Judgement Day and the Polar Shift

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I went to a Pinback concert at The El Rey Theater last week, and boy was it awesome. It was especially awesome this time around because I FINALLY got to see Judgement Day live, who opened for Pinback, and they did NOT disappoint. Judgement Day are an amazing three piece string metal band from Oakland, California. The band members consist of brothers Anton and Lewis Patzner, along with Jon Bush on drums. I'm usually not a huge fan of metal bands. I don't know why, but I just never got into it. However, Judgement Day's violently distorted violin and cellos have turned me into a fan. They had so much energy and musical savior faire that it was impossible not to jump up and down in excitement. Their new LP Polar Shift just came out a few months ago, and I suggest you go pick it up!

You can purchase their albums here: http://www.stringmetal.com/judgementday/

Obits- Moody, Standard and Poor

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It's New Years Eve and I thought I'd put up some good listening to celebrate. Obits are a rock band that originally formed in Brooklyn. The band consists of Rick Froberg (from Pitchfork and Drive Like Jehu!) and Sohrab Habibion,  from the band Edsel. I guess they could be considered either indie rock or garage punk, probably some hybrid of the two would be more sufficient. They are playing a couple of shows in January, so check out their website for tour dates. Anyway, Obits' two albums I Blame You and Moody, Standard and Poor are both some really good records, so please give these guys a listen.


You can purchase their album here: http://www.obitsurl.com/




  

NEW Pinback:Information Retrieved!!!

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Well, after five long years, Pinback is back with a whole new album, Information Retrieved. Pinback consists of band members Rob Crow and Zach (ABSIV) Smith, both of which I talk about all the time on this site because they are constantly keeping busy with not just Pinback but other side projects as well. This band is so great because these two people are so different, yet they are able to make some of the best music that is  released today. Rob's vocals and unusually catchy guitar arpeggios are always cryptic, yet very clear.. Zach is by far the best bass player out there. I see this band live at least twice a year, and seeing Zach play is amazing. What most people would need two bass players to do, Zach can do without breaking a sweat. Listen to Glide for an example. Being a San Diego native, just like Rob and Zach, listening to Pinback makes me feel like I am at home. With songs like Proceed to Memory, Drawstring, Glide, Sherman, and True North, it is an excellent way to start the fall season.


Purchase their stuff from http://temporaryresidence.com/artists/pinback

Apparatjik Square Peg In a Round Hole

You've probably heard of the band Coldplay; you've probably heard of A-ha; hell, you readers have all heard me talk about Mew, but you probably haven't heard of the super-band, Apparatjik!
Apparatjik consists of a member from each of those bands. Believe me when I say this, I would not imagine such a diverse group of people to create such cool, electrifying hits. They sound electric, with an intensifying echo (I know that's contradictory) of the amazing Jonas Bjerre. Not quite Mew or any of the other bands these members are in, but they definitely have a different sound than most bands. Their new album Square Peg In A Round Hole came out about a month or two ago. It's really great! Give it a shot and stuff!

You can purchase their stuff here: http://apparatjik.com/

Geographer

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It's been some time since I posted something, and occasionally that will happen. You know, everyone gets busy. Enough romance, Geographer released their new single Life of Crime last week, and it is pretty good listening. Mixing electronic and alternative music into something more meaningful, Geographer can either make you wanna dance or ruminate. The electric drums, used in most of their songs, almost always sound great when listening with large headphones.  Anyway, their single is really something else. Look for their new album Myth, due to come out sometime this year.


You can listen to the new single or buy their previous albums below.

http://www.geographermusic.com/kites/

M83 rings it in again

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Very few bands can come out with a new album that is so big and small at the same time. M83 does this...TWICE! M83's new double album, Hurry up, We're Dreaming is an album that definitely requires more than one listen. The numerous synths, drums, strings, and SAXOPHONE...are so well mixed into this album that sometimes you miss some stuff going on. I have listened to both discs about 4 times each, and even now I am finally beginning to catch stuff that I did not catch before. Anthony Gonzalez, who is the sole member of M83, is a true artist. Each disc is supposed to be based on the views of a brother and sister. The two albums mirror each other that way. For instance, Midnight city and New Map are supposed to be the same concept but through the eyes of a brother and sister. Pretty deep stuff, right? Very few bands out there can go into detail like this album, and Anthony Gonzalez did this TWICE! He uses unorthodox methods, like having the lyrics to a song be a little girl telling a story about frogs, to create some really interesting, happy sounds. Unlike his earlier albums, Gonzalez is really bringing in more of his own voice with this record. The unique sounds at the beginning of Midnight City, people? Yeah, that was done with just his voice. Enough romance, M83's new album is one of the better albums to be released this year. Go out and get it today.

You can pick up a copy at www.ilovem83.com