And here's what we got:
What can I say? I’m a fanboy of Abandoned Pools. No, that’s not true; I’m a fan of talent, and that’s something that Abandoned Pools has in spades. I will admit that Armed to the Teeth came out in 2005, making this review a little dated, but I feel that Abandoned Pools is a band (artist, to be more accurate) that I’ve had since it came out (please refer to my fanboy comment).
Boys Like Girls self-titled album came out in August of 2006, and I only found out about them in August of 2007 (or was it July…). My friend linked them to me and I got my grubby little hands on the Album as soon as I could. Drawing parallels to All-American Rejects, Acceptance, and even a hint of Abandoned Pools I just can’t put my finger on, this album has a weird blend of pop-punk and rock. I found it really hard to pick favorite on this Album, because to be honest there are only two tracks that I don’t like. I made my choices though, and I stick by them.
I wish I could say I listened to indie music more, and that I was well versed in it. Truly I wish I could, but the fact of the matter is I am an outsider to the genré and as such, my opinion here is literally just that: opinion. I’m not saying that all my other music reviews are based on scientifically music-based fact, but at the very least I know what I like and dislike and can compare it to something. The closest thing I can compare The Weakerthans’ new album, Reunion Tour, would probably be The Shins or Bright Eyes. Please don’t send me hate mail for being unable to notice the subtle differences that separate these artists. I don’t see them and I don’t really care.
If you’ve ever watched Clone High, you’ve heard Abandoned Pools. I’m fairly certain that all of their songs from their first album are used throughout the show, including the intro video which is not actually on any of their Albums. In any case, Humanistic is one of the longest running albums existent in my library and easily on my top ten, if not my top five. Flat out I’m going to say that it’s simply a wonderful album and worth listening to. It has a subtle darkness to it, and manages to convey a stunning amount of emotion considering how “happy” some of the songs happen to be.
What happens when you take Panic! At The Disco and tell them to emulate Backstreet Boys? You get The Higher. Their album On Fire is amusing to listen to, at the very least. You can’t take this album too seriously, and if you’re looking for deeper meaning or an answer to one of life’s mysteries, just keep walking. If you feel like dancing to something with a solid beat and like pop-ish music? This album is a must have for your very shallow, expensive shelf.
Mute Math: Teleprompt Edition is one of two release versions (the other being the Warner Bros. release, which I have not listened to, though they are fairly close I’m told) exists for a very interesting 52 minutes. The tracks start off small (ranging from one to four minutes) but quickly move into the six to seven minute range. One reason I can possibly find for this is the over all ambient feel to the Album. The whole thing reeks of “chill,” which I don’t want to say is a bad thing. You do however need to be in the mood to listen to it. This is not an album I would listen to when working out. Yoga maybe, but not for anything that required me to be pumped.
No I do not do yoga.
No Really, I’m Fine is the third fourth (it pays to do research) official album (I don’t count EPs as albums) by The Spill Canvas, and I’ve noticed two things. They’ve become more mainstream sounding, and they’ve really tightened up their sound. I don’t want to make conclusions that one of those points begets the other, it’s merely an observation.
I recently watched “Across the Universe,” a musical that takes place in the 1960s involving Jude (Jim Sturgess) as a dock worker who sets off from Liverpool to find his father. Upon the sad and simple meeting of his estranged father, Jude befriends Max (Joe Anderson) wherein he meets Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood).
The three migrate to New York to see where life takes them. Jude and Lucy hook up and are painfully in love. A lot of the movie is based entirely around their evolving love; through their dizzying highs (literally in some cases) and depressing lows.