New music purchased thread

[And That]

Serena Maneesh - Serena-Maneesh

 

The problem I have with doing Best of 200x lists in December is that I'm a huge procrastinator and don't get around to listening to a lot of the albums that turn out to be my favorite albums of 200x until January-March of the next year. Such is the case with Serena Maneesh.

 

These guys and gals are Norwegian and love to rock it. The closest comparison I can conjure up while listening to it is a Sigur Ros meets Aenema-era Tool that had been listening to a lot of early-90's British rock, plus they're Scandinavian. At times utterly ethereal and and other times rocking your rooster, Serena Maneesh have created one of the most distinctive albums (and I stress, album) since Tool's "Aenema." While it may not have the sensual flow of Tool's masterpiece, it rocks in equal parts.

 

Going back to the Sigur Ros part of my analogy, it's as hard to pin down a favorite track as it is with Agaetis Byrjun... the album turns into an amporhous blob of awesomeness at various points throughout. And if you've listened to Swedish rockers Dungen, you'll hit on addition apparently Scandinavian rock eccentricities of changing tempo, even changing song structure, in the middle of a song. For instance, after about 50 minutes of rocking, vibraphones show up in the penultimate track of the album - its one of my favorite moments of the thing.

 

This is my new favorite album of 2006, edging out the fascinating, yet sometimes self-aware Liars album Drum's Not Dead. Serena-Maneesh hasn't yet reached "classic" album status with me, but it is coming pretty close. My rating 4.5/5 stars.

[diomedeh2]

This is my new favorite album of 2006, edging out the fascinating, yet sometimes self-aware Liars album Drum's Not Dead. Serena-Maneesh hasn't yet reached "classic" album status with me, but it is coming pretty close. My rating 4.5/5 stars.

 

I concur, very good album.

[theavrock]

Stars: Set Yourself on Fire

Awesome indie pop music out of Canada.

 

The Lawrence Arms: Oh Calcutta

Missed this when it first came out and now I can't stop listening to it. Goodd gritty Chicago punk rock.

[filthyfrog]

Stars: Set Yourself on Fire

Awesome indie pop music out of Canada.

 

Awesome, indeed. Stars are one of those bands who should've taken over the world by now. They're definitely poppy enough to be mainstream and their mini-symphonic flourishes keep you interested after many listens. Sure, some songs are too saccharin to take seriously, but there are plenty of masterpieces to overcome the occasional flops.

[UeckerAddict]

Filthy Frog,

 

You have the Godspeed You! Black Emperor cover to "Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven" icon! You can post that you're a Cubs fan, and you'd still be on my cool list now.

[bigredrobbo]

2 albums on heavy rotation at the moment.

 

 

The Shins - Wincing The Night Away

 

Seems to be some difference of opinion on this board (that NEVER happens!) about this album.

I was hesitant about how it would sound based on the dreadful title, and their performance on SNL a couple of weeks ago, when I thought it was almost unlistenable. Doncha just love being wrong?

I've been pressing "repeat" on my iTunes for this album every time I listen to it (which I never do - with over 7000 tracks, I can usually stumble upon something else I want to hear).

I find that if the lead single isn't even the 3rd best track on an album, that's one of my guidelines.

The tracks "Sea Legs", "Red Rabbits" and "Sleeping Lessons" are all better IMO than "Phantom Limb".

Just a damn good listen is all.

 

 

 

!!! - Myth Takes

 

What is it with dodgy album titles? Did bad puns make a comeback and I missed the memo?

Following up 2004's "Louden Up Now", New Yorkers !!! (ahem...chk, chk, chk) have produced the latest in what will possibly be a long line of herky-jerky punk funk in 2007.

What with new albums from Bloc Party (also worth a listen btw), LCD Soundsystem and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, I'm in hog heaven.

You can dance to it ( not that I will, that'd be creepy!), and there are great nods to Talking Heads, XTC, APB (remember them?), Devo and Madchester bands like Stone Roses and Happy Mondays.

Standout tracks "Heart of Hearts" and "Bend Over Beethoven" are also nice and long - essential when you start to get into a groove, I find.

[deeswan]

I haven't bought a new CD in a while, but, thanks to itunes, I have been able to listen again to the brilliance of Jack Mack and the Heart Attack.

[brettac1]

Bloc Party (also worth a listen btw)

 

I've had this album for about a month now, and it is excellent. I'm not sure I would say it's as good as Silent Alarm is, but it's very good.

[pogokat]

Dinosaur Jr. --- Bug

 

I don't know how i've not been a dinosaur jr. fan forever, but i will be from now on...This album is absolutely perfect. It's crunchy. It's loud. It's out of control. But at the same time it's very focused pop which makes it classically awesome.

[thebruce44]

The Shins - Wincing The Night Away

 

I mentioned earlier in the thread that I was listening to the CD. I got tired of it kinda quick, but will go back once I grow tired of the two CDs I have been listening to lately (Wolfmother and The Format).

 

It seems like with The Shins first two albums, I didn't like them much at first but after some time went back and now I can listen to them over and over again. I don't know if that will happen again, but there is just something about their style that catches on to me after a while. I have a feeling that Red Rabbits will be one of those songs...I also have to say that as of right now, I think Turn On Me (right after Red Rabbits) is my favorite track.

[BrewCrewForever]

Have not bought any new CD's lately but three CD's coming out in the next few months I'm looking forward to are:

 

Chevelle- "Vena Sera" April 3rd

Nine Inch Nails- "Year Zero" April 17

Linkin Park- No Title Yet April 30

 

That is a good month for CD's!

[BrewCrewForever]

Actually Linkin Park May 1.

[gypcasino]

I had some iTunes gift cards that I just used. I downloaded the "Break Down the Walls" album by Youth of Today. Mid '80s straight edge. Good stuff. And also "Guitar Romantic" by the Exploding Hearts, a punk band from Portland who released one album a few years back and then had three of their members die in a car accident shortly after that. I just noticed that they have a singles/rarities/unreleased collection that came out late last year which I'd like to check out too.

 

Anyone like death metal? I've been on a big kick lately. I downloaded a nice mix of songs by Cradle of Filth (a killer version of Venom's "Black Metal"), Decapitated, Dew Scented, Dying Fetus, Goatwhore, Jungle Rot, Kataklysm, Nile, Morbid Angel, Suffocation, Vehemence, & Krisiun. I'm more of a fan of the straight up death metal & not so much the "metalcore" genre but I do really dig the band Haste the Day, who lean more metalcore.

 

I'm going to Exclusive Company soon too to pick up some CDs. Probably the first couple Velvet Underground releases, which I believe have been talked about in this thread. Also I'm a pretty big country music fan, especially George Strait and have to get his latest. And there are a few newer compilations of old school country I'd like to check out from Buck Owens and Mel Tillis.

 

Some other stuff I've been wanting for a while is "Horses" by Patti Smith, a couple of old John Prine albums, "Armed Forces" by Elvis Costello,"Honkytonk Masquerade" by Joe Ely, and "Late For the Sky" by Jackson Browne.

 

Not exactly all "new music" but that's what I've been listening to/wanting lately.

[pogokat]

the exploding hearts have a new b-sides album out as well...

i havent heard it yet, but i'm sure it's good...

 

if you like the poppy stuff on armed forces a lot, imperial bedroom is excellent...it's hard to go wrong with anything elvis costello did pre-1987

[bigredrobbo]

Well, it's been eagerly anticipated by many but I've had Arcade Fire - Neon Bible for 2 days now and I'm a happy boy.

Everything I hoped for and more. First single Intervention gives a little clue where the Montreal collective are going. Big church organs and, for want of a better word, a majesty about it.

There's lots of the epic songwriting that made 2004's Funeral album such a treasure, but unexpected elements like Keep The Car Running, which sounds like crazy indie rockabilly with Win Butler's trademark howl overlaid.

 

For newer fans, No Cars Go, long a staple of their live set and included on their first mini-album EP dealie, is a nice addition.

 

I can't wait to see how well it all comes together as the sun starts to set on the Saturday night they play at Coachella.

[And That]

Anyone like death metal?

 

I'm not a big fan of the doom/death metal genre, but a band I like listening to occasionally is Sunn O))). It is one of the most intense albums I own, even to the point of being somewhat scary to listen to. On one of the tracks on "Black One" one of the guest singers was recorded while he was in a coffin - the kicker being that he also happened to be clausterphobic. Not for mass consumption or often consumption, but it will consume you.

 

I've bought a number of new albums recently, and I'll post my reviews later on. More Velvet Underground, more Bob Dylan, Wolfmother, The Radio Dept., Whiskeytown, and a lounge album with questionable merits.

[Blazer25]

Not sure if this is the right place for this but I can't help my excitement!

 

It is music related and I didn't want to start a whole new thread...anyway.

 

I just bought tickets to see Pat Green at the House of Blues in Chicago on March 4!

 

I've seen PG once before and it was the best live music experience of my life. The guy knows how to play a crowd. I'm extra excited because it will be a more intimate crowd, which is more of PG's forte.

 

 

Not only that but the girlfriend and I got a great rate for a hotel room within walking distance from the HOB on Hotwire. $79 for a hotel on E. Wacker...nice!

 

Anyone else have any upcoming shows they are looking forward to?

[gypcasino]

Quote:

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I'm not a big fan of the doom/death metal genre, but a band I like listening to occasionally is Sunn O))).

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Sounds pretty interesting. I checked out their wikipedia entry and under the list of covers they do was this, which made me chuckle- "FWTBT" from Flight of the Behemoth (cover of Metallica's "For Whom the Bell Tolls" - the full title is "F.W.T.B.T (I Dream of Lars Ulrich Being Thrown Through the Bus Window instead of My Master Mystikall Kliff Burton)")

 

Quote:

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I just bought tickets to see Pat Green at the House of Blues in Chicago on March 4!

---

 

I'd love to see Pat Green headline. I saw him at Summerfest in '05 open for Kenny Chesney and he only did a short set of recent hits and a cover or two.I'm not a big fan of the ultra-commercial stuff starting with Wave on Wave going forward but he's still an awesome performer. I listen to "Live at Billy Bob's Texas" and "Three Days" quite a bit.

[Blazer25]

Quote:

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I'd love to see Pat Green headline. I saw him at Summerfest in '05 open for Kenny Chesney and he only did a short set of recent hits and a cover or two.I'm not a big fan of the ultra-commercial stuff starting with Wave on Wave going forward but he's still an awesome performer. I listen to "Live at Billy Bob's Texas" and "Three Days" quite a bit

---

 

I agree 100%. I was actually at Summerfest 05 when he did double duty and opened for Chesney and then played a full show at the Miller stage.

 

He was awesome. Did all the old stuff: Here I go, George's Bar, Dancehall dreamer...it was really cool.

 

I hope he doesn't cram too much stuff off of the Cannonball album in this show. I've heard he plays a lot of the older stuff when he plays smaller venues. We shall see...can't wait.

[brettac1]

a couple of old John Prine albums, "Armed Forces" by Elvis Costello,"Honkytonk Masquerade" by Joe Ely

 

I actually have seen all three of those guys live in the past year, and they were all terrific. Joe Ely blew me away when I saw him with the Texas Songwriters Tour.

 

And Gyp, as far as I'm concerned, get all four VU albums with Lou Reed, or if you feel like throwing down a larger lump sum, get the "Peel Slowly and See" box set. And then you might as well get a bunch of Lou Reed stuff, too - I have pretty much adopted the position that if you don't own "Transformer", you have a problem.

 

Anyone else have any upcoming shows they are looking forward to?

 

Decemberists and My Brightest Diamond in April in Madison.

[bigredrobbo]

Quote:

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Anyone else have any upcoming shows they are looking forward to?

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Snow Patrol

OK Go

Silversun Pickups at the Rave in early April

 

Coachella in Cali in late April

 

Mr Waters at the Amp when the tix go on sale

 

The Police in Chicago when the tix go on sale too!

[gypcasino]

And Gyp, as far as I'm concerned, get all four VU albums with Lou Reed, or if you feel like throwing down a larger lump sum, get the "Peel Slowly and See" box set.

 

Good suggestion Brett. I checked Amazon and it's fairly cheap used. I think I'll go that route.

[BrewCrewForever]

Anyone else have any upcoming shows they are looking forward to?

 

Red Hot Chili Peppers @ Bradley Center February 28th

 

Aaron Lewis @ The Pabst March 9th

 

Stone Sour @ The Rave March 24th

[BrewCrewForever]

Now the Linkin Park CD has been confirmed for May 15th with the title "Minutes to Midnight". That and the new Nine Inch Nails CD are going to be first day buys for me.

[brettac1]

I'm listening to the new Bright Eyes album right now. You get free a free mp3 download of the album when you order the vinyl.

 

It's pretty good, more like "I'm Wide Awake, it's Morning", which is my favorite album of his. It's vastly different from the Four Winds EP, with only the title track being on both. I have to listen to it a few more times to get a fuller opinion of it, but I think I like it thus far.