Visions Of Tall Girl EP - The Ugly Club

This is a band called The Ugly Club. These guys Are an indie band from New York. This is, if I am correct, first Ep. This Ep is only 13 minutes so I decided to listen to it twice. Oh how glad I was...

1. Visions Part I: This song kind reminds me of These Animals. They have the vocals and the popish sound that they do. This song is better quality in the way of more space than These Animals. The second time through I like it more than the first. The harmony vocals is the part that reminds me most of These Animals. I really like how the bass sounds. I think that the keys help the song out a lot.
2. Parks: This sounds like it would be, with out knowing any info about them, a New York Indie group. There is a part in this song where it reminds me of a mix of The Cure's song Just Like Heaven and blur. I think this song sounds pretty cool.
3. Visions Part II: This song is kind of like a reprise of part I. This exactly 1 minute shorter than part one. There is a part in this song where it is a type of saxophone in the song. After that breakdown it gains back up and is what an New York indie band sounds like.
4. Hope We Survive: This song has a type of eastern feel to it. It is intresting that they would do that . I like that this is different from the rest of the album. I don't think it's one of those "Weird Songs" on the album

Over all this Ep deserves a 8/10. This has progressively grown on me. I respect it more than the first time through. It isn't anything that amazing, I just thought it was something I enjoyed. I don't think this deserves a 9 or a 10. An 8 is good enough. I do suggest that if you are willing to, listen to this.

These Animals Extended Play

These Animals are a band that I found out via FrostClick. These guys are a New York Indie Pop Quartet. I've heard this Ep a couple of times. I think that the album cover to this is something different. When I first saw it I though it was some type of African Song things. Well it turned out that I was wrong. Now here is the review before I get to descriptive. The thing is that these guys have this ep up for free on Last.fm and also on their website. This is worth downloading and I'll tell you why, or not.....

1. Side By Side: This is the first song I heard by these guys. The first time I heard I couldn't get it out of my head. The intro drum roll sounds awesome, along with the intro riff. Which is followed by the vocals and a bass riff. The chorus is what somewhat reminds me of MGMT. The song isn't very complex, but it is that style. The post-chorus piano fill sounds pretty cool. Just wish it was a couple seconds longer. This is definitely my favorite song off the extended play.
2. Miles...: This is the second track. I don't really know how I feel with this. The first time I heard this I really liked it. I still think the Christmas feel they give this song is cool, and the harmony vocals in the chorus, its just that... it gets old. There is a cool sounding guitar solo and sleigh bells ringing through the whole track
3. Pocket: This is another song that for me was good at first. Then It just got boring. The beginning of this song reminds me of All The Young Dudes by Mott The Hoople. This song also reminds me of Christmas at the chorus with the sleigh bells or the tambourine. This is a very pop song, almost too pop.
4. A Word At Sea: The intro arpeggios sound cool. They are reverbed or something, there is a different singer on the track. His vocals remind me of a distant cousin, vocals wise, or Roger Waters. But then the normal singer sings the pre-chorus and chorus. There is a type of solo in there
5. Ebb And Flow: The intro of this song reminds me of Paramore but it is soon over after the singer comes in to the picture. During the chorus there is a heavier drum build up that ultimantly dies. The lead guitar has a riff, but it just doesn't do it for me.
6. Four To The Floor: This is the longest track. Why do you do this to me. Oh wait.... the drums and the intro to this song are way different than the rest of the album? They incorporated more non-Christmas sounding songs. With a cool bass riff and a solid drums. And there are hand claps, with a cool riff in between the verses. This track has potential but for me it doesn't quite reach that level.

Over all I give this a 7.9/10, at first, but after revisiting this I'll give it a 5/10. I like this a lot, but it eventually gets boring. I like that it's only 25 minutes because if it was a full length album then it would be hard to listen to more than once through. I think it is for anyone who likes a more pop version of MGMT and mainstream. This also gave me an overall feeling of Chrismas songs. I honestly dislike Christmas music because how many times have you heard Jingle Bells. But this is an Ep that didn't last me that long, it might last you longer. PS they have another album called Souvenir Sessions, which I'll review... eventually.

¡Uno! - Green Day

This is the new Green Day album, titled ¡Uno!. It is also the first of three albums coming out between September, 2012 and January, 2013. I did this review, thought I'm not a Green Day fan, but because I knew it would be a quick review. And also I could check this new album out. This album was produced by Rob Cavallo. That guy also did Eisley's 2005 full length Room Noises, and Paramore's 2009 Brand New Eyes.

1. Nuclear Family: This album, thus far, isn't that bad. I don't really like or dig it, but It's not terrible. It's Green Day. It's Ok, I'm not obsessed with it. I don't think it's anything special.
2. Stay The Night: So far on this album this is more quiet than the Green Day I know. The one I know is more Punky, this is more like a 90's album, not really punk, but more like. I don't exactly know how to explain it. It's more toned down. It actually kind of reminds me a little of The Cure.
3. Carpe Diem: This song is, I could picture these songs being on the radio. But even if they weren't Green Day songs.
4. Let Yourself Go: This song starts out sounding a little like the song Highway Star off 1972's Machine Head by the legendary Deep Purple. I don't think the "Fuck" in this song is necessarily needed. But this song is louder and faster than the past 3.
5. Kill The DJ: This is such a stretch. This isn't really anything I could have pictured them doing. I guess it's a kind of funny song. But It's not at the same time. I think that it's a decent. But "Shoot The Fucking DJ". Seriously. :(
6. Fell For You: This song didn't really make up for the kind of disappointment from the last song.
7. Loss Of Control: WHY DO YOU SWEAR. ONLY SWEAR IF IT MAKES A FEELING OR BRINGS A POINT ACROSS. I LIKED YOU SWEARING ON AMERICAN IDIOT MORE THAN ON THIS! Songs like this ruin the power of a curse word.
8. Troublemaker: I could see this being a Weezer song. It's funny, they have a song titled Troublemaker off 2008's The Red Album.
9. Angel Blue: I'm not even going to take this song seriously. "Fucking"
10. Sweet 16: If he swears then I think that I might tune the rest of this album out. This song kind of reminds me of These Animals. Actually, this whole album reminds me of These Animals EP. That song wasn't terrible.
11. Rusty James: This song could be a song that some New York indie band made.
12. Oh Love: This is the last song. I don't care for this one much.

Overall I have to give this a 5/10. I feel like I will probably give any album by these guys that. I didn't really enjoy this, but I didn't not. I didn't really hate it. I read about this album, and what Billie Joe said about this album and he said that they were going for more of a Early Beatles and something else kind of sound. I can see that, in a way. But I don't like it because of that. Billie needs to wash his mouth out, or at least know how to swear for emotional reasons. Curse words are supposed to being forth an emotion. He didn't even come close to even showing an emotion with that word. Listen to Avenged Sevenfold's title track to the 2010 album Nightmare. It's not you're nightmare "Its Your Fucking Nightmare". There is emotion brought with the way he delivers that, but not Billie. It's almost like it wouldn't make a difference if he even swore or not. 

¡Dos! - Green Day

I think it's actually pretty funny. Why may you ask, we'll I forgot about the release date of this album. I went to pick up the Trilogy and Music From Another Dimension! and I see the new Green Day album, titled ¡Dos!. It is also the second of three albums coming out between September, 2012 and January, 2013. I did the review of the last one ¡Uno!, and I will probably do one of the next one ¡Tré!

1. See You Tonight: This is the intro to the album. It's like a minute and a half long. This song kind of reminds me a little of Sublime. Like on the 1998 compilation Acoustic: Bradley Nowell & Friends.
2. Fuck Time: Really?
3. Stop When The Red Light Flash: This song wasn't so bad, it kind of reminds me of Know Your Enemy off 2008's 21st Century Breakdown.
4. Lazy Bones: This is a decent song. I has this surfy vibe that I'm getting from the song. That might just be me, but that's kind of what I'm getting from this song. It also reminds me of These Animals EP.
5. Wild One: This song reminds me of a Weezer type of song. This is an Ok song. I could see it being on The Blue Album. So far this thing isn't pissing me off like the last one. Either that of Them Animals.
6. Makeout Party: I didn't really think anything special of this song.
7. Stray Heart: I could see this song being in a Christmas movie. The song's bass line totally reminds me of Jet's 2003 hit Are You Gonna Be My Girl, off Get Born.
8. Ashley: I actually couldn't tell the difference between this song and the next song.
9. Baby Eyes: This is a song I could see being in a Tony Hawk Pro Skater.
10. Lady Cobra: This song is another song I could see being in that game
11. Nightlife: This song is way different from the other songs. It has a vocal distortion on it making it sound more ';psychedelic''? There is also a girls voice. I think they were going for a dance floor song.
12. Wow! That's Loud: This is another song I could see being a Christmas song.
13. Amy: This song has like finger picked at the beginning. I think it's probably a song that most comparable to These Animals. This song isn't that terrible. I'm not crazy about it, but I think it's ok. It also has that Christmas vibe.

Overall I have to give this a 5/10. I don't like hating on this band, but I just wanted to give them chance. I liked this, but I flew by. Not in a goodway, but more of in a this is kind of boring way. I am going to do the next album though.

Try This At Home - Finding Fiction

This is an indie band from Brooklyn. I found out about these guys via FrostClick. The album cover looks pretty cool and mysterious. Like I am curious to see how this plays out. The cover of this kind of reminds me of The Weeknd's mix tape House of Balloons. Oh yeah, I posted this ten days after I started the initial review

1. Migraines & Sheep: This song isn't that bad. The way it starts out is pretty cool. This song gives me a feeling of that this is going to be a good listen. And that I have not made a mistake choosing to listen to this Ep. The only thing is this song kind of drags on. And it doesn't recover from that drag for me. The second time hearing this, ten days later, I think that it is a little better. The drag still goes on, but it's not as bad. This really reminds me of that band Fun. that I heard from the commercials on YouTube.
2. Panic Rooms: This song starts out, for me, not so hot. I really was hoping to get swipe off my feet, in order to make up for that drag of the last track. #This song is only like 13 seconds shorter than track one. This song is just, no other way to say this, Bad. The beginning of the song kind of sounds like a panic. This song kind of reminds of These Animals. The name of this song kind of reminded me of Coldplay's song Don't Panic off Parachutes.  
3. Weathermen: There is nothing that really appealed to me in this song. This is the longest song, only by a couple seconds, but still. I don't like this. This just has no appeal to me. I feel like this is just to repetitive for me to like. The vocals in the mix are to in there. It sounds like there it this wall and everything is trapped within that wall. And nothing can get passed that wall. Somethings are louder than others, but thats only because they are fighting stronger. And his vocals are also just have this echo to it to where I personally can't understand a word the singer is saying. That song was just... it just went on.
4. Dear Daylight: This song is ok  There is nothing that is overly amazing about this track but it is still decent. There is this thing in the background that sounds like this siren, and it just has this odd feel to it that makes it irritate me. It kind of gets on my nerves, and it just is irritating. There is also this feel to it, that reminds me like they want to try to sound like a band that I'm not super fimilar with, but The Cure. The songs off Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me remind me of this Ep. But it's like, they are failing at it. This song just doesn't grab me.

Over all  I give this a 4.2/10. I think that this kind of dragged on. It would of been so much better if it were shorter. Not to mention track two was just bad. I hope these guys make another Ep but make it a lot better than this one. It wasn't that fun of a listen, for me at least.This is a "very indie" band that would be on the radio. One that I tend to find that I like to stay away from. They don't really sound like anything that I've never heard before and liked. One plus to this is it's only 22 minutes, but that is killed by the fact that these song are not very good. They have another ep called Plastic & Change Ep, I hope that one's better than this one.

City By The Sound - The Sliders

I saw these guys through FrostClick. They are an Indie band from either New York or New Jersey, you can tell by the lyrics and the sound. I watched a video of these guys on the news and I didn't really like it that much. So I decided now to give the whole Ep a listen

1. The Sliders FrostWire Intro: I don't think that I need to give an explanation to this track.
2. City By The Sound: This is a notorious New York area indie band sound. These guys sound a little different and have more piano in it than most other I've heard but This isn't anything special. This song is ok, I think it is too upbeat. Like they try to be upbeat. And his voice sounds like it would be from Disney Channel. And the song sounds that way too. I can't stand the Disney Channel music and the way they make music.
3. Chasing After You: The vocals in the chorus of this song remind me of the vocals in the song Tempted by the UK band Squeeze. This song insn't band, I just don't really like it that much. I think that there is more of a newish feel to it? I don't really know how to better explain it.
4. Coming Around: This hurt this Ep. I didn't like the way it started out. The thing that keeps them from being another These Animals is the better quality and the vocals. Everything is basically the same. Yeah this song hurt this for me. I don't think there is a better explination. I like it, just not a ton.
5. Underground: This song is SHIT. I don't think that this does them any justice. The beginning of this says they are kids unground. Terrible idea, and it drives me nuts when they try to do that. I don't think that talking about being kids is a strong point of view. And it is so over used. In honesty the only bands that I think still make that idea work is Eisley and any project or thing that do with the DuPree family. The chorus has a break once and that part reminds me of Bang Carmaro's song Push Push (Lady Lightning) which is in Guitar Hero II. To top that thought there is a little bass riff, lasts seriously less than 5 seconds, that sounds like Bang Carmaro.
6. The Dreamer: This song isn't anything special either. I don't really think that there is much to say about this track, except the fact that it isn't impressive.

Over all I give this a 6.4/10. I liked it more than I did the first time. I'm not the biggest fan of this Ep but I think that it is decent. Someone else might like this more than I did, but that is really all there is to say. I wasn't very intrested in it, after the first two tracks. The vocals and the quality of the sound are the only thing that I think really differ from some other New York area indie bands I have reviewed. I would listen to, if they have another, album or ep by them. Its just under 20 minutes so if you want to give it a listen you should.

Crater Lake - Rogue Valley

This is a band that I found out via FrostClick, and as a part of my this for this month each Monday-Thursday will be a free download music, with the exception of anniversaries of albums, and Friday-Sunday will be music you have to purchase. This is by a band that has released 4 releases in the course of a year, this being the first (Hence the pale coloured ''I'' in the bottom right corner). No matter how this review turns out I will hope fully be reviewing their other 3 albums. Based off the album covers this seems like it's either a concept and each album is like a volume of it, or they just like using the same album covers. But based on the names of the other albums I could very easily see it being an intentional "Läther" type of thing. By that I mean it is the same album, just split into different releases, but these guys might of done a big quadruple album but released it separately into 4 albums. If so that makes sense these guys released their debut with "Crater Lake" and a debut album with 40+ songs (figure about 10-12 songs per average album) to take at once, especially if it is your first listen to a new band. I ultimately had to listen to this thing twice because I didn't think it was amazing but I could tell that 2 times through wouldn't be that bad. But you'll see why I could only do it once.

1. The Warming Moon: This song has an upbeat country type of feel to it. I think this song is ok it is in no way smazing but its ok. The vibe I get from this song hopefully does not foreshadow the rest of the album. If do then this wont be an amazing album. I think that the acoustic guitar in the back sounds cool. The thing is that "I've heard this before". 
2. Red River of the North: This song kind of reminds me of something Fleet Foxes-Esq but better quality recording. And also a little bit of These Animals, which self titled Ep I reviewed earlier. (You can find it by either clicking on the FrostClick link on the side or the Ep link on the side, or 2011 link). This isn't really anything that amazing so far. I have heard clips of a band called Fun. (there is a period in their name). And that sounds like something that would be on that album.
3. English Ivy: This song reminds me of a better quality High and Dry by the band Radiohead. I could see the being on 1995's The Bends, if they went back and rerecorded the songs for like a rerelease or something.
4. I-5 Love Affair: this song kinda of reminds me of the title track off Arcade Fire's 2010 The Suburbs. Just more of an acoustic version of this.
5. Hummingbird: when I first saw this song I thought of Neutral Milk Hotel. This could be a cover. I know they didn't write or record this song but that's what I think of. This is an ok son
6. Crater Lake: this reminds me of Coldplay. Espicslly the guitar and the vocals. And also Christmas music I'd hear at church. I'm not huge on Christmas music.c
7. Rope Swing Over Rogue Valley: this sounds like it it would be a song that I like. It just doesn't deliver enough or me to like it. It sounds like the rest of the songs I me.
8. Ursa Minor: this song is el samo
9. The Occidental Hotel: this is pretty much on the same boat as all the other songs.
10. The Planting Moon: I really have lost all interest in this album
11. Slack Water: why must there be more
12. El-Ay: I can honestly say that I spaced out at this song.

Overall I see this album as a 3/10. I think that I was expecting more out of it. It reminds me to much of Arcade Fire, Radiohead both of which I think are ok bands. I really like some indie music. The thing tough is that some indie bands sound too much alike. You can tell that this could be frustrating. This album is the kind of novelty music that I don't like.

Beneath California - Retox

This is the junior full length album by California's punk band RETOX. Now I've known about these guys since the announcement of the release of Ugly Animals Ep on Ipecac Records, back in 2011. I haven't yet heard all of YPLL which was their sophomore album released in 2013. Something I wanna try and do is do at least an album a month, for which it was released that month. Now I have a fair idea of what to expect on this album.

1. Die In Your Own Cathedral: The way this song starts out the album shows that if the songs are anything similar to this track it's a a lot of the same.
2. We Know Who's The Prick: This sticks to the angry punk noise sound that if you know them, you'll know.
3. The Savior, The Swear Word: I like the way the riff in the song kind of reminds me a little of a Mastadon song. I can't quite think of it but I'm gonna go with my gut and say Iron Tusk or Blood & Thunder.
4. Let's Not Keep In Touch: I like how this song kind of has a different rhythm to it than the last tracks.
5. Disappointing Grade: This is a song that I like, and I actually understand what he's saying.
6. The Inevitable End: This track doesn't really do much for me.
7. This Should Hurt A Little Bit: This is another track that doesn't do much for me.
8. Death Will Change Your Life: For whatever reason this track reminds me of the Dead Kennedys. At least the intro does a little of like Holiday In Cambodia. This track has enough variation within for me to dig it. I think it's the best track here, but you know... that's me.
9. Without Money, We'd All Be Rich: ...........
10. You're Only A Crook If You Get Caught: ............ While I was listing to this track I played my bass and honestly think I thought of a more interesting bass riff to play to this track, but who know. I like the tone of the bass on there though.
11. Wooden Nickels: This intro vaguely reminds me of the Sex Pistols' track Pretty Vacant.
12. Strong Wrong Opinion: I love the change of pace, this is a noise piece that I didn't expect.... well that is until that part ended. While I'm digging the track.... why not give me that noise piece. Or at least started and ended with it, or the continuation of it.

Overall I have to give this album a 5.5/10. It's only 22 minutes long, and to be honest the only real difference here is the lengths in tracks, but the tracks on their last album were longer too. I did end up liking this and song of the tracks here, but as a whole there were more parts that I just felt neutral on.I think I'll just stick to their Ep and Ugly Animals.

The 2nd Law - Muse

This is the new album by Alternative Band Muse. I like some of their stuff, especially their 2006 Black Holes & Revelations, and I like some other songs that I've heard. I haven't really yet dove into their discography. So I'm going to review this, because I'm curious to how it will sound, and how I like it. Example: I didn't think much of Radiohead, even after hearing the "AMAZING" 1995 album The Bends. But when I gave the different 2011 King of Limbs a try in March this year.... all I can say is I have a CD copy now, and I'm hoping to get a vinyl, and quite possibly like a cassette, and buy it digitally. It is one of my favorite albums ever. Period. So maybe this will do something like that for me. You never know, that's also why I listened to the new Green Day album ¡Uno!, Yeah, it wasn't that good.

1. Supremacy: I kind of think of like James Bond music, but more of like when Pierce Brosnan was Bond in the 90's. I could very easily see this being a James Bond theme. It would be one of the better one's. This has a very symphonic vibe to it. The one thing I'm not huge on is his falsetto in the song. But beside that, it's a solid tune. I don't know for sure what one, but I do know it would be a cool song for 2002's Die Another Day. Ah, the drums in the background are kind of like the 1963 From Russia with Love's theme by Matt Monroe.
2. Madness: At first listen I didn't think much of it. Then after a while, and not hearing it, I think that it's better. I read something and it said that this was influenced by Queen's 1984 song I Want to Break Free (which is one of my favorite queen songs). I can totally see how it is. It is kind of, basically, the same set up as the Queen song. I like this though, I think it grows with each listen. You should check out that Queen song if you like this one.
3. Panic Station: The beginning of this song is even more of an Queen vibe. Like 1977's Get Down Make Love, off News of the World and kind of mixed with Faith No More's early material, espically 1989's The Real Thing. Like the bass for the FNM thing. The Queen-esque vocals are uncanny. I like this song. It's pretty good. If the album keeps this up, then I think that it will be good, and it might make it one the same list as King of Limbs. The part right before the solo kind of reminds me of Peter Gabriel's 1988 song Sledgehammer off the album released that same year So. This is a very synthy song.
4. Prelude: FUCK! This song is pretty cool. It is pretty, and I could see it being in a soundtrack. And not being one of those shit songs, like a real song. This is an intro to a hell of a song.
5. Survival: I thought this song was kind of Ok, when I heard it before the album was released, but now I think it's only Ok. I don't think that it's as Epic as it could be. But then again also, after a few more listens it does become more "epic" so to say. I think it's a solid song, and it has a hell of an intro. There is like a choir singing along. This song is definatly much more enjoyable with head phones on. The first two times listening to this song though, I wished it wasn't so "long". And thought I could care less about the Olympics, I think this is a cool song for it.
6. Follow Me: This song kind of reminds me a little of my favorite song off King of Limbs, track 6, Codex. But it's more electronic and louder. That song kind of reminds me of Coldplay, and this song is kind of like a Coldplayish song. If that in any way makes sense. I can handle this type of dubstep, actually forget the Coldplay thing for this song. I like this song.
7. Animals: The bass line in this song is pretty sick. It's a smooth song. I think that the guitar sounds cool and I like the way it just is in general. I think that it kind of reminds me of a song on 2006's Black holes & Revelations, but I can't quite put my finger on it. There is like this yelling at the end of the song, I think it's an interesting ending.
8. Explorers: This song kind of starts out like a lullaby. The title of the song too is kind of like a lullaby too. This song really reminds me a ton of Radiohead, more so The King of Limbs, but this song gets louder. And it is not so looped sounding? I kind of wish I could write a song like this. I really like the instrumental part with the piano and the "ooohhhhsss". I think it's neat sounding. This album has so far slapped me.
9. Big Freeze: This song is kind of like a "reprise" of the last. Or at least like a new part. I hope that makes sense, because I can understand that. This song kind of reminds me of The Cure. Not the vocals, but the guitars and the upbeatness.
10. Save Me: I guess the bassist Chrisopher Wolstenholme sings this and track 11. He wrote both of them about his battle with alcohol. And, he isn't that bad of a singer. I kind of like his voice for this song. This song has an atmosphere to it. I like it, and I think it kind of gives a little variety. You aren't hearing Matt's voice the entire album. I like his voice, but a change is always good. The solo is probably my favorite, or almost, my favorite on the album. I love the guitars tone at that solo. And I like the end.
11. Liquid State: This is like part two. This and the last song were about the bassist's battle with alcohol. These two songs serve as like split personalities. Also I think this is the heaviest song on the album. I think the bass in this song is pretty solid and cool sounding. Chrisopher's voice kind of reminds me of Scott 
12. The 2nd Law: Unsustainable: I think that this is going to be an epic 9 minute finale. I hope that these two songs are pretty good. This is that song that was in the albums promo. I don't like this dubstep. :( Everything up until the dubstep part is pretty cool. Then it gets cool again and sick. But the dub hurts the fuck out of this song for me. It was like finding out the girl your like, who you think is a goody good two shoes, is not a virgin and has been around town.
13. The 2nd Law: Isolated System: I think that this is a proper ending to an album. A damn good one to. The strings and the electronics going together are just perfect. The beat is like a heartbeat. I'm getting excited and I don't know for what. Ok... wait for it.... and. I don't know how to explain this feeling. It's a hell of a feeling. Well all for sure I know is, I feel like I want to re listen to this thing. Maybe tomorrow chum, maybe tomorrow. :)

Overall I give this a 8/10. I think it's one of the best albums of this year, go out and buy this ASAP. This is, no questions, one of the best album's I've even heard this year. Not just released this year. The songs are so, so, I don't know how to explain it. This album, for me, is just like The King of Limbs. Now I'm gonna really checkout the other Muse stuff. Just get rid of track 12 on this album, or at least the dubstep breakdowns. One last thing, use headphones, it's better that way. Upon revisitation it's only probably about a 7.