Post by Chad Wilkens on Mar 4, 2004 19:53:49 GMT -5
The Postal Service / Give Up
God, you know that your life has taken an unusual turn when you start liking bands that are underground mainstream, in the sense that the band isn't known public, but is in widespread rotation by people in the know. Alright, although it might pain me to say this, this album is actually quite good. It features a decent mix of synth-pop elements with a slight Wilco influence that is actually a tad awkward at first, yet actually has a high replay value. Who'da thunk it?
Must-hear track: Nothing Better
Sister Machine Gun / Influence
A genuine throwback to times of yore... Sister Machine Gun was one of the hallmark Wax Trax! bands back in the 90's and pretty much fell off of the face of my little after WT! folded. It turns out that SMS still made albums, and their latest, Influence displays the current tendency in Industrial to blend more electronica into mix. Now, don't think they've left out the guitars... they're still there in full force; it's just that this album a cue from KMFDM's Attak and added a higher level of refinement to the mix. Unfortunately, the songs start to blend into one another near the end of the disc, but the first half is genuinely worthy copious replays.
Must-hear track: Another One Down
The Crystal Method / Legion of Boom
Awesome. One of the first must-haves of 2004, really. A totally rocking fusion of rock and electronica that pleases from end to end. I really can't enough good things about this one, so just go get it.
Must-hear track: Born too Slow
Stereolab / Margerine Eclipse
Eh. Nothing to get excited about here. Highly hyped, but really, but this brand of synth-stuff doesn't really do anything for me, and the vocals just kinda get on your nerves after a bit. I never digged on synth organ, anyhow. Maybe it's an aquired taste?
Vast / Nude
The second must-have of 2004. John Crosby's third outing as Vast is not a revolutionary act, but rather, a refinement on the dream-rock found on the first two albums. A layered sound that contains strong guitars, driving rythyms, and other diverse music elements (sitars, et al.), Crosby's vocals are really what make this effort stand out; they hint at an urgency and hurt that is genuinely haunting.
Must-hear track: Don't Take Your Love Away
Pedestrian / Pedestrian (Electric)
Any band who is willing to forgo any record label and distribute their work on their own gets my respect. When they're actually good, they get my attention. Yes, they're lyrics are depressing, but the guitars are refined, yet have a certain rawness to them, and the drums are phenominal. It's hard to catagorize, but their style is genuine, and features a no-frills fullness that's satisflying. And for whatever reason, I love every song's chorus. Worth a listen.
Must-hear track: Dosifly
Placebo / Sleeping with Ghosts
One of them 90's British Invasion bands that fell off of the radar one Pure Morning was pulled from rotation, few people knew that they even put out an album recently. You have to be careful when listening to this one, since the singer's vocals can get on your nerves, but some songs can really get in your head. With dark lyrics and diverse guitar hooks, this a pretty solid effort that has a little something for everyone.
Must-hear track: Special Needs
God, you know that your life has taken an unusual turn when you start liking bands that are underground mainstream, in the sense that the band isn't known public, but is in widespread rotation by people in the know. Alright, although it might pain me to say this, this album is actually quite good. It features a decent mix of synth-pop elements with a slight Wilco influence that is actually a tad awkward at first, yet actually has a high replay value. Who'da thunk it?
Must-hear track: Nothing Better
Sister Machine Gun / Influence
A genuine throwback to times of yore... Sister Machine Gun was one of the hallmark Wax Trax! bands back in the 90's and pretty much fell off of the face of my little after WT! folded. It turns out that SMS still made albums, and their latest, Influence displays the current tendency in Industrial to blend more electronica into mix. Now, don't think they've left out the guitars... they're still there in full force; it's just that this album a cue from KMFDM's Attak and added a higher level of refinement to the mix. Unfortunately, the songs start to blend into one another near the end of the disc, but the first half is genuinely worthy copious replays.
Must-hear track: Another One Down
The Crystal Method / Legion of Boom
Awesome. One of the first must-haves of 2004, really. A totally rocking fusion of rock and electronica that pleases from end to end. I really can't enough good things about this one, so just go get it.
Must-hear track: Born too Slow
Stereolab / Margerine Eclipse
Eh. Nothing to get excited about here. Highly hyped, but really, but this brand of synth-stuff doesn't really do anything for me, and the vocals just kinda get on your nerves after a bit. I never digged on synth organ, anyhow. Maybe it's an aquired taste?
Vast / Nude
The second must-have of 2004. John Crosby's third outing as Vast is not a revolutionary act, but rather, a refinement on the dream-rock found on the first two albums. A layered sound that contains strong guitars, driving rythyms, and other diverse music elements (sitars, et al.), Crosby's vocals are really what make this effort stand out; they hint at an urgency and hurt that is genuinely haunting.
Must-hear track: Don't Take Your Love Away
Pedestrian / Pedestrian (Electric)
Any band who is willing to forgo any record label and distribute their work on their own gets my respect. When they're actually good, they get my attention. Yes, they're lyrics are depressing, but the guitars are refined, yet have a certain rawness to them, and the drums are phenominal. It's hard to catagorize, but their style is genuine, and features a no-frills fullness that's satisflying. And for whatever reason, I love every song's chorus. Worth a listen.
Must-hear track: Dosifly
Placebo / Sleeping with Ghosts
One of them 90's British Invasion bands that fell off of the radar one Pure Morning was pulled from rotation, few people knew that they even put out an album recently. You have to be careful when listening to this one, since the singer's vocals can get on your nerves, but some songs can really get in your head. With dark lyrics and diverse guitar hooks, this a pretty solid effort that has a little something for everyone.
Must-hear track: Special Needs