It's been a pretty exciting year in terms of new records. unfortunately, i didn't have time to hear everything, but I can say something useful (or not) about some records.
Glasvegas, Glasvegas: I was lucky enough to catch them on virgin MegaStore at Union Square. it's a very solid record, and very emotional. If you're not touched by a song like "Geraldine", sorry, but you're dead! Still, it's too little compared to New York bands like MGMT or Vampire Weekend. It's sad, but Glasvegas was the best thing that Britain offered us last year...
Superbus, Lova Lova: Anyone that played Guitar Hero knows this underrated band, considered by many the 'french No Doubt'. I love the lead singer. She's so cute and with a lovely and sexy voice. This album is not their best, but it's pretty solid. 'Key Hole' is my favorite track.
Lily Allen, It's not me, it's you: Put simply, Lily is the best woman in pop music today. Everything is as catchy as hell in her sophomore album. And I was lucky enough to go to her myspace secret show in Bowery Ballroom a couple of weeks ago. pretty good!
Papa Roach, Metamorphosis: I have to say this, but I agree with everyone: Ever since lovehatetragedy, Papa roach has been down the road, with each album being worst than the previous one. Thought that "The Paramour Sessions" was bad? At least there were some very good singles in the pseudo-emo formula of songs like 'time is running out" and "forever". Here, everything is boring. Sad, but true.
Kelly Clarkson, All I Ever Wanted: Ok, I admit I like her. While most songs here are boring, there are some pretty good moments. "I do not hook up" is very addictive. And "My life would suck without you" made something I didn't think was possible: something better than "Since you've been gone". so do yourself a favor and don't buy this album (buy Lily Allen's instead), but definitely get the singles. They are/will be more than worth it.
The Von Bondies, Love, Hate and There's You: A dirty band, with a nervous and fast song. Not much changed since their debut. You still can enjoy them for a while, but will forget them fast.
Artists without an album:
Amazing Baby: They will continue the "Broklyn domination" as soon as their debut is released (who knows when...). I saw them live last year and i'm going to see them again in april. Hope they play new songs. Very excited.
Little Boots: Knew her because she topped the BBC's list of promising new artists. She will be big. I feel it.
Wow, three posts in a week. I'm really feeling like writing these days. Just hope that translates in research this weekend. See you folks (probably speaking to just myself ...)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Yeah Yeah Yeahs is back! It's Blitz! review.
Note: No drama this time...
One of the most exciting bands of this decade is back, and obviously is such a big time. But is their third effort worth the wait? Does it live up to their very high standards? If you're reading this, you've likely heard the album that leaked almost two months before its release. Now, if you ask me, I think that's kind of unfair with the band and I feel bad for hearing it, but I just couldn't hold my curiosity. Specially after hearing the first single... Anyway, let's get down to business.
Opener (and lead single) "Zero" sets the bar ridiculously high for the rest of the album. A dance track with the so called "Euro pop" feel. It kind of reminds me of The Killers's "Human" in the sense that it starts slow and becomes faster over the time. Here you see clearly how much better YYY is than The killers. unlike "Human", you don't get tired of the tune after 30 seconds. In fact, the opposite happens. As the song progresses, it gets better and better, and in the end you're wishing for more.
And you get more. Next song, "Heads Will roll" is possibly the best song that these guys ever wrote. Here you don't see a post punk band anymore. You see a serious flirt with dance music. People have been comparing this with New Order's "Blue Monday", but I think it's much better than that and YYY will certainly take over the indie dance floors this year. "Dance, dance, dance till you're dead!", these are probably the coolest lyrics that I heard since MGMT's "Time To Pretend".
In the next song, "Soft Shock", things slow down. Now I confess that i'm a big fan of fast tracks, but this one is pretty sweet and enjoyable. Just when I was starting to wonder if the guitarist was still alive, comes "Dull Life". with its more traditional YYY's sound, with heavy guitars, this is going to please "old school" fans. it's not as good as the first two songs, but it's still pretty good.
In their constant search to change their sound, sometimes they seem to push too hard. Ballad "Runaway" starts with just piano! This really was weird in the first listen, but after some time I started to like it. Songs like 'Little Shadow" and Hysteric" seem a bit difficult to me, but I just can't hate them. There is a sense in which this album seem complex and very well done. If Coldplay makes an album and I don't like, it's their fault, of course. But with YYY it sounds like I'm just not smart enough to enjoy the songs, and they will grow over time.
Or maybe they won't. The fact is; "Zero" and 'Heads Will Roll" are so awesome that I highly doubt that I will ever care about that.
I can't wait to see them live!! Hope they announce dates in New York soon.
Grade: 8.5 (out of 10)
One of the most exciting bands of this decade is back, and obviously is such a big time. But is their third effort worth the wait? Does it live up to their very high standards? If you're reading this, you've likely heard the album that leaked almost two months before its release. Now, if you ask me, I think that's kind of unfair with the band and I feel bad for hearing it, but I just couldn't hold my curiosity. Specially after hearing the first single... Anyway, let's get down to business.
Opener (and lead single) "Zero" sets the bar ridiculously high for the rest of the album. A dance track with the so called "Euro pop" feel. It kind of reminds me of The Killers's "Human" in the sense that it starts slow and becomes faster over the time. Here you see clearly how much better YYY is than The killers. unlike "Human", you don't get tired of the tune after 30 seconds. In fact, the opposite happens. As the song progresses, it gets better and better, and in the end you're wishing for more.
And you get more. Next song, "Heads Will roll" is possibly the best song that these guys ever wrote. Here you don't see a post punk band anymore. You see a serious flirt with dance music. People have been comparing this with New Order's "Blue Monday", but I think it's much better than that and YYY will certainly take over the indie dance floors this year. "Dance, dance, dance till you're dead!", these are probably the coolest lyrics that I heard since MGMT's "Time To Pretend".
In the next song, "Soft Shock", things slow down. Now I confess that i'm a big fan of fast tracks, but this one is pretty sweet and enjoyable. Just when I was starting to wonder if the guitarist was still alive, comes "Dull Life". with its more traditional YYY's sound, with heavy guitars, this is going to please "old school" fans. it's not as good as the first two songs, but it's still pretty good.
In their constant search to change their sound, sometimes they seem to push too hard. Ballad "Runaway" starts with just piano! This really was weird in the first listen, but after some time I started to like it. Songs like 'Little Shadow" and Hysteric" seem a bit difficult to me, but I just can't hate them. There is a sense in which this album seem complex and very well done. If Coldplay makes an album and I don't like, it's their fault, of course. But with YYY it sounds like I'm just not smart enough to enjoy the songs, and they will grow over time.
Or maybe they won't. The fact is; "Zero" and 'Heads Will Roll" are so awesome that I highly doubt that I will ever care about that.
I can't wait to see them live!! Hope they announce dates in New York soon.
Grade: 8.5 (out of 10)
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Random Stuff
NYU girls are absolutely gorgeous and elegant. Almost two years of school here, and I'm still impressed. Too bad I don't have many opportunities to explore the huge potential of my school...
I still suck with girls and I wonder if someday I'll get better. Why is it so hard to just make a move? Fear to be turned down? This time there are other things involved.
My classes are not really as good as they should be. Today Monetary Economics was pretty boring. And it seems that time just doesn't pass when I'm not paying attention. Hope it gets better next week.
If 2008 was the year of new bands (MGMT, Vampire Weekend, Crystal Castles...), 2009 might well be the year of "old" bands. I'm not just talking about Franz Ferdinand, but also Lily Allen, Superbus, Yeah Yeah Yeahs (single Zero is my new favorite track), Green Day, and maybe The Strokes and The White Stripes. Oh yeah, and Arctic Monkeys, of course. I have a very good feeling about all these albums.
In the past weeks, I was able to go out a lot and went, as usual, to a lot of concerts (even some that I wasn't that excited about), but the best part was to find new clubs and indie parties. It turns out that New York has a lot to offer in that matter. And that's really good news for me. To be able to go to a place where I can listen to good music, dance, get drunk and meet girls. That's all I ask for.
After another (!) cold, I think I'm in good shape now. Plus, school has been not extremely demanding in the past weeks. Then why the hell I'm not happier? I think I'm doing fine but that I could have it so much better...
I'm not a good writer. This post is pretty lame. Maybe I should delete it. Whatever, I'll post it.
"You're zero. What's you name? No one is gonna ask you about it..." This is stuck in my head. Watch out, Franz Ferdinand. The competition for album of the year will be hard.
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