I'm starting this just to put out what music I am listening to as of late even though it'd be easier to check my myspace playlist, it's not as detailed as this can be. So here's what I've been listening to as of late.
Dear Agony – Breaking Benjamin
This album is the next in an unbroken line of albums from Breaking Benjamin that I have picked up and have been enjoying. Now I am not saying that these guys are the best thing out there. What I'm saying is that since their first album, each consecutive album has been good or great, no where near phenomenal but always enjoyable. The only complaint I have is that their Benjamin Bernley's lyrical style has kind of gotten stale, but the rock is still fairly solid (heh, cheesy lyrics, solid songs). It just kind of nagged at me since I heard the word breath, shut, take, again, ect. Like their cool and misunderstood vocabulary has run dry. I put that as probably the only thing I didn't like.
Bottom Line: If you've listened to them before, you will be getting whatever you expected, if you haven't, then it's a solid album with noteworthy songs.
Sci Fi Crimes – Chevelle
Now, as much as people liked Chevelle's first two albums, I really didn't care too much for them. Then when Vena Sera came out, I listened to the song Well Enough Alone. Then, I listened to it again, and again, and again(you get the picture). It was at that point I learned to appreciate Pete Loeffler's lyric's complex structure and format. At first it seemed simple to me with what i'd heard from them. Then I started getting into the pure poetry that was being conveyed into their music. This new album doesn't have the same effect Vena Sera had for me, but it's fairly close.
Bottom Line: Pick up Vena Sera. Then if you like that, pick up Sci fi Crimes.
Tri Polar – Sick Puppies
I have heard a lot of guff about this band that their not that good. I listened to their older albums and for the most part, they were right. Then I heard they had a more mainstream album out and gave it a listen. It's kind of the same but it somehow has a certain charm to it and it's the reason I have a copy. They aren't as hard as before but they do in fact sound better.
Bottom line: If you've drained your normal rock pool and want something a little different, give them a listen.
Ashes Against the Grain – Agolloch
This is a somewhat obscure band I found surfing wikipedia for new music and I fell in love. These guys have very good song structure and a somewhat different style from the norm. I chose this album specifically because it uses acoustic guitars quite prominantly and I am a bit of a sucker for things like that. It's really hard to describe what it is about this band that makes me like them so much but they are very good. The only thing is that the vocalist has this really throaty sound that can get annoying at times but this band is more instrumental then anything so it's easy to displace.
Bottom Line: This is epic music that I would gladly fight a battalion of orcs to. I beckon thee to support this band as we need more music like this.
The Slip - Nine Inch Nails
I have an appreciation for Trent Reznor both as a musician and as a person. He's not a fighter but he doesn't take static from those guys in the PR department and I think that totally fucking rocks. His latest album came out last year for digital download and it's fairly good. It's also free. That means that even if you aren't a fan, it's free.
Bottom Line:It.......is........Free.........If you're reading this, then you obviously can go grab a copy pretty damn quick.
The Else – They Might Be Giants
I have an ever-loving faith to these guys and the music they make. I'm pretty sure the first time I heard them was when flood came out and I was not but a wee lad and I still get that childish funny feeling when I listen to that album. Their most recent work, The Else is te follow-up(so to speak) of their ABC album they did for some kids network and they specifically made it for the more mature audience even though at times it's hard to see how the could say that without cracking a smile. Compared to their last few albums, this work is just as catchy as flood still is while adding to their repertoire of geeky catchy songs.
Bottom Line: Pick up flood. What are you still reading this for? Also, grab The Else. And an Icee. Large. Blueberry.
Also, if anyone feels the need to, I can be reached at danielm1129@hotmail.com for critisism or praise. I will note I do answer whatever comes my way so feel free.
