Album Review #9

The Wonder Years - The Upsides
genre: pop-punk, pop rock
released: Jan. 26, 2010
label: No Sleep Records

When I heard The Wonder Years were coming out with a new full-length album in 2010, I was a little skeptical. I know plenty of people who were excited, but I wasn't included in that group. Something about cheesy pop-punk songs centered around Cap'n Crunch and the Kool-Aid fruit punch bowl don't keep me interested. So when I put on this new record, I was expecting more of the same. While I was pleasantly surprised about the album's lyrical content, I still found plenty to complain about.

The major positive about the new album is that Dan Campbell stopped singing about the same stupid crap he was spewing out three years ago. At least now he's writing about himself and his band, something that will keep more people interested than before. And the whole "I'm not sad anymore" gimmick is a nice touch, because there really is nothing to be sad about, especially if you're in a band with a record contract and a busy touring schedule. And the songs on the album are catchy too. Good guitars, poppy drums. It's another typical pop-punk record musically.

My biggest complaint, however, is the fact that Campbell isn't sad anymore. We get it. You're not sad anymore. You don't have to remind me in every song. You're really beating a dead horse here. Not to mention that some of the best songs have been written by artists who are clinically depressed. And secondly, while still more mature than past efforts, The Upsides isn't mature by any stretch of the imagination. Still complaining about the city you live in and how nothing ever goes your way? Boo-fucking-hoo. If you aren't sad, stop whining and write more mature tracks, instead of name dropping cereals and video games every time I turn around. Now and again is fine, but every song is too much.

If you're looking for an easy to listen, catchy pop-punk record, this one is for you. It doesn't take much effort to get into this one, and it's definitely better than past Wonder Years' releases. Hell, it's definitely the best thing I've heard from their catalog. But unfortunately, sometimes your best isn't good enough, and I simply can't get into this kind of mindless pop-punk. It's a step in the right direction, but the boys in this band have a long walk ahead of them at this rate. And no matter what this guy says, it is ALWAYS sunny in Philadelphia. Always.

Favorite tracks: Melrose Diner, Washington State Park

For fans of: Four Year Strong, A Loss for Words, Man Overboard

The Wonder Years' myspace

Album Review #8

Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
genre: indie rock
released: Jan. 19, 2010
label: Kanine Records

Here comes what will be one of, if not the best new band of the year in Surfer Blood. Their hit single "Swim" brought on a wave of high expectations for their debut album, Astro Coast, which should ultimately reach all your lofty expectations and keep you listening. What makes this album so great is its catchy simplicity with its major theme being the guitar throughout. With a classic indie rock feel reminiscent of Pavement, this Florida foursome creates multiple comparisons to bands from the nineties, all the way up the ladder to Weezer's rung. Not too bad of a response if I must say so myself.

Once you dive into this album, you are hooked onto one guitar riff after another. The beauty I find in this is that any song could be your favorite on this album, it's that good. And not only do the guitars entrance you, but the vocals are very strong on this album too. If I could sum this album up into one word, I would have to say melodic. It's a very raw, stripped down version of indie rock that traces back to the roots of the genre. Fortunately, they take ideas from some more modern bands as well.

Sufer Blood throws in little influences of other genres as well on their debut. The album has a very pop-influnced feel, while still taking pages out of the books of both The Shins and Vampire Weekend. They use a nice array of instruments from multiple genres on each track that all provide for a catchy song. All this coming from a band who created their album in their college dorm room, this says a lot about how solid this album is.

Overall, there is really nothing to complain about. They keep you happy from beginning to end and even include their hit single "Swim" on the album. Surfer Blood hits the nail on the head here with a strong foot in the door for early 2010's bright spots. I'm definitely considering going to see this band live due to how much I like the album, and I'm sure they'd put on a great show. They put such a great feel into an album that could very easily resonate live on stage, and this band will continue to expose new listeners to their extremely catchy sound throughout the calendar year.


Favorite tracks: Swim, Take It Easy, Twin Peaks

For fans of: Pavement, Weezer, The Shins

Surfer Blood's myspace

Album Review #7

Motion City Soundtrack - My Dinosaur Life
genre: pop-punk/power pop
released: Jan. 19, 2010
label: Columbia Records

I can't believe it's already been eight years since Motion City Soundtrack has released their first album. Eight long years of ups and downs, Motion City Soundtrack is still here, and is now bigger than ever, releasing their fourth album on a major record label. Despite numerous line-up changes and the troubles that have befallen lead singer Justin Pierre, they continue to defy the odds and wow their most loyal listeners, while gaining more and more fans each day. So with all this hype, Motion City Soundtrack has released another album that is sure to be a hit.

There are a few major positives on this album, along with some negatives. But where MCS went right was by getting Mark Hoppus to come in to produce the album. For someone who hasn't been producing albums for very long, I've liked every album Hoppus has produced that I've listened to, and this one is no different. Just like Commit This to Memory, Hoppus has led Motion City Soundtrack in the right direction and leaves us with a very well produced album. Another major plus is the lyrical content. Major label or not, sell-outs or underground, Motion City Soundtrack doesn't change their style for anyone but themselves. Pierre curses out loudly on this album "You all need to go away, you motherfuckers. You all need to leave me and my homeboys alone" which is a fun chorus sing-a-long, while still sending a message. And the energy level is still very high, one of the major reasons this band became a favorite for me back in the day.

Unfortunately, I do have some complaints to coincide with the positive notes. One major miss is the lack of synthesizer on the album, which was a staple on their previous works. Much like when Cursive lost their cello player, it feels like a little something is missing on each track. Also, the album tends to deviate from the typical pop-punk sound they have come to play over the years. Granted, I like the slight changes on this album, but I fear for the future. Many may see this as a positive as well, but there are so many generic rock bands in the world today, and I'd just hate to see such a talented group end up amongst the likes of those bands.

Despite anything good or bad I could say about this album, it's catchy as hell. Pierre's lyrics are as good as ever, and the drumming by Tony Thaxton is on point, showing his progression, along with the rest of the group. The band sounds tighter than ever on this record, and its maturity shines through. "Disappear" and "Her Words Destroyed My Planet" are great choices for singles and the album is littered throughout with catchy tunes that could latch onto a listener as a favorite. It might not be my favorite Motion City Soundtrack release, but it is very good. It's nice to see a band I loved in high school make it big and enjoy commercial success. Kids are going to love this one, and rightfully so, they should.


Favorite tracks: Disappear, Pulp Fiction, The Weakends

For fans of: The Academy Is..., Fall Out Boy

Motion City Soundtrack's myspace

Album Review #6

Owen Pallett - Heartland
genre: indie/experimental
released: Jan. 12, 2010
label: Domino Records

Owen Pallett is a Canadian artist who has been around for years, writing songs under the moniker Final Fantasy and contributing string arrangements to bands such as Arcade Fire, Grizzly Bear, and Fucked Up. His compositions on the 2006 Final Fantasy album He Poos Clouds won him the inaugural Polaris Music Prize, which is now given annually to the best full-length Canadian album based solely on artistic merit. After hearing this accolade, I figured I need to check this guy out for myself. So I decided to jump right into the new album head first.

Pallett, dropping the Final Fantasy name as to end confusion with the popular video game franchise, really knows how to stretch the listener's imagination. He Poos Clouds is an album simply about the schools of magic from the game Dungeons & Dragons. Pallett goes one step further on Heartland. Taken from Pitchfork.com, the album is about an "ultra-violent farmer" named Lewis, who lives on a planet called Spectrum. Lewis is trying to come to grips with his creator, who is Owen Pallett. Strange, right?

After reading that, I became a little intimidated, which is exactly how the album starts out with it's heavy string arrangements. The album really has two parts for me when I think about it. The first four tracks have a very brooding, ominous feel to them, especially the first two tracks. They end abruptly with the collision of strings and drum loops that are very, well, intimidating. Everything takes a turn for the better though with the album's single "Lewis Takes Action". I'm really glad this farmer fellow decides to do something, because the album flips into a much lighter and happier experience. This song is simply beautiful, with the powerful violins leading the way with Pallett's harmonic voice. The drums provide the perfect backing along with the rest of the instruments provided on this track.

The next two tracks, "The Great Elsewhere" and "Oh Heartland, Up Yours!", are written in the same vein as the previous one, using the violin, drums, and looping them throughout the song, while Pallett entrances the listener with his voice. And to think that the live version of this is done completely by Pallett himself is amazing. By plugging his violin into a loop pedal, he is able to do everything you hear on the album. Pallett's talents shine on through the rest of the album right up until the very end.

I can see why many people wouldn't want to listen to this, or "couldn't get into it" at all. But I'm truly glad that I can appreciate this entire ensemble Pallett has given us with Heartland. He has created something beautiful and I believe that anyone who listens to it and gives it a chance will walk away liking it. The vocals and the strings are clearly the highlights, but the incorporation of so many other instruments truly puts a cap on another fine job for Owen Pallett. Once you can get past the intimidating first couple tracks, the rest of the album is a great listen and has me anxious to explore into his older albums. Only after I listen to Heartland a few more times though (which is up on his myspace for the time being, link below).


Favorite tracks: Lewis Takes Action, Oh Heartland, Up Yours!, E Is for Estranged

For fans of: Arcade Fire, Antony and the Johnsons, Grizzly Bear

Owen Pallett's myspace

Album Review #5

Vampire Weekend - Contra
genre: indie rock
released: Jan. 12, 2010
label: XL Recordings

After taking a week to enjoy the holidays with friends and family, I figured I'd start off 2010 the right way by reviewing the album I've been dying to get my hands on for months now. I never listened to Vampire Weekend in 2008, but they were all I listened to since school started this past fall. The band's eponymous debut was a great record, and I couldn't wait to hear more new material. The New York-based foursome has not disappointed me one bit with Contra.

Vampire Weekend doesn't stray from the path on their sophomore release, sticking with their own indie sound, heavily influenced by both African and classical music. The arrangement of instruments throughout the album sound perfectly collaborated and frontman Ezra Koenig's lyrical prowess is evident through the entire 36-minute record. Just like the first album, they get in and get out on this record, with only one song lasting more than five minutes. They spend just enough time on each song, keeping you coming back and wanting more. The album is also produced by Rostam Batmanglij, the band's organ/guitar/piano playing mastermind behind the album's overall sound.

The album's opener, "Horchata", is a great song to set off the album, complete with xylophones and big beats to accompany Koenig's rhyme scheme to the song title. This one is a light sing-a-long which really sets the same mood I felt with their first album, one of fun and enjoyment. "White Sky" and "Holiday" keep the ball rolling, with their collaborative sounds and poppy vocals. "California English" distorts Koenig's vocals but speeds up the pace, giving us yet another indie-pop sing-a-long, while acknowledging the ever popular Philadelphia cheesesteak all at the same time. "Taxi Cab" slows the album back down, with a key-driven arrangement while Koenig's slowly drones along with the beauty of the piano. This song lacks a little something I can't put my finger on, but it doesn't capture me the way their other tracks do.

The next song, "Run", is slow like "Taxi Cab" but throws a beat and more drums into the mix, getting me back to where I left off. The album's single, "Cousins", is simply great. Fast, loud, fun. It's a great single and one of the strongest songs on the whole album. "Giving Up the Gun" and "Diplomat's Son" are the longest songs on the album, reaching almost 10 minutes between the two of them. While the songs are longer, they are still good listens with catchy beats and Koenig's infectious vocals. The record closes out with "I Think Ur a Contra", a slower ballad that is extremely vocally driven, with a constant drum and lighter instruments to back up the vocals. A good way to close out an already very strong effort.

I don't want to say this album is better than Vampire Weekend's self-titled debut quite yet, because that's a very tough task to undertake. But I am very pleased with what I've heard on Contra and Vampire Weekend has added another great album to a short but excellent repertoire. More and more listens to this album are needed to fully appreciate how good it is, but it is clearly evident from the start how good Vampire Weekend has become and how much more is ahead of them. I'll be waiting patiently for them to support this album on tour and when they come around to my area, you can expect to see me at the show.


Favorite tracks: Horchata, Holiday, Cousins

For fans of: Grizzly Bear, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Vampire Weekend's myspace