Jonsi: Go

"its so good, its obvious"

Thats part of a conversation I was in the middle of having about Jonsi and Sigur Ros (of which he is a member).Let me begin with being forthcoming and saying I am a big Sigur Ros fan, Takk... is one of the most incredible albums. Perhaps its that I got that album at a time when it just spoke to me. Its not. Its that it spoke to me at all. So many bands cant seem to do what they do easily and effortless and repeatedly.

Now when a lead singer steps aside and does a solo effort, im usually a bit wary (Billy Corgan im looking in your direction). I usually support them regardless because Im a fan, but often time the solo effort seems awkward and uninspired, probably due to the fact that they dont have the other bandmate to filter out the shit. Like panning for gold lets say ( although that analogy doesnt always work).

Ok...Jonsi. I have been waiting for this album since he started hinting at it months ago. I bought the super deluxe edition of the album which was hand wrapped in cloth. I have all the limited digi-releases. Ive watched all the videos on his site....at least 5 times.

The album, as my girlfriend would describe it, is "twinkley fairy music". I retorted with...so?

Yes, its twinkly and fairy like. But Jonsi is a master of making emotionally potent music and this album is no different. His choice of arrangement and percussion and tones are all EXACTLY what they should be. Simple yet there are so many of them that in this chorus of what sounds like childrens toys you find this emotional tidal wave bearing down upon you before you even realize it. When you listen to this album everything is as it should be, he shouldnt be singing any other notes but there is the openess and freedom about the music. It seems almost obvious...but its so GOOD...its obvious. Each song is a lesson in auditory satisfaction.

While I choose to listen to some bands that make me want to help them finish the song or listen to bands that are just jarring or whatever. I listen to Jonsi because i want to sit there like a child and have someone tell me a story. I want to lie on my stomach with my head in hand and just listen, like a child.

I will confess that everytime i have listened through this album since i recieved my digital copy of the super deluxe edition, i have slowly constructed my own stories for each song. And at times, when my little stories are completed i get a rush. And it feels fucking awesome.

I was going to break this down song by song. But i dont think thats fair to Jonsi. Maybe this album isnt for everyone but if you allow yourself the time, and listen to it when you have an open mind, I hope that you will have the same experience i have had with it.

my review- 8 out of 8 tentacles

Jakob: Solace

Im going to keep it simply and only focus on "Solace". 

I recently introduced myself to Jakob, a band from New Zealand, focusing mostly in the post-rock genre. They write well articulated instrumental pieces and spent time on the road with heavy-weights like Isis.

These days I find that simply tacking post-rock on a band gives them licence to do their very best Explosions in the Sky impression. Im not knocking the bands that do that (Signal Hill im looking at you) because they can do a very good and interested job. Jakob on the other hand has their own flavor entirely. While you could probably sit there and pick apart the different influences they have enlisted to come to this end result, why would you want to?

The album opens with Malachite....which is a stunning song in itself, very "scene forming" for the album as a whole. It sets the mood for the whole experience. What is really nice is that Malachite isnt necessarily the only trick they have up their collective sleeves. As a three piece the band is remarkably efficient and they use all of their band members to the fullest. The drummer is awesome in my opinion, and the bass player should get an award for best supporting actor. The guitarist is a master with his delay pedal and does an absolutely incredible job of creating lush, vibrant and all together  visual sound scapes.

If you are snooty embittered post-rock snob or if you are a post-rock newb, you will without a doubt enjoy this album through and through.

My Review -8 tentacles out of 8

Biffy Clyro

I dont quite recall how i found Biffy Clyro. I think it was actually through wikipedia oddly enough. Blackened Sky was a really fun album to discover. Its poppy and simple to enjoy but i dont feel cheap. It was like finding a really awesome snack that i love to eat all the time but it didnt give me explosive poop or a pounding headache. Clearly the boys in Biffy love Nirvana and Foo Fighters and Far and etc....but its not like they are claiming to be the anything but the product of their influences.

Its frustrating as hell listening to music these days. People clearly just imitate and emulate their favorite bands. They dont allow themselves to be influeced, they merely make shittier carbon copies. I suppose some could tar Biffy Clyro with that brush. I would understand. Honestly.

Theres something nice about them though. I dont feel cheap listening to them. They respect their influences. But onto my review:

This will be regarding "Only Revolutions" their newest effort.

I've had a few days with it and for the most part i like it. I DO NOT like "born on a horse" the song just seems pointless on an album filled with pretty catchy tunes. "Mountains" is by far and away my favorite song on the album. Its a strong anthemic song, catchy, powerful.

In Flames

During my time in Commissariat, back in NY, my bass player was into In Flames. Stuart and Dave turned me onto them. Last night i listened to two albums. Come Clarity and their new ones...who's name is escaping me. While not always my cup of tea i did enjoy it. Nice blend of melodic and aggression. The singer keeps things balanced by not going crazy with the metal growl all the time. While that works for bands like Meshuggah, i found that the singers use of melodic...stylings (its not a scream) made the songs very approachable. The rhythm section is really good. The drummer  kept things snappy by switiching between the predicatble metal overuse of the double bass, but then he would switch to a nice clean fast punk styled beat which give the songs  a forward lean and adds alot of drive. The guitars...didnt do much to impress me. They we interesting at times but for the most part they were simply just apart of the song. I think this is actually a good thing. Its probably what made me like them the most. I'm not a big metal guy, and i get really tired of the guitar wankery that seems to happen more often then not. These guys kept it to a minimum and instead focused on making the singer sound that much better. team work. theres nothing nicer than hearing a band work as a team sonically.

My review- 6.5 tentacles out of 8

Boom Boom Satellites

I have been enjoying the shit out of their albums for the past several days. I was introduced by a friend several years ago but could only find one album stateside. Not only have i gotten to see them live here in Korea i now have all their albums...and...well im quite happy. They remind me of a light hearted NIN. Some time Trent gets a bit too doom and gloomy for me and i just want some big beat electronic rock that isnt about the end of the world.

give them a shot. they are worth your time.

My general review - 6.5 Tentacles out of 8