Saturday, April 12, 2008

Medeski, Martin, and Wood -- Uninvisible

The Twelfth Studio album of MMW mixes the usual jazz we're used to hearing and adds some elements of electronic music, mostly for moods and quick shots of sound. This album is a nice blend of upbeat with slower moody tracks. I have yet to hear this group put out a bad album, however it is still Jazz mixed with freeform, so if you don't like it you won't like anything they do. These three really know how to play together and how to keep themselves on the same track. All of the songs are good but the standout song is the upbeat and funny titled "I Wanna Ride You".

Not the best album to start on if you want to see if you like their music. Try Shack Man instead. If you don't like you won't like this album, if you do, you will like this album. Enough said.

3.5/4 stars

The Flaming Lips -- Yoshimi Battle The Pink Robots

I've really tried giving this album a chance. Two people in whom I respect their opinions in music have told me time and time again that this is an amazing album. Now I do admit that I love the title and the song that shares the title. Also the opening song Fight Test I like, but the rest of the album isn't so much that I don't like it, it's just that it feels like they're not really doing anything. The feel of the album confuses me. Because at first it's more powerful while still having the airy tone. The first four songs really create this powerful mood that completely dies through the last 7 songs. The rest of the album is too light for me. The good thing is, though I find the last 7 tracks boring, at least I don't hate it. I could put this in if I wanted something for background ambiance but not so if I were to play the first four tracks. Still I love the song Yoshimi, very enjoyable tune which I can play over and over again, but not too much else which I'll go back to again and again.

I can see where indie fans can go right with this album. It's light and airy which seems to be where most indie fans like going, but for me that's just become boring.

1.5/4 stars

Muse -- Origin Of Symmetry

The thing I like about is this album is the band Muse just gives you a lot of good rockin' songs. Each song has different elements to it but each one is a nice and rockin'. They went out on a limb with a bunch of the songs to see if they would work, and they did, except one song called "Micro Cuts" which goes into an almost Opera sound and it doesn't really hit the mark. But overall with the rest of the songs, they give you enough variety that you're not bored and they don't go into any slow stuff either. The lead singer also probably loves to hear his own voice cause he hits the high register in every song. Overall it's a nice consistent rocking album.

If you like Muse, this one is one you need to get. If you like rock music with some falsetto and some electronic sounds mixed in, you'll love this album.

3.5/4 stars

Juno Reactor -- Bible Of Dreams

I must say first that I'm not used to this kind of techno, a techno which evokes certain moods in each song and is generally repetitive. I was enjoying the album very much in the first three to 5 songs. But with 9 songs all going through the same progression all between 7 and 9 minutes long soon I became tiresome and wanting something different. This album is very good when it comes to individual songs. I liked each of the songs just fine it's just hard for me to listen to the whole album at once. For instance if I got one of the songs every once in a while I'd probably dance and enjoy it, but all of them together as an album is tiresome and just too much. I really do like his usage of different voices to add to the mood of each song, and the techno aspect is quite well done. But overall as an album I just can't handle it.

Techno fans should get this album, if you don't like techno there's no reason for you to own this one.

3/4 stars

Ozomatli -- Embrace The Chaos

This is the second album from the amazingly talented Ozomatli, unfortunately it is their weakest album. There are some good moments, the first two songs are excellent as is the ninth "Lo Que Dice". Also having a guest cameo by Will I Am on "Vocal Artillery" can help as well. But other then that, most of the songs are just more filler. Some of the songs are good but nothing as near as good as anything else they've put out. They had an amazing rookie album, so it can make sense that on their sophomore album they are working out the kinks.

This is a must have if you're a die hard Ozomatli fan, but if you're just getting into them you can pick this one up last. It has some good stuff but all around it's not that great.

2.5/4 stars

Friday, April 11, 2008

Slagsmalsklubben -- Boss For Leader

SMK for short, this 6 piece Bit Pop group from Sweden is an amazing mix of the sounds we loved as a kid with rockin' good tunes. I recently discovered this group and listened to this their 3rd studio album. I must say I am enthralled with this group. Watching them on youtube you can really see what goes into making each of these songs, and there is a lot to it. They all know their role and they fit so well together. This album has some really fun upbeat tunes and that's when this group is at their best. They do a couple of slower things and that's when their music starts to get weak. But overall these guys know how to take the sounds from nintendo games and make them into pure danceable hits.

If you liked nintendo music, and you like upbeat sounds, you'll love this group. I have fallen in love with them in the short time I've listened to them, though a lot of their best stuff isn't on this album, but there is still some really good sons on this one like the really nice "Malmo Beach Night Party". If you want to hear their sounds go to youtube and type in "His Morning Promenade"

3.5/4 stars.