Best of Indie Rock 2006

First Anniversary Of Modern Music Blog
A year passed either well or badly. This week of last year, i made a decision
to share my musical thought with the world. Fortunately, i still continue my mission and i'll continue as far as i can.
Thus far, i took my pencil and started to write down this year's the most amazing indie rock albums. I listened them once more to consider their impression on me. So let's discuss together which one we shouldn't miss. I don't know if you agree with me but you should have these. Rob a bank!, borrow money, do something and buy or listen these! More or less, these are indie rock.

1. Bonnie Prince Billy - The Letting Go
I'm sure of it, this album never gets old.
2. Band Of Horses - Everything All The Time
If you played an album countless time and still you didn't bore then it should be treasure.
3. Drones - Gala Mill
Shout it loud! This album as strong as rock.
4. Robyn Hitchcock - Ole! Tarantula
Embryo, are you ever gonna be born?
5. James Dean Bradfield - The Great Western
Politics, politics...Say the truths and be a repulsive person!
6. Hold Steady - Boys And Girls In America
On your way Paul Westerberg
7. Sleepy Jackson - Personality
Yes we're singing sleepy but our melodies are catchy-sleepy.
8. Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - Ballad of the Broken Seas
Mmm...! delicious music, tasty coffee
9. Pernice Brothers - Live A Little
Beyond doubt, they relesed an album sounds better than Morrissey's Ringleader.
10. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife
I'll burn whole city down!

...And albums i hung back while putting in list, still they're powerful.
Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am...
Hmm, i saw that some of you think they're too young but it's the most wrong
prejudice. David Bowie, Lou reed, Bob Dylan and other legendary musicians...
Were they young while they dropped their the most classical albums?, i think
they were. So it's not about age.
Beirut - Gulag Orkestar
I know better than you how is balkan music charming, but lyrics are not eye-catching.
Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit
Great album but regarding their previous awesome works it's a little shaded.
Man Man - Six Demon Bag
Wow! Always i'm open for a Tom Waits influenced indie rock band.
Tapes 'N Tapes - The Loon
My words are still in force for "The Loon", dazzling rock tunes.
TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
This is very different from the other, but still its melodies too much for a essential listening. Gradually i started not listening this record.
... and songs that save your life from this year!
- Band of Horses - Wicked Gil
- Hold Steady - Chillout Tent
Please let me know if you have any recommendations!

The Beatles - Love - 2006

Modern Music Review
George Martin was at the helm for this project, which serves as the soundtrack to the Vegas-based Cirque du Soleil show of the same name. This 26 tracks , which are generally the most famous Beatles tracks, were augmented with additional instrumentation.

I'd give this a high rate without thinking, but after a while i considered that this is not our business to give rate classic ones. I'm so clear with this, you can't criticize a band if it's Beatles. Because there isn't anything to say! We should respect the works, they proved themself as a historical monument, every new music kidos know about the Beatles. Maybe you grew up listening their record or you loved to collect their works. As a matter of fact, my expressions would be right throughout, if this was a Beatles collecting by themselves. But it's not, like i said before, i hate remixs, mash-ups and other things which are usually a easy way to achieve some commercial success. I like original things, someday you'll search for natural beauty, because there won't be anything original. I hate to see that people have recourse to aesthetics for being someone else. It's really upsetting. The result is everyone looks like each other. Originality = natural and remixs are the same with aesthetics. That's why i love originality.

The things were said, i have believed in music, still believe in The Beatles. This cd is a reason to uncover the original records which are the right ways to a music satisfaction.
Mp3: Strawberry Fields Forever

The Shins - Wincing the Night Away

Rating: 5/10
Modern Music Review
Indie Rock
Three years have passed since "Chutes Too Narrow" and The Shins have dropped another album. You want to hear this 'This is a great album' i know, but i'm afraid not, it's mostly dead beat. Welcome to the free sleep service! Yes, you heard right.

Immediately to the subject. Arrangements, lyrics are maybe a little brilliant but there is something wrong with the songs. They don't contain soul of an album. If it was a b-side record, i could understand the lack of harmony. "Australia", "Girl Sailor" sound good, of course i can see that! As a problem in my head, it's very annoying to buy albums for only a couple of melody. Mostly extinct and far away from being a catchy, must have album. Nay, too many people play guitar like that. Don't go work and sit down, take your guitar, then start to complain about life? Where is the artistically side of this work. We all , let's write some couple of words, and we all become performer. Worse than this, there won't be any listener, everyone releases albums, songs, eps or whatever it is. If you can't find a listener, it's not reasonable to release albums. Again i can put up with that but please listen what you've done at least! Not all these againsts to The shins, but if i don't like it, i don't wait to say why! Some of you called this objective review, but as a note it's my feelings about music.

It isn't big deal to give a high rate an album. If you feel someting while you're listening, then it's worth to listen. Passionate, furiousness, happiness, sadness... It doesn't matter which one you feel. If i listen the music like a wooden furniture then i never play that music again, and also i found only three avarage indie rock song and rest of all is sleep service. I want to wake up but it seems imposible while you hear the most boring two melody one by one, "Black Wave", "Split Needles". Believe or not, i wanted to throw myself to bed, so boring! "Girl Sailor" is the only good melody, actually it's not a great song but after nine pointless song, believe me it tastes like honey.

All i see is some guitars, an ordinary voice, nothing special. Hard to stomach! I felt disinclined after the last spin, i am bored. I felt like i'm the only person, listening some uncertain music on my own and everybody is happy out there! Hey, take me with you! I won't die along with some ordinary songs!
P.S: If you have sleeping problem, buy this!
MM picks: Girl Sailor, Australia
Mp3: Phantom Limb
Also check out: Badly Drawn Boy

Joanna Newsom - Ys

Rating: 5.8/10
Modern Music Review
Folk
Do you believe in magical songs? Like a genie, with one wish they
change your life. So what do you wish? A peaceful life, money, to fly... Maybe not a peaceful life but a peaceful moment comes into existence with "Ys" (2006). Living the moment is life for me! So i'm living about one hour of my life with this record and it's the pleasure for me. Perhaps you don't like listening this story-like second album of folk singer-songwriter Joanna Newsom but i like it and music is something personal to us all.

How would it be to tell magic with musical nota? The answer lies in "Ys". What i find in "Ys" is something that comes from virgin forests, lakes, mountains. Joanna's elf-like vocals are eye catching, sometimes dramatic. On the other hand first salient imperfection of "Ys" is that it's not favourable to listenthis record whenever you want , it's so sleepy also songs are too long. She performs talk style vocal. Besides, the most suitable time is when you need a rest or a snowy weather! After several spin, you may find Joanna Newsom's stories neverending. What's more the melodies aren't odd . For instance, while you're listening "Only Skin", you think that you're still at start of record. At times you consider that these are very poignant melodies for 24 years old singer-songwriter.

Eventually, it's included five-song full-length which comprises theatrical expression with melodious accompaniment. It's totally emotional and narrative work of art. If you love psychedelic + folk music, don't spend any moment on waiting, get it! But if you seek for something rocks then "Ys" is very obscure.
MM picks: Cosmia
"Sprout & The Bean" Video
Joanne Newsom Page

Incubus - Light Grenades

Rating: 8.1/10
Modern Music Review
Alternative Pop/Rock
"Light Grenades" is the sixth album that will be released by Incubus on November 28, 2006. It consists of 13 songs. I listened them for you, lets see what we have!

First five song are shiny, passionate alternative rock songs. Pretty nice first single "Anna Molly", their new emotional guitar pop song "Love Hurts", cold clear melody "Quicksand"... Thus far, there aren't heavy rock songs , and also "Light Grenades" (2006) the title songs comes its alt. metal balanced high guitar chords. On "Oil And Water" you count the drum beats but honestly along
with "Diamonds And Coal" the results are becoming spotty. It causes lack of melody. As I noted before, puting good opening songs is a clever process at times ; furthermore, they can be annoying to music lovers. Because when you bought an album, the first thing you want to hear is serious work. If you're a fan, believe me this isn't only a serious songs , you want more and more. If it starts with a couple of radio-friendly songs then plays only some loudly guitar, it'll be nothing special. I didn't say those to "Light Grenades", that's brainstorm.

However , this album doesn't include great heavy metal or funk metal songs. There are four or five alt. metal melody and most of them are average. But the other ones, alternative pop melodies are really cool such as "Anna Molly", "Love Huts" and my fav. one "Paper Shoes" which is a fascinating guitar romantic song. Maybe They didn't want to change their style completely, so this problem creates some unwilling funk-metal songs. Anyway i should say that they're very successful at being emotional, no need to release only funk-metal songs. I love them
with their "11am", "Mexico" (from "Morning View"), "Summer Romance" (from "S.C.I.E.N.C.E."), "The Warmth" (from "Make Yourself"), and these are pure rock songs. Incubus isn't a so so band. I appreciate their works as well as in this new album. They didn't release an album every year. I believe they really respect to the audience. "Light Grenades" proves this, sure it proves despite my prejudice at the start of record!

It's not finished, you haven't heard "Pendulous Threads" still. This song is just amazing, takes the hard rock guitar lines, and also reminds Jimi Hendrix's captivating solos ( just a rememberance of Foxy Lady), good work guys! Finally "Earth To Bella Part 2" is a great acustic closing song. Surprise! It's not only acustic, also you'll hear catchy garage rock tunes on this one.

A good album comes, i recommend this album to every rock music listener, I can note that their the most standout work is "Morning View" (2001), and also this album as strong as "Morning View".
MM picks: Rogues, Paper Shoes, Pendulous Threads
Listen: Anna Molly
MM also recommends: Jane's Addiction - Nothings Shocking

Swan Lake - Beast Moans

Rating: 4.8/10
Modern Music Review
Indie Rock
This new band features Daniel Bejar (Destroyer, New Pornographers), Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown), and Carey Mercer (Frog Eyes).

When I heard this one, positively i got excited. At the same time, there is a truth that you shouldn't get excited if it's the first sight. This is the rule of being a mature person. Think twice
before make a decision! Isn't it right? if it isn't right for you, it's hard to avoid from the mistakes which always wait right time to trick you.

So "Beast Moans" (2006) can trick you with its two attractive indie cake "Widow's Walk", "Nubile Days" at the start. "Widow's Walk" makes you think about some improved Radiohead song. Immediately afterwards, "City calls" appears , and paralyses your desire which has an important rule for continuing listen. Not only is "City calls" outlandish at times, but it also causes to stop whole cd. The mistake is excessive noises and strange backround tunes which are usually pointless. With "A Venue Called Rubella" it's getting worse and worse. This time not only the complicated tunes, also adding some repetition during one minute 10 x "A Venue Called Rubella"= exhausted listener. The result is going to be an disappointed listener. Sometimes there are good loops to hear but it's not a deliverance. Because if you consider the other records, you'll see they've got some good tunes too. So it's not right to give every album positive, positive and positive because of two or three listenable melody.

If you could survive at the chamber of three nonsense melody (City Calls, A Venue Called Rubella, All Fires), maybe it's time to hear a good tune. Again the results are too spotty but "The Partisan..." is what i wanted to hear."Bluebird" touches you, along with being desired, its changable atmosphere can also be magical to your ear. So this makes "Beast Moans" a buried indie rock album. As a footnote, if you're kind of person who don't listen comprehensible music, so you may like it. What i meant is that it's imposible to listen this record loudly. I really adore noisy songs but senseless songs.

After all, it's not energetic as Wolf Parade, not clear like Sunset Rubdown's "Shut Up I Am Dreaming" or not gloomy (Frog Eyes), it's mostly out of touch, and also spinning around complex noisy melodies.
MM picks: Widow's Walk, The Partisan But He's Got To Know
Mp3: All Fires, The Freedom
You may also like: Gary Numan - The Plan