Pads & Panels

Artist: Anthony Raneri

Album: New Cathedrals

Label: Gumshoe Records

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Anyone who has heard Bayside, love or hate, can agree that Anthony Raneri’s songwriting and vocal style are unique. So a solo effort seems like the logical next step for the singer and songwriter, and Raneri launched an independent label earlier this year to release his first “solo” effort, New Cathedrals, a five-song EP.

Bayside has already gone acoustic, so the first question on everyone’s mind should be, “What does this offer that I’m not getting from a Bayside album?” And the simple answer is diversity. The core of the Bayside style is there, primarily because it is again Raneri’s unique approach taking center stage, and it is most evident in a track like “The Ballad of Bill The Saint,” which feels like it could have fit in on a Bayside album. (more…)

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Band: Anti-Flag

Album: The General Strike

Label: SideOneDummy

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Anti-Flag is a band with a message, but that message has always been marred by a simplistically straightforward approach that annoys more than educates. It’s not the message but the way that Anti-Flag has delivered it that annoys. It never comes across as an examination of ideas or a different look at what we already know; it is rather a simplistic form of preaching. And regularly appearing on stages like those of Warped Tour, Anti-Flag is usually preaching to the choir.

The point being, full disclosure, I’ve always felt that there are a lot of bands trying to get out the same type of messages as Anti-Flag, but with more tact, actual creativity and better musicianship. And none of that changes on the band’s eighth full-length, The General Strike. (more…)

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Artist: Fun.

Album: Some Nights

Label: Fueled by Ramen

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Whether music fans know it or not, they’ve probably already had some contact with Fun.’s sophomore full-length, Some Nights. The first single, “We Are Young” (featuring soul musician Janelle Monáe), was covered on Glee long before the album’s release. Then it was featured on Chuck, and then in a major Chevy commercial for the Super Bowl. Hell, it was even used in a video package for the WWE Slammy Awards.

And as fans who have heard the song and ventured to give Some Nights a listen have already found, the single and the album are both well-deserving of the attention they have received. Fun.’s Some Nights is an incredibly strong album from start to finish, save one major blemish, and quite possibly the best album to come out of the indie-pop scene since The Format’s Dog Problems. (more…)

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Best of 2011 – Archie’s Music Picks

The Best

Evanescence – Evanescence (Wind-up)

Evanescence’s newest self titled album is more of a return to form rather than a reimagining of their sound. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as their more subdued last album, The Open Door, was a bit of a departure from what fans of the band’s breakout hit “Fallen” had come to expect. Songs like “The Change” are laced with the Amy Lee’s signature melodic vocals, heavy drum beats and rich guitar-laden tracks, all while maintaining a generally uptempo sound. While it’s great that the band has returned to their trademark sound, there are a few of songs that sound similar to each other. That being said, this is still a great album and a must-have for fans. (more…)

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Best of 2011 – Bill’s Music Picks

The Best

Polar Bear Club – Clash Battle Guilt Pride (Bridge 9 Records)

Polar Bear Club’s Clash Battle Guilt Pride makes my list for one key reason – it has spent more time in my CD player this year (I’m estimating) than all other albums I’ve listened to combined. The band’s best to date walks a fine line between gruff aggression and catchy melody, with the band’s usual blend of post-hardcore and indie rock sensibilities, and it gets its all right from start to finish. That’s not to mention lyrics that engage throughout. It’s a culmination of everything the band has been working toward. It’s every reason I’ve loved listening to them for the past few years, only better, and it’s nothing short of my favorite album this year. (more…)

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Best of 2011 – Kevin’s Music Picks

The Best

Fucked Up – David Comes to Life (Matador Records)

Toronto’s hardcore darlings, Fucked Up, has constantly getting better with every release whether it be their half of a split, a new full length or one of the many singles they have released. Their songs and extraordinary live shows have rightfully gained them the attention of media outlets ranging from NPR to the holier-than-thou Pitchfork Media. I took caution when it was announced that their next album would be a musical. All worries vanished about 15 minutes into the 78 minute opus of love gained and lost in a self aware story set in early 80s England. (more…)

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Best of 2011 – Sarah’s Music Pick

Adele – 21 (Columbia)

There is one album this year that seemed to keep finding its way back into my CD player and staying there for long periods of time. That album is Adele’s sophomore release, titled 21. The inspiration behind her bestselling songs, which she pens herself, was a bad breakup with her boyfriend. The songs show some raw emotion and are completely relatable to anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak. From the anger-filled fast-paced songs to the mournful and emotional ballads, Adele gets it just right with this collection. (more…)

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Best of 2011 – Matt’s Music Picks

The Best

Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials (Island)

Not to be simply lost in Adele’s shadow, UK sensation Florence + The Machine released a strong follow-up to 2009′s Lungs. Florence Welsh’s voice is still as haunting as ever, and sounds as if, at times, she’s channeling Tori Amos at her best. Her talents lead the album down a more imaginative path than its simply raw and powerful predecessor. Producer Paul Epworth is in no small part responsible for providing Welsh with her canvas, and does a fine job of keeping The Machine focused. The epic scale of horns and strings interlaced with a driving voice makes any track a good fit for a movie soundtrack. (more…)

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Best of 2011 – Eric’s Music Picks

The Best

Devin Townsend Project – Deconstruction (HevyDevy/InsideOut Music)

To describe Deconstruction in a nutshell is an impossible thing to do, as it is one of the most bizarre metal albums of the year, and likely the most avant-garde piece of music that Devin Townsend has released yet. Throwing together everything plus the kitchen sink, all forms of metal show their faces in this showing, from progressive to black to death and everything in between, not to mention the backing of the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as guest vocals by some of the greatest vocalists in extreme metal. It’s not for everyone, but it more than proves that Townsend’s creative wellspring is far from run dry. (more…)

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Hello, folks. We hope you’re enjoying the holiday season. While you’ve been sipping on spiked eggnog, opening copious amounts of gifts and bickering with relatives you see just a few times a year, we’ve been…well…we’ve been doing exactly the same. But we’ve also been getting together and compiling some of our favorite things from 2011. We’re kind of like Orpah, except multiple people instead of one big person, and infinitely less rich. (more…)

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