Allan’s World Music

Today is February 29 and I won’t be allowed to say it for another 4 years and considering many blogs die after that period of time, this may be my one and only chance to do a leap year playlist!

This playlist was REALLY hard to think of. I didn’t have any tracks that included “leap” and that makes me sad lol.

1. Drift Away by Uncle Kracker (only title in my library with “drift” as our calendar would drift off if there were no
2. I Stand Corrected by Vampire Weekend (the point of leap years is to correct our calendar as approximately 1 year has an extra 6 hours)
3. Calendar Girl by Stars
4. Hours That You Keep by Maritime
5. Pace is the Trick by Interpol
6. Common People by Pulp (Doesn’t a leap year wish it wasn’t the black sheep and be a common year?)
7. The Happy Birthday Song by Andrew Bird (February 29 is arguably the coolest day to have a birthday on!)
8. Holla, Holla by Ja Rule (other then Saul Williams there aren’t many other musicians with February 29 as a birthday)

Only 8 tracks but enjoy!

Protest the Hero is a fairly popular Canadian hardcore/progressive/metalcore/mathcore metal band from Whitby, Ontario. ‘Fortress’ is their second album and the first album I’ve heard from them. The first time I listened to the album, I didn’t like it. That is probably because I don’t listen to that kind of metal.

I don’t like Protest’s vocals. It consists of a lot of screaming and growling accompanied by whiny unmelodic singing. The growling I don’t mind as much but it’s the bad singing that really gets me. They do have a fair bit of good guitar shredding though. “Sequoia Throne” and “Palms Read” both started off pretty good and then quickly fell flat, kind of like a soufflé made by an amateur chef that deflates before it gets to your table. “Spoils” and “Bone Marrow” both end in instrumental, which are really the only parts of this album I liked.

I’ve now listened to this album three times. I still don’t like it. Nothing really stands out for me and every song sounds alike. I should really listen to their first album before deciding if this is just a bad album or a bad band. There are quite a few Protest fans out there. Obviously we all have different tastes and I guess I just appreciate good metal music. I’m afraid this is an album I’m gonna have to protest (HIYO!).

Bloodmeat

Sequoia Throne

Spoils

Buy this album at:
Amazon.ca
CD Universe
InSound

I got a chance to see The Dirtbombs open for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club back in October. Their performance was pretty awesome…just fitting for the drunken, dirty audience we were! Hailing from Detroit, this comic band fuses garage rock into something more like your classic “nu” rock ’n’ roll—the likes of The Sounds, The Hives, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Their newest album, We Have You Surrounded (2008) was released two days ago. Overall, this album isn’t too bad, but it isn’t that great, either. It may be that I’m slipping away from this sound, but I found some songs a drag to listen to, despite its point to be comical. “Sherlock Holmes” has this psychedelic-like style to it, but the lead guitar sounds so uncreative and forced it becomes annoying. The vocals on “It’s Not Fun Until They See You Cry” sounds like a preacher who talks like a skipping record player. “Wreck My Flow” sounds way overplayed (the riff, the vocals, the overall style), and the lead guitar is also pretty annoying (it seriously sounds like a fire truck). Other songs are a little refreshing, definitely reminiscent to the garage punk rock sound (“Fire in the Western World”, “Ever Lovin’ Man”). There were some interesting tunes, but otherwise I didn’t really care for this album. I felt like they really weren’t getting into their music, and it seemed almost like a chore badly done.

I still maintain that they are great performers, however, and would urge anyone interested in this genre to see these guys live.

Here are the tracks I liked the most:

The Dirtbombs - Indivisible

The Dirtbombs – Ever Lovin’ Man

Buy this CD on Amazon
Buy on Insound
Buy this CD through CD Universe

I was introduced to MGMT by a label PR manager e-mailing about MGMT’s Oracular Spectacular, promoting their performance as well as bribe to post about them and offer giveaways such as vinyl, cds and concert tickets when they came to Toronto with Yeasayer. Generally you don’t see too many music giveaways unless it’s a major label promoting a band as indie bands have to go through the word of mouth way (long live music blogs!).

One caution with music blogging is not to be influenced by the free cds, and the other perks we get doing something everyone genuinely likes to do which is to discuss music. I am kind of rolling my eyes in this case as to why a MGMT has become so popular of late. When I first received the e-mail about the contest opportunities they had 300K myspace hits and now they have a million.

The first thing promoted by the label was their sub-par/average performance on Letterman’s late show. Like what makes this performance stand out that it become a “hot video” on El.bows. It’s just a normal performance by a band that seemed relatively unknown to me.

The funny thing is I was talking to a friend about the worst bands she’s seen live and guess which band she mentioned, MGMT! Hah, unknown to her though was that MGMT was getting some considerable hype which seemed rather questionable to her.

I rejected the offer to hold a contest on my blog regarding MGMT, I cited that “Time To Pretend” seems like their only good song and the other tracks were not good enough to be promoted by me and I would rather promote smaller (indie and non-major) and more deserving bands.

After watching a few videos of MGMT and their music video for Time To Pretend, I have become increasingly annoyed by their popularity. Mainly because this seems like another average or “meh” band that due to the structure of the music industry (major vs indie) is having success when I don’t think it’s all that deserving. (They aren’t that special, they are basically a pop band without any complexity).

They have received some hype from Rolling Stone and Spin, but does that count in my world where indie has an equal footing with mainstream rock? Getting a review from Pitchfork is not bad but who cares about a 6.8 out of 10? and PrefixMag doesn’t count (it’s a blog calling itself a magazine, why I don’t I just start one up?).

Their style also annoys the crap out of me. It comes off as fake, and overdone. MGMT is nothing special but it feels like their acting like their such “hipsters” it disgusts me. Here’s a hint to you musicians who actually want to be cool, make good music! They apparently perform pagan festivals in their free time (sure sure) and dress like fools while giving off the pro-drugs vibe with their “psychedelic” video. One rule of thumb for me is music comes before style or you’re just some loser wannabe.

If you watch the video for Time To Pretend, it’s a fucking joke (Click here). If you fall for this shit and come as off as saying MGMT is so hip and cool, you’re more gullible then a dog. I guess there’s more meaning to “Time To Pretend” :P.

Time To Pretend by MGMT

Flame away!

Simon Henner (Facteur) ended up seeing my post featuring 3 tracks off his demo. All 8 tracks are really good and he offered Allan’s World a special 9th track to give out to the world.

I’m pretty stoked to receive something like and it makes me feek special. Either way, check out the Dr. Rythm Remix. I’m not sure if I should include the spelling mistake and I feel inclined to put in the “h” just to show everyone I can spell!

It seems to me anything Facteur does will be a success so you should check his stuff if you’re into the dance/electronica/house genres. He’s also a really nice guy and I’m stoked to being able to put up this track.

Dr Rythm Remix by Facteur

I don’t know who has done the original track. The track was done by the New Europeans. Here is another post on Facteur on Kidz by Colette… it’s in French.

The Samuel Jackson Five are an indie band from Norway, having to date released two albums, Same Same, But Different (2004) and Easily Misunderstood (2005). They started as a failed d&b project, entering the post-rock genre, having continued to caress my soul with such beautiful music. And they get 2037038 bonus points for having such an awesome band name and awesome track titles.

Hmm…how would I describe their music? Definitely a fusion of post-rock and jazz. You’ll find this fusion is more apparent in Same Same, But Different than it is in Easily Misunderstood; “Counting Sheep,” “Sing Slow, Walk Fast,” and “Postmans Joke” (all from Same Same, But Different) are some notable tracks where you can definitely sense that post-rock-jazz fusion. I can hear the d&b influence in album-titled track, “Same Same, But Different” as well; too bad there’s not more like it. There is an excellent blend of instruments without making it sound overdone; “Michael Collins Autograph” (Easily Misunderstood) is a good example. There’s not a lot of pedal delay, reverb, etc. as you might expect from the post-rock sound. This band can definitely convey a variety of rhythms, from fast-beat bright sounds to psychedelic mellow compositions, but overall they are pretty upbeat which is great if you’re not looking into long-ass crescendo-decrescendo pieces familiar to the genre.

Although I’m not an expert in post-rock, I can definitely say The Samuel Jackson Five step it up from the mainstream. There are some tracks where I find myself go, “Oh yeah—that’s familiar,” but most other tracks surprise the hell out of me. Definitely one of my favourite post-rock artists to date! The band is looking to release their third album this year; possibly with vocals this time round. I highly recommend this band as an essential listen for those interested in getting into the post-rock genre. You will not be disappointed.

Here are a couple of my favourite tracks:

The Samuel Jackson Five - Clubbers Dream (Same Same, But Different, 2004)

The Samuel Jackson Five - Postmans Joke (Same Same, But Different, 2004)

The Samuel Jackson Five - If You Show Off the Milk, Who’s Gonna Buy the Cow (Easily Misunderstood, 2005)

The Samuel Jackson Five - Michael Collins Autograph (Easily Misunderstood, 2005)

Check out their official website to find instructions on how to order their albums.

City and Colour has become an instant classic since their first full length album release, Sometimes. Since then, it has become a long wait to hear Dallas Green’s next attempt with his solo side-project, and on February 12th, that wait was over. City and Colour is Green’s soulful, acoustic opposite to his mainsted band, Alexisonfire. City and Colour gives fans a chance to truly see what Dallas Green is capable of, beyond the soft-rooted vocals and hardcore-driven guitar work offered in Alexisonfire.

Bring Me Your Love was given a tough task, hoping to top the raving reviews of Sometimes, which was released in 2005. After the first listen, Bring Me Your Love becomes distinctly different from Green’s original work, and listeners will find it nearly impossible to compare it to the first album. The biggest change audiences may find is the noticeable addition of more folk oriented instruments. Sometimes offered Green’s vocal prowess combined with his smooth acoustic guitar and enchanting piano work. Instead, Bring Me Your Love offers a faster, more rhythmic version that includes the occasional banjo, harmonica and drum line.

With all that said have the changes dampened the quality of the music or improved upon an already impressive sound? In all honesty, neither is the case, because Bring Me Your Love is just as impressive, without being the same and this really shows the versatility of Dallas Green. Right off the bat the album starts off with an emotionally driven song, Forgive Me, but as the album progresses, we begin to see the lighter side of the album. Songs like Body In A Box and Sleeping Sickness, feel very inspired, and although they are very lyrically sad, the tone is almost uplifting. It is this ‘happy to be alive’ feel that truly speaks to the soul, and provides a perfect nostalgic feeling. In terms of vocals, Green continues to impress me with his soft prominent voice.

If I had to choose between the two albums, I would definitely go with Bring Me Your Love. Sometimes offered a wide array of soulful acoustic pieces, but Bring Me Your Love has a more inspiring feel to it that can be attributed by the apparent folk influences. The heart and soul of Dallas Green still remains, but the new path it has taken is unparalleled. I would recommend this album to anyone who enjoys to just sit down, relax, and listen to great honest music that’s from the heart.

Be sure to check out their Myspace to stream more songs.

Two of my favourite tracks:

City and Colour - Body In A Box

City and Colour – The Girl

Buy the album at Amazon, Insound, or CD Universe.