Reverie Sound Revue

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When I can't find music to listen to, I always resort to Reverie Sound Revue. This band is good listening. Reverie Sound Revue's music is so smooth, so dream-like, and rich in tones that it questions your state of consciousness. Those clean guitar arrangements could put anyone in a better mood. Keep in mind that the writing was accomplished without any of the members being in the same room. The band members each live across different parts of Canada, so creating music through emails was actually a very practical thing to do. Unfortunately, that means that there is no chance to see these people live; the band members even say it on their website. That does not mean you can't enjoy their LP and EP. In addition, listeners should also check out their acoustic videos on their website. It really gives a different take on some of their songs. The singer, Lisa Lobsinger, delivers clear and mesmerizing sounds that are almost as if she is whispering at you. If you're interested in seeing her live, she tours with Broken Social Scene most of the time; go see their show! If it is music to listen to in the rain, music to listen to when your sad, or music to listen to for the sake of just getting lost, then Reverie Sound Revue is perfect.

Check them out at http://www.reveriesoundrevue.net/

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

Systems Officer

It is Friday and you know what that means!!? Actually, I am not really sure what that means, but I am sure you readers do? Friday could mean a bunch of things, so I am not going to try and guess what you people are thinking, geese! That was a joke, people. Enough romance, last post I had talked about discovering Montalban Quintet at a Systems Officer concert. Well, now it is time to actually talk about my experience with Systems Officer! This band is a solo project of Armistead Burwell Smith IV aka Zach Smith, who also is in a few great San Diego based bands, like Pinback and Three Mile Pilot. Systems Officer has the same feel as Pinback, but I would say it feels more emotional. Upon seeing Zach play live, it was obvious that these songs are played with real emotion. Not that his other bands are not played like that; I am sure they are. The reason it is probably a little different because this is all Zach, not just Zach and the rest of Pinback or Three Mile Pilot. It is very focused and has that classic Zach Smith sound to it. All I could think about during the show was, "man, this guy is one of the most talented musicians I have ever seen live." This guys takes the bass guitar and takes it to a whole other level. When you listen to Systems Officer, you are thinking that most of the sounds came from an electric guitar when actually it was mostly done with just bass. Zach's bass playing changes my whole view on how songs can be arranged; however, I am not here to talk about song structure, so I will just leave that one alone. Not only is Zach an excellent bass player, he is also one of the coolest, most down to earth people I have had the pleasure to meet. I came up to him before the show and talked about how I have seen his other band, Pinback a bunch of times. Seriously, I probably have seen Pinback ten times within the past 5 years. He did not seem annoyed or bored when I talked to him, which was a great feeling. He said that he was excited to finally get the band (Systems Officer) on tour for the first time, and that he looks forward to keep moving on with both Pinback and Systems Officer. Towards the end of our conversation he stated that he really appreciates having such a loyal fan base, and as long as people are willing to come out and see him, then he will continue to make music. It is obvious Zach Smith is still loves playing music. When he is on stage, you can tell he is passionate about the music. Enough romance, Systems Officer has an EP, a full length album, Underslept, and he is currently writing a new album due out next summer. Go out and get Systems Officer, it is one of the few good bands out there!

You can purchase Systems Officer music at  http://temporaryresidence.com/