World Percussion Christmas - Andrea Centazzo

So I decided to shake things up and throw a curve ball. The other albums were, and have been, a bit dry. I also don't want to run out of James Brown christmas albums just yet. This is a sort if bizarre idea for an album. I mean in reality it isn't that bizarre, I just wish there was more information about it. I guess it would make sense this guy would make this album, after all he is one Elektriktus. So without further ado, Andrea Centazzo.

1. Jingle Bells: This track features, marimba and Togo drums. I fucking love the marimba with a passion but am unaware of the Togo drums. But also, fuck this song. No really fuck it. The only time give heard a version I like is the short quote on Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life. And actually, I can really jive with what I'm hearing. Like honestly, this is the first time I can't really find something to nit pick for a christmas album. I have heard the song, but this is kind of honestly a breathe of fresh air. I really like these Togo drums and the marimba. There sounds like there is other instruments used, but it is very good. It gives me a synclavier vibe, but much more sophisticated. Which it should, it's 20 years after the release of Jazz from Hell.
2. Silent Night: I almost didn't recognize the track with the introduction. I like it. My only thing is I don't like how it repeated the first verse twice before going to the second. Maybe I spaced out for a second, but this is still much more enjoyable. I love the percussion and the different rhythms and it sounds great. It says that Bali sarongs, Indian drums and contemporary mallet keyboards where used in this track. I'm gonna have to buy some of these when I get rich :D. It does go a bit long, but it's forgivable.
3. Feliz Navidad: I don't jive with this tune. I think its kind of a stupid and annoying song, but maybe this version will give it fresh eyes for me. Or fresh whatever the phrase is. This has another great introduction and is probably my favorite version of the track. It says it uses samba drum ensemble and Latin marimbas... I don't care what it uses, this sounds freaking great. It's got a playful feeling to it and the rhythms are so fucking good.
4. White Christmas: There is a nice feeling here, though it doesn't feel all that new. The reason I say is this has kind of begin to run out of ideas. I mean not in a bad way, but it's not something I'm that excited about. Like there isn't anything making anything stand out thus far. This track is okay, and it's well enough, but I don't feel that rush I felt from the other preceding tracks you know. The instruments used are Mali drums, Javanese mallet keyboards, vibes and marimbas.
5. Sleigh Ride: I actually like this much more than the last track. While you can argue, it sounds all the same, but I really like way the melody is played on those contemporary mallet keyboards. I also like the African drums and what sounds like a midi bass. I really like when the melody speeds up and it reminds me of why I love when you use percussion effectively.
6. Holy Night: This features the Bell's ensemble. I have no fucking idea what that is, unless it's an ensemble of bells or an ensemble called the Bell's Ensemble. Either way this opens with chimes and rain, reminds me of Black Sabbath. I do like this version quite a bit, it feels like a lullaby. On Spotify this is titled the Rainy Version, but on Discogs it's titled Holy (Rainy) Night. I like it and it's solid.
7. Greensleeves: I happen to love this tune. There are a number of old traditional/public domain songs that I love. This one is one of my all time favorites, its a gorgeous melody I was excited to see it played on Trinidad steel drums and Caribbean percussion. This is fun and has a bit of a spy feeling to it. Honestly this is the best track here and reminds me a bit of Goldeneye 64.
8. Silver Bells:This Javanese  version uses gamelan. I was excited for it, I have an interest in gamelan, and how it works. There is a very peaceful track and I quite enjoy it. Damn, this thing is quite fun. There is a lullaby feeling. I can jive with this.
9. The Little Drummer Boy: The use of a Japanese Taiko drum ensemble and Kabuki instruments really work well for this track. I like the melody instruments and the textures work quite well. Giving it a surprising twist, you'd think it'd be more Arabian sounding or eastern. Though it does has a bit of a Macedonian feeling.... I think if I remember humanities class right. This goes a bit long, but it isn't terrible.
10. Silver Bells (African Version): Finally to close we get some Senegal drums and rattling kalimbas. Kalimbas are finger pianos, for those who don't know. Now to sound less pretentious, I don't know what senegal drums are by name. I know what they are but I had to double check. The African drum, and actually I enjoy this opening. It's setting up a groove in a similar way that Fela does. Except it isn't as explosive, loud or not percussive. This feels like it could be a cover almost, kind of. The non melody parts you know. Like just re arrange the lead with a saxophone and add other instruments and your there. It isn't half bad to be honest. I dig it.

Overall I have to give this album a 7.5/10. This was a lot of fun and kind of revitalized my hope for other christmas albums. Plus it will definitely survive past this review of the album, and I will revisit this in the future. Solid effort. I don't have more to say other than listen to this if you don't give a fuck about christmas music or you want an breathe of fresh air, or you like world music, or you are a percussionist.

Straight Outta Lynwood - "Weird Al" Yankovic

This is the 12th studio album, 13th overall album including Peter and The Wolf, by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It was released on September 26th, 2006. Now I can't honestly say this is the first Album, that goes to Running With Scissors, that i remember by him. That album from 1999 was the first CD I ever got. But since my last review was the dirty Al why not do the clean Blowfly. Both kings of parody, but both in different worlds. Thought I think Al's better since he's able to do such a good job and its more that goes into it and it's also smarter. I also did he last album, Mandatory Fun, this last summer. One thing I will admit is I only listened to this album once for this review, but I've heard the songs enough to know how I feel about them and what not. Actually I could probably do it with out listening to the album at the same time as the review, but hey.... why not :)

1. White & Nerdy: This is the song that I remember it coming out. I remember the song it spoofed Ridin' Dirty coming out. There was a kid who really like that song and I remember this was before I like hip-hop. Not that I like that kind of hip-hop but I am a different person than I was in 7th grade. And while the rapping is more spit fire than Amish Paradise, this just isn't as much of a classic. Another way I can connect the two is the intro from this and the original you could easily mix the two up. I think the music video has great parts and lyrically my favorite part is the M.C. Escher line. I wonder if this is the song that made it cool to be a nerd. Now I'm not a nerd, I love Star Wars, but I'm a "I really don't care". I do have a love a this guy's music though, so that might mean something.
2. Pancreas: Much like Genius In France being a homage to Zappa, this is  homage to The Beach Boys. One thing you gotta love is the intricacies that he puts into these tracks. There is so much going on, instrumentation wise, it makes me wanna get tons of money just so I can play with all those instruments sounds. Even if you don't like this track listen to everything going on. You need head phones and even look at the instruments in the credits. I love the harpsichord part and the toy piano string solo.
3. Canadian Idiot: This is a parody of American Idiot by Green Day. I'm not huge on this song, original, or the group in general. This is kinda funny, but you know..... I'm just not nuts about this. 
4. I'll Sue Ya: This is a style parody of Rage Against The Machine and it's about this guy who sues people over stupid things. The think they did good job at sounding like them, and the best part is that fact that this is has some lawsuits that I wouldn't doubt are real.
5. Polkarama: To be honest, one of my least favorite polka medleys. It could possibly be my overall least favorite. I'm not nuts about Hot Rocks Polka because it's sole Rolling Stones' songs from the compilation album it gets it's name from. I also am not nuts about the basically polka cover of Bohemian Rhapsody. Maybe it's that those song in this one remind me of a time in music when it was kind of terrible. But there are some songs I like in it.And maybe it's the Chicken Dance that's played at the beginning too. But then again it isn't really played with a tone of energy that makes the other ones intoxicating. I mean there are songs that I didn't even know existed until I heard Polka Face but I still love the hell out of that. maybe because it's fricken. This really does very little to nothing for me. Which for a polka medley is shocking. Some artist's in this one include Kanye West's track Gold Digger, Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand (love the gun shot at the end of their part), Speed of Sound by Coldplay, also Beverly Hills by Weezer, Float On by Modest Mouse, Slither by Velvet Revolver. These are all good song, minus the first.... but parts like Candy Shop come one........... Ehhh
6. Virus Alert: I assume this is a Queen style parody. But this kind of reminds me of Love is Your Weapon Of Choice by Flight of the Conchords. Now the other track came out about 3 years later, but you can tell which I heard first. But the "one liners" in this song are pretty wacky and they make me laugh every time I hear it. I looked it up and it's a style parody of Sparks who I know too little about to hear it. This is certainly flamboyant enough to be a Queen song, and I mean that in the best way possible. 
7. Confessions Part III: This is a parody of Confessions Part II by Usher. It's kind of silly, in the Weird Al way. And you know some of them are funny and some of them aren't. Like the "Shirley Temple" line does nothing for me but the sink thing or the tooth brush thing too make me smile. Maybe he's being a little to honest, but that's also the joke.
8. Weasel Stomping Day: I think the best way to enjoy this is from the Robot Chicken skit. This song probably would get annoying after multiple listens unless you really like old 60's Claymation specials music. 
9. Close But No Cigar: There is a line in here that makes me giggle when I hear it. It's the line about why he broke up with first first girl. It's kinda like the precursor to Word Crimes. This is also a style parody of the 90's group Cake. I really dig the beat to this song, and think the references are great in this track. I really like the way the bass is being played, like in terms of rhythm. I love the Buddy Rich reference, and the Mama Cass one too. I also think this, along with other references on this album, make for the album to be more enjoyable if you get it.
10. Do I Creep You Out: This is a parody of the Do I Make You Proud by Taylor Hicks. Now I don't care for this song much, and I care even less for the original. It sounds like a song from the 90's. The guy that is portrayed in this song is kinda creepy, but it just isn't that funny. I don't understand why the original track even matters. I think it's kinda weird that he cares if he makes anyone proud. But whatever.... that's just me.
11. Trapped In The Drive-Thru: I'm from Chicago, well the suburbs, so I'm aware of R. Kelly. I'm niot crazy about the guy, and about his "actions" but I do like this. Yes, I'm admitting I've sat through all like 50 chapters so far. I the original it was kind of a stretch, but by chapter 13 it just tunes into a "lets just throw shit together, I don't care any more". In fact the only time the music changes is in like chapter 40 something and it's pretty good. The thing about this is that it literally sounds like the original. The best part of Amish Paradise is you can't really tell the difference at the beginning between the spoof and Coolio's original. This track is just like that. Now I can't say the entire track is like that, but the beginning is good enough to where you could mix them up. This is a pretty funny thing because it's like an melodramatic version of something that just happens every day. But I also love that little song he plays on the radio. If you don't what I'm talking about the nI don't want to spoil it but I'll give you this much. It's by this artist. Watch the music video of this on YouTube if you get a chance. It makes the song that much more enjoyable.
12. Don't Download This Song: This is a spoof on the style of song that has existed ever since We Are The World. This song is funny in both lines, wording and what not. Now the song it's self isn't that amazing. But I love the references to the sites. I doubt any of those are still up today, almost 10 years after this albums release. To be honest, the best WATW style parody I think there is is Feel Inside by Flight of the Conchords. The line that a I love in this is where he says "Don't take money away from artists like me, how else can I afford another solid gold Hum V. And Diamond studded swimming pools, these things don't grow on trees".

Overall I have to give this song a 6/10. I love a good Al review, and I love putting in all the links that I need to in order to make it the best I can. There are a lot of references on this album that I don't think my little brother would ever get. With that said, I think you should do what I did with Zappa. If he said something I didn't get, I'd look it up. Instead of letting jokes pass you up, why not take this as an opportunity to educate your self a little on things they don't teach at school. This isn't meant as in insult, it's just meant as a way for you to look at this and say, maybe next time I'll get the jokes without having to look it up.

The Chapin Sisters E.P.

This is the debut release by the sister trio known as The Chapin Sisters. They are related to the Harry Chapin, you know, Cats in the Cradle and the silver spoon. I think they are his nieces. Well anyway, I saw them live when I saw them open for Eisley in February, 2011. I didn't think much of them until after a while and coming back to the group. Note: When I saw them the one left making them the duo. One more note, I haven't been doing many reviews because I've been getting into Jazz. And Jazz is over my head, that's why I'm trying to get into it.

1. Shady River: I think that this song kind of sounds like the others. I don't think there is anything special in this song that stands out. I'm not putting the song down, but I think it's consistent with the other songs.
2. Don't Love You: This song has a different girl singing this track than the last one. This song is a decent song. 
3. Hey: This is another pretty decent song. I like it.
4. Girlfriend: This EP doesn't have a very wide variety of sounds. The songs are basically the same. So to say. Two is more of a ''mature'' album I guess. There is more experimentation, ie Digging A Hole and other stuff too.
5. Bird Song: I like the arpeggios and the finger picking on this song. That's part of what I like about this group. They finger pick really good. At least I think so. This reminds me of Palm Tree on their 2nd album. But less arranged or worked out. Like a demo version.
6. Long Journey: This song is more country than folky. I don't care for this one.
7. Toxic: This is one pretty cool cover of the Britney Spears song. They played this song when I saw them. I like the way they did this song. This is definatly the best track. Thought I do like Don't Love You and Bird Song.

Overall I have to give this a 6/10. I think it's Ok, but I don't think it's amazing. I haven't heard their Lake Bottom LP or the other 2 Eps, but I have heard all of Two. I wish I'd bought that Cd when I saw them. It's actually pretty good. I think this is an, you like it or you don't.

Dying Is Your Latest Fashion - Escape the Fate

This is the debut album, not release because their first release was There's No Sympathy For The Dead Ep, and defiantly one of my favorite albums of 2000's and probably ever. I heard this album after my cousin was talking about them and showed me this movie of them on their 2008 tour. That DVD came with their deluxe edition of This War Is Ours (which I'll review). But actually he showed me This War Is Ours the song probably, now, two years ago. I thought it was cool with the guitar solo and that it was about Halo, we are big Halo players in my family. Well I hadn't heard anything about them after that halo song, until obviously summer going into sophomore year. This album has become on of my favorite album to date.

1. The Webs We Weave: This is the first song on the album. This song is a good opener to an album. The riff on this song is pretty cool. I really like the harmony vocals on this album, and they have a type of echo. The brief guitar solo in this song after the chorus. That little diddy is awesome. I a don't know if it is better that it is short of if it would be better if it was longer. The drums on this song, along with album are also solid. I don't think it good that it sounds like he is going back in forth between screaming vocals. None the less this song is pretty damn catchy. There is another guitar diddy towards the end of the song. I think that sounds good and really like this song.
2. When I Go Out, I Want to Go Out On a Chariot of Fire: This song is a favorite of mine. And by favorite I mean I love this song. This whole entire song is catchy and is hard to get out of your head. Along with the other songs on this album, the chorus is super catchy. This has a classic Escape the Fate guitar thingy in it. This song is a really catchy song and stays catchy. Its hard to get out of your head
3. Situations: How could you not love when people pay homage to Van Halen's music video Hot For Teacher. This song was the, technically, 2nd song I remember hearing by ETF. This song wasn't one of my favorite songs that I ever heard by them the first time I ever heard this song. But the more I heard it it got better. This is a classic Ronnie song that he did with Escape the Fate. The whole catchiness and feeling of it. The ending like sweeping solo is sick as hell. It's awesome, and I lovethe crap out of that part. The song got better with each listen. The breakdown reminded me of that new Figure it Out by Serj from System.
4. The Guillotine: This was one of the coolest songs I'd ever heard. They screamed on it, they were basically BA as possible on this. The guitar and the bass and the drums had so much power. This song was about Halo. What could be wrong with this song. The answer is the ending. I feel it drags, but that is such a little problem it is a joke. I love this song and it is one of the best of the decade all together. I love this so much. There is something about the fact that they have this song as like a trilogy makes it that much more intresting.The guitar part at right before the chorus is awesome, I wish I knew how they did that.
5. Reverse this Curse: This is another classic Ronnie song. I hate to say that, because it doesn't really make any sense, but it does......? The best part of this song is the very ending. I love the way the vocals sound, and that they use a bell in it.
6. Cellar Door: This song is probably one of my least favorite. I don't know why, but it just is. The vibe that I get from this song kind isn't very fun. I feel like this sounds like music that I don't really like. This sounds like a song that would be on Epitaph Records. I don't have a problem with the label, but most of the artists songs all sound the same to me. But I feel like this could have been played by any one of them.
7. There's No Sympathy for the Dead: This is the self titled song off their debut Ep. It came out earlier that year in 2006. This song is really cool. This song is a songs that I like to sing to. I think that this is a fun song, with unclean vocals. The original My Mic Swings Low or something like that is sick. I am also in love with the chorus and pre-chorus in this song. The way they did the clean vocals on this song are cool sounding. But specifically that part "We See The Stars Falling From The Sky." that part, just makes me want to sing along. Then it got and awesome solo in it. Probably one of my favs on the album. Then after the chorus is just as cool as the solo. This is defiantly one of their best written songs. Then the strings sounds at the end, eargasm.
8. My Apocalypse: This riff has the same sound that the part in Guillotine has. There is a part where he is talking on, what sounds like a radio, and it's really... sick. I think that this song reminds me of fall, probably because I got into them during the Fall. The acoustic guitar part sounds sick as fuck, then the unclean vocals come in. 
9. Friends And Alibis: This is one of my favorite songs by this band. I think that the chorus of this song is so fricking hard to get out of my heard. I love it and the song is also good. This is kind of like the Somebody I Used to Know by Gotye for me. The first thing that attracted me to the two songs were the chorus, then the rest came after being obsessed with the chorus. The beginning of the song with the drums is a sick beginning for the album. The song is just, I don't think that I can explain it unless you hear it. I think that this has this pretty feeling to it. Then toward the ending where it goes down and just builds a little, that sounds cool.
10. Not Good Enough for Truth In Cliche: There are times that I feel that this song is kind of boring. This is a song though I could people liking. I don't know what it is about this song, but this isn't a song that I'm in love with. 
11. The Day I Left The Womb: I really like this song. I feel like the song The Westerner, off the Falling In Reverse debut album, was supposed to be like this one. Beside the fact that The Westerner is about 100 times better. You can look at at this as the "demo" version of The Westerner. This isn't nearly as good, but it's like the baby that grows into The Westerner.

Over all I am honored to give this a 9.5/10. I like reviewing albums that I love. This is a really good example of an album that is good. I honestly think everyone should listen to it before they die. The songs on that all realtily have the same structure and there is not a huge variation on the tracks. I still love this thing, and it beats their self titled album shitless. I am werry of what their next one will sound like. Because what I have gotten out of their planned sound is it was supposed to be the album inbetween This War Is Ours and Escape the Fate. They never said that, but from what they said that how I interpreted it. Each time this gets better than the last.