What Are You Wearing for Space Trip?

RADWIMPS – アルトコロニーの定理 (2009)

2010-08-26T03:36:00.000-07:00

Some of RADWIMPS' English lyrics still lack something to be desired, but there's a lot more Japanese lyrics here and the music rocks. おしゃかしゃま is my jam.

Multiupload

Third Eye Blind – Ursa Major (2009)

2010-08-23T01:18:00.000-07:00

Totally a grower for me. Years on since their last album, Third Eye Blind are still Third Eye Blind, and they're still awesome.

Megaupload

Various Artists – Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2010)

2010-08-20T22:08:00.000-07:00

This soundtrack is an epic of epic epicness.

Mediafire

Lupe Fiasco – Lupe Fiasco's The Cool (2007)

2010-08-18T03:48:00.000-07:00

This really isn't just another rap album. With tracks like these, Lupe Fiasco really deserves his popularity in the world of hip hop, unlike a whole lot of the popular artists out there. Not that many hip hop/rap artists have progressed in this kind of way, but Lupe really tried something new since his debut Food & Liquor and has made a very interesting and entertaining album. The Cool has a lot more to offer than its hit single, Superstar.

Megaupload

United Nations – United Nations (2008)

2010-08-10T02:44:00.000-07:00

Short and sweet. In a very brutal, face melting sort of way.

Rapidshare

Bring Me the Horizon – Suicide Season (2008)

2010-08-08T02:39:00.000-07:00

This is one of those bands elitists look down on you for listening to, right? Whatever, I already listen to quite a few. Some of the lyrics here are just retarded, and the album cover is full on wtf; but musically this freaking rooocks. What I love is how my friend got me into this band by linking me a song on YouTube and complaining about how crappy she thinks they are. Good stuff.

Mediafire

Motion City Soundtrack – My Dinosaur Life (2010)

2010-08-07T22:57:00.001-07:00

Some super catchy pop punk jams here if you're interested.

Mediafire

the HIATUS – ANOMALY (2010)

2010-08-05T03:46:00.000-07:00

When the HIATUS released their EP Insomnia in 2009, my first thoughts upon listening to it were "lol @ them becoming an experimental rock band so quick" and "this blows." I didn't like it; it sounded random and I couldn't get into the melodies of the songs at all. And so I entered into their second full-length album, ANOMALY, with an expectation of more of the same; it did feature two of the EP's three songs after all. After a couple of listens, however, I was already pleasantly surprised with what I was hearing. It was good. Heck, it was great.

ANOMALY features a few more 'random' sounding tracks, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing (minus the minute long headache that is the end of Walking Like A Man; that's just retarded). Sometimes the drum beats and other aspects of the music sound weird and out of place, but it works in its own way. Insomnia was one of the songs on the previous EP that I despised so much, but now I love it. A handful of shorter, more energetic songs are also thrown in here, and each one of them is highly enjoyable and make sure the record never slows down too much or gets at all boring. It even ends on a high note with one of these songs, 西門の昧爽, which almost reminds me of Hosomi's ELLEGARDEN days when they ended their best of album with the short and sweet 高架線.

This is nothing like their first album, Trash We'd Love (which I'd recommend listening to first), or anything else I've ever heard to be honest, but that's one of the reasons I'm so fond of it. Takeshi Hosomi has my kudos for trying something a little different and coming out with something as enjoyable as ANOMALY.

Mediafire

Luminous Orange – Songs of Innocence (2010)

2010-08-04T23:13:00.000-07:00

Gazey female-fronted band from Japan. Opening track rocks.

Megaupload

Linkin Park – Minutes to Midnight (2007)

2010-08-04T21:43:00.000-07:00

This gets a lot of hate for being different from their first two albums, but as a stand alone record I think it's brilliant.

Torrent

New Politics – New Politics (2010)

2010-08-03T22:00:00.000-07:00

Seems like the kinda thing you'd either love or hate. I think it's pretty cool. The closer certainly ends things with an (awesome) bang.

iTunes

Showbread – The Fear of God (2009)

2010-08-03T20:45:00.000-07:00

This is what it sounds like when you die!

Mediafire

9mm Parabellum Bullet – Revolutionary (2010)

2010-08-03T03:10:00.000-07:00

A little earlier this year, popular Japanese band 9mm Parabellum Bullet released their third full-length album, Revolutionary, to a variety of different responses from fans. A lot of fans ate it right up with pleasure, but a few were quick to spit it right back out. This isn't that surprising; while 9mm haven't changed their style anywhere near as much as many bands do, this album is different from their older stuff in a way that understandably pissed some people off: it's simply not as energetic.

The songs here are still very well structured, in their very unique and very awesome style and are by no means boring; but there was a level of energy in their older work that isn't present here and this makes it not as enjoyable overall. That being said, Bullet still rock hard and I would by no means label Revolutionary as a disappointment; it's a darn good album and a real grower. And heck, it also features the sickest intro track of all time, if that counts for anything.

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THE NOVEMBERS – Misstopia (2010)

2010-08-03T02:40:00.000-07:00

THE NOVEMBERS are back for 2010 with another badass album featuring more badass songs. It's pretty badass.

Mediafire

Thrice – Live at the House of Blues (2008)

2010-08-01T00:00:00.001-07:00

Now this is a live album! Damn this is good. Would work well as just a compilation album, giving a taste of the different styles Thrice have had over the course of their first six albums. They play so well throughout the whole of the concert, and the production is about as good as it gets. Could be the perfect live album.

dl@alt2punk

Waking Ashland – The Well (2007)

2010-07-31T18:49:00.000-07:00

Waking Ashland was such a good band. I'd recommend all of their releases, but this is where I'd start listening. It was the first record of theirs I got into and it sure worked for me. Lead singer/keyboardist/lyricist Jonathan Jones has gone on to form the pop rock band We Shot the Moon, which is another great group, but Waking Ashland's music will always be my favourite. I highly recommend all of it, including this.

Mediafire

サカナクション – シンシロ (2009)

2010-07-31T18:44:00.000-07:00

Sick band. Best album yet. Listen to it.

Mediafire
Megaupload, pt. 1
Megaupload, pt. 2

Portugal. The Man – American Ghetto (2010)

2010-07-28T20:45:00.000-07:00

Haven't gotten too much into much of Portugal. The Man's older stuff yet, but after a fair few plays I can safely say American Ghetto is really quite delicious.

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Ben Folds – Songs for Silverman (2005)

2010-07-28T03:12:00.000-07:00

Gotta love Ben Folds. This album feels a lot more 'serious' than his other records - both lyrically and musically - but it still manages to be a heck of a lot of fun to listen to. Rockin' the Suburbs'd be the best place to start with Ben, and he does have a whole lot of other great stuff, but this one's my overall favourite of his records so far. Essential piano rock jams here.

Megaupload

Third Eye Blind – Out of the Vein (2003)

2010-07-26T02:17:00.000-07:00

Third Eye Blind's first three albums make me pretty much in love with Stephen Jenkins, despite how much of a douchebag he apparently is irl. And it's not like their more recently released fourth album is bad, but the first three (which includes this one, by the way) are in a league of their own. I just love this band. Though they experienced the most success in the 90's, if I had to choose one favourite it'd have to be 2003's Out of the Vein. Each album is amazing and has been my favourite at some time or another, but OotV has provided the most good times overall. I simply can't recommend it (along with their self-titled and Blue) enough.

Mediafire

Jimmy Eat World – Chase This Light (2007)

2010-07-26T01:44:00.000-07:00

There's a reason I love this band with such a passion: THEY FLIPPIN' ROCK. They have yet to disappoint with any of their albums and their latest, 2007's Chase This Light was no exception. Even the rare b-side Open Bar Reception is awesome. Jimmy Eat World are popular all over the world, but whoever and wherever you are, you probably don't listen to them nearly enough; and I'd say now's as good a time as any to make a change to that.

Japanese bonus track 'Open Bar Reception' on YouTube

LOSTAGE – DRAMA (2007)

2010-07-20T03:36:00.000-07:00

This one definitely has some real weak points on it, but it's more hit than miss in my opinion and features a lot of really great tracks. LOSTAGE definitely have their own distinct sound, and it's a sound I can't help coming back to. A really good album overall.

Megaupload

30 Seconds to Mars – A Beautiful Lie (2005)

2010-07-20T02:32:00.000-07:00

Everyone already knows about this band and album, but I'm here to say that if you liked the singles but never bothered to give the whole album a listen, do. I tried and didn't care much for This Is War, but this is a damn good rock record, and if every release of theirs was this good I'd be a very big fan.

Mediafire

Faber Drive – Seven Second Surgery (2007)

2010-07-20T02:10:00.000-07:00

Brings some of the most enjoyable powerpop jams I've ever heard. Not that I'm a huge fan of the genre, but in a sea of crappy powerpop/pop punk records, this is one that's really worth listening to.

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Norma Jean – Meridional (2010)

2010-07-19T01:46:00.000-07:00

This album is freaking badass. Extremely flexible in style; some songs are pure mathcore, some are very melodic, some mix both styles and some go in other directions (most noticeably southern rock). It's an interesting ride from beginning to end, and a totally awesome one as well. Looking for something new to get your head a'banging? Here it is.

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Moving Mountains – Pneuma (2007)

2010-07-19T01:02:00.000-07:00

WHAT A DEBUT. Seriously though, holy crap. This is how you make a debut album. As if it wasn't strong enough from track one to nine, Moving Mountains finish this record with what would have to be one of my favourite closers ever, Ode We Will Bury Ourselves. You pretty much have to download this for that song alone, but don't think for a second that that's all it has to offer. Recommended.

Mediafire

凛として時雨 – Telecastic fake show (2008)

2010-07-18T03:27:00.001-07:00

Rin Toshite Shigure must keep making music. After this single and then their 2009 album just A moment, they really can't keep us waiting much longer. Telecastic fake show is basically just like jAm in regards to its levels of awesomeness and general badassery, but with only three songs instead of 10. If you liked jAm, listen to this too. If you haven't heard either yet, grab them both right now. This is a band that you must listen to.

Mediafire

ART-SCHOOL – Anesthesia (2010)

2010-07-18T00:46:00.001-07:00

ART-SCHOOL have been my favourite band almost ever since I really started to get into music. I was, admittedly, a total fanboy last year. I met like-minded fans through Last.fm, laughed giddily at them in their band docos (despite the language barrier) and even created an online forum. I've always considered myself a huge fan of their pre-2008 stuff and been considerably less enthusiastic about anything since, but given time I've realised that the newer stuff is still the ART-SCHOOL I know and love. This new record is no exception. Without the stupidly high expectations I had with their last couple of releases, I've had a far better first impression of Anesthesia. It's just Riki and the gang doing what they do best: making great music. They've been doing this for a long time and it doesn't look like they're gonna let up anytime soon. Highly recommended, along with everything else they've ever released.

Megaupload

Thrice – Vheissu (2005)

2010-07-17T19:33:00.001-07:00

Kinda getting what the big deal is about this album now; it's brilliant both musically and lyrically. The music here is never anything less than great and the high points are incredible. This is good musicianship. These are inspiring lyrics. I will definitely be checking out more Thrice.

Megaupload

As Cities Burn – Hell or High Water (2009)

2010-07-12T19:27:00.001-07:00

Has a couple of low points, but overall a darn good record. Very different from their last album, but they pulled off this new style well. Too bad this band broke up, whatever came next could have been truly great.

Megaupload

Paramore – brand new eyes (2009)

2010-07-10T19:11:00.002-07:00

It was giving this album a listen that made me realise that Paramore actually don't suck. Truth is, this band rocks. They're just a great alternative rock band that have unfortunately been labeled as crappy teeny bop pop in the minds of so many; including mine for a long time. I dig everything these guys have released, but if I had to choose a favourite album it'd be brand new eyes. The other records are a lot of fun and have some of my favourite songs, but with this one they've really shown growth as musicians. It's their most interesting and mature work, and if RIOT! didn't have you convinced that they weren't just another overrated pop band (even their lead guitarist admitted that was a 'kiddie album'), this one really should. Recommended to any Paramore skeptics, or anyone who just wants to listen to a great rock album.

Torrent

Underoath – Define the Great Line (2006)

2010-07-08T02:59:00.005-07:00

If I had to label this album as one genre, it'd be metalcore. I'm no fan of this genre and most of what I've heard of it sounds samey and boring, but Define the Great Line is so much more than just a metalcore album. With this record Underoath combined brilliantly complex musical composition and beautifully urgent lyrics to create a modern musical masterpiece. Like the first album of theirs I listened to, it took some time for me to really get into it, but once I did there was no going back.

Dark lyrics and themes are prominent here, but they are always hopeful and never sound cheesy or, God forbid, 'emo'. Lead vocalist Spencer Chamberlain's vocals are phenomenal, and Aaron Gillespie's clean vocals are incorporated brilliantly as well. A post-rock influence also helps this album shine in certain songs. These boys really know what they're doing (as they showed yet again in 2008's Lost in the Sound of Separation) and I can't wait for their next record. But even if that record never came it wouldn't be the end of the world - this one'll never get old.

Mediafire

Daphne Loves Derby – Good Night, Witness Light (2007)

2010-07-05T04:47:00.000-07:00

So yeah, this rocks. Sometimes it really sounds like the perfect pop rock record. I really want this band to release another album; they can't leave us hanging after this one! Highly recommended.

Mediafire

Wolftron – Flesh & Fears (2008)

2010-07-05T03:57:00.000-07:00

Really nice music to chill out to. I almost want to call it 'pretty'. If you like Kenny Choi's voice and want to hear more, I'd also recommend his band Daphne Loves Derby; their album Good Night, Witness Light is quite brilliant.

Mediafire

ギルガメッシュ – NOW (2009)

2010-07-05T03:10:00.000-07:00

A lot of girugamesh fans hate girugamesh's recent music. A lot. I'm not on this particular bandwagon myself; in fact, ever since its release my favourite album by them has been 2008's MUSIC. I still felt kind of disappointed by their late 2009 release NOW, but given time it's grown on me a bit. Yeah, it sounds very different from the old girugamesh, but it doesn't suck as much as so many angry fans say; and let's face it, people are never going to stop getting annoyed when bands try new things.

Megaupload

m.o.v.e – Dream Again (2010)

2010-07-04T04:42:00.000-07:00

I've really liked m.o.v.e ever since I was 12 years old and heard their song Romancing Train on an anime show. Despite this, for whatever reason, I've neglected their music for quite a while (I even physically own one of their albums, but haven't bothered putting it onto my iTunes). With this in mind, I thought it'd do me good to check out whatever they last put out. Dream Again is no SYNERGY, but it does show that these guys are still able to bring the jams, even if some songs aren't as entertaining as others and some feature kiiinda annoying auto-tuning. I'm sure this won't go down as being one of their best, but it is a good record overall and has definitely encouraged me that I need to grab some more of their older stuff and make up for lost time.

Megaupload

Nada Surf – if i had a hi-fi (2010)

2010-07-04T03:45:00.000-07:00

Here we have a veeery nice covers album from a veeery nice band. While it's clearly something the guys did mainly for their own personal enjoyment, they really did an excellent job of taking each song and making it their own. Had I not known this was a covers album in advance, I wouldn't have had the slightest clue after listening to it and would have just seen it as another great album from Nada Surf. And in all honesty, that's kinda how I feel about it regardless.

Mediafire

Manchester Orchestra – Nobody Sings Anymore (2005)

2010-06-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

Seeing as they're another one of my favourite bands, I decided to check out Manchester Orchestra's unreleased first album. I'd put it off for a while since I thought it'd probably be quite raw (in the bad way) and not up to the quality of their later stuff. And it isn't, but it's still darn good and doesn't sound too raw either. Though this obviously isn't the first Manchester Orchestra album I'd recommend (go pick up Mean Everything to Nothing now) it's actually really good, as opposed to being 'that sucky first unreleased record they made' that so many bands have. So worth it for any fan of theirs.

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ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION – マジックディスク (2010)

2010-06-26T21:05:00.003-07:00

ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION is the only band that I got into before I really got into music that remains one of my favourite bands to this day. So needless to say, I'm pretty stoked for anything new they put out, especially a new album after two years since the last one. Like everything they've ever put out, this one's a grower for me - I can already tell this after only having it on my iTunes for a couple of days. Most of these songs sounded boring at first, but I'm really getting into them now. I felt exactly the same about their last album サーフブンガクカマクラ (Surf Bungaku Kamakura); at first it sounded like a total disappointment, but after I gave it a little time I realised it was still the Ajikan I know and love. I'll always like their earlier work best of all as a personal preference, but Gotoh and the boys've still got it!

Mediafire

Saosin – In Search of Solid Ground (2009)

2010-06-25T21:39:00.001-07:00

It's surprising just how much I dig this one; every song is heaps of fun to listen and sing along to. Because of this it's definitely become one of my favourite albums of 2009 (and 2009 saw some great releases from a lot of my favourite bands). A solid, highly enjoyable record.

Mediafire

Chasing Victory – I Call This Abandonment (2005)

2010-06-25T19:47:00.000-07:00

A great, underrated and unfortunately now defunct band, Chasing Victory really brought something special to the table when it came to post-hardcore. I think I might like their second album Fiends a little bit more overall, but this one can't be overlooked, especially considering the song First Steps to Recovery. I love the vocalist Adam Harrell's voice and hope I'll be able to hear more from him in the future, though I know this isn't very likely to happen.

Mediafire

Marilyn Manson – Lest We Forget: The Best Of (2004)

2010-06-20T21:27:00.000-07:00

I'd never listened to Marilyn Manson 'til a few days ago, but as soon as I gave their song Rock Is Dead a try on my friend's iPod, I was quite surprised at how much I liked it - it was pretty much love at first listen. Upon listening to his entire greatest hits album Lest We Forget, I was pleased to get the same reaction to pretty much everything else on it. It has a more catchy and poppy sound than I was expecting, but it's this that makes me enjoy it so much, and it's still edgy industrial stuff at the end of the day.

As for the lyrical side of things... well, the man behind the music is quite well known for who he is and the lyrics he writes. He's clearly pretty full of hate and I wouldn't recommend this album if you're the easily offended type, or if you feel listening to such lyrics would be truly harmful to you. As a Christian guy, I don't think it's 'wrong' to listen to hateful lyrics; as Josh Dies of Showbread once stated "Satan has said a lot of evil stuff in the Bible. It is not wrong to read his words." In any case, if you would rather stick to music with more positive messages, then I wouldn't recommend this band. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't personally enjoying the crap out of this album, though.

Mediafire

Binary Star – Masters of the Universe (2000)

2010-06-16T01:20:00.000-07:00

If you're hungry for some real hip-hop, they're here to feed you.

Megaupload

downy – 無題 (4th) (2004)

2010-06-16T00:27:00.000-07:00

Thought it was about time I listened to some more of these guys' stuff after having their super awesome single 月宿る善良 for so long. Pretty sweet post-rock/experimental stuff; I'm liking it a little more with each listen.

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ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION – 未だ見ぬ明日に (2008)

2010-06-14T03:29:00.000-07:00

ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION made a pretty impressive effort in 2008, releasing two albums and one EP (not to mention the singles and their best 'NANO-MUGEN' compilation CD yet). It's no wonder this little release gets overlooked by some, but that's something it really doesn't deserve. This is a great EP; better than their first and definitely superior to the full-length album that came shortly after it, サーフブンガクカマクラ (Surf Bungaku Kamakura). Overall, it's quality stuff from one of Japan's most popular rock bands. (And on another note, their next album is coming out later this month, yay!)

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Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009)

2010-06-12T22:10:00.000-07:00

This is pretty much the epitome of a solid album. If you haven't listened to it yet, do.

Mediafire

blink-182 – blink-182 (2003)

2010-06-12T20:42:00.000-07:00

I'm definitely a blink fan, and though I have always been fond of the more fun, energetic sound of Enema of the State and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (the former is definitely my favourite album of theirs), I have grown to appreciate their more mature, self-titled record a lot more than I did at first. It's still the same band so many people grew to love in the late 90's and early 00's, they're just acting a bit more grown up here. There's a more alternative rock sound and the lyrics are a lot more mature (no songs about having sex with dogs and Mexican pirates here), however still having similar themes of young adult situations and emotions.

The one thing I really don't like about this one is a lack of Mark. He's always been my favourite of the two singers in the band by far (never been a fan of Tom's voice), and he only gets a couple of songs on this where he gets the vocal spotlight. Other than that it's all good. More alt. rock than the pop-punk sound they established earlier in their career, but you can still hear the blink in it and it's not as boring as Tom's Angels & Airwaves stuff. I'm very interested as to what their next album will sound like (especially after that lengthy hiatus).

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Tokyo Police Club – Champ (2010)

2010-06-11T22:14:00.001-07:00

Highly enjoyable, irresistably catchy indie/post-punk album. Nothing particuarly original at all about this, but it's a lot of fun to listen to and that's always a good factor when it comes to any kind of music.

Megaupload

As Cities Burn – Come Now Sleep (2007)

2010-06-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

This is a really interesting record. There's some truly great lyrics to get you thinking here, and it's certainly not lacking musically either. As one Last.fm user put it, it's "a brilliant introspection into faith." Highly recommended if that sounds like your cup of tea, and even if it doesn't I'd say Come Now Sleep is worth a listen.

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Thursday – A City by the Light Divided (2006)

2010-06-11T06:18:00.000-07:00

Since I've enjoyed their latest album so much I thought I might check out some more of Thursday's recent work (wasn't quite as fond of 2001's fan favourite, Full Collapse). A City by the Light Divided is quite different to Common Existence, but I really like its sound. People have complained about the production quality, but I get the feeling that the band got just what they were going for and I really think the unpolished and raw sound is great. Some brilliant tracks on here; Telegraph Avenue Kiss is definitely my new favourite song of theirs. After listening to this a whole lot in the last few days, I'm all the more excited for whatever Thursday is going to put out next.

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SUPERCAR – HIGHVISION (2002)

2010-06-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

SUPERCAR were a successful and highly influential indie/electronic rock band from Japan. They put out a lot of good stuff in their ten years together, creating great rock tracks and keeping things interesting with the incorporation of electronic beats. With HIGHVISION they managed to create music that is beautifully chill but at the same time super catchy and upbeat, and the overall result is fantastic. You may recognise the song STORYWRITER from the animated TV series Eureka Seven, which is also worth noting as pretty much the perfect shonen anime. We all need some real chill yet subtly upbeat music from time to time, and for those times I'd recommend HIGHVISION.

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Great North – Soldiers (2009)

2010-06-05T02:52:00.000-07:00

Great North were one of the artists/bands I looked into just before Parachute 2010, since they were playing at the festival. I was surprised at the amount of genuinely good underground New Zealand artists that existed as I searched through the MySpace pages of those on the line-up, but even among the other good artists they stood out. Great North show what they're made of with this short but sweet EP, containing five great little indie folk tracks that had me convinced at first listen. I'm definitely keen for the full-length album that should be coming out fairly soon (according to what the band said on stage when I saw them play in January). Should be worth forking out the money for... one thing I know for sure, though: Soldiers is definitely worth a download at the very least.

Rapidshare

凛として時雨 – just A moment (2009)

2010-06-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

Another band fresh off the Japanese indie scene, 凛として時雨 (Rin Toshite Shigure) offer something a little different. No one does music quite like them, and they have come to be well appreciated for what they do. Fans generally seem to agree that their latest release just A moment is their best work, and it's not hard to see why. I've heard everything their discography has to offer and while I do recognise the talent they've had from the very beginning, it's this album that makes me a fan. I can't be bothered describing what 凛として時雨 sound like, but this album is brilliant and listening to it will definitely make you more indie and cool. I know this because when I go on hipsters' Last.fm pages this is the only Japanese band we have in common. Your ears will also like it.

Megaupload

the telephones – DANCE FLOOR MONSTERS (2009)

2010-06-04T18:02:00.000-07:00

The best of Engrish in 2009 and the telephones' best record yet (including all of their albums and EPs up to the end of 2009; I haven't checked out their 2010 releases yet). Even more consistent, upbeat and fun than 2008's JAPAN (which is an awesome album itself); the telephones have really proven themselves with this one. I was scepticle of their choice to recreate two older songs, Urban Disco and HABANERO, since I didn't feel this was really necessary, but even they turned out great and fit in well. DANCE FLOOR MONSTERS is just a brilliant album from beginning to end - it won't bore you for a second. Highly recommended.

Mediafire

LOSTAGE – LOSTAGE (2010)

2010-06-02T22:11:00.000-07:00

I used to listen to a lot of Japanese indie rock. Not so much nowadays, but when one of my old favourites releases a new album I usually pick it up (AKA download it in a legally questionable fashion). I call LOSTAGE an old favourite judging by the 300+ plays in my library, and I'm definitely a fan, but I have always felt that their releases were quite hit and miss (judging from everything they've done since DRAMA). They do have some songs I really like to listen to when I'm in the mood for their raw indie rock sound, and some that I really love (e.g. 公園の裏の黒い蝉 and テレピン、叫ぶ), but they've also made a few songs that I, quite frankly, find pretty boring. They try a couple of new things on this new self-titled album (e.g. the kinda jazzy sound of 裸婦), but at the end of the day it really feels like 'just another LOSTAGE album'. Overall, it's good, but not consitent enough to be great.

The standout track here would have to be TOBACCO, which is the most poppy and upbeat LOSTAGE song I've ever heard, and definitely the most enjoyable on this album. The closer, 夜に月, is also quite catchy, but loses its catchiness as it drags on for what feels like a very unnecessary 5 minutes and 46 seconds. Nothing else stands out all too much, but I didn't really notice some of my current favourite LOSTAGE songs 'til after quite a few listens, so who knows which S/T tracks I may find myself bobbing my head to in the future. A good album, but one that feels like it could be better in some areas.

Megaupload

Family Force 5 – Dance or Die (2008)

2010-06-01T01:16:00.000-07:00

Crunk rock is definitely a guilty pleasure for a lot of people. As long as you're not a pretentious elitist douchebag who won't allow yourself to listen to such garbage, it can be a lot of fun when you're in the right mood. I've certainly had my share of good times listening to Family Force 5's Business Up Front/Party in the Back: Diamond Edition. Enough times in fact to make me want to listen to their second album, Dance or Die.

I have to say, I was a little disappointed with the lyrics here. Don't get me wrong, their lyrics were never 'good' in the traditional sense, but on BUF/PITB, some of them had me in stitches. 'Mama, what you got cookin' up in that kitchen? Cookin' fried chicken? Cause you know I love that soul food. Everythang you cook is so good for a southern man like me. U gotta cook it up clean, cook it up mean, mama don't like it when you got leftovers, gimme me some of them collard greens.' Pure genius. Unfortunately, Dance or Die doesn't have any lyrics quite like this, but it still manages to satisfy those crunk rock cravings you know you get.

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Underoath – Live at Koko (2010)

2010-06-01T00:52:00.000-07:00

It is often said that live albums are 'only for the fans', but even as a fan I don't feel that Live at Koko was really worth the download for me. Underoath are good live, I know this from seeing them at Parachute 2010 (the climax of Too Bright to See, Too Loud to Hear was my highlight of the festival), but I felt disappointed when I listened to this. The only live album I've ever bothered with before is ART-SCHOOL's BOYS DON'T CRY, really just because they're my favourite band and I wanted to complete the discography. Other than for that reason, BDC isn't particularly worth having either, but that album at least sounds better production wise; Live at Koko could be better in this area.

The main issue here is Aaron Gillespie's clean vocals - they're not clear and a lot of the time you can hardly hear them at all over the rest of the noise. It's a shame, considering this is their last release with Aaron in the band. Another thing that kinda bugged me was Spencer screwing up the lyrics at one point in Anyone Can Dig a Hole But It Takes a Real Man to Call It Home. I try not to be a nitpicker, but this isn't a bootleg and I wasn't really expecting it. That being said, Spencer is one heck of a vocal talent and his overall performance here definitely shows that. Live at Koko isn't a bad release, but it has its flaws and is not a particularly good one either. I'm probably just not a fan of live albums in general, but I at least came back to BDC for a few more listens and I don't think I'll be doing the same with this.

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Sunny Day Real Estate – The Rising Tide (2000)

2010-05-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

Originally downloaded this after finding out about Hayley Williams' love of the band (Paramore are awesome, not even a guilty pleasure, just a good rock group) and started listening to it today. I can already see why she's so fond of them; this is a very nice collection of songs. No weak points here, just some great songs with a few extra great songs on top (so far, stand out tracks include Snibe, Tearing in My Heart and Television). The vocalist's voice reminds me of Mew in slower songs; it's one of those voices that you think is a little weird at first, then learn to love almost immediately. The album Dairy is supposedly regarded as Sunny Day Real Estate's best work, but having not heard anything else by them I can at least confidently say they have at least one great record with The Rising Tide.

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mewithoutYou – Catch for Us the Foxes (2004)

2010-05-27T20:46:00.000-07:00

A lot of people say that Brother, Sister is mewithoutYou's masterpiece, but this is the one for me. The two albums do have a similar sound, unlike their two other albums which are both a little different, but for whatever reason I like Catch for Us the Foxes a whole lot more. Atmospheric but heavy with deep, Christian lyrics delivered through spoken word... this music is definitely not for everyone, but those who do appreciate it will agree with me that it really is an amazing record.

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Taking Back Sunday – New Again (2009)

2010-05-27T19:24:00.000-07:00

I love this album and I think that Tell All Your Friends is boring. The end. Really though, this is an awesome album, and I'll never understand the nostalgia fags that won't even give it a chance. Just a collection of great, catchy tracks; and that is what I personally want when it comes to Taking Back Sunday.

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Thursday – Common Existence (2009)

2010-05-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

Now this is an album I am glad that I have come to appreciate. This is some truly beautiful post-hardcore music. I don't know much of their other music too well, having only listened to their earlier release Full Collapse a couple of times and nothing else, but this is really something. Give it a listen and you will know what I mean. After listening to tracks such as You Were the Cancer, Time's Arrow and Circuits of Fever (wow), I can't wait to see what else this band is capable of bringing out. Amazing.

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Converge – Axe to Fall (2009)

2010-05-27T16:58:00.000-07:00

Ever since I found myself getting into Underoath's latest album, Lost in the Sound of Seperation, I've found that I have an appreciation for chaotic hardcore music. I haven't come across a great amount of it since, but upon lurking the old Last.fm I managed to come across a real gem of the mathcore genre, Converge's latest album Axe to Fall. It works perfectly as an album, with most tracks leading directly into each other (I didn't even notice when some tracks ended and others began when I listened to it for the first time), but at the same time each track is unique and enjoyable in its own way. Everything about this record is just awesome, including the last two 'softer' tracks. I will definitely be checking out more Converge in the future, but in due time; I know I'm not going to be getting bored of this anytime soon. Highly recommended.

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Showbread – Age of Reptiles (2006)

2010-05-27T05:08:00.000-07:00

Showbread are definitely my favourite recent discovery in regards to bands. Not only due to the novelty value which comes from the pure originality of their music (self-proclaimed as the only 'raw rock' band in the world - it's a brilliant genre), but how genuinely good that music is. If you want to have fun listening music but don't want your friends to laugh at you for listening to crunk rock, raw rock is the way to go. Any band with a black screaming vocalist and a srs keytarist is good in my book - and they really are a great bunch of guys, too.

Age of Reptiles was the last of their professionally released albums I listened to. Not as 'screamo' as its predecessor, No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practicle, but as a full album I must say I prefer it. No Sir... has some amazing stand out tracks, but Age of Reptiles is an album I can really enjoy listening to all the way through. It also features what is easily my favourite of their slow (for the most part) worship songs at the end of the album, the title track Age of Reptiles. Well, I don't know if the word 'worship' is quite right, but the band does have other songs in the same vein that appear at the end of their other albums, and Age of Reptiles is by far my favourite of those.

I would call Age of Reptiles Showbread's most accessible work, and definitely the one that is most fun to listen to from beginning to end. If you haven't heard of them before, check it out. There's nothing wrong with something a little different, and there's something very right with Showbread's brand of 'raw rock', as shown on this album.

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Falling Up – Captiva (2007)

2010-05-27T04:45:00.000-07:00

If I had to choose what my favourite thing about the now defunct band Falling Up was, it would have to be this album, right after their name. (Whether you like their music or not, you have to admit they have a cool band name.) I regretably missed their last ever performance at Parachute 2010, though I was at the festival, but since then I've listened to all of their albums and I must say I've been impressed. They are a band that really progressed in sound with every release, subtly but noticably each time. From the rapcore elements of Crashings to the highly ambient and experimental sound of their fourth and final album Fangs!, Falling Up have shown that they are not a band that enjoys sticking to the exact same formula. Captiva is really the album that stands out to me, though. Not very different in sound from Dawn Escapes, the one that preceeded it, but far more consistant and enjoyable. Simply put, it's just a great rock album, and the Falling Up album that you should listen to, if any.

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