Indie Rock!

A review I wrote about the album I dedicate D chord by Japan's Toddle has been posted here at Keikaku. Toddle is the first Japanese band I've heard that fits the image of indie rock burned into my brain by bands like Sebadoh, Superchunk, Dinosaur Jr. and the like.

Another band that has recently blown me away is Calling All Monsters, fronted by Matthew Troy, formerly of Track Star. His former band was a raw and passionate indie rock band that slowly faded in popularity as image and hipness replaced honesty and substance in the indie world. Luckily enough, Calling All Monsters is a lot like Track Star, and a lot like Toddle, and a lot like most of the bands that I like in this world. CAM's sound is defined by a heavy fuzz bass supporting the sometimes frantic, sometimes sweet guitaristry. The vocals alternate, similarly, between a sort of gentle drone and strained screams.

Though technically their album hasn't been released, it's available to the public from their label, Turn Records, or at their shows. Pick it up before the new year so you can add it onto your best of 2005 lists!

Dang... again!

MIA's Arular reminds me of the Strokes' debut album. There aren't any musical similarities, but both of the albums were hyped so much that I hated them before even hearing them. I ended up loving the Strokes when I finally listened to them (though their new song is awful beyond belief). When I saw a commercial for Arular on TV a few days ago the annoying girl repeating "blah blah purple haze" made me want to stab someone.

I was prepared for vitriol to flow when I listened to Arular but I was a little let down (as in, it wasn't that bad). The album is definitely way over hyped, but I didn't wanna stab myself after listening to it, I just wanted to stab myself during a few specific songs, mainly "Hombre" and "Galang", two of the most obnoxious songs I've ever heard.

The beats were ok, but there weren't too many memorable hooks, though I could see Arular's bass heavy beats being decent enough background music for socializing (ie: a party). Couldn't the producers find a better frontwoman to go along with their beats?

I'll have to find another completely worthless album like Vheissu to trash now, since Arular doesn't deserve it. But, at least now I can say "MIA's hella overrated" and be able to defend my position, as well as irk some people in tight pants with ugly faux-hawks.

My New Mission

I've really wanted to trash a record on this blog, but I've gotten such a finely tuned radar about music I'll like (or have become so close-minded) that I very rarely listen to anything that I dislike. So I've made it a purpose to listen to music that I assume will suck.

Victim number one:
Thrice, Vheissu = SUCKY ALBUM

It's been 4 years since I took a liking to Thrice's The Illusion of Safety, before emo-metal had become the comically melodramatic goth sub-genre that it is now. Honestly, I probably wouldn't like that album if I heard it now, but I'll maintain that it has some good songwriting, some genuine qualities, and isn't polished to death, so I can still find it likable enough nowadays.

Vheissu has no remnants of the hardcore, skate-punk, or even Metallica-like elements that made them decent enough back in the day. Instead, the album is awash in harmlessly overdriven guitars, heavily compressed/restrained drumming, uninspired singing, and an overall performance that sounds like Nickelback or Chevelle. One of my friends who saw them on Warped Tour said, "Thrice's new stuff is tight because they've incorporated these awesome negro spiritual parts into their songs, with chanting and stomping!" Indeed, one song, "The Earth Will Shake" has a spiritual break it down which isn't so bad, but the laughable, recorded in an echoey bathroom, production cancels out any compliments I could've given it.

Next on my list: MIA's "Arular". Check back tomorrow.