Review #48: Death Cab For Cutie - Codes And Keys

'Death Cab For Cutie' remind me very much so of a lump of cheese. Maturing with age, adding to its texture, taste, smell. You name it, 'Death Cab For Cutie' have got better at it.
They have really outdone themselves with 'Codes And Keys'. Yes, it may be similar to some of their previous work, and yes they seem to have gone down the same route as 'Jimmy Eat World' as they have grown older, but why change when you can keep making records like this. Maybe another album the same would be too many. However 'Codes And Keys' is almost too relaxing. Even if I did have a problem with it, I wouldn't be able to express it purely because I am just too relaxed. In fact. I am too relaxed to even finish this review.

Best Tracks: 'Some Boys', 'You Are A Tourist', 'Unobstructed Views'.

7/10

Next Review: Le Butcherettes - Sin Sin Sin

Review #47: Three Trapped Tigers - Route One Or Die

You have to be in the right mindset to enjoy an album so raw as this. And as I type, I am not in this mindset. I find it difficult to listen to instrumental music at the best of times, but this is way to much for me.
Album opener 'Cramm' sounds like it could fit on a 'Dragonforce' album, and I believe that I have completely missed the point of what 'Three Trapped Tigers' were aiming for. Not though my own fault, I am hasten to add. It really doesn't make sense to me, as to what they were hoping to get out of the album.
The lack of vocals, and length of each track means the album drags on, almost as if 'Three Trapped Tigers' were getting off a train to wonderland. Yet they got stuck in the door. It's not great, but it's not horrific either. So they have nothing to worry about. They just need to make something decent next time. 

Best Tracks: I want to say none, but 'Ulnastricter' has a good name

4/10

Next Review: Death Cab For Cutie - Codes And Keys

Review #46: Cults - Cults

If 'Cults' were a band, they would probably be the best band in the world. Oh wait. They are a band! There was me thinking they were Gods.
This is such a fine debut from the New York pair. The glistening vocals and tremendous musicianship can be seen clearly on 'Cults'. 'Abducted' is such a brilliant start to the album, showcasing 'Cults' ability to make an indie track that sounds so refreshing in new. To me, they feel like a warm summer breeze brushing past your body. Not harsh enough so it is rammed in your face, but hard enough to let you know that they are there.
'Cults' have a bright, lightweight sound, which is exactly what the American music scene is missing. With British music taking 2011 with both hands, it is time for bands like 'Cults', to stand up, and show us that our overseas partners aren't just as quiet as we thought!

Best Tracks: 'You Know What I Mean', 'Oh My God', 'Never Saw The Point'

8/10

Next Review: Three Trapped Tigers - Route One Or Die

Review #45: Lady Gaga - Born This Way

I'm sorry, but I have many bones to pick with this 'Gaga' character. Firstly, why does she feel the need to add 'Gaga' into the majority of her songs. Take 'Judas' for example. 'Judas, Jude-ah-ahh-ahh, Judas, Gaga'. I mean, there are plenty of words that rhyme with 'ahh'. Baa, car, far, tar, par, la, ta-da to name just seven. Yet she still feels the need to state her name. Again. And Again. Plus! The lyrics 'Judas, Jude-ah-ahh-ahh, Judas, Gaga' aren't even mildly interesting or worthy of any merit in any way shape or form.
The second bone I am going to pick at, is that the array of songs on her second LP generally not being anywhere near as catchy as those of 'The Fame'. It seems that she only had a limited number of good songs/lyrics, and they all went into her debut. Gaga seems to be losing some of her eccentricity to a critical public. Her clothes aren't as shocking as they used to be. All her songs now sound the same leading them to becoming tedious and repetitive. As well as all her songs now sounding the same leading them to becoming tedious and repetitive.It also that she is slowly loosing the ability to speak. As I said with 'Judas', she is just using noises and her own name. Moreover, all her songs sound the same leading them to becoming tedious and repetitive.
The third and final ossified carbon branches that I am going to sift through, are her failed attempts to stretch out to other genres. 'Americano' is appallingly bad. I mean, what is she on about. It is just too far from her tree. She has lost sight of her melody tree, and ended up in Spain. 'Sheiße' is just as far in the other direction, this time in Germany, yet this has the plus side as I cannot understand a word she is saying. She does drag on a bit. You know she does...
But apart from that, I have no other worries. Just those few small things. Oh hang on. That's everything.

Best Tracks: 'Hair', 'Born This Way', 'Scheiße'

5/10

Next Review: Cults - Cults

Vanguard #1: Life In Film

'Life In Film' aren't like other bands. They are truly something special! Ever wondered what beauty sounds like? Ever wondered what a dream sounds like? If you have, then listen to Sam Fry's voice. It encapsulates you. As if you were just a puppet listening to his voice.
This is just added upon by the wonderful riffs that grace their tracks that aren't to dissimilar to that of 'Two Door Cinema Club'. It's a wonder why they haven't been signed, however this just adds to their magic and my excitement.
'The Idiot' shows how they can portray beauty in more way than one. The lyrics 'Life In Film' use are just as bewitching as Sam's voice. 'Love is wasted on you, and you don't have a clue' are such an engaging accumulation of words. 'Life In Film' astound me!
If they don't make it big, I will riot.

'The Idiot'
'Carla'

Vanguard Excitement: 9/10

Next Sunday's Vanguard: The Heartbreaks

Review #44: Cloud Control - Bliss Release

'Cloud Control' really have made bliss here. If you were to buy a can of bliss at the store, when you were to open the lid, you would find 4 people waving up at you who go by the name of 'Cloud Control'.
Truly tremendous. The mix between the soothing vocals and the tranquil guitars is just... well. Bliss!
It sends shivers down my spine when I think of how bands like this will never get the recognition they deserve.
They won't win any awards. They won't gain any critical acclaim. They won't advance in sales. They won't even reach particularly large venues to play at, however much they deserve it.
So for now. Let's keep them as our little secret...

Best Tracks: 'Ghost Story', 'Gold Canary', 'Hollow Drums'

7/10

Next Review: Lady Gaga - Born This Way

Review #43: Pete And The Pirates - One Thousand Pictures

I'm confused.
Can this guy sing? Didn't think so. I don't have a problem with what he is doing. In fact, I often prefer someone who cant sing singing over someone who can sing singing. I mean someone who cant sing shows rawness that someone who can sing can't show purely because they can sing.
Confused? So you should be!
But to me he just sounds like a Eric Idle getting worse at singing; and lets be honest, we thought that was impossible.
But don't get me wrong, 'Pete And The Pirates' are decent. This is proper pirate music. All the 'Ooh Arghs' and the 'Pretty Pollys'!
Only Joking, they have completely lampooned me. I was expecting washer boards and eye patches. Except I ended up with this. Men singing some sort of indie with well... Eric Idle.
P.S. It is actually good. I was just a bit miffed that they weren't actually pirates!

Best Tracks: 'Little Gun', 'Washing Powder', 'Blood Gets Thin'

6/10

Next Review: Cloud Control - Bliss Release

VANGUARD!

From this Sunday I will be reviewing a fresh new band, little of you will know about. It will be a weekly update under the name 'Vanguard' and will include a wide range of bands. Hopefully interesting and exiting new acts, that you will enjoy listening too!