CD review: Pat McGee – These Days

Pat McGee’s newest album, These Days (The Virginia Sessions), comes off as a mix between soft country and rock. Some songs sound more country, others have a hint of jazz and a few have a more rock and roll feel. Each song is like tasting a different wine ― they are all good but all different.

The band hit the mark when it comes to good lyrics. The listener can tell that a lot of time and effort was put into making the lyrics and sound. But most of all, there is heart behind the music ― and it does show. This is some of the most heart-felt music I have listened to in a while. The music seems to let the listener express him or herself in a way that can be difficult to do alone.

Each song tells a story, and each has a different feel and tune. The song “All Over You” sounds more country than some of the others. The lyrics are about getting over a relationship and all the troubles that come with it ― a subject to which a lot of people would be able to relate.

The three songs that evoked the most emotion were “Elizabeth”, “Maybe It’s Time” and “End of October.” “End of October” is a song that seems especially geared to the memory of the hard time the band went through with the loss of their friend Chris Williams. The band put a lot into this album emotionally, and I would recommend it to anyone.
― Julie Rice

Review: MIMS ― Guilt

At first glance, the album cover of the MIMS CD Guilt made me think, “Great, another rap CD. It’s probably the same as the others.” But, not being a rap music fan, that was just a biased opinion. Some of the songs on the album were actually enjoyable ― Crazy, I know.

The album easily incorporated “chill,” laid back and often adult-oriented, real-world songs about love and romance with lyrics that hit home.

While listening to the various songs, I couldn’t help but think of the many places one might actually hear this music being played. Get-togethers, bars, clubs, beaches or just hanging out with your significant other. What got me hooked were the artists’ lyrics of his ups and downs in life and the struggles he endured while becoming “successful.”

In the opening track, for example, he describes the trials of his success and wonders if he should feel guilty about it. Should he feel guilty that while others are living in poverty, he is “sporting” his $1,000 shoes? I do agree with the artist, however, that money, power and respect creates tyranny ― we see it everyday in our society (hey… did I just create a rap lyric?).

Aside from feelings of guilt, many of the lyrics in Guilt focus on love, happiness and even betrayal and envy. Many people can likely relate to these. After all, who hasn’t gone through a “Love Rollercoaster” ride when in a relationship? Who hasn’t told ourselves or loved ones that “One Day” we will accomplish our goals? Or felt a sense of envy when one of our friends has “made it” and we haven’t? Thus, the messages that are expressed are of daily struggles some have gone through or may go through at one time or another.

“Love Rollercoaster” is not your typical rap song, nor is “One Day.” But that’s what I liked about this album ― it had a variety of songs in it, not just rap, those that included rapping, such as “Guilt,” were still good. The musical themes had messages of the real world and how they can affect our personal decisions and lead to consequences.

For those who are not rap listeners, it would be worthwhile to listen to some of the songs on this CD ― Even if it’s just one or two while you’re looking for that dreaded parking spot on your way to class. You might be surprised that some songs on this album can be enjoyable for everyone. My favorites were “Love Rollercoaster” and “One Day.” But that’s just me.
― Michael Ortegon

Review: Who Killed Amanda Palmer

Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls’ latest release, Who Killed Amanda Palmer is a show tunes masterpiece on compact disc. Not for the faint of heart, this album caters to a specific group of listeners: fans of musicals and angry rock music.

Fans of show tunes and piano rock fans will appreciate the release, her first solo album, produced by Ben Folds. According to the group’s Web site, the collaboration came about when Folds wrote a gushy fan letter and offered his recording studio.

The Web site, does not explain the other collaborations on the album, such as East Bay Ray of the Dead Kennedys on Guitar Hero. The song is a criticism of Blackwater Worldwide providing soldiers with video games and other video game use and references to Iraq and war in general.

The site does show multimedia inspiration for each song. News clips, videos and pictures of under the lyrics help fans decipher meaning from the strong words.

Songs on the album range from an upbeat song titled “Oasis”, complete with handclaps, to piano ballad “Ampersand”, a violent rejection of marriage. Palmer tackles politics, feminism, relationships, abuse, video games and Internet pornography, all with her signature melancholy or angry tone.

Palmer’s vocals are at times soprano and at times bass, but always strong.

Who Killed Amanda Palmer continues the Dresden Dolls’ theatrical style, but more personal and without the self-ascribed “punk cabaret” show.

For fans that want to feed Palmer and friends, follow the link on her MySpace to sign up for a scheduled date and specific instructions about what types of local, vegetarian, homegrown and wheat-free food the band members are interested in. -Christine Labit

Review: Bomb the Music Industry! – Scrambles

Bomb the Music Industry! Is not a household name sort of band, nor (as their title suggests) are they trying to be. Mostly, it is just an outlet for leader Jeff Rosenstock to release cheaply recorded songs, all for the affordable price of $0.00.

Rosenstock writes, sings and plays multiple instruments on every track along with various hardworking musician friends, including Laura Stevenson and Rick Johnson. Sean Bonnette of the excellent folk-punk group Andrew Jackson Jihad contributes vocals on this particular album for “Wednesday Night Drinkball.” BTMI’s fifth full-length, Scrambles doesn’t really ever diverge from this formula, but it is another collection of great songs to the band’s growing connection.

It’s hard to pin BTMI down into a specific genre classification. Ska would be the closest, but even that may just conjure up images of Less Than Jake and Reel Big Fish, who BTMI sound pretty different from. Keyboards have always been an important part of the band’s sound, but now the traditional piano is also present in many of Scramble’s songs. A piano provides the hook to “25!!!,” one of the record’s highlights along with personal favorite “Cold Chillin’ Cold Chillin’.” The album’s instrumental credits also include sleigh bells, banjo, and theremin, so perhaps it is not a great idea to focus on one specific instrument.

Like BTMI’s other albums, much of the fun comes from Rosenstock’s funny and clever lyrics. For example, “Gang of Four Meets the Stooges (But Boring)” is a response to a band BTMI played with, who took all the money from a show and left without sharing a dollar. The following song, “9/11 Fever!!!,” is about the trivialization of September 11 by television movies and similar projects. This trio ends with “(Shut) Up The Punx!!!,”which is pretty spot-on about the more close-minded members of the punk community. If you can follow the lyrics through Rosenstock’s often rapid delivery, Scrambles is full of memorable moments. “Sort of Like Being Pumped” even manages to make the hackneyed image of a sunset into a rousing end songs for the record. Like previous BTMI album closers, it seems like it was made to inspire listeners into remembering sometimes things are great.

For previous fans of the band, Scrambles is another strong album to follow 2007’s Get Warmer. For those who’ve never listened to one song by BTMI, this new record is as good an entry point as any. –Jimmy Geurts

Annihilation Time Review

Annihilation Time’s “Tales of the Ancient Age” brings back rock ‘n’ roll.

The album is the band’s second full-length album. It was released on May 20, 2008 on Teepee Records and includes ten tracks that are organized like a record — the tracks are listed under “side one” and “side two.” At the end of the last song, it sounds like the record player is turning off.

The whole album is meant to be loud and fast. The band’s description of their music would make grandma blush, but the sticker on the front of the disk says that the band is a mix between ’80s hardcore and ’70s rock. The musical styles play out mostly as ’80s hardcore with ’70s rock style guitar solos. The mix makes for the perfect sound for listeners that have been searching for good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll.

Although the lyrics may be hard to understand, they are included only with the vinyl album. With song titles like “Just Guzzlin’” and “Too High to Die” it is obvious that these guys like to party.

In an interview with Gravy Zine, band member Jimmy said their lyrics are “Social/political fueled but also we dont gotta be serious all the time. We like to goof around too.”

Annihilation Time was formed in 2001 and band members have been rearranged multiple times since then. The sophomore release was recorded with the band’s second lead singer.

Annihilation Time is playing on December 5 at Black Coffee Gallery, 113 H East Brandon Blvd.

The Cure’s 4:13 Dream Review

4:13 Dream, the latest release by ‘80s alt-goth band The Cure, is a step away from the band’s poorly executed attempt at a comeback in the early part of this millennium and is both a much needed homecoming to the sound that made them great and a successful plunge into themes of modern alternative genres.

The album’s lead-off track “Underneath the Stars” will instantly come as a surprise to long-time fans of the group. The track toys around with ambient styles reminiscent of bands like Broken Social Scene and Explosions in The Sky, but it somehow still sounds intrinsically like The Cure.

4:13 Dream continues to switch up sound from track to track not only exploring styles of play unheard of from The Cure, but also managing to serve as a chronicle of every tone in the band’s career. This album is a must buy for dedicated fans of The Cure and should prove to be a rewarding listen for fans of alternative music in general. — Matt Ferrara

Lady Gaga’s The Fame Review

Emerging artist, Lady Gaga debut album, The Fame, was just released on October 28. My first impression is that it is just 14 tracks of sugary pop, but upon closer inspection, I could hear influences from electro-pop, glam rock and hip-hop.

Every single track is carefree and fun. The album themes are dancing, drinking and boys. This album was intended to be party music, and that’s exactly what it is.

“I want to invite you all to the party. I want people to feel a part of this lifestyle,” Lady Gaga said on her Web site.

Lady Gaga does not fit the stereotype of a typical pop artist. She got her start by playing clubs in New York and worked her way into the spotlight, and has written songs for other pop artists including the Pussycat Dolls and Britney Spears.

She claims musical influences that span multiple genres including pop and rock artists, while she found inspiration for her name in Queen’s song Radio Gaga.

According to Lady Gaga’s website, for her upcoming tour, fans can expect “a conceptual show with a vision for pop performance art.”

Lady Gaga is opened for NKOTB on November 2 at the St. Pete Times Forum and played a later show the same day at the Green Iguana. — Christine Labit