The Cardinal Sin: Hurry Up And Wait

The Cardinal Sin
Hurry Up And Wait
Grey Flight Records [2006]




Nothing beats a great punk rockin' album. The Cardinal Sin's debut Hurry Up And Wait is full of raw energy that explodes on every track. It follows the easy formula of straight up lead vocals by James Russell followed by the backing bands melodies in chorus with precise instrumentation. A simple formula that many bands fail at on a constant basis. Thank goodness this is not the case for The Cardinal Sin. Each track seamlessly melts into the next creating a very cohesive album only slowing down for "He's A Space Case" which is track 10 of 12. The key is that if you enjoy straight up power punk albums, Hurry Up And Wait tops this years crop and will provide many hours of repeat listens.

Key Tracks: "Eye-Opener", "Rough Road", "Under Your Skin"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Motion City Soundtrack
Jawbreaker
Alkaline Trio

The Official Cardinal Sin Website
The Cardinal Sin MySpace
Grey Flight Records

-Reviewed by Natalie Colibri

Rainer Maria: Catastrophe Keeps Us Together

Rainer Maria
Catastrophe Keeps Us Together
Grunion Records [2006]





Rainer Maria's Look Now Look Again was one of my favorite albums from 1999, so any new release from the trio always is exciting. Catastrophe Keeps Us Together picks up where Long Knives Drawn [2003] left off. Caithlin De Marrais vocals are much more prominent and guitarist Kyle Fisher is held to playing guitar. I believe this switch was for band focus versus anything else. For me, that was the draw to Rainer Maria. The back and forth vocal style worked for the band and their music conveyed that emo struggle of both vocal styles. Catastrophe is not quite as rocked out as Knives but still has a nice pace between fast and slow tracks plus throws a Dylan cover in for good measure. Don't get me wrong this is still a quality effort but it just does not capture their previous essence. I think Rainer Maria can easily put out another stunning album, but they need to get back to what made their earlier albums work - emotion, female/male vocals and deep subject matter.

Key Tracks: "Life Of Leisure", "Terrified", "Southpaw"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Mates Of States
The Spinanes
The Forecast

Official Rainer Maria Website
MySpace Rainer Maria
Grunion Records

-Reviewed by Conrad Rockstead

The Weekend Fire Chart

These albums have torched the place this week:




Mason Jennings:Bone Clouds







Various Artists:Punk Goes 90's








Less Than Jake:In With The Out Crowd








Damone:Out Here All Night








Scott Walker: The Drift

Tim Easton: Ammunition

Tim Easton
Ammunition
New West Records [2006]









If you are familiar with any of Ohio native Tim Easton's work, you will notice right away on Ammunition - something is different. This is a much more intimate mature album compared to his previous 3 full lengths. If you ask Tim about the pace he will give you one easy answer: this album can be played with a backing band or acoustic which gives him the freedom to do whatever he wants on the road. This attitude sets the tone for the album. For Ammunition, Tim toured the world and wrote many of the 13 tracks while visiting such places as the Czech Republic, Netherlands, and Alaska. He also recruited some big names to join him in making Ammunition such as tour buddy Lucinda Williams on the hypnotizing "Back In Pain", Tift Merrit on the single "Next To You" and Gary Louris co-producing and providing backup vocals. Not bad to have big name friends - the result is that the more you take a listen to Ammunition the more you understand Easton and his mindset. The free set feel of Ammunition's tracks equals just a great timeless album to let play - it will relax you, it will keep your ear to the lyrics and most of all it will make you hit repeat.

Key Tracks: "Next To You", "Dear Old Song & Dance", "Back In Pain"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Rhett Miller
Tom Petty
Ryan Adams

Official Tim Easton Website
Tim Easton MySpace

-Reviewed by JT Burn

Boy Kill Boy: Civilian

Boy Kill Boy
Civilian
Universal Records [2006]




Does it hurt a band if they come late to the party? Maybe - Maybe not. Civilian is the debut album from the British four piece Boy Kill Boy. It follows the same musical path of Franz Ferdinand and The Killers. Civilian is a upbeat rock album with some background keyboards and punky melodies. It is a very slick and musically tight album, which could be from the production of John Cornfield who has worked with the likes of Muse, Oasis and Supergrass. With that said it has a very British feel to it. Some of the ballads like the closer "Shoot Me Down" have a very Blur sound (not like "Song 2" more like "The Universal"). The key is that Boy Kill Boy have made a solid debut and it still sounds fresh, so they should be able to make some noise in the UK - as far as the US market we will just need to stay tuned.

Key Tracks: "Back Again", "Civil Sin", "Suzie"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Killers
Franz Ferdinand
The Futureheads

Official Boy Kill Boy Website

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Slowlands: Never Was There A Town

Slowlands
Never Was There A Town
Self Released [2006]




Have you ever checked out your local indie record store (if you still have one) and find that new self released band that put out its record on its own dime and the guy behind the counter is raving about how cool they are? Slowlands is one of those bands. Never Was There A Town is Brooklyn based Slowlands debut album. The opening track "Lighthouse" sets the tone for the album. The music volume is never blown up above a quick shout but can still jump out and get you. The melodies are strong but pleasant to the ear and many times lead vocalist Josh Hayden Kolenik whispers along with the guitar, setting you up for a more grand explosion of sound. One fault I can find with Never Was There A Town is that some of the songs do suffer from the low production and never reach their full potential. With a bit more time and money Slowlands will easily take hold of the indie world on a sophomore effort - Never Was There A Town is just getting their feet in the door!

Key Tracks: "One More Fire", "Venturers", "Listener's Dilemma"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Arcade Fire
Wolf Parade
Death Cab For Cutie

Official Slowlands Website
Slowlands MySpace

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Gnarls Barkley: St. Elsewhere

Gnarls Barkley
St. Elsewhere
Downtown Records [2006]




Why will St. Elsewhere go down in music history? It contains the single "Crazy" which was the first number one single in the UK that was totally based on digital downloads. Can thousands of downloaders be wrong? - That's a big no way! Gnarls Barkley is made up of two guys with major street cred - Danger Mouse you may remember did that little mix album between the Beatles and Jay-Z called The Grey Album and Cee-Lo is a Grammy-nominated, founding member of Goodie Mob. He has written hit singles for Ludacris and P Diddy among others. Together they have created a very fresh album. Just when you think you have heard every base line, every sample and every melody an album comes along that reminds you of why you like new music. St. Elsewhere is that album. It reminds me of an album by that band called Outkast. Do you know them? Of course you do - I have a sister-in-law that stills does a spastic dance to "Hey Ya". St. Elsewhere is not all fun and games - Some of the tracks have very dark themes but they are dark themes that you can shake your rump to and soon after Gnarls Barkley take you to a happier place almost like a parallel universe thru music. My guess is that you have heard "Crazy" by now and if you dig it - go and give the rest of St. Elsewhere a try - you will be glad you signed up for the ride.

Key Tracks: "Crazy", "Gone Daddy Gone", "Go Go Gadget Gospel"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Outkast
Gorillaz
LCD Soundsystem

Official Gnarls Barkley Website
Gnarls Barkley MySpace

-Reviewed by Conrad Rocksted

Irving: Death In The Garden, Blood On The Flowers

Irving
Death In The Garden, Blood On The Flowers
Eenie Meenie Records [2006]




Irving already had some indie critical acclaim based on their previous album and EP releases over the last four years. Now they have a video for "Situation" that has actually played on MTV2 (probably at 3am, but it played) and are ready to make a statement on the indie world once again. Death In The Garden, Blood On The Flowers is Irving's sophomore full length album and represents great indie rock n roll. It is such a catchy record that after repeat listens you will be humming along to its quirky lyrics quicker than Britney Spears can get pregnant again. It has big hooks, some new wave keyboards and each track has that snap making you want more. Irving stands out from some of the more recent "New Wavers" with their song structures. Each song can change directions very quick but still is able to maintain a melody and never loses the listeners interest. So if you are into some tiny experimental sounds (kazoo noises on the title track), smart rock lyrics and melodies that you can sing in the shower with this second release from Irving is for you!

Key Tracks: "Situation", "She's Not Shy", "I Want To Love You In My Room"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Dandy Warhols
The Shins
The Cure

The Official Irving Website
Irving MySpace Page

-Reviewed by JT Burn

The Weekend Fire Chart

Check out what has set the office on fire this week!





Danielson:Ships









Tim Easton: Ammunition








Murder By Death: In Bocca Al Lupo











Sound Team: Movie Monster









Rainer Maria: Catastrophe Keeps Us Together

The Vibration: Amarilla

The Vibration
Amarilla
Sink And Stove Records [2006]





Amarilla is the debut from New York's all female foursome The Vibration. They are following a very successful self produced EP that hit the top spots of various college radio stations around the USA, and debuted on the CMJ chart at #106. They have also been featured on several compilations including a recent Spin Magazine sampler. So the pressure is on for The Vibration's debut. Armarilla is straight ahead indie rock following closely the footsteps of Sleater-Kinney. The Vibration do not quite explode into and out of songs like the Kinney giving them their unique sound. I liked this album because it did not waste any time - 10 tracks in 30 minutes. Ann Fitzgerald takes command with her controlled vocal style being capable of launching out at any given moment, which gives each track excitement because you are just not sure what lies around each guitar lick. Overall Amarilla will leave you wanting more and its intensity will bring you back for repeat listens.

Key Tracks: "87", "Muscle Memory", "Sweet Oil"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Sleater-Kinney
Throwing Muses
Tilly And The Wall

The Vibration Official Website

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Robert Pollard: 3 New Albums In The Fading Captain Series

Keene Brothers
Blues And Boogie Shoes
#42 In The Fading Captain Series [2006]










Psycho And The Birds
All That Is Holy
#41 In The Fading Captain Series [2006]










The Takeovers
Turn To Red
#40 In The Fading Captain Series [2006]









So you thought when Mr. Pollard retired Guided By Voices that he would slow down, sip his Rolling Rock at home, and enjoy the good life. Wrong. Instead he continues to crank out album after album with ease. What we get now following the heels of his excellent solo record From A Compound Eye [2006] is three new albums from the Fading Captain Series all under different monikers.

First we have the Keene Brothers which teams Robert and his current guitar and keyboard player for his live band Tommy Keene (Tommy currently has 10 solo albums to his name). This makes for a great combo of power pop tracks. Every song has a full range of sound and is well produced. It is a very catchy record and showcases Pollard's harmonies in front of great instrumentation. I believe it represents the Pollard of now and is the strongest of the three releases.

Next up is Psycho And The Birds. All That Is Holy finds Bob sitting in front of his 4 track tape deck and completing an entire album. He then sent the recordings to Todd Tobias, which crafted them into the final product. What happens here is that the instruments play in the front and drive each song which leave Pollard's lyrics somewhat behind the mask of music. All of these tracks are short (longest is 2:43) and concise. Each is the typical Pollard explosion of great ideas only to end after a minute. This album represents very closely to early GBV recordings which is a nice flashback to how things used to be.

Lastly, The Takeovers Turn To Red is the album that bridges the other two releases. Former GBV bass player Chris Slusarenko received the task of creating an album of songs for Pollard to sprinkle his lyrical magic over. This album has it all - some loud guitars, some weird cell phone tidbits, and even a little piano. Turn To Red fluctuates between lo-fi and hi-fi which is most comparable to Bob's early solo albums. The best part is that it works - The Takeovers flows very well and never loses the listener.

It is quite amazing that now matter how many releases Pollard puts out that he always tries something a bit new and gives everyone he has ever worked with a shot at a reunion. If this trend continues get ready for 5 more albums next month, and 5 more the month after, - well you get the picture.

Key Tracks:
Keene Brothers: "Island Of Lost Lucy", "Death Of The Party"
Psycho And The Birds: "Jesus The Clockwork", "Late Night Scamerica"
The Takeovers: "Insane/Cool It", "Fairly Blacking Out"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Finn Brothers
Early Guided By Voices
The Beatles

Official Robert Pollard Website

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

The Raconteurs: Broken Boy Soldiers

The Raconteurs
Broken Boy Soldiers
V2 / Third Man Records [2006]









By now hopefully you already know that this is Jack White's new "sideproject" band. It has his motor city buddy and solo artist Brendan Benson plus two guys from Cincy's The Greenhornes rounding out the foursome. For me you really can't go wrong with anything from the above artists catalog, so how is it when you mix them all together? Pretty damn good! They made just a really good rock n' roll album. Broken Boy Soldiers definitely does not radically change anyone's style in this band. Most songs complement each of the components that contribute. "Hands" could have easily fit in on Benson's J White produced album Alternative To Love [2005], "Broken Boy Soldiers" is very Jack White and could be found anywhere in The Stripes catalog, and each track benefits from having a talented bass and drum player, especially the closer "Blue Veins". When all things are said and done, Broken Boy Soldiers does not break any new ground, but is a solid rock offering that will bring a killer tour and I am sure another album in the near future.

Key Tracks: "Steady As She Goes", "Store Bought Bones", "Level"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Cheap Trick
Sloan
Jimmy Eat World

The Raconteurs Official Website

-Reviewed by Conrad Rocksted

The Twilight Singers: Powder Burns

The Twilight Singers
Powder Burns
One Little Indian Records [2006]









As with anything, time changes everything. In 2000, The Afghan Whigs were still together, The Twilight Singers were Greg Dulli's side project and Apple was just a computer company. Now we fast-forward to the present and …The Afghan Whigs are a fond memory, The Twilight Singers are a full fledge band and Apple is taking a shot at succeeding in the music business. Powder Burns is The Twilight Singers forth album and strongest to date. Like previous Twilight albums its tracks are songs of hope, despair, and rejoice. This album was recorded in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Greg then returned to finish the album post Katrina under the curfew, which I believe gives every song an extra sense of urgency, emotion and swagger to be heard. Powder Burns has a much larger production then any of the previous efforts - there are more guitars, orchestration and a larger soundscape plus the included help of artists Joseph Arthur, Ani DiFranco and fellow Whig, bassist John Curley. Powder Burns represents Dulli at his best and continues his comfortable natural progression from The Afghan Whigs. You can hear that this album had all of his attention and focus, down to the very last beat.

Key Tracks: "Forty Dollars", "My Time (Has Come)", "Underneath The Waves"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Afghan Whigs
The Black Heart Procession
Afterhours

Official Twilight Singers Website

-Reviewed by JT Burn

The Black Angels: Passover

The Black Angels
Passover
Light In The Attic Records [2006]









The Black Angels hail from Austin, TX and grabbed their name from The Velvet Underground & Nico, so what do you think they sound like? Are you thinking country twang with lots of fuzzy guitars? Well you would be half right. The Black Angels take the Velvet Underground sound and bring it into 2006. Fuzz guitar, solid drum beats, and out of this world groove vocals make up Passover's ten tracks of great drone-rock! At times Alex Maas' vocals lead you down a road with high walls of sound on both sides only to keep taking you down the psychedelic path not quite sure if you should turn around or keep going. My suggestion is to keep rolling, especially to hear the strongest two tracks on the album, rocker "Bloodhounds On My Trail" and the acid-jamming closer "Call To Arms". Any fan of The Jesus And Mary Chain, Joy Division or even Pink Floyd should check out The Black Angels - you won't be let down, just droned out.

Key Tracks: "Bloodhounds On My Trail", "Call To Arms", "Black Grease"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Spacemen 3
The Velvet Underground
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Official Black Angels Website

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

The Weekend Fire Chart

This is whats currently burnin' around the office:





Red Hot Chili Peppers: Stadium Arcadium






Snow Patrol: Eyes Open







Birdmonster: No Midnight







The Black Angels: Passover








Rock Kills Kid: Are You Nervous?

Ghostland Observatory: Paparazzi Lightning

Ghostland Observatory
Paparazzi Lightning
Trashy Moped Records [2006]









Ghostland Observatory fall into the new rash of bands that are tying the synthesizers in with rock. A little electro-clash and little post-punk drives Paparazzi Lightning. Do you dance? Do you rock? Do you just sway? All of the above, Ghostland Observatory do a nice job of creating a very cohesive album that gives the listener bits and pieces of each genre. This is their second album in less than a year and what you get is the duo of front man Aaron Behrens and producer/drummer Thomas Turner ripping thru this album in 35 minutes. That means there is no filler, no long drawn out ambient tracks, just solid fused dance-synth-punk tracks. Aaron Behrens sings each song with a high end power that sets the pace for the other instruments to catch up, which Turner supplies such as some robotic background vocals in "Vibrate" or the jammin' piano in the opening track "Piano Man". One thing is for certain, there is enough energy in Paparazzi Lightning that if you don't open your door for Ghostland Observatory they will kick it in!

Key Tracks: "Sad Sad City", "Piano Man", "Ghetto Magnet"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Brainiac
The Faint
Daft Punk

Official Ghostland Observatory Website

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Stadium Arcadium

Red Hot Chili Peppers
Stadium Arcadium
Warner Bros. Records [2006]









Oh the double album how we love thee. Stadium Arcadium is the Peppers first new album in four years and they wanted everyone to make sure we thought they were busy. What you get is 28 rock ready tracks split into every reason fans love the Peppers. There are tracks that include the funk like "Hump De Bump", have a little rock such as "Animal Bar" and plenty of mid tempo anthems like "Snow (Hey Oh)". I think overall (like many double albums) you can get lost in all the tracks and to be honest some songs sound the same. I also think that many tracks could have fit in on Californication [1999]. That is not a bad thing and don't get me wrong if you like the Red Hots, Stadium will not disappoint. "Dani California" is catchy as hell and "Torture Me" is probably one of their strongest tracks to date. The fact is that this is not some weird double experiment album, it is a Chili Pepper album, I just think next time around I would settle for 14 killer tracks.

Key Tracks: "Dani California", "Torture Me", "Hey"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Pearl Jam
U2
Beck

Official Red Hot Chili Peppers Website

-Reviewed by Conrad Rocksted

Art Brut: Bang Bang Rock & Roll

Art Brut
Bang Bang Rock & Roll (US Version)
Downtown Records [2006]









Most people outside of the US have heard of this band already. As an import it topped everyone's year end list for 05'. Now Art Brut is set to launch in the US. This new version contains several exclusive tracks not found on the UK version (although most can be found as B Sides on UK singles). Lead vocalist Eddie Argos lets the listener know very early on that this is a sing-speaking album and that what you are listening to is his singing voice so get over it! They are snotty, they are pissed off, and they don't care what magazines think or you for that matter. This is what sets Art Brut apart from anything else you have heard in awhile. If you follow the UK's garage scene this sound is spin off from the harder edge rap of a band like The Streets or Dizzee Rascal. Bang Bang Rock & Roll is a perfectly fitting album title and from start to end is a solid effort. It shows that a band can attack the very pop culture world that makes them exist and love every minute of it.

Key Tracks: "Emily Kane", "Formed A Band", "Moving To LA"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Lifter Puller
Billy Idol/Generation X
Henry Rollins

Official Art Brut Website

-Reviewed by JT Burn

Aloha: Some Echoes

Aloha
Some Echoes
Polyvinyl Records [2006]









Aloha are an interesting band based on geography. The band members are from all over the east coast and do not even remotely live close together. When they are not touring they spend time sending music across the land to make albums. You would think this method would just plain fail. The reality is that Some Echoes is a really solid album. The album has many styles of music and I believe that is how the distance works. If you check out their myspace site they list influences from The Bee Gees to Grateful Dead to The Smiths. Each band member brings their genre in to form Aloha. Songs like "Brace Your Face" and "Come Home" linger on into the six minute prog rock range. Other tracks bounce around with jangely spirit and come in around two minutes. That inconsistency works for Some Echoes. You never get bored. No matter what instrument grabs your attention it is on this album. Aloha bring a breathe of fresh air to the indie rock scene and set the bar higher for their peers.

Key Tracks: "Weekend", "Brace Your Face", "Mountain"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Samples
Yes
Indie Rock Philip Glass

Official Aloha Site

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox