Back in Full Effect.

Sorry for the hiatus. I moved back in May and I've just now got around to internet... Thus, the blog will begin with regular updates momentarily. So, keep watching!

Paul Baribeau - Unbearable

Last Summer, I had the pleasure (and privilege) of seeing Paul Baribeau play at Skull Alley in Louisville, KY. The show was by far one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. The crowd was full of sweet dudes and ladies, the sets were longer than expected, and I was front and center with my brother. I could not have asked for a better atmosphere.

When Paul took stage, we were all prepared to sing our fucking hearts out.
We listened to a few songs and a few stories about those songs; but, my favorite part was hearing him talk about “Eight Letters”, which happens to be my favorite track on “Unbearable”. Although this album stays true to Baribeau’s acoustic-love-song style, you’ll hear far less waling out than you would on his previous releases. “Unbearable” has a softer, more polished sound to it. The song writing is still strong and incredibly relatable, though, as evident in tracks like, “Blue Cool”:

When I first moved to this town/
You were always on my mind/
We started running with the same crowd/
But you were different from the other kids/
You were the only one with style/
You were the crush I could never kiss/
Because you were just so blue cool

If you’re a fan of emotionally charged acoustic music, or just want a good punk rock cry, give this guy a listen!

Descendents - Everything Sucks

I've gone through all of my teenage years listening to this album, and honestly, I would have to say it's the reason I got into listening to any sort of punk. When I was about thirteen, this album ended up on my ipod due to an older friend borrowing it for a couple days. I was just lucky that I actually gave it a shot and listened to it. It's a lot different from their pre-Milo-going-to-college-to-become-a-biochemist material. Everything Sucks is nothing like their 80's hardcore music they put out before the almost-10 year hiatus. I'd hate to call it pop-punk because I don't want to imply any of the sounds that modern "pop-punk" can encompass. It's just melodic punk with catchy lyrics you can relate to, it's like Milo's in my head, saying the things I can't put into words. They're extremely personal and deal with a lot of things a high school kid goes through, such as relationships, getting hurt, having no one understand you, and just general angst, as well as happier songs that you can relate to. It's just an incredible record, and it's definitely in my top 10 albums.

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American Football - American Football

I didn't discover 90's Emo or Math Rock until a couple years ago, and I was never really into those genres until my friend Shane geeked out over a Cap'n Jazz reunion show. Under the influence of Shane, I acquired Analphabetapolothology, a massive Cap'n Jazz compilation. I was extremely impressed, mostly due to singer and guitarist Mike Kinsella, who I later found out was part of a ton of other bands... including American Football. So, I downloaded American Football's self-titled album and I was instantly obsessed with it. It was on repeat for weeks and it got me through some really lonely times. Any time I'm lost in my thoughts, I put this on and just think. Kinsella has made perfect music for all us introverts out there. I really love all of Kinsella's other projects, too, but American Football is killer. Recommended for anyone who's been let down, in one way or another.

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Some Songs for Summer.

We are well into July, so I figured I'd share a few albums that are essential to my Summers. Here we go:

1. Belle and Sebastian - The Life Pursuit



My favorite part of Summer is the first day I notice the sunshine again, and how it can somehow instantly make me happy. I mean, Winter has always been my favorite season, but there's something about those initial days of Summer where you just feel really free and lighthearted. On those days, I prefer to listen to this album before anything else. The Life Pursuit practically oozes of indie pop positivity. All songs flow with melodic ease to the next, letting each song fit together like a puzzle. There's not one track that feels out of place or irrelevant, giving it a little more polish and cohesiveness than Belle and Sebastian's previous work. If you're looking for music to de-stress or something that will just put a smile on your face, check it out.


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2. Heathers - Here, Not There



Heathers is a folk-acoustic duo consisting of twin sisters from Dublin, Louise and Ellie Macnamara. I discovered Heathers at Crucial Fest '08 in Lexington, Kentucky, only weeks after the release of Here, Not There. I was instantly blown away by the incredible guitar skills of Louise, not to mention the immediacy of both Louise and Ellie's vocals. Their voices compliment and harmonize so well together, you almost can't help but sing along with them. I hear them compared to Tegan and Sara, but I honestly think they have nothing on Heathers. Heathers lyrics are full of wit and relatability, while their voices play off each other perfectly. This album is a great sing-a-long record.

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3. of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping



Before listening to Skeletal Lamping, it's probably best that you know a little bit about Kevin Barnes, the songwriter and vocalist for of Montreal. The band is essentially his brainchild and creative outlet, and he is definitely a demented individual. Skeletal Lamping is a clusterfuck of funk and electronica beats, woven through some indie pop melodies and ridiculous but infectious lyrics. For example, Barns declares "I'm just a black she-male..." in 'Wicked Wisdom', then, in 'An Eluardian Instance', Barns begins the song as a sort of love note to someone he wants to really get to know... writing, "...you should know that I am not just searching for some first time high...", then he ends the song expressing his want to leave the relationship all together. Personally, it took a few listens to even remotely understand and appreciate this album... but as confusing and twisted as the tracks are, it's fun and irrelevant. Guaranteed to get stuck in your head at some point.


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4. Wavves - King of the Beach



Wavves is like the musical incarnation of Summer. They've only been around two years, and they already have a huge following. This album definitely takes some getting used to, though, especially for newcomers to the Lo-Fi scene; but, once you do get past some of the distortion, you’ll find a pretty damn good record, chiefly due to the subject maters of the songs, which are full of nostalgia for such things as Super Soakers, baseball cards, and of course, being the ”King of the Beach”. It’s totally worth checking out if you’re in need of some awesome Noise Pop.

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The Protomen

After first listening to these two albums, I didn’t really know what to think. I initially thought that it was obviously mocking both the huge, overdramatic Rock Operas of the 70s and 80s and the fanaticism that some people have for retro gaming. But after the next few listens, I started to understand that this wasn’t some tongue-in-cheek mockery of either of those things, but rather, an epic retelling of the Mega Man saga, that has better story telling than ninety percent of any other media. Each album is a new act in the adventure, the first being about Mega Man’s first fight against Dr. Willy, while the second record is the larger prequel to the first. And, if you’re like me, you might end up truly caring for a few of the characters.

Act I:
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Act II:
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The Smiths - Hatful of Hollow

I discovered The Smiths after my first real break up. He dumped me the day after Christmas. I thought, at the time, that it was the worst thing to ever happen to me, the worst pain I would ever feel. That night, I went to a friend's house to get my mind off of things. Mostly to cry and scream about it. We ended up in her garage, going through her older brother's music collection. I found a dusty mixtape under a pile of Chicago records and pocketed it. After we called it a night, I drove home and got in bed as fast as I could. I cleaned off the tape and put it in my player, just because I can't sleep without music playing. The first 2 or 3 songs on the tape were 80's hair band ballads.. and they sucked.. a lot.. but, the 4th song was "You've Got Everything Now" by The Smiths. I remember laying there, wondering why the hell this kickass song was in the middle of 80's glam bull shit, then replaying it over and over again. The next morning, I went to Now Hear This, and found a used copy of Hatful of Hollow. I couldn't put it down for months. I was heartbroken and pissed, and this album was my fail-safe. Morrissey gives off that "I don't give a fuck, but I kinda do" attitude that I've always felt existed in myself. His cynicism and humor, with Marr on guitar, had me in a musical trance. I don't know why I'm even attempting to explain what these songs mean to me, because words can't even begin to express it. I still can't musically relate to anything as much as I do with The Smiths. Do yourself a favor and go listen.

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