Too Tired Attempt a Title - The Lawrence Arms

Here again! Keeping my promise (Kind of) to attempt to catch up on my reviews. I've been dead all week, and while today is no exception, I cannot put this off any longer. I promise eventually I will return to prompt punctuality; however, you may have to bear with me while I adjust to my new schedule (Let's face it, no one looks forward to these anyway).

Alright, with that vote of self confidence, let's move on to the docket for tonight. The Lawrence Arms is a band with a recently released album called Metropole. That is where my knowledge of the group runs dry. Tonight, that will end. One of the reasons I put this off was my lack of ambition to do any sort of research, and while that has not changed, I'm moving ahead anyway. Going in blind. Feels right. (There may have been a sex joke in there? Not sure. Too Tired.)

I like the cover. What else do I need to know?

So with a mixed bag of Angry Orchard and two other bags sagging underneath my eyes, let's hop to it! On with the review!

Album:

The Lawrence Arms - Metropole

Alcohol:

Angry Orchard Hard Cider

The disc opens with "Chilean District". A sample of applause bings us into a driving drum beat before opening up into a solid punk track. Killer transition from more aggressive feel to an awesome pop punk feel. Short. Awesome.

With a sweet riff, "You Are Here" punches in  before settling. The chorus vocal hook is nice. The layered guitars are nice as well. Jumping back and forth from calm to driving. I like it. The bridge is really nice and hooky as it builds. Dropping into the close. Nice.

"Hickey Avenue" open low and driving. I love the sound of the vocals. Sounds like duel vocals a bit. Into another beautiful chorus. Aggressive pop punk at it's best here. Yes, definitely duel vocals. And they rock. My face. Drop into an acoustic. Bringing everything back. Cool ending. Into an accordion .

Chords and vocals open "Seventeener". The song settles into a solid pop punk track. Not bad. All the cool elements of the previous tracks, but lacking an umph. Lyrics definitely carry this track. Low point for me thus far though.

"Beautiful Things" comes in on guitars. And settles into another slowish pop punk track. Digging this a little more than the previous, but still suffering from the lack of pizzaz (whatever that is). Good track; just not as gripping as the first three tracks. Again a very lyrically driven track. The music does have a lot of nice play around the vocals though. 

A horn brings us into "Acheron River" along with guitar accompanied vocals. And nice launch into another high energy punk tune. There is the sweet vocal hook. Classic punk guitar riffs. The second verse has awesome background guitar play. And nice drop before kicking it up a bit. And oh, that sweet chorus! Nice solo setting up the drop out. I'm also really digging the bass tone. Really cool kick in. Amazing by the book punk tune with out being cliche. Great track to bring the energy back into the disc.

The title track comes in with crowd samples and acoustic guitar. Not sure how I feel about these sample bumps. They are kind of cool, but they seem abrupt and unconnected. That being said. This is nice. Drop out... Swell... Nice into a low key driving tune. Adding aggression in the chorus, but keeping the song with a subtle feeling. I dig this track a lot. Build... Bigger feel. Nice track!

"Drunk Tweets" build off of the energy from it's predecessor and launches it to it's highest point yet. Which is saying something. Lyrically, from what I can make out. the track is a social commentary of sorts, and spot on at that. Beautiful.

This track has a long title that I'm not going to type, but it is a stripped down driving tune. Great lyrically. Cool in ways I'm not even sure how to describe. This is one you really just have to hear. I... Don't have words. Okay, that switch up was cool as hell. Seriously, check this tune out now! This song is all over, and it is SO incredible... Yeah... Favorite track thus far.

On to "Never Fade Away", a track with a fake out open. Guitars open as if they are going into another soft track before jumping into a punk progression. Nothing special here, but nothing special needed. Straight up pop punk done awesomely. Cool ending.

"Paradise Shitty" opens with a slow build. The vocals come in to drive it along. I'm feeling sick weak and old as well. Preaching to the choir and whatnot. Nice open up into the chorus. Relatable here.SOme nice musical shit going on. Also, the drums have been getting in some really nice fills; not to mention the face that these beat have to be causing some strain. Oh, good, an acoustic break so he can rest. Also, nice placement. I think that will end the track as well. Yep. Sample bump.

Closing the disc is "October Blood". I think the trasistion would have been better with out the sample in there, but the track is good. I like it as a closer actually. It is a sort of culmination of everything good on this disc. Vocally driven, but great dynamics, fun guitar play, and high energy. Abrupt to end. Ooo. Piano comes in with wave sapmpes. Now. Leaving us with just the waves. Another set of applauce. End. Nice.

Final Thoughts:

Great punk album. Even in it's structuring. Ups and downs, but giving us the best punches before settling into some awesome closing tracks. What I know now? The Lawrence Arms' Metropole was a great find, and I need to hear more. While I go do that, leave me some damned comments!

Seriously though, I'm gonna get better with getting these out on time.

Until Tuesday,

-Badhorse

A Week Late and A Mimosa Short - Against Me! - Transgender Dysphoria Blues

I may be the worlds shittiest blogger, or maybe just the least punctual one. I spend all this time updating the Upcoming Reviews section, and yet consistently miss the planned dates; however, have no fear because all of the albums on the list will get their chance!

I recently switched to days at my too-boring-too-talk-about-on-here job. It's been nice, afternoons off, and a real person schedule, but I'm quickly finding out that real people have a harder time squeezing a few hours of binge drinking into their schedule. Well, I refuse to let "The Man" hold me down! Thus, Against Me! will be tonight, and The Lawrence Arms will be tomorrow. I may drag ass at work, but that's what they get for frowning on hair of the dog hangover cures (stupid corporate alcohol policies anyway).

Alright, now that I've gotten my bitching and excuse making out of the way, let's talk about Against Me! As with several other bands I've reviewed on here, I have spotty familiarity with their work, but have been wanting to check them out in depth for a long time. I particularly love this video done by the amazing Justin Staggs:

So incredibly simple, yet so incredibly beautiful.

One of the things I love about that video is that you could replace the turntable with my laptop and that is more or less my blog set up (Of course, listening each album as an actual, you know, album would be amazing; albeit completely outside of my abilities and budget. However, if bands were to send me copies in advance... Just saying). Anyway, I'm rather excited from the little bit of research I did on this album. Yes, I know about Laura Jane Grace's transformation (and that is amazing for her), but what really makes me excited is this is the first concept album I've done, and it is also self produced (self produced albums always tend to be very raw and beautiful discs).

It's a BOOB! (I think?)

Well, my mimosa is ready, the album is queued, and I have nothing more to babble about. Let's get on to the review!

Album:

Against Me! - Transgender Dysphoria Blues

Alcohol:

Mimosas (No link because no link can contain the amazingness that is mimosas!)

The album opens on the title track. A drum roll of sorts gives way to guitar and grows. Really cool rock feel happening here. Laura's vocals are very powerful. The whole song has an awesome forward push. Pretty and awesomely aggressive at the same time. Nice drum break in to the chorus. Really cool opener.

Into "True Trans Soul Rebel". This song is another power rock tune. I love the production and tones thus far. The vocals are continuing to crush it. I love the power and soul in her voice. The chord progressions aren't hiding anything. Simple and straightforward, but immensely powerful. Loving the beautiful blending of clean and distorted guitars. Makes a beautiful feel musiclly. The lyrics are really cool, or at least what I'm catching in this first listen. I'm realizing this may not be the best format to review a concept album.

Energy stays high, and perhaps raises even a little on "Unconditional Love".  It may be no sort of coincidence, but so much of this just reminds me of Hedwig and the Angry Inch in all the best ways. The driving rock tunes can keep coming, they are blowing me away.

"Drinking With the Jocks" pushes the energy even more. Launching into an amazing punk feel. The guitar interlude is haunting and beautiful. I think that's a chorus affect? The vocals and solo clashing is excellent. This song is unapologetically punk, and I love it.

Building opening on "Osama Bin Laden as the Crucified Christ". And the beautiful composition of this tune promises not to be overshadowed by what could be an extremely controversial title. That aside, this tune fucking owns. Punchy and eerie at the same time. It feels like two great tunes combining to create the megazord of punk tracks. Beautiful.

"Fuckymylife666" breaks the punchy and returns us to driving rock. Vocals definitely carrying this one as the guitars are mostly driving choruds, but the movement and vocals are enough to keep me in this one. Not to mention its nice to step away from hard hitting sounds if only for a moment. Cool track.

Guitar brings us into "Dear Friend". Keeping with the smoothing of the pacing. Giving us a nice break without losing energy. The tempo is still very much up beat. I love the chorus in this tune. And the launch into the bridge is beautiful. And another beautiful transistion into the final chorus.

And finally a full slowing of pace on "Two Coffins". Really cool almost folk feel. Still diging the vocals. and The guitar is proof that there is truth to the addage less is more. Great moments lyrically here. Short and sweet.

Building us out of that is "Paraytic States". Beautifully growing into a great rock tuune. I love the duel guitars in this. And the mimnimal drums int hte verses. Cool chorus change ups into the bridge. This has been a near flawless disc thus far. I love the style the vocals the pacing... Everything!

"Black me Out" starts our ending with a slowish guitarline. Vocals come ine. And the bareness of the voice is amazing. So much depth to her voice! Straight up rock tune. Beautiful lyical moments here as weel. Nice tune to finish. Beautiful.

Final Thoughts:

My only possible complaint? Too short! Which I can oonly push so much given the entire album had a short and too thepoint feel to it. There isn't more because ther doesn't need to be. I'm simply left to sip my remaining mimosas and relisten. Sometimes life is great like that.

I'd love to hear feedback, not just on the blog, but on this or any other album as well. Hit me up in the comments!

Until, well, tomorrow, enjoy life! (This album can help!)

-Badhorse

Build Your Own Mustard Plug - Mustard Plug - Can't Contain It

Evening, ladies and gents. I've recently changed hours at work, so please, excuse this coming a day late; I'm still adjusting to my new schedule.

With my apology out of the way, it's time for some sweet ska!

Mustard Plug is a band that I missed in their "prime" so-to-speak. I have heard bits here and there, but never checked out a full album. This will change tonight.

Something tells me I will enjoy this despite having a complete distaste for mustard...

While I love ska staples, it always makes me excited to see new material coming out because I believe there is a resurgence coming... And I am so... fucking... READY!

Speaking of ready, I have a lovely Build-Your-Own Six-Pack sitting beside me with beers from Hop City, Leinenkugel's, Schell, Bass, Magic Hat, and Badger Hill. I'd give you the names, but my fingers hardly have that sort of ambition, so before they get anymore lazy, on to the review!

Album:

Mustard Plug - Can't Contain It

Alcohol:

Build-Your-Own Six-Pack

The disc opens on "We Came to Party," crowd noise then a nice punchy intro. Well, polished horns, and beautifully unpretty vocals. Disorderly refrain of gang vocals. This song is fun with out even being super catchy. There is really no vocal hook to speak of, and I think that makes it even more special. Really cool... Dance break? Of sorts. Builds nicely into the gang refrain again. Great opener that sets up the disc to not take itself too seriously. Good sign. =)

Moving forward, "The All-Nighter" opens a little less punchy, and a little more bouncy. None of the fun is lost. The vocals find a little more of a melody here, and it's good. Gang chorus again. I love that. It makes everyone feel like not only can they sing along, but indeed, they SHOULD. I really love the tone on the horns. very bright, but not piercing. Some great ska tunes--Oh, shit! Organ! Excellent!

Comming out of a swell on the organ is a drum roll into "Aye Aye Aye". Another bouncy ska tune. The vocals here are simple, but fun. The guitar work here is great. Not over bearing but there right when it needs to be to compliment the horns. Trumpet solo. I think... Yeah, that's a trumpet. Nice tune. Nothing blowing me away, but I dig it.

"White Noise" is a sweet power ska tune. Hard hitting and fast paced. I love the gang vocals here aswell. the guitar gets more emphasis, but the style of the tune calls for it. THe little breakdown is cool. Great track.

Keeping the pace up is "Bang!' It settles into a lower key feel, but the pace is still racing. This song is super fun, and I love the vocal melody. The organ is great in the verses as well. On a side note, Magic Hat's Not Quite Pale Ale is amazing! oo. Pretty harmony to end it.

Pacing takes a very subtle dip into "Burn It Down". I love the upstrokes with the organ. Why is this not done more? I Love tension through out culminating in a stop into a horn break. And the count down into the final part of the tune? Awesome.

"Shakin' It Up" grabs you by the left testicle out of the pervious trck and doesn't let go. The guitar line is very simple, but SO fun. Another power ska track, and thus far, there are some great rises and falls in a short span with out being super abrupt and weird. You know, like me. 

"Blame Yourself" comes in with no drop in pace. And a fun horn line. The vocals have a fun feel. This song has a stong chorus that explodes nicely out of the build in the verse. Nothing special about what it is the guitars are doing, but it adds so much badassery. Not quite as much as that sexy organ. 

"Gone and Faded" opens with a strike of the guitar and vocals over a driving bass. A nice settling without settling. This song definitely having a less playful aproach, but keeping things fun musically. Nice use of keys in the verse, and the song follows a more punk-with-horns feel that typical ska, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Love it actually.

Badada's open "What Does She Know?". Bringing full back into the ska feel. nice way to come out of it's punky predecessor. A very fun and bouncy tune. I love how the vocals tread this line between pop-punk and crust punk. It brings out the bst of both.

"Twist The Knife" starts another rise while keeping ska form. The horns are awesome in this one. And oh! Our first guitar solo. Good one too. Nothing uber flashy, but awesome and fitting. Mixed a little low for my taste, but good. And good tune.

"It's You" give us some more punch. I almost got beer all over my keyboard. Burped while drinking. Good tune. Dear god, this beer is WAY too corbonated..

"The Perfect Plan" slows down a bit. Good ska tune. Sorry. Can't stop burping from this beer. I feel bad, this is a good track. Not high energy, but a nice tnder ska tune.

Closing the Disc is "Running Out of Time". Appropriate. Driving and punchy opening. THis song actually is blending ska and punk nicely. Whoa, that transition was AWESOME. This song has great movemnet. It's, like, linear in a way. I lke it. Good.

Final Thoughts:

Typing while violently burping is difficult. That noted, Cant' Contain It is a GRET disc. ska elements are great. There is a nice variety and I can't stop gushing (The last one, that's how you know it's good). I am about to own this, and I cannot think of one reason why you shouldn't follow suit. Unless you are being a nonconformist... Ofcourse, sadly, I think the greater majority will not own this disc, so you know, even then you should get it... Just sayin'.

Ska is amazing. And so am I. Thoughts? I'd love to hear from you below... Like the blog? Tell your friends. Until next week. Stay thirsty, my friends.

-Badhorse

A Box of Wine and New Beginnings - Lorde - Pure Heroine

Um... Hi. As I begin to type this, I am getting that feeling of that guy who was on a bender with his friends all weekend and forgot to call his wife...

I'd like to start off by apologizing my absence in the blog world for the past couple of weeks. My holidays, though exciting, were rather hectic. I, sadly, had little time to blog between travel, friends, and my apartment building catching fire (But that's a story for another day).

Anywho, the important thing to note is that I'm back! And I have box of Franzia Chardonnay because fuck you, I'm not made of money. While driving to see family, I heard this song on the radio:

The song is stupid catch (Um... That's a compliment, I promise).

The song jumped at me right away mostly because the area where I heard it had roughly 13 country, 6 classic rock, and 3 conservative talk radio stations available. It's extremely rare that I hear something new and interesting on my drive to Iowa (And often everything I hear is neither).

That made me decide to look into the song, and I discovered Lorde is gaining ground in the states quite quickly. Normally, I'm not big on bandwagons, but since I was away for the holidays, I thought I'd share a piece of them with all of you!

Now, before this gets anymore sappy, on to the review!

Album:

Lorde - Pure Heroine

Alcohol:

Franzia Chardonnay (5L box because FUCK YEAH!)

Pure Heroine opens on "Tennis Court", a subtle intro track. I love the sound of her voice. The synth is nice and ethreal. The song picks up into the chorus. A nice burst without exploding. Dropping back into a verse. The chorus come back in very similarly. Musically, the track is very lowkey, and has a really cool feel. Drop to electronic snare and voice quickly before jumping back into the chorus. Lyrically, it's back and forth between, really cool, and oh yeah, she's 16.

400 Lux comes in with a synth drone and another relaxed beat. I really like the beats thus far. They are simple and subtle, yet they retain an interest. Lyrics follow suit here again, but there is just such a nice groove here. Niut here again. That voice is soooo cool sounding. Drop out to drones... And back into the chorus. There is something to what Lorde is doing. So hook oriented, but not mindlessly so.

"Royals" comes in with a nice bass drum and snap beat. And I LOVE the voice and lyrics. Even those little harmonies are soo cool. That chorus has gotta be one of the coolest things ever written. The second verse brings in this wobbly synth that add so much. The wobbly continues and grows throughout the song. The little bridge part is a nice break with out straying too far from the feel of the rest of the tune. Into the final chorus and end. Great tune.

Synths hold to open "Ribs". A groups of synth voices come in. It swells before dropping into a nice driving groove. This is a pleasant swing. There is, like, a tremolo or rotary effect on the synth, and that is really cool. The chorus has the building feeling that drops back into the intro. The second verse is slightly stripped back. This song really breaks from a R&B/almost rap feel into an electronic indie rock feel, and I can dig it. Voice trails off nicely to end the track.

A beat and piano of sorts opens "Buzzcut Season". This song isn't quite as gripping as it's predecessors, but still has it's merits. And as long as that voice keeps singing, I will keep listening. Really have to keep reminding myself that this girl is only 16. Both because the songs have such a mature feel to them, and I am trying not to come off creepy in any thing I say. =P Good track here.

"Team" opens with a group of voices, and in REALLY cool fashion. Into a brown out of sorts. Subtle synths pushing this track allong with a cool driving bass drum. Opening up a little into the chorus. I dig this track. I'm kinda over getting told to throw my hands up in the air aswell. Thank you, Lorde. You are wise beyond your years. Seriously? 16? What did I do with my life? Oh, repeated the cool lyric. A little less affect the secondtime around, but still a really cool track.

Voice carries out of a sudden end to leads us into "Glory and Gore". This song heads back into the slow groove of the opening tracks, but has a bit of an edge. I like it. The synths she uses. They are almost, like, 90s euro-pop sounds used differently. I like it a lot. I've also notices she uses modulated voices better than any top 40 artist out there. Cool drp out and kick in. Great tune.

"Still Sane" opens with a voice saying something about birthday, and I'm just thinking aobut age again. What is legal drinking age in NZ? Hang on, gonna google this... 18. Damn it. I feel weird again.... Better have more wine...his was a really cool minimalist feeling track.

"White Teath Teens"... Oh god, now the album is just torturing me with age. Oh, shit. That beat is sweet with that snare roll thing. The synth on the up beats makes the song nice and bouncy. Whoa, nice change of pays aobut two mins in. A modulated chorus of voices carries the song along. Allll the way to the end Cool track.

The end of the original release is "A World Alone". It opens with what I think is guitar? Mayve? It's giving a cool feeling whatever it is. The song continues to grow. Nice linear movement. The Lyrics I'm catching are nice, and the song continues with ups and downs, but there is definitely a building feeling continuing throughout. THe oooo's are making me ready for... Well, that was a let down. Cool, but I was hoping for BIG. Decent end to the disc.

On to the "Bonus tracks?" "Bravado" opens with vioce. And oh, that ssweet voice. Holy shit. Modulatd harmonies. HOW id this not make the final cut of the original release? This song is boss! This song is cool as hell. Here are the modulated harmonies again. OH! And shee switched it up just slightly juest for me! Cool, cool track.

"Million Dollar Bills" is the most bubble gummy track on the album so far. The beat starts as a synthed voice and it has a better-than-kesha-yet-still-kesha-y feel too it. It's not bad... But... Not good, either. Also, I purposfully used an "S" instead of a dollar sign because sometimes even celebraties need to be protcted from their own stupidity.

"The Love Club" feels like Lorde's take on the 60's almost. And I like it. The fadding in and out chorual voices are nice. And there is a nice bouncy to the tune. I can dig this. Not amazing, but yeah, alriht.

"Biting Down" pens with a cool wobbly high dron and voice, and I have mad a nice dent in this wine at this pint. This song has a really cool feel.THus far, I'd say the extented ersion is a good chioce. I like the tribal feel to the electronic beat. Cool lyrics here too. I think the is the furthest out side of my comfort zong I've been and still enjoyed. Kudos.

The next song is titled... Sigh.. "Swingin Party". No apostrophe even. Poor form. Anywho, the song is cool. Swelling synth organ. and at tick-tocky beat. And I am STILL in lvoe with her voice. Cool yet short tune.

Final Thoughts:

Excellent disc for what it is. You can tell shes a young artist, but for what you'd think was a twenty-something intellectual being a teenage girl, this album will leave you wowed. I definitely need to own this one, and I look forward to what she puts out int th efuture.

On that note, it's good to be back. I hope all of you are as excited for a whole new year of music as I am. As always, I encoufag commenst, and check out "Upcoming Reviews " To see what lies ahead. I promis futue hiatuses will come with actual notices. Until next time, drink/rock one!

-Badhorse