Motion City Soundtrack
Commit This to Memory (Deluxe Edition)
Copyright Epitaph Records
Released June 20, 2006
5/5 stars *****
NOTE: THIS ALBUM HAS EXPLICIT LYRICS IN ORIGINAL FORM, BUT DOES NOT SAY SO ON DELUXE EDITION
Alright, welcome back to part 5 of my 11 part series, the best and worst albums of 2006. Make sure to catch up with my other 4 reviews so far.Ok, i guarantee that someone will complain saying that this is a 2005 album, and it is just being re-released with a DVD. Well, that may be true,but it has a bonus track, which is new content, so I'm counting it. Deal with it. It is an amazing album also, which helps. The unmistakable sound of this Minneapolis quintet is a refreshing reprive from all of the hard rock that I normally listen to. My only minor complaint is the single Hold Me Down.The last 1:20 of the song is nothing really, no guitars, no vocals, no drums, no bass, and hardly an keyboard most of the time. Which, if you cut itoff, would make the song even better. But I won't condemn an album for the ending of one song. This is a rare album that I can listen to non-stop through,and not get bored in the slightest. I even LOVE, yes, I said LOVE the ballads resolution, Hold Me Down, and Together We'll Ring in the New Year. In Hold me Downand Resolution, they do have short bursts of faster paced choruses, which helps. And the stripped down acoustic-guitar driven Together We'll Ring in the New Yearis short, which means that I dont have to sit through a 5 minute acoustic song and fall asleep. The rest of the album is full of songs that won't leave the confinesof your brain, such as LG FUAD, Everything is Alright, Feel Like Rain, and Better Open the Door. The bonus track is a decent addition to the album, still catchy, butmore or less average compared to the rest of the album (they didn't add it to the album in the first place for a reason). Now, I am not talking about the DVD footagefor two reasons. 1) Because I haven't seen it (iTunes all the way!) and 2) Because I'm talking about the best ALBUMS of 2006, not the best DVD footage of 2006. Anyway,overall this is an amazing album full of catchy songs that deserves ***** 5 stars all the way. The next review in the 11 part series is part 6, or honorable mention. The album is Don't You Fake It by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.
Songs You Must Download:
LG FUAD
Everything is Alright
Resolution
Feel Like Rain
Better Open The Door
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 30, 2006
LOUDER NOW
Taking Back Sunday
Louder Now
Copyright Reprise Records
Released April 21, 2006
4/5 Stars ****
Louder Now
Copyright Reprise Records
Released April 21, 2006
4/5 Stars ****
NOTE: THIS ALBUM HAS CLEAN LYRICS 
All right! Part 4 of my 11 part series, the best and worst albums of 2006! This time, it is Louder Now, by Taking Back Sunday (which, if you haven't guessed, is on the best list) .Now, I'll be honest, I have not been the biggest fan of Taking Back Sunday before this album. I just didn't like the stuff. This album is different, hence the placement as one of the best albums of 2006. This is the same as Hawthorne Heights (previous review), in how it is the perfect balance of repetitive and each song being different, to make an interesting, catchy album. My main complaint is aboutsong specifically like What's it feel like to be a ghost, spin, and error operator, which are three of the best songs of the album, except forthe bridge part of the songs, which almost stop at a stand still. They go so slow that it ruins that part of the song. Luckily, they put it square in the middle of really good songs, which means that it is in the middle of really good parts. Another complaint is the song Divine Intervention, which seems really out of place to me in the sea of speedy songs like Twenty-Twenty Surgery, Liar (It takes one to know one), and Spin. It is still an OK song,but I guess they had to throw something in there considering the album only has 11 songs (which is yet another complaint of mine). Now I have to say, i deeply underestimatedthe song My Blue Heaven, which I stupidly mistook for another Divine Intervention type song. It really made up for itself in the last 1:30 of the song. But the rest of the album is a well put together collection of songs. Come back next time for part 5 of the part 11 series, the deluxe edition of Commit this to memory by Motion City Soundtrack.
Songs You Must Download:
Liar (It Takes One to Know One)
MakeDamnSure
My Blue Heaven
Spin
Error: Operator
All right! Part 4 of my 11 part series, the best and worst albums of 2006! This time, it is Louder Now, by Taking Back Sunday (which, if you haven't guessed, is on the best list) .Now, I'll be honest, I have not been the biggest fan of Taking Back Sunday before this album. I just didn't like the stuff. This album is different, hence the placement as one of the best albums of 2006. This is the same as Hawthorne Heights (previous review), in how it is the perfect balance of repetitive and each song being different, to make an interesting, catchy album. My main complaint is aboutsong specifically like What's it feel like to be a ghost, spin, and error operator, which are three of the best songs of the album, except forthe bridge part of the songs, which almost stop at a stand still. They go so slow that it ruins that part of the song. Luckily, they put it square in the middle of really good songs, which means that it is in the middle of really good parts. Another complaint is the song Divine Intervention, which seems really out of place to me in the sea of speedy songs like Twenty-Twenty Surgery, Liar (It takes one to know one), and Spin. It is still an OK song,but I guess they had to throw something in there considering the album only has 11 songs (which is yet another complaint of mine). Now I have to say, i deeply underestimatedthe song My Blue Heaven, which I stupidly mistook for another Divine Intervention type song. It really made up for itself in the last 1:30 of the song. But the rest of the album is a well put together collection of songs. Come back next time for part 5 of the part 11 series, the deluxe edition of Commit this to memory by Motion City Soundtrack.
Songs You Must Download:
Liar (It Takes One to Know One)
MakeDamnSure
My Blue Heaven
Spin
Error: Operator
IF ONLY YOU WERE LONELY
Hawthorne Heights
If Only You Were Lonely
Victory Records
Released February 28, 2006
4/5 stars ****
NOTE:CLEAN LYRICS
Ah, good old Hawthorne Heights. With three guitars and a lead singer is either whispering or very high pitched during most of the songs (thats the best I can describe it), they create haunting songs that you can't help but get stuck in your head. Their debut album was a decentfirst attempt, and I didn't have too many complaints about it. This album fits the same description. Except a little bit better. This album is,dare I say it repetitive. But in a good way. It gets the perfect balance of being repetitive and each song being different, so that it sticks to a winning formula, but different enough so that you don't fall asleep. My only real complaint is the screaming. I'm not a big screamo fan, but I can even appreciate Hawthorne Heights, except of course, for the occasional screaming. The album would have been even better without it. Anyway, this incredibly haunting album has a lot of hooky three guitar songs, and even one ballad that, even I, can not get enough of. The last track, decembers, is possibly the secondbest slow song of the year (Cancer by MCR beats it). The rest of the album is a non-stop 110 mile an hour joyride. Now most of you out there are going to be sayingthat just ocasional screams aren't enough to stop it from getting 5 stars. I most times agree, but even though I love this album and band, for some reason it just doesn'tseem worthy of 5 stars. Maybe it's because of love song lyric in songs that sound more worthy of MCR's lyrical style (sorry if I keep coming back to them, they are myfavorite band). Oh well, this was part 3 of 11 in the best and worst albums of 2006. I hope you come back for the next edition, Louder Now, by Taking Back Sunday. Also, catch up by reading past reviews of "The Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance, and "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" by Arctic Monkeys.
Songs You Must Download:
Decembers
Language Lessons
Light Sleeper
Saying Sorry
If Only You Were Lonely
Victory Records
Released February 28, 2006
4/5 stars ****
NOTE:CLEAN LYRICS
Ah, good old Hawthorne Heights. With three guitars and a lead singer is either whispering or very high pitched during most of the songs (thats the best I can describe it), they create haunting songs that you can't help but get stuck in your head. Their debut album was a decentfirst attempt, and I didn't have too many complaints about it. This album fits the same description. Except a little bit better. This album is,dare I say it repetitive. But in a good way. It gets the perfect balance of being repetitive and each song being different, so that it sticks to a winning formula, but different enough so that you don't fall asleep. My only real complaint is the screaming. I'm not a big screamo fan, but I can even appreciate Hawthorne Heights, except of course, for the occasional screaming. The album would have been even better without it. Anyway, this incredibly haunting album has a lot of hooky three guitar songs, and even one ballad that, even I, can not get enough of. The last track, decembers, is possibly the secondbest slow song of the year (Cancer by MCR beats it). The rest of the album is a non-stop 110 mile an hour joyride. Now most of you out there are going to be sayingthat just ocasional screams aren't enough to stop it from getting 5 stars. I most times agree, but even though I love this album and band, for some reason it just doesn'tseem worthy of 5 stars. Maybe it's because of love song lyric in songs that sound more worthy of MCR's lyrical style (sorry if I keep coming back to them, they are myfavorite band). Oh well, this was part 3 of 11 in the best and worst albums of 2006. I hope you come back for the next edition, Louder Now, by Taking Back Sunday. Also, catch up by reading past reviews of "The Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance, and "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" by Arctic Monkeys.
Songs You Must Download:
Decembers
Language Lessons
Light Sleeper
Saying Sorry
WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM, THAT'S WHAT I'M NOT
Arctic Monkeys
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Copyright Domino Records
Released February 21, 2006
4/5 stars ****
NOTE:THIS ALBUM IS NOT EXPLICIT, BUT OCCASIONALLY HAS SOME QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE
This is part two of my reviews of the best and worst albums of 2006. Check out my other review of The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance. My cousin told me he liked this quartet from across the pond, and I went on iTunes and listened to the samples.I loved it. These young kids have been playing instruments for a shorter than 5 years, and already are international rock stars. And they earned it completely. My only real complaints are: 1) It is very repetitive,and you might get bored after a while of listening to it, and 2)They should(Like I think most bands should) stickwith the fast paced songs, and forget these ballads. Stick to what you are good at. And for these guys, its catchyriffs and suprisingly good bass lines. I have to say, this bass player doesn't just follow along making it sound like an extention of the guitar. It has its own beat, and does what a bass is supposed to do, make the rhythm (for example, listen toFake Tales of San Francisco). Overall, it is a hooky album with good bass lines, that may get repetitive and could be goodwith out the couple of ballads.
Songs You Must Download:
Fake Tales of San Francisco
Dancing Shoes
I Bet You Look good on the dancefloor
You Probably Couldn't See for the Lights, but you were looking straight at me
When The Sun Goes Down
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Copyright Domino Records
Released February 21, 2006
4/5 stars ****
NOTE:THIS ALBUM IS NOT EXPLICIT, BUT OCCASIONALLY HAS SOME QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE
This is part two of my reviews of the best and worst albums of 2006. Check out my other review of The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance. My cousin told me he liked this quartet from across the pond, and I went on iTunes and listened to the samples.I loved it. These young kids have been playing instruments for a shorter than 5 years, and already are international rock stars. And they earned it completely. My only real complaints are: 1) It is very repetitive,and you might get bored after a while of listening to it, and 2)They should(Like I think most bands should) stickwith the fast paced songs, and forget these ballads. Stick to what you are good at. And for these guys, its catchyriffs and suprisingly good bass lines. I have to say, this bass player doesn't just follow along making it sound like an extention of the guitar. It has its own beat, and does what a bass is supposed to do, make the rhythm (for example, listen toFake Tales of San Francisco). Overall, it is a hooky album with good bass lines, that may get repetitive and could be goodwith out the couple of ballads.
Songs You Must Download:
Fake Tales of San Francisco
Dancing Shoes
I Bet You Look good on the dancefloor
You Probably Couldn't See for the Lights, but you were looking straight at me
When The Sun Goes Down
THE BLACK PARADE
My Chemical Romance
The Black Parade
Copyright Reprise Records
Released October 24, 2006
4/5 stars ****
NOTE: THIS ALBUM CONTAINS EXPLICIT CONTENT
This is my first review from the 11 part series, the best and worst albums of 2006. Check out my other reviews as they become available. This band is one of those bands that you either love or hate. There's really no inbetween. I happen to be one of those tons of people that loves them. I also think three cheers for sweet revenge is the best album of all time, at *****, but I'm not reviewing that album. Sadly, this album isn't as good as it's older brother, but it still is one of the best albums of the year. First of all, it is not as fast and hard as its predecesor, and introduces something that i have never really heard from MCR. Ballads. And not just one, but 3 of them (I Don't Love You, Cancer, and Disenchanted). Some of the songs on this album took a while to grow on me, but in the two months since the album, my self and a ton of other people learned to love every song(I read somewhere on the internet that it sold 1,015,000 copies already, but I'm not sure, so don't take my word for it). It has an In The Flesh? copy for its opener, three straight amazing hard rock songs, the modern Bohemian Rhapsody, a decent ballad, and ends with another amazing hard rock song, the first half of the album is very good. It could have done without I Don't Love You, and inserted another loud, fast hard rock song. The next half of the album starts out with the most amazing song on the album, and the only ballad that I can say is a major addition to the album, entitled Cancer. It is most likely the most depressing song ever written, and since it is a shorter song (only 2:22), it will get a very high playcount on iTunes. The next song is one that i have heard will be an upcoming single, mama, and features Liza Manneli about 3 minutes into the song. It is harder than most songs from MCR, and I think it is one of the better songs on the album. Then comes Sleep, a decent medium paced song that I enjoyed. The next song on the album is Teenagers, a wonderful song written, well, about teenagers, which i have heard will also be a single. The next song is the third and final ballad, Disenchanted. Not much special about this songand I also think the album could have done without this song. The "final" song on the album is the second single, Famous Last Words, which I think is also a pretty decent song. The real ending, Blood, is a hilarious hidden track added to the end of the album.Overall, The Black Parade is a very good third effort by MCR, filled with songs about death (big suprise there) and not as many hard rock songs as Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge. If they had just left off I Don't Love You and Disenchanted, it would have been 5 stars.
Songs You Must Download:
This is How I Disappear
The Sharpest Lives
Cancer
Teenagers
The Black Parade
Copyright Reprise Records
Released October 24, 2006
4/5 stars ****
NOTE: THIS ALBUM CONTAINS EXPLICIT CONTENT
This is my first review from the 11 part series, the best and worst albums of 2006. Check out my other reviews as they become available. This band is one of those bands that you either love or hate. There's really no inbetween. I happen to be one of those tons of people that loves them. I also think three cheers for sweet revenge is the best album of all time, at *****, but I'm not reviewing that album. Sadly, this album isn't as good as it's older brother, but it still is one of the best albums of the year. First of all, it is not as fast and hard as its predecesor, and introduces something that i have never really heard from MCR. Ballads. And not just one, but 3 of them (I Don't Love You, Cancer, and Disenchanted). Some of the songs on this album took a while to grow on me, but in the two months since the album, my self and a ton of other people learned to love every song(I read somewhere on the internet that it sold 1,015,000 copies already, but I'm not sure, so don't take my word for it). It has an In The Flesh? copy for its opener, three straight amazing hard rock songs, the modern Bohemian Rhapsody, a decent ballad, and ends with another amazing hard rock song, the first half of the album is very good. It could have done without I Don't Love You, and inserted another loud, fast hard rock song. The next half of the album starts out with the most amazing song on the album, and the only ballad that I can say is a major addition to the album, entitled Cancer. It is most likely the most depressing song ever written, and since it is a shorter song (only 2:22), it will get a very high playcount on iTunes. The next song is one that i have heard will be an upcoming single, mama, and features Liza Manneli about 3 minutes into the song. It is harder than most songs from MCR, and I think it is one of the better songs on the album. Then comes Sleep, a decent medium paced song that I enjoyed. The next song on the album is Teenagers, a wonderful song written, well, about teenagers, which i have heard will also be a single. The next song is the third and final ballad, Disenchanted. Not much special about this songand I also think the album could have done without this song. The "final" song on the album is the second single, Famous Last Words, which I think is also a pretty decent song. The real ending, Blood, is a hilarious hidden track added to the end of the album.Overall, The Black Parade is a very good third effort by MCR, filled with songs about death (big suprise there) and not as many hard rock songs as Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge. If they had just left off I Don't Love You and Disenchanted, it would have been 5 stars.
Songs You Must Download:
This is How I Disappear
The Sharpest Lives
Cancer
Teenagers
2006: A Year in Review
Ok, my first real review will be 2006: A Year in Review. Basically, I'll sumarize the best (and worst) of Alternative rock from 2006.
The Best Albums of 2006:
My Chemical Romance- The Black Parade (Released October 24, 2006) ****
Arctic Monkeys- Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (Released February 21, 2006) ****
Hawthorne Heights- If Only You Were Lonely (Released February 28, 2006) ****
Taking Back Sunday- Louder Now (Released April 21, 2006) ****
Motion City Soundtrack- Commit This to Memory (Deluxe Edition) (Released June 20, 2006) *****
Honorable Mention: The Red Jumpsuit Aparatus- Don't You Fake It (Released July 18, 2006)***
The Worst Albums of 2006:
The Raconteurs- Broken Boy Soldiers (Released May 16, 2006) *
The Killers- Sam's Town (Released October 3, 2006) **
+44- When Your Heart Stops Beating (Released November 14, 2006) **
Forward, Russia!- Give Me A Wall (Released September 19, 2006) *
Cartel- Chroma (Released July 25, 2006) *
The Best Albums of 2006:
My Chemical Romance- The Black Parade (Released October 24, 2006) ****
Arctic Monkeys- Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (Released February 21, 2006) ****
Hawthorne Heights- If Only You Were Lonely (Released February 28, 2006) ****
Taking Back Sunday- Louder Now (Released April 21, 2006) ****
Motion City Soundtrack- Commit This to Memory (Deluxe Edition) (Released June 20, 2006) *****
Honorable Mention: The Red Jumpsuit Aparatus- Don't You Fake It (Released July 18, 2006)***
The Worst Albums of 2006:
The Raconteurs- Broken Boy Soldiers (Released May 16, 2006) *
The Killers- Sam's Town (Released October 3, 2006) **
+44- When Your Heart Stops Beating (Released November 14, 2006) **
Forward, Russia!- Give Me A Wall (Released September 19, 2006) *
Cartel- Chroma (Released July 25, 2006) *
Welcome to Alternative Review!
Welcome to alternative review, a new blog reviewing all of the newest albums, EPS, singles, and DVDs in the alternative rock music genre. I'm Spencer, and i'll be reviewing. I'll be reviewing using the following tools:
- a one to five star rating system
- saying if the album content is clean or explicit
- giving the best songs that you should download from the album
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