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Even though I decided to call my site “The Music Snob”, I don’t spend much of my time complaining about things or giving bad reviews.  My posts have been for the most part positive.  Truth is, I don’t have a lot of time for the site, and I prefer to spend it on the artists and albums that inspire me.  So, if you are looking for shitty band bashing, you probably won’t find it here.  I prefer to think the snobbery comes out in what I don’t talk about.  Additionally I don’t seek out things that I know I’m not going to enjoy… I do however occasionally come across a release that completely disappoints me.

The newest from The Flaming Lips is unfortunately one of those and I feel the need to relay how that much that pains me.  Although I don’t have much exposure to the pre-Zaireeka releases except maybe their mid 90′s pinnacle Transmissions from a Satellite Heart, both The Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots are sonically adventurous, emotionally abstract pop records that I found exciting and extremely compelling.  This album however I found to be lacking of much real substance and finds the band leaning more towards jammy sonic putzery.  Granted the the Lips take their sound experiments to a new level on this release, creating some very interesting sonic textures to bounce around in your head.  I also really like the cover art.  What they are missing in my opinion is any pop or interesting lyrical elements.  It honestly sounds to me like they just ran out of anything interesting or creative to say and so they just decided to fuck around for over an hour.  As you can see from my track by track review above there are also no stand out tracks, they just didn’t give me anything to hold onto with this release.  In addition to my disappointment with this album is my surprise that I seem to be the only one that doesn’t like it.  You take a look around at the music press and you will find mostly positive reviews.

Don’t take my word for it, check out the album below in its entirety.  If embedded content does not appear follow this link.

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A great surprise of a debut album by this 4 piece Indie Rock group from Denton Texas.  The album has a great mix of barn-burners, slower tunes, and lo-fi numbers.  Absolutely Brilliant.   The group is led by Guitarist/Singer Will Johnson and is only one weapon in his arsenal of sonic assault.  Additionally you can find quite a few releases under the Centro-Matic banner, a handful of albums from the slower South San Gabriel, and two solo full lengths from Johnson himself if you are interested in expanding your knowledge of his work.  I highly recommend it.

Check out the album below.  If you do not see the embedded playlist below, follow this link.

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A more concise, direct, and vocally clear effort than their first two albums. The Austin TX bands 3rd full length features shorter songs and less instrumental preludes.  This is Indie Rock at its most hypnotic, beautiful and droned out.  I personally prefer the later releases, but this is where you start feel band starting to find their place.

Check out the album below in its entirety, if embedded content does not appear follow this link.

]]> http://the-music-snob.net/2009/09/album-review-american-analog-set-the-golden-band-1999/feed/ 0 http://the-music-snob.net/2009/06/album-review-the-lonely-island-incredibad-2009/ http://the-music-snob.net/2009/06/album-review-the-lonely-island-incredibad-2009/#comments Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:52:38 +0000 Matt Moeller http://the-music-snob.net/?p=633

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Most will probably already know of the existance of some of these songs through the “Digital Shorts” on Saturday Night Live.  The ones that are responsible for such ridiculous fun are SNL cast member Andy Samberg, and his friends from all the way back in Junior High:  Jorma Taccone, and Akiva Schaffer.  Not exactly the most highbrow sophisticated comedy out there but it doesn’t matter because it’s fucking hilarious.  Definitely a fun listen… in addition to the classics such as “Dick In A Box” and “Lazy Sunday” you will find funny tracks like “Santana DVX” featuring rapper E-40, “Sax Man” featuring Jack Black, and one of my favorites the “Normal Guy” interlude.

You will find the tracks above that were produced as Digital Shorts are linked to the video on Hulu.com.  Also check out the most recent Lonely Island jam – the uncensored version of “Motherlover” featuring Justin Timberlake here.

Check out the album below in its entirety, if embedded content does not appear follow this link.

Rating:	Track:	Sound Code:	Track Title:	Length:
*****	1.	M	French Navy	3:19
****	2.	M	The Sweetest Thing	4:22
*****	3.	M	You Told A Lie	3:44
*****	4.	M	Away With Murder	4:07
****	5.	M	Swans	4:07
***	6.	M	James	3:50
**	7.	M	Careless Love	4:35
***	8.	M	My Maudlin Career	4:19
****	9.	M	Forests And Sands	4:16
***	10.	ML	Other Towns And Cities	3:59
*****	11.	M	Honey In The Sun	5:44

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The 4th full length release from this brilliant Scottish Indie Pop 5 piece.  Another bunch of great 60′s influenced mournful/joyous love songs sang by vocalist Tracyanne Campbell.  Another one of my favorites from this year.

Check out the album below in its entirety, if the embedded content does not appear follow this link.

ating:	Track:	Sound Code:	Track Title:	Length:
****	1.	M	Legal Tender	2:53
****	2.	M	Evangeline	3:42
*****	3.	MH	Talking Hotel Arbat Blues	2:43
*	4.	M	(Passport Kontrol)	1:26
*****	5.	M	All We Want, Baby, Is Everything	3:11
****	6.	MH	I’m Confused	3:38
***	7.	M	(White City)	1:29
**	8.	M	Nyet Spasiba	4:21
***	9.	M	Officer of Heart	5:47
***	10.	MH	Thy Will Be Done	3:18
*****	11.	MH	Radio Kaliningrad	4:53

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The second release from this Indie/Synth Pop duo made up of husband and wife team Dan Boeckner & Alexei Perry.  You may recognize the vocals as this is a side project to Dan’s main enterprise the Canadian Indie Rock group Wolf Parade.  This release is among my top 5 so far this year.  It took me a little to warm up the synth background but after a few listens I marveled at the singer’s ability to convey emotions against the artificial background.

Check out the album below in its entirety, if embedded content does not appear follow this link.

Rating:	Track:	Sound Code:	Track Title:	Length:
****	1.	MH	Help I’m Alive	4:47
*****	2.	MH	Sick Muse	4:18
****	3.	M	Satellite Mind (FCC)	3:43
***	4.	M	Twilight Galaxy	4:54
*****	5.	MH	Gold Guns Girls	4:06
***	6.	M	Gimme Sympathy (FCC)	3:55
*****	7.	M	Collect Call	4:46
***	8.	MH	Front Row	3:35
****	9.	M	Blindness	4:27
****	10.	MH	Stadium Love	4:13

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The 4th full length release from this Toronto based Indie Pop 4 piece fronted by sometimes Broken Social Scene member Emily Haines.  One of my favorite albums from 2009 so far.

Check out the album below in its entirety, if embedded content does not appear follow this link.

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Highly publicized as R.E.M.’s return to ROCK, in the tradition of Monster (although the material is much better).  This is the veteran modern rock bands 14th full length release.  Stipe wrestles with varying subject matter including gay rights in America in several songs and the Michael Richards racist tirade.   Overall a pretty solid release, although I didn’t find as many great tracks just a lot of decent tracks.

Check it out below, if embedded content does not appear follow this link.

I was a late adopter to Lily’s debut record Alright, Still… but no matter your stance on popular music it has got some charm.  Here is my review of her newest.  See the explanation of my reviews here.

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Not a great outcome, but I’m not one expect you to take my word for it.  Listen below and make your own mind up.

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If you have any questions about the review, read the explanation of all the elements here.

Listen to the stand out tracks below.