7/22/09 – OK Bear

Former Sunny Day Real Estate frontman Jeremy Enigk still “has it” when it comes to making a very listenable indie rock record (his third solo album, if anyone’s counting).  Enigk’s voice seems to be the main attraction on OK Bear – soaring airily up and down through the various melodies, you can’t help but be drawn in.  If his vocals don’t do it for you, the beautifully abstract lyrics will.

7/21/09 – Nothing Rhymes With Woman

So I picked this album up because I’d heard good things about Carbon Leaf.  Sad to say, halfway through the first track I wanted to switch it off and listen to something else.  I gave it a chance, though, and nothing came close to saving this album for me.  Think of the most generic parts of southern rock, folk, and country, slap some hokey lyrics in there… and this is what you’d get.  Just… no.

7/20/09 – Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King

After listening to the album a few times, I still cannot tell you who or what the GrooGrux King is.  That won’t stop me from telling you that I haven’t enjoyed a DMB album this much since “Under The Table…”.  My favorite track, “Funny The Way It Is,” is frighteningly poignant (lyrically) for such a lighthearted-sounding song.  The album as a whole has a very old-school DMB vibe to it, which I’m definitely okay with.

7/19/09 – Overcome

If there is one group of people I hate talking music with, it’s Metalheads.  Mostly because each of them thinks their opinion is fact.  That said, All That Remains is exactly what I look for in metal – equal parts screaming/growling and actual singing, blazing fast guitars, insane drums and decent lyrics.  Heavy, without being too heavy.  This album delivers on all fronts – for me.  YMMV, metal kids.

7/18/09 – Keep It Hid

Dan Auerbach (one half of prolific blues-rockers The Black Keys) does the solo thing with an album of songs that are all over the place, yet extremely tight-knit.  One song will sound directly inspired by Johnny Cash, then you’ll flip to the next track and get a distinct Modest Mouse vibe – it’s like that for the entire album.  Even with the musical ADD; it’s all very soulful, and very… Southern-sounding. I dig it.

6/10/09 – All Rebel Rockers

To start, I’ll maintain that Michael Franti & Spearhead is one of those acts that is best experienced live.  Franti is one of those people that uses music to spread a message, and All Rebel Rockers is a prime example.  He’s kind of like a hippie version of Ben Harper, with roots in reggae instead of folk music.  It’s a thought-provoking album to be sure, and I think the world could use more of those.

6/9/09 – The Rebirth of Venus

There are “feel-good” albums, and then there’s anything created by Ben Lee.  I think he’s mastered the concept.  While there’s nothing particularly fantastic or catchy about this album, it’s a solid pop album that’ll leave you with a smile on your face.  The bonus disc of covers is a rare gem – Ben Lee covering the song The Ataris wrote about him is the most surreal thing I’ve heard in a while.

6/8/09 – The Century of Self

…And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead is one of those bands that sounds so much bigger than they actually are.  Once you clear through the initial wall of noise that encloses the first few tracks, you’ll find a pretty epic rock record.  I mean, even some of the ballads seem larger than life.  Definitely worth a listen – but make sure you have the time, as almost every track is five minutes or more.

6/7/09 – Attics To Eden

For every original act out there, you figure there’s got to be a hundred that copy the sound.  Madina Lake (on this album, anyhow) sounds like every emo-pop-punk band you heard in the late 90’s/early 00’s.  All the lyrics sounded pretty contrived, and I really don’t see the appeal of this stuff to anyone over the age of 16.  Hey, someone’s got to be the “filler” at Warped Tour, right?

5/14/09 – 21st Century Breakdown

Y’know how when you make a carbon copy of something, the copy comes out looking a lot like the original; but there is a pretty substantial loss of quality?  That’s what Green Day’s latest album feels like to me.  Seems like they made a carbon copy of American Idiot.  There are a couple standout tracks (“East Jesus Nowhere” and the Hives-ish “Horseshoes and Handgrenades”) but otherwise most of it is sadly forgettable.