Review - M.I.A.

M.I.A.
Kala
Interscope
2007


Grade: F -


I don’t get why people dig this chick and why critics like her so much. Is it just a bid at being the next “in” guy? I wonder if they’re pretending to like it to be cool. That’s one thing I’ll never do. Decent beats on some songs, annoying vocals on every song.

Oh yeah, and I hate this album. I want my 47 minutes back.

"Joke" Review - Now, Vol. 25

Now
Vol. 25
Utv
2007


Grade: G -


The reason I called this a "joke" review is because this album should only be taken as such. I also didn't listen to this cd(and I have never even seen it), because if I had I would probably have already killed myself from listening to so many bad songs in a row. I have heard all the songs on this disc, which is probably the closest plastic can get to becoming actual shit, on MTV or in passing before. This album features more pro tools lovers and rappers who only like to sing the title to their songs over and over than you'll find anywhere else. Also there are 4, that's right 4! people who "rose to fame" thanks to American Idol on this. It goes from fake rock, to annoying pop, to senseless rap, right back to fake rock with an American Idol alumni close. If you think that sounds awesome than God help you. All of the songs on this disc are complete excuses for music, well maybe except the Justin Timberlake song. I'm going to go as far as saying if you actually bought this turd and you like it, I don't like you.

Review - The View

The View
Hats Off to the Buskers
Sony
2007


Grade: F-


I had no idea who these guys were but while I was grabbing the picture of the Panda Bear album cover off of Amazon to post it I saw one of those links on the side bar to someone’s “Best of 2007 so far” . When I checked it out he had The View’s album on it. I went to Myspace (lame, I know) to check out how they sounded and their entire album was available for listen , so I decided to review it.

I usually try not to read anything about an album if I’m going to review it, but like I said I had no intention of reviewing this when I read about it. According to Amazon.com, Hats Off to the Buskers was produced by Owen Morris, who has produced both Oasis and The Verve before. I thought if he produced albums by both of those bands than he must know his shit and maybe this band is actually good. Wrong!! It’s rather generically British sounding and pretty terrible (you can call people from Scotland British right?). It’s not as bad as Kaiser Chiefs (it‘s close), but it does seem to follow the trend of the album getting worse as it progresses though.

I’d save my cash as far as buying their album goes as it is quite sub-par. Quite

I also found a quote on someone’s Amazon list about this band that I think sums up how I feel about it.

"If you like the Fratelli's, Arctic Monkeys, Libertines you will like these guys. Very British."

I rest my case.


EDIT - I don't dislike this band because they are British. I said earlier in the review that I thought it might be good because of the fact that the guy who produced it produced Oasis and The Verve. Are Oasis and The Verve not British? Again, i rest my case.

Review - Panda Bear

Panda Bear
Person Pitch
Paw Tracks
2007


Grade: B


I think a lot of people know at least a little bit about Panda Bear. For those of you who don't, Panda Bear is a one man project consisting of Noah Lennox, a member of Animal Collective.

I think the first two tracks on this album shine the brightest because of their 60s pop sound and their not being too weird (as some songs can get a bit experimental at points, but you'd expect that if you're familiar with Animal Collective). A lot of the songs on this actually remind me of the Beach Boys. He has a very Brian Wilson sound when he sings. The only place this was losing me was the length of one of the songs. It was a good track, but it seemed a little too long at over 12 minutes. There is another track on here that is over 12 minutes long, but it's split up into different songs so it doesn't run the chance of boring you.

This is definitely an album that anyone who likes Animal Collective should get if they don't have it already. It's a keeper

Review - Kaiser Chiefs

Kaiser Chiefs
Yours Truly. Angry Mob
Universal
2007


Grade: F -


The attempt at a clever album title should have probably served as a clue to me that this album would suck. After listening I would have to think that it must be quite fitting to what people who care at all about this band are thinking. I didn't like this album from the start, and I liked it even less as it progressed. I'm going to use some of their song titles now to sum up the experience of it.

" The Angry Mob" - I'm sure they've had their share.

"I Can Do Without You" - Holy SHIT! you can say that again!!

"Thank You Very Much" - I will be saying that exact thing when this BoreFest is over.

"Everything is Average Nowadays" - In your case, much worse. But, hey, at least we know you were swinging for the fences on this one.

"Try Your Best" - Keep telling yourself that's all you need to do, maybe it'll help you sleep better at night.

"Retirement" - Please go into it. I'm practically begging you.

I think I'm done wasting my time talking about this album now. I will never listen to this again, nor do I suggest you do...ever. You should only buy this if you're planning on giving it to someone you secretly don't like.

Review - Interpol

Interpol
Our Love to Admire
Capitol
2007


Grade: D


I wasn’t going to review this album yet, but I saw one of those commercials yesterday where they show you the best little snippets of reviews so you will think that it’s the greatest album ever. Then, even when I was listening to it at first I was thinking I’ll listen to it now and then review it later. If it’s as good as they’re trying to make it seem I won’t mind listening to it more than once. The first three tracks are pretty boring and very unmemorable. The fourth track is the single “Heinrich Maneuver” and ends up being the first song on the album I think I might want to hear again. The decency continues on, but this isn’t really living up to their previous efforts. Maybe this album is a grower, but as of right now I’m not that into it.

If you've never heard Interpol's music you should get their first album and then their second as those are both good.

Review - Winterkids

Winterkids
Memoirs (Untitled)
Sony
2007


Grade: F -


This is going to be a really short review because I can’t even believe I endured this album. Yes, I said endured, and yes, it’s appropriate. If I ever hear this album again, even in passing. I will probably end up fighting the person who is playing it. This is a REALLY BAD Bloc Party clone with bad synth lines. The lyrics suck, the vocals suck (the singer at times sounds like the more annoying singer from blink 182), the music is boring and unoriginal. Don’t buy this album unless you hate yourself.

Review - Dillinger Escape Plan

Ok, so I haven't been around for a while. I'm sorry, I took a bit of a vacation. But I'm back, so don't fret, and breathe again and all that good stuff.



The Dillinger Escape Plan
Plagiarism
iTunes
2006


Grade: F


As you may know (or not) from a previous post I made I really like the Dillinger Escape Plan. They're one of my favorite metal bands. This EP is something they decided to put out for....umm, does anyone know why? Yeah, I don't know why either. It's a 6 song iTunes only EP with two songs off of their previous full-length and 4 covers of artists including Nine Inch Nails, Massive Attack, Soundgarden, and Justin Timberlake. If you know DEP's music you'd think "oh, that's really cool, they took those songs and applied their own style to them!" But, if you thought that you are completely wrong. All of the covers are boringly true to the originals. This EP is a complete waste to me. I have the songs that are originals by them already on their album and I have the songs they covered on the albums by the original artists. Oh, and guess what, the originals are better (surprise, surprise). Don't waste your money or time on this.