Foals did what The 1975 claimed they were going to do, put out two records in one year. Where The 1975 failed, Foals succeeded! And Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost – Part 2 was by no means an afterthought, or a group of leftover songs. This record tells it’s own story while still keeping with a similar tone to Part 1.
Read moreMusic
MTV Video Music Awards Recap & Review
As a person who only tolerates top 40 music, I should really stop watching this program, because the VMAs are truly a top 40 showcase. With that being said, I forwarded through probably 80 percent of the show, stopping only to see the nominees and winners, along with the performances by Lizzo and part of the Jonas Brothers. I am always impressed with Lizzo’s pipes and stage movement, and I am always morbidly curious about the Jo-Bros.
Read moreNew Music Review!
New music! I’ve finally allotted myself a few car rides to pop in two new CDs (you read that right) and listen to them all the way through. And let’s just say that Dreamers and Two Door Cinema Club’s latest releases made me so happy! I love good music.
Read moreAwards Show Recap: MTV Movie & TV Awards
This past Monday, the pre-taped MTV Movie & TV Awards aired, and it was a pretty decent time. Sure, there were some cringe-worthy moments, but would it be MTV if there weren’t any? Since adding television in the same categories as movies a few years back, the categories just seem like they’re missing quality performances, but this is all about what the fans like, so I suppose I can’t be too critical. Either way, there seemed to be a nice mix of winners between the two mediums.
Read moreAlbum Review: Bear Hands, Fake Tunes
One of my favorite alternative bands, Bear Hands, finally released their latest full-length album, Fake Tunes, nearly three years after one of my favorite records ever, You’ll Pay for This was ironically (or not) released on tax day. This album was a strong follow-up and I’ll certainly be listening to this in the pool all summer long!
Read moreAlbum Review: Motionless in White, Disguise
I know I was slow to become a Motionless in White fan, and I credit my sister 100% – she’s obsessed. I also grew to like them after some chance encounters with the members; all of the guys were genuinely nice! It seems like they are constantly touring, so I’m always surprised that they manage to put out new music every couple of years. And it’s good music, too! Not a lot of bands can say that really. So it comes at no great revelation that the new album, Disguise, is a strong one. It’s very eclectic for them, so there is something everyone should like.
The two singles that debuted before the album’s release last weekend were solid, and would appease old and new fans alike. Title track, “Disguise,” was gritty and intense, much like most of their catalog. I was a bigger fan of “Brand New Numb,” as it was still heavy, but a lot more clean vocals which I’m a fan of from them. The rest of the album goes to all corners of creativity, most evident in the techno efforts of “</c0de>” (my personal favorite), and “Legacy,” which was a much slower paced song. For those die-hard old-school fans, “Undead Ahead 2: The Tale of the Midnight Ride” is a nice nod back to their first record, and my sister’s favorite, Creatures.
Like I said, there is a lot to like here in Disguise‘s ten tracks! I also appreciate that the band has evolved in small steps over their past five full length releases. If you change too much from one record to the next you’ll get ripped to shreds like Bring Me the Horizon, but bands get bored of doing the same old thing, so I think they’ve mastered the art of mixing their new interests with fans’ old ones. Bravo!
Album Review: Vampire Weekend, Father of the Bride
It’s been nearly six years since we’ve heard new Vampire Weekend material, and since then they’ve lost eclectic member, Rostam Batmanglij. No lie, I was a little nervous for this release. Even with the onslaught of singles released in the past couple months, I still wasn’t convinced this record would wow me.
Read moreAlbum Review: Cage the Elephant, Social Cues
This weekend, besides being filled with candy, was also an intense drawing weekend. And with that means I also had the opportunity to binge some new tunes! Fresh in the mail came Cage the Elephant’s fifth EP, titled Social Cues. The radio already had me very fond of their lead single “Ready to Let Go,” and I was starting to warm up to the track collaborating with Beck called “Night Running,” so I was pretty pumped to give the full album a listen.
Read moreMediocre Music Review: Bad Suns & Wallows
Sad to report that this weekend I listened to two pretty disappointing new releases.
Read moreAlbum Review: Foals, Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost – Part 1
Folks, the amount of fantastic indie/alternative records coming out this year is unbelievable, and Foals latest is no exception! Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost – Part 1 is just that, part 1! The second half is expected sometime in the last quarter of 2019 and frankly I cannot wait!
Part 1 is exceptional from track one to ten, even if some are a little slow and not quite my speed. This album has everything you’d want to hear from Foals, but with four years maturity and the departure of long-time bassist, so it’s different, but in the best way possible. I’ve never heard a band use the cymbals as well as Foals does on all records, and the guitar playing is top-notch. I love a good mathematical riff!
If you happen to need further proof that this band is the real deal go check out any of their live performances. You will NOT be disappointed! Standouts from the album include “In Degrees” (seriously, go listen to this!) and “Exits.”