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.

Teddybears- Devil's Music

Teddybears are a Swedish band that dab in all kinds of music. Often they are associated with blending rock, hip hop, and electronic in interesting ways and this album is no different. In my opinion Devil’s Music does not exactly read as an album, but more like a compilation or collection of songs. All but four of the tracks on this album feature different artists ranging from the B-52’s with Cee-Lo Green to the Flaming Lips. Devils Music is a lot of fun but like I said it reads more like a taste tester for something that could be a little more filling in the future. One of the things I loved about Devil’s Music, but also is almost a fault, is that there are a handful of artists on here that after listening to some of the tracks make me want to go out and listen to their albums more. The album does seem to lose a little bit of steam on tracks that are purely Teddybears and no vocals. Devil’s Music is worth a listen and I feel like anybody who appreciates music will find at least one track on here that they really dig, but as a whole it is weak.  

Final Review- 75


Best Songs- Get Mama A House, Cardiac Arrest, Crystal Meth Christian

Digitalism- I Love You, Dude

I Love You, Dude is the second album release by the busting electronic duo Digitalism. This album will definitely make you want to tap your feet and shake a shoulder here and there but as far as reading as an actual album, and not just a few good singles I Love You, Dude is truly lacking. To me the whole album kind of felt like an electronic blur with high points being few and far between.  It’s not that the album is not listenable; it just has no real direction and is easily forgotten. A real saving point on I Love You, Dude is the strong and very well used vocals. I know they can sound a little too much like Phoenix or The Strokes on a handful of tracks, but I still just think it suits what Digitalism is trying to do here. All in all I would say listen to the singles if you dig electronic poppy music and then just skip the rest. 

Final Review- 50


Best Songs- Circles, Forrest Gump, Reeperbahn, Just Gazin'

Brian Eno- Drums Between The Bells

To say that Brian Eno has been a major influence on the music scene is almost a ridiculous understatement. Eno has worked with pop successes from Coldplay to David Bowie and has been a big player in some massive albums such as the 1974 Genesis album The Lamb Lays Down on Broadway. Drums Between The Bells in a collaboration between Eno and poet Rick Holland. The entire album is spoken word over ambient melodies and hints of beats, but nothing really too overpowering to take away from the poetry being read. For the most part tracks blend well and the whole listening experience is really cool. What Drums Between The Bells lacks is that certain spark that would make you want to keep listening to the album over and over. The idea is neat and the execution is pretty great but at the end of the day I feel it’s just a one listen kind of album and it quickly falls to the back of your brain.

Final Review- 70

Best Songs- Glitch, Pour It Out, Fierce Aisles Of Light

The Wilderness of Manitoba- When You Left The Fire

It was pretty difficult to dig up any information on The Wilderness of Manitoba but one thing I can say for sure is that they are good. When You Left the Fire is a smooth listen that is drenched in acoustic guitars, banjos, and reverbed vocal harmonies. At times the album does run a little long, and though the music is interesting enough, I think you have to be in the right mindset to really dig an album like When You Left the Fire. In a few ways The Wilderness of Manitoba kind of reminds me of Sufjan Stevens, especially with the intricate melodies and the lead vocalist defiantly shares some of Stevens’s style. I enjoyed this album and I think most people who have been getting into this new age of indie folk will share a lot of my positive feelings towards it. I wouldn’t say that When You Left the Fire is a must listen for most, but I would say if you get a chance and it’s on you would not be wasting your time giving it a listen.  

Final Review- 80