Beirut- The Rip Tide

After listening to The Rip Tide I can say that as far as vocals go Zach Condon of Beirut is now right near the top of my list. Condon finds a truly beautiful balance in using vocal distortion and just having an amazing voice. The Rip Tide can be best explained musically as world music that easily slides into folk, indie and finishes with a light and tasteful amount of electronica. Every song has that feeling of driving home to it, but that makes you wish your home was a little further away so you could continue the musical journey. The only criticism I have for The Rip Tide is that at times the use of horns and harmonies remind me of a Stephen Stephens album and is missing that smidge of originality that would put this album at the top of everyone’s list for the year. Still for me I love it and every track is gracefully constructed, I think this one will be on the top of my list for a little while.

Final Review- 90


Best Songs- Santa Fe, Port of Call, East Harlem, Vagabond, Goshen 1

The Muppets- The Green Album

The Green Album is the first and probably only compilation album I will review but an artist lineup like this is too good to pass up. “Muppet Show Theme Song” being performed by OK Go was really enough to rope me into checking it out and I am incredibly happy I did. Not only does OK Go do a great rendition of the theme but all of the other artists really add their own signature sound to the tracks. A great moment was listening to The Fray do “Mahna Mahna” and hearing them step away from the slow and pretty piano music most people know them for. I was definitely a Muppet Show Tonight kind of kid. I remember watching it with my siblings and laughing really hard even at parts there was no way I could understand what the jokes were. The only down side to The Green Album is listening to some of the more popular bands do their mediocre makeover on some of the songs but even those are not completely horrible. I can’t justify giving the green Album a perfect score but as far as compilation or soundtracks go this is right at the top for me. And I know you will do what you will but I think everyone should give The Green Album a chance.

Final Review- 90


Best Songs- The Muppet Show Theme, The Rainbow Connection, Our World, Bein' Green

The Horrors- Skying Out

The image that keeps creeping into my mind when I listen to The Horrors is the end of the 1985 film “The Breakfast Club” where Bender (Judd Nelson) fist pumps while Simple Minds “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” is playing. Skying Out just has that amazing heartfelt 80s love story feel to it which is probably one of my favorite things about it. I would say that Skying Out is fun and very creative. The only thing that I really see falling short is that some of the album is missing a certain cohesion that would really make it outstanding. I think this is a fantastic album and like I said earlier it is sure to bring back some of those feel good times of your youth when you were watching John Hughes movies and thinking that stuff like that could really happen to someone. All in all Skying Out is a must borrow.




Final Review- 85


Best Songs- Still Life, Wild Eyes, Endless Blue

Scattered Trees- Sympathy

I am always impressed when an album title fits the overall feeling you get when you listen to it and Sympathy by Scattered Trees definitely exemplifies this. Without reading too much about the group you can already get the vibe from the opening track “Bury The Floor” that the lead singer is using this album as therapy. It’s truly beautiful how front man Nate Eiesland is yearning for closure and a knowing that those he loved who passed away are somewhere safe. On the track “I Swear to God” it really seems like he is convincing himself that his loved ones have to be in heaven because any other thought pains him. I think it’s interesting in the way that instead of being certain he is more pleading that they should be that way. If you couldn’t tell, Sympathy really stirred up a lot in me and I could relate to most of his feelings with grief and loss. All in all I think the album does a great job of making you be where the singer wants you to be emotionally the entire time. The overall flow is easy and nice with only a few hiccups here and there. I don’t think Sympathy is perfect by any means but I do think it has moments of brilliance and for that I think it’s a must borrow.  

Final Review- 85


Best Songs- A Conversation, Four Days Straight, I Swear To God

Rival Sons- Pressure and Time

I am personally not a big heavy rock fan and have never been big into Zeppelin (I know - blasphemy - blah blah blah - heard all that before!), but Rival Sons is not the typical 70s rip off rock group that has become so popular these days. There is a real soul and rhythm to Pressure and Time that feels natural and not artificial. The last heavy rock group that made me feel this good about their music was probably the first Wolfmother album. Jay Buchanan has an incredible voice that is reminiscent of Jack White and Robert Plant and fits the shredding guitar and killer drum beats perfectly. Pressure and Time is only the second release from Rival Sons and I expect this group is going to have a long career ahead of them. There have been a decent amount of great albums recently and this one is just about at the top of my list. Rival Sons Pressure and Time is a must listen for anyone and everyone.

Final Review- 95


Best Songs- Young Love, Pressure and Time, Burn Down Los Angeles

Portugal. The Man- In The Mountain, In The Cloud

In The Mountain In The Cloud starts off on the right foot with a catchy song called “So American” that after you listen to once will instantly be stuck in your humming repertoire. John Gourley’s vocals fit in perfectly with the progressive and glam rock sound of the album. I am not the biggest fan of heavily distorted vocals but Gourley’s vocals still shine strongly through and I feel that the effects really just add to the depth of his already interesting vocals. The band as a whole seems to work like a well oiled machine with all parts operating at full strength. In The Mountain In The Cloud has honestly made me want to go back through and listen to the rest of the albums Portugal. The Man has released. The only real down sides I feel that the album has are some weaker songs in the meat of the album and the flow isn’t always strong. With that being said, this is not an album to be missed so I must strongly suggest that everyone adds it to their listening list.   

Final Review- 90


Best Songs- So American, Sleep Forever, Once Was One

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