Reviews Written by KHOA PHAM
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December 23, 2006
Nine Inch Nails
Pros: the best headphone music there is
Cons: CD comes with no booklet or info
In short, if you can imagine the current Trent Reznor collaborating with himself circa Pretty Hate Machine (Hand That Feeds, Only) and The Downward Spiral (Smaller and Smaller, Right Where it Belongs), you would have a pretty good idea of what's in store for you on With Teeth. Like any Nine Inch Nails album, it is masterfully crafted with melodies and effects circling in and out of the songs (and in your head as soon as you turn the music off). The lyrics aren't any more positive than Trent's previous work, but I enjoy how unrevealing they are because they are open to personal interpretation. Dave Grohl on drums is an excellent bonus, especially when he is unleashed on tracks like the torrential "Smaller and Smaller." Nine Inch Nails has been my favorite band for over a decade, but I was still worried that Trent had nowhere left to go. However, after a few plays, I can see that With Teeth will be as important to me as every other NIN studio album. Thanks again, Trent. ...
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December 21, 2006
Mew
Pros: None
Cons: None
I've given this album (and Frengers) many listens. I've never thought of Mew as sounding like a shoegaze band. For anyone who would be put off by the notion that this album sounds anything like Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, or Ride, I'd like to make a few points.
This is pop-rock with an obvious prog influence. "An Envoy to Open Fields" sounds like something Genesis would do (Gabriel era, not Collins).
The music is often a little haunting. The synthesizers and vocals are often ethereal and dreamy. These attributes are present in the shogaze genre. However, these attributes are also present in prog rock genre. ... -
December 20, 2006
End Of Fashion
Pros: None
Cons: None
I bought this album after hearing the 2nd single 'Lock up your daughters' and a live performance shown on TV in Aus. I was so impressed I rushed out and bought it. I really enjoy this album - it has been in and out of my CD player for the last few weeks. Justin Burfords vocals are terrific. In 'Anymore', (a lovely ballad that I can't stop playing), Justin sounds quite Jeff Bukleyesque. All the songs are really strong - the only one I FF is 'The Game'. The real standouts (for me) are 'Rough Diamonds', 'Lock up your daughters' and 'In Denial'. The album's rockier tracks have a real sense of fun and party/sing a long feel - with alot of 'Da Da Da's' and 'On and On and On' (on 'Oh Yeah' - quite funny to hear the bad members cracking up at the kids singing along at the end).
Music is really difficult to recommend. People have such different tastes and can like different aspects of the one album. I guess for me, the strength of a good album is when a group of people all like it. I put this album on at my workplace and everyone thought it was pretty good.
So, if you like alternative rock that is not hard on the ears - this is the one! ... -
December 19, 2006
Oasis
Pros: None
Cons: None
Well, when i heard "Hindu Times" i was addicted. IT seems like Noel is finally gaining some relaxiation, and really starting to sober up. Liam's lyrics happen to push forth in a very upcoming sense, and im impressed by "Songbird". Although the mellowtron beats up and out on "Stop Crying Your Heart Out", it is very soothing and ballad-ish. Their Johnny Rotten rampages can still be found somewhere in the back of their fish tank with "Force of Nature". "She is Love" is an emotional song that could be made of the same calibur as "Don't Go Away". Heathen Chemistry is one underrated, and not praised. However, some of the guitar riffs hit me as crumbling, and dying out. I give this one a 4 out of 5. ...
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December 15, 2006
Arctic Monkeys
Pros: None
Cons: None
The title says it all.. When I was 19 I was doing things up, not caring about much and doing what I could to get laid.. Now look at these lads at 19 and you can see that for their age, this album rocks!!! They show vast maturity and song writing excellence that sometimes is lacking from some of our most eldest of pop stars.. They are no nonsense, lyrical, tempo driven, musicians who have a knack for making good songs that are well crafted and easy to listen to and like within one listen.. There is so much crap out there today that is so overdone (can someone please stick a fork in grunge wannabes please?) that its really refreshing to see a band come along that is unique with a unique sound and most important, voice.. Alex Turners voice is a welcome change from the Puddle of Mud and Kurt Cobain wanna-bes out there.. Even some of the would-be children of the 80's are sounding repetitive.. Give this album a whirl, and recognize it for what it is.. Its NEW Sounding Music that you can dig from the start.. Its not more of the same.. Dont Stay the Course like we did with the elections of 2004.. Take your taste to a new direction and it just might change your life... At least it will enhance it... ...
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December 15, 2006
Smile Empty Soul
Pros: read on!
Cons: None
Smile Empty Soul: Rock or something more? I personally listen to it, and I FEEL the lyrics, To me, they run so much deeper than what some may take them to be. Most would listen to the songs, and hear an everyday rock band, but they're so much more. The lyrics hold messages that can give me chills at times. All the songs are great, and the music is enough to leave the beholder transfixed and hooked! Seriously, when I heard Bottom of A Bottle for the first time, I was hooked, and I definately don't regret purchasing theire album. I've asked a few people if they had heard them, and I've been telling others to listen to them for quite some time now. Some songs are softer, more mellow, yet they still hold true and are great to listen to.
Concluding, I feel that Smile Empty Soul is so, so, so much more than your average rock band, and if you haven't heard them you don't know what you're missing! ... -
December 15, 2006
The Strokes
Pros: None
Cons: None
I can't express enough how much this bamd means to me, I've posted my many thoughts on other MB's & I have wanted to say (again!) Right here...Don't you dare give it a 2nd thought when it comes to buying this Awesome collection...Yay!!! Wot are you waiting for?!?! I usually don't like EVERY single song on a cd but this one...Is an exception!
The Strokes have TOTALLY renewed my faith in today's music...which (by the way) I grew utterly sick and tired of. These guys are UNDENIABLY "IT"... Nick, Fab, Nikolai, Julian and Albert are an Inspiring group of young men that have/are making music to inspire YOU, music that slaps a little "life" back in your soul...(If you were feeling like I WAS feeling before them, lol, You'd know exactly wot I mean!!!) I truly Love, Admire and Appreciate this "refreshing" band more than they'll probably ever know. I predict that their music will NEVER get "old" as they eventually go down in history as Legends! Yes, you heard rrrrright & I mean wot I say from the heart and everything I believe in...coz I sure do believe in them as I support them 100%! ... -
December 12, 2006
OK Go
Pros: None
Cons: None
Years ago, Rolling Stone rated Nirvana's album Nevermind 3 stars. Ever since then, the magazine has gone downhill in the reviewing department. Giving 5 star reviews to only established "classic" artists like Bob Dylan, they often overlook newer, exciting bands. Their latest travesty--rating Ok Go's new album 2 stars--is pathetic at best. The album is a breath of fresh air in the pop genre--this is the "smart-pop" we've all been yearning for, drowning in the boy and girl band mud pool. In a world of "nu-metal", female singer-songwriters, bad (no really bad) radio pop, and derivative hip-hop, the need for music like this is urgent. Listen to "Get Over It" first (the first single and MTV2 video) and then get to the better stuff--"Bye Bye Baby", "Don't Ask Me", "What to Do", "You're So Damn Hot", and the exhilarating time-loop song about a guy with a problem that won't go away, "There's a Fire". The other tracks are equally strong, save for the strange "C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips" that seems out of place. Ok Go is in it's finest form in exciting live shows, but this CD is proof that they are here to stay on stage and off. Thank you to Capitol Records for recognizing their amazing talent. ...
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December 12, 2006
Puddle Of Mudd
Pros: None
Cons: None
It is sooooo reminisent of Kurt Kobain that it is scary. I don't know if he is trying to sound like Kobain or not, or whether he is just been gifted with that voice, but sometimes its kind of frightening. You can't hear it in the radio singles 'Blurry' and 'Control' but in songs like 'She Hates Me' and 'Nobody Told Me', it's like it is Nirvana playing these tunes. That isn't even that bad of a problem, but its just weird. I like this album though. Great new band. ...
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The All-American Rejects
Pros: None
Cons: None
"Move Along" is a very mature release from The All-American Rejects. The songs are catchy. Singer/Bassist Tyson Ritter deffenately knows how to write a good song.
Songs like "Dirty Little Secret", "Stab My Back", and "Move Along" kick the record off with a bang. These songs get easially stuck in my head.
There's also slow songs like "Straightjacket Feeling" and "Can't Take It". These songs are amazing and really show off Ritter's vocal ability. Not only that, but it also shows off his song writing abilities. The other band members(Nick Wheeler, Chris Gaylor, and Mike Kennerty) have also grown as musician because the background music is amazing.
My best friend bought me this cd for my birthday and I haven't been able to take it out of the player since. If you like bands like Fall Out Boy, The Ataris, Relient K, and so on, then you will like the All-American Rejects. It's enjoyable to people of all ages(my 6 year old sister loves it and even my mom can't help but like "Move Along" and "Dirty Little Secret"). ...