Album Reviews
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Incubus HQ Live Album Review and First Impressions (Score 98%)
This live cd was recorded in a storefront space that was renovated into a high-tech arty performance space. For six nights, Incubus performed the tracks that makes up this album for their most loyal fans. This year Incubus celebrates their 20th anniversary as a band. This Wednesday they will be performing at The Palace of Auburn Hills, MI with Linkin Park. Below you’ll find our review of the”HQ Live” album. Overall we rated this album so highly because we are a fan of their instrumentation and meanings found in their music. We also got to preview their live DVD that shows a visually-appealing Brandon Boyd and his band recording HQ Live.…
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Album Review: Fun. “Some Nights” 2-21-12 (Score 100%)
By Alexis Simpson Genre: Rock Members: Nate Ruess Jack Antonoff Andrew Dost http://www.ournameisfun.com http://www.store.ournameisfun.com http://www.myspace.com/fun http://www.twitter.com/ournameisfun http://www.bebo.com/ournameisfun Fun. has grown immensely in popularity due to a heavy touring schedule, word of mouth, and Glee’s cover of “We are Young.” They remind us a lot of the voice of Mika with the theatricalness of Queen. The album is a hodgepodge of different styles smoothly blended together. We loved the drum and percussion sections.”Some Nights” is an exceptional album not without risks. The musicianship, personal and sometimes sad lyrics entwined with the general theme of overcoming obstacles make this album shine. 1. Some Nights-Intro: Intro? Sounds like it could stand on its own.…
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Album Review: First Aid Kit “The Lion’s Roar” 1/19/11 (Score 82%)
By Alexis Simpson It’s interesting how Noize favorites, Jack White and Conor Oberst, both chose to work with First Aid Kit this year. Conor Oberst toured with them, and Jack White produced and released a 7″ record featuring First Aid Kit on Third Man Records. Jack and Conor were obviously on to something! First Aid Kit put out a great first album, and their second effort just as good. The duo is made up of Swedish singers, Klara and Johanna Söderberg. The girls are known for their song writing, blended melodies, simple/pure sound, and rich vocals. The album could have used a few more standout ethereal-type tracks and elimination of some…
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Album Review: Steve Aoki “Wonderland” 1/10/12 (Score 81%)
http://www.steveaoki.com http://www.dimmak.com I adore Steve Aoki. I got the chance to see him live this summer at the Identity Fest and loved his presence. He’s a star-the hippest of the hip. I also am a fan of several of his well-known tracks such as: “Misfits” “Wake Up Call” and “New Noise.” I’m excited to see him finally release a full-length album. Other than a few songs that failed, it’s an interesting album in the genre I like to refer to as pop-techno. His music is so damn likable and catchy, even if it’s a ‘lil heavy on the dubstep. 01. Steve Jobs (feat. Angerr Dimas)-Love the build-up! Bouncy. Video-gameISH. Aoki’s…
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Album Review: Young Jeezy “TM: 103 Hustlerz Ambition” (Score 83%)
Genre: Hip Hop / Rap / Hardcore http://www.usda2day.com http://www.defjam.com If you want something hardcore, this is the album for you. Young Jeezy is all about sex, weed and guns. I can’t see myself listening to this album on a daily basis because it’s so hard. Young Jeezy must not like recording alone because he has a lot of collaborations. Despite these things, he does deliver some witty punchlines. “Lose My Mind” featuring 103 – Dope, crisp, wild, crazy, heavily-medicated. “Ballin” featuring Lil Wayne – Gutter, futuristic, flavorful, splendid, fun. “.38” featuring Freddie Gibbs – Dangerous, lethal, primal, high-caliber, rapacious. “F.A.M.E.” featuring T.I. – Glamorous, attractive, magnetic, elaborate, daring. “I Do”…
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Album Review: Real Estate’s “Days” 10/22/2011 (Score 81%)
Kevin via tranzcontinental.com The New Jersey band Real Estate has just released it’s second full-length album, “Days.” On this follow-up the band continues to combine meditative lyrics and relaxing guitar-pop to create a simple and atmospheric sound. Real Estate is very good at using guitars to create a relaxed ‘beach-wave’ sound. Much of this is is due to the unique style of the band’s guitarist, Matt Mondanile, who also plays guitar under the name Ducktails and might also be remembered for having collaborated with Animal Collective’s Panda Bear. Throughout their record releases, the band has shown a common underlying theme. These simple guitar songs are all reflecting the romanticized way…
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Album Review: Evanesence’s ‘Evanesence’ 10/12/2011 (Score 82%)
Loud, crunchy guitars: check Resplendent piano arpeggios and corresponding string arrangements: check Crisp studio production: check Soaring, haunting Goth-queen vocals: check This can mean only one thing: a new Evanescence album. After listening to the band’s third studio album, simply titled Evanescence, one is immediately reassured of one thing: you know exactly what you’re getting. Welcome back Amy Lee. She has returned in all of her Goth-glory, capturing you with her soaring, forever haunting vocals, and endless tales of forlorn loss and hurt. Opening track “What You Want” immediately takes you in with Amy Lee’s patented haunting vocals, crisp production, and catchy “Hello, Hello, remember me” refrain. Existing fans will…