The Gothic Archies - A Tragic Treasury

Rating: 8.6/10
Modern Music Review
Indie Pop, Lo-Fi
Songs From A Series Of Unfortunate Events
The first album for the latest "band" from Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt (he's pretty much solo here) is intended as a companion to Lemony Snicket's series of books.

One of the best way to have experience in life is hearing the stories which we can find in books, music, movies or they are told by someone else. In this novelty project, you can find contribution some songs to the widely popular series' audio books. Merritt's satiated dramatic voice controls the whole album as a big snow mass which is same to the earth. It starts to numb you by the opening accordion included track "Scream And Run Away" (From The Bad Beginning), truly a tempting opening.

"Dreary, Dreary" is quite funereal song that it makes you feel that you've returned a friend's burial recently, so depressing but funeral. Lyrics mostly touchs on weird and interesting themes. Think of yourself singing 'it gets dark around here, earlier because of all the crow what they want and where they come from noone knows', and then 'there are crows, crows everywhere when i think of you'. It's for sure, Merritt's prodigious compositions stands out amazingly, moreover we should learn more of him! How he puts such lyrics 'Smile! No One Cares How You Feel' in that the most depressive style? Following that "Freakshow" which is a carnival song with lot of fun, if you're capable to get. You won't surprise to his clever tunes if you know that his interest in music began to take on a physical form at the age of 14 with a cheap synthesizer and an old four-track recorder.

Despite all good melodies, some songs exhausts you in some stagnant ways (This Abyss, How Do You Slow This Thing Down?, A Million Mushrooms). But then "Things Are Not What They Appear" is the oddest melody which is a well-founded reason to seek for a coffee cup near to end of album, recalling Leonard Cohen's enormously mellow songs, Divine Comedy's unforgetable love song "A Woman of the World".

Drink!, to your love, smile!, to the world, remembering that they are the gothic archies.
Similar Artists: Divine Comedy, Magnetic Fields
MM picks: Scream And Run Away, Crows, Things Are Not What They Appear
Mp3: Things Are Not What They Appear

A video for dudes...Ween

Ween was the ultimate cosmic goof of the alternative rock era, a prodigiously talented and deliriously odd duo whose work traveled far beyond the constraints of parody and novelty into the heart of surrealist ecstasy.
I'm not a big fan of The Muppets or anything like that, but today, i was listening to some Ween albums and i thought that it'd be droll to share the video with you. Don't know if you listen comedy rock such names The Dead Milkmen, Zappa or any great artist but comedy is as important as seriousness in the life. I'm sure that you've had unhappy times and you've had moments that you found yourself rolling on the floor laughing. Besides, if you love rock music, i'm sure of it that you've entertaining character, hiding inside of you. Ween is a great band to discover and it can change your ordinary moments, watch and see what you've got!



And also listen the best Ween song: Tried and True
Official Ween Page

Midlake - The Trials of Van Occupanther

Rating: 9/10
Modern Music Review
Melancholic Indie Rock
A sunshine of sorrow, tear apart my whole body, is this fair? I just wanted to listen more music. Is it fair, making my whole body unconscious? I wanted indie, you gave me the most melancholic one! You made my day good. The sun goes down, and this gloomy guitar solos make beautiful my heart. Whenever i listen hooky music, i go to bed with a pretty smile on my face. No, this is too much, then the authentic sadness covers your head.

Song are mostly autumnal, "Roscoe" opens the "The Trials of Van Occupanther" (2006). But i didn't expect that kind of...Beautiful. The most melodic songs are placed at the start of record. That's why i said that they made me unconscious, consecutively they touch you. Dainty, dainty, not cookies, Midlake's songs. Followed that brainwashing "Head Home", "Van Occupanther", "Young Bride". If an indie band influences by Neil Young, this is real deal, they'll produce the music greatly. Band of Horses and Midlake are indisputable great examples in the year. Tim Smith voice recalls cool guys and has some similarities with Rufus Wainright, Tom Yorke. Harmony of bass guitar and piano, gentle horns are huge on "In This Camp". Clean song order makes it more capable album. This album reminds me of Van Morrison (specially Astral Weeks by Morrison), his unbelievable nature in music.

These gloomy bandits stole my heart. There is no last bus in music, always you've time to listen them, but before dying. Whatever i said, whatever you read, you should listen this.
MM picks: Bandits, Head Home, In This Camp
Mp3: Roscoe
You may also like: Copeland
Midlake Band Site

The Twilight Sad - The Twilight Sad Ep

Rating: 7.5/10
Modern Music Review
Indie Rock
Based outside of Glasgow, The Twilight Sad formed in late 2003 and this is first sharp debut Ep (Fat Cat) of the band which consists of five long named independent cut.

Some songs sneak to your body as though poison which captures your blood slowly. Everything seems normally but it's not. Complex and noisy sounds are all the same. You love it deeply and watch its growing on you.

Here is what you wanted! Twilight Sad exactly combines with what i've referred to. As you notice from band's name: it's soft light from the sky between sunset, combining bustle of the drums, sobbing of the guitars, and sad of twilights. Their music gives the impression of sound of rain which always rain not orderly. But the rain makes you happy, though. Because of its cleaning effect, wet effect, i think all is perfect to feel (Last year's rain didn't fall quite so hard). I must admit that you may not love this, but it seems wrong not to give a second, maybe a third listen.

Eventually, it's a noise rain, touching to you, appearing like an enemy to your ears. I love antinomy, also "Fat Cat" embraces friendly. That's good!
MM pick: Last year's rain didn't fall quite so hard
Mp3: and she would darken the memory of youth
Similar artist: Walkmen
Bio of the Band

The Tragically Hip - World Container

Rating: 8.5/10
Modern Music Review
Formed in 1983 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada the Tragically Hip came together with childhood friends. The group took their name from a Michael Nesmith video entitled Elephant Parts and focused on making a name for themselves in the local scene during the mid-'80s.

My playlist has been entirely joyful this week. It's because Deerhoof's "Friend Opportunity", Clinic's "Visitations" and The Hip's "World Container" (2006). Especially "World Container" is going to be my favorite album of the month. I love to follow American Trad Rock style. Fastball, The Black Crowes, Phish and Dave Matthews are great names to rock your room.

As for The Tragically Hip's "World Container", you know i don't praise a band easily, but, this album is amazing. Moreover you must listen the whole record is featuring powerful electric guitars, visceral bass guitars, emotional vocals and lyrics... I examined all of them one by one.
At first listen it can seems nothing special to you but it'd be a big mistake not giving a second listen. Opening song and the second single "Yer Not The Ocean" is a bit usual, but the second one "The Lonely End Of The Rink" and the rest of the album include quite filling songs. Maybe it's not album of the year or not evebody's favorite but who cares? If there is anybody listening it, like me, then really who cares? They play their nice music and they find a listener at any occasion.

Notably "The Kids Don't Get It" helps them to shout their own style to rock music lovers. In addition, there is a love ballad which is named by "Pretend", oriented superb piano and ambitious singing style. That's funny, when i was listening to it, i was washing my hands, eating my lunch. And i felt myself inside a love story, because of the music fills my home.

It's quite rocking and you feel the energy of hard rock till the end of it. Almost i'd forget,
check out their "Up to Here" (1989) album which is a pick of mine. You'll love vocal performance of Gordon Downie , who is poetic improviser, is one of Canada's most treasurable artists.
MM pick: The Kids Don't Get It, Pretend, The Drop-Off
Listen: The Kids Don't Get It
The Hip Page

Best of Reissues, Remasters, Editions 2006

These are the most amazing reissues that i've heard in the year, you should consider to get these if you're a long time rock music listener. Also if you're interested to give a listen to some classic tunes, In my opinion these are necessary. And yes they sound clearer than the original records. I don't have enough time to write about all of them, but don't hesitate, you should listen.

1. John Cale - Paris 1919 [1973 - 2006]
...and the greatest album of the avant-garde artist John Cale was reissued.

2. Pavement - Wowee Zowee: Sordid Sentinels Edition
Sordid Sentinels Edition is a stellar expansion of the original album.

3. The Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues

4. The Pretenders - The Pretenders [Remastered]
It should include anybody who loves rock & roll

5. Beach Boys - Pet Sounds [40th Anniversary]
'Hang on to your ego, Hang on but I know that you're gonna lose the fight.'

6. Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy
shocking, amazing, shoegazing

7. Brian Eno and David Byrne: My Life in the Bush of Ghosts
One of the most prophetic pop albums ever made.

8. Lou Reed - Coney Island Baby [30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition]
A minor masterpiece

9. Pulp - His 'N' Hers [Deluxe Edition]

10. PJ Harvey - The Peel Sessions 1991-2004

...And the proofs:
1. John Cale - The Endless Plain of Fortune (Alternate)
2. Pavement - We Dance
3. Waterboys - World Party
4. The Pretenders - Brass In Pocket (demo)
5. Beach Boys - Caroline, No
6. Jesus & Mary Chain - Some Candy Talking
7. Brian Eno & David Byrne - A secret Life
8. Lou Reed - Crazy Feeling
9. Pulp - Joyriders
10. PJ Harvey - Oh My Lover

Please let me know, if you've any recommendations.
Also Check Out: Bright Indie Waves 2006