who: Letting Up Despite Great Faults why: because I've been on this ambient/shoegaze/concrete trip lately and I can't get enough. If you listened to my autumn.oh.nine mix and liked the Small Black - "Despicable Dogs" track, you'll like LUDGF.
Unfortunately, Lala doesn't have their latest release available for streaming... but go check them out on myspace and see if you like what you hear.
Rating: fasho. FFO: Small Black, Silversun Pickups, The Postal Service
who: John Mayer | Fall Out Boy why: another slow week in releases, but I'm still doin' what it do.
This week, I would recommend checking out John Mayer's 'Battle Studies'. I understand if you're one of those people too afraid to admit you like John Mayer, but he's a stud... probably the most "influential" (not best) guitar player of our generation, and he's hilarious - so I don't see what's not to like. I was really pulling for him with his last release, 'Continuum', because he wasn't writing high-schooly love songs on that record - it was more mature and adventurous in its' topics. I think Jennifer Aniston shit on his heart with this one though... as he seems to have regressed back toward some more repetitive songs of heartbreak... So altogether, the album isn't as good as I would have hoped - but still the best thing to check out this week.
For some more music you'll try to act like you never liked (seems to be a theme this week), check out Fall Out Boy's "Greatest Hits" CD. I bashed the hell out of this when I heard it was being released... and I'm still not promoting that you buy it. Just give it a listen this week and reminisce about old times. I say don't buy it because they don't need the money from this record... you can buy better music that you don't already have... you can make your own Greatest Hits playlist on your iTunes, Lazy. This is a clear attempt by Island Records (who have whored FOB out on tour for a few years in a row now) to continue to milk the cash cow; and while I hope to one day work in the music industry - a shift needs to be made from making money - to promoting music, end of story.
Notables: Forever the Sickest Kids | Arctic Monkeys
who: Sublime why: is back. You didn't know? Check out this dude Rome taking over Brad Nowell's iconic position as frontman of the legendary band... and wow Eric Wilson (bass) still shreds.
Sublime - Date Rape (Live)
BONUS LINK: watch Rome cover Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" on RAWsession here.
who: Circa Survive why: because it's so built up already... I can't wait to own the finished product. This is the final studio session video for Circa Survive's forthcoming album. It's set for release sometime next year and I... am... pumped. You should be too.
who: schmoyoho (Auto-Tune the News) why: because they're determined to show Jay-Z he's a dumbass and everyone loves a little auto-tune. In my case, a lot of auto tune. As much as you can throw at me.
who: The Wonder Years why: have announced that Janurary 26th will be the release date for their second full-length release titled 'The Upsides'. If you've never heard this band, you might wanna check 'em out. They're one of the loudest, most layered pop-punky bands I've heard in the past few years and my favorite quality about them is their completely non-metaphorical lyrics that get straight to the point. They throw out whatever they're thinking and they're not afraid to say it. Below you'll find two of their older releases, so check those out until January.
The Wonder Years - The Upsides 1. My Last Semester 2. Logan Circle 3. Everything I Own Fits In This Backpack 4. Dynamite Shovel 5. New Years With Carl Weathers 6. It's Never Sunny In South Philadelphia 7. Hostels & Brothers 8. Melrose Diner 9. This Party Sucks 10. Hey Thanks 11. Washington Square Park 12. All My Friends Are In Bar Bands
who: Brothers (The Movie) why: because it looks epic, just watch the trailer. The Spiderman movies have become a joke... so I'm glad Tobey Maguire is steppin it up. And Jake Gyllenhaal? Duh.
If you've never heard Andy Hull's (Manchester Orchestra) side-project Right Away, Great Captain!... than you don't know that this movie is shaping up to be a near parallel to his albums. They're stories about a captain who sets sail while his wife stays behind and cheats on him with his brother - so maybe I have a hidden agenda for wanting to see this. Either way, check it out.
who: Sleeping With Sirens why: is ANOTHER band who has just signed to RISE records... this label is taking over. These dudes are currently on tour with We Came As Romans, Tides of Man and Broadway and are set to continue touring with Jonny Craig right after that. As of now they are streaming one song on their myspace, but you can expect an album next March.
who: Dashboard Confessional | The Starting Line why: because this week we're takin it back. The Starting Line was the first band I ever saw in concert... well first headlining band anyways... and I remember it was epic. I've also been guilty pleasure tripping on Dashboard Confessional's 'The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most' since probably 8th grade... so my attention lies back in my middle school days this week.
The Starting Line - Somebody's Gonna Miss Us (Live Recordings)
Dashboard Confessional - Alter the Ending [Deluxe]
