Monday, May 16, 2011

Rollerskate Skinny - Novice EP

Artist: Rollerskate Skinny
Album: Novice EP
Year: 1992
Genre: Noise Pop, Shoegaze
Country: Ireland

Let me say what needs to be said, yes, the album features Jimi Shields, younger brother of My Bloody Valentine's own Kevin Shields. If you don't know him, you're in the wrong place. This needed to be said because every review of Rollerskate Skinny talks about that and that only. Now that its out of the way, the review can start.
This EP is exclusively released on a 10" vinyl, that features that band's old strawberry logo when they were still called Shake. The album only contains two, albeit lengthy tracks, both around the 8 minute mark. The EP happens to have a much more industrial sound than most of the Shoegaze of around that era. In fact, the Shoegaze tag is very reluctantly added, it should just be classified as Noise Pop. To be honest, it has a sound of it own, which in musical terms, is usually a plus. It is a release loved by most Shoegaze fans, for its noisy characteristics, long progressive tracks, and of course, ties to Kevin Shields, who is essentially worshipped by fans of the genre.
However, don't be discouraged, this release is very good. The two tracks are both very repetitive in nature, yet it is very hard to get bored of them, which is quite a shock in most cases. Like said before, the guitars are very noisy, not so much delayed and reverbed like one might of expected, but more 'fuzzy', rather than 'ethereal' or 'dreamy'. Think more of The Jesus & Mary Chain rather than Cocteau Twins.
Overall, this EP is worth having in your collection, and deserves a couple good listens. Try not to think of this being Kevin Shields' younger brothers band, but think of it separately. It sounds nothing like MBV.
Rating: B





Tracklisting:
1. Complacency
2. Cushy Daughter

Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?mnmyyv0lmss

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Tomorrow huh? What a lie./ El Ten Eleven - s/t

Artist: El Ten Eleven
Album; El Ten Eleven
Year: 2004
Genre: Post-Rock, Math Rock
Country: U.S.

Lets pick up where we left off. El Ten Eleven is one of those bands that people should hear more about, but they don't. Maybe its a good thing, maybe a bad thing, but they should be more known. They should be better than $8 for a show in a bar called Mojos. But really, fans can't complain about cheap tickets and music dweebs can still remain elite with their 'obscurities'. El Ten Eleven though, are far from obscurity. Sure their name isn't really heard around a lot in day to day life, but at least their music is very accessible. Arguably the most accessible album to be featured on this blog to date.
Cue descriptive music paragraph. Though it may sound like a 4 or 5 piece instrumental project, the band actually consists of two members. As well as this, there is no 'studio magic', just two guys who have a serious knack for multi-tasking, and looping. Playing Bass with one hand, and harmonic guitars with another, as well as keeping a drum beat with one hand and playing keys with another. A normal person would crack at this pressure, believe me, I've tried. They seem to do it flawlessly though which makes it all more amazing. See for yourself in the video below.
While the first half of the album is definitely the greater half, the whole album deserves an intent listen. It is a great album as it is, and think about all the elbow grease put in to perfect and play it makes it all the more amazing.
Rating: A




Tracklist:
1. My Only Swerving
2. Sorry About your Irony
3. Lorge
4. 1969
5. Central Nervous Piston
6. Thinking Loudly
7. Fanshawe
8. Connie
9. Bye Mom

Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?2m2mtjmmaz2

Saturday, February 12, 2011

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Yeah I know, I need to post more music. I've been slacking.
Tomorrow, I promise.

Monday, February 7, 2011

I'm getting sick of Classic Rock Elitists

I like Classic Rock, Its alright. I must admit though, It is the most over-hyped genre of music that is still played today. The music is fine, my problem is the fans. Classic Rock fans are probably the most closed minded people you will ever meet. "Hurr durr music hasn't been the same since 1983, or whatever." If you know someone whose favorite genre is Classic Rock, chances are they don't listen to anything else. They will disregard all other genres, especially modern bands. If its not Zeppelin, they will hate it.
The Classic Rock Radio stations are the worst though. Honestly, I think i've heard every song played on there at least 76234847 times my life. They are fueling the idea that the best music has already been produced, and that we have to listen on repeat rather than explore new stuff.
I don't know why I'm writing this, I guess I'm just bored.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Rooftops - A Forest of Polarity

Artist: Rooftops
Album: A Forest of Polarity
Year: 2010
Genre: Melodic Math Rock
Country: U.S. (Washington)

Melodic Math Rock. There's a genre that hardly exists. Take account of almost all Math Rock, and its usually some of the most abrasive, confusing music out there. However, most people like music for enjoyment, not to think the entire time. The people who are only into 'intellectual' music, are usually the most pretentious people you will ever meet. Math Rock comes from Progressive Rock, which also experiments with all sorts of time signatures and abrupt tempo changes. Think Rush, Genesis and King Crimson as the most well known of the genre. Maybe Jethro Tull as well. Its iffy though.
So what makes Rooftops so special? The album is quite minimalistic. The only obvious instruments are the drums, guitar and bass. Vocals are extremely scarce. As said before though, this music is melodic. It is easy listening. This makes for a more catchy, accessible album.
The album as a whole though can wire you up. Its sort of 'get-up-and-go music'. Just listen, and you will see what is meant by that. The songs however, don't sound a whole lot different that one another, which admittedly, can get a little redundant. Still, in the long run it is a fantastic album and is not hard t listen to, more fun to listen to.
Protip: All the song titles are anagrams.
Rating: B


Tracklist:
1. Fiery Atlas
2. Astray Life
3. I Fast Early
4. Raft Easily
5. Year as Lift
6. Tear as I Fly
7. A Layer Fits
8. Leafy Stair
9. Era Falsity
10. Sea Frailty

Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?mmzzmm4ndmi

Friday, February 4, 2011

For those who actually know me.

You may have noticed, but I have lately been completely isolating myself from the world. True, most of these days, I was snowed into my house and stuck there, but I've actually gone out of my way to ensure that I'm not bothered. For instance, I've deleted my facebook account, don't post any more videos on my youtube account, and don't respond to many text messages. I apologize, but I feel the need to be alone the next couple of weeks. I know I'm already anti-social as fuck, but I'm pretty sure becoming a total recluse for the next couple of days, weeks, whatever, will be good for me and help me figure myself out.
Don't be concerned about how little I update on here, and how little I strive to make contact with my friends because, honestly, we live about as far away from each other as we could. I'm going to try and move onto a new sector of my life because pining after the old one is starting to get redundant, and is starting to depress me more and more.
For those who don't know me, disregard this, and keep downloading.