The Pens surprised every one (including me) and won the Cup. Iran’s citizens had their election stolen from them. A bunch of celebrities died. At the end of the month, I’ll be attending two weddings. Combined with a heavy workload at work, I’ve done absolutely nothing with this website o’ mine in the past few months. Yet somehow, I always find time for tunes. Here’s what I’ve been listening to lately while I try to figure out what to do next with ChrisBellini.com:
Alexisonfire – Old Crows / Young Cardinals
Yes, I like “that screaming band”. You hear screaming – I hear another texture in the wall of noise. And I don’t shun noise. This time around, though, the screaming has been toned way down with Dallas and Wade sharing much more of the vocal duties. Lotsa mid-tempo numbers too, but it all sounds great to me.
Dinosaur Jr. – Farm
Album number two for the re-united J, Murph and Lou (yes, I rhymed that on purpose – I’m lame). Their ninth album takes all of Dinosaur Jr’s best traits – noise, J’s solos and more noise – and puts them together in a nice package. Even Lou’s songs, which are traditionally mellow and introspective, are rockers. It’s good to see them in fine form.
Sonic Youth – The Eternal
Contrary to many reviews, this album does not hark back to EVOL, Sister or Daydream Nation. Finely tuned out-of-tune guitars aside, this album chugs along (thanks to Mark Ibold?) with the energy of a band not showing their age.
Think About Life – Family
I don’t want to say that Think About Life are Canada’s version TV on the Radio, because you’d only agree with that after the initial listen. Repeated listens will reveal their upbeat nature and put you in a good frame of mind.
Winter Gloves – About A Girl
Catchy electro-rock that leaves me anticipating a new album.