December 2011
30 posts
3 tags
Bruce Springsteen - "Darkness On The Edge Of Town"
This is The Boss’s best album. It’s all the way through solid and has a collective sound. Every song is a classic. It’s got one of the toughest songs Bruce has ever written with “Adam Raised A Cain”. I feel like this was also where he found his sound with The E Street Band. I could very well be my favorite Springsteen album. I purchased this at Pop’s Resale...
6 tags
Bruce Springsteen - "Born To Run"
One of the most exciting and electric albums of all time for me. It includes quite possibly my favorite tracks from the Boss (“Thunder Road”) as well as some of the best of The E Street Band (“Tenth Avenue Freeze Out”, “Born To Run”, & “Jungleland”). The album is a double gatefold and was purchased for me by my father on my birthday. The...
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The Used - "Artwork"
This is my least favorite album from The Used. I found this for dirt dirt cheap while checking out LA’s Rockaway Records. Sometimes the price sells you with vinyl. There are worse albums.
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The Used - "In Love And Death"
The Used’s second album was possibly their best. After a game changing debut album inspired The Refused, the used embraced their pop and artistic leanings. This album got alot of play from me and it’s nice to have it on vinyl. Not just any vinyl, we’re talking picture disc vinyl. Check out a picture below.
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Two Tongues - "Two Tongues"
A meeting of the minds. Two crazy minds that is. Max Bemis and Chris Conley. All the pop filled angst reaches a whole new level when their bands Say Anything and Saves The Day meet up. It’s packaged in a cool picture disc with artwork from Max’s wife, Sherri Dupree (she’s in Eisley). Check out the cool picks below.
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TV On The Radio - "Nine Types Of Light"
Nine days after Nine Types Of Light was released, TV On The Radio’s bassists Gerard Smith passed away from lung cancer. I purchased this album on The Record Store Day 2011 Black Friday sale at Shake-It Records. This is the band’s most modest and earnest album. Their tendencies to blaze their own trail subsides at times for glimpses of Prince. Check out exactly what I’m...
2 tags
Frank Turner - "Love Ire & Song"
I’ve never been in an English Pub, but thanks to Frank Turner I’ve heard enough stories to make me feel like I have. Frank Turner blends English nationalism and punk rock roots to weave songs filled with heart and fun. It’s hard not to like this dude. Especially when the vinyl comes in a clear red. And remember “After all the loving and the fighting/the heroes and the...
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Tokyo Police Club - "Champ"
I’ll be honest, I obsessed over Champ. I could stop myself from playing it. The album is sugary and sprawling compared to Elephant Shell. From open to close, Tokyo Police Club wrote an album that doesn’t lose your interest. It’s the kind of album that bums you out after it’s over. A well deserved win for Tokyo Police Club. The album is a double gatefold with an...
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Tokyo Police Club - "Elephant Shell"
I didn’t want to give this band a chance. They confused me for some reason. I thought they were English (they have a song called “Your English Is Good”). After not being able to escape this band and their heavy emphasis on bass guitars, I was hooked. There is something about a band leaded by a bassists that really gets me excited. I purchased this on Record Store Day 2011...
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Titus Andronicus - "The Monitor"
“The Enemy Is Everywhere” is chanted throughout Titus Andronicus’ The Monitor. Which was one of the best records released in 2010. It’s an epic compared to their debut. It’s a loose concept album based around the Civil War and even includes speeches from Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. If you aren’t into that then check out the drunken country tune...
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Titus Andronicus - "The Airing Of Grievances"
If their band name doesn’t wierd you away or their ear drum shattering live shows don’t make you run in fear, Titus Andronicus is highly recommended. I’ve seen them live numerous times. They are show stealers. Lead Singer and Guitarist, Patrick Stickles, makes this band grand. Try not to get excited after the first 30 seconds of “Fear And Loathing In Mahwah, NJ”....
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Thrice - "Major/Minor"
Major/Minor is a pure continuation from Beggars. This album feels entirely like Thrice even though it’s unlike them to release a similar sounding album. After listening to “Anthology”, it feels like more like an epilogue. The release is a double gatefold 2LP in a clear with blue splatter vinyl. Included is lyric sheet and 2 album sleeves with song descriptions from the band...
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Thrice - "Beggars"
Thrice is well known for always evolving their sound. Beggars feels like the culmination of all of their previous albums. It very well be my favorite for this reason. Included is a 12 page booklet that consists of art, lyrics, and song explanations from all four members. The album was inspired by Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. Around the time the album was released, I saw the movie for The...
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This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb - "Front Seat Solidarity"
I found out about this band after a bike with their sticker was destroyed by a bomb squad at Ohio University. I’m glad police are dumb. I found this folk punk album at Omega Music quickly after their opening. It’s a very limited release and is said to be out of print. The vinyl is purple with black and white splatter.
4 tags
This Charming Man - "Every Little Secret..."
Before The Gaslight Anthem, they were This Charming Man. After members left, Brian Fallon recruited what would become The Gaslight Anthem. This is an extremely limited release, so much that I read Brian Fallon didn’t even know this was being released. The album comes in a clear maroon vinyl. The album sounds like less aggressive version of The Gaslight Anthem. Fallon hasn’t found...
6 tags
Tenacious D - "The Pick Of Destiny"
A prized posession. I was a huge fan of this unfairly underrated movie. It’s like a trippy and goofy metal version of the Blues Brothers. I purchased this at Gem City Records. If you have not seen this movie or maybe you have, you should probably give it another chance. Enjoy this video for the title track “Pick Of Destiny”
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Teenage Bottlerocket - "They Came From The...
Teenage Bottlerocket is the resurgence of punk rock for me. They’ve managed to keep it alive the popular sound of 90’s skate punk without feeling tired or used. If you don’t believe me, I present you exhibit A: “Skate Or Die” . The album gains variety from it’s multiple lead singers. Enjoy one of the funniest animated music videos I’ve seen for the song...
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Tegan And Sara - "Sainthood"
If The Con was intimate and stripped down, than Sainthood is edgy and electric. This album is a sonic leap forward from the quite of their previous album. The album was produced by Death Cab For Cutie’s Chris Walla and features 2 songs co-written by AFI’s Hunter Burgan. The release came with a cd version of the record.
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Tegan And Sara - "The Con"
Twins! They say twins develop their own language between each other and can even read each other’s thoughts. The Con is scientific proof that this exists. Tegan & Sara put their emotions on display through blatantly honest lyrics, harmonize their vocals, and duel their guitars as if sharing one mind. They created an intimate and amazing album. The vinyl release came with a cd version....
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Taking Back Sunday - "New Again"
My least favorite effort from the Taking Back Sunday. I say this because it does not live up to their previous releases. So why do I own this? Because there are amazing songs (“Sink Into Me”) and great lyrics (inspired by Adam Lazarra’s short lived marriage). But with Fred quitting and barely being replaced, the album falls short.
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Taking Back Sunday - "Louder Now"
On Louder Now, the new additions are more apparent than on Where You Want To Be. The songs lean more to rock than emo at times. It started to feel like they didn’t need John Nolan as much if they had his replacement, Fred Mascherino.
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Taking Back Sunday - "Where You Want To Be"
After John Nolan and Shaun Cooper left the band, TBS wasn’t the same. It was hard to deny Adam Lazarra and the new line up. They new how to write great rock songs. I’m glad I own this. It comes in an open sleeve in a clear blue vinyl.
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Taking Back Sunday - "Tell All Your Friends"
One of my all time favorite albums. I was very excited to find this on vinyl. It comes in a clear purple color. This album had a big influence on me in high school. It holds up well and is just as awesome to play in on vinyl as it was riding around in my ‘89 Crown Victorian in high school. I thought for years that I would never see the original line up live or play together again. So...
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The Swell Season - "Strict Joy"
After the huge success of Once, The duo continued to create music together even after their love relationship ended. Strict Joy consists of the lovely heartfelt music of their previous work. The Swell Season shred their stripped down sound for a more growing organic full band sound. The album is a double gatefold 2LP with an engraved Side D. Enjoy the very wet video for “Low Rising”...
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The Swell Season - "The Swell Season"
Before the break out Oscar winning movie Once, Glen Hansard and Market Irglova came together to create these tunes (some even appear in the movie). Including the amazing “Falling Slowly”. Enjoy the video for the Best Original Score winning song below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8mtXwtapX4&ob=av3n
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The Swellers - "Good For Me"
The Swellers know how to pay homage to the punk rock sound. I can’t help but appreciate how they do it. Never once does the band seem to rehash old punk song structures or anything of that nature. Instead they mature the sound into a legitimate rock band similar to that of the Foo Fighters. The vinyl comes in a straight foward clear color just like their sound.
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Surfer Blood - "Astro Coast"
I’ve never seen a more apropriate band name than Surfer Blood and their surf rock influence. This one gets a lot of spins, because this album is unrelenting with no fillers and amazing guitar work. It comes in double gatefold with a fitting clear blue vinyl. Check out this far out video for “Swim”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLirPtagSoM&ob=av2n
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The Strokes - "Angles"
I was never a fan of The Strokes early in their career. I purchased their return album at Omega Music for Record Store Day at 2011. It comes in a double gatefold. The sound that The Strokes create here is less of dirty rock ‘n roll of past albums, but one that’s focused on 80’s dance grooves. I guess I’m a fan now, it’s too fun of a record not to be.
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STKFKR - "Reptilians"
I had an urge. An urge to dance and enjoy light 80’s inspired dance pop. Thank you STKFKR (you figure out what that stands for or read the album cover). I purchased this at Omega Music and the release includes a mini poster of the album cover. Gotta love those Pterodactyls.
6 tags
Steel Train - "Steel Train"
I went to Brick Street near the campus of Miami University to see Steel Train and fun. My girlfriend and I had an awesome time. I picked up their self-titled album after falling in love with the band and their previous album Trampoline. I got to see the band celebrate the one year anniversary of the album by playing it in it’s entirety. The album is a double gatefold with clear blue...