BOOSH

Been a while! Instead of mini-reviewing every CD I've listened to in the past YEAR, I'll just list off a few bands I'm really enjoying right now.

• Signal Hill - An instrumental post-rock group. Their self-titled EP is amazing.
• This Will Destroy You - Another instrumental post-rock group. Really great stuff. Very... Emotionally charged, I suppose.
• Caspian - Beautiful music. Listen to "The Four Trees" now.
• Glowworm - Very atmospheric music. Absolutely beautiful. Listen to 'Lux' from "The Coachlight Woods". Gorgeous.
• We Shot The Moon - It's the guy from Waking Ashland. Of course it's amazing. It's a lot more pop-oriented than his previous material, which is a breath of fresh air. "Fear and Love" is great.
• You.May.Die.In.The.Desert - Math rock with a touch of jazz. Wonderful stuff.
• The Samuel Jackson Five - Math rock with a lot of jazz influence. Remarkable stuff.
• Followed By Ghosts - Listen to "Dear Monsters, Be Patient" immediately.

As you might notice, I'm in kind of a Post-Rock kick right now. But, just know, you should be eagerly awaiting the new Houston Calls CD. It's gonna be incredible.

I still don't have the best of 2007 set in stone yet. It's coming.

Listen To: American Analog Set

New Rushmore Academy Demo's

Here. Go now. They are fantastic. So, so, so, so painfully catchy... :D

Listen To: Weatherbox

have a gr9 day

Heya, kids. It's been a while. CD's!

• Deas Vail - All The Houses Look The Same - Beautiful CD, and I didn't expect anything less. The gorgeous song "Shoreline" really shows off how talented their vocalist is. I absolutely loved the CD, highly recommend it.
• Anberlin - Cities - Disappointing. Too much Nu-Metal influence. But! There are a few absolutely amazing songs, but overall it was a let down.
• Self Against City - Telling Secrets To Strangers - This album is a fantastic addition to the pop-punk scene, but doesn't fall into the clichés the genre. A few of the songs are weak, but the album as a whole is just amazing. ^_^
• Damiera - M(US)IC - This album is absolutely amazing. Lots of talent is displayed, and the band works really well together. However, some of the songs sound awful similar which is a bit of a turn off. Highly recommended either way!
• Melee - Devils & Angels - Fantastic CD, but much better live. The energy and brilliance of these songs does not come through in the recorded material. Such a fun CD. ^_^ Go buy this now, and see them on tour.
• Daphne Loves Derby - Good Night, Witness Light - Another disappointment. Some very fun songs on the CD, but it all blends together, and too many of the songs just lack heart. I miss old Daphne Loves Derby. :\
• Everybody Else - Everybody Else - I love the sound of this band. A bit old-school, a bit contemporary, but 100% fun. One of the best albums this year. Buy this NOW.
• 1997 - My House Burned Down So Now I Own A Better View Of The Moon - Very impressive. Super fun, catchy, energetic, and hard-hitting. They've perfected their sound on their first LP. I adore it. Can't wait to see this band in a week. :) Buy this as soon as possible, also.
• Until June - Until June - Quite possibly the best CD released this year. It'll take a little while for it to grow on you, but this 10 track album is brilliant.
• Sherwood - A Different Light - Over-produced much? This is an absolutely fantastic album, but it's not quite up to my standards for Sherwood. There are plenty of stand-out songs, but the rest blend together. I'm still on the fence for this one. ^_^
• A Hero From A Thousand Paces - Mistakes - Love it! There's still SO much potential for this band. Keep an eye on 'em.
• dntel - Dumb Luck - Brilliant. I will probably focus more on this album later. I love it, but it won't be for everyone.
• The Fall Of Troy - Manipulator - I had only recently gotten in to The Fall Of Troy, unfortunately. But this album is fantastic. High energy, unique, melodic, and chaotic. I love it.
• PlayRadioPlay! - The Frequency EP - Very fun and catchy. A bit amateurish at times, while at other times it's might impressive. Good not great! Dan's got a bright future ahead of him.
  
• Lost Ocean - Night To Life EP - Fantastic. Intelligent, catchy, and just overall beautiful. Buy this.

Well! Awesome. :P Some of these CD's deserve a lot more said about them. So, I'll probably do that later. ^_^

Listen To: 1997

The Academy

The EP's

1. Rushmore Academy "Dramatics & Theatrics". For weeks after I got this, I had a really hard time taking it out of my CD player. It is incredible. It's Rushmore Academy as they have always been, but a tiny bit different - in a good way. It is so insanely catchy and energetic, that you just feel the need to learn all the words as soon as possible so you can scream along with it. It's just a really really fun CD with some of the most creative lyrics I've seen in a while. :D 5/5? 5 Stars? Now if only the band will come to Denver...
2. Always Rushing By "Boys Grab Your Girls". Interesting story, I order this EP from SmartPunk and the following day the band breaks up. Yeah. But, Always Rushing By certainly left behind some fantastic music, and I can't wait to hear what project their singer ends up in. Their style of pop-punk is so refreshing, it's like old Starting Line meets All Time Low, and they have a baby and that baby doesn't follow in his parents footsteps but instead takes their influence and creates something really special on his own. It's happy, catchy, and beautiful. 'Boys Grab Your Girls' is one of the funnest songs I've EVER heard. 'A Beautiful Lie' has some absolutely gorgeous chords and a falsetto note towards the end that gives you the goosebumps. And the short but sweet 'In Fridays Lights' is almost perfection. 5/5. 5 Stars. It's too bad they are no longer.
3. The Dangerous Summer "There Is No Such Thing As Science". This is the band I have been waiting for, without even knowing it. Following the intro track, 'Of Confidence', I was speechless. Seriously. You could just tell that this was something unforgettable. The next four songs of the CD are brilliant. The singer's voice has such a unique texture that lends itself so well to their music stylings, and is only further emphasized by the incredible lyrics. It's danceable, inspiring, energetic, happy, and so so easy to fall in love with. 'The Permanent Rain' is one of my favorites, and really shows off the chemistry that The Dangerous Summer has. It all works so flawlessly - the airy guitars, the driving vocals, and the drumming that ties it all together so well. Another fantastic song that almost has a tangible energy to it is the final track. The chorus is just fantastic. This CD just screams, "Turn it up, roll the windows down, and smile". I'm in love, and I could go on about how incredible this CD is, but I'd much rather you find it out on your own. 100%. 6/5. 300 stars. Just listen to this. ^_^

The Shows

1. Last week I braved the hour-long drive to Colorado Springs and visit The Black Sheep for the first time, to see Leer 43, Ronnie Day, Melee, and Quietdrive. Leer 43 is a fantastic local Colorado band that I wish the crowd would have gotten more in to, but they pulled out a great show either way. Easily the highlight of the night was The Militia Group's very own Ronnie Day. He played the show acoustic, which was a welcome surprise. He came out wearing a black hoodie and a ski-cap, and began to tell his story that is so well documented on his album, "The Album". As he progressed in the time-line, he started to take of his jacket, hanging on one sleeve for a song. By the end of the show, he no longer had the hoodie or the ski-cap and was still singing his heart out. I loved the symbolism of that; him becoming "naked" to their crowd. There's was a real connection between Ronnie and the audience that just can't be put to words. A few songs he even stepped away from the mic and just used his flawlessly projected voice to sing the songs he'd written. It was unforgettable. He even played 3 or 4 new songs, and they were gorgeous. He didn't hit a wrong note the entire night.
   After Ronnie was the always amazing Melee. Such a great band, and their new CD should blow everyone away. Brilliant pop music. And then it was Quietdrive, who put on a decent show, to one of the most pathetic encore attempts I have ever heard, and came out and finished off by playing Britney Spears' 'Toxic'. It was epic.
2. And then last night. Last night was Quietdrive (again? And what's this, I'm seeing them again in a week and a half? Insanity!), Boys Like Girls, Cobra Starship, and Cartel. Being the third-time seeing both Quietdrive and Cartel, I knew what to expect. But what I did not expect was a sold-out show with hundreds of 16 year-old girls screaming about how gorgeous the singer of Boys Like Girls is. Hmm. Either way, Boys Like Girls put on a great show, although you could just sense how arrogant the lead singer is, which was a HUGE turn-off. Then came Cobra, and I just could not wait for them to get off the stage. Nothing against them, I'm just not into their music.
   And then Cartel. Amazing. :) Who doesn't love Will Pugh? The whole set was fantastic, and had a few surprises! One of them was the first time I'd ever seen Minstrils Prayer live. You could have heard a pin-drop during that song. Incredible. And sometime after that they played both 'Q' and 'A'. I absolutely loved how they played ALL of 'A'. All 10 minutes of it. It was beautiful. ^_^ I just still can't believe I decided to miss out when they came to Denver in 2005, the day OF their release of Chroma, with Hit The Lights and The Receiving End Of Sirens. :'(

I also got a few CD's to go over, including the new Anberlin, Deas Vail, and finally give my analysis of Self Against City's debut.

Listen To: The Dangerous Summer

And Then This

I was talking to one of my co-workers, a 45 year old hispanic guy, earlier this week about favorite movies. He told me that without a doubt his favorite movie is "The Polar Express". I was a bit taken aback, and asked him why. In his best english he replied, "It reminds me of when I was a kid". And that really got to me. That is what life is all about. It's about your first kiss. It's about eating pizza and watching crappy TV shows. It's about letting go at concerts and dancing. It's about reminding someone you love them. It's about listening to sad songs just because it makes you feel alive. It's about laughing with your friends. It's about helping people that need help. It's about feeling the sand between your toes on the bottom of a stream. It's about letting someone know it's okay. It's about screaming along with the lyrics in your car, even when you know you look like an idiot. It's about putting pride aside. It's about standing up for someone or something. It's about holding a newborn baby and realizing how small we all really are. It's about blooper reels. It's about crying because you feel loved. It's about playing hide-and-seek in the middle of a dining room with a 4 year old girl when you're supposed to be working.

Happy Valentines Day everybody. :)

Listen To: Always Rushing By

R.I.P HIPV

Hidden In Plain View have decided to disband due to professional and creative differences. To our families, friends and most importantly, our fans, thank you for all your love and support over the past six years. The band had recently recorded a new album which will see a release this spring on Drive-Thru Records. [source]

This sucks. Didn't see that coming. Their new album will probably be the best album of 2007. R.I.P HIPV.

Listen To: Hidden In Plain View

LONG upDATE

Heya, kids. Lets get right to it.

BETWEEN THE TREES. I have been meaning to write about them, but I held back, because I think this album deserves a LOT of attention. This is one heck of a debut from this Florida band. "The Story And The Song" is gorgeous, romantic, energetic, tragic, meaningful, uplifting and brilliant. Their singer has got some PIPES. He's just absolutely right on pitch and emotional, and it suits the music perfectly. The band really shows how versatile they are with songs influenced by Anberlin, The Format, Rookie Of The Year, and while they execute those songs perfectly, they still manage to create a unique, beautiful style of their own that is both energetic and soothing.

Where this album truly shines is in the lyrics and thought behind the album. Many of the songs are based on a true story that involves members of the band and a sweet, young girl who went through many troubles in her life, and how her friends showed her that she truly mattered. It's heartbreaking and inspiring. My favorite song on the album, 'You Cry A Tear To Start A River', really reflects the message of the story, along with, I believe, the cover of the CD. It shows a small boy who is well groomed and apparently very well off with a slight frown on his face facing a dirty, beat up version of himself who appears to be in poverty, handing him a flower. I love this, as I believe it shows how much you can learn from hardships and trials. Haha, you'd probably be better off making your own interpretations of the cover, as I seem to not be able to explain it well. :P Another of my favorite songs is one written about the singer's mother, and I'm sure this song could relate to many, many mothers around the world. :)

What a fantastic CD. It's near perfection, in my opinion. Absolutely gorgeous. I cannot wait to see what this underrated band brings to the world of music that I love so dearly. (Come to Denver)


I also got to see Rookie Of The Year at The Marquis Theater a few nights ago. It was amazing. I arrived a bit late and missed the opening act, but caught Four Letter Lie just in time. I was NOT a fan of their recorded work, so I wasn't excited at all to see them play. But, they tore up the stage live. The energy of their music is just not reflected in their album material. Great show. Afterwards was Rookie Of The Year. Ryan absolutely nailed their set, although I think they had to cut it short a bit. I talked with all of the band members before and after - AWESOME people. :D Way nice and dedicated individuals. I even got them to recommend a few bands for me, so here it goes:

Ryan: Goodbye Tomorrow (Old Stuff), Mew, Sleeping At Last
Mike: Wheat
Pat: Girltalk
Brandon: Christ Thile, Nickel Creek
David: Mewithoutyou, Immortal Technique
Scott(Merch): Russian Circles, Snow Fairies, Page France

Thought I'd share that with you guys. :D Roses Are Red, who headlined, were very dissapointing to me, which was too bad cause I loved their old material. Meh. Well, I've got more to say, but I'll save it for another time.

Listen To: Audience Of One

ThisMAYBE THIS!

Heya, Kids. I've got lots on my agenda to put down here, but I'm gonna take the lazy way out real quick and just remind myself to do it next time. :P For now, this!



Listen To: Self Against City

Best Of 2006 List

A lil late but...


Disclaimer:
[I'm only commenting/listing the CD's that I have actually purchased or had a good time to listen to. So, Mute Math, As Tall As Lions, Saves The Day and (many) others will be left out. :(]


Best Albums:
1. Rookie Of The Year - The Goodnight Moon
2. Umbrellas - Illuminare
3. Anathallo - Floating World
4. Valencia - This Could Be A Possibility (RE-ISSUE 2006)
5. The Format - Dog Problems
6. Between The Trees - The Story And The Song
7. Forgive Durden - Wonderland
8. Copeland - Eat. Sleep. Repeat.
9. Thursday - A City By The Light Divided
10. Hit The Lights - This Is A Stick Up... Don't Make It A Murder
11. Ronnie Day - The Album
12. The Appleseed Cast - Peregrine
13. Ever We Fall - We Are But Human
14. Rory - We're Up To No Good, We're Up To No Good
15. Moneen - The Red Tree
16. Brandtson - Hello, Control
17. Brand New - The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me
18. The Working Title - About-Face
19. Quietdrive - When All That's Left Is You
20. Boys Like Girls - Boys Like Girls
21. This Providence - This Providence
22. The Early November - The Mechanic, The Mother, The Path
23. The Fold - This Too Shall Pass
24. Park - Building A Better _______
25. Transition - Get There
26. The Hush Sound - Like Vines
27. Hellogoodbye - Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!
28. Portugal. The Man - Waiter:"You Vultures!"
29. Dashboard Confessional - Dusk And Summer
30. New Found Glory - Coming Home
31. Cute Without The E - The Same Old Blood Rush With A New Touch
32. Saosin - Saosin
33. The Scene Aesthetic - Building Homes From What We've Made
34. Taking Back Sunday - Louder Now
35. The Transit War - Miss Your Face
36. Alexisonfire - Crisis
[Rookie Of The Year was overlooked this year. No, it's not the most technical CD, but it's everything I love about music. In one album. Gorgeous. And Umbrellas' new one left me speechless. Between The Trees is such a romantic, true to life, touching album. The story that is behind the lyrics is fantastic.]


EP's:
1. Search The City - Ghosts
2. Rushmore Academy - Dramatics & Theatrics
3. Making April - Runaway World
4. Lakes - Photographs EP
5. A Hero From A Thousand Paces - Mistakes EP
6. Goodbye Tomorrow - Goodbye Tomorrow
7. Evaline - Postpartum Modesty. A Portrait Of Skin
8. Dave Melilo - Talk Is Cheap
9. All Time Low - Put Up Or Shut Up
10. Love Me Electric - Medicine And Magic
11. The Beautiful Mistake/Ettison Clio Split EP
12. The Dear Hunter -
13. The Killing Moon - A Message Through Your Teeth
14. Royden - Best Friends Our Worst Enemies
15. Lovedrug EP
[Search The City came out of NOWHERE, and it's amazing. And Rushmore Academy's new CD is brilliant Pop-Punk.]


Best Songs Of '06:
-Ever We Fall - Welcome To Fhloston Paradise
-Lakes - Indian Lover
-Anathallo - Hanasakajiji (Four: A Great Wind, More Ash)
-The Early November - No Good At Saying Sorry (One More Chance)
-Dave Melillo - Morris County Blues
-Between The Trees - You Cry A Tear To Start A River
[No numbers! Just all fantastic songs!]


Biggest Letdowns:
1. Taking Back Sunday - Louder Now
2. New Found Glory - Coming Home
3. The Scene Aesthetic - Building Homes From What We've Made
4. Saosin - Saosin
5. This Providence - This Providence
[I loved 'Where You Want To Be'. I had huge expectations. There are some stand-out tracks, no doubt, but the album was sorely dissapointing. New Found Glory released a good album, don't get me wrong. But... It's not New Found Glory, to me. Too far away from it. Saosin, over-produced. Alexisonfire is not on this list because I didn't have THAT high of expectations for it.]


Somehow Missed In '05:
1. Just Surrender - If These Streets Could Talk
2. Chiodos - All's Well That Ends Well
3. Better Luck Next Time - Third Time's A Charm
4. The Myriad


Most Anticipated Of '07:
1. Jimmy Eat World
2. Hidden In Plain View
3. Self Against City
4. Houston Calls
5. Search The City
6. Brightwood
7. Goodbye Tomorrow
8. The Mile After
9. A Hero From A Thousand Paces
10. Cartel
[The new Houston Calls album is gonna be so awesome. :D]


Biggest Sellout:
1. Panic! At The Disco
[It's not even funny anymore. I'm seriously.]


Best Lyricist:
1. Rushmore Academy
2. Brand New
3. Moneen
[Rushmore Academy had to win this, for me. Vury vury clever lyrics. He has a talent for writing those one liners that are just remarkable. And Brand New, fantastic. Moneen - Amazing. Totally honest. Love it.]

Best Movies:
1. Little Miss Sunshine
2. Over The Hedge
Yes. :D


Listen To: Kevin Devine

Today

Today Landon come's home! He's been in Japan for two-freaking-years! I'm way excited. ^_^ Pretty much beyond words, so I won't even try. :P

Yesterday, I was expecting my Between The Tree's CD to come in, but instead got my next shipment of TMG Street Team Supplies. I kinda feel like I let them down last time, so I'm gonna haul this time. :P Put up some Ronnie Day posters and make some displays. And lay out some Ronnie Day stickers and Tahiti 80 posters and stuff. If anyone wants any posters or stickers let me know.

Speaking of the Ronnie Day album, it is incredible. I think I've mentioned it before, but, seriously. It's brilliant. Soooo catchy, and mostly just happy. :) *love* Still can't believe the kid is only 18.

Also - There are some huge sales going on. Hopeless record's is selling all their CD's for $5. All of them. Take advantage of that. Also, Tooth & Nail has a sale for two CD's for $15. Also do that. :P Great deals.

Listen To: Ever We Fall