Babel by Mumford and Sons (sorry, no album cover image here, google takes them off)
Released September 25th, 2012
Sound: They have a pretty unique folk sound considering they are labeled "Alternative." A lot of banjo and guitars. Marcus Mumford (lead vocals) has a deep, raspy, authentic voice that sounds very honest and pleading. Song formats are mostly verse then chorus then verse then chorus, unlike a lot of old folk that is just verse - verse - verse. Good luck trying to name another band that sounds just like them. Bob Dylan would be proud... 7/10
Lyrics: There seems to be some chips on the shoulders of these English lads. On Holland Road: "...With your heart like a stone...But you cut me down, you cut me down.." On The Boxer (Only Deluxe version): "...Asking only workmen's wages, I get no job offers..." There is an overall tone of being wounded, yet pushing through the hurt to the hope. "I still believe, though there's cracks you'll see." Life is not easy, Mumford gets that. There are ups and downs. But "set out to serve the Lord" and don't be a "fraud." Finally, beware the Broken Crown track, there's repeated foul language sadly. I feel like they just had to keep up their reputation of Little Lion Man from their last record, pretty lame. 8/10
Impression: Not very different from their last album. Obviously tighter musicianship, better mixing quality. I do really love both their records, they are so personal and relatable. Not sure where they stand with their faith/religion, are they just singing about it to be relavent to their genre? Maybe I need to google some interviews of the band. Anyways this is a great album. Again, I'm curious what they are going to pull in the future, this album is very similar to their previous release. Maybe that's a good thing though, I wouldn't mind a little break from my normal Rock and Roll every couple years to enjoy some of London's folk finest. 7.5/10
Best Hits: Whispers in the Dark, Hopeless Wanderer, Below My Feet.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
A Whole New World EP (Album Review)
A Whole New World EP by Stellar Kart
Released August 16th, 2011
Sound: Think 80's Disney Movie songs turned Pop/Punk/Rock. Seriously, it's a good blend of all three. And there are only four songs on the EP so there is not the typical "slower acoustic song" or any real pace change to the album. It starts off pretty pop rocky and then goes a little more punk, especially on Be Our Guest, which gets pretty drum crazy. Nothing here is really more advanced than the band has ever done in the past. If you've heard Stellar Kart before you will know it is them right off the bat. Or wait, you may think it is Hawk Nelson, Philmont, Relient K, Eleventyseven or any of the other 50 bands that sound nearly identical. I am completely biased toward loving this style of music of course. So... 9/10
Lyrics: You can take up your disputes here with Disney. Except for Can You Feel The Love Tonight, I think they changed some of the words on that one maybe. If you enjoyed the Disney Sing-A-Long song videos then welcome back to where It's all about magical love stories and talking dishes. 7/10
Impression: Girls get on your fairy wings and tiaras! Guys, get your girl and KISS HER!! This is a really fun short, fast, happy and rocking EP. I am sort of glad they did not do a complete album of Disney songs, this little EP is just right. 8.5/10
Best Hits: A Whole New World (which has the guest vocals of one of the band member's sisters doing Jasmine's part) and Can You Feel the Love Tonight
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The Family Force 5's Christmas Pageant (Album Review)
Family Force 5’s Christmas Pageant by Family Force 5
Released Oct. 6th, 2009
Sound: What we have here is some holiday Hip - Rock - Rap - Pop. That is really the best way to put it since these country boy ghetto’s don’t fit any one of those genres exclusively. Compared to their previous musical sounds, though, this is more rap and pop, really electronic. The boom boom and synth riffs on the first track, Carol of the Bells, is what you will hear throughout most of the record. There are only a few guitars, mostly on My Favorite Things. And only the faintest of a “scream” on Do You Hear What I Hear? Oozing synth and drum machines rule on Little Drummer Boy. Vocally, having 3 contributing guys (who are all brothers) caroling solo and in unison is really hard to pull off. But of course The Family can do it (albeit with the help of voice programming)! Rating 8/10
Lyrics: As far as the “classic” Christmas songs go, these have just been “ghetto’d” lyrically. A few gang shouts, a lot of “ya’ll”s, and some added rhymes/raps here and there are all that’s been changed from those timeless carols. So if you have a beef with those, you will have to take it up the original artists. It’s Christmas Day and The Baby are the only two “non - classic” songs on the record. It’s Christmas Day talks a lot about being happy with your family, joy and “peace on earth and good will to all men, for we all can remember the greatest, the greatest gift of all...” The song sounds genuinely sincere but it still is no classic cut. The more “blingy” carol, The Baby, is where FF5 hits a little closer to what they are good at, lyrically. Just imagine the Wise Men of old coming from their “hood”, to bring “a dump truck full of presents”, because they are “all about the Baby.” Again, this isn’t a Silent Night classic and no other band will probably ever cover it, but hey, this is pretty good stuff for this “genre.” Rating 7/10
Impression: This album is a stand alone for it’s kind. You will be dancing and singing along, even on the not so Christmas song hit, My Favorite Things which was taken from the film The Sound of Music. This has all the hipe and “crunk” of their previous non holiday albums plus the bells and glitter of Christmas. Well done boys, you have a hall decking, one of kind record here! I won’t give it a 10/10 for two reasons; Do You Hear What I Hear and Wonderful Christmas Time are two of the worst classic Christmas songs out there. Fortunately, FF5 almost made them “good.” Rating 9/10
Best hits: The Baby, Little Drummer Boy, Twas the Night Before Christmas
Released Oct. 6th, 2009
Sound: What we have here is some holiday Hip - Rock - Rap - Pop. That is really the best way to put it since these country boy ghetto’s don’t fit any one of those genres exclusively. Compared to their previous musical sounds, though, this is more rap and pop, really electronic. The boom boom and synth riffs on the first track, Carol of the Bells, is what you will hear throughout most of the record. There are only a few guitars, mostly on My Favorite Things. And only the faintest of a “scream” on Do You Hear What I Hear? Oozing synth and drum machines rule on Little Drummer Boy. Vocally, having 3 contributing guys (who are all brothers) caroling solo and in unison is really hard to pull off. But of course The Family can do it (albeit with the help of voice programming)! Rating 8/10
Lyrics: As far as the “classic” Christmas songs go, these have just been “ghetto’d” lyrically. A few gang shouts, a lot of “ya’ll”s, and some added rhymes/raps here and there are all that’s been changed from those timeless carols. So if you have a beef with those, you will have to take it up the original artists. It’s Christmas Day and The Baby are the only two “non - classic” songs on the record. It’s Christmas Day talks a lot about being happy with your family, joy and “peace on earth and good will to all men, for we all can remember the greatest, the greatest gift of all...” The song sounds genuinely sincere but it still is no classic cut. The more “blingy” carol, The Baby, is where FF5 hits a little closer to what they are good at, lyrically. Just imagine the Wise Men of old coming from their “hood”, to bring “a dump truck full of presents”, because they are “all about the Baby.” Again, this isn’t a Silent Night classic and no other band will probably ever cover it, but hey, this is pretty good stuff for this “genre.” Rating 7/10
Impression: This album is a stand alone for it’s kind. You will be dancing and singing along, even on the not so Christmas song hit, My Favorite Things which was taken from the film The Sound of Music. This has all the hipe and “crunk” of their previous non holiday albums plus the bells and glitter of Christmas. Well done boys, you have a hall decking, one of kind record here! I won’t give it a 10/10 for two reasons; Do You Hear What I Hear and Wonderful Christmas Time are two of the worst classic Christmas songs out there. Fortunately, FF5 almost made them “good.” Rating 9/10
Best hits: The Baby, Little Drummer Boy, Twas the Night Before Christmas
Friday, September 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Encouragement...
I would just like to encourage any one who's reading this to go read 1 and 2 Peter. It's is important to know that suffering is part of the Christian Walk and it is what draws us closer to God! GO READ IT! RIGHT NOW! DO IT....
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Picket Fence Cartel (Album Review)
Picket Fence Cartel by Project 86
(note: this is my official first album review on this blog! give me love! i do actually write a bit of reviews here and there but this is the first one that's going public)
Sound: Really heavy. As heavy as Project 86 has ever been but not "heavier than they've ever been." This defiantly genre a la hardcore. You can, though, hear Andrew Schwab's vocals with a bit more clarity than previous albums (especially better than on ...And the Rest Will Follow). The drumming is also punk-ish in places, which is a new for this band. But there is really nothing here that you probably haven't heard before. A synth here, a piano there, but mostly pounding guitar, deep bass, and flashing drums! Overall, what this band does, is done well. Rating: 7/10
Lyrics: Not so mysterious sounding as their album Rival Factions, but still a good dose of metaphors. Maybe a few too many "Bring it on, evil forces!" type songs but overall I like think this is their best lyrical work to date. If you have heard their song Spy Hunter off Songs to Burn Your Bridges By, then you'll have a good idea of the poetry laid down this time around. Rating: 8/10
Impression: The whole album is basically one big explosion without the headache of a lot hardcore these days. Though this disc repetitive, as in "loud", it does however poses a lot of good tempo changes. And if you liked Project 86 before listening the Picket Fence Cartel, your liking should remain. Rating: 7/10
Best Hits: The Butcher, Cold and Calculated, The Black Brigade.
(note: this is my official first album review on this blog! give me love! i do actually write a bit of reviews here and there but this is the first one that's going public)
Sound: Really heavy. As heavy as Project 86 has ever been but not "heavier than they've ever been." This defiantly genre a la hardcore. You can, though, hear Andrew Schwab's vocals with a bit more clarity than previous albums (especially better than on ...And the Rest Will Follow). The drumming is also punk-ish in places, which is a new for this band. But there is really nothing here that you probably haven't heard before. A synth here, a piano there, but mostly pounding guitar, deep bass, and flashing drums! Overall, what this band does, is done well. Rating: 7/10
Lyrics: Not so mysterious sounding as their album Rival Factions, but still a good dose of metaphors. Maybe a few too many "Bring it on, evil forces!" type songs but overall I like think this is their best lyrical work to date. If you have heard their song Spy Hunter off Songs to Burn Your Bridges By, then you'll have a good idea of the poetry laid down this time around. Rating: 8/10
Impression: The whole album is basically one big explosion without the headache of a lot hardcore these days. Though this disc repetitive, as in "loud", it does however poses a lot of good tempo changes. And if you liked Project 86 before listening the Picket Fence Cartel, your liking should remain. Rating: 7/10
Best Hits: The Butcher, Cold and Calculated, The Black Brigade.
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