First Quarter Report
2010 seemed to start out a bit slowly, but sure did it pick up impressively. The heavyweight matches don’t take place until later in the year between Radiohead, Minus the Bear, The Gaslight Anthem, Jonsi, and a slew returning big names. The main trend, it seems, among the first quarter of 2010’s best comes from the refinement or subtle changes in a band’s sound. Rather than recreating the promising albums of the past, Titus Andronicus, Beach House, and Frightened Rabbit refused to regurgitate the same album that first garnered them a fair amount of credibility. Instead, the commencement of the decade has opened with evolving bands – sometimes for better, other times, not so much – and I find it heartening. On that note of evolution, risk-taking, and utter surprise, I give you the best of the best in the first quarter of 2010…
Besides a really cool design on their album cover, Queens Club rocks out with some great tunes. The band assembled in 2008 and is composed of the ex-members of the metal band The Chariot. Their new CD, Young Giant, was recently released on Tooth and Nail Records, which has signed similar popular bands like Anberlin. As I listened to the album, I was struck by the catchy guitar riffs and the energy that this group generates. This CD is packed with a number of great songs that are all worth listening to.
Yerp! It’s that time of the year again – a special time I like to call Holy Week. This week’s new releases features albums from up-and-coming bands Civil Twilight and Freelance Whales. We also see a new EP from British Alt Rockers, Arctic Monkeys. Check them out and listen till your ears bleed!!!!!! 😛
It’s hard not to have a strong opinion on Brand New”s brand new release, Daisy. The colossal wave of hype surrounding this album wasn”t replicated by any other band this year. Jesse Lacey and the rest had their destiny decided for them. Because of the expectations, Daisy was going to be a massive hit or a disappointment. Please excuse me for thinking that it doesn”t live up to either of these labels. Daisy, first and foremost, is what Brand New does best- progression. From the pop-punk of Your Favourite Weapon, to the emo-tinged Deja Entendu, to the masterpiece The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me, Brand New have managed to adapt and improve their sound while still remaining appealing and interesting. 
Touche Amore”s … To The Beat Of A Dead Horse, is a record to take seriously. One look at the ominous cover can tell you that. A harrowing black and white cover complete with trite symbolism in the form of a foreboding rain cloud certainly displays a feeling of danger, ominousness, and even foreboding doom. Touche Amore are just one of the many recent bands to integrate emo and hardcore music. The most striking aspect is that no song hurdles the 3 minute mark. Short and pithy, … To The Beat is a screamo-influenced modern hardcore record with a melodic twist. Too much genre?… my apologies, but … To The Beat Of A Dead Horse really is a superb blend of genre-bending qualities.
This week, Dan Black remains at #1, while Frightened Rabbit and Shooter Jennings see big debuts into the Top 40. Who knows how long Dan Black will retain the coveted number one position! This week’s chart is inspired by Northern Iowa’s Ali Farokhmanesh and his ability to destroy NCAA brackets. I’m losing money over this guy! Who the hell does he think he is? I guess I should stop betting, but that would be logical. 
This week’s new release features the new live album from the White Stripes as well as a new album from the Disco Biscuits and the Drive By Truckers. If you’re looking for something new to enjoy, check out this list. We’ve got a wide range of music on the list, so make sure you take it all in. Take a listen, folks! 
A Philly jam-band with an energetic live show, The Disco Biscuits transcend the live setting surprisingly well on Planet Anthem. The album is an interesting fusion of electronic and rock music overflowing with effects and a two-sided atmosphere. Rather than centering Planet Anthem around single material, Disco Biscuits choose an interesting concept for their sound- an album that works together as a whole. Ultimately, it’s this decision that makes Planet Anthem worth a listen and perhaps a little more likable than it should be. While listen one and listen two might have you expressing some surprise over how enjoyable you find Planet Anthem, it’s not until multiple listens that the Disco Biscuits’ latest really reveals itself. As Shrek would say, Disco Biscuits are “like an onion.” They have layers. They may be a little stinky at some points, but Planet Anthem is a surprising success if only for the fact that it’s better than your first judgements may indicate. 
After a five-year period following the release of “Demon Days” in 2005, let me say: “Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach.” The Gorillaz, everyone’s favorite virtual band, has finally created a new album that has been highly anticipated. The album is packed with sixteen tracks that incorporate the usual range of genres from Hip Hop to Electronica and Alternative/Pop Rock. One aspect of the Gorillaz that catches listeners’ attention is the various artists featured on each song. For instance, the song “White Flag” features two rappers and the National Orchestra for Arabic Music, all on top of a simple electronic piano loop. What is interesting to me is that somehow all of those parts fit together to make a very unique song. Meanwhile, the song “Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach” features Snoop Dogg and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble presenting this new realm that the Gorillaz have created. The album art effectively brings the listener into another world, especially with the cover.