MONIQUE'S TWO CENTS...
Have no fear Monique is here! Another issue another column, however she’s flying solo this month (again). Albums are dropping left and right, this month is all about the N-E-W! Well new and newish.
June – “Your Shadow”
The 80’s just keep rearing its head; in a good way: random color combinations, off-the-shoulder shirts, the Reebok pump, this song… I first heard “Your Shadow” earlier this summer when June came to Sonar and have been itching to listen to it again ever since, longest two months ever. Yeah, it really is that good; that is if you like to groove. It’s not a poppy disco song, but more melodic with an eighties core. Very hard to describe because of its originality; haven’t said that about music in a while. Overall, this CD is brilliant from beginning to end, and it doesn’t leave you with that “I’ve heard it before” feeling. “Make it Blur” is not just another pop punk CD from the standard cookie cutter.
Line of choice: “The city would not lose its view or forget the scents of me and you”
Put it on your to-do list – “Make It Blur”
Other Notable tracks: “Sight for Sore Eyes”, “Swallowed”, “(Hidden Track)” & “I’d Lose Myself”
Silverstein – “Worlds Apart”
EPIC! Silverstein really can do it all. I heard this song, my jar dropped, and my only thought as I pressed repeat was “wow”. I don’t care if you hate this band, listen to this track. If you have ever felt a true emotion in your life, you will find yourself belting out the words right there with Shane. The song starts off soft as a ballad, gains momentum and energy, then wham you’re singing again but only for thirty seconds and it makes perfect sense. I think I could play this song for an hour straight and not get tired of it. Come to think of it, I already have…
Line of choice: “I’m changing all the locks, ‘cause I can’t change you”
Biggest surprise of the summer – “Arrivals and Departures”
Other Notable tracks: “My Disaster”, “True Romance” & “This Sand Will Turn to Glass”
Linkin Park – “Bleed It Out”
Answer this: Why did you ever start to like Linkin Park? Well that’s why you should listen to this song. Clap, pump your fist, scream, stomp; the choices are endless and all just as fitting. If LP did anthems, “Bleed It Out” would fall under that category. I’m sure one or twenty of your friends have it on their myspace page, no worries it’s not cliché. “Bleed It Out” is the song that you start to sing and people just join in, despite the fact that it’s not playing. The car rockability of this song is through the roof; although it’s starting to get cold, wind down the windows and crank this on your way to your next show; it’s only three minutes and so worth it.
Line of choice: “Go stop the show, choppy words and a sloppy flow”
It’s like they never left – “Minutes to Midnight”
Other Notable tracks: “No More Sorrow”, “The Little Things Give You Away” & “Given Up”
Yellowcard — “Light Up The Sky”
I know you wrote off Yellowcard after “Lights and Sounds”, but let’s act like that never happened. If “Paper Walls” (the album) is their way of apologizing, YC can break my heart anytime. The band definitely took their time and went back to their roots for this album. “Light Up the Sky” has that indescribable Yellowcard goodness; think “Ocean Avenue”, “Way Away”, and “Breathing”. Yeah, just good and airy! I can’t wait to see them live just so I can clap during the breakdown; also because this band makes everything better live.
Line of choice: “And it’s still so hard to be who you are, but you’ve come this far with a broken heart”
Don’t give up on them yet – “Paper Walls”
Other Notable tracks: “Fighting”, “Shrink the World” & “Five Becomes Four”
ONE LAST WORD...
I can’t begin to tell you how amped I am for Fall. Summer may be the time when all the CDs drop, but Fall is when the bands go on tour! So many great bands will all be coming around so keep an eye out for them.
PS: Don’t forget that Motion City Soundtrack’s CD drops September 18th needless to say I will be talking about the greatness that is “Even if it Kills Me”, along with all the other songs I just can’t turn off.