How bad do you want me?: Four Year Strong Bonus Tracks PART II

How bad do you want me?: Four Year Strong- Rise or Dye Trying

What:

This album isn't one of my favorites; but some songs are pretty well written and just fun. Summer is creeping around the corner and this album is almost a year old. So why not release some extra songs? Hell yeah.

Where:

Stores in the AUSTRALIA

When:
Who knows?

Four Year Strong- So Hot and You Sweat On It (MP3)

bon iver: are you sold yet?

I was recently watching channel 299 on Direct T.V. Happens to be nickelodeon. The show on was this special edition of Drake and Josh; where Josh gets this huge music deal and how he got screwed over in the end due to the label changing his song around. There's more to the show, but that's all I got to watch (and I saw the same part twice today). While that paragraph had nothing to do with this article, I'll like to apologize for wasting your time. I feel this musician should be checked out by most of the public. His name is Justin Vernon. He performs as Bon Iver. I don't really know how to understand Bon Iver. Vernon's done covers of Bob Dylan and John Prine. But, he really doesn't sound like either. I'll let the listener decide how he sounds.

He released For Emma, Forever Ago in October of 2007. At that time, I just heard about him actually releasing an album. I've been a fan of some of his other bands; but this was awesome. Since then, the album has received favorable album reviews from every website, magazine, newspaper, and fan. I really haven't seen any negativity towards Justin. It's one of the most beautiful records I've heard in quite sometime. Mr. Vernon is on tour with the Bowerbirds soon. Hopefully, his show won't sell out so I can catch him.

Bon Iver- Skinny Love (MP3)
Bon Iver- Every Grain of Sand (Bob Dylan) Live (MP3)

Couple Notes

Well.. this week has been pretty awesome for music that I enjoy. Come to think of it, this week hasn't been that bad. My JV Baseball team finally ended (meh :/). We weren't very good at all. I hit around .320 with 7 RBi's. Not bad. Now I'm enjoying my Memorial Day break.

So for the music part.

• New York based band Ra Ra Riot have announced that they have signed with one of my favorite record labels, Barsuk Records. New album comes out this summer and I am totally excited. I cannot wait to see them.

• I recently had time to delete some bands from my iTunes. Waste of space if I don't listen to it. I scrolled down to the letter "L." I rediscovered Look Mexico. Think American Football mixed with some Minus the Bear in Florida. This band is making me want more and more songs each day. I believe that they are currently recording a new album? Or plan on doing so soon.

Look Mexico- Math Is Everywhere (Summer Darling Cover) (MP3)

• I have a bunch of reviews I'll be knocking out this weekend. Including the Wonder Year's new 7", Baron Von Bear, Love you Moon, and more. Keep coming back. It means a lot. Here's a little treat to what band needs more credit.

the tallest man on earth: is he that tall?

I’ve been looking for the next Bob Dylan for some time. Formally known as Kristian Matsson, Matsson performs under the moniker the Tallest Man on Earth. He released an EP in 2007 which I was a pretty big fan of. “Shallow Graves” might be one of the most beautiful records of 2008. With the vintage sounding recordings, Dylan/Nick Drake similarities; Matsson should receive more credit than received. I really wouldn’t mind seeing this man become popular.

The Tallest Man on Earth- The Gardener (Mp3)

How bad do you want me?: Four Year Strong Bonus Tracks

How bad do you want me?: Four Year Strong- Rise or Dye Trying

What:

This album isn't one of my favorites; but some songs are pretty well written and just fun. Summer is creeping around the corner and this album is almost a year old. So why not release some extra songs? Hell yeah.

Where:

Stores in the U.K

When:
5/6/08= Release Date

Why:

Four Year Strong- Beep Beep (Bonus Song) (MP3)

Four Year Strong- Gotta Get Out (Bonus Song) (MP3)

[MP3] The Maine- This Town's Been Talkin' (Remix)

[MP3] The Maine- This Town's Been Talkin' (Remix)

My first "Mp3" giveaway. I came across this band about a year and half ago. I don't even know if that's the right dating. They only had these two demos available on the Internet called "Daisy" and "This Towns Been Talkin'."

A line up change (sorta) and they go by The Maine. This song was for free download about a year ago. I think it's cool to show off some of the music I used to obsess over in 2007. Oh yeah, they have two EP's out and are done with their new full length, courtesy of Fearless Records.

The Maine- This Towns Been Talkin' (Remix) (MP3)

Mike Kinsella + Owen= Awesome

I've been pretty lucky to see some artists/bands. Probably my favorite tour ever was the 2007 Fall tour featuring Kevin Devine, Andy Hull, and Owen. Mike Kinsella goes under the moniker of Owen. The man to me is pure genius.

For about three years now, I've come to love and respect every song Kinsella has been apart of (Joan of Arc!!) So, I was recently prowling on Youtube and found two interesting new videos. Both with different songs. One ranting about his average crowd and how they don't respect him and the other... well I don't know. Listen/Watch them. This man is going to be great (as if he isn't now).

Owen- Untitled New Song/Pietro Crespi (MP3)



Owen- The Anthropology Song (MP3)

Socratic- Spread The Rumors

Socratic- Spread The Rumors

Music labels can be some very interesting characters. Some labels enjoy taking their time to see band’s progress. While others want success right away. Drive Thru Records have been waiting for their slew of new bands to make some noise in our headphones. Drive Thru’s waiting process seems to have proved them right.

The Jersey boy’s of Socratic deliver Spreading The Rumors. It seems to be a huge relief to fans and as well as to the band for finally releasing something new, besides the Just Turn EP in 2006. The full length seems to have matured very much from Lunch for The Sky. Socratic has always been a weird, interesting band to me. They seem to fit in any environment they perform in and most of my peers enjoy them. Sometimes all this quickeryness might be too much.

Socratic- Spread The Rumors (MP3)

The record opens with “Boy In A Magazine.” The song gives me a feel for a New Found Glory type of song. The band’s been playing this song at recent show’s and it’s slowly becoming a fan favorite. Vocalist/Songwriter Duane Okun show’s how well he understood English by using the literary device of symbolism. “Janis Joplin Hands” explains a spoiled relationship; where Okun explains how he’s going to give her his “cold James Dean eyes.” ‘Constant Apology” showcases how talented Vincent D'Amico can be at keys. The song asks to be played on your summer drives; or just relaxing as I am. Socratic bring up resemblance to many other bands that you couldn’t really hear in Lunch For The Sky. In such songs, you could hear Fountains of Wayne (Long Distance Calls); or even Okun’s voice reminding you of Nate Ruess of The Format(Another Headache). Spread The Rumors is an album that can attract many new fans.

Socratic- Constant Apology (MP3)

Whether it’s the news paper album cover or a fresher sound, this album doesn’t really disappoint anyone. The flaw that I could only see is recording with Mark Hoppus. Fans knowing that name would agree that whatever Mark touches will become famous. Also, he seems to always leave behind some of that Blink-182 he has in him onto other projects. But, all that aside; Spread The Rumors is a fun, upbeat record. The road for Socratic looks very bright after this release.

Score: 7.6%

For Fans Of: The Format, Fountains of Wayne, Say Anything

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