Blue October - "Approaching Normal" Review

Blue October Approaching Normal was the 5th album by Blue October, released
on March 24, 2009. "Dirt Room" was the first single leaked before the album
release, followed by "Say It" which is more fitting of the pop genre. The
album hit #13 on the Billboard chart. It hasn't varied from the usual
melodic tones as from Foiled. However, there are a lot more blatant uses of
studio additions with synthesizers to create echoing effects as heard in
"The End". Also, "Blue Does" seems like it barely used any real recordings,
which is unfortunate. They wrote a lot more "slower" songs that don't
exactly get you pumped up but I guess that fits with their usual soft tones
anyway. Another anticipated single "Weight of the World" as pretty much a
let down because the song progresses from Justin Furstenfeld's speaking
tones - to attempting singing, then just yelling, and back to slightly
emotional talking. Overall it's still a good album, but I was expecting
better.


Review by Laryssa Matvichuk

Failboat January 23 Playlist

Track	Album	Artist
War Within A Breath	The Battle of Los Angeles	Rage Against The Machine
Suggestions	System of a Down	System of a Down
Superbeast	Hellbilly Deluxe	Rob Zombie
Mad Man	Dreamer	Haste The Day
Big Bang Baby	Tiny Music…Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop	Stone Temple Pilots
The Sky Is Fallin'	Songs For The Deaf	Queens of the Stone Age
Judith	Mer De Noms	A Perfect Circle
Meet Your Master [Remix]	Y34Z3R0R3M1X3D	Nine Inch Nails
Working	Singles Collection Volume 2	Dropkick Murphys
A Moment Suspended In Time	Define The Great Line	Underoath
Manic Depression	Smash Hits	Jimi Hendrix
Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground	White Blood Cells	The White Stripes
Holiday	Weezer (Blue Album)	Weezer
Slither	Contraband	Velvet Revolver
Hoods On Peregrine	The Artist In The Ambulance	Thrice
Days Of The Phoenix	The Art of Drowning	AFI
Intolerance	Undertow	Tool
Push The Hand	Hell Below/Stars Above	Toadies
Knights of Cydonia	Black Holes And Revelations	Muse
Spoonman	Superunknown	Soundgarden
Never Gonna Stop	The Sinister Urge	Rob Zombie
Prayer of The Refugee	The Sufferer And The Witness	Rise Against
Harry Truman	Frankenstein Girls Will Seem Strangely Sexy	Mindless Self Indulgence
Doomsday Clock	Zeitgeist	The Smashing Pumpkins
The Best Things	Title of Record	Filter
Staring At The Sun	Americana	The Offspring
For Whom The Bell Tolls	Ride The Lightning	Metallica
Forest	Toxicity	System of a Down
People Of The Sun	Evil Empire	Rage Against The Machine
Battery Acid	Era Vulgaris	Queens of the Stone Age

Failboat January 16 Playlist

Track	Album	Artist
Going Strong	The Gang's All Here	Dropkick Murphys
Keepin' Up With The Kids	Frankenstein Girls Will Seem Strangely Sexy	Mindless Self Indulgence
Injection	The Sufferer And The Witness	Rise Against
The Theft	A Death Grip On Yesterday	Atreyu
An Adult Tree	Dreamer	Haste The Day
Jambi	10,000 Days	Tool
Two Kids	Hello Master	Priestess
Bleed Black	Sing The Sorrow	AFI
Crisis	Crisis	Alexisonfire
I Can't Remember	Facelift	Alice In Chains
Six	Grassroots	311
Weapon of Choice	Baby 81	Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Crosstown Traffic	Smash Hits	The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Bigg Man	Red Datsun	Red Datsun
Magdalena	Mer De Nomes	A Perfect Circle
Coming Undone	See You On The Other Side	Korn
Of Wolf and Man	Metallica	Metallica
Assassin	Black Holes And Revelations	Muse
Captain Bligh	Title of Record	Filter
A Goat in Sheep's Rosary	Holding a Wolf by the Ears	From Autumn To Ashes
The Becoming	The Downward Spiral	Nine Inch Nails
Scentless Apprentice	In Utero	Nirvana
Great White Bull	Jersey Shores	Akimbo
Hypodermic	Ignition	The Offspring
Comatose	Pearl Jam	Pearl Jam
My Darkest Hour	The Only Medicine	Scary Kids Scaring Kids
Parallel Universe	Californication	The Red Hot Chili Peppers

James's Top 15 Loud Rock Albums of 2008

Hey guys! This is James from A Calculated Use of Sound, 2008 was a great year for music, loud rock in particular. I was originally going to make this a top 10 list, but it was too hard to narrow it down to just 10 albums, so without further adieu, I present to you, my top 15 loud rock albums of 2008.



15. Dir En Grey- Uroboros

This album truly surprised me. After writing off Dir En Grey as a band past their prime, I was reluctant to listen to this. Boy am I glad I did. The album is a dark, unsettling, career defining piece of at. The true highlight of the album is the incredible range of vocalist Kyo. From death growls to melodic croons to Mike Patton sounding gurgles, this guy can do it all. A truly serendipitous listen and my first recommended record of 2008.

14. Bloodbath- The Fathomless Mastery

Sweden's domineers of death metal return in 2008 creating one of the best records of their career. Returning with vocalist Mikael Akerfeldt for the first time since 2005's Nightmares Made Flesh, Bloodbath craft an album that is technical, easy on the ears in terms of death metal, and rather catchy. Mikael Akerfeldt's growls are violent, yet somewhat tamed and are the obvious highlight of the album. In a genre full of monotony, Bloodbath have created something fresh and exciting.



13. Mesa Verde- The Old Road

This was a great year for emo, and underground music as a whole. This is sorrow in musical form. Mesa Verde have crafted one of the greatest underground releases of this millennium, not since City of Caterpillar's self titled record have I been so moved by a performance in emotive hardcore. Every person will find a moment in this record that they can cling too. This is the best underground release of 2008 by a long shot.

12. Boris - Smile

Boris is a Japanese band that has its roots in drone metal, a sub-genre of metal that involves a large amount of feedback. Luckily, with their latest release, Smile, they have managed to take a more melodic approach to their music, while combing the almost punk sound of their 2005 release, Pink. Creating lush soundscapes and displaying phenomenal guitar and bass work, Boris have created a truly unique sound that warrants them a solid place on this list.


11. United Nations - United Nations

This band is a mystery.... literally. With almost no confirmed members of this grindcore "supergroup" (aside from Geoff Rickly of Thursday members of Converge and The Number 12 Looks Like You are rumored to be in the band), United Nations have resurrected the mid-90's screamo sound, while adding their own special twists along the way. I have to say the most epic track on this album is "Say Goodbye to General Figment of the USS Imagination," which features a full-blown saxophone solo. These guys are so awesome, they were attacked by the REAL United Ntions for "stealing their name and using a logo that is too similar to that of the international organization." How punk is that?

10. Sunn O))) - Dømkirke

Starting off the top 10 is a live album exclusive to vinyl made by the gods of drone metal Sunn O))). What makes this album truly unique is that it was recorded in a 900 year old cathedral in Bergen, Norway as part of the town's annual arts festival, the Borealis Festival. Sunn O))) is known for bass heavy, feedback laden drone metal that may make listeners' ears hurt after a while, however, on Dømkirke, they seem more restrained. The 4 songs, rounding out at an hour length, are based on Gregorian chants and utilize a variety of instruments such as church organ, trumpet, and of course, Sunn O)))'s heavy bass and guitar. The band is also joined by ex-Mayhem vocalist Attila Csihar, making for an live experience that is beautiful, chilling, and unforgettable. REMEMBER! MAXIMUM VOLUME YIELDS MAXIMUM RESULTS!

9. The Mars Volta- The Bedlam In Goliath

"Weird" is one way to describe The Mars Volta, another is "genious." The band's latest release, The Bedlam In Goliath, is the band's most varied and accessible to date. The album is full of the band's signature Latin influences fused with progressive rock. The album just plain rocks hard, 'nuff said. Listen to the first single," Wax Simulacra, and tell me I'm wrong.

8. Dillinger Four- C I V I L W A R

While 80's fans were anxiously awaiting the decade-in-the-making Guns N' Roses album, Chinese Democracy, punks around the nation were awaiting their own magnum opus from celebrated pop punk act, Dillinger Four. The six year wait was well worth it. C I V I L W A R, is a faultless album. It's full of catchy hooks and meaningful lyrics that make it the best pop punk album I have heard in the past six years... heck it may be the best pop punk album of the new millennium.

7. Thrice- The Alchemy Index Vols. III and IV: Air & Earth

Thrice's Alchemy Index was a huge undertaking when first announced - a collection of four unique albums that play like EP's representing each of the four classical elements (Fire, Water, Air and Earth). This installment, Air and Earth, is a well executed display of musical prowess, while staying true to the album's overall concept. The Air disc features free-flowing guitars and some of the most beautiful lyrics Thrice have ever written. The Earth disc is full of raw, acoustic songs that cut right to the core of the listener. This is a landmark work.

6. The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound

Nothing says New Jersey like Bruce Springsteen and punk rock. As a resident of the state, I know that these two are important contributions to music that New Jersey has made, and they are both admittedly awesome. But could the two ever mix? The answer, yes, and The Gaslight Anthem have successfully hone this sound, creating one of the catchiest, original, and downright fun albums of 2008. There is not one bad track on this album and everytime I listen to it I discover some new hook that is just plain genious. If these guys keep making music like this, they'll be legends. The Boss would be proud.

5. Underoath- Lost In The Sound Of Separation

Underoath is a Christian metalcore band that was one of the first ones to do it right. Early albums of theirs such as Act of Despression and the Changing of Times were revolutionary in sound and have been imitated by countless bands. After releasing two more solid albums, they have finally reached the apex of their career. The sound on Lost In The Sound Of Separation is gritty, raw, and just plain epic. It is one of the most unique sounds I have ever heard in metalcore and Underoath just continue to prove why they are one of the most imitated bands in their respective genre.

4. Off Minor - Some Blood

This band is absolutely phenomenal. Fusing equal parts emo, hardcore, and jazz, Off Minor's songwriting ability is certainly above average. I would expect nothing less from a band featuring former members of seminal emo/hardcore band Saetia. The lyrics are another highlight of this album as exhibited by the following, my favorite lyric:

This is not torture
This is not surveillance
This is not injustice
This is poetic license permitted by a nations silence

It is an album that does more in a half hour than most albums accomplish in a whole hour.

3. Opeth - Watershed

The masters of progressive death metal are back. Watershed is a monster of an album, featuring some of Opeth's best tracks. There is a large emphasis on keyboards in this album which make for a haunting atmosphere that looms over the entire album. Mikael Akerfeldt's croons and death growls seem quite refined on this album, featuring some of his best vocal performances to date. Also, new guitarist Fredrik Akesson is a great fit for the band, providing riffs that are simply crushing , as on "Heir Apparent," while also showcasing his acoustic abilities on beautiful acoustic passages such as that of opening track, "Coil." Watershed is the proggiest of all Opeth releases, and that certainly isnt' a bad thing. I look forward to seeing where this band goes in the future with their simply incredible music.

2. Protest The Hero - Fortress

This was my earliest contender for album of the year. These guys are so good, my show is named after one of their album titles... I can't even begin to describe how good this album is, it is just something one must experience for themselves. Protest the hero can be described only has having the epic prowess and musicianship of Dream Theater, the sweeps and swoops of Between the Buried And Me, and the catchiness of Blink 182. The result? One of the most creative bands in recent years. Did I mention the album's lyrics are all about conquest and capture? Yes it is in fact as epic as I describe it and you should do yourself a favor and listen to this work of art.

1. Cynic - Traced In Air

It is very rare that an album comes about and defines a genre. In 1993 that album was Cynic's "Focus," a record that blended elements of jazz, progressive rock, and death metal to produce one of the most groundbreaking albums in the progressive metal genre and certainly of the early '90s. However shortly after Cynic went on an indefinite hiatus.


Fast forward 14 years and it is 2008, and "Traced In Air," the new Cynic album is eagerly anticipated by prog metal fans everywhere. However, after over a decade many questions arise, Can this new record live up to one of the most important metal releases ever? Have Cynic lost their edge? It is safe to say, that after listening to "Traced In Air," countless times that Cynic have surpassed "Focus" to create their new masterpiece. There is no better way to describe the atmosphere and feel of the record than looking at the title, "Traced in Air." It almost feels as though the sound embodies the air through which it is traveling, in all its beauty and yes, sometimes chaos. The record features electronic vocals overlapping smooth flowing soundscapes, resulting in a majesty that is rarely found in metal.

Of course, having a group of phenomenal musicians helps too, guitarist Paul Masvidal showcases his technical playing abilities on "The Space For This," one of the albums highlights. Drummer Sean Reinert formerly of seminal death metal band,Death, shows his prowess in working with the guitars to produce just the right number of fills and improvisation, so that the music is not overpowered. Bassist, Sean Malone provides a solid rhythm to the entire record.

In terms of overall highlights, I feel that this is one of those albums that must be played from start to finish. It is an easy listen, clocking in at just about 35 minutes, but the record feels immense due to the execution of the air concept and the technical musicianship. Obvious accessible tracks are "Integral Birth," and "Evolutionary Sleeper," whereas "King of those Who Know," and "The Unknown Guest," Will quench the thirst of prog metal fans looking for something fresh.

Cynic are back folks, and they are doing what they do best. This is the album that will save metal.



Well, there you have it folks! The top 15 loud rock albums as chosen by me for 2008. Hope you enjoyed and here's to a rockin' 2009!


-James

The Fratellis Band Review

There are very few pieces of music that I can start playing and instantly feel elated. It could be the melody, or just the message that the song is trying to get across; either way, The Fratellis, a rather new alternative rock band from Scotland are able to do this with their song “Flathead.”

The song starts off simple enough – it has almost a jungle-type feel to it, with an acoustic guitar playing a short riff and noises similar to thunder in the background. But it continues to build, once the band’s lead singer Jon Fratelli starts to sing a simple couplet. Then the song bursts into a brief moment of elevation, with Jon shouting his lyrics. It alternates between jungle-theme and loud rock, and then finally the band pulls the song into one of the catchiest themes I’ve ever heard – a few measures in a 7/8 time signature. Although this part of the song contains no actual lyrics, it is extremely energizing, and fun to sing along to.

I’ve found that essentially all of The Fratellis’ music is like this; it’s somewhat simple to listen to, and quite easy to pick up on. Think about some early singles by The Beatles, such as “Love Me Do” – those songs were incredibly easy to learn the lyrics to, and just fun to be a part of while singing along with them. This is what The Fratellis have accomplished with only two LPs.

While both LPs are catchy, however, they do differ somewhat in their styles. Their first album, released in 2006, is called “Costello Music.” The tracks found on this album have a punk-influenced sound, but are poppy at the same time. “Flathead” along with some other faster-paced songs such as “Henrietta” and “Baby Fratelli” are found on this album. Their second album, in contrast, is a little more mellowed out. Entitled “Here We Stand,” it was released in mid-2008. Some of its slower songs include: “Acid Jazz Singer,” “Lupe Brown,” and “Milk and Money.”

Depending on whether you’re in the mood to listen to fast-paced music or slower-paced music, The Fratellis have given you a distinct choice. Both albums contain extremely catchy songs, so either way you’ll be able to pick up on the music quickly. “Costello Music” has generally gotten higher ratings than “Here We Stand,” but it should be noted that the latter was released in the same week as British rock band Coldplay’s fourth studio album, which may have skewed the ratings slightly.

So if you’re looking for an alternative rock group to shout your lungs out to, The Fratellis could be a prime choice of yours. Their varying styles of music will keep you interested, and you just may find yourself feeling joyous for no apparent reason while listening to them, like me.

-Eric Rosenberg

Music Review: Cynic's "Traced In Air"

Album Title: "Traced In Air'
Artist: Cynic
Review By James Kukucka

It is very rare that an album comes about and defines a genre. In 1993 that album was Cynic's "Focus," a record that blended elements of jazz, progressive rock, and death metal to produce one of the most groundbreaking albums in the progressive metal genre and certainly of the early '90s. However shortly after Cynic went on an indefinite hiatus.


Fast forward 14 years and it is 2008, and "Traced In Air," the new Cynic album is eagerly anticipated by prog metal fans everywhere. However, after over a decade many questions arise, Can this new record live up to one of the most important metal releases ever? Have Cynic lost their edge? It is safe to say, that after listening to "Traced In Air," countless times that Cynic have surpassed "Focus" to create their new masterpiece. There is no better way to describe the atmosphere and feel of the record than looking at the title, "Traced in Air." It almost feels as though the sound embodies the air through which it is traveling, in all its beauty and yes, sometimes chaos. The record features electronic vocals overlapping smooth flowing soundscapes, resulting in a majesty that is rarely found in metal.

Of course, having a group of phenomenal musicians helps too, guitarist Paul Masvidal showcases his technical playing abilities on "The Space For This," one of the albums highlights. Drummer Sean Reinert formerly of seminal death metal band,Death, shows his prowess in working with the guitars to produce just the right number of fills and improvisation, so that the music is not overpowered. Bassist, Sean Malone provides a solid rhythm to the entire record.

In terms of overall highlights, I feel that this is one of those albums that must be played from start to finish. It is an easy listen, clocking in at just about 35 minutes, but the record feels immense due to the execution of the air concept and the technical musicianship. Obvious accessible tracks are "Integral Birth," and "Evolutionary Sleeper," whereas "King of those Who Know," and "The Unknown Guest," Will quench the thirst of prog metal fans looking for something fresh.

Cynic are back folks, and they are doing what they do best. This is the album that will save metal.

Music Review for Slipknot: All Hope Is Gone

Music Review for Slipknot: All Hope Is Gone
Written By: Peter Willette

This album is obviously for anyone who is into fast hard hitting music. I would not recommend this to the light hearted. However since the start of Slipknot they have mellowed out. You can really hear the skill level difference from their previous albums. In their older records the music is much simpler and more driving. However the chords and riffs that are played by the guitarists are much more complex and intricate. Not only do the musicians show a gaining of skills but Corey the singer does as well. He does not only scream in this album. He has a very talented acoustic piece titled “snuff”.

The lyrical content is another thing to note on this album. Even though this is a metal album the lyrics do make sense and tend to talk about current events. “All Hope is Gone” focuses on the decay of the very nation that we live in and what a better way to express it than by screaming about it; whereas “execute” seems to describe what is happening in the war that we are in. There is then a contrast of worldly affairs with the writers own self flaws in “Vendetta”. I believe for a metal album the lyrical content is fair to good. I was a bit concerned about this album, due to the fact it seems as metal bands age the intensity weakens. Slipknot has definitely kept that. However I was slightly disappointed with the actual lyrical meaning.

As an overall general blanket statement this album is pretty good. For someone who listens to a lot of metal and has a pretty refined taste as to what is good and what is not, to say this is good is saying something. I like something that has just the right balance of anger and edge, but not over done to the point of stupidity, like most death metal bands. In general this album makes it in to the top slipknot albums produced. Possibly even the best album that slipknot has produced.