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Review Rundown 140 or less By Brian Campbell  |
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This time out the Review Rundown will come to you in 140 characters or less. Well, not the whole thing, but you get the point. This is the “Who Gives a Tweet? Your review in 140 characters or less” edition of the RR.
It takes some brief (140 characters) looks at new releases from Above & Beyond, Mayday! Cried the Captain, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Kill Paradise, Motion City Soundtrack, Number One Gun, Greeley Estates, Annuals, Artist vs. Poet and Shurman.
File Under: Engrossing Trance Infused Electronica Goodness
Above & Beyond – “Anjunabeats Volume 7” (Ultra Records): An immersive assemblage of trance & electronica spanning 2 CDs & 28 tracks. Must have CD/DVD set led by tracks “Tonight” & “Anjunabeach.” (www.myspace.com/aboveandbeyond)
Grade: A
Go Download: Above & Beyond – “Anjunabeach,” Dirty Vegas – “Tonight” (Above & Beyond Mix)
File Under: Done to Death Synthy Electro-core
Mayday! Cried the Captain – “Mayday! Cried the Captain” EP (Unsigned): Lady Gaga “Just Dance” cover kicks ass. That’s the highlight here though. You’ve heard this all before, although it’s not actually that bad. (www.myspace.com/maydaycriedthecaptain)
Grade: C
Go Download: “Just Dance”
File Under: Ska, According to the Bosstones
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – “Pin Points and Gin Joints” (Big Rig Records): A Mighty Mighty Bosstones record infused with sheer grit & pure honest passion. It’s real. This isn’t just ska being played for ska’s sake. (www.bosstonesmusic.com)
Grade: A
Go Download: ‘The Route That I Took’
File Under: Electronically Fueled Powerpop
Kill Paradise – “The Second Effect” (BreakSilence Recordings): Passable electro-pop full of thumping beats & blissfully catchy songs that’s not up to snuff with genre peers Owl City, Breath Carolina. (www.myspace.com/killparadise)
Grade: C
Go Download: “Katie And I”
File Under: Mark Hoppus Produced Pop Rock
Motion City Soundtrack – “My Dinosaur Life” (Columbia): A borderline average record from a band that’s been in steady decline since 2005. It’s just OK, not great. ‘Pulp Fiction’ is a saving grace. (www.motioncitysoundtrack.com)
Grade: C+
Go Download: ‘History Lesson’
File Under: Experimental Christian Rock
Number One Gun – “To the Secrets and Knowledge” (Tooth & Nail): Come for the flawless cover of Journeys ‘Don’t Stop Believing,’ stay for the complex Kaddisfly-esque synth laden atmospherics like ‘Try It.’ (www.myspace.com/numberonegun)
Grade: B-
Go Download: ‘Look to Pass’
File Under: Heavy Band Bringing the Heavy
Greeley Estates – “No Rain, No Rainbow” (Tragic Hero): Has Greeley Estates ever sounded this earth-shattering? This ear-blisteringly superb? In short, no. These 12 songs are their best yet. (www.myspace.com/greeleyestates)
Grade: B
Go Download: ‘Swim for Your Lives’
File Under: Sugary Sweet Powerpop with a Cherry on Top
Artist vs. Poet – “Damn Rough Night” (Fearless): 4 incredibly catchy tunes with big infectious hooks as spotless as a clear blue sky. New song from “Favorite Fix” on here too. Check it! (www.myspace.com/artistvspoet)
Grade: B
Go Download: ‘Rescue’
File Under: Experimental New-Wave Indie
Annuals – “Sweet Sister” EP (Terpsikhore Records): Near label-less indie from Raleigh, NC that mingles progressive elements of dream pop & shoegaze. Its pretty transcendent & full of bounce. (www.annualsmusic.com)
Grade: B
Go Download: ‘Flesh and Blood’
File Under: Texas Sized Singer/Songwriter Rock & Roll
Shurman – “Still waiting for the Sunset” (Sustain/Republic): Shurman’s latest is pure American rock’n’roll in every sense of the word – a dozen true songs full of passion, infused with an indie spirit. (www.myspace.com/shurman)
Grade: B
Go Download: ‘Country Just Ain’t Country’
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