March 2011 Playlist

Oh I know you must have been on the edge of your seat for this months playlist. There were so many great bands in March and I am happy I could listen to a majority of them. Well I hope you all enjoy these tracks I know they have been keeping me tapping my toes! To download them just click on the March 2011 Playlist link below.

Track Listing For March 2011 Playlist
1. K is For Kelson- Bibio
2. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover- G. Love
3. Civilian- Wye Oak
4. Suzanne And I- Anna Calvi
5. Do What You Will- Papercuts
6. 100 Other Lovers- Devotchka
7. With Love- Elbow
8. Under The Cover Of Darkness- The Strokes
9. The Roller- Beady Eye
10. Oh My Heart- R.E.M.
11. Post Break Up Sex- The Vaccines
12. In My Time- Kurt Vile
13. Black Night- The Dodos
14. No Harm- The Boxer Rebellion
15. All You Need Is Now- Duran Duran
16. The Best Of Me- The Sounds
17. Ready To Go (Get Me Out Of My Mind)- Panic! At the Disco
18. Map Of An Englishman- Erland & The Carnival
19. Making Light- Dinosaur Bones
20. Heaven's Gonna Happen Now- The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
21. Dirty Mister Dirty- The Generationals
22. If You're Not Here (I Don't Know Where You Are)- Hunx And His Punx
23. A Million Years- Alexander
24. Shanghai Cigarettes- Caitlin Rose
25. You Better Watch Yourself- Joe Bonamassa
26. Two Lovers- The Rural Alberta Advantage
27. Beautiful Gas Mask- The Mountain Goats

Hunx And His Punx- Too Young To Be in Love

If filmmaker John Waters wrote his own music for his movies it would sound something like Hunx and his Punx's Too Young To Be In Love. This is Hunx and his Punx's first real full length album and it's a blast to listen to. Bubblegum pop mixed with ‘60s diner music is the best way to describe the sound of Too Young To Be In Love. The all girl “Punkettes” that back Seth Bogart are talented musicians and have complimenting backup vocals. I think Seth Bogart in some ways is kind of a genius. He takes trashy sounding music and makes it into pop. You just can’t help but sing along even when Bogart sings about obscene and over the top things. That’s the charm of Hunx and his Punx: it’s the classiest trashy music you can find. So if you have been watching movies like Pink Flamingos or Female Trouble and want to cruise around feeling like you are in that Baltimore scene then Too Young To Be In Love is the album for you. I know I adore it and everyone needs to give it a chance.




Final Review- 95

The Vaccines- What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?

What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? has an interesting ‘50s rock vibe mixed with an almost Ramones punk sound. I think The Vaccines have a lot of confidence, and are entertaining but lack the knowledge of how to put a stable album together. Some songs stand out like “Post Break Up Sex” and show you that the band really does have a decent amount of talent, but most of the tracks kind of all start blending together and lack that certain something that makes their sound original. A positive thing I can say about The Vaccines' album work is that they know to make a majority of their songs less than three minutes.  Other than that I would say that shortly after What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? is finished it sinks to the back of your mind and doesn’t really stick with you.

Final Review- 70

The Sounds- Something To Die For

Every week when I start listening to the music I am going to review I always hope for a group like The Sounds and lucky me I got it this week. Something to Die For is great from the minute you start it to the minute it ends. The Sounds mix new wave and post-punk revival pretty much flawlessly. Maja Ivarsson, the band's lead singer, is full of attitude and her personality really seems to saturate all of The Sounds' songs. The only comparison I can really think of when it comes to The Sounds' music is Blondie and the pop folk group Tegan and Sara. Even with that comparison I would say they stand out and are original. From the moment Something to Die For starts it makes you want to hum along and tap your foot to the beat. Needless to say I am a huge fan of this album, and it is a must listen for everyone.   

Final Review- 95

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart- Belong

Belong is the second release from The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, and really it's impressive how rooted their music sounds already. Belong is another album that is a call back to ‘90s rock with strong guitar driven songs and a great pop sense. Kip Berman has one of the more interesting male vocals I have heard. His voice is light and airy instead of fierce and hard like most male driven groups. Berman’s vocals really add that certain something that makes Belong stand out. All of the songs on Belong are pretty catchy and make you want to move to the beats. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart have done a great job on this album and I look forward to their future work. Belong is an album that you should not miss out on.




Final Review- 90

The Mountain Goats- All Eternals Deck

The Mountain Goats' founding member and lead singer John Darnielle is one of the best lyricists I have heard. All Eternals Deck really pushes the music itself to the back and lets Darnielle's voice be the primary focus, which is good because of how lyrically based the band is. One downside to the vocals being so important is that at times Darnille’s voice can be a little whiney and hard to listen to. All Eternals Deck is a pretty raw and sturdy album. Some interesting  songs on All Eternals Deck are written for various celebrities such as Judy Garland (“The Autopsy Garland”), Charles Bronson ( "For Charles Bronson”), and Liza Minnelli (“Liza Forever Minnelli”). I can recognize the talent that The Mountain Goats have even if at times it’s not really my cup of tea, and I think they are worth a listen.




Final Review- 80

The Boxer Rebellion- The Cold Still

I first heard of The Boxer Rebellion after watching the 2010 movie Going the Distance. They played an independent band in L.A looking for a record deal, which was pretty much what they were doing in real life. The Cold Still is the third self released album and has some pretty neat things going on. The album flows well and there are a handful of great little gems. Nathan Nicholson has a really great voice that is haunting without sounding like he really has to try to be. I don’t think The Cold Still is an earth shattering album but I certainly enjoyed listening to it. Is it my favorite album of 2011? No. In all honesty it wouldn’t even get in my top 20, but I think The Boxer Rebellion is a decent group worth a listen. 




Final Review- 75

Bibio- Mind Bokeh

If you have been trying to find a group that is the link between ambient techno and pop then look no further than Bibio’s Mind Bokeh. Most of the music is a mix of found sound, rock guitars, synths, and vocals. The beats are fantastic and always jumping around keeping you on the edge of your seat. Mind Bokeh is incredibly original. In a genre that sometimes really lacks great vocal hooks or hooks in general Bibio delivers both in interesting ways. It’s pretty amazing to me that it’s only Stephen Wilkinson pumping out all of this fantastic music and not a group of people. I strongly suggest a listen to Mind Bokeh. It might be out of your comfort zone but it would be a real shame to miss out on a great album like Bibio’s Mind Bokeh.   

Final Review- 90

The Generationals- Actor-Caster

Upbeat is something The Generationals seem to really do well, even if the lyrics are not always the happiest. Actor-Caster’s songs are all varied, ranging from a doo-wop group to jangy guitars and an almost protopunk sound sprinkled with indie rock. The Generationals are a duo that sounds like a whole band and really stand out in the indie rock scene. Actor-Caster is overall a pretty great album. The one weak part of Actor-Caster is that it loses a little steam around halfway through. It’s not that all of a sudden the songs are bad, it just feels like the spark that’s there in the first half is duller in the second. It certainly doesn’t stop me from pushing repeat on my ipod but I feel like The Generationals can do better. Actor-Caster would have gotten a 100 if it hadn’t been for the loss of a spark, so of course I am going to tell you that you have to give this album a chance. You will not be sorry.

Final Review- 95

Erland & The Carnival- Nightingale

Nightingale is the debut album from Erland and the Carnival. This is definitely a headphone wearing kind of album, with lots of subtle musical things happening in the background. Simon Tong (Bassist from the former group The Verve) is one of the founding members of Erland and the Carnival. He offers his vocals to this album and does a pretty great job. My problems with Nightingale are that the album runs a little long and some songs are a little drawn out. It kind of feels like they bit off more than they can chew with this pretty ambitious album. In Nightingale there are glimpses of real talent and originality but it gets overshadowed by the occasionally overdone music. I think if they would have made this album 30-40 minutes long instead of an hour it would have been better. Nightingale is definitely worth a listen.

Final Review- 75

Panic! At The Disco- Vices and Virtues

Let’s be honest here for a minute. Panic! at the Disco isn’t exactly what anyone would call a great or amazing band. What makes them decent to listen to is that they have great melodies and fun beats but as for deep lyrics or groundbreaking music Panic! at the Disco is not where you’re going to find it. Vices And Virtues dishes out what Panic! at the Disco does well and plays into the bands strengths. There are some semi-strong songs but as a whole the tracks on Vices And Virtues kind of blend together and not much stands out. If you’re looking for an album to work out to and not really pay attention to then Vices and Virtues is here for you. If you want any depth or meaning in your music listening then pass on this album.

Final Review- 50

The Strokes- Angles

Fun is the best word to describe the latest album from The Strokes. Angles has some cool instrumental work that infuses ‘80s pop with indie rock. Julian Cassablanca’s voice is superb and really fits the style The Strokes are aiming for on Angles. Angles was written by the band as a whole which at times can make the album choppy and lose some of its uniqueness. It’s a good idea to include the whole band in the music writing process but only if everyone has the same view, which I don’t think was happening on Angles.  For a fun radio-playable album and some of the best singles to come out in 2011 Angles is perfect, but as for a real solid album it is lacking. This review was incredibly difficult to write because as I listened to Angles almost every song was so strong on its own; it was just how they were tied together that made this a weak album. I think it is definitely worth a listen and I am incredibly hopeful for another Strokes album.

Final Review- 80

Duran Duran- All You Need is Now

Directed by David Lynch.

Listening to All You Need Is Now was a chore. Duran Duran, it seems, has just given up on changing their sound. None of the best bands in the world stay the same and hope the world keeps liking them; they evolve. Honestly, I just don’t have a lot of positive things to say about All You Need Is Now. There are one or two catchy songs but even their hooks are boring and poorly done. I was reading through other reviews of this album and everyone is praising how great it is because all the albums that came before this were such rubbish. To me that is a cheap cop out. If an album is not good, it’s not good. You can’t say, "Well, this one isn’t nearly as horrible as their other stuff, so it’s gold." All You Need Is Now is a pass and a waste of time.  On a positive note Duran Duran somehow got David Lynch to direct their Unstaged live web cam performance promoting All You Need Is Now. I am sure that will be worth a watch with mute on.

Final Review- 45

Joe Bonamassa- Dust Bowl

“Stop!” is from the 2009 release Ballade of John Henry. I couldn’t find any decent videos of him playing songs off of Dust Bowl so I thought this would at least give a glimpse into his talent. If you get your hands on Dust Bowl I would strongly suggest track 6 titled “You Better Watch Yourself”.

Have you been singing the blues recently? If so then Joe Bonamassa’s new solo album Dust Bowl is here to lend you a hand. Dust Bowl is full of wailing guitar solos and great jazz drum beats. When Joe Bonamassa was twelve he opened for the legendary B.B. King, if that can give you any idea of how good he is. There just isn’t a guitar player I have heard in a long time who does the blues this well. Joe Bonamassa’s talent isn’t just in producing great guitar licks, but also he is an incredibly talented singer/song writer. John Hiatt is featured on one of my favorite songs on the album, “Tennessee Plates,” as well as Vince Gill on “Sweet Rowena.”  Dust Bowl is a must listen for anyone who loves well-executed guitar solos and just the blues in general.

Final Review- 95

Caitlin Rose- Own Side Now

Caitlin Rose is what young girls should be listening to. She offers both the vulnerable and strong parts of being in love and being a woman. As much as songs like “Own Side” give the vibe of loneliness they also give the feeling of strength and hope that she can do better. Own Side Now is what really links this new country sound to the classic Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. If more modern country sounded like Own Side Now maybe I wouldn’t cringe every time the dial on my radio accidentally skimmed over a country station. Caitlin Rose’s Own Side Now is a refreshing album that sometimes lacks a little bit of insight but stands true. Own Side now is a must listen for all you hopeful classic country lovers.

Final Review- 90

The Dodos- No Color

Every song on No Color is overflowing with talent and incredible depth. The Dodos are an amazing duo.  I can honestly say that I have never heard a drummer play percussion the way Logan Kroeber does, with almost all of the beats revolving around him playing off the rims. Meric Long is a talented vocalist and offers great insightful lyrics to the songs on No Color. He also sports some really cool guitar work with fun power chords and simple solos. Neko Case does the background vocal work on No Color and I feel like she pushes the band even further into their sound. The overall positive energy keeps every song fun but still lets on to the real depth of their music. No Color is incredible and I can’t wait to go to a Dodos show and see how they play live! Oh I guess I should end this by saying if you don’t buy this you are truly missing out!

Final Review- 100

Kurt Vile- Smoke Ring For My Halo

Smoke Ring For My Halo starts a little slow and kind of begins to unfold into a neat classic rock sound right around the fourth song “On Tour.” The guitar work is Bowie-esque but still original sounding. In an industry and genre of music where most bands sound the same Kurt Vile does a good job of standing out. A real problem with this album is quickly after Smoke Ring For My Halo becomes a interesting classic rock sound it turn into pop folk. Though both sounds are executed well the album feels jumbled and uncomfortable. After my initial listen to Smoke Ring For My Halo I had no desire to really listen to it again. I would like to see Kurt Vile really find the sound he wants and concentrate on an album full of that rather than make a taste-tester for what he can do.

Final Review- 80

Wye Oak- Civillian

Wye Oak caught me off guard. I had heard some OK things about Wye Oak but didn’t really expect them to be as incredible as they are. Jenn Wasner’s vocals on Civilian are some of the best female rock vocals I can think of. Out of all the bands I have listened to they are the closest to ‘90s rock I have heard. Crunchy power chords and simple but good drum beats weave through the entire album. Civilian is so original beginning to end it was incredibly hard to not give it a 100. I had to really sit down and figure out what it was that was holding me back from giving Wye Oak the perfect score. Even though Civilian is one of the best albums to come out so far in 2011 there isn’t that one really stand out song. I am in love with this band and think that their only downfall might be a small lack of a good pop sense, but other than that Civilian is incredible and a must listen for 2011.

Final Review- 95

R.E.M- Collapse Into Now

R.E.M. has been struggling it seems to really get back to their roots and make some of the great music they used to be known for. Collapse Into Now is the closest I feel that they have ever really come. A lot of the songs make me think of the 1992 hit album Automatic For the People and how much I loved it but it still feels a little artificial. As with anything R.E.M. puts out the musicianship is top notch and there are some really catchy songs on here but there is something missing. I think the spark the band used to have has faded. All together this is a pretty decent album and a fun listen, but it’s definitely not gold.   

Final Review- 80