Author: Captain Capm (Page 13 of 118)

Audiocrash: Time Sensitive Material

You can tell that Guy Strzepeck and Craig Maseratti, the duo who form Audiocrash, are really trying here on their album Time Sensitive Material. But perhaps they’re trying too hard. Honestly, it’s hard to think of the last time I’ve heard a CD where the lead singer sounds as corny as he does on this disc. Guy is straining far too hard for the cool rock dude sound in his voice, going for one of those raw, throaty deliveries that sounds like the kind of thing Trey Parker hilariously parodies on any given episode of “South Park” or in the “Team America” flick. Songs like “Captain America” and “I Can’t Feel You Anymore” is the stuff bad rock nightmares are made of. Then there’s the production, which is just too damn sterile for its own good. This undoubtedly has to do with Maseratti handling all the instrumental and production duties himself. The songs sound like they’ve been suffocated in some sort of plastic coating with no room to breathe. Still, I suppose you can’t fault them for trying, and the music overall isn’t as bad as the worst I’ve heard. Perhaps their live show is better, but as far as what these guys have to work with on this CD, they’re honestly not going to get very far. Another DIY demo gussied up to look like a finished work. Pass. (Label: Dirty Garage Records, 2008)

Audiocrash MySpace page

Worst Case Ontario: Burning Politely

NYC’s Worst Cast Ontario has a cool name, but plays rather nondescript indie rock that more or less renders the group a bit faceless in a sea of like-minded bands. Songs like “You’re Glib” sport an interesting melody to be sure, but in the end it’s hard to say if “interesting” here translates to “good” or just “annoying after a couple of minutes.” The vote is still out on that one. Other songs like “Purge” and “Go Deaf or Get Married” seem to be reaching for something distinct, but I can’t help that I heard all this nine years ago. Unfortunately, the band just sounds dated; while they’re quite capable and good at what they play, Worst Case Ontario just doesn’t seem to have the sort of overall sound that will make enough people stand up and take notice. (LABEL: Self-released 2007

MySpace Link

H-Fi Friday – Accelerate the black keys’ mountain battles’ muse

You’ve come to the right place if you want hot links to some of the latest music reviews online. Step right this way to the egress, er…I mean, the newly minted reviews!

Over at delovely Bullz-Eye, Jeff Giles has reviewed the latest disc by R.E.M. entitled Accelerate. “The new record’s surprisingly good – and, even better for those kvetchy fans, it’s good in a way that hearkens strongly back to the band’s classic sides,” says Jeff about the disc.

David Medsker cuts to the chase on Muse’s new release called H.A.A.R.P.H.A.A.R.P., much like Green Day’s American Idiot 2005 tour document Bullet in a Bible, is one of those lightning-in-a-bottle moments that captures the band at the height of its powers.”

The Black Keys have returned with Attack & Release, and Jim Washington is there to put in his two cents. Says Jim, “Attack & Release is an apt title. The Keys’ music used to grab you by the throat and rock you. On this, they let go a bit.”

Switching over to Billboard, critic Sven Philipp has covered the new Rolling Stones soundtrack album, Shine a Light. “Much more dazzling than the guest list: More than 40 years into their career, the Stones sound raw and dangerously alive.”

Classic critic-meister Robert Christgau writes up the new Drive-By Truckers CD entitled Brighter Than Creation’s Dark over at NPR. Says Robert, “Like the old cowpunks they are, [Patterson] Hood and his band have a soft spot for losers and total scuzzballs. They’ve also written more good songs about musicians than any competing road dogs you can name.”

Carl F. Gauze of Ink 19 weighs in on Murder Mystery’s Are You Ready for the Heartache Cause Here It Comes, saying “Overall, this is a bouncy, tight band with a clean, happy sound, and the opportunity to make something of itself with its power pop love songs.”

Who knew the Breeders had a new one arriving? Well, I do, and perhaps you do, too now. Head over to Rolling Stone to check out Will Hermes’ review of the new disc entitled Mountain Battles. “Steve Albini (Nirvana, PJ Harvey), among other producers, keeps things raw; indeed, the record’s primitive art punk sometimes echoes Nirvana.”

Finally, over at Spin, Josh Modell discusses Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltisin’s Pershing. “This Missouri band’s music is so plainly likable that they should consider running for public office — even the off-putting name wouldn’t deter any voters who appreciate the shy prettiness of the Shins and the sweeter, least brash moments of the New Pornographers,” muses Modell.

Video Vault – Glenn Frey

Yeah, OK, so I was 11 years old when this song came out and at the time wasn’t really aware that Mr. Frey had been in the Eagles before this. Not that it would have mattered; I remember thinking how bad this song sucked then, and it still sucks now. But sometimes we have to look to our past to not make the same mistakes now. So here is “Sexy Girl” from The Allnighter.

And for some reason…this song still didn’t stop me from buying the equally sucky album it was taken from way back when. See what I mean about making mistakes?

« Older posts Newer posts »