H.I.M. - Uneasy Listening Vol.1

Rating: 4/10
Modern Music Review
Pop/Rock
This is right a collection for you , if you bored melodic guitars of the band. And the name of the album was chosen nonsensically. Maybe it's an allusion, i don't know. It's not an uneasy listening, truly it's the collection of the softest rarities of H.I.M. Again it's hard to say you prefer this one to original songs except "Close to the Flame", "In joy and sorrow","For You". These are the most beautiful ones. Actually i hate remix versions because it brings to mind that you're a jerk and the original one wasn't satisfying .Then, they put slower or faster music backround, presenting Here's the new version for jerks! "Join Me in Death", "It's All Tears", "The Funeral of Hearts" proves this. I prefer the original versions, glam rocker one. Morever i found Ville's voice too out of tune with naked voice on "Buried Alive by Love". What was that? It was the opening song of Love Metal and it was airy glam rock but this version is a huge sh*t (Deliverance Version). Worse than this, Valo sings like a difficult cat on some songs. New version of "Lose You Tonight" was called as Thulsa Doom, actually it's not doom it's arabesque or trip-hop based electronic version. There are good guitar noises on "Sault in Our Wounds" which recalls Neil Young's "Hey Hey, My My".

Oh i see you're a diehard fan, you may like it. If you're not familiar with their songs, go away! I should recommend you to listen"Greatest Love Songs Vol.666" which is the standout one. I hear you on that one is a nonsense album name too, but it rocks.
If you want to see how can a rock band turns to pussycat music, then this is a great collection FOR YOU.
MM picks: In Joy and Sorrow (String Version)
Mp3: For You (Unplugged Radio Live)
H.I.M. Official

Bang Gang - Find What You Get EP

Alternative / Pop / Indie
MM review
Bang Bang is taking a cue from folks like Tindersticks, Black Box Recorder, and Talk Talk, Johannsson and a slew of guests create a complex and calculated story of breezy and cloudy hazes of sonic beauty.

You heard about New Romantic? It was sub genre new wave invasion. Well then, how it'd be to mix new romantic and indie rock? Obviously it'd be gread. Maybe This is my fondest dream come true, but it didn't happen with Bang Gang, but it's sure that i'm impressed by heavy romantic fascinating pop tunes.

This EP features a few tracks from "Something Wrong", including the superb single "Find What You Get" which is an absolute bright indie pop melody with worried vocals. Sometimes it repeats itself more than it needs such as 'you can tell me all the troubles gone'. The other good work "Follow" is similar to melancholic Black Box Recorder's order but if you consider dark melodies on the backround you'll instantly think experimental arrangements of Talk Talk. You heard the dark pianos in front of atmosphere?... A promising Ep.
Mp3s: Find What You Get | Follow
For more info...

Neil Young - Live At Fillmore East 1970 - 2006 release

Rating: 9/10
Live Section
Neil Young! Be careful with this one! Because I'm getting around with his name on my t-shirt. This is sort of respect from me to him. He is one of the most legendary rock idol. The time isn't able to rust him. I supposed that you've heard his creative, stunning guitar solos. When played in the background, this style of solos makes you jump out of window! How could a human play guitar like that! So impressive, ambitious!

That years, he'd been touring the world as a solo acoustic act and with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, recorded two essential albums ( After the Gold Rush and Deja Vu) and this is a great live memory from rusty years ( Mar 6, 1970 to Mar 7, 1973). Especially the two long cuts "Down By The River" and "Cowgirl In The Sand" are two unbelievable performances which cause to listen with an open mouth. In adition, for rock listeners it's a live set to have an opinion about what a great rock performance he had. Also this live cd includes Danny Whitten's "Come on Baby Let's Go Downtown". A little criticizing, ok maybe he hasn't got a great voice but obviously he uses it impressively!

The only imperfection is that it's not the entire show of a 1970 show, "Cinnamon Girl" is missing. After all, the record which i played and played all day proves rock music is of the most indispensable desire of some people. While the others are brooding, he still keep on rocking in the free world!
MM picks: Hey Lazy! Only six song, listen all of them!
Mp3: Wonderin'

Neil Young Page

Peter And The Wolf - Lightness

Rating: 8/10
Modern Music Review
Folk, Indie Pop
Honestly i hadn't heard about Peter And The Wolf before i listened this album. On the other hand This isn't a handicap to grasping its beauty. As we spoked with a friend of mine,
it's definite truth that good stuff is good stuff. Who is listener?, what is listener's nationality?, it doesn't matter. So that's why we hear this sentence 'Music is universal' constantly. Maybe you can't catch on lyrics or you don't have specific knowledge about the music. These are really not a barrier. If you like it then it won't change.

At winter nights,i usually prefer to listen slow musics. I'm sure that "Lightness" (2006) know what i want. With warm Acustic songs , it appeared to be charming. Catchy "Midnight Train" burned up my fireplace. Psychedelic folk or indie pop, whatever it is. The truth is that it hasn't only three commercial songs for radios to play or its aim isn't achieving commercial successful. It's only for you, for you to feel the pleasure. "The Ivy" and "Safe Travels" remind me people who are very close and they're singing together near fireplace. This album isn't selfish. It wants to share something with you.

Lyrics from "The Bonsai Tree": 'You told me the rain would be coming down. So i stayed in sight with my bottle i heard what you said, i always here, i just don't learn so good. I know i should listen more carefully more carefully.You said i was like The Bonsai Tree.'

Maybe, stand alone vocal performances aren't satisfying enough. Though, backround atmosphere and guitars cover it. Song named "Canada" which is a messenger to end of the record, recalls weird Japanese folk tunes. "Dear Old Robyn" sounds as an early comer christmas song. All the melodies owe to closing song "Captain Dan". Because the song is a reason for another spin. Devendra Banhart's Cripple Crown would be tasty with this. Also if you're
classic rock listener, give a listen one of T.rex or Donovon album along this.

As a result, if you want to see the good music, they're just there. If you lost your way , here it comes openhearted folk melodies for your ears. Now waiting rain to drink my tea...
MM pick: Midnight train, The ivy, The Bonsai Tree
Listen: Midnight train
Also check out: Devendra Banhart - Cripple Crow

Luke Haines - Off My Rocker at the Art School Bop

Rating: 9/10
Modern Music Review
Britpop, Glam
I couldn't believe that i hadn't posted about any Luke Haines album. Now it's right time to post!
Short and Glittering new album from the most prolific songwriter Luke Haines.

'Can you feel the beat of my heart?' The title track that is similar to 80s new wave songs and
including 70s glam guitars, what's more, handclaps which we often see on indie rock songs. This is the most wonderful beginning to album. Like summarizing rock music, also politic march of the album (Leeds United) raises its guitar climbing, piano mixed romantic melodies. More ardent song "The Heritage Rock Revolution" in which he says 'Hope rock'n roll never dies'.

Thus far, Devils hasn't come to scene. Cardinal song "All The English Devils" proves that his hidden despatches haven't came to an end. Again allusive lyrics are written very cleverly by Luke. 'Who put the worm in the apple, Who put the bounce in the bouncing bomb', 'All The English Devils ruined since the day they'd born.' This song has the same depressive character by "Married To A Lazy Lover" from "After Murder Park" (1996). The Guitars are used perfectly , mostly they're polishing Luke Haines' hoarse voice.

Another striking song is "Freddie Mills Is Dead" which is about a champion English boxer. If closing songs are airy ones, the results becomes blameless. The last song "Bad Reputation" is maybe the most sensible song of "Off My Rocker At The Art School Bop" (2006). The epilogues: 'Goodbye my love is A hell of a Record','Gary Glitter, He's a bad bad man, Ruining the reputation of the Glitter Band'. This solo album proves that he's still one the most prolific English songwriter. As an advice, listen this album together with "After Murder Park". If you don't listen Luke Haines' then don't mention about 90s glam (neo-glam) music.

This record has three characher: tease, sensible , hopeless.
As a leader of The Auteurs, Black Box Recorder, he has never been in worthless project or work. Still it didn't change with "Off My Rocker..." Definitely fans will love it, also they'll add this one to their collection proudly. The Stability continues.
MM picks: All The English Devils, Freddie Mills Is Dead, Bad Reputation
Listen: Off My Rocker At The Art School Bop
Also listen: The Auteurs - New Wave
Official Luke Haines

Exploding Hearts - Shattered

Shattered Review
Rating:./10
Punk Revival
Jumped to sofa, Unwrapping the CD with a shattered heart because i remembered The van accident. Tragically, Jeremy Gage, Adam Cox, and Matt Fitzgerald had never returned by that accident (July 20, 2003).

Usually talented artists pass away early. Maybe wailing for them isn't meaningful. If they were here, they would want me to spread the word about their music. I wish they were...

The Exploding Hearts were a punk rock / power pop band from Portland, Oregon. I always loved British punk bands like The Undertones, The Clash, The Only Ones. They're unforgettable bands. So Exploding Hearts were a revivalist of these bands. Vocalist Adam Cox reminds those 70s punk acts with his childlike voice. Their guitar lines and melodies are usually energetic, sharp. But it's for sure, the most prominent side of them is romantic but rousing songs. All is great, all is romantic sixteen pop-punk songs included in "Shattered" which is a collection of rare single tracks, unreleased songs, their original demo form 2001, and alternate versions of tracks from Guitar Romantic. Alt mixs has been glorious.

I enjoyed all the songs with "Shattered". We may die tommorrow, who knows? The music will survive, though. I'm very proud of being an Exploding Hearts fan. 'I know I've had you under my wheels for so long now / You're moving on." If you love something, set it free, right? You've left me shattered ,yeah you've left me shattered baby!'
The last song had played, The lasts are always bittersweet and that's why i played it four times.
MM picks: Shattered, Still Crazy, Busy Signals, Throwaway Style
Listen: Shattered (You Left Me) (alt version) | Official Exploding Hearts