Rest on the Moon

Diamond Eyes is an alien abducting you, then taking you on a soul crushing guitar riff through time, and then morphing into your own mirror image. I had to post this because Deftones are back in the Hampton Roads area with Baroness. Haven’t seen them in years, and this might be because of all the indie rock I’ve been listening to lately, but I am stoked. Stoked! These guys slammed out another worthy album with even heavier guitar, wild drums, and the strange ethereal voice of Chino—either whispering haunts or howling revelations—as always, poetic. “Diamond Eyes” encompasses all this and speaks to the tragedy the guys have gone through…pain channeled into creativity.


Baroness is a fucking great opener choice, and had one of the best albums of 2009. Harrowing. Epic. Long overdue for metal fans, they showcase music skill anyone can appreciate! There’s a lot to experience, but the album isn’t overwhelming. Blue Record swells through a captivating storm, but I’ll stop here and do them better justice another time…just go see the show!

Okie from Muskogee

One of my favorite music blogs, Aquarium Drunkard, posted an interview with cousin Merle. Ain't that some shit! Check it, here.

Whig Party

The Whigs In the Dark is your best friend down the street, the one rockin’ out to classic rock, always in that same bandana, ready to crack open a beer with you and rock the fuck out. In their sophomore album, the guys crank up the volume and dish out more of that Athens-based alt-rock.


I’ve seen their live show and these guys do not disappoint. Their personality shines through—with the lead doing one legged classic guitar hops across stage and twangy loud vocals while the drummer bangs the skin off the drums. The songs really get you up and moving, refusing to be ignored. And by the end of the night, you’re unapologetically playing the air guitar you got in college. It’s definitely evident they tour with Kings of Leon. “Black Lotus” is catchy and “Kill Me Carolyn” swings you into radio-friendly hooks. The album dilutes that awesome personality of the Whigs live show into some overproduced, almost generic sounding arena rock. At times. But you know and love these guys. Playing these seemingly familiar, yet original, songs that make you want to run down the street to rock out with your old best friend. “In the Dark” again, has the killer drum beat, twang guitar, and catchy lyrics.

I guess that’s why I love this album and keep it in the car so I can crank up the volume when I hit the road. The rock is still there! The lasting impression of their energetic live show carries you past the production quality and into a serious jam out session. I’d still recommend Mission Control for a first time listener, though this might be a favorite of mine for the year! I am for real.

Drugs to Sort it Out

The National’s new album High Violet is like that quiet, cool kid you always see but never talk to. I mean you have enough friends. But one day, you end up talking to him, and hey! He’s awesome! Why haven’t you hung with him before? Ok. So maybe it’s just me. I already have enough Interpol, Editors, Maus Joy Division influenced music in my life. I mean, how much faggoty gothness can one possess? (Apparently, a lot).


The more I listen, the more I like. It’s that same monotone, welcome-to-the-winter-of-my- discontent voice with interesting lyrics and simple beats. “Anyone’s Ghost” and “Afraid of Everyone” evoke a sense of longing and despair without being self-involved or repetitive. Makes me realize I really need to dig into previous albums. “Conversation 16” is a masterpiece. The tone. The buildup. The background hymns. “I waaaas afraid…I’d eaaat your brains. Cause IIIII’m eviiiiiiiil” Genius! I picture a sentimental zombie montage every time...

<---sentimental Zombie muahahaha

Mix-Up *wicky wicky*

I like the Drums. I fuckin love the Raveonettes. This is old news, but a cool summer track nonetheless. If you don't already have it, well, you're behind. So catch up!

The Raveonettes Remix "Lets Go Surfing" (The Drums)

Slips My Mind, In a Matter of Time

Teen Dream by Beach House is that person you see while walking down a busy street filled with people—that person who locks eyes with you in a blur of others and makes you come to a stop, knocks the breath out of you, and disappears. You think you’ve just seen one of the most beautiful things…but can’t be sure. After searching for a moment, you continue to walk toward your destination. I don’t know what it is about this album, but I listen to it, fall in love with her rich, deep voice and dreamy drove of guitar—then forget about it. “Zebra” is a great opener with a melodic riff, instilling imagery, and powerful lyrical symbolism; soon the quick high pitched breaths and background drone of “Norway” send me into My Bloody Valentinesque bliss while retaining originality. Similar to the rest of the album. “Walk in the Park’s” repetitive piano and basic drum machine beat echo the dark loneliness of the lyrics. Some of my all time favorite music causes me to gaze at my shoes, but Beach House is able to draw my gaze up with some of the more upbeat dream pop songs “Lover of Mine” and “Better Times”. I can’t figure it out. I know it should be one of my top favorite albums of the year, but it’s not (yet). I’ll “hang onto the things that you’re suppose to say” and just tell you this album is a must listen, especially if you have or haven’t heard any previous Beach House.

Beach House

Swallowing Words

Broken Social Scene’s Forgiveness Rock Record is like running into your ex-lover, grabbing coffee to catch up on each other’s lives while reminiscing on old times, and then asking forgiveness for past transgressions. It looks back, even mirrors at times You Forgot It In People but doesn’t quite reach the same epic quality. Maybe a similar lovely tune without the sense of newness? “World Sick” kicks off the album with strong drummin’ and a catchy chorus. I enjoy “Texico Bitches” because I can sing the song to my geologist friends. And recently, I’ve replaced Texico with BP! (It’s all the same, really.) “Forced to Love” is classic windsurfing nation BSS while “All to All” is a beautiful moment, set in a comfortable range. It’s one of the only places you can get lost in that pleasant daze they do so well, yet, still want to explore the echo. The layered sounds of “Highway Slipper Jam” gaze straight into a blood red setting sun, one you can’t turn away from, while weaving though a sad, dusty place I “thought I knew. But I don’t”. One of the best songs.

Whenever I listen to an album I, usually consciously, try to reason where the title comes from. Broken Social Scene does what few have achieved—the album actually feels like the title: forgiveness. For what, you ask? Forgiveness for giving up? For loving too much, or maybe not enough? For forcing something that isn’t there? Forgive me, but I really couldn’t care less. It’s not an easy feeling, and they hint at that complexity in tight, composed songs. It might not be as sprawling as You Forgot It In People and more official critics might be more harsh, but I love the record. And forgive it at the same time. A must have, without a doubt, for fans. With that said, for reasons unknown even to myself, Beehives is my favorite BSS record to date. I can’t be trusted. Hopefully that puts it more into perspective? Sorry.