EasyLinuxGuide Blog

The newest release is expectedly atmospheric but seems to lack any anthems that Manson has been known to showcase. There are definitely some catchy tracks like “Evidence”, “Putting Holes in Happiness” and “They Say that Hell’s Not Hot” in the apparent post personal apocalyptic interpersonal upheaval following Manson’s split with Dita Von Teese.

While the overall album is more of a brooding sentimental stride as opposed to the usual explosion of anthems, it still contains Manson’s steadfast unmistakable vocals that always seem to stay on point and rasp at the most appropriate times. No one in the music industry has this innate ability to open up and sing and sound so natural and yet ride the line of cracking completely as well as Manson. One thing about Manson is that you know whatever you are seeing, hearing or reading, it is all as genuine as Manson can portray it.

To be perfectly honest, I really didn’t know much about Modest Mouse, I had listened to their last CD a few times and of course grooved to the track “Float On”. I had all but forgotten about Modest Mouse until I noticed their new release: “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank”. I noticed “Dashboard” was a radio mainstay although I saw this on a chart as I never listen to the radio. I through the tracks into my playlist and began playing it more regularly. It did end up growing on me and now I can say that I have a new appreciation of the band. This album is quite solid. Reminiscent of vocals similar to David Byrne from the Talking Heads days, with an intentionally vacillating feel, it grows on you over time. With numerous radio catchy tracks like “Florida”, “Invisible”, “People as Places as People” and the anthem “Fire it Up”, it is worth the time to mold your aural senses around this full length landscape of sound. I am going to also check out their previous stuff which I hear is more experimental.

Cheeky Monkey! The British version of Pink is here! Lily Allen is a refreshingly candid artist. Her debut CD tackles subjects like incontinence, excessive drug use, the party crowd, all tongue in cheek and without censor. Lily does offer some sincerity with “Littlest Things” romanticizing a past relationship. While the music itself is pop in nature, it does offer a nice contrast with the sharp and sometimes harsh lyrics. 11 tracks are on the debut and overall it is quite solid with about 5 being potential singles and the others are not pass overs either. Well worth listening.

It didn’t seem like all that long ago that Shadows Fall released “Fallout from the War” in 2006 which was the follow up to their 2004 “The War Within”. Of course this is speculation on my part but it appeared from listening to “Fallout from the War” which was a very solid release that it appeared to be extra tracks that perhaps were previously unrecorded or written while on tour of “The War Within” as they bear a striking similarity in sound. Very few songs stand apart from as having a unique sound in comparison to the previous release.

This is not the case with “Threads of Life”. While some songs sound unmistakably familiar such as “Dread Uprising”, “Redemption” and “Final Call”, others showcase a lighter side of the band like “Another Hero Lost” and “The Great Collapse”. Shadows Fall die hards will not be disappointed with in your face songs like “Burning the Lives” and “Venomous” which offer an immediate Shadows Fall experience from the opening chords.

It’s difficult to pick a favorite release at this point as “Fallout from the War” continued to grow on me after several listens and I still will routinely add it to a playlist. One thing is true – Shadows Fall plan to be around and keep touring. They put on an excellent show as well.

Every once in a while I will go through some music I have around that I may not have given a lot of attention due to some other well known bands coming out with some new releases and then make my back to check out what’s been on the backburner. Recently I delved through and added Evans Blue to my playlist. Listening to “The Melody and the Energetic Nature of Volume” turned out to be well worth it. For anyone who knows of Alien Ant Farm, this offering reminds me of a best of Alien Ant farm with a rock angle. The vocals seem to offer a concoction of different intentions ranging from aggressive to vulnerable to pensive. This is one of the most solid collection of songs I’ve heard in a long time. You get the feeling when listening that you are getting exactly what Evans Blue wanted you to hear. Standout tracks include “Beg”, “A Cross and a Girl Named Bless”, “Eclipsed” and “The Promises and the Threat”. “Cold” was the released single which stands up well also. For anyone who likes some good solid rock check out Evans Blue.