Day & Age

There is something to be said for consistency. Most bands will put out good albums followed by mediocre or horrible albums, not pointing any fingers Weezer. Most bands take the success of a previous album and ride it into their next one, never taking risks but staying the same and writing an album that is only known because it had that one single on it. Most bands don't write albums that are interesting from beginning to end but instead die off about four tracks in. That is most bands, The Killers are not most bands. They prove this in their fourth album, Day & Age, as they continue to create a discography that every other band should be jealous of.

The Las Vegas rockers started strutting their 80's influenced chops in 2002 and have been going strong ever sense. The band still contains the same line up: Brandon Flowers, Dane Keuning, Mark Stoermer, and Ronnie Vannucci Jr.

Day & Age is an album that you can just exist with. Every song is melodious and enjoyable in its own right. An album that you can just drive to, Day & Age is a must if you are going on a long road trip this summer. The album peaks and drops like the waves of the Pacific, building into beautiful peaks and lowering down into deep, soulful moments.

Stop one is obvious, the hit single "Human." I challenge you to drive on the freeway listening to this song and not speed, or to sit still while listening to it, you can't do it. This song has an essence of movement in it, be it the steady gallop of the drums or the ever moving guitars, I am not sure. Flower's vocals are always there to provide the frame work of the melody and his voice could melt all the sorrows in your heart if you let him.

Song two is the marvelous "Spaceman" This song has quite a few hidden treats if you listen for them, the keys and glockenspiel in the background adding the extra layer that helps this song to soar. Then there is the bridge, a complete strip down to just Flower's voice coupled with the bass and a constant beat. Oh and did I mention how catchy this song is, seriously be careful, you might find yourself singing the background vocals while walking down the street. Then you have to explain to the hobos why they are the crazy ones, not you.

Onward to song three, an 80's infused song that would make my dad feel like he is back in college, "This Is Your Life." This song catches the listener by the ear from the beginning and keeps them going. From the chorus singing a melody that reminds me of a western, to the enjoyable guitar flourishes, to the march style of the drums, this song just keeps going. After the string filled bridge comes an epic build up back into the original melody that will catch your ears at just the right moment.

The final song I will mention is the song "Neon Tiger." This song may appear much more simplistic than some of the other songs on the album but it is in this simplicity that the song blossoms. The song feels slower than most of the tracks on the record but it is Flower's vocals that pulls this song and makes it memorable. The most notable section of this song is its bridge, it is a giant build that reminds me of a show tune from a musical that explodes into a refrain that takes the audience by surprise. The gang vocals in the chorus also serve to further push the song.

This entire album is great. It is not something that is a complete change from The Killer's formula but is more of an evolution of their sound. They do not leave much to be desired by the end of this album and they even give the listener a little extra. I would say that if you enjoyed The Killer's past albums you should go out and get this now if you do not already own it. If you have never heard of are skeptical of The Killers I would still recommend this album to you, it will grow on you I promise.

Always Listening

Nick

Mean Everything to Nothing

Ever have that album you hear and it becomes your summer playlist. It isn't because it is upbeat or catchy, though this album is both these, it is because you find yourself liking the music and the vibe you feel from the record. Such is the case with Mean Everything to Nothing, the sophomore album by Manchester Orchestra. I'm not entirely sure if it is the gritty guitar, the hummable melodies, or the amazing vocal power, but this album sticks with you.

Manchester Orchestra hails from good old Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 2005, the band has taken the indie scene by storm. They have toured with Thrice and have preformed at the esteemed Lollapalooza festival multiple times.

They are the kings of indie music right now for all the right reasons. Their music is both complex and accessible with its intricate chords and it's bluesy sound. Their singer, Andy Hull, has a raspy, thick voice that not only complements the instrumental tracks, it adds a whole new layer to the songs. The indie feel to this whole album makes it a great listen through out. Though the album does have its low points there are some obvious amazing points.

The first track I will mention is "Tony the Tiger." The main melody in this song will get stuck in your head and you will find yourself humming it a week later not knowing. Hull's vocals are both contained and eerie in the first half of the song. It is the second half that will catch a listener's ear. Adding a choir behind the main vocal line to give it almost a victory parade feel. Think about those parts in movies where the hero realizes he has won. The music that is playing in the back ground, the second half of this song is what i hear in that moment. Through out the whole song the drums hold everything together, providing a forward push that keeps the song moving on to victory.

Second on the list is "The Only One." This song opens the record and will instantly drag someone in by the ear drums. Sounding like the music you might hear as you walk into a barn bash, this song is one of the most upbeat on the record. The song feels so bluesy you might expect to be in New Orleans when you hear it, that's a good thing. The entire thing feels like a confession and you find yourself understanding and relating to the storyteller. And just when you think the song is going to continue into oblivion it stops.

The third song on this list picks up exactly where the last one left off. "Shake It Out" picks up the ball as soon as "The Only One" sets it down and goes the distance and then some. This song is meat and potatoes gritty, bluesy music. The song has this entire intense feeling to it, culminating in an open guitar solo during which Hull's chops shine bright. The song dies down almost out of no where and just rests and grooves. Dying down to just Hull's voice and some light guitar, the song slowly builds back into the frenzy it was at.

Fourth on the list is the smoothest song on the record, "I Can Feel a Hot One." This song shows the bands strengths in a whole different light. Soft and melodic, the song is a ballad of sorts that pulls at heartstrings as bows run over cello strings. The entire song is light on drums and the guitar only plays a light chord progression accompanied by strings and piano. The vocals in this song carry it forward, but not in a showy way. The entire song is a soft escape from the noise, but in the escape the listener's soul gets exposed and you find yourself being reflective about, well, everything.

This record has so much more to show than what I have mentioned. There is a reason to love every song on it. I was expecting Hull's voice to wear on me, but I have listen through the entire record multiple times and I find myself loving his voice. You really should go buy this album, if only for the bluesy feel that makes driving more bearable.

Always Listening,

Nick

5 guilty pleasure bands

So I vented about my least favorite artists and genres in the world. I now have a confession, I have some guilty pleasures in music. These are artists that I know I should not like but I can't help myself. Please do not judge me too much...

5. 3OH!3

There is nothing like a little club bumping fun every now and again. This band is more catchy than mono and stays with you just as long. I know they are over produced and they never really rap about anything meaningful but you can dance and groove to them. Sometimes that is all you need.

4. Kanye West

Ok look...Ima let you finish but...that needs to be forgotten about. Kanye is a good rapper and really creative. His songs are creative and easy to listen to. I mean this guy has taken a lot of hate recently and I'm going to say it, he is the reason Taylor Swift is as big as she is.

3. T-Pain

AUTOTUNE! Oh the debate over autotune, are they really artists, or are they suckers with a computer friend. T-Pain is the king of autotune, and for good reason. He brings the party with him everywhere he goes. His music will turn your frown upside down in two seconds flat and have to dropping and locking it like never before. Oh and then there is Freaknik, the musical he stars in that is hilarious. T-Pain equals party, no question about it.

2. Jay-z

This man is king of the rap game now. His flow can not be matched by any artist out there right now. I mean his last album was about how amazing he is and it is insane and progressive.

1. Lady Gaga

Ok so what had happened was I was sitting in a car and this song came on and then next thing I knew I owned both of her albums and knew every word to every song. That may be an exaggeration, maybe. Lady Gaga just has this energy to her sound that I really can not put into words, it feels like she puts her very being into her music and does not settle for less. Her image is another thing entirely that I do not have the authority or the knowledge to comment on it. To sum it up, the woman is the Madonna of my generation.

LOVE

If I had a nickel for every time I have been told an album was going to change my life, I would not be taking out loans or selling a kidney to stay in school. Everyone talks about how so and so's new album will change your outlook on X. I tend to get excited when told about said album and rush out and buy it, only to be disappointed by an album that sounds just like everything else being put out at the time. Then my cousin told me about the new Angels & Airwaves album, LOVE. To hear him talk about it you could have sworn he had discovered a new religion. Already being a fan of the band I thought I would go out to buy it, only to find out you can't buy it. Turns out the band is giving away this full length album for free on their website. Now this threw the whole album in a different category, a free album had to be short and utterly disappointing, right? Well the album is almost an hour long and is, to put it mildly,amazing.

Angels & Airwaves formed back in 2005 when Blink 182 guitarist Tom DeLounge parted ways with the band. DeLounge then proceeded to form an alternative super group of sorts, recruiting David Kennedy of Over My Dead Body, Adam Willard of the Offspring, and Matt Wachter of 30 Seconds To Mars. LOVE is the third album by the group.

First thing you need to do after you download this album is listen to it front to back. The tracks are made to flow together and you miss a lot if you skip around. They are planning to turn this into a movie or so the rumors go so that should be interesting. Since I always analyze albums though, here are some highlights.

Hallucinations was the first single off the album and rightfully so. This song is a show and tell of sorts for the album. There are high flying guitar rifts, heavenly sounding keyboards, and that ever identifiable voice of DeLounge's. This song sticks out to because of the bridge. It creates this forward motion that never stops and then builds till it explodes in a flurry of keys. Listen for the drum tag at the end, it feels like a throw back to classic punk.

Young London has to be my second favorite song off this album. A kind of weekend anthem, the song always presses forward. Don't get thrown by the intro, remember what I said about things flowing together. This song is carried through the verses by the vocals and it isn't till later that things really develop, but the vocal melody is astounding and carries the song well. The end of the song is actually the beginning of the next song, that's why it sounds different.

Epic Holiday is the call to arms of this album. A very spacey sounding number, this song will brighten even the lousiest days. The versus drive excellently into the chorus, which peaks and settles back down. After the second chorus the band hits a bridge that leaves the listener suspended in air and then catches them just before they start to fall. Beyond all this, just listen to the words.

My favorite track off this album is Letters to God, Part II. A continuation of a Box Car Racer song, this song is, simply put, epic. Like Epic Holiday, you just need to listen to the vocals to understand why they are so good. The focus of this song is the vocal melody so most of the song everyone else is laying low. This being said do not ignore the instruments, they play a vital role in creating a masterpiece.

Even if you are a skeptic when it comes to Angels & Airwaves remember this, this album is free. So go download it and give it a try. Who knows, you may find yourself humming the rifts of the songs. This album will change you in someway. I know that sounds cliche but I would not say it if I did not mean it.

Always Listening,

Nick

My Top 10 Artists to Avoid

Let's be honest for a second, currently there is a lot of music out there that has a huge number of fans that is just horrible. I know some people have their special tastes in music, trust me I have my fair share, but there is some music I just cannot stand. These are my top ten musical groups to avoid.

10. Norma Jean

This band is intense, don't get me wrong. They perform amazingly and they are very fun to watch. My problem with this band is all they sound like is pure noise and dissonance. I know that in hardcore it is encouraged, but there has to be a point where something resolves, or for that case develops. I honestly think that to write some of their songs they threw a guitar in a dryer and waited for the weirdest sound to come out, and used that to write the song.

9. Fall Out Boy (New)

This ain't a scene... FALSE. Fall Out Boy had a lot going for them after From Under The Cork Tree. Then they came out with one of the most over produced albums they could have made. I know that sometimes it is good to start moving forward with your music, but taking things that worked so well in your previous albums and throwing them out the window, like the pop punk feel to your music cause that was what you were, a pop punk band, is a bad idea. I guess I am saying all this for no reason, the band did break up, to albums too late.

8. Country Music

Ok now this might be obvious, I don't not like country music. It is rap with twang. That is all I have to say.

7. Chris Brown

So this is the dance hall sensation that beat the crap out of Rihhana, and now his career is in the toilet. This guy had a lot going for him, before he decided to be a scum bag. Now that he is making music again it all sounds bland. He was a singer, now he is trying to rap and it is not working.

6. Nickelback

I feel like this is too easy. Nickelback is so cookie cutter it is sad. They decide if they are going to write a slow or fast song. Depending on which they pick they take one of two chord progressions and write the song. It will be about sex, a scared past, or love lost. Rinse, wash, repeat.

5. Justin Bieber

This kid is freaking creepy. He is like what, 14 maybe. All he sings about is wanting to make girls fall in love with him and marrying them. He is not old enough to even know everything about love. But I mean the moment his voice changes he will be gone. Puberty is going to kill his career, you just wait.

4. The Jonas Brothers

The Jonas Brothers give a new definition to over hyped. The guys are three brothers, hence the most original band name ever, who yes are musically talented. The problem with them is that they have become actors and have kinda sold their collective soul to Mickey Mouse. Their music is simple chord progression after predictable cadence and they try to make up for it with gaudy pathetic shows. A live show should be a passionate performance, not something that is so rehearsed that you know exactly when the light is going to pan over the crowd every time.

3. Miley Cyrus

If the Jonas Brothers sold their souls to Mickey Mouse, I don't even want to think about what Miley Cyrus did. The child of the mullet king Billy Ray Cyrus made her original name on a show for Disney. Then someone decided to convince her to do pop and now she is the biggest thing since auto tune. She is everywhere too. I mean from clothing to television I can't get away from her.

2. Brokencyde

Screamers should do screamo, not rap. That is a simple truth. Write good music and be passionate. Don't write about calling a girl at 4 in the morning for sex and then scream on the track. Also, don't try to go toe to toe with bands that actually write good music, we are all going to just laugh at you.

1. Ke$ha

This is over production at its worse. This girl does not sing, she talks and they auto tune the crap out of her voice. Her songs might be the worse exercise in song writing to date. She never hits a note live and she is a mess of a person. If you were to strip out the filters on her music you would actually hear cats fighting in the background and angry drunk guys yelling at her to stop singing because she's is ruining their buzz. If this type of music is the future, kill me now.