Of Balloons was a huge surprise for me. When I first heard of The Weeknd I thought they were just your regular R&B act, and I wasn’t really interested. I’m not too into R&B, but when I first heard “House of Balloons - Glass Table Girls” I was hooked. This song was so well made, the start, (House of Balloons) is a nice...
9 tags
Cults - Cults
9.3/ 10
Cult’s breakout album Cults could very well be the album to personify this summer. The songs in this album mesh together so well to form this cute and joyful album. Hearing Madeline Follin’s voice is so relaxing, it makes one want to close their eyes and rest by the warm summer sun. Standout track “Abducted” is one fo the most memorable tracks of the summer,...
12 tags
Modest Mouse - The Lonesome Crowded West
10/10
The Lonesome Crowded West is most likely the best album of 1997. Words cannot describe the beauty of this. This was the album that made Modest Mouse who they are know, and put them as one of the best bands of the 90’s. Songs like “Shit Luck”, “Out Of Gas”, and ” Teeth Like God’s Shoeshine” make this album so great. “Shit Luck”...
15 tags
Sleater-Kinney - Dig Me Out
10/10
I am not a huge fan the whole riot grrrl genre, but this album stuck out to me as a great rock album. Female lead singers aren’t usually my cup of tea, but Corin Tucker’s vocals on this album are just great. Every song had amazing guitar riffs and catchy hooks. If you thought females lead guitarist were not capable of creating good riffs, then you are badly mistaken. Carrie...
8 tags
Brian Eno - Drums Between The Bells
5 / 10
When I heard this album I was not sure what to expect, I had heard so much about Brian Eno, how much of a inspiration he has been for so many artists, and all this hype excited me. I was expecting this album to be great, something that would take me out o this world, but little did I know that the opposite was going to happen. Now, to begin this I just want to say that I may have...
15 tags
Bjork - Homogenic
10/10
Bjork’s Homogenic is without a doubt her best album ever, and one of the greatest albums of all time. The combination of electronic beats with strings mixed to create one of the greatest sounds in music. Bjork is clearly a musical genius. When I first chose to listen to Homogenic, I did not expect to enjoy the album. The first track “Hunter” blew me out of this world,...
15 tags
Pavement - Brighten The Corners
9.4/10
This album is definitely one of the best albums I have ever heard. Pavements makes me wonder why modern indie bands exclude solos from their songs. Pavements makes me wonder why modern indie bands can’t be more like Pavement. Almost every song on this album had a catchy bass line, and an amazing guitar solo. Stephen Malkmus’ amazing voice makes every song easy to sing along...
9 tags
Austra - Feel It Break
9.6 / 10
Austra’s debut album Fee iIt Break has to be one of my favorites this year so far. The sound of Austra is heavily influenced by Karin Dreijer Andersson and Bjork, and this alone makes Austra an automatic favorite for me. Their music is so dark, but at the same time can be so uplifting. The synth in this album is the main instrument, most of the songs have great sections that...
7 tags
Sondre Lerche - Sondre Lerche
8.8/10
When I first starting listening to Sondre Lerche’s newest album Sondre Lerche I was not sure what I was expecting. I had never really heard of the guy before, I didn’t even know how to pronounce his name. As I heard first track, “Ricochet” I began understanding him and his style. It was a smooth song with a nice acoustic guitar in the background. It was...
12 tags
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - F♯ A♯ ∞
8.5/10
F♯ A♯ ∞ was a huge surprise to me. I expected to hear post-hardcore sounds, and was completely surprised as soon as ” The Dead Flag Blues” started playing. Every song (there were only 3) were each different stories. I felt like I was listening to the unraveling of the end of the world. The first track “The Dead Flag Blues” tells the story of this town that is in...
10 tags
Mouse on Mars - Autoditacker
6.7/10
I have never really heard an ambient album before Autoditacker. I had pretty low expectations from this album since i’m not really into ambient music, but this album surprised me. Mouse on Mars does a great job using drum machines and making catchy beats that will make your head bop. This album fuses electronic elements with ambient elements to create a rather upbeat and soothing...
2 tags
Introduction
I have recently joined my brother in the album rating fad. My brother is in charge of writing album releases of 2011, while I take care of older releases. I have chosen to review the most criticaly claimed albums of the year 1997, and will beging with a review of Mouse on Mars’ Autoditacker.
5 tags
7 tags
John Maus - We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of...
8.1/10
John Maus’ We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves is the Before Today of 2011. It offered many great low-fi experimental tracks that left an impression. Maus’ vocals are dark, and one can see that through his work. The synths in this album are what makes it a great album, the 80’s inspired synths were the center of this whole album, especially in tracks such...
3 tags
6 tags
Wiley - 100% Publishing
7/10
Wiley’s newest album 100% Publishing is different for me, this is the first time I fully listened to anything grime related, and it wasn’t so bad. A lot of the songs in this album were songs you only hear once and never hear again, but there were some tracks that stood out. This album is replete with songs that belong on the dance floor, and this is just what this album is,...
