Minus the Bear - The Myspace Transmissions [2010]

I know, I know, Minus the Bear overload. But what can I say? I love the band. This little diddly was released a little while after OMNI and consists of 5 live tracks played for, you guessed it, Myspace. 3 are off the band's newest album while the other 2 come from previous releases. The band performs amazingly live and it shows in this EP. No new material, just a collector's item of sorts.

Genre: Indie
For Fans Of: As Tall As Lions, Portugal. the Man, Everest(?)
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Hold Me Down
2. My Time
3. Knights
4. Pachuca Sunrise
5. Into the Mirror



-A

Inception [2010]

Just saw Inception, and it is without a doubt the best movie I've ever seen. It was an enthralling, dreamy, adventure unlike anything else I've seen. Christopher Nolan has created another mind-blowing masterpiece of film to add to his already commendable filmography. Top-notch acting, effects, script, soundtrack and story. The way the story is told is so engaging, and intrigues you from the first moments. It is a surreal, thrilling, story that questions what is real and what is only what we want to be real. Inception is deep without being pretentious, and keeps you thinking for the entire movie, and for hours after. Really thought provoking, psychologically stimulating story and beautiful special effects make this a must-see. I won't ruin the plot by saying much about it, other than that it is spectacular, and combines some elements of James Bond and some of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind while still being completely original. If you haven't already seen it, definitely go watch it ASAP. It more than lives up to all the hype.

Peace,

-T

Minus the Bear Concert

This weekend has been amazing. Alek and I got to see Minus the Bear and they were very enjoyable. The opening bands were also both great. First was Mini Mansions, a three part band (drums, keyboard, and bass) who put on a very energetic live performance playing unique, groovy jams. Everest played next, with classic rock tinged style, and an awesome drum battle that really got the crowd involved.
Finally it was time for Minus the Bear to play. They put on an engaging show that had us all dancing, singing along, and pumping our fists to the choruses. Minus the Bear played a long set with a satisfying variety of old and new, mellow and dancey songs, and then came back onstage for a three song encore of The Fix, Into The Mirror, and Absinthe Party. Definitely a fun and memorable concert.

-T

Minus the Bear - OMNI Bonus Tracks [2009-2010]

Bonus tracks, b-sides, cut songs; whatever you want to call them, Minus the Bear's latest album has them. The 3 tunes have just recently come to my attention and so I had to grab them. Broken China originally was used as the B-side (ha!) to the Into the Mirror 7" which was released last winter (or late fall). I tried to grab a copy but they were sold out on tour. Anyways, I'm kinda kicking myself because Broken China is actually really good and for some reason I just neglected listening to it. The other 2 tracks are just as solid and work well at the end of the normal album.

Genre: Indie Rock
For Fans Of: Sharks Keep Moving, Portugal. the Man, As Tall As Lions
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Broken China
2. Your Private Sky
3. South Side Life



- A

Field Music - In Context

Sick music video for this chill British indie band I just discovered. Watch till the end, the art blows my mind. Clever idea for a video and it makes sense with the song name. Enjoy:

-T

Arctic Monkeys - Humbug [2009]

I dig British music. There's just something about it that makes it rockin, but at the same time, so classy, and that is just the case with the Arctic Monkeys. They play percussion heavy indie punk, with super catchy guitar hooks and groovy baselines which really catch your attention and pull you in, and then witty lyrics and a unique vocal style that keep you listening over and over.

This is the Arctic Monkeys third release, and it really is some of their best. Tracks like My Propeller, Dangerous Animals, and Cornerstone, are instant classics, and the entire album shows a different side of the band than their first two albums. Humbug is much more experimental, which is a turn off to some of their fans, but just the opposite for me. I love their previous albums, but I've especially been enjoying this album. The band shows off so much more variety of sounds and styles than their previous work. The Arctic Monkeys are in the studio working on their next album with an expected release date sometime in 2011. And if you need one more reason to check out this band, they are featured on the soundtrack of The Inbetweeners, one of my favorite television shows, which I'd also recommend you check out.

Genre: Indie-Punk, British Groovy Dance Jams

For Fans Of: The Strokes, The Dig, The White Stripes

Contact: Website

Tracklisting:
1. My Propeller
2. Crying Lightning
3. Dangerous Animals
4. Secret Door
5. Potion Approaching
6. Fire and the Thud
7. Cornerstone
8. Dance Little Liar
9. Pretty Visitors

10. The Jeweller's Hands

-T

Bayside - The Walking Wounded [2007]

Just another really good Bayside album. It came after their self titled (and acoustic, obviously) and doesn't progress too much from the older sound. Which isn't a bad thing, in fact, I love it. Really solid from start to finish and chalked full of great lyrics from Anthony.

Genre: Pop Punk
For Fans Of: Four Year Strong, The Matches, New Found Glory
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. The Walking Wounded
2. They're Not Horses, They're Unicorns
3. Duality
4. Carry On
5. I and I
6. Choice Hops and Bottled Self Esteem
7. Head on a Plate
8. Dear Your Holiness
9. Landing Feet First
10. Thankfully
11. Rite of Passage
12. (Pop)ular Science


- A

Circa Survive - The Inuit Sessions [2005]

The first official release by Circa is this little gem, The Inuit Sessions. The EP contains "Act Appalled" and "The Great Golden Baby" which both appeared later on Juturna, the band's first LP. Though you really will only get 2 new tracks (assuming you already have Juturna), those are both quite good and sound just like classic Circa Survive. The songs feel like b-sides and actually flow into the album really well (such as the feedback from Oh, Hello is the same as the feedback that starts Suspending Disbelief).

Genre: Melodic Post-Hardcore
For Fans Of: Anthony Green, Coheed and Cambria, As Tall As Lions
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Act Appalled
2. The Great Golden Baby
3. Suspending Disbelief
4. Handshakes at Sunrise (Demo)



- A

The Bronx - The Bronx [2003]

I've known about these guys for about 8 months now but only just recently (today) got their album because I'm dumb as a rock. The group is hardcore, and I mean a awesome hardcore that makes you want to dance as much as it makes you want to mosh. I just finished listening to the album and I already know I need to share it, so just get it and hate yourself for not listening since 2003.

Genre: Hardcore Punk
For Fans Of: Every Time I Die, Cancer Bats, Mariachi El Bronx
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Heart Attack American
2. False Alarm
3. White Tar
4. Cobra Lucha
5. They Will Kill Us All (Without Mercy)
6. I Got Chills
7. Guns Without Bullets
8. Notice of Eviction
9. Kill My Friends
10. Strobe Life



- A

Underoath - Define The Great Line [2006]

Blasting out of Tampa, Florida comes the melodious sounds of my favorite christian metal band, Underoath. It's about time we get some Underoath up on this blog, so here goes. This is Define The Great Line, their fifth record. Underoath has been around since 1997, but now that drummer and vocalist Aaron Gillespie has left to work with his other band The Almost, none of the original members remain in the band.

This album has a very powerful and energetic sound, from the kickin intro of In Regards To Myself, and that energy continues throughout the album. One thing that sets Underoath apart from other metal/post-hardcore bands is how perfectly they blend Chamberlain's screams and the chugging guitar parts with Gillespie's beautiful singing and the more peaceful moments. I realize that this style of music is now commonplace, but Underoath is one of the pioneers of this genre and they clearly stand head and shoulders above every other similar band. One listen to this album makes it obvious that they really are quality music rather than just another talentless group jumping on the post-hardcore bandwagon. Their lyrics and vocals, which are possibly my favorite part of Underoath, are truly an unequaled blending of screaming defiance with introspective soul searching.

While they are a christian band, don't let that prevent you from listening to this band. After all, they aren't singing hymns here. As vocalist Spencer Chamberlain says in an interview with Europunk, "It’s not like every song is a lesson from the Bible or something." Their music and lyrics are more about real life experiences and struggles and overcoming them.

The instrumentals on this album are all top-notch with amazing break downs, guitar work, and really standout drumming by Gillespie. There are some some of my favorite moments to rock out to on In Regards To Myself, Moving For The Sake Of Motion, and Writing On The Walls. This is definitely one of my top albums, and one that everyone should give a listen. I can't wait to see what their new album sounds like later this year.

Genre: Metal, Post-Hardcore, Christian,
For Fans Of: The Almost, Saosin, Norma Jean
Contact: Website
Tracklisting:
1. In Regards to Myself
2. A Moment Suspended in Time
3. There Could Be Nothing After This
4. You're Ever So Inviting
5. Sālmarnir
6. Returning Empty Handed
7. Casting Such a Thin Shadow
8. Moving for the Sake of Motion
9. Writing on the Walls
10. Everyone Looks So Good from Here
11. To Whom It May Concern


-T