Music Review #10: The Cullens Better Watch Out For These Vampires...

Oh yes, the boys have destroyed the theory of the so called "Sophomore Slump" with Contra.  Vampire Weekend is one of the bands that I liked ever since local radio station X96 played the song "A-Punk" on there discover features.  I was hooked and with this new release its nothing different.

This whole album is simply remarkable from opening track "Horchata" to Paul Simon sounding "White Sky" "California English" and "Run" I can not get enough of this record.  "Diplomats Son" changes it up but "I Think Ur a Contra" is dazzling to the mind.

Summation: 5/5 because this is a solid album from start to finish and is just a fun listen.

Favorite Tracks: Horchata, California English and Run

Music Review #9: Lace Up Your Chucks..

Anyone who knows anything about that "Pop Punk" genre know that A New Found Glory has the style dialed in but the guys are getting a bit older so maybe it's time for the next generation of "Pop Punkers" to bring it and I think Amber Pacific does just that.  This album is the last record that lead singer Matt Young sang on before leaving and being replaced by Jesse Cottam who, by my opinion, is not that good of a replacement.  So if you are going to check this band out this album Truth In Sincerity is the best record for you learn about Amber Pacific

I really like everything about this album, everything for the obvious lyrics to the obvious chord progression.  In any other setting I would not love it so much, but that's what "Pop Punk" is all about I think.  "Rule #76" is the Intro to the record that flows right in to "Summer" with huge drums.  "Temporary" and "Your Only Young One" makes me think of the band Mest with the fun and super energetic music.  "Take Me From This Place" slows it down a notch but "Runaway" brings us right back up to speed and with guest singer Mike Herrera from MXPX you know that there is nothing but pure punk behind this blasting track.

Summation: 4/5 because its nothing new but its done right and that really all that matters to me about this genre.  This album screams young, in love and armed with the weapon Music.  So if you like A New Found Glory, MXPX, The Starting Line or The Get Up Kids check these dudes out.

Favorite Tracks: Summer, Runaway and Temporary

Music Review #8: Industrial Music Done Right

So if you have been living under a rock for the past 28 years or just new to the industrial scene, Trent Reznor is the man with the plan.  Nine Inch Nails has been a force to be reckoned with since 88' and has not stopped since.  This new band How To Destroy Angles is not just Trent like Nine Inch Nails is but has partnered up with Atticus Ross, who has worked with Nine Inch Nails on such albums as With Teeth, Year Zero and Ghosts I -V and other bands such Korn, Coheed and Cambria and Union of Thieves.  Atticus also directed his first feature The Book Of Eli in 2010.  Trents wife Mariqueen Maandig Reznor who once played in the band West Indian Girl is the voice behind this project and does a very amazing job.  This EP, which is self titled is shy under 30 minutes, but still is something that I can't get enough of.


This album is hard to describe but brilliance is a word that keeps coming to mind.  The whole record is everything and more of what I was hoping from the first time I head the song "A Drowning" from iTunes and Youtube.  Mixture of synthesizers, guitars and unexpected bass lines keeps your attention without over stimulating you.   The best part of this band and Nine Inch Nails is that they will give you there music away for free because they know that that's what its all about.... The music.  So if you would like to have to EP and judge for yourself just visit there website (www.howtodestroyangels.com) for the free EP.


Summation: 5/5 because it's stellar and all the track are wonderful.


Favorite Tracks: Fur Lined, BBB and A Drowning