Friday, September 28, 2007

Seriously, why?

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So, I enjoyed Dashboard Confessional back in the day when it was JUST Chris Carrabba going at it alone. It was interesting at first when the full band sound came into play. Back when he re-recorded a few old songs with a full band for the "The Places.." LP and the very enjoyable "Summers Kiss" EP.

I have since given up on the band. I don't hate them, they just no longer appeal to me. The full band sound just takes away from what made Dashboard a stunner in the first place.

Minutes ago I became aware that they have a new album coming out next week, which shocks me a bit since they just released an album last year. I never gave the last one a chance. I did download it from eMusic, and i will probably download this one from eMusic. At leat the cover art catchs my attention.

Sigur Ros Hlemmur Limited Edition

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Sigur Ros have a few releases on the horizon. A double ep entitled "Hvarf/Heim" on November 6th which will be great im sure. It contains new tracks as well as new recordings of old songs from Von. On another note, in August Sigur Ros released an ep/dvd called Hlemmur. It was limited to 3000 copies, all of which are numbered. Its bound in a nice book and contains 48 pages of sketches by the band. The only downside is that it will cost you $80 and that is not including shipping. However, can you really put a price on such a rare piece from such an amazing band? I know this release is one of those items that will be selling on eBay for $300 next year.

You can buy the regular edition of the same set for $20.

Check it out if you get a chance.

http://shop.sandbag.uk.com/SigurRos/Store/DisplayIndividualItem.html?ID=1495&CatID=3&ShopID=0

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Digital Vinyl

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For years the enjoyment of buying the vinyl format of your favorite new album was always burdened by having to purchase a copy of that same album in the boring and worthless compact disc format as well. Over the past year or so, record companies have begun to realize the popularity that the vinyl format still holds for many fans and collectors. As you may know, some of these companies have started to package a free mp3 album download code with the purchase of the vinyl. Some have even gone as far as to include an actual cd in a paper sleeve, tucked inside the vinyl sleeve, as was the case this year with the Wilco release "Blue Sky Blue". In most cases, these vinyl albums that include a download ticket usually cost the same as the cd format alone would cost you, but possibly $2-$3 more than the cd.

In this digital age, most of us no longer care to own a cd. We're content with files. On our computer and in our cars. If you buy a new cd, you are almost sure to watch it drop in value from the day you purchase it for $12, until the day you cant get rid of it for $2. Vinyl records on the other hand almost never loose their value. Most increase in value over the years due to small quantities and limited runs.

So Ive decided to try and keep track of as many indie albums as I can that are released on vinyl and include a free digital album download ticket. People should know.

First up:

Matt Pond PA - Last Light 2xLP with FREE digital download - $15.99 at insound.com. The CD is $13.99.

A few others so far this year...

Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
The New Pornographers - Challengers
The Shins - Wincing The Night Away

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

...Defense

The new single from Say Anything entitled "Skinny Mean Man" was just posted online the other day. I was really looking forward to taking a listen, and today I did just that. It left me very unimpressed, which was honestly what I had already braced myself for.

Coming off of 2004's "...Is A Real Boy", Say Anything are about to drop "In Defense of The Genre" on October 23rd. A highly anticipated double album. "...Is A Real Boy" is nothing short of a classic. Its one of the most interesting and unique albums you will ever hear. "...Defense" was for some reason dragged out into a double album. Perhaps due to the many years that have gone by while the band has slowly broken into stardom. Personally I feel like double albums are a great risk for any band. Even a good double album can be broken down in to one polished record. Spanning 27 tracks, "...Defense" is up against many great challenges.

1. It's a double album. I already stated my reasons.
2. It's a sophomore album. Not to mention the follow up to the outstanding "...Is A Real Boy". No matter how good "...Defense" is, it's going to be compared to Boy, which is impossible to top.
3. It was written and recorded by a full band, as oppose to ...Is A Real Boy, which ran on only the fuel of Max Bemis. And not that his band is bad, the band is great. I just wonder how this will change the sound. Dash(cough)board.
4. Major label publicity. This band is no longer the secret they were back in August of 2004.

So, all in all, I can't wait to hear the new album. I have no doubt that its going to be great. "Skinny Mean Man" let me down a bit, but hopefully it will grow on me. Obviously I will give it another chance.

Top Albums Through September

01..The Stage Names - Okkervil River
02..Easy Tiger - Ryan Adams
03..Yours To Keep - Albert Hammond, Jr
04..Boxer - The National
05..Ga, Ga, Ga, Ga, Ga - Spoon

06..Wincing The Night Away - The Shins
07..Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer - Of Montreal
08..Young Modern - Silverchair
09..Neon Bible - The Arcade Fire
10..Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters - The Twilight Sad

11..Nighttiming - Coconut Records
12..New Magnetic Wonder - Apples In Stereo
13..A Weekend In The City - Bloc Party
14..Because Of The Times - Kings Of Leon
15..Scream & Light Up The Sky - The Honorary Title