65Daysofstatic - "We were Exploding Anyway"

Long time no post, but I'm back with something totally different from my last post; instead of looking at some heavy Metalcore, I'm going to introduce you to some electro tinged post rock in the form of "We were Exploding Anyway" by 65Daysofstatic.

I love this band, and every time I mention them to, well, anybody, I'm always on the receiving end of a perturbed glance; nobody has heard of these guys. Well, except my Radio tutor. He has good taste.

Well, if you haven't heard of them, this is album to introduce yourself to them with. It's easily their most accessible album, with electronic beats, normal time signatures for the most part and more melody than their previous outings.

The album clicks in to life with "Mountainhead", and I literally mean clicks. The off-beat drums lead into an angular guitar rhythm alongside some subtle sampling. This song perfectly encapsulates what this album sounds like, and it's one of my personal favourites. "Crash tactics" is next; it's pounding drums and spacey guitar sections wouldn't be out of place backing some kind of action scene in a sci-fi movie. "Dance, Dance" is probably one of the livelier tracks on the album, with a beat that will crush your skull coming in after some deceptively soothing electronic organs.

"Piano Fights" is as much delicate as it is rip roaringly fun, and "Weak 4", a single from the album, is as close to Dubstep that this band will ever come. I don't really know what Dubstep is if I'm honest, but it's probably not as good as this track.

Having toured with The Cure, it seems only right that Robert Smith their vocalist makes and appearance on "Come to Me". At just over 8 minutes long, it's the longest track on the album, but the manipulated vocals of Smith and the interesting drum and guitar parts make each second of this dance anthem a great listen.

"Go complex" starts with what sounds like the end of the Earth, eventually exploding in to a Pendulum-esque beat that will have your head bouncing. The album ends with "Debutante" and "Tiger girl", the former a mellow and (almost) calming track with operatic "Ahhhhs" and synths accompanying an off kilter drum beat and scratchy guitar chords, and the latter being a 10 minute all out dance track.

Overall, this album is brilliant listen. Although different to their other material, the album still somehow fits nicely into this band's back catalogue. Once you're done with this album, take a listen to their older stuff; maybe then I won't be the only one in the room to have listened to this great band.

Every Time I Die - "The Big Dirty"

I thought I'd start of with this album as it's one of my personal favourites. Every Time I Die were originally a Metalcore band, but with this full length release they not only build upon their original sound, but they also incorporate new stylistic features too their music such as actual choruses and new instruments such as a cowbell - That's right, a freakin' cowbell!

Yeah this album is a couple of years old, but I never said I'd be reviewing new albums; just the ones I think you should listen too, and this is definitely worth your time.

The album starts with "No Son of Mine", and what fans of the band may notice is that the song, and album in general, is decidedly slower in pace than the more frantic and energy driven albums of time gone by such as "Hot Damn!" and "Gutter Phenomenon". It's still loud, brash and in your face, but in a more rock ' n' roll way; their's a distinct lack of dissonant chords on this album.

After the country rock rhythm of "No Son of Mine", we have "Pigs is Pigs", and all out sucker punch to the gut which never gives in. Keith Buckley's voice is better than ever here, as is the guitar and rhythm sections from the rest of the band.

In my opinion, the first stand out track from this album is "We'rewolf". The tap of the cowbell at the start of the song ushers in the band on top form; the line "I've been bitten by the party animal" perfectly sums up this song. As soon as you hear the tap, tap, tap of that darn cowbell, you just want to get up and boogie. It's that good.

To briefly go over other highlights of the album, "Cities and Years" ends with a bone shatteringly heavy breakdown, "Rendez-voodoo" has a groove that could start an earthquake, and "Imitation is the sincerest form of Battery" is so scathing in it's delivery you'd suspect that if Buckley ever met one of the people he's addressing, he'd have his way with them... and then some.

I can't suggest certain songs over others, because they're all great. "Depressionista" is a personal favourite with it's chorus chant of "'Till Death do we rock, we're so full of sh*t, 'Till death do we rock, you keep buying it!". Alongside that, "InRihab" is pretty damn catchy, whilst "Rebel without Applause" is relentless.

Just give this album a listen, you won't regret it.

Favourite Lyric - "We'rewolf" - "Well I didn't put my hair in a ponytail for nothing, so if I'm going home alone, then I aint going at all"

So here I am.

Because I know I'm pretty much talking to myself right now, I'm just going use this post to let you know what my blog's about.

I have... an eclectic taste in music to say the least. Most of the bands/artists/albums I like seem to be ignored by many people and in my opinion that's a shame; with this blog I hope to bring you lovely people some new and interesting music that, hopefully, you'll enjoy and pass on to others.

I understand not everyone likes the same thing, but there's no harm in trying to broaden people's horizons.

I'm not sure what band/artist/album I'll start with, but I'll try my best to make it vaguely accessible.

See you Soon!