Fink- Perfect Darkness

Perfect Darkness, as a title, fits the album pretty well with most of the tracks being pretty dark. Using acoustic guitars, low rumbling bass, and slow drum beats, Fink really delivers the melancholy feel very well. Even with no real let up on the mood I still find Perfect Darkness to just be such a great ride. The guitar work is incredible and is well complimented with Fin Greenall’s vocals. Every track slides easily into the next and just makes you want to keep listening, no matter how dark it gets.  I would say this is one of the better albums I have heard this year. I started this project because I didn’t want to look back in January 2012 and find out that a fantastic album had slipped under my radar. This album is one of those fantastic albums I may have missed otherwise. I think that this album is a must listen for all and you should prepare yourself for a great emotional rollercoaster while listening.

Final Review- 90


Best Songs- Wheels, Perfect Darkness, Berlin Sinrise

Big Talk- Big Talk

While I was listening to Big Talk, I just happened to be in the car with my boyfriend and almost right away he said, “This band reminds me of the Killers.” My response was, “I get more of a The Cars vibe.” He replied, snarkily, “They’re pretty much the same thing,” and honestly there are a lot of similarities. After getting home and reading up a little on the band I found out that the drummer from the Killers is responsible for most of the vocal and instrumental work in Big Talk. Insert foot in mouth. But in all seriousness, the album is interesting but it isn’t anything you haven’t heard before. There are a handful of tracks that have the same pop rock power that you would find in a hit by the Killers, but it just doesn’t sound unique anymore. I enjoyed the album and there are some great songs but I don’t think it’s an album that anyone needs to listen to. All in all listen to Big Talk if you miss the killers, but if you are looking for something more you are not going to find it on this album.

Final Review- 70


Best Songs- Replica, No Whiskey, Getaways

They Might Be Giants- Join Us

I was raised on They Might Be Giants and loved them before I knew what half of the lyrics were and meant. From the beginning TMBG has been a band for nerds, geeks, and quirky people who like smart music that also is good. Sadly, for a long time now it seems most of the band’s recent releases have been kid songs and the band has lost a little bit of the charm they had on such album as Flood, Apollo 18, or even the more recent The Else. I think most classic fans of TMBG have been waiting for what Join Us is. I know I have. It’s back to a more PG, PG-13 audience and I don’t think I could be happier. From the opening anthem quality track, “Can’t Keep Johnny Down,” it cements its place with other classic TMBG albums. I feel like even newcomers to this group will be blown away by Join Us. Well, if they are smart enough. But seriously, give TMBG a chance; you will not be let down!

Final Review- 80


Best Songs- Can't Keep Johnny Down, Cloisonne, Never Knew Love, 2082

3 Doors Down- Time Of My Life

When I was doing my perusing for new releases in July and saw 3 Doors Down – I’m not going to lie - part of me wanted to skip it without even listening to samples, but I decided not to discriminate and give it a chance. The opening track, “Time Of My Life,” surprised me enough to warrant a full album review and listen. Unfortunately, it’s just the one song that really stands out and shows any sign of evolution for the band. I will say the vocals have gotten 100 times better. Instead of being so whiney the lead singer seems to have found his manhood and has some real depth. Most of the other tracks on Time Of My Life play in that horrible limbo of “is it pop? Or is it country?” and they just don’t have enough to really set them apart from the thousand other people doing it. If you want to hear 3 Doors Down at their best listen to that opening track and then just turn it off. I am going to have to say this is a definite skip.

Final Review- 40


Best Songs- Time Of My Life

Eleanor Friedberger- Last Summer

Last Summer is the debut solo album from Eleanor Friedberger, and it is just oozing with funk and talent. Most people will recognize Eleanor from the duo The Fiery Furnaces, where she is the lead singer and her brother Matthew Friedberger is responsible for most of the instrumental work. Last Summer is full of cool storytelling and has some of the most catchy bass riffs I have heard in a while. Even though the album’s style changes from track to track it still feels real and not forced or artificial like what you may find with some less confident artists trying to really find there sound. Without a doubt that is what Eleanor is trying to do but as she tries different styles you can tell she never loses herself along the way. For the most part Last Summer is enjoyable. It definitely is not the strongest album but I would still say it’s a must listen, if only for the originality of it.

Final Review- 85


Best Songs- My Mistakes, Heaven, Roosevelt Island

Yes- Fly From Here

Fly From Here is the first release from Yes since 2001’s Magnification. It is also their first with new Canadian singer Benoit David. Fly From Here is full of progressive rock ballads and the caliber of music that one has come to expect from a band like Yes. A few of my qualms with the album lie in the six-part title track, which, altogether, is almost 24 minutes long. Though I love the epic feel to all of the parts to Fly From Here, I feel that it becomes a bit repetitive and I find myself getting bored in some of the more instrumental parts. The fact that the album is roughly 48 minutes long and over half of that is just one song really hurts it. In my opinion I would have liked to see more effort put into creating a handful of new tracks instead. I know that real Yes fans will hate that I am ripping apart one thing the band is so well known for, but I just don’t feel it on the song. I love the songs that follow the epically long one and it’s a shame that they get lost with the entire first half of Fly From Here. All in all I had fun with Fly From Here and there’s a grip of songs I really enjoy but as far as whether or not this is an album I would add to my collection I am going to have to say skip it and just borrow it from someone else.   

Final Review- 75


Best Songs- Fly From Here- Part One, Life On a Film Set

Sublime With Rome- Yours Truly

Yours Truly is the first release from the group Sublime since 1996 and the overdose of the singer and guitarist Bradley Nowell. The group is back with the two surviving members, Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh, and new front man Rome Remirez. There are still the same feel good reggae and ska punk that the original band is known for but with a little more pop. I do like that instead of trying to find someone who sounded exactly like Nowell the band went a different direction in choosing singer Rome. I think anyone who is a fan of sublime will find a lot that they really love about this new album and the different dynamic of Rome vs. Nowell. Sure, Rome is a little more poppy and less punk, but I think it may work to their benefit and maybe make the music a little more accessible to larger audiences. I still love classic Sublime but I think this is a good step for Sublime and I am looking forward to later releases.  

Final Review- 75


Best Songs- PCH, Lovers Rock, You Better Listen

Washed Out- Within and Without

Within and Without is a pretty amazing album from start to finish. It opens strong with the catchy track “Eyes Be Closed” and then slowly eases the listener into musical bliss. This is the first album from Washed Out (Ernest Green) and it is very impressive to say the least. Green seems to truly understand how to make a mark and how to produce the perfect kind of chill music. One thing that is kind of off-putting for me is that at times the reverb on his voice can be a little too heavy for my taste. I can see where it is important for the chillwave sound he is going for, but I just really love Green’s voice. To say that Washed Out has hit the ground running is putting it lightly. I hope that this is just the beginning to Ernest Green’s musical career, because I can’t wait to see where he goes next. Missing out on Within and Without would be a real shame so I strongly suggest you go out and buy or borrow this album. You will be happy you did.

Final Review- 90


Best Songs- Far Away, Eyes be Closed, Amor Fati, You and I.