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The Decemberists – The Crane Wife

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The Decemberists The Crane Wife

Artist: The Decemberists
Album: The Crane Wife
Label: Capitol Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: October 3rd, 2006

Overall: 9.5
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 9.5
Production: 9.5

If ever there was an album I wasnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t expecting to listen to, and even less expecting to praise it as the amazing record that it is, then it would be â┚¬Ã…”The Crane Wifeâ┚¬? from The Decemberists. Let me go back and say that I had heard that this record was coming out, but from my past experiences with The Decemberists I was not interested in this at all. My view of the band before was that they were talented, but just slow, dark, and boring. Well like I usually am when I judge a record before I hear it, I was wrong about â┚¬Ã…”The Crane Wifeâ┚¬? It is definitely one of the best works released this year.

I was trying to think of a way to describe this album, and over and over again only one word kept coming to mind, and however dangerous it may be to define a complex release with only one word, thatâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s what Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m going to do. Melody is what describes this record, the melody is what sticks out on â┚¬Ã…”The Crane Wifeâ┚¬?, and the melody is what grabs you in the seemingly simple songs. This is proved by the very first song â┚¬Ã…”the crane wife 3â┚¬?, which if you are not hooked, or at least intrigued in the first minute of the first song, then there is a good chance that this gem of a record is not for you.

Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve heard from people and can tell that this CD is a different direction for The Decemberists but not really being interested before Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢m not too familiar and so I wonâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t try and explain the difference between this and their previous works. â┚¬Ã…”The Crane Wifeâ┚¬? is a breezy, light, folk album with deep and complex lyrics. On first listen the lyrics may be passed by just because of the melody they float on. The best example would be the last song â┚¬Ã…”Sons and Daughtersâ┚¬? with the foot tapping, almost bouncy feel, yet its deep political message. In a couple of songs the electric guitars are brought out â┚¬Ã…”The Perfect Crime 2â┚¬? and â┚¬Ã…”When The War Cameâ┚¬? yet those songs never feel out of place on this otherwise acoustic album.

This album should be heard by everyone whether or not you have been a fan of this band in the past. It is one of those albums (for me at least) that literally came out of nowhere and shocked me with how amazing it was.

Track listing
1. The Crane Wife 3
2. The Island-Come & See/The Landlordâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s Daughter/Youâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ll Not Feel The Drowning
3. Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)
4. O Valencia!
5. The Perfect Crime #2
6. When The War Came
7. Shankhill Butchers
8. Summersong
9. The Crane Wife 1 and 2
10. Sons and Daughters

The Summer Obsession – This Is Where You Belong

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This Is Where You Belong

Artist: The Summer Obsession
Album: This Is Where You Belong
Label: Virgin Records
Purchase: Amazon
Release Date: August 29, 2006

Overall: 7.5
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 6.5
Production: 8.0

For the longest time, I was trying to figure out why this band reminded me of old Good Charlotte. It wasn’t until recently that I realized that their old drummer is in this band. It explained a lot to me. I’d put this band on par with older Good Charlotte. I’m talking the first album, which ironically enough is the one Chris wasn’t on. The uh, good one. Yeah, I said it.

The Summer Obsession sound like Virgin Records’ too little, too late attempt to cash in on pop-punk. I could be wrong. Maybe it’s just the changing of the guard for major label lineups. Who knows? It doesn’t change the fact that this album could have been even better than just “pretty good.” Musically, TSO lay waste to Good Charlotte’s latest musical endeavors. A light piano line opens the album on “8 AM.” Automatically, the song takes a hold of you and refuses to let go with the aid of an explosive chorus. “Disappear” is another ear-pleaser, but the lyrics start to show their weakness. From here on out, the lyrics sound like they were taken from a Jr. High student’s notebook. Aside from the lyrics, I only have a few minor complaints with some annoying melodies and riffs, but for the most part, the album is pretty solid. On that note, “Melt the Sugar” needs to be a single. It’s got “school dance” written all over it.

If your siblings are tired of waiting for a new Fall Out Boy album and aren’t ready to appreciate the new Sugarcult or New Found Glory records, pick this up for them. Also, a personal note to Chris Wilson: Congratulations for being in a much better band than your previous one. Hopefully The Summer Obsession will mature with their next album and not try to act artsy.

Track Listing
1. 8 AM
2. Disappear
3. Never Coming Back
4. Death Said
5. Melt the Sugar
6. Burning Bridges
7. Bored
8. Do You Remember
9. Over My Head
10. Down For Whatever
11. I Miss You
12. Where You Belong

The Pink Spiders – Teenage Graffiti

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teenagegraffiti

Artist: The Pink Spiders
Album: Teenage Graffiti
Label: Suretone/Geffen Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: August 1, 2006

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 8.5
Production: 9.5

After taking control of hipsters’ ears everywhere, The Pink Spiders exploded onto the scene, capturing the hearts of so many more. Crafting themselves a sound that blends old-school pop sensibilities with modern day rockstar attitude, the best way to describe the Spiders’is like “The All American Rejects on Crack.” You’d never guess these fellas were from Tennessee.

The album opens up with the in-your-face “Soft Smoke” and doesn’t let up. The third track, “Modern Swinger” continues the assault as a song that can wipe the floor with any others put up against it. First single, “Little Razorblade” bounces along with a mellow beat and the potential to be background music on “The O.C.” The album proceeds to the end with an even blend of hard rockers and slow jams, proving once again that bands from Tennessee can write more than mountain-music.

Basically, The Pink Spiders don’t care what you think about them, because they know how good they are. “Teenage Graffiti” stacks up against, and pushes over most of the other rock albums available from major labels. Provided Geffen doesn’t screw this band over, the future could be paved with gold for The Pink Spiders.

Track Listing
1. Soft Smoke
2. Saturday Nite Riot
3. Modern Swinger
4. Hollywood Fix
5. Little Razorblade
6. Nobody Baby
7. Hey Jane
8. Still Three Shy
9. Adalane
10. Easy Way Out
11. Pretend That This Is Fiction
12. Secret Song

Meg & Dia YouTube Video Contest

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Meg & Dia are running a YouTube video contest. Here’s your opportunity to win an awesome prize pack from Meg & Dia and have a chance to be in Meg & Dia’s next DVD or music video!Ԛ  All you have to do is submit a music video presentation of a Meg & Dia track to our YouTube contest page.Ԛ  The video can be anything you want it to be.Ԛ  It can be a lip sync or a interpretation of what you would want the video to be.