The Decemberists - The Crane Wife

Release Date: 10/03/06
Genre: Indie Rock

So I was a big post-grunge, alt-rock person with pop-punk bands posing as "indie rock" giving them a bad rap for me. Then The Decemberists' name kept getting dropped and I don't remember what album I started with, I think it was the one with "July, July!" and his voice needed some time to get used to, but their music was addicted. Could I related to their lyrics? not really, but it sounded good. And because of that, The Decemberist was the band that help me open the door of the so-called world of "indie" music.

Review: Short background, this album was inspired a Japanese folk tale. "The Crane Wife 3" opens the album and it's easily my favorite. The whole sound is really appealing and the buildup is predicable, but eagerly wanted. And I love everything about it. From the acoustic guitars to the light piano touches that seems to follow your thoughts. Everything just comes together. Part 1 and 2 can be found on track 9. Part 1 is awesome because it's a high pulsing song, but part 2 is a little anti-climatic. It's a bit unorganized and feels less focus. Still nice, but not as strong.

It leads to the album closer, "Sons and Daughter" and it's a friendly tune. The guitar progression repeats the whole time and gradually gets louder overall and it's a song that's gently tilts your head back and forth.

In between, we get good songs such as "Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)" with the help of Laura Veirs and it's a cutesy song. I remember for a week, I had this song in my head and I had no idea where it came from. "O Valencia" is another song with a strong chorus. Great hook.

The other songs might not be as 'catchy,' but I was drawn into them for some reason. "Summersong" felt like it was from France so I enjoyed that touch. "When The War Came" is a dragged out song, but I still listen. Honestly, "The Perfect Crime" is pretty stupid. And "Shankill Butchers" shows them stripped down.

Summary: Great 60 minutes of music.

Key Tracks: The Crane Wife 1, The Island, The Crane Wife 2 And 3,
Rating: 8/10

Hammock - Raising Your Voice... Trying to Stop an Echo

Release Date: 11/20/06
Genre: Ambient

Hello review 151. How do you listen to this album? Nothing happens, yet I find myself getting pulled in by the waves of somber and dreams. This is ambient music at its best.

Review: Actually, this is music as its best. No other album can really draw such emotion from people like this album.

Summary:

Key Tracks: Losing You To You, Floating Away In Every Direction, Will You Ever Love Yourself?
Rating: 10/10

.Moneen. - The Red Tree

Release Date: 04/11/06
Genre: Indie Rock, Emo

I actually had their second album because Last.FM recommended me them and I liked one song whose name escapes me, but I was surprised that they weren't an instrumental band because the one song that was played for me was smooth. Anyways, I downloaded this album because they have a song called "Don't Ever Tell Locke What He Can't Do." Being the huge Lost fan that I am, I wanted to check it out.

Review: In the first song, "Don't Ever Tell Locke What He Can't Do," it almost felt like they entered the bridge in the first chorus, then things just kept getting faster and the way he sings "Yes We Can" felt like the perfect anthem for this band. Second Track is catchy in the good way. The line "I'm not a failure" really stands out.

"The Day No One Needed To Know" really put the band on the map for me. It stands in line with the songs before it, and keeps the momentum and continues to build on its power without becoming stale only to explode with the very climatic "sing for everyone sing without voices."

For the most part, the rest of the record is like that. The singing is very memorable and the melodies are each strong.

Summary: As a whole, it's complete. Very solid record.

Key Tracks: Don't Ever Tell Locke What He Can't Do, The Day No One Needed To Know, There Are A Million Reasons For Why This May Not Work... And Just One Good One For Why It Will
Rating: 8