Roger Miret and the Disasters - Gotta Get Up Now

I am a big fan of a fun and fresh punk sound and Roger Miret and the Disasters is exactly that. The music is well done with obviously talented and confident musicians. All of the songs overflow energy and a positive feeling that makes every song feel like it could be an anthem. Vocalist Roger Miret has a crisp and clean vocal style that is absent in most punk bands. Roger Miret and the Disasters seem to know what they do best. Where other songs can sound over done, their music always seems just right. Songs mostly fluctuate around two minutes in length, never stretching much over four minutes. Gotta Get Up Now is a must for anyone who loves light-hearted fun punk music.




Final Review- 80

Iron & Wine - Kiss Each Other Clean

Kiss Each Other Clean was a nice surprise. Iron & Wine has always had really good instrumental and vocal mixes but Kiss Each Other Clean really raises the bar. Songs on this album sound more upbeat and soulful than previous works. Combined as an album they paint an even bigger picture. Each song enticed me to keep listening, to be excited about what is to come. Kiss Each Other Clean is well produced, getting its hooks in with poppy vocals and beats. Even if you have never been a fan of Iron & Wine, Kiss Each Other Clean has a decent chance of winning you over. Fans might be skeptical because of the drastic new sound, but fearing change is no reason to ignore the talent and brilliance that Iron & Wine employed in making this, their fourth album.




Final Review- 95

The Get up Kids- There Are Rules

There Are Rules is not an album that introduces a lot of new or unique sounds, but what sets The Get Up Kids apart from the rest is that they simply stick to their favorite music and do it well. The punk/rock genre has just about been done to death. The difference between There Are Rules and its predecessors are subtle but they make a big difference. The vocals are interesting, resisting the urge to go on and on. The beats and hooks are done in an interesting way with a synth usually accompanied by good guitar work. These are the small things that set The Get Up Kids apart from others in this genre. I love the confidence in this album and I look forward to the progression of their sound and future albums. There Are Rules is definitely worth a listen.




Final Review- 80

Cold War Kids - Mine Is Yours

The vocals on every track of Mine Is Yours are incredibly soulful and well controlled. I feel that this is a mediocre album for Cold War Kids but I have a lot of hope for what will come from them in the future. The blues rock mix is really good, and the Cold War Kids are overflowing talent. Cold War Kids is only going to get better and better as the band gains confidence and falls upon a more rounded sound, but as far as Mine is Yours is concerned I would have to say that it is not a must-listen album.




Final Review- 60

Destroyer- Kaputt

Destroyer brings some really interesting music to the table. Daniel Bejar’s vocals are really light and airy and almost a little weak, but the backup vocals he does provide some real depth. The music itself is really synthpop jazzy with a good use of sax and other horns throughout most of the tracks. There is also a really interesting use of rock guitar in most of the songs. When listening to the final track, titled "Bay of Pigs," I pictured in my head a tamed version of Bill Pullman playing saxophone at the bar in David Lynch's 1997 film Lost Highway.  The album flows well. It would be a bummer for someone to miss out on Destroyer’s Kaputt. The album has a strong and complete sound, a breath of fresh air.




Final Review- 90