Codes and Keys

Death Cab For Cutie finally released their much anticipated album "Codes and Keys" yesterday, 8 days earlier then previously stated. Much of what I read before listening to the album, said that Death Cab was showing the maturation of a growing band. So after reading that and hearing their first single "You are a Tourist," which I was less then impressed with, I didn't really know what to expect. I was pretty excited to hear all of the new tracks last night when they were all available to the public...

Is it bad if I thought this album wasn't anything special? I don't think my previous love for Death Cab and excitement for a new album will really outweigh my disappointment. It's difficult with past albums that had singles like, "When Soul Meets Body" "Crooked Teeth" or "I Will Possess Your Heart." "You are a Tourist" just didn't cut it for me. Although it may sound like I hate this album, I still think that the music is great, it just doesn't stand up to their past work. I would relate it eating at your favorite restaurant and ordering your favorite dish. When it isn't exactly the way you like it, it isn't horrible but just doesn't live up to your expectation.

It may be that I just want the angst ridden Death Cab that produced "What Sarah Said" or "Cath." As Gibbard and band mates seek to discover new musical endeavors together, they seem to leave behind what made them Death Cab in their past albums. What seems to be a more musically focused album, the lyrics of some songs are elementary at best. Such as "Some Boys"


Some boys are filling, some boys are filling the hole
Some boys are sleeping, some boys are sleeping alone

Now, there is a good chance in the next two or three weeks after my 15th time through the album that I'll miraculously fall in love with it, just as everyone else. But until then I think this just goes on the shelf as a good album, that could have been better.

"Monday Morning" is one of the songs on the album that I do like a lot...take a listen, No matter the writing Ben Gibbard's voice is always pretty awesome.

Bon Iver, Bon Iver: Review

It is easy for any fan of Bon Iver's music to know that Justin Vernon is not only a musical genius, but a stellar writer/lyricist. While listening to the sophomore album, Bon Iver, one can't help but notice the transformation from just a delicate weeping voice heard in Emma and Blood Bank EP to a mature artistic form.

Bon Iver ditches the T-Pain Autotune (used in woods), made famous by the sampling in Kanye West's - Monster, for deeper lyrics and hypnotizing beats. In, addition songs like Himmon, TX Vernon gives listeners a taste of a more natural form of his voice instead of the ethereal voice and sound that we all fell in love with. Although, Bon Iver, doesn't come with any heavier hitters like "For Emma" or "Skinny Love" that can easily carry an entire album, the album's full moving effect is felt when listened to from beginning to end.

Vernon's talents are hitting their stride with Bon Iver. His lyrical talents tell stories of past experience in Eua Claire and beyond, while his voice lures listeners in much like a seaman to a siren. Leaving the confines of his Wisconsin cabin for Hawaii proved to be a smart move as it created an environment that will push Bon Iver's second album past the sophomore album superstitions--as well as getting the attention of other artists, like Rick Ross. Quoted in Billboard's article "Bon Iver: The Billboard Cover Story" Ross says "He's a fucking genius . . . I'd never seen nor heard of him in my life, and I looked up, and I was in a fucking 5-by-5 room with a white guy, smoking weed . . . and his voice is like something I've never heard, and he's using words that are far from common. Within 20 minutes, I realized why Kanye had him there."'


Check out "Calgary" the first released single from "Bon Iver." An entrancing melody throughout the song allows the listener to get lost in the cryptic lyrics. I could write an entire blog post just on what I think this song is really about, but I'll let you be the the judge.


Oh and I am sorry Justin for partaking in the leaked version of the album, I promise once it is available on Itunes I will buy the real version. I can't wait to see these guys in DC August 1st!

Bon Iver, Bon Iver

New Bon Iver self titled album leaked this week. Track list includes:
Perth
Minnesota, WI
Holocene
Towers
Michicant
Hinnom, TX
Wash.
Calgary
Beth/Rest

Album review will be coming soon, as soon as I listen to it a few times through. If you would like a sneak peak of the lyrics check this site out http://jagjaguwar.com/blog/2011/05/bon-iver-bon-iver-the-lyrics/

Graduation!

Finally, after 5 years of college I am officially a graduate. Its a pretty awesome thing to be able to say, but just means new responsibilities and student loans. As a whole graduation was quite the experience. Everyone woke up to what they expected to be a huge rain storm and found an amazing day outside; but I think we all knew it was too good to be true. About half way through the UNBELIEVABLY BORING commencement speech the dark clouds started rolling in. Instead of stopping the speech when he first noticed the clouds, the speaker decided to wait until it was almost pouring to say "I think I have talked too long." Yeah, I think thats a little obvious.

After an hour long relocation, the speaker was announced again. He made a nice little joke about not re-starting the original speech and just cutting it all short. Everyone cheered loudly, and then found themselves very disappointed 30 minutes later when we were still listening to the awful speech again. After that was finally finished graduation went by quickly and I was finally a graduate. Overall it was a pretty nice experience to be there with friends and family, even if it means that I will never have another day of bliss in undergraduate education.

In addition, it was brought to my attention there is a pretty sweet up and coming band called Foster the People. I think its a matter of months before these guys are going to get pretty big. They have a really nice sound, that will be enjoyed by fans of Passion Pit or MGMT. Check out this video Houdini...Oh yeah check out the dude in the audience 8 seconds in, That is the kind of mustache that I hope to have in the near future