Animal/Not Amimal,Margot & the Nuclear So and So's

Margot & the Nuclear So and So's got their name from front man Richard Edward's non-existent daughter and George W. Bush's hilarious manner in saying the word "nuclear". While this seems strange, the band's sound is quite familiar. The band analyzes the music that has been made famous by Radiohead and try to make it their own. It is a great formula and has already been proven to work at every sold out concert they perform. Unfortunately, I feel that Margot is trying to ride the coattails of Radiohead too closely and little is done to venture outside this realm.

6/10

-Palumbo

Heart On, Eagles of Death Metal

If the pun-y title didn't tip you off, the Eagles of Death Metal have a nerdy sense of humor, which is spread throughout their latest album. One example is "Cheap Thrills", which is about a poor sexual encounter, complete with a bored girl reciting the song name. Their sound contains a hodgepodge of influences, where I would find myself identifying genres from rock to funk. It has the lo-fi production reminiscent of recent albums from Spoon and QOTSA, and I'd probably describe the album as a bizarre mutant child of those two albums. It's a very catchy album, with the highlight coming from the first song, but the quality doesn't taper off too much. I'd say the low point would be "Cheap Thrills", whose bored girl among other things makes the song a bit annoying and a chore to get through. 

7.5/10

-Nick Fugitt 

Manchester Orchestra

Despite the inclusion of a well-placed gong in the opening track, Manchester Orchestra bored me into submission. To be fair though, the music itself is actually really good although parallel harmonies keep it straight with block piano chords and a simple set of drums, leaving the music simple and to the point. Maybe I'm just too happy to see a place for this in my permanent collection. If Explosions in the SKy added introspective lyrics strained emotionally through the mic, this would be it.

6.5/10

-KATIE WARREN

Until the Next Red Light, This Is Exploding

~sigh~ You know when you're at Six Flags, and that really loud band next to the churro stand is ruining your buzz? Yeah, This is Exploding is kinda like that. Hailing from Cleveland, the describes themselves as "post-indie" on their MySpace. Funny, there are still a lot of good Indie acts out there guys. Maybe you should go to a show, take it in, buy some merch. I'm talking especially to you Joshua Jesty (vocals). Dear Lord, you sound like a guy who had one too many Zimas at the office party. The best example of J.J.'s lethargic vocals come on "Break", a horrid number full of monotonous "singing" and the sounds of a guitar blowing chunks. The only saving grace here is the occasional guitar work that reminds you of better music, mainly "The Backseat of Your Heart". It reminds me a little of The Strokes, a much better band. I feel like listening to "Juicebox" now, it's pretty boss.

2/10

McReviewed by McCabe.

CMJ! MUSIC! MARATHON! AND! FILM! FESTVAL!

What's up

 babies. This past weekend Myself (Dylan) El Presidente Cleary, El Vice Presidente Palumbo and FM MAMA Theresa all got the opportunity to attend the CMJ MARATHON in NYC. Words can't describe the 'awesomeness' that took place... but pictures CAN! Artists we saw include Sara Watkins, Donovan Frankenreiter, Broken Social Scene, The Helio Sequence, Screens, Takka Takka, They Might Be Giants, Phosphorecent, B.o.B., Little Brother, David Banner and Talib Kweli.   

Off With Their Heads, Kaiser Chiefs

Right off the heels of 2007’s Yours Truly, Angry Mob, the UK’s own Kaiser Chiefs provide a solid effort with their third studio album Off With Their Heads.  Guitarist Andrew White and drummer Nick Hodgson provide enough pep and bounce to carry Ricky Wilson’s monotonous vocals, most evident on the single “Never Miss A Beat”.  Nearly all the songs here will keep your toes-a-tapping, with the exception of the light and airy “Remember You’re A Girl”.   Reminiscent of a Modest Mouse b-side, the last track is a beautiful mix of breathing guitar and floating vocals.  Being the standalone ballad on the album, it makes you wanting more, but at this point the Chiefs have already had their fun, and so have we.  7.5/10

SEAN McCABE

Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder, Cradle of Filth

A deliciously dark and moody concept album as only Cradle of Filth can produce. While there are points where Dani Filth's screeched lyrics sound a bit contrived and the lyrics seem as though the words were forced together the musicianship of the rest of the band makes up for it. The concept of the album, the French satanist and pedophile Gilles de Rais, is original and wonderfully deranged and honestly, I would expect nothing less from this band. The Occasional instrumental interlude and addition of ghostly choral singers and dialogue add to the already dark mood of the album. Ultimately, while Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder may not be entirely worth to be set down in the grimoire of top metal albums it certainly gets your adrenaline pumping from the first track to the last.

-Berto