Summer In Siberia- Self Titled

Summer In Siberia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Track List:

1. Spectres
2. The You In Focus
3. Already Heard
4. Someday I'll Procrastinate
5. Wyoming Portal
6. Eyes Glued
7. Clouds On A Sunday
8. Ice Pose
9. Filler Song #9
10. Studio 8H
11. Easy To Forget

 

 

 

 

So I came across this awesome band, called Summer In Siberia, out of nowhere...literally. It started at the 2013 Sasquatch Music Festival in Quincy, WA. And, no they did not perform at the festival. But fortunately enough, I met the singer and keyboardist, Justin Hynes of Summer In Siberia. The band is from Spokane, WA, and they're not currently signed to a label. Hear that record companies?! So needless to say, I was handed their self titled album and asked to review it.

The first track on the album is called "Spectres". Which surprised me, because I had no idea what genre of music the band was. It has an electro-pop vibe, with the electric drum set, simple keyboard riffs, and the occasional guitar thrown in. I know how this sounds while you're reading this, like one of those bands that records their album in a closet. Well, this isn't the case! These guys have an album cover and everything! Anyways, the second track is, "The You In Focus", which was again a dance song, not crazy, but an easy rock yourself side-to-side dance song. "Already Heard" was, one of the slower songs to the album. It's got those keyboard riffs, and the electric drums. But one thing I do really like about this band, that I've noticed, is the vocals. The vocals are melodic, but not over powering. Just simple, and that's what I like, most of the time. The fourth track is called, "Someday I'll Procrastinate". It starts out with an upbeat feel, then goes out to a jam session for the chorus. The track is a really good relaxing song. The next few tracks called, "Eyes Glued" and "Clouds On A Sunday" are one big jam session. Just instruments playing left and right. Gotta love musicians rocking out, right? Although, "Eyes Glued" is a bit harder than "Clouds On A Sunday" but they both work. There's a track on the album called, "Studio 8H". All I wrote for that song in my notes is, super electronic dance jam. So there you go. "Ice Pose", "Wyoming Portal", "Filler Song #9", and "Easy To Forget" are the good hang out songs of the album. Actually, scratch that, ALL of the songs on the self titled album are good hang out songs.

 

 

I really liked this album, especially because I had no idea what to expect. I think my two favorite songs so far are, "Spectres" and "Eyes Glued". Those songs are more technical, to me at least. For some reason I like that sort of thing. But it's all good stuff. I would definitely recommend buying their stuff on iTunes. Or at least take a listen!

 

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SummerInSiberia

Website: www.SummerInSiberia.BandCamp.com

 

 

 

Vampire Weekend "Modern Vampires Of The City"

Track List:

1. Obvious Bicycle
2. Unbelievers
3. Step
4. Diane Young
5. Don't Lie
6. Hannah Hunt
7. Everlasting Arms
8. Finger Back
9. Worship You
10. Ya Hey
11. Hudson
12. Young Lion

The lovely Vampire Weekend has released their new album in mid-May called, "Modern Vampires Of The City." You might know them from their other popular songs, "A-Punk", "Cousins", and "Holiday". Vampire Weekend has developed their indie-rock sound in their hometown of New York City and are currently signed to XL Recordings.

 

The first track on the album is called, "Obvious Bicycle". It's an odd way to start off an album. Why? Well, because its a really slow song, with vocals and piano for about 4 minutes. The song isn't bad, but you would think VW would place it somewhere else on the album. Then it moves on to a more upbeat and cheery song, it's called "Unbelievers". Next it goes to "Step", which has kind of a techno vibe and a soft beat and vocals throughout the song. After that, the album goes from fast to slow, to both. How is that possible? I have no idea. From crazy songs like "Diane Young" to "Hannah Hunt", "Ya Hey" and "Hudson", which pretty much made me feel like I was watching a scary movie, the music sounded straight out of a horror film with a story attached to it.

 

But honestly, the whole album was all over the place. Each song is way more different than the next one, from the instruments, the beats, and the genre itself. All of it is completely random, like, you don't really know which way the songs are going to go. The album isn't bad, it just wasn't what I expected, it through me off guard. It's slightly different than their past albums. It's just....weird. You just have to listen to it a couple times to get down with the madness!

We Are Augustines, now known as Augustines!

My recent discovery! My boyfriend got their album, "Rise Ye Sunken Ships" on clearance at Amoeba Music in San Francisco. And I cannot stop listening to this album, for all you indie fans out there. This is the band for you. We took Augustines album to road trip to Sasquatch Music Festival 2013. We listened to this album non-stop, from morning to night. Of course, we did have other music to play, but when we kept losing signal for the iPod Radio, we just listened to Augustines. And now every time I hear one of their songs it brings back so many great memories or the road trip there and back. Weird enough though, you would think we would be getting sick of the whole album driving 14 hours there and back with that album playing. But it hasn't yet. At all.

I know this isn't an album review, and probably doesn't give you a taste of what the band sounds like. But the album does give me happy memories of my Memorial Weekend of 2013.

And just so I'm not cheating you, here's one of my favorite songs and the 1st track of the album "Rise Ye Sunken Ships", entitled 'Chapel Song'!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDVo57p8EnI

Also, here's their newest single, 'Cruel City'!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrpFddBWMrw




P.S. Their new album is coming out February 4th 2014....AND I'M SO EXCITED.

A Day To Remember Show Review @ The Warfield in San Francisco 4/10

When I approached The Warfield, there was a line wrapped around the entire block. Not in a very good neighborhood, but that that didn't stop anyone from going. Homeless people made the wait not so long by talking to themselves or other people. They told jokes and stories that made people laugh. Next thing I know, me and boyfriend are in front of the line next to get into the venue.

The entire venue is red and gold with balcony seats. There's a painted mural on the ceiling and it's very elegant. But the type of venue wasn't so good for a hardcore show. Kids are pushing and dancing so close together. So there was no room to dance and mosh. Everyone was excited and waiting for the show to start.

Issues was the first bands to perform, with hardcore screaming, keyboards, and techno dancing. I've never head of them, but after their set, I really like what I heard. They really got the crowd moving with breakdowns in every song, you couldn't just stand still. Plus it was cool to see the lead singers help the crowd surfers get down and high fived them after hey got to the stage.

One thing that I think is important when playing a show, connecting with your fans. Of Mice and Men included the crowd in every song they played. From holding the mic out for the fans to sing, to telling them to jump and making them love the band even more. I haven't really listened to Of Mice and Men but I can say that I became a fan, their stage presence and devotion to their fans is really great see. The entire venue was vibrating. Literally went out with a bang. Metal synchronized head banging is what I got from the show, haha.

A Day To Remember was next and the fans were surprisingly patient. Keeping themselves occupied by the songs that they played during sound check. But as soon as the lights turned off, everyone immediately jump out of their seats and cheered. ADTR started off their set with their new song, "Violence" on their up coming album. After that they moved to their most recent songs off of "What Separates Me From You" and then moved to "Homesick" and then, "For Those Who Have Heart". Literally moving from most recent albums to albums they played back in 2007. Non-stop cheering and hand in the air. At one point, Jeremy (lead singer), told all of the guys to take off their shirts and swing them around...so that's exactly what they all did. Haha I loved singing, dancing, and head banging. Jeremy had some small talk with the crowd and told us how rad we all were. They even played a new track off their new album that HASN'T BEEN RELEASED YET. FUCK YEAH. Also, they played a song that they haven't played from their album Homesick, and San Francisco was the first city to hear it live. Take that to the other 49 states! The show overall had a lot of energy and everyone was constant cheering., crowd surfing, head banging, and jumping. And it all ended with an encore!

I had a great time, and I'm proud to say that this is my third time watching these dude rock out. Third times the charm I guess. Thanks for reading, now I'm going to go massage my neck from the head banging!

Paramore- "Paramore"

 

 

 

Track List:

1. Fast In My Car
2. Now
3. Grow Up
4. Daydreaming
5. Interlude: Moving On
6. Ain't It Fun
7. Part II
8. Last Hope
9. Still Into You
10. Anklebiters
11. Interlude: Holiday
12. Proof
13. Hate To See Your Heartbreak
14. (One Of Those) Crazy Girls
15. Interlude: I'm Not Angry Anymore
16. Be Alone
17. Future

 

 

Finally, Paramore has released their self titled album on April 9th of this year. They are still signed to Fueled By Ramen and have been since 2004. Ever since their release of "Brand New Eyes" in 2010, it's been a long ride for band member, Hayley Williams and her former band mates Josh and Zach Farro. Sadly, these guys are no longer a part of Paramore. But that story is for another article!

 

Paramore's new self titled album is a nice change for them. I think they needed it. Nothing says starting fresh like having 17 tracks! Starting off with the first track, "Fast In My Car". It's got a very bouncy start and the chorus is when you can hear the old Paramore. Then "Now" and "Grow Up" has different angles, new vibes to the songs. Like they're not playing around.

 

The album gives you a break from all the alternative-rock-ness and soothes your ears to Hayley's voice and a soft ukulele. The songs are titled "Interlude: Moving On", "Interlude: Holiday", and "Interlude: I'm Not Angry Anymore". They are only a minute and 30 seconds long but you can tell Hayley has matured and she explains she's over all the drama. Good for you Hayley!

 

I have noticed that this album they are playing around with different styles of music, from tracks like, "Still Into You", to "Last Hope", to "Ankle biters", to "Hate To See Your Heart Break". Hayley sounds really happy in each song and you can tell she's having fun with it. "Be Alone" brings me back to the old Paramore, minus the backing vocals.

 

I would love to tell you that I have a favorite track, but I'm not quite there yet. But what definitely stick out to me is all the Interlude songs. Something about the ukulele gets me...Honestly, if you're a Paramore fan, you will stay a Paramore fan with this album. I really loved it. From the drums all the way to the vocals.  The beat, rhythm, melody, it's all there. If you think that they have completely changed, I disagree. This album is telling their fans that they are still here and a little drama isn't going to break up the mighty Paramore. This is a grown up Paramore.