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After the Foo Fighters’ last album, In Your Honor, I had finally come to terms with one of the band’s major flaws—most of their [newer] songs sound exactly the same. Like many successful mainstream rock bands, it sometimes feels like the Foo Fighters are simply rehashing the same ideas that made their first songs so enjoyable, writing slight variations of previous hits. This results in track after track of inferior imitations, as the band fails to recapture the past glory of the late 90s. For that reason, perhaps combining the best hard rock and acoustic portions of In Your Honor into a single disc would have given fans something a little more diverse and a lot more memorable.

With that said, I just read an article about their upcoming sixth album. Naturally, I would expect more of the same from them, but the article does make a few promising claims. It’ll still be an overproduced, commercial affair, but one quote from Grohl mentions crazy time signatures. This could be a good or bad thing, but at least it’s not something straight out of “Everlong.” Also, another potentially interesting development is that acoustic guitar extraordinaire Kaki King is a guest musician on one track. At the very least, it’s not Norah Jones again.

As you probably read in Sheppard’s post, he and I attended Voxtrot’s Webster Hall show on June 15. Evidently, Voxtrot was worried that their sound wouldn’t be engaging enough and decided to lower everyone’s expectations (and brain activity) by having Au Revoir Simone and Favourite Sons as openers.

Both bands can be described like this: snoozefest. Though they seemed nice enough, the three females of Au Revoir Simone completely lacked anything akin to stage presence, merely content to stand awkwardly on-stage, fiddling with synthesizers and keyboards. Their version of dreamy pop featured indiscernible vocals about—well, who cares? Buy the album or something. Meanwhile, Favourite Sons were a generic hard rock band in the worst sense of the phrase. I recall some folksy elements, but who can really be sure, since I barely remember what they sounded like anyway.

Following such lackluster openers, Voxtrot could do no wrong. At some point during their first song, “Introduction,” it was apparent that Voxtrot’s sound didn’t translate exceptionally well into a live setting, especially at Webster Hall, a venue notorious for its poor acoustics. The guitars didn’t sound like they were turned up to 10, let alone 11. Still, given the nature of the band’s music (bright, jangly indie pop), Voxtrot still put on an enjoyable show, no doubt helped by the seemingly boundless energy of frontman Ramesh Srivastava. Their second song in particular, “Kid Gloves,” helped highlight this aspect of the band’s appeal, as Srivastava fervently belted out the band’s most self-loathing lyrics to date: “Cheer me up, cheer me up, I’m a miserable fuck.” Granted, his constant hand waving and stage acrobatics made me doubt the truth of this claim, but his delivery reminds you of that bright-eyed kid next door, before the jaded indie hipsters got to him. A combination of The Smiths, Belle and Sebastian, and Of Montreal, Voxtrot unleash three-to-four-minute bursts of indie-pop perfection. Their setlist included a mix of memorable old material (“Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, and Wives,” “Soft and Warm,” “Raised by Wolves”) as well as newer songs off their debut full-length (“Ghost,” “Stephen,” “Brother in Conflict”). As a result, despite having their sound drowned out in the cavernous NY dance hall, Voxtrot managed to capture just enough of their studio charm to keep the audience satisfied. Throw in a weird dance number, and you have yourselves a live experience.

This was much bigger than Weezer in the 90’s and they’re coming back!!

On Friday night, Chris and I went into to Webster Hall to see Voxtrot. Voxtrot recently released their debut album, “Voxtrot.” They also have three very successful EPs that they released over the past three years. Before we went to the concert we hung out at Friday’s by Penn Station for happy hour. Everyone we talked to had no idea who Voxtrot was. A friend of mine asked me what they sounded like. Now that I have had more time to think about I would like to attempt to answer that question. I think they are a cross between the Strokes, the Shins, and Coldplay. Musically they sound very similar to the Strokes. Fast paced guitar rhythms with driving bass lines. However, there are instances when they let the piano and their accompanying orchestra take precedence, kinda like a Coldplay type sound. Vocally, Ramesh Srivastava sounds a lot like Shins front man James Mercer, however he is much more upbeat and he has quite a stage presence. He is quite the big fan of throwing up his left hand and waving at the crowd. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and I would definitely see them again.

I also highly recommend giving their album a try. The album opens with a track titled “Introduction.” However, it is much more than an introduction; I love the orchestral arrangement. The second track “Kid Gloves” is arguably the best track on the album. I love the line “Cheer me up/ Cheer me up/ I’m a miserable fuck.” I felt engulfed the first time I heard it. Other notable tracks are the piano heavy “Steven” and “Ghost.” During the concert Ramesh played keyboards for both tracks. “Brother in Conflict” features the best percussion on the album. One of the biggest problems I have had with albums lately are their very weak finishes. The exact opposite is true here. “Blood Red Blood” incorporates all of Voxtrot’s many sounds. “Loan Shark” has a really cool guitar riff and excellent singsong style lyrics. I could not think of better song to close out the album then “New Love.” The only complaint I have is that I think they should have included songs from the EPs. If “The Start of Something” and “You’re Biggest Fan” were on this album, it would easily be a 10. I think I am going to go with an 8 for this one though.

I try to read as many reviews and listen to as many myspace pages as I can these days. I seem to be obsessed with finding the next big thing. I noticed that The Fratellis debut album, “Costello Music” was getting a lot of press. I had heard “Flathead” on the iTunes new commercial and I figured I would give them a try. They are not going to be the next big thing. The Fratellis come scarily close to being a complete knockoff of the Franz Ferdinand and the Arctic Monkeys. They basically took a garage sound and wrote a bunch of radio friendly, singsong style tunes. “Chelsea Dagger” is addicting and “Henrietta” opens the album with a bang. My favorite track is “Whistle For The Choir” because it has a bit of a different feel then the rest of the album. Unfortunately, after the first five songs, the album takes a drastic turn for the worse. I found myself skipping tracks because of the album’s repetitive feel. Albums should get better with each listen (to a certain extent), but this one gets old very quickly. I actually sat down thinking I was going to give this album some decent props, but as I progressed I realized this album really is not that good. This is a debut album, so there is nothing to compare it with, so I can’t really say it is a disappointment. However, after listing to the beginning of the album, you will get excited, only to be displeased later. I give “Costello Music,” the debut album from The Fratellis a 6.

Kings Of Leon recently released their third studio album, “Because of the Times.” This is the follow up to the successful “ Aha Shake Heartbreak.” This album is a bit of a departure from that album. The opener, “Knocked Up” is a very peculiar track. The drum beat and guitar rhythms are awesome, however at over seven minutes, this one just drags on. The lead single is “On Call,” which is a much slower paced song then what Kings Of Leon fans are accustomed to. While singles have never been their selling point, I really think they needed a standout songs and this album is missing that. Some bright spots include “Charmer,” “Black Thumbnail,” “Ragoo,” and “My Party.” As a whole I would say that this is by far the weakest effort that Kings Of Leon have put forward. I really wanted this album to blow me away, but it has come up short. I have pushed this album aside a bit lately and I have turned to some more upbeat stuff. Who knows, maybe I will turn back to this album when I get depressed or something. However, for now, I just can’t give this effort and glowing review. I give “Because of the Times” a 6.

A few weeks ago, my housemate got an advanced copy of “Minutes to Midnight,” the third studio release from Linkin Park. I just have to come right out and say I am incredibly disappointed. The nu metal sound is gone and the band and dj Han are overshadowed by Bennington and Shinoda’s weak lyrics. It sounds like two completely different bands at points. There is almost no interaction between the front men during the songs. It seems like it half a Chester Bennington solo album and half Fort Minor album. The group as a whole said they did not like being classified in the nu metal genre and they claimed to hate the all the other bands that were associated with it. They obviously accomplished their goal of abandoning that sound. The only track that I think might be worth listening to is “Given Up.” That one sounds a bit like the Linkin Park of old. The rest of the tracks are just a complete disaster. I am going to go ahead and say that I am more disappointed with this album then I have been with any album before. “Minutes to Midnight” gets a 4.

Music is supposed to be fun and Fountains Of Wayne takes that statement to heart. Adam Schlesinger is perhaps the best corny pop songwriter that is around today. How can you not love someone who wrote the songs for the recent film Music and Lyrics and don’t forget about the classic “That Thing You Do” and Cars’ knock-off “Stacy’s Mom.” Throw in Chris Collingwood, an excellent singer with a country music background, and you have got one of today’s best pop acts, Fountains Of Wayne. Their most recent release “Traffic and Weather” has not received much mainstream play but it is without a doubt a quality album. The first single, “Someone to Love” is an ironic story about two people who can’t find love. Another plus is that the video features Demetri Martin as Seth Shapiro. He is not Rachel Hunter, but it caught my attention. “’92 Subaru” is a hilarious song mocking all the unnecessary accessories that come with cars these days. “Yolanda Hayes” is a song that features a dude that falls in love with a chick at the DMV; don’t worry it is full of DMV jokes. “This Better Be Good” seems like it is told from the perspective of teenage whom has caught his girlfriend hanging out with some other guy. “Traffic and Weather” is a synth rock track with corny line: “We belong together/ like traffic and weather.” Every time I hear that song I can’t help laugh a little. Chris Collingwood claimed he wrote two of the tracks, which are pretty easy to pick. Those would be the country sounding “Fire in the Canyon” and “Seatbacks and Traytables Up.” I surprisingly found “Fire in the Canyon” entertaining. “I-95” is a nice slow down track that can easily be traced back to Schlesinger’s New Jersey roots. “Plant of Weed” is one of the most interesting songs on the album. It is clearly a reflection of what life feels like when you have indulged in a little marijuana usage. It is pretty stereotypical of what people say and pretty much every line has some funny weed reference. This is easily going to be my pick for best pop album of the year. I don’t see anyone really being able to contend with the pop genius that is Fountains Of Wayne. I give “Traffic and Weather” a 9.

After a very brief layoff the Arctic Monkeys are back with their second release, “Favourite Worst Nightmare.” If we all remember their debut album was one of the most anticipated debut albums and it sold more copies in its first week then any other debut album in the UK. I am not really sure what kind of sales statistics accompany this album, but I would be surprised if it has been selling very well. In general the Arctic Monkeys have the same sound on this album, however I believe the bass guitar has a better presence on this album. Perhaps the departure of Andy Nicholson and the arrival of new bassist Nick O’Malley has worked out for the best.

The first single off the album, “Brainstorm” was released over a month before the album released and it definitely sparked a lot of interest. It was a little different because of it is a little more harsh then what they usually bring to the table. The lyrics are fast paced and don’t make much sense. However, it is catchy and therefore delivers what a single should deliver. After hearing “Teddy Picker” the second track you get the feeling that they once comical lyrics might make a departure on this album. However, “D Is For Dangerous” reinstalls your faith with lines like “D is for delightful/ and try to keep your trousers on.” “Balaclava” another solid track follows next. This is more typical of a Arctic Monkey’s song because it has that fast pace but slows down in spots. My favorite song on the album, “Florescent Adolescence” has great lyrics and a great bass line. Although it is not really intended to be funny, it comes off that way. “The Bad Thing” promotes cheating on your spouse and contains a couple of good jokes. “Old Yellow Bricks” has a repetitive guitar rhythm, but the driving bass line and excellent percussion make it one of the best tracks on the album.

There are two songs that stand out as a bit under par. “Only Ones Who Know” is just too slow. I mean I have no problem with some experimentation, but this one went very badly. I could see a ballad if Alex Turner had something really profound to say, but this track just does not deliver. “This House Is A Circus” is repetitive and tries to be serious but also has lines like “This house is a circus, berserk as fuck.” It just dons not work.

Overall this album is a strong effort and it is even more impressive that they put it out so quickly and kept it a solid album. I got concerned that it was going to be a bunch of reject songs from the first album. Sometimes, it comes off that way because of how outstanding “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” was, but this album has many distinguishing tracks of its own. While not a disappointment, album of the year is going to be a bit of a reach. I give “Favourite Worst Nightmare” a 9.

I am eventually going to get around to reviews of new albums from Kings Of Leon, The Fratellis, and Fountains Of Wayne.

Here is my concert calendar. I won’t necessarily be attending all of these, but I wouldn’t be opposed to them either.

5/13 – The Album Leaf @ Bowery Ballroom ($15, 18+)
5/15 – The Blow @ Irving ($15)
5/16 – Laura Veirs & The Saltbreakers @ Gramercy Theater ($14, 16+)
5/16 – Mates of State @ Solar One (free)
5/17 – Mastodon, Against Me, Cursive @ Roseland Ballroom ($25)
5/18 – Tapes N Tapes @ Irving ($15, 16+) – SOLD OUT?
5/18 – Lady Sovereign @ Studio B ($10, 21+)
5/19 – Pretty Girls Make Graves @ Gramercy Theater ($15, 16+)
5/30 – @ Studio B ($16)
5/31 – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ Webster Hall ($25, 18+)
6/1 – Animal Collective, Danielson @ South Street Seaport (free)
6/2 – Dean & Britta @ Luna Lounge ($17, 21+)
6/5 – Kings of Leon, Snowden @ Roseland Ballroom ($27)
6/6 – Great Lake Swimmers @ Joe’s Pub ($14)
6/7 – The Sea and Cake, Loney, Dear @ Webster Hall ($20, 18+)
6/8 – Architecture in Helsinki @ Irving ($18, 16+)
6/14 – Palomar @ Union Hall ($8, 21+)
6/15 – Voxtrot @ Webster Hall ($18, 18+)
6/16 – Television, Apples in Stereo @ Central Park Summerstage (free)
6/26 – Wilco @ Warsaw (tba, 16+)
6/16 – Martha Wainwright @ World Financial Center (free)
6/30 – Langhorne Slim, Dirty on Purpose @ Luna Lounge ($15, 21+)
6/30 – Fiery Furnaces @ Maxwell’s ($15, 18+)
7/4 – New Pornographers @ Battery Park (free)
7/7 – Built to Spill, Cat Power @ McCarren Park Pool ($32)
7/8 – Marnie Stern @ Knitting Factory ($10)
7/11 – Spoon @ Rockafeller Park (free)
7/12 – Maximo Park @ Webster Hall ($16, 18+)
7/16 – The Decemberists, Grizzly Bear, Land of Talk @ Central Park Summerstage ($30)
7/17 – Slint @ Webster Hall ($30, 18+)
7/18 – Slint @ Webster Hall ($30, 18+)
7/20 – Neko Case @ Central Park Summerstage (tba)
7/20 – 65daysofstatic @ Europa ($10, 16+)
7/24 – The White Stripes @ MSG ($39.50)
7/28 – Sonic Youth @ McCarren Park Pool (tba)
8/6 – Muse, Cold War Kids @ MSG ($39.50)
8/9 – The Hold Steady @ Prospect Park (tba)
8/10 – Tokyo Police Club @ Bowery Ballroom ($15, 18+)

P-fork? Siren?

This will be updated as necessary.

So someone ended up giving me their extra ticket to see Dismemberment Plan last night, and it was pretty awesome. Travis Morrison is a really good performer. I was actually right in front of him, which I enjoyed because he’s a good performer and because he’s beautiful. They opened with A Life of Possibilities and finished the encore with The City. They also covered part of that Beyonce song Irreplaceable, which was pretty funny. Oh, and they handed out this really sexist pornographic cake that someone gave them. I ate some, it was pretty good.