It's been a while since I posted. A lot of things came up over the holiday that kept me from keeping up with the blog, so I'm going to bombard the blog with posts right now.
Best of 2011
Okay, so I decided on what my favorite albums of 2011 were. We have:
Panic! At the Disco - Vices & Virtues
Grouplove - Never Trust a Happy Song
AWOLNATION - Megalithic Symphony
Foster the People - Torches
Angels & Airwaves - Love, Part II
Cake - Showroom of Compassion
The Decemberists - The King is Dead
Lupe Fiasco - Lasers
The Strokes - Angles
Gorillaz - The Fall
Bowling for Soup - Fishin' for Woo's
Blue October - Any Man in America
Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You
blink-182 - Neighborhoods
Aqua - Megalomania
Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
All of these are excellent albums in my opinion, but ultimate I had to choose my favorite. I chose two, however. Here's why:
First Choice
Foster the People - Torches
After listening to this album almost non-stop for the past month, it's just about perfect. There isn't a single song, save for Pumped Up Kicks(but that's only because I'm sick of hearing it), that I wouldn't blast on loop. The songs are catchy, satisfying and leaves me wanting more.
This is my first choice simply because my real favorite album of 2011 is only my favorite for the bonus tracks. It doesn't seem right to make it my favorite by those circumstances.
Second Choice
Panic! At the Disco - Vices & Virtues
I love this album with every bit of my being. It's incredible, it's P!ATD's best work, it's a huge improvement for them and it by far beats any album released this year. However, the bonus tracks are what make it that way. Don't get me wrong, I love every song on the album, but the bonus tracks are what I listen to the most. These are "Stall Me", "Oh Glory", "I Wanna' Be Free", "Turn Off the Lights", "Kaleidoscope Eyes" and "Bittersweet".
So there's my reasoning. Favorite albums of 2011.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Album Review III - Foster the People "Torches"
Foster the People - Torches
Columbia - Startime Records
Mark Foster - Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Programming, Synthesizer, Keyboards, Percussion
Mark Pontius - Drums, Extra Percussion
Cubbie Fink - Bass, Vocals
Produced by Paul Epworth, Greg Kurstin, Rich Costey, Tony Hoffer and Mark Foster
This time I'm reviewing one of the highest rated albums of the year- Foster the People "Torches". Their first hit, Pumped Up Kicks lead them straight to the top of the charts with its smooth sounds, catchy chorus and dark lyrics based off of a Truman Capote book. Since then, they've been huge everywhere even though they sound just like a Swedish band called Peter, Bjorn & John, which from now on I'll refer to as PB&J.
Helena Beat
This song sounds like it could easily be by MGMT, which caused me to think it was them until I got my hands on this album. It's one of the strongest songs on the album and it's one of a group of songs by this band that I prefer as an overall genre that they fit into. I would like them a lot more if they had this sound more often instead of sounding like PB&J. It's catchy, has an awesome chorus and satisfies my love of synthesizers quite well.
Pumped Up Kicks
Easily the most famous song off of this album, this song was based off part of a book by Truman Capote, which you read above. It's also the song that sounds the most like PB&J. It has an catchy chorus, great bass lines and just an overall smooth sound. However, when you're forced to listen to it as often as I am, with it played on every radio station a ridiculous amount of times, it stops being appealing.
Call It What You Want
Now this song sounds like it would've been huge in the late 80s, mixing that turntable sound with awesome piano riffs and it just has an awesome dance feel and chorus. No complaints at all from this song. It's one of the strongest songs they have.
Don't Stop(Color On the Walls)
Another song that sounds very PB&J-esque. It starts off with acoustic guitar, and I'm pretty sure I've heard it on a commercial or two. In fact, I have. It was used in two Nissan commercials. It has a pretty good chorus and has a sound that feels like it's rocking back and forth. Not like rocking, I mean like the motion of rocking.
Waste
This song sounds more like a Coldplay song than anything else, to be honest. It just has their type of sound. It's one of two groups of songs this band seems to have- slower, smoother songs with good choruses(I'll refer to as group 1)and then the higher energy, more synth heavy electronica songs that I like more(group 2). This is definitely in group 1.
I Would Do Anything for You
This is my favorite song from group 1. It's actually my favorite song of theirs period. It has the best chorus, the best verses, it's just an overall strong, steady song. I love it. If you listen, you can hear piano riffs that sound like they're from Call It What You Want.
Houdini
A good addition to group 2, this is another song that really, really, REALLY sounds like it's a MGMT song. Overall good song, good chorus, good verses.
Life on the Nickel
This song is another that sounds like Call It What You Want. Mark Foster's voice kind of goes back in forth between high and low in the song, which actually works for the song. Sub-par chorus overall, but it's a good song.
Miss You
One of the best songs on the album, and one of the best from group 2. It has a big 90s dance feel to it, and is good for closing the album before the last song.
Warrant
The last song on the album. It closes the album in the best way I've found, has an inspiring feel to it and a truly awesome chorus. I love this song. Not much to say about it other than that, really.
Broken Jaw
The bonus track. It has a funky, synth heavy style that fits their best work. I really wish they would make more songs like this rather than the songs in group 1, but there are few perfect albums in the world. Excellent song.
Grade
7/10
So I know I compared their work to a lot of other bands, but that doesn't mean that they're just ripoffs of everyone else. It's just how I explain their feel. That and they really sound like the examples I gave...Overall a pretty good album, far from the best I've heard this year, but it's their first swing at the business and I'm impressed.
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Columbia - Startime Records
Mark Foster - Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Programming, Synthesizer, Keyboards, Percussion
Mark Pontius - Drums, Extra Percussion
Cubbie Fink - Bass, Vocals
Produced by Paul Epworth, Greg Kurstin, Rich Costey, Tony Hoffer and Mark Foster
This time I'm reviewing one of the highest rated albums of the year- Foster the People "Torches". Their first hit, Pumped Up Kicks lead them straight to the top of the charts with its smooth sounds, catchy chorus and dark lyrics based off of a Truman Capote book. Since then, they've been huge everywhere even though they sound just like a Swedish band called Peter, Bjorn & John, which from now on I'll refer to as PB&J.
Helena Beat
This song sounds like it could easily be by MGMT, which caused me to think it was them until I got my hands on this album. It's one of the strongest songs on the album and it's one of a group of songs by this band that I prefer as an overall genre that they fit into. I would like them a lot more if they had this sound more often instead of sounding like PB&J. It's catchy, has an awesome chorus and satisfies my love of synthesizers quite well.
Pumped Up Kicks
Easily the most famous song off of this album, this song was based off part of a book by Truman Capote, which you read above. It's also the song that sounds the most like PB&J. It has an catchy chorus, great bass lines and just an overall smooth sound. However, when you're forced to listen to it as often as I am, with it played on every radio station a ridiculous amount of times, it stops being appealing.
Call It What You Want
Now this song sounds like it would've been huge in the late 80s, mixing that turntable sound with awesome piano riffs and it just has an awesome dance feel and chorus. No complaints at all from this song. It's one of the strongest songs they have.
Don't Stop(Color On the Walls)
Another song that sounds very PB&J-esque. It starts off with acoustic guitar, and I'm pretty sure I've heard it on a commercial or two. In fact, I have. It was used in two Nissan commercials. It has a pretty good chorus and has a sound that feels like it's rocking back and forth. Not like rocking, I mean like the motion of rocking.
Waste
This song sounds more like a Coldplay song than anything else, to be honest. It just has their type of sound. It's one of two groups of songs this band seems to have- slower, smoother songs with good choruses(I'll refer to as group 1)and then the higher energy, more synth heavy electronica songs that I like more(group 2). This is definitely in group 1.
I Would Do Anything for You
This is my favorite song from group 1. It's actually my favorite song of theirs period. It has the best chorus, the best verses, it's just an overall strong, steady song. I love it. If you listen, you can hear piano riffs that sound like they're from Call It What You Want.
Houdini
A good addition to group 2, this is another song that really, really, REALLY sounds like it's a MGMT song. Overall good song, good chorus, good verses.
Life on the Nickel
This song is another that sounds like Call It What You Want. Mark Foster's voice kind of goes back in forth between high and low in the song, which actually works for the song. Sub-par chorus overall, but it's a good song.
Miss You
One of the best songs on the album, and one of the best from group 2. It has a big 90s dance feel to it, and is good for closing the album before the last song.
Warrant
The last song on the album. It closes the album in the best way I've found, has an inspiring feel to it and a truly awesome chorus. I love this song. Not much to say about it other than that, really.
Broken Jaw
The bonus track. It has a funky, synth heavy style that fits their best work. I really wish they would make more songs like this rather than the songs in group 1, but there are few perfect albums in the world. Excellent song.
Grade
7/10
So I know I compared their work to a lot of other bands, but that doesn't mean that they're just ripoffs of everyone else. It's just how I explain their feel. That and they really sound like the examples I gave...Overall a pretty good album, far from the best I've heard this year, but it's their first swing at the business and I'm impressed.
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Sunday, November 20, 2011
Album Review II - AWOLNATION "Megalithic Symphony"
AWOLNATION - Megalithic Symphony
Red Bull Records
Aaron Bruno - Vocals
Christopher Thorn - Guitar
Kenny Carkeet - Guitar
David Amezcua - Bass, Vocals
Hayden Scott - Percussion
Produced by Aaron Bruno
For my second Album Review, I chose AWOLNATION's debut album "Megalithic Symphony". I honestly don't think there could be a more fitting title for this work of art. I was a little bit reluctant to cover this because I'm not that big a fan of the song Sail, or I wasn't at first. All of these songs are angsty, edgy and just beautiful. I'm glad I gave it a listen.
Megalithic Symphony
This song is just a one minute, well, fifty-eight second introduction song that drags you into the album with a bit of programming and synth as well as saying the name of the band.
Some Sort of Creature
This song also serves as a small introduction by telling the listener about a creature Aaron Brunosaw being carried by a Gypsy and her daughter. It's just a creepy filler story, and actually adds to the over all tone of the album. It then feeds into the next song.
Soul Wars
This is probably my favorite song on the album. It's upbeat, catchy and even among the group of highly enjoyable songs, this song sticks out to me. It has a hardcore background, mixed with mild programming, catchy anthem-type lyrics and an amazing chorus.
People
While Soul Wars is my favorite song, this song is the best song on the album in terms of overall sound and enjoyability. It has the best chorus on the album, it has a lighter, synth feel to it, it's a song that everyone can enjoy and Aaron Bruno thanks the listener at the beginning. How can you not like that?
Jump On My Shoulders
The beginning of this song sounds like something Cage the Elephant would make, but it adds a nice rolling sound to it that leads into some nice bridges and the chorus has a hit-making build. If this was released as a single, it would do incredibly well in my opinion. People just love songs like this. The song actually reminds me a little bit of the song Rise by Flobots.
Burn It Down
This song has a sound that seems to be inspired by Little Richard mixed with like Rage Against the Machine, if that makes sense. That's the vibe I got. It's one of those songs that are great to dance to due to its upbeat tempo and rapid-fire chorus breaks. I love the bass on this song, too. There are a couple more songs like this on the album, but believe it or not these are my least favorite types of songs by this particular group. I find the songs that they don't repeat a bunch of things on are their best because the songs seem to be crafted more skillfully.
Guilty Filthy Soul
This is another song that kind of feels like it's a Cage the Elephant song, and kind of mixes a classic rock, funk, hip-hop and gospel sound. Weird, huh? It's a good song, but it's sub-par for the expectations the first three actual songs on the album created.
Kill Your Heroes
This song continues the same sort of sound of Guilty Filthy Soul, but is a bit catchier. It's another sub-par song, but adds to the feel of the album well.
My Nightmare's Dream
This is an intermission song that acts as a stop to the gospel and funk sounding songs and fades into Sail.
Sail
I think this is more than likely the first song everyone hears by AWOLNATION. It's an excellent song and serves as one of those anthem songs that just has a cool, dark sound to it. Almost like darkcore, but not quite. It also took me forever to realize that every line ends with "Blame it on my A.D.D., baby". Apparently, I'm slow. It's not my favorite song on the album, but it's an incredible addition to the album and just adds to the momentum it builds up while you're listening to it.
Wake Up
This song starts off with a nice drum build up/synthesizer combo and works into a funky, powerful song that kind of has an extremely powerful chorus. I'm a sucker for an excellent chorus, which is why I still love Foo Fighters as much as I do. The rest of a song can suck, but if it has a good enough chorus, I'll eat it up. Overall a good song with kind of the same type sound as Sail.
Not Your Fault
This song has a softer indie feel to it at the beginning and just turns into this blend of darkcore, indie and techno-pop that, again, catches you in the chorus. Overall a good song, but far from one of the best.
All I Need
Starting out on piano, this sounds like another one of those gospel anthem songs from the middle of the album. It basically is. It's a nice calm down at the end of the album and fades into the final song.
Knights of Shame
This is another repetitive dance-anthem song like Burn It Down, mixed with some slight hip-hop sounds. The sound of the song stays consistent for the first three minutes or so, then moves into a sound almost like MGMT with an trance sound until they move back to the first sound and have people start rapping for some reason in the dead middle of the song. The rapping is good, but it was just odd because none of the other songs have rapping in them. The bass of the first sound fades into an acoustic guitar playing over the same basic tempo of the sound from before. Overall, the song fades in and out of different sounds, which is a compliment to Aaron Bruno for his seamless transitions in the final song. It's a suiting end to an awesome album.
Grade
9/10
I was really impressed and surprised when I heard the album because I initially expected all the songs to sound remotely like Sail, but it was a truly mind-blowing album, and I expect great things out of this band in the future.
To request an album review, visit:
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or email me at dwalker4608@hotmail.com.
Red Bull Records
Aaron Bruno - Vocals
Christopher Thorn - Guitar
Kenny Carkeet - Guitar
David Amezcua - Bass, Vocals
Hayden Scott - Percussion
Produced by Aaron Bruno
For my second Album Review, I chose AWOLNATION's debut album "Megalithic Symphony". I honestly don't think there could be a more fitting title for this work of art. I was a little bit reluctant to cover this because I'm not that big a fan of the song Sail, or I wasn't at first. All of these songs are angsty, edgy and just beautiful. I'm glad I gave it a listen.
Megalithic Symphony
This song is just a one minute, well, fifty-eight second introduction song that drags you into the album with a bit of programming and synth as well as saying the name of the band.
Some Sort of Creature
This song also serves as a small introduction by telling the listener about a creature Aaron Brunosaw being carried by a Gypsy and her daughter. It's just a creepy filler story, and actually adds to the over all tone of the album. It then feeds into the next song.
Soul Wars
This is probably my favorite song on the album. It's upbeat, catchy and even among the group of highly enjoyable songs, this song sticks out to me. It has a hardcore background, mixed with mild programming, catchy anthem-type lyrics and an amazing chorus.
People
While Soul Wars is my favorite song, this song is the best song on the album in terms of overall sound and enjoyability. It has the best chorus on the album, it has a lighter, synth feel to it, it's a song that everyone can enjoy and Aaron Bruno thanks the listener at the beginning. How can you not like that?
Jump On My Shoulders
The beginning of this song sounds like something Cage the Elephant would make, but it adds a nice rolling sound to it that leads into some nice bridges and the chorus has a hit-making build. If this was released as a single, it would do incredibly well in my opinion. People just love songs like this. The song actually reminds me a little bit of the song Rise by Flobots.
Burn It Down
This song has a sound that seems to be inspired by Little Richard mixed with like Rage Against the Machine, if that makes sense. That's the vibe I got. It's one of those songs that are great to dance to due to its upbeat tempo and rapid-fire chorus breaks. I love the bass on this song, too. There are a couple more songs like this on the album, but believe it or not these are my least favorite types of songs by this particular group. I find the songs that they don't repeat a bunch of things on are their best because the songs seem to be crafted more skillfully.
Guilty Filthy Soul
This is another song that kind of feels like it's a Cage the Elephant song, and kind of mixes a classic rock, funk, hip-hop and gospel sound. Weird, huh? It's a good song, but it's sub-par for the expectations the first three actual songs on the album created.
Kill Your Heroes
This song continues the same sort of sound of Guilty Filthy Soul, but is a bit catchier. It's another sub-par song, but adds to the feel of the album well.
My Nightmare's Dream
This is an intermission song that acts as a stop to the gospel and funk sounding songs and fades into Sail.
Sail
I think this is more than likely the first song everyone hears by AWOLNATION. It's an excellent song and serves as one of those anthem songs that just has a cool, dark sound to it. Almost like darkcore, but not quite. It also took me forever to realize that every line ends with "Blame it on my A.D.D., baby". Apparently, I'm slow. It's not my favorite song on the album, but it's an incredible addition to the album and just adds to the momentum it builds up while you're listening to it.
Wake Up
This song starts off with a nice drum build up/synthesizer combo and works into a funky, powerful song that kind of has an extremely powerful chorus. I'm a sucker for an excellent chorus, which is why I still love Foo Fighters as much as I do. The rest of a song can suck, but if it has a good enough chorus, I'll eat it up. Overall a good song with kind of the same type sound as Sail.
Not Your Fault
This song has a softer indie feel to it at the beginning and just turns into this blend of darkcore, indie and techno-pop that, again, catches you in the chorus. Overall a good song, but far from one of the best.
All I Need
Starting out on piano, this sounds like another one of those gospel anthem songs from the middle of the album. It basically is. It's a nice calm down at the end of the album and fades into the final song.
Knights of Shame
This is another repetitive dance-anthem song like Burn It Down, mixed with some slight hip-hop sounds. The sound of the song stays consistent for the first three minutes or so, then moves into a sound almost like MGMT with an trance sound until they move back to the first sound and have people start rapping for some reason in the dead middle of the song. The rapping is good, but it was just odd because none of the other songs have rapping in them. The bass of the first sound fades into an acoustic guitar playing over the same basic tempo of the sound from before. Overall, the song fades in and out of different sounds, which is a compliment to Aaron Bruno for his seamless transitions in the final song. It's a suiting end to an awesome album.
Grade
9/10
I was really impressed and surprised when I heard the album because I initially expected all the songs to sound remotely like Sail, but it was a truly mind-blowing album, and I expect great things out of this band in the future.
To request an album review, visit:
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or email me at dwalker4608@hotmail.com.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Next Picks I
To help me decide on what album I should review next, I have the following choices:
Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
Gorillaz - The Fall
Travis Barker - Give the Drummer Some
Sum 41 - Screaming Bloody Murder
Bowling for Soup - Fishin' for Woos
Flogging Molly - The Speed of Darkness
Weird Al - Alpocalypse
Taking Back Sunday - Taking Back Sunday
Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You
blink-182 - Neighborhoods
-or you can request a different one as long as it came out in 2011.
To request an album review, visit:
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http://www.twitter.com/dwalker4608
or you can email me at dwalker4608@hotmail.com
Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
Gorillaz - The Fall
Travis Barker - Give the Drummer Some
Sum 41 - Screaming Bloody Murder
Bowling for Soup - Fishin' for Woos
Flogging Molly - The Speed of Darkness
Weird Al - Alpocalypse
Taking Back Sunday - Taking Back Sunday
Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You
blink-182 - Neighborhoods
-or you can request a different one as long as it came out in 2011.
To request an album review, visit:
http://www.facebook.com/dwalker4608
http://www.twitter.com/dwalker4608
or you can email me at dwalker4608@hotmail.com
Album Review I - Angels and Airwaves "Love, Part 2"
Angels and Airwaves - Love, Part Two
To the Stars Records
Tom Delonge - Vocals, Guitar
David Kennedy - Guitar
Matt Wachter - Bass, Synthesizers
Atom Willard - Percussion, Programming
Produced by Tom Delonge
This is the last section of the three-part project by Angels and Airwaves titled "Love". First, we had the 2010 album "Love", the feature film "Love" and this album "Love, Part Two". This is definitely one of my favorite albums now that I've been able to get my hands on it, but it's probably their weakest album overall. 2006's "We Don't Need to Whisper" was their first album, and it was like nothing I had ever heard up to that point. 2007's "I-Empire" improved on the formula Tom Delonge created with the first album, and it just got better from there. This is their fourth album. I was at the mass showing of the film, "Love Live", so I had very high expectations of the new album.
Saturday Love
This is the first song on the album. Opening the album, it sounds just like you would expect from the band- huge sweeping synthesizer melodies, guitar chords that carry the song up and over anything you've ever heard, strong percussion to match and hold support and Tom Delonge's hypnotizing lyrics and choruses. No weak spots whatsoever on the song.
Surrender
This is another song that has the same structure as their previous work. It's easily comparable to "Young London" off of "Love", despite not having the same anthem feel. I'm pretty sure I've heard most of the chorus in another song of theirs, though. Weak lyrics in this song.
Anxiety
This song was revealed, with its music video, at "Love Live", making me extremely excited for the release of the album. It compliments the film in every way imaginable, and it's easily the strongest song on the album, possibly even the strongest song they've ever produced.
My Heroine(It's Not Over)
This song is most comparable to "Soul Survivor(2012...)" off of "Love". The song is a slower song to balance the huge, expansive nature of "Anxiety". It's actually a great balance, considering Tom sings the song in the same rhythm and style as "Anxiety", so it's almost the two songs are halves of one epic song.
Moon as My Whitness
This is the first true slow song on the album, considering "My Heroine(It's Not Over)" was used as a cool down from the power of the first three songs. It's most comparable to "Breathe" off of "I-Empire". The song stays quieter and slower than most of their songs, almost as if it were an intermission. In fact, it does feature an intermission after about the first two minutes of the song.
Dry Your Eyes
The intermission-ish ending to "Moon as My Whitness" serves as the ramp to build up into this song. The first real notes you hear are fast, pounding drums and punk-style guitar chords to continue the build up. This is my favorite song off of the album because it brings the band back to Tom's roots in blink-182 and this band's first two albums. This song is most comparable to "Everything's Magic" off of "I-Empire".
The Revalator
This song starts off with a mixed bass line/synthesizer ramp, leading into this album's "anthem song". Overall, this is the same sound that they give most of their songs. Excellent addition, though.
One Last Thing
This is probably the most recognizable song from the film. It's a very upbeat, solid song to add to the arsenal of the album. It's most comparable to "Shove" from "Love" and "The Gift" from "We Don't Need to Whisper".
Inertia
This song's name couldn't be truer based on the sound of the song. It keeps the rhythm going in the album and starts off with a slow ramp building into incredibly heavy guitar chords. The song moves up and down in tempo toward the end, indicating the shift in tempo for the entire album.
Behold, a Pale Horse
This song sounds like it would've have been a huge hit in the 80's, starting off with interesting synthesizer notes and strong percussion back-up. This is the second "anthem song" on the album along with "The Revalator".
We Are All That We Are
Despite the almost Ke$ha like name, this is actually a very slow, almost ballad-like song. It starts out on piano and slowly, over the course of the song, moves into this "Top Gun" like guitar-solo-anthem. It's an excellent way to end the album.
Grade
8/10
Again, this is probably their weakest album overall, but it's still one of my favorite albums of all time.
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To the Stars Records
Tom Delonge - Vocals, Guitar
David Kennedy - Guitar
Matt Wachter - Bass, Synthesizers
Atom Willard - Percussion, Programming
Produced by Tom Delonge
This is the last section of the three-part project by Angels and Airwaves titled "Love". First, we had the 2010 album "Love", the feature film "Love" and this album "Love, Part Two". This is definitely one of my favorite albums now that I've been able to get my hands on it, but it's probably their weakest album overall. 2006's "We Don't Need to Whisper" was their first album, and it was like nothing I had ever heard up to that point. 2007's "I-Empire" improved on the formula Tom Delonge created with the first album, and it just got better from there. This is their fourth album. I was at the mass showing of the film, "Love Live", so I had very high expectations of the new album.
Saturday Love
This is the first song on the album. Opening the album, it sounds just like you would expect from the band- huge sweeping synthesizer melodies, guitar chords that carry the song up and over anything you've ever heard, strong percussion to match and hold support and Tom Delonge's hypnotizing lyrics and choruses. No weak spots whatsoever on the song.
Surrender
This is another song that has the same structure as their previous work. It's easily comparable to "Young London" off of "Love", despite not having the same anthem feel. I'm pretty sure I've heard most of the chorus in another song of theirs, though. Weak lyrics in this song.
Anxiety
This song was revealed, with its music video, at "Love Live", making me extremely excited for the release of the album. It compliments the film in every way imaginable, and it's easily the strongest song on the album, possibly even the strongest song they've ever produced.
My Heroine(It's Not Over)
This song is most comparable to "Soul Survivor(2012...)" off of "Love". The song is a slower song to balance the huge, expansive nature of "Anxiety". It's actually a great balance, considering Tom sings the song in the same rhythm and style as "Anxiety", so it's almost the two songs are halves of one epic song.
Moon as My Whitness
This is the first true slow song on the album, considering "My Heroine(It's Not Over)" was used as a cool down from the power of the first three songs. It's most comparable to "Breathe" off of "I-Empire". The song stays quieter and slower than most of their songs, almost as if it were an intermission. In fact, it does feature an intermission after about the first two minutes of the song.
Dry Your Eyes
The intermission-ish ending to "Moon as My Whitness" serves as the ramp to build up into this song. The first real notes you hear are fast, pounding drums and punk-style guitar chords to continue the build up. This is my favorite song off of the album because it brings the band back to Tom's roots in blink-182 and this band's first two albums. This song is most comparable to "Everything's Magic" off of "I-Empire".
The Revalator
This song starts off with a mixed bass line/synthesizer ramp, leading into this album's "anthem song". Overall, this is the same sound that they give most of their songs. Excellent addition, though.
One Last Thing
This is probably the most recognizable song from the film. It's a very upbeat, solid song to add to the arsenal of the album. It's most comparable to "Shove" from "Love" and "The Gift" from "We Don't Need to Whisper".
Inertia
This song's name couldn't be truer based on the sound of the song. It keeps the rhythm going in the album and starts off with a slow ramp building into incredibly heavy guitar chords. The song moves up and down in tempo toward the end, indicating the shift in tempo for the entire album.
Behold, a Pale Horse
This song sounds like it would've have been a huge hit in the 80's, starting off with interesting synthesizer notes and strong percussion back-up. This is the second "anthem song" on the album along with "The Revalator".
We Are All That We Are
Despite the almost Ke$ha like name, this is actually a very slow, almost ballad-like song. It starts out on piano and slowly, over the course of the song, moves into this "Top Gun" like guitar-solo-anthem. It's an excellent way to end the album.
Grade
8/10
Again, this is probably their weakest album overall, but it's still one of my favorite albums of all time.
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