Album Reviews
Escape/Restart | Radius system
I came across Radius system only a few months ago. Their album caught my eye again today, I listened to it twice, and got the inspiration to spread the good news. As I do for all my posts, I check out the band’s website and do a little bit of research… but poignant only vaguely describes the feeling I get when I remember that making great music isn’t enough to keep the dream alive. As of August 27th, 2008, Radius system announced the project is over. They’re offering their album as a free download… get it while you still can!
Grace | Jeff Buckley
I know I’ve mentioned Jeff Buckley before in my Strongest Voices in Rock post, but his voice was just too phenomenal to actually think his music deserved just a passing mention. Sometimes he played alternative, straight-up rock, blues, or even folk. But what remained constant throughout was his amazing voice.
Crime of the Century | Supertramp
There’s definitely a few surprises lurking in my music collection. Take a look at my Favorite’s page. You’ll get a pretty good idea of a particular style of music that really hits it home for me. But it’s impossible for any quick list to account for all the outliers… and they often don’t account for any at all. I’ve let a few of these outliers out here and there, and now seems as good as time as any for another.
Subject | Dwele
If you’ve heard of Dwele, its most probably in reference to when he sang the hooks for Kanye West’s song Flashing Lights on Graduation (2007). That was Dwele’s official break, though he had a few singles that made it into the radio waves and DJ booths far before. My introduction to this obnoxious soul artist was in 2003 when I was in college and heard Find A Way playing at a D.C. lounge. That introduced me to a neosoul, laid back, and conscious artist who produced a solid soul album entitled Subject (2003).
Colors | Between the Buried and Me
To give you an idea of my initial reaction to this album, during my first listen, 1) I laughed out loud a couple times, 2) I said “wow” a few times (either out loud or in my head), and 3) I had already started writing this review before the album had even ended.
Selling Insincerity | Abigail’s Ghost
Have you ever heard a short clip of a song from a new band a knew immediately you were going to buy the album and love every second of it? Isn’t that a great feeling? See for me, that’s as good as it gets. It’s my crack and iTunes is my dealer. Honestly, shit this good can’t be legal. If you like Porcupine Tree, Riverside, Dream Theater… buy this album and see how quickly Abigail’s Ghost floats to the top of your progressive rock recommendation list.
Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik | Outkast
Being their debut album, Outkast showed the world what they were about and how they could flow. Though totally produced in their basement studio, this album sounds amazing and reflects the life work of both these emcees. For those of you who don’t see it outright, you pronounce this album as Southern Playalistic Cadillac Music.
Flies the Fields | Shipping News
Occasionally I come across a band with a sound I can’t quite put my fingers on. Shipping News has some elements of indie-rock and some sort of mellow grunge. But neither genre does them justice. This band is all about tension and a simple sound to get across a theme.
Power In Numbers | Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5 was an LA ensemble consisting of two DJ’s: Nu-Mark and Cut Chemist, and rappers Chali 2na, Akil, Zaakir, and Mark 7even. And like any ensemble, each track on this album reflects the divergent interests of whichever producer is leading. What makes them a group is their ability to tie it all together into a solid, furious, and consistent lyrical flow.
Salival | Tool
Yes. We all know who Tool is. Yes. We know Dan loves Tool. Yes. We know Dan is in fact a tool himself. No. Dan didn’t know that Salival (2000) was a limited edition. If you want to find a brand new copy of this box set, you’ll have to fork out at least a couple hundred bucks or settle for a used copy for about $60. Is it worth it? You’re damn right it is. Let me tell you why.
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