Listen to: Jens Lekman

Jens Lekman. His new album "Night Falls Over Kortedala" is absolutely awesome. There should be a review soon.

Track by Track: This Is Hell/Cancer Bats Split [EP]

This Is Hell/Cancer Bats Split [EP] (2007)

1. This Is Hell - Another Facade : This track originally appears on This Is Hell's Sundowning release in 2006. It delivers one of those very powerful songs that you wish could continue, but due to shortness... they end way too soon.

2. This Is Hell - Death Bros. (Cancer Bats cover) : The best part of this vinyl release is how both Cancer Bats and This Is Hell cover one of each others songs. This Is Hell elected to cover Death Bros, one of the songs I actually enjoy by Cancer Bats. Vocalist Travis Reilly brings a keen mix the song making not sound like a cover, but more of one of This Is Hell's own songs.

3. Cancer Bats - Let It Pour : New song from the Canadian natives, very upbeat. Reminds me a lot of an Alexisonfire vibe mixed with a European influence. The song is about three minutes long and is a pretty good song.

4. Cancer Bats - Diamond Lanterns (This Is Hell cover) : I'm pretty much obsessed with the Cancer Bats version of this song. Cancer Bats decided to cover "Diamond Lanterns," a This Is Hell song from their 2005 EP. To me, the song sounds exactly the same as the original. But it's a fun song just to jam to in the car.

I suggest trying to find the vinyl EP if you can. It comes in different colors and is numbered in different quantities.

Rating: 6.7

This Is Hell's Myspace
Cancer Bats Myspace

Ivory Update

Ivory has posted new shows. They also announced that vocalist Nathaniel Swokowski will be leaving for NYC. Read below.

January 31 8:00P Copper Rock - Nathaniel from IVORY Appleton, Wisconsin

Feb 1 2008 7:00P.. The Venue - Nathaniel from IVORY w/ Number One Fan Terre Haute, Indiana

Feb 2 2008 7:00P The Warehouse w/ Number One Fan, The Fold La Crosse, Wisconsin

Feb 7 2008 7:00P Roast w/ Nathaniel from IVORY, Number One Fan Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Feb 8 2008 7:00P The Blend - Nathaniel from IVORY and Number One Fan Chicago, Illinois

Feb 9 2008 6:00P The Loft w/ Number One Fan Madison, Wisconsin

Feb 10 2008 7:00P COPPER ROCK w/Number One Fan Appleton, Wisconsin

With many of the ups and downs in the last few years with Ivory, we have decided to support Nathaniel's move to NYC. He'll be working with producers, songwriting, and meeting with labels for the long-term success of IVORY. He'll be leaving for the coast this Valentines Day so be sure to come and check out these last few shows.

Ivory also posted a new song on myspace entitled "Take It Slow."

Update

I was supposed to attend Kevin Devine's show at The Bowery Ballroom tonight. But due to some hardships, I am not able to attend.

Sorry for the lack of word the past week. I've been barely around to write anything. I have midterms this week and will spend more days updating this.

Rogue Wave Daytrotter Sessions

Rogue Wave has recorded a few tracks with Daytrotter.com part of the "Daytrotter Sessions." Check them out here.

Kevin Devine New Song

Kevin Devine has posted a new song on myspace entitled "Murphy's Song." Personally, one of my favorite songs live.

Nightmare of You- Bang EP

Nightmare of You- Bang EP

In the music industry, sometimes you might catch a family who is very talented in the music business. One always hears about the Kinsella’s marvelous work but another family overshadowed is the Reilly‘s. In this case Brandon Reilly and Nightmare of You. Most agree, Nightmare of You came out of nowhere with their Self titled debut in 2005. The boy’s introduce us to the dancy/indie EP “Bang.”

Nightmare of You is an interesting outfit. With member’s formally of Glassjaw and The Movielife, success wasn’t far away. Bang is released on The Bevonshire Label, which is Nightmare of You’s own label. They recently split from East West Records in May, making the EP impossible to find in any Best Buy or FYE. So I recently went to local music shop, Looney Tunes, and found a copy there. That moment made me re-live the glory of one of the most forgot EP’s of 2007.

Bang is the sophomore release from NOY. It’s one of those EP’s that with every listen, it gets better and better. The release open’s up with the false track titled “I Don't Want To Dance Anymore.” To many, Nightmare of You brings resemblance of The Smiths and Morrissey. This track is clearly an example of Brandon Reilly giving a knack at an English sound. “I Was Never A Normal Boy” follows the first track. The guitar work that guitarist Joseph McCaffrey introduces reminds me a lot of Beatles/Beach Boy’s mashup. Reilly in this song keeps reminding the listener of his childhood life and how he was insecure about many things, including himself.

The first half of Bang is a completely different mood then the rest of the EP. The first half of the EP reminds me of a hang over from the self titled debut. Mellow, depressing rock. To start off the midpoint of Bang, “You're Very Dear To Me” turns the tide with the jazzy/dancing side of Nightmare of You. At first listen, I swore I heard this song on a Geiko commercial. But I can say, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear this song at a nightclub in New York City. “Bang” is the next track on the EP. Again, NOY keeping up with an upbeat tempo, the band show’s how sex is involved in their music. The finally song my personal favorite, “Herbal Jazz Cigarette.” The simple, yet hard driving drum beat that is illustrated in the song sets the speed of how fast you move your feet.

Everyone is going out but you will keep me in tonight even though you aren't here with me. You make me want to find God, you give me meaning for the means of my universe. Oh, the end would have no end. And if I don't see you soon I just might lose whatever is left of my mind. I know, I know, I know that I'm so crazy I know, I know, I know because you told me so. And there's nothing in this world that's quite prescribable that makes me feel the way I feel when I look into your eyes. -Herbal Jazz Cigarette

Getting back to the family members theory. With This Is Hell releasing a new record in 2008, so does Nightmare of You. This EP demonstrates why so many people respect what this band has done in so little time. This EP resembles English rock beats, classic bass, and just an overall positive impression. It’s a shame that Bang wasn’t released worldwide, because many people forgot about the drive of Nightmare of You. Bang brings back a reason why old fan’s should be excited for 2008.

Score: 82%

Track list:
1. I Don’t Want To Dance Anymore
2. I Was Never A Normal Boy
3. You’re Very Dear To Me
4. Bang
5. Herbal Jazz Cigarette

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