Moving

Hi folks,

I will be moving to a different site. No reason in particular.

The new site is here. Please update your bookmarks to http://roadtripradio.wordpress.com.

Regards,
Hoople

Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record

Artist: Broken Social Scene
Album: Forgiveness Rock Record
Label: Arts & Crafts
Genre: Indie Rock
Released: May 2010
Rating: 3 of 5


It has been a long five-year wait for many Broken Social Scene fans but the day has finally arrived. They have returned in good form.

If there was one thing I remember about seeing Broken Social Scene live it was how ridiculous the whole thing looked to have 7 or so guitars up on stage all playing at the same time. I understand having a large band but why would you have so many of the same instrument. Now that I got that off my chest, I must say that in the studio the layering that takes place is rather majestic. They also do a great job of bringing in all sorts of textures without making it confusing or chaotic. A quick listen to "Ungrateful Little Father" reveals a little drum beat supporting guitar, toy piano and an almost citar-like riff.

If I had to draw some comparisons I would have to group a few songs up. I found the there was a little bit of a Paul Simon does Graceland feeling in songs like "World Sick" and "Highway Slipper Jam". Some other songs, such as "Texico Bitches", reminded me somewhat of Wilco. Don't get me wrong though, Broken Social Scene have shown themselves to have a unique sound.

Fans of the band will surely be pleased and the ranks might even increase with this album. Don't be fooled by the very few examples because there are many other surprises.

The Hold Steady - Heaven Is Whenever

Artist: The Hold Steady
Album: Heaven Is Whenever
Label: Vagrant
Genre: Indie Rock
Released: May 2010
Rating: 2.5 of 5


The Hold Steady return with another straight forward rock album. They have shown a few improvements over the last album that I would like to go over.

The monotonous vocals were my nemesis before. Although not much has changed in the lead vocals, they have tried a bit of fancy studio work to lessen the damage. I found that there were some nice background vocals in many spots that drowned out the lead at points. They also turned up the level on many of the instruments (mostly the guitars). Some songs had brass and keyboards and "Barely Breathing" was particularly good on that front.

There were a few tracks with particularly nice guitars. The opening song, "The Sweet Part of the City", had some really nice deep south guitars, complete with slide. I also found that a few songs had a nice Matt Mays feel to them such as "The Smidge". I suppose a better comparison would be the Stone's "Honky Tonk Woman", well almost.

Despite some good steps forward for the Hold Steady, I still had a hard time feeling engaged. Their music just doesn't have that punk edge that I truly enjoy in rock music.

The Futureheads - The Chaos

Artist: The Futureheads
Album: The Chaos
Label: Nul Records
Genre: Post-Punk Revival
Released: April 2010
Rating: 4 of 5


The Futureheads have shown themselves to be a highly consistent group. They've put out a number of good albums and this one is no different.

So what can you expect out of this album? As per usual, they bring some quick drum beats, pumping bass lines and muted guitars backing up some great vocal harmonies. The Chaos is another step forward in defining a sound all their own. I use to love comparing The Cars to this group but I must say that this album has evolved more than any others. "The Chaos" and "This is the Life" are good punk tunes that are very reminiscent of their past.

Something quite different has happened in this album though. It sounds to me like they've started to play with the guitar tones more than before. "The Connector" had some octave effects on the guitar that brought back some different 80s sounds. "I Can Do That" has a guitar solo which brings out some longer notes. They even used some different effects on the vocal tracks. "Sun Goes Down" had an almost spooky feel to it and finished with a cacophony of phased voices. "The Baron" had a cute little guitar riff between the verses and chorus and some almost Queen sounding background vocals throughout.

The Futureheads have managed to take yet another step forward in their musical careers with this one. I was quite pleased with the album.

Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles (2010)

Artist: Crystal Castles
Album: Crystal Castles (2010)
Label: Fiction
Genre: Electronic
Released: April 2010
Rating: 3.5 of 5


Crystal Castles return with their second self-titled album. There were both some improvements and new styles in this album.

The biggest issue I had with the last album was the high gain, high volume tunes. This hasn't gone away but it is not nearly as prevalent; "Doe Deer" is the most obvious of these tunes and about the only one that features the style exclusively. There are also more of those great jittery synth melodies that gave them so much power in the first album; "Baptism" is a great example.

A major theme of the album was brand new from the last. They seem to have done some great space exploring ethereal music. "Celestica" not only takes it name from this style but also provides the listener with a wonderful example. This is not the only vision-trip with the outro to "Year of Silence" and "Pap Smear" bringing the listener back.

Altough some of the better parts of the last album are lacking, I must say the album is a good cover-cover adventure.

Hole - Nobody's Daughter

Artist: Hole
Album: Nobody's Daughter
Label: CherryForever
Genre: Alternative Rock
Released: April 2010
Rating: 2 of 5


Courtney Love and company's first album in over a decade has arrived. For many, this album will be heralded as a great return but I won't be among them.

"Skinny Little Bitch" is the first single from the album and has a riff that reminds me a little of 54 40. "For Once In Your Life" sounded a little more like Train with some nice violin in the background and it showed a little more maturity than many of the other tunes. "Loser Dust" was a little too quick for Courtney to use her normal singing voice and hinted at the Bowery but didn't quite get there.

There were a few nice acoustic riffs in here, "How Dirty Girls Get Clean" is a good example. Unfortunately, Love's vocals overpower any other instruments and sounds so rough. It sounds like someone who would have a bad smoker's cough but this is supposed to be part of the charm. I found that it caused a few botched tunes and sounded too ragged for me.

Hole returns with an album that will surely be more spectacle than talent. We will see how things evolve from here but I'm sure it won't be quiet.

Gogol Bordello - Trans-Continental Hustle

Artist: Gogol Bordello
Album: Trans-Continental Hustle
Label: American Recordings
Genre: Gypsy Punk
Released: April 2010
Rating: 3.5 of 5


Gogol Bordello is back again. The king of gypsy punk brings us yet another installment and this time he does so with the help of Producer Rick Rubin.

The gypsy is definitely present in the music. The great oompa beats are present from start to finish. This also means that there are vast amounts of accordion and fiddle. The music is great for wedding receptions everywhere and it will get everyone up and dancing, from the grand parents to the teenagers to the kids. "My Compenjera" is a great example of this general gypsy feeling.

There are also some new interesting twists here. "Raise the Knowledge" has a great little riff that I find is a little different from the normal Bordello sound and almost has an oriental touch. "Last One Goes the Hope" and "To Rise Above" remind me of vacations in the sun and also show a new side of Bordello. "Sun is On My Side" draws me to the canals of Venice as does "When Universes Collide"; the latter to a lesser extent but the latter has a great crescendo throughout the entire album.

So once again I welcome the gypsy punks back into my speakers. Now we can all look forward to the live shows that will surely follow.

Bloc Party - Intimacy

Artist: Bloc Party
Album: Intimacy
Label: Atlantic
Released: October 2008
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 4.5 of 5


Before I start, let me just say that Bloc Party has been one of my favourite bands since Silent Alarm. They have continued to develop a unique sound that is quite complex when you try and break it down. Their material is always a joy to listen to and I'm looking forward to the next album.

Let's start with what's new. I found that there was a little more emphasis on some deep beats and maybe something from the dance club; a good example of this can be heard in "Mercury". Of course this new style permeates the album and would play great on a big sub woofer. The band has always created great music in the studio but they continue to grow with tunes like "Zephyrus" leading the way.

Not everything is new and we wouldn't want Bloc Party to deny us what we want. I must say that the tempo on this album is much closer to Silent Alarm than A Weekend In The City was and this will be a welcome return for many. Songs such as "Halo" and "Trojan Horse" follow in Silent Alarm's footsteps with punchy guitars and soaring vocals. Of course, my favourite tune on each Bloc Party album seems to be the epic play that they do so well; "Biko" is not quite as strong as "Positive Tension" but it fills the template rather well. And of course the xylophone makes a great appearance in "Signs".

In all, I was extremely happy with the latest entry in the Bloc Party catalogue and I hope that their recent break is exactly that and not the end of Bloc Party.

Jay Reatard - Matador Singles '08

Artist: Jay Reatard
Album: Matador Singles '08
Genre: Garage Punk
Rating: 3 of 5


Jay Reatard, who unfortunately passed away this year, had the reputation for fights and rude behaviour. His music seems like a contradiction that pays tribute to this reputation.

The music in this album is reminiscent of 60s pop rock with catchy hooks and bright guitars. I found a few parts reminded me of the Yardbirds such as the "An Ugly Death" and "Dead On Arrival". The former tune even contains a bit of Chuck Berry guitar which dates some inspiration from even earlier.

The lyrics seem to be true to his reputation. The vocals were laid down in the same scratchy-transistor radio sound that the Strokes made so popular. The words definitely come through with attitude. And although the music has that 60s feel, Jay has sped the tempo up to fuel a bit more of that attitude.

This group of singles, as the album name implies, is a nice collection of tunes that might serve well as some Sunday listening for some punk fans that are used to something a little harder.

The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

Artist: The Hold Steady
Album: Stay Positive
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 2.5 of 5


The Hold Steady are another one of those bands that have been around for awhile but that I just can't get into. This album did not change anything for me.

I find that Craig Finn's vocal range isn't that great. No matter what is happening with the music it just doesn't feel like the song is moving around because of an almost monotone voice. I great example would be the title track; in this song I find that the band do a great job of building and even though the vocals sound more strained than normal, it doesn't inspire the kind of energy the band is promising to deliver. I did find that his voice reminded me of the Counting Crows.

Besides that, I must say that the songs are quite decent. There were a few songs that they brought in some different instruments to change things up a bit like the harpsichord in "One for the Cutters" and the mandolin (or banjo maybe) in "Both Crosses". "Both Crosses" was also one of those dark tunes that I enjoy so much but again the vocals don't sound any different from one of the more formula-based rock tunes that are all over the album.

In all, I would say that some of the songs have great potential but I would just love it if the vocals would follow the mood.

Hercules and Love Affair - Hercules and Love Affair

Artist: Hercules and Love Affair
Album: Hercules and Love Affair
Genre: Electronic
Rating: 2 of 5


I found that this album, named after the band, was quite mediocre. I wouldn't say it was anything special. It served quite well as some background noise, mind you.

I believe the biggest issue I had with the whole affair was the wavering high-pitch tone of most of the leading vocals. It reminds me of Antony and the Johnsons. For some of you, this may be a bonus but for me I find it quite detracting from the music and I would prefer vocals that blended better.

Not all of the songs have been infused with this distracting voice and some of the beats are enjoyable. This album is best served as background noise and the fact that the rhythms are fairly steady help that fact.

In the end, I wouldn't call this a love affair and it isn't something I would listen to on any kind of regular basis.

Harvey Milk - Life... The Best Game In Town

Artist: Harvey Milk
Album: Life... The Best Game In Town
Genre: Sludge Metal
Rating: 3.5 of 5


Harvey Milk have created a rich tapestry within their latest long play. I must agree that life is indeed the best game in town.

The name of the game here is sludge. Harvey Milk create a wonderfully low and consistent beat and keep on going. Play "Decades" and "Skull Socks & Rope Shoes" and you can feel some real power coursing through the speakers. Even with such a slow tempo they come out with some very nice chord progressions. This progression skill is better exemplified in their more delicate moments such as the intro to "Death Goes To The Winner".

I don't want you to think that the entire album takes place under 60 bpm. "After All I've Done For You This How You Repay Me" is a long title that takes longer to say than the main riff. "Barnburner" is exactly what the title says; Harvey Milk get things going and don't let up. This also proves, to me at least, that they definitely don't go back to sludge because they don't know their way around their instruments.

Harvey Milk puts out some epic songs whether they be slow moving powerhouses or the result of a few axes on fire. This is quite the enjoyable album and it is an experience unto itself.

Glasvegas - Glasvegas

Artist: Glasvegas
Album: Glasvegas
Genre: Garage Rock
Rating: 3 of 5


This Scottish band has managed to make quite a stir with their self-titled debut. The band name makes me wonder if the Killers have been an influence or if they see themselves as the median between Glasgow and Las Vegas. I have noted that they seem to send out a mixed message.

The music consists of slow driving tunes drenched in a high echo and phased guitar lead. It feels like something that was made for larger venues although it might be a little early for Glasvegas' presence to fill that space. The intro is a good example of the music although any of the songs would do. They've also put an amazing amount of echo on the vocals. The combination of all this seems to point toward some easy-going rock or at least something without sharp edges.

Next comes the actual lyrics. These songs are filled with rough times and unfortunate events. Take "Daddy's Gone" for example; this is a song about an absent father and a son growing up in harsh times. "Stabbed" is another good example, it is a story about gang revenge. The story is spoken over Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata which enhances the dramatization. In all I find that the messages coming through should come from something much rawer.

In the end, the music is pretty good and the stories become dreamlike. I don't believe the severity is lessened by the music but I do believe it pulls the shade over some dark corners. Perhaps this makes the album easier to swallow.

Gang Gang Dance - Saint Dymphna

Artist: Gang Gang Dance
Album: Saint Dymphna
Genre: Electronic
Rating: 2 of 5


"Saint Dymphna" is an experiment with sounds like most other electronic albums. I like to think for the most part that I can find the worth in electronic albums that are a little more experimental but I couldn't see it this time.

There are a few moments in this album that weren't too bad. There is a piece in the middle of "First Communion" with some nice interplay between a guitar and a few keyboards. "House Jam" feels somewhat more like a song than many of the other pieces with a nice lead vocal track and several backing vocal tracks.

On the other hand, "Inners Pace" doesn't really go anywhere and feels quite odd. It is essentially like being blasted with binary code while being asked to translate to English. "Desert Storm" is littered with female vocals that are either off key or not even notes and more like screeches.

I try to stay open minded when listen to more progressive or experimental music but I just couldn't get around this album. It was like a math equation that just wouldn't balance out.

The Futureheads - This Is Not the World

Artist: The Futureheads
Album: This Is Not the World
Genre: Post-Punk Revival
Rating: 4 of 5


I have begun to notice, especially after this album, how much this Sunderland-based group sounds like an updated version of the Cars. The Futureheads have managed to take the good parts of the Cars and expanded on them.

Like the Cars there songs are full of punchy guitars and some great vocal melodies. Take a track like "Work Is Never Done" that has some quick and unrelenting power chords and the comparison is easy to make. If you still don't hear it then turn to "Sleet". The intro is so close to "Just What I Needed" that I was so pleasantly surprised.

The album, nor the Futureheads, are all about their resemblance to the Cars though. One of their biggest strengths since their first album has been their use of vocal harmonies. A good example of this is in the first track, "The Beginning of the Twist". In this album, they've also done a great job of tearing songs down to their minimum and then rebuilding the song from scratch. Again, "The Beginning of the Twist" is an excellent example but "Walking Backwards" is another great example.

The Futureheads are still improving and this album was a great addition to their repertoire. I can't wait to hear the next one.

Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life

Artist: Fucked Up
Album: The Chemistry of Common Life
Genre: Post-Punk Revival
Rating: 3 of 5


The Chemistry of Common Life won the 2009 Polaris Prize. The Polaris Prize is essentially the Canadian version of Britain's Mercury Music Prize.

There is definitely some merit behind this album. The songs are full of strength and a consistent driving force. Songs like "Days of Last" feel like a tidal wave that cannot be stopped. "Twice Born" has the guitars turned up to 11. Finally the title track completes the album with a grand and explosive end.

There were just a few things that I would love to see improved upon. These tidal waves are not only relentless but they can sometimes become too persistent. The songs seem to become some homogeneous blob and although there are several song structures and even some nice instrumental pieces you seem to just fall in and out of them. I guess the music feels like a mosh pit that you can't quite get out of. This makes it a little harder to step back and enjoy the music itself.

I did enjoy the album but I have seen some better attempts at this genre of sludge-type punk. And I do agree that this album definitely deserved to be on the short list.

Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires

Artist: Friendly Fires
Album: Friendly Fires
Genre: Indie Electronic
Rating: 3.5 of 5


The debut self-titled album from the Friendly Fires shows a great deal of potential. This is not the band's first venture into the studio but it is their first full-length album. They have released three EPs prior to this.

In an effort to describe the band through comparison I would have to say that they are somewhere between MGMT and Bloc Party. In general, the have the same dance, punk and funk mix that MGMT have been working on. A few of their best songs like "In The Hospital" and "Paris" have the slow dance beat that makes MGMT so attractive. Where as songs such as "Jump In The Pool" have some of the effects and vocal harmonies that are the backbone to Bloc Party's repertoire. And then there songs like "On Board" that have a great groove and show some of the bands own strengths.

With all these great styles melding together it would be hard to see any cons but there was something holding me back from rating this album any higher. Unfortunately besides the songs I mentioned in the previous paragraph there wasn't really anything exciting. This may be a case of the band being pushed from writing EPs to writing a full length album.

Friendly Fires come out blazing with a few really good tunes. Hopefully their next album has a more consistent track listing.

The Fratellis - Here We Stand

Artist: The Fratellis
Album: Here We Stand
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 4 of 5


This Scottish band really does know how to rock and roll. Here We Stand is there second album and they are only getting better.

So what makes the music so great? I would have to say it's because they manage to keep things simple. There's no message behind the songs, just straight forward rock. As a result they manage to keep every song fresh and entertaining. On the album they have a knack for keeping the chorus and verse quite separate thus providing some flavour to the songs. There are also some very nice bridges going on.

If I had to choose a few songs out of the bunch I would be hard pressed but let's try. "A Heady Tale" is a great examples of how well the band change pace between the chorus and verse. It is also has a great example of a driving instrumental. "Tell Me A Lie" is another great example of a simple riff that the band hold too and create a good vibe around. The Fratellis also put in a couple good bridges. The first changes the tempo and feeling of the song altogether and the second follows the same basic riff but breaks up the song nicely.

The Fratellis provide us with another rock album with few complaints here. Not everyone can pull off the cookie cutter recipe but this band pulls it off with ease.

Foals - Antidotes

Artist: Foals
Album: Antidotes
Genre: Post-Punk Revival
Rating: 4.5 of 5


From the opening hum of horns to the closing hum of horns this is an album filled with a great energy. There isn't any overdrive here, nor is there an abundance of power chords but as a group no one instrument needs to overtake the others.

Rather than seek their great energy from a single blazing instrument or vocals that drown out the band, the Foals use many instruments with short and quick riffs to create an almost saturated sound. Just listening to the first two songs, "The French Open" and "Cassius", fills your speakers with sharp staccato guitars and backing horns while the vocals blend in with a great melody. Although the horns do not make it on all the tracks, they are a great addition.

Antidotes also contains some great apexes. The entire band slowly and methodically drive a dynamic landscape that easily flows over rises. A long instrumental piece in "Two Steps, Twice" is a great example of a long and determined build back up to the energy that is abundant in the album. "Balloons" also quite successful simulates the experience of floating through currents in the air.

I must say that I was quite impressed with the way that the Foals created a danceable beat without using any fancy effects or instruments. The tracks here create an inspiring listen.

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Artist: Fleet Foxes
Album: Fleet Foxes
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 4 of 5


The self-titled debut by the Fleet Foxes seems to have made quite the stir. After listening to the album I can say that it wasn't without reason.

One of the biggest strengths of the album was all the wonderful vocal harmonies. The album opens with a more traditional sounding harmony and that is just a taste of what is to come later in the song and album. Nearly every tune includes beautiful harmonies placed at just the right points. The ups and downs sang with such precision; it really is a delight.

Another strength of the album is the abundance of great instrumental arrangements. A great example of this is in "Ragged Wood" which contains some lovely harmonies but really shows off the musical abilities of the group. The song has a lovely roll to it and the instruments blend together with the vocals so well.

Hopefully Fleet Foxes haven't just hit a fluke and can come back with another performance to rival this one.