The Raconteurs & Arctic Monkeys - Albums Reviewed by 'el ticknor'

The two records or CDs or collections of downloadable media that I've been listening to that are both relatively new and good are The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers and Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.

Jack White's side project made a damn good record. The pop single, Steady As She Goes, rocks with an uptight back beat and massive choruses. There's a pretty impressive Rush impersonation on Hands. But the stand out track for me is Blue Veins - a slow blues that just blows it down (and I'm no blues fan). The last verse is entirely backwards and the production is amazing.

Arctic Monkeys have thoughtful lyrics and hooky melodies. The singer/songwriter/guitar dude is the whole show. The rest of the band sound like 18 year old punks, which is a) not bad, and b) what they are, but any other young punk rhythm section would probably do. The lyrics are prescient ("there's only music so that there's new ring tones") and the tunes are crafty (When the Sun Goes Down opens with the singer and a guitar playing an almost 20s vaudvillian intro), and this makes the record.

Listen to enjoy.
(Written by el ticknor)

Check out Broken Boy Soldiers

Also, check out The Arctic Monkeys Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Angels & Airwaves - "We don't need to Whisper" - Worst Album of the year? I'd say, YES. - (album review)

Man, oh man, oh man, did Tom DeLonge put together a good band with a really, really bad album. I think this is one of the very few albums I actually wanted to rush back to the store and strangle the cashier to give me my money back.

The problem is that I had such high hopes for this band (obviously being carried by Tom DeLonge's fame w/ Blink 182). I don't care what anyone says, Blink rocked and they made no apologies for being Greenday like punks, just having fun playing high energy music that appealed to a mass of teenagers. Blink's music was tight, had great guitar licks, and had probably one of the best rock drummers around today, Scott Raynor (who I now hate along with one of my old fav's Dave Navarro for going all "Reality show" on me - what a waste)

So that being said, what the hell was Tom DeLonge thinking!?? Wait, wait, I know...he was thinking "Man, I'm so huge with Blink that I think I'll start a new band..yeah! a band that I can control, yeah! and this new delay pedal makes me sound just like the Edge! Oh, oh, and I'll basically write one song, put a ton of reverb on all the instruments, Oh! and I'll use this new delay pedal on EVERY song which will make all of them sound EXACTLY the same. I'll also take the same lyrics and same droaning vocals and use them on every tune too! My fans will be bored to tears! It'll be SO Rad!

In short. This album sucks. Don't waste your money. Oh! And remember the list of musicians as being the luckiest people on the planet? Example: Michael Anthony of VH. Well, add the rest of the members of Angels & Airwaves because even though this album bites...they'll probably still make some money. Blah.

Instead of this crap check out some really old Blink: Dude Ranch

Slow Posts

Hey guys, sorry about the slow posts but school just started today and I went straight to work after, so i just got home and its 8:30 pm. Ill still be keeping you posted for new stuff.

-matt

Breezin (Yacht Rock) Light music that doesn't suck (sometimes)

By popoular demand this post has been added for those who find Non Top 40 Music on the lighter side enjoyable. We're talkin' Steely Dan, George Benson, Lounge, Light Listening...you know...music that makes you want to cork a nice bottle of wine, sit in a nice leather chair, and smoke...(pole?)

Now this album is the definition of Breezin'. How about a little George Benson for yo ass? A MUST have: Breezin'

CRIKIES! The Crocodile Hunter passes away - Turns out he was a music man of sorts

It's very sad to say that Steve Irwin, also known as the Crocodile Hunter, passed away today, not from a man eating crocodile, but from the "pussy cat" of the sea... a Stingray. Steve Irwin, had many talents beyond croc wrestling. Turns out, he's quite the music man and his vocal range and showmanship may surprise you. Sample some of the best of the Crocodile Hunter's song and dance routines here.

Yo, the Crocodile Hunter Raps!

Where Didja Get Those Shorts Music Video

The Ouch Opera

OK GO - Brilliant video spurs You Tube viral Marketing - But how's the music?

9 Million downloads of a $5 video shot in their back yard has landed OK GO a spot on the MTV Video Music Awards as well as a whirlwind of limo rides, big parties, bigger venues, more albums sold, a spot on Conan O'Brien & David Letterman, as well as a worldwide contest on You Tube where fans of the video for "A Million Ways" can submit their own version for a chance to do the funny little dance on stage with OK GO....live. The dance is great. Well Executed. And damn funny. Check it out.



But how's the music? If you like dance throw back bands (like many you hear coming out these days) then I'd have to say...the music is good! I could see myself getting a groove on to OK GO after many cocktails with a bunch of friends at a local bar. And I bet they are an undeniable magnet of unbelievable force that pulls many, many women to their shows. Good dancy beats, good up front bass, a little bit of nostalgia, and some good disco chords make OK GO a fun band with fun music and best listened to with a heavy buzz on.

Here's what I mean by people imitating the video and sending it in to You Tube in order to win the contest. Pretty Funny.

OK Go! vs. Lego

And now that the first video has them on a whirlwind tour of shows and interviews, the band has decided to put out another $5 video all done on treadmills. Damn funny, well done, and already millions of views! Here is OK GO and their video of "Here it goes again". Enjoy!



Check out the OK GO album: OK Go

Ever heard of Marillion? - (music review)

A friend just turned me on to Marillion, a UK band that has been around for ages, but I had never heard of them. I bought "Misplaced Childhood" and even though I'm only on my second listen I know that I'm going to love this band. Misplaced Childhood was made in 1985 and it sounds like it. Lot's of reverb, big production, lot's of synths...but it's an excellent album that is basically one long song and is seen as a concept album. It's actually a very sad album and it turns out, had great success in the UK. At first thought, if you were to mash Genesis (Peter Gabriel days) with Pink Floyd, and some 80's YES (think Drama) this is what would come out. I'm really looking forward to hearing some other albums. Their discography catalogue is HUGE. It looks like they have released about 5 albums a year since 1982! That's about 120 albums worth of music. If you are new to Marillion just send an email to freecd@marillion.com and they will send you an album FREE!
Make sure you have the information below in the email and make sure to mention this site!

Your free Crash Course CD request must contain your full name, postal address and birth date, plus the website, magazine, newspaper, or other media where you first heard of this free CD offer. Requests without the full information stated above will not receive the CD.

Check out the music of Marillion: Misplaced Childhood