Blockhead - The Music Scene

Another master class in DJ-ing by one of the world's finest.  The follow up to Ninja Tunes Records' Blockhead's classic Uncle Tony's Coloring Book sees him keeping up the quality on this release as well.  Using samples of classic Soul, Eastern-Asiatic music, Electronics, and pretty much any genre the producer could get his hands on, it's another album that can be put on for nearly all occasions.  It's simply mesmerizing, and easy to listen to.  Nothing aggressive or annoying hereI can see any of the tracks on this album being used as a soundtrack in a movie.  I highly suggest this album to fans of the genre, though it doesn't top Uncle Tony's Coloring Book, which is his best to date.


Rating: 8/10


Videos:
The Music Scene
It's Raining Clouds
Only Sequences Change

Alberta Cross - Broken Side Of Time

Though this is an Americana tinged record, it's members are Anglo-Swedish and the sound does represent this.  Filled with blues folk and classic rock riffs, mixed with garage-rock distortions and drum beats it's definitely a revelation in sound.  But too much emphasis has been put on the guitar, so often enough the bass finds itself drowned out in the mix, save for a few tracks.  Basically the only way to describe it is if Jack White (White Stripes) had a love affair with Neil Young.  So in essence, it sounds quite a bit like early Kings Of Leon.  But not so fast you Sex Is On Fire loving bastards, I meant the early stuff, like Youth and Young Manhood territory.  Though it does sometimes have that all too radio friendly blandness.  I can see a few of these songs charting succesfully in the UK, but it's hard to imagine the same in North America.  The slower tracks are the highlight of the album, and the Swede's voice comes off las if I'd just hoofed Ryan Adams' country twang square in the nuts.  A hit and miss album, but it's really hard to hate, some tracks are undeniably catchy, just try not to let his voice get on your nerves too much.


Rating: 6.5/10


Videos:
ATX
Leave Us Or Forgive Us
Taking Control

Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures

Hi everyone. Guest reviewer Raph here.

It's hard not to have heard of Them Crooked Vultures, a new project bringing together Josh Homme, Dave Grohl, and John Paul Jones. The last time Homme and Grohl collaborated on a full-length album resulted in Queens of the Stone Age's 2002 release, Songs for the Deaf, arguably one of the best rock records of the decade.

Them Crooked Vultures' self-titled first release is just as much a musical delight as Songs for the Deaf. Simple but powerful riffs backed by solid beats are present from beginning to end, proving to be quite enjoyable, although not quite original. The album contains traces of each member's past work, but it all comes together well, managing to sound distinct from Led Zeppelin, Queens of the Stone Age, and the Foo Fighters.

John Paul Jones can still lay down a wicked bass line, and adds a lot of variety with a few well-selected additional instruments, such as the clavinet on Scumbag Blues. Grohl, of course, is phenomenal on the skins, pounding each song into your skull. Homme's irreverent vocals and grinding solos add a slightly lunatic spin. This is nothing new for Homme, of course, as any Kyuss fan will attest. The first verse of the first track, No one loves me & neither do I, proudly sets the tone for the rest of the album, ending with the gem "... she asked 'Could I use a dirty bitch?' Of course...".

Despite the 'supergroup' label, Them Crooked Vultures manage to put together an interesting, upbeat album that's a lot of fun to listen to. The odd pairing of John Paul Jones with two much younger cohorts seems to create a kind of equilibrium, and what could be an overly-pretentious three-way wank session is instead a solid offering firmly rooted in the tradition of rock & roll. Enjoyable from start to finish.

Rating: 8/10

Videos:
New Fang
Scumbag Blues

Strung Out - Agents Of The Underground

2009 saw Strung Out release their seventh effort, marking their 20 years together.  In those two decades the band had a noticeable evolution from a generic So-Cal punk band to what they are now.  Which is a punk band with serious metal influences and awesome musical talent.  


Though the sound isn't for everyone, this should please punk, and metal fans alike.  The beats are performed at break neck speed, and are always complemented by a catchy guitar lead.  The vocals though, retains that smooth punk voice that often times doesn't seem to fit with the style.  But maybe that's just my ear being conditioned to always hear gruff or screaming vocals on those types of records.


SputnikMusic describes it perfectly, so i'll let them do it (A lazy cop out I know. Shut up, I said I was concise didn't I?)


The band’s dedication on improving their musicianship, their focus on technicality, and an ever present hunger to explore and expand have led Strung Out from the catchy Warped Tour worthy punk tunes of Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues to the face melting tracks found on Exile In Oblivion. With their 6th album, Blackhawks Over Los Angeles, it finally seemed that Strung Out had found their comfort zone and that, like many bands before them, they would be destined to release different versions of the same album until finally calling it quits. This is the part where you listen to Agents of the Underground and feel like a fool for doubting the band’s creativity and will to evolve. (Sputnikmusic Review)
Overall a solid effort, similar in style and substance as their last two albums, Exile In Oblivion and Blackhawks Over Los Angeles, though more refined.  Every track is very fucking solid.


Punk is NOT DEAD friends.


Rating: 8.5/10


Videos:
The Fever And The Sound
Black Crosses
Ghetto Heater
Jack Knife

The Rural Alberta Advantage - Hometowns

Ok, so i'm very late with this review as this album is two years old.  

In 2008, The Rural Alberta Advantage were relatively unknown outside of their hometown of Toronto.  Through blogs, self promotion, an independant release and fiery live shows they grew in stature, and recognition.  Blogs and e-music sites were picking up on the buzz and the hype, and the band continuously received glowing reviews of their live act and album.  It has to be said that like any decent artist, listening to them in your headphones is not even comparable to seeing and feeling the intensity of the live show (Note: after rocking Osheaga and SxSW this year, I just read that they will be playing at the Olympics.  It seems they've grown bigger than I had imagined.).  A few months ago, the band signed with Saddle Creek Records, and the company re-issued the album a short while back, giving it a proper release.  It therefore retains the top spot on this year's list.  (Yes I made a list last year.  In my head.  And it was number one.)

The album is fantastic the whole way through, with every track standing up up to the next one, never faltering.  It contains great lyrics detailing small city life, heartbreak, and homesickness written by Alberta native singer/songwriter Nils Edenloff.  But the star of this band, is Paul Banwatt who delivers intricate beats, pounding the skins with incredible skills. Nay, dare I say; Fucking crazy awesome drumming.  Considering it's a trio, with little else than an acoustic guitar, a synthesizer or two, and various percussion instruments (Both played by Amy Cole, the third member, who also provides back-up vocals),  it's clear the drums take up a lot of room.

Maybe I haven't said enough, but if I said more, it would be additional praises, which would be too much.  But that's because I can't find anything bad about the band, the album or the live show.  I still listen to a track or two every day.

Rating 9.5/10 (Honestly, I don't feel my review did the album justice, but there it is.... a 9.5)

Videos:

Don't Haunt This Place (Live) (About breaking up, and living in an empty apartment amongst the rubble of the relationship)
Frank, AB (What the song is about... strange subject)
Edmonton (Studio Session)
Drain The Blood (Studio Session)

Oh and... Check out who's #1 on this list. -- Hottest Bands In Canada

Bastard's Top Ten Albums of 2009

10. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion

09. Against Me! - The Original Cowboy

08. The Decemberists - Hazards of Love

07. N.A.S.A. - The Spirit Of Apollo

06.  The Heavy - The House That Dirt Built

Review Link

05. Them Crooked Vultures - (Self-Titled)

Review Link

04. The Builders and The Butchers - Salvation Is A Deep Dark Well

Review Link

03. Mastodon - Crack The Skye

Review Link

02. R.A. The Rugged Man - Legendary Classics Vol. 1

Review Link

01. Rural Alberta Advantage - Hometowns

Review Link

Death By Stereo - Death Is My Only Friend

Death By Stereo has been one of the best and most consistent Hardcore bands of the last decade, getting better with each release.  It's hard, fast, melodic, and very aggressive music.  Just how I like it.  This is not for everyone, but if you're having one of those days and you feel like headbutting a nun, this album is for you.  


The lead singer Efrem Shulz has a great screaming voice, but sub-par vocals when he tries to sing, which he tries all too often with disappointing results.  That's pretty much my only complaint.  The real star here is the astounding guitar work.  It's basically what "makes" the album.  The solos are short but very satisfying.


It's not a great album, but it's not bad either.  There are some truly strange moments, such as the piano ballad Forever And A Day.  If you don't like Hardcore Punk, you will not like it.  If you like it, you'll find this quite mediocre.  If you're curious about the genre, it's a great album to get initiated.  Personally I'd rather listen to their Live album Death Alive.


Rating: 6/10 (The vocals, and the few weird songs lower the score, otherwise I'd rate it MUCH higher)


Videos:
Bread For The Dead
I Sing For You

Mando Diao - The Malevolence of Mando Diao

Mando Diao's latest release came in October, and for some unknown reason I seem to have missed it.  Having now appropriated it, it is clear that the singer/songwriting duo of Daniel Häglund and Björn Dixgärd had a very ambitious plan for the Swedish band.  The album of B-Sides spans two CDs packed full of great Euro-Pop-Rock tracks.  The sum of it's harmonious vocals accompanied by catchy hooks and a vibrant brass section make this one of the must listen releases of the year.


The influences on their musical style are too numerous to list (Garage, Blues, Gospel, 60's Pop Rock, etc..), but are mixed beautifully.  To me it sounds like their Swedish counterparts The Hives, though more melodious and adventurous, with smarter lyrics, topped with a warm classic rock feel.  Mr. Dixgärd and Häglund deliver smooth Paul McCartney like vocals that make it very easy and pleasing to listen to.


The band has managed to remain relatively unknown to us folks across the pond, and i'm still wondering why to this day.  All I know is that we've been missing out on yet another great European group.  Sweden has been home to some of the greatest new rock and pop acts in the last decade, and most of the world is completely and shamefully unaware.  I guess we're stuck with Lady Gaga and 50 Cents, while across the pond they get to enjoy more thoughtful music.


For the unitiated I would suggest to listen to their second release, "Ode to Ochrasy" before adventuring through this double release, as it was by far their best work.  Though I can't for the life of me find a bad song on either CDs.  Now if you'll excuse me, i'm going back to revisit this album and their entire catalog....once again.


Rating: 8/10


Videos:
Hail The Sunny Days
Long Before Rock'n'Roll (Live) A "must watch" to "get" what the band is all about. /end quotation marks
Good Morning Herr Horst (Another great Live version)
A Hard Day's Night cover (Not at all what you'd expect)
Cinderella

Say Anything - Say Anything

Say Anything left quite an impression on me with their first release "...Is A Real Boy".  The songs "Alive With The Glory Of Love (Link), and "This Is Fucking Ecstasy" (Link) were the ones that had me hooked.  With this new release, the style remains similar, and the writing improved ever so slightly.  Musically it's not all too different from their pop-punk counterparts, though it has original bits, and enough integrity to surpass similar bands.  The lead singer/songwriter Max Bemis draws his inspiration for his poignant lyrics through personal experiences from his hospitalization in a mental institute, his anxiety issues, bi-polar personality, and heavy marijuana use.  In short, it's obvious that it's from the heart and not "Baby I Love You" type drivel.  In the end it's really hit and miss, but the tracks that are good, are really good.


"It's this combination of self-loathing and pop culture critique that fuels most of the album, and Bemis distances himself from his contemporaries by briefly embracing their tricks -- the palm-muted guitar chords, the "whoa oh oh" background vocals, the dramatic delivery -- before turning them on their heads, whether that means adding pizzicato strings to "Do Better" or circus-styled keyboard to the aforementioned "Mara and Me." This is an impulsive album, an odd piece of work that manages to be puzzling without alienating the listener." (Allmusic album review)


Rating: 6/10


Videos:
Proprety
Hate Everyone
Mara And Me

Mastodon - Crack The Skye

Mastodon's new album ends up being less heavy, but nonetheless masterfully crafted.  The musicianship on all instruments is flawless.  My only gripe would be with some of pig squealing, screaming vocals.  But it's so far and few in between that it barely  affects the overall feel of the album.

I can't begin to properly describe the album's content, so I will let drummer extraordinaire Brann Dailor explain:

"When asked in multiple interviews Dailor said the record would tell a story dealing variously with the art aesthetics of Tsarist Russia, astral travel, out of body experiences and Stephen Hawking's theories on wormholes.

"There is a paraplegic and the only way that he can go anywhere is if he astral travels. He goes out of his body, into outer space and a bit like Icarus, he goes too close to the sun, burning off the golden umbilical cord that is attached to his solar plexus. So he is in outer space and he is lost, he gets sucked into a wormhole, he ends up in the spirit realm and he talks to spirits telling them that he is not really dead. So they send him to the Russian cult, they use him in a divination and they find out his problem. They decide they are going to help him. They put his soul inside Rasputin's body. Rasputin goes to usurp the czar and he is murdered. The two souls fly out of Rasputin's body through the crack in the sky(e) and Rasputin is the wise man that is trying to lead the child home to his body because his parents have discovered him by now and think that he is dead. Rasputin needs to get him back into his body before it's too late. But they end up running into the Devil along the way and the Devil tries to steal their souls and bring them down…there are some obstacles along the way."

Dailor has also said that "Crack the Skye" is meant as a homage to his sister, Skye Dailor, who committed suicide at age 14.

"My sister passed away when I was a teenager and it was awful, and there's no better way to pay tribute to a lost loved one than having an opportunity to be in a group with my friends and we make art together. Her name was Skye, so Crack the Skye means a lot of different things. For me personally, it means the moment of being told you lost someone dear to you, [that moment] is enough to crack the sky.""

With ten long tracks, including the  thirteen minute opus ''The Last Baron'' (It's standout track in my opinion, along with Divinations), it's a Metal Opera that's worth more than one listen, and will keep you coming back, headbanging to it's complex drummming and masterful guitar shredding.


''Crack the Skye rocks, and hard! Its shifting tempos and key structures are far more meaty and forceful than most prog metal, and menace and cosmological speculation exist in equal measure, providing for a spot-on sense of balance. Some of the hardcore death metal conservatives may have trouble with this set, but the album wasn't recorded for them — or anybody else. Crack the Skye is the sound of a band stretching itself to its limits and exploring the depth of its collective musical identity as a series of possibilities rather than as signatures. And yes, that is a good thing.'' (Allmusic album review)


Rating: 8/10


Videos: 
The Last Baron
Divinations

R.A. The Rugged Man - Legendary Classics: Volume 1

R.A. The Rugged Man is nothing short of a legend.  Easily one of the best flows going around.  Further proof the the best Hip-Hop, the real rap stars, are all underground.  Tracks with Kool G. Rap, Havoc (of Mobb Deep), Notorious B.I.G. and J. Live displays Rugged Man topping these legends with superior skills and rhymes.  Which are as vicious, vulgar and deprecating as you can get.  An impressive album that contains his best tracks from his 15 year career, and a few new ones.  It is in my top three for the year, if not the best I've heard in the last 12 months.  As far as Hip-Hop goes, this is an instant classic for me.

"For his dedicated followers, Legendary Classics Vol. 1 is a nice road down memory lane. On the other side, fans just getting into R.A. The Rugged Manwill find a handful of lyrical that should inspire them to delve into his catalog. 18 years later, R.A. The Rugged Man is still as arrogant and cocky than ever. The fact of the matter is, he backs it up with undeniable proof"  (HipHopDX review.)

Rating: 9.5/10

Videos: 

Supa
L.I's Finest
Posse Cut feat Hell Razah, Jojo Pellegrino & Blaq Poet  (He comes in a 1:40 and kills every other MC rapping on this track)

Jamie.T - Kings & Queens

Jamie.T's second album ends up being a very audacious endeavour with an original, unique soundscape.  The content of the songs haven't changed much, and thankfully he hasn't lost the earnest boyish charm and energy that was so endearing the first time around.  There's a few tracks that are WAY out there and I personally find hard to listen, but it's an obvious effect of trying hard to sound like no one else.  Overall, the positives far outweigh the negatives.  I got a few favourite tracks on this one, but I still listen to the first album, and EPs more often than Kings and Queens.  

(Allmusic.com album review)

Rating: 7/10

Videos: 

Chaka Demus

Sticks 'N Stones

The Builders and The Butchers - Salvation Is A Deep Dark Well

The Builders and The Butchers are one of these bands that I stumbled across.  I ended up being hooked upon the very first time listening.  It's simple hooks and changes in tempo are equisitely crafted with the obvious blues, country, and gospel influences.

Of note, the band has no drummer per se, rather, it has two percussionists  giving the sound a deep bass background, countered with the high pitch of the fiddle and mondolin.

"The band obviously takes a lot of time crafting dense poetic lyrics and the arrangements show just as much care, layering up orchestral tracks that create a dark, driven ambiance. This music won't please everyone, but those who tend to lurk at the dark end of the street will find much to like." (Allmusic review -- Allmusic album review)

Rating: Solid 8/10 in my opinion

Videos:

Golden and Green

Short Way Home