Hello gorgeous babes! I hope everything is wonderful where you are, if not I hope it gets better. I’m writing this while watching the Arsenal vs. Cardiff City fixture. Go Gunners! Today is going to be fun filled to say the least, a coffee date with the gorgeous ginger who works at the bagel shop by my job. Then my 25th Phish show with some old work friends! A wonderful day indeed!
Today I have a few reviews. First I will start with the new Alkaline Trio record Is This Thing Cursed? The haters will say that it’s just Blink-182 throwaways since Matt Skiba joined them 2 years ago. I say fuck off to these asshats. Although lacking the power of previous releases. I feel the songwriting has become more compact and Dan Andrianos contributions are more numerous than previous records. Derek Grant’s drumming is still top notch, it’s a bummer that he’s ill and won’t be touring with the band. This song has been my favorite so far.
next up Thou from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I first heard these guys on a Nirvana covers album call Whatever Nevermind. The band plays a noisy version of classic New Orleans sludge metal. They are also incredibly prolific this is their fourth release in the past eight months. This is my favorite of the four so far although “Inconsolable” saw the band take a quieter direction that was just a tease. Because they used that to bludgeon the listener into submission with the new record “Magus” here is a track that pretty much slays all.
next up the new Bun-B record Return Of The Trill. It’s been some time since the last Bun-B record. This one does not disappoint. He’s got great production and his raps are smoother than ever. He got some good guest spots, T.I., Lil Wayne, Run The Jewels, Yo Gotti, there is some tracks that are a bit cheesy but that’s because of him trying to modernize to keep up with the young bucks. This track featuring Run The Jewels is my favorite currently
todays subject is a band that my friend Justin told me about during a evening of playing Tony Hawks pro skater and smoking large amounts of weed. That band was Minus The Bear. Having formed from the wreckage of Seattle bands Botch, Sharks Keep Moving, and Kill Sadie(I miss this band). Minus The Bear brought a softer and more guitar oriented sound with keyboards thrown in for ambience and melody. The guitar interplay between Jake Snider and Dave Knudson are what drew me in. It was Erin Tate’s drumming that hooked me, I still to this day try to play some of these parts and end up throwing my sticks at the practice space wall in frustration. The first EP they put out was called “This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic” and this song was my introduction to something very cool.
next up was the debut full length. They would release a bunch of EP’s and only six full length albums. I am only going to to choose songs from the full length records from this point forward two from each one. The EP’s are great but they are numerous, one day they might be put into a compilation record I don’t know. The Debut record Highly Refined Pirates is still my favorite of the six. This song is always a crowd pleaser at their shows.
One thing that got my attention was the level of intelligence in the lyrics. Something that is lacking in modern music. Also the storytelling of some of the songs giving a peek into the band members lives and struggles. The next track is my favorite from the record.
up next is Menos El Oso, the second record released in 2005 was another step into warm inviting waters of the bands sound. This is also the last record with keyboardist Matt Bayles. This song is the only one I haven’t seen played live, I guess Denver heads aren’t into it, I don’t know.
the next song has been played at every show since it’s release. I mean every show when I say that it’s typically the closer, for good reason it fucking slays. Plus Pachuca is a nice place to visit, it’s because of this song I went to experience one for myself. Also Pachuca beat Chivas(Guadalajara) last night which will disappoint the Tapatios at my job. ¡Viva México!
next up is Planet Of Ice. This is bands most popular release amongst fans. Also the first one to get them some recognition on Indie Rock radio stations. This record has them at their tightest with incredible compositions. This track is a classic and another crowd favorite at shows. It is also the first record with Keyboardist Alex Rose.
This song is another one that’s remained in the setlist since it’s debut in 2007.
The next album Omni saw the band take a more pop oriented direction which pissed off some lifers into leaving. I loved it, the songwriting was maturing and the band was feeling themselves in a major way and it shows. This banger is always on my playlists because it fucking rules and I love the synthesizer melody.
This next tune is one that I really enjoy the drums on
The next record is more of the same from before this time more focused, Infinity Overhead is my least favorite of the bunch. I just felt it to be a sequel of Omni. These tracks are standouts however.
The last release Voids is their second to last release. Unlike its predecessor there is a new sense of insecurity and uneasiness. Members of the band having become fathers helped shape this record. It is also the last one with Erin Tate on drums. The standout first track has been their show opener since its release.
my favorite from the album, and the current source of my drumming frustrations. My band mates aren’t sure why I spend hours of my time playing along to this song, it’s so I can be as good as Erin Tate and able to switch times on a dime without melting my brain. Which in turn will make our music better. Sadly there is going to be no more band after December as Minus The Bear are calling it quits after 18 years. Deciding to focus on being dads and other projects they have going on.
this cutie who like me is into metal, she liked my Death Metal blog playlist. She also codes like me, only I’m a noob as I just started for school last week. As you know I have a weakness for Ukrainian women and this one is definitely a major babe. She also has a no bullshit tell it like it is attitude which I appreciate. That babe is @dariianity
Thanks as always for support and any questions, suggestions for new music, comments, or would like your bum featured let me down below.
