Album of the Day

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by Jimi Thing 10

Tedeschi Trucks Band- Revelator

One of my favorites from last year.

Today:
Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth

This is a blazing, storming, rip-roaring comeback record for VH that I honestly did not think they were capable of making. Using old demos from the 70's as building blocks for several of the songs was a great idea, as it gives the album a lot of the swagger of the old days. Eddie is absolutely on fire throughout, playing with a blazing intensity. Roth, who was never a particularly great singer, has certainly lost even more of the limited range he had, but he makes up for it with his sheer enthusiasm and clever lyrics. Alex is still a beast behind the kit, and EVH's son Wolfgang is no slouch on bass either.

The opening track/lead single 'Tattoo' is pretty mediocre and didn't give me high hopes, but the second that track 2, 'She's The Woman' kicked in I was sold. This song could have been lifted straight from the 'Fair Warning' album, it's like 'Mean Street 2012'.

My only real complaints are the noticeable absence of Michael Anthony's soaring background vocals. Eddie and Wolfie do a nice job keeping that those trademark high harmonies intact, but Anthony's presence is missed. The other downside is the terrible mixing and mastering. This is a true loudness war victim, brickwall mixed and lacking in dynamics. I'm sure it sounds OK out of shitty earbuds on an iPod, but played through a nice stereo the music has no room to breathe. It's also a very bass heavy mix. Wolfgang's bass tone is very overdriven and in your face, a contrast to the clean, crisp, punchy sound that Michael Anthony has. Sometimes Eddie's guitar gets a little lost in the wash of bass sound, which is something that never happened on previous VH records, where the guitar is always bright and up front in the mix.

Overall though, a fantastic comeback for one of my all time favorite bands. This one will unleash your inner 16 year old.

Also on tap for today, first spins of:
Paul McCartney - Kisses on the Bottom*
Metallica - Beyond Magnetic EP*

[Bron Yr Aur]

Reviewed the new Sharon Van Etten for the blog....can find a link in my sig.

Shearwater Animal Joy

This is the first time I have listened to these guys for whatever reason. I'm enjoying this LP. "Insolence" is fantastic.

[koolout]

the strokes- is this it
the strokes- room on fire

two of my all time favorite rock albums. i have only so much time a day to listen to music so i'm gonna enjoy it. i'll let the rest of you guys sift through all the medicore indie releases haha

[Beefsteak1138]

Originally Posted by koolout

the strokes- is this it
the strokes- room on fire

two of my all time favorite rock albums. i have only so much time a day to listen to music so i'm gonna enjoy it. i'll let the rest of you guys sift through all the medicore indie releases haha

Both of these albums were in my top 2000's albums when we made that list.

[tball123]

Before These Crowded Streets- Dave Matthews Band

Woke up and listened to The Dreaming Tree and had to listen to the rest of the album. So much to my ears.

[MPizzle06]

Arcade Fire - Funeral

[decemberlov]

Neil Finn - One All

It compliments my dreary day perfectly

[breckbrew]

Originally Posted by tball123

Before These Crowded Streets- Dave Matthews Band

Woke up and listened to The Dreaming Tree and had to listen to the rest of the album. So much to my ears.

I need to take that one for a spin, it's been awhile.

[coldengrey12]

NP: Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

[grace2]

Originally Posted by koolout

the strokes- is this it
the strokes- room on fire

two of my all time favorite rock albums. i have only so much time a day to listen to music so i'm gonna enjoy it. i'll let the rest of you guys sift through all the medicore indie releases haha

Originally Posted by Beefsteak1138

Both of these albums were in my top 2000's albums when we made that list.

For you Strokes fans, I suggest you check out the group Howler if you haven't already.

My top three songs of the very early 2012:
1. Different Sides, Leonard Cohen
2. Our Plans, Cloud Nothings
3. King and Lionheart, Of Monsters and Men

[Beefsteak1138]

Originally Posted by grace2

For you Strokes fans, I suggest you check out the group Howler if you haven't already.

My top three songs of the very early 2012:
1. Different Sides, Leonard Cohen
2. Our Plans, Cloud Nothings
3. King and Lionheart, Of Monsters and Men

I see they're on Spotify, so I'll be listening on my commute home.

[TwoStep2888]

I lost my job and now I'm unemployed and everything is shit, but it's my birthday so I'm just gonna hang out + be a worthless piece of shit + listen to Beatles and Avetts all day/night + give no fucks. I'll worry about finding a new job tomorrow.

The Beatles - Please Please Me
The Beatles - With the Beatles
The Beatles - Beatles for Sale
The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night
The Beatles - Help!
The Beatles - Rubber Soul
The Beatles - Revolver
The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour
The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
The Beatles - s/t (The White Album)
The Beatles - Abbey Road
The Beatles - Yellow Submarine
The Beatles - Let It Be
The Beatles - Anthology, Vol. 1-3
The Avett Brothers - Live at the Double-Door Inn
The Avett Brothers - Live Vol. 2
The Avett Brothers - Live Vol. 3
Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band - Live at the Iveagh Gardens

[MPizzle06]

Originally Posted by grace2

For you Strokes fans, I suggest you check out the group Howler if you haven't already.

My top three songs of the very early 2012:
1. Different Sides, Leonard Cohen
2. Our Plans, Cloud Nothings
3. King and Lionheart, Of Monsters and Men

For me:

1. "Wasted Days" by Cloud Nothings
2. "I Belong In Your Arms" by Chairlift
3. "No Future" by Craig Finn

[justinandimcool]

Dr. Dog- Be the Void

The first song is absolutely awful, but the rest is really, really good. Not sure why this thread doesn't like this album so far. Not musically on par with Shame, Shame, but almost if not more enjoyable to listen to. I never liked Dr. Dog before that album, and along with this one they're on the verge of putting together a solid, solid run.

Are these guys as popular on the East Coast as they are in the West? I feel like they're a band bros/frats/DMBcers would like. Uplifting, sensitive lyrics, upbeat vocals and harmonies, the music is always fun but not complex at all. The vocal delivery reminds me a little of Dave. Very versatile, almost drunken.

[coldengrey12]

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
NP: Hüsker Dü - Zen Arcade

Either this or The Boss' Nebraska is my favorite album of the '80s.

[Beefsteak1138]

Originally Posted by justinandimcool

Dr. Dog- Be the Void

The first song is absolutely awful, but the rest is really, really good. Not sure why this thread doesn't like this album so far. Not musically on par with Shame, Shame, but almost if not more enjoyable to listen to. I never liked Dr. Dog before that album, and along with this one they're on the verge of putting together a solid, solid run.

Are these guys as popular on the East Coast as they are in the West? I feel like they're a band bros/frats/DMBcers would like. Uplifting, sensitive lyrics, upbeat vocals and harmonies, the music is always fun but not complex at all. The vocal delivery reminds me a little of Dave. Very versatile, almost drunken.

Not that I'm aware of. I had never heard of them until this thread.

[decemberlov]

Originally Posted by justinandimcool

Dr. Dog- Be the Void


Are these guys as popular on the East Coast as they are in the West? I feel like they're a band bros/frats/DMBcers would like. Uplifting, sensitive lyrics, upbeat vocals and harmonies, the music is always fun but not complex at all. The vocal delivery reminds me a little of Dave. Very versatile, almost drunken.

I thought they were...especially since they are from PA. I hear them a lot on 88.5 xpn out here, which is a member supported radio station....don't think I've ever heard them on clear channel or anything though.

I'm pretty sure XPN was one of the first to play them on the radio.

Below is a link to a free concert they did in philly


http://thekey.xpn.org/2012/02/listen...0-song-encore/

[Haiku Jimi]

Pentangle ~ Sweet Child

[Bron Yr Aur]

Originally Posted by MPizzle06

For me:

1. "Wasted Days" by Cloud Nothings
2. "I Belong In Your Arms" by Chairlift
3. "No Future" by Craig Finn

I'll go with yet another different Cloud Nothings track..."No Future / No Past"

Obviously I posted a thing on my blog....but some early Feb. favorites....

"In Line," Sharon Van Etten
"Depak Ine," John Talabot
"Ode to Sad Disco, Mark Lanegan
"Insolence," Shearwater

Originally Posted by justinandimcool

Dr. Dog- Be the Void

The first song is absolutely awful, but the rest is really, really good. Not sure why this thread doesn't like this album so far. Not musically on par with Shame, Shame, but almost if not more enjoyable to listen to. I never liked Dr. Dog before that album, and along with this one they're on the verge of putting together a solid, solid run.

Are these guys as popular on the East Coast as they are in the West? I feel like they're a band bros/frats/DMBcers would like. Uplifting, sensitive lyrics, upbeat vocals and harmonies, the music is always fun but not complex at all. The vocal delivery reminds me a little of Dave. Very versatile, almost drunken.

I've only listened to this less than two times through, but I don't particularly care for it. At this point it just feels like they are tirelessly treading over the same ground they have for the past half-dozen years and they aren't improving upon it. I don't know, I'll keep listening and something might jump out at me.

[tball123]

Due to all the praise:

Paralytic Stalks- Of Montreal*
Attack on Memory- Cloud Nothings*

[Beefsteak1138]

You aotd bloggers should create a Spotify playlist.

[coldengrey12]

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Hüsker Dü - Zen Arcade
NP: Porcelain Raft - Strange Weekend*

[thom hudson]

Originally Posted by Beefsteak1138

You aotd bloggers should create a Spotify playlist.

Seconded.

[lieinmygrave41]

John Talabot - fin

Dominating my listening the last few days and I love it. "Journeys" is the only weak track, those vocals are weak and difficult to listen to. The first 3 songs and the album closer are great, jamming house tracks.

[Bron Yr Aur]

Originally Posted by lieinmygrave41

John Talabot - fin

Dominating my listening the last few days and I love it. "Journeys" is the only weak track, those vocals are weak and difficult to listen to. The first 3 songs and the album closer are great, jamming house tracks.

Yeah I borderline hate "Journeys." Just such a bland "club" track with such awful vocals.

"Depak Ine" and "So We Will Now..." Holy shit, those tracks are glorious.

[keithcoldroses]

Haven't checked out much new music recently. What are the "must check out" albums from 2012? Suggestions?

[coldengrey12]

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Hüsker Dü - Zen Arcade
Porcelain Raft - Strange Weekend*
NP: Josh Ritter - Live at the 9:30 Club

[tball123]

Not a huge fan of the vocals of Cloud Nothings, but holy shit that 2nd track has a fucking awesome jam.

[Beefsteak1138]

Vocals are what turned me off too. Maybe I need to give it another try.

[coldengrey12]

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Hüsker Dü - Zen Arcade
Porcelain Raft - Strange Weekend*
Josh Ritter - Live at the 9:30 Club
NP: Weezer - Blue Album