Lovestarrs – Supernova

For a band that are just officially releasing their debut EP Lovestarrs already have quite the history behind them. Originally known as The Good Natured they gathered a lot of positive buzz with the fantastic “Your Body is a Machine” in 2009, the equally great Skeleton EP (Which I own on vinyl!) followed in 2011 and another solid single “5-HT” last year seemed to pave the way for what looked to be a very promising debut album. Unfortunately after being dropped by their label and failing to secure the rights to their masters it seemed like the end of the road.

Thankfully earlier this year the band rose from the ashes as the newly christened Lovestarrs with the release of “Get Your Sexy On“. Over the last few months as they slowly released songs on their Soundcloud it became clear that we were in for potentially something special.

Review/Running Diary – The National – Trouble Will Find Me

Well, here we are, album number 6.  It’s hard to believe they’re this far into their career now.  But, of course, I’m one of those people who hope they’ll be around for at least 60 more.  Especially if they’re of the same quality as the last three.  Does Trouble Will Find Me stack up?  Let’s find out!

Album Review: Toro y Moi – Anything in Return

It really is only a matter of time until we lose Grooveshark forever, isn’t it?

Yesterday, I attempted to review this album for you all, but unfortunately, the stream I was listening to only had the first 9 tracks.  I have stopped downloading leaks, so I was stymied for a day.

Never fear, Grooveshark is here, allowing its users to once again propagate the Internet with leaked albums, free and clear (for me anyways).

Toro y Moi has been a bastion of Chillwave since its inception way back in 2008.

Chillwave, for the uninitiated, is dance music that has high levels of trance qualities.  It’s hard to rectify the idea that Chillwave and Dream Pop have anything in common, and yet there is this intrinsic link between the two.  Chillwave is like Dream Pop’s unruly child, trying to do its own thing, while still carrying on the traditions and values of its mother (Dream Pop is a woman).

If you were to trust Rate Your Music on this one, Toro y Moi had the first Chillwave album, 2008’s My Touch.  Three albums later, he continues to ride the wave into what may prove to be his best release yet.  

Album review: New Zealand > You – Axver And The Quiet Minority

Yes, that Axver. This album just sort of fell into my lap and I felt it was my duty, as a music blogger (term used loosely) to review it.

So let’s begin, shall we?

Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief – A Review

Let me preface this by saying that I fully support what George Clooney did by putting this telethon together. Haiti needed all the help they could get before the earthquake and now that need is exponentially higher. Please, give what you can to http://www.hopeforhaitinow.org.

That said, this is a music-reviewing blog, and music was played during the telethon. And I am a smartass. So let’s get rolling with the review.

Album review: Shearwater – The Golden Archipelago

My desire to review the albums I listen to has grown rather exponentially since yesterday.  Could this be because I’m an attention whore and the Contra review garnered the most views on the blog evar.  Nah, I just really enjoy writing.  Unfortunately, I’m not very good at it, especially reviews, but I’m going to try to do this album justice, because, as of yet, it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve heard this year (because we are so far into it and I’ve heard so much). 

Album Review: Brokencyde – BC13

This review will be in the Horrible Music Hour style of reviewing meaning we get one listen and our random thoughts are the review

Bree Bree
John: Just no, no Brokencyde we don’t want to hear you all trying to be monkeys, no you hear me no. Why doesn’t she shake her ass? Because she’s too busy throwing her drink in your face and kicking you in the balls, or are you too drunk and high to notice?
Ax: brokeNCYDE introduce themselves with a sample of chimpanzees fighting. There is a chance this might actually be the band members themselves. Whiniest and most emo chimpanzees I have ever heard.

(I apologise to all members of the chimpanzee community for this unflattering comparison. It’s nothing personal. I know brokeNCYDE are one or two million steps below you in the evolutionary chain.)

Concert Review: The Antlers, The Academy, Dublin 4-12-2009

So this review is a little late up but I’ve had exams as of late and haven’t had anytime to make any posts but now that they’re mostly over I get to go back to music and such

Weekly Round Up 2

So we had a much slower week this week compared to last but none the less here’s the round up

Reviews
Ashley’s reivew of Big Country’s The Crossing
Ax reviews Mabool by Orphaned Land
Ax reviews Opeth’s Melbourne concert
John’s review of Tracers by Ash

Musings
Travis laments the downfall of Weezer
Ashley on why Tom Petty matters

Ashley on why Rihanna needs Timbaland

Single Review: Muse – Undisclosed Desires

So we’ve got a song here with a very cryptic title and a bunch of lyrics I can’t make out, it must be the new Muse single!

Personally I’m a fan of Muse, not a huge fan seeing as their albums aren’t amazing (Absolution is pretty great though) but from what I’ve seen from their live performances they’re one of best bands going right now and they’re on my list of bands I must see live. So when The Resistance came out I was quite eager to hear it, however while good I found it sounded too much like…well Muse, it was Muse being Muse but that review’s for another day.