Howler: America Give Up/ CD Release Show Review

So like many people have said, if you have not heard of Howler yet and you live in Minneapolis...have you been in a cave? These break-out Indie stars are making it big but not exactly as big here as in England. Being signed to the famous Rough Trade Records this summer made them bigger than life there. They were given the title of 3rd best new band of 2011 in the British newspaper NME. Their album comes out on January 17th and every one's hoping that it'll be huge. Last Saturday I attended their CD Release Show at the Triple Rock Social Club. I knew that I would be experiencing history at this show and I believe I did. But first let me talk about the album. The songs on the record are all very similar to each other but have a fresh sound on each one. They have been compared to the Strokes and I would definitely say to the least that I agree with this. Their sound is very un-produced at times and reminds of the older Strokes albums. I love the fact that they all went to High Schools that I can relate to now since I am officially in High School myself. Singer, Jordan Gatesmith attended De La Salle High School where he graduated from last year and the rest of his band went to Southwest High School (my school) or South High School. It is fun to watch a band blow up, especially when they're so close to home. The CD is filled with catchy riffs and fun lyrics to go along with it.

Here's my review on the show,

Prissy Clerks

B+

The brand new project of Clara Salyer (Total Babe) is amazing and better than her first successful band. With only 4 gigs in the bag, they rocked the sold out crowd at the Triple Rock Social Club! The band, featuring members of Red Pens and Total Babe, you can almost look at them as a little local super group. They put on a great show for the brand new band.

Radiator Girls

D+

The band had very good and fun surf styled guitar parts but the singers voice was just a little too whiny for me. I can't someone that whines when they sing so it just bothered me the whole time. Not on the bands behalf but there were also dancers on the side stage and kept getting on stage and dancing. The whole time I was afraid of being kicked. Maybe I'll see them again sometime and have a different impersonation?

Howler

A-

The band I was most excited for was Howler and for the right reasons. I had seen Jordan Gatesmith preform once before on a small stage at the King's Bar Block Party. He put on a little preview of the great album that just came out. This time seeing the band though was much more fun. We were up close and person with them which was nice to think about when Thousands of Brit's are trying to see them in concert at the moment. The show was energetic, intense and exactly what I'd hoped for. The only problem was that they only played 11 songs that lasted for 30 minutes... He offered to play a cover which would've been nice but it was ok in the end. "Free Drunk", the one song on the album not played was not missed either. I had a great time and I am for sure going to see them again. Maybe at the Varsity Theatre in April? Who knows because I am flat broke after buying...

BLACK KEYS TICKETS! Yay! It is at the Target Center on May 15th. The tickets were way overpriced and the venue sucks for this kind of show but at least I got General Admission spots and avoided Ticketmaster fees by going to the Box Office right when they sold out. I will be very much excited for the show though because the Arctic Monkeys are warming up for them.

Howler America Give Up

Best Tracks: "Beach Sluts" and "Wailing (Making Out)"
Rating: A+

Setlist:
America
For All Concern
Beach Sluts
Too Much Blood
Wailing(Making Out)
This One's Different
Back To The Grave
Told You Once
Pythagorean Fearom
Back Of Your Neck

Encore:
Black Lagoon

Hope Your're Rockin!
-Mx2007

10 Records, 12 Months

This year was amazing in music. Everyone can agree in whatever genre you listen to. Something for everyone came out this year that blew us all away. Here is my list of the 10 best albums of 2011.

1. Foster the People Torches
This album wowed me beyond my liking. I first heard this record in June this summer (The song obviously being "Pumped Up Kicks") while in a car ride and immediately took liking. Quickly listening to the rest of the album, I fell in love. They truly put out an amazing record that fascinates me throughout. I bought the LP Version today to show my love for it. I also believe they were the best show I saw this year. First Avenue was a great venue for them. Sadly they'll never play a venue like that again. It's too bad that they're loved in so many places because I think that the Target Center does not fit them or their personalities on stage. The whole albums great, I cannot pick the best song!

2. Two Door Cinema Club Tourist History
So I cheated a little bit. TDCC's album came out in April of 2010 but never really got serious airplay until the new year came around. This album was my obsession in January and February because of the fast paced songs on the record. I just loved lead vocalist Sam Halliday's voice when I first heard it. The fact that they're an Irish band makes it all the better because the last band I can remember to come out of Ireland that was actually good was the Dropkick Murphys. Exciting to listen to, I would recommend everyone buys this album. "Undercover Martyn" and "I Can Talk" are by far the best songs on the record.

3. Doomtree No Kings
Look below article this for my review of this AMAZING record that came out in November. Otherwise I must say that they put out a great record for everyone. It showcased the talent of the group and all the solo artists in it. The best songs by far were "Bangarang" and "Bolt Cutter" and they sure put on a good show.





4. Iron & Wine Kiss Each Other Clean
This album was such a change up for Indie darlings, Iron & Wine. I've known them since their Sea & the Rhythm EP and that was a quiet beautiful coupe of songs. This CD is filled with weird sounds and vocal affects but it still doesn't effect the beautiful voice of Sam Beam and the harmonies surrounding. I know most people would not agree with me when I say this but I believe this has been their best album yet, maybe not considering their first EP I told you about. The best tracks on this album are "Rabbit Will Run" and "Monkeys Uptown" which is surprising an Explicit song for these guys who are always so pure.

5. Justice Audio, Video, Disco
Now I'm a huge Justice fan, maybe even to say they are one of my 5 favorite bands of all time. I was looking forward to this album since April and was not disappointed. They switched it up completely and changed the feel but I still felt like they created a great album. I would never say this is like the masterpiece they sculpted on Cross, their last album, but it definitely highlighted their individuality. There is more of a 80's Goth sound to the record which surprised me at first but got me hooked eventually. The french duo know what their doing even if they don't schedule any shows in the Minnesota area...(Disappointed). The best songs on this album are "On 'n On", "Audio, Video, Disco" and "Ohio".

6. Atmosphere The Family Sign
Atmosphere is where hip-hop gets interesting. Anyone signed to Rhymesayers has to be great right? Well not exactly but mostly everyone is. Slug, Ant and the band definitely showcased their talent this year on the album, The Family Sign. To All My Friends was a good CD but it just did not compare to their art from 2008, When Life Gives You Lemons. Even if they are not considered as classic hip-hop, their history as a group has gone all the way back to 1989 in 2Pac times. Of course they have much more talent than the self centered west coast rapper who was shot to death. The best songs on this record are "She's Enough" and "Your Name Here".

7. Mason Jennings Minnesota
Mason came at us again with yet another CD to add to his life collection. His last CD, The Flood did not impress me but this one sure did. The album came from the heart as you can hear on the album. His emotional songs that he wrote in his cabin up north really come out and express his memories. I think the experience of writing this album would've been huge just because of how hard he worked on it. Jennings switch to keyboard really changes it up too because it adds more melody than his classic one man on a guitar act. This short CD is filled with all amazing songs from start to finish. The best tracks on the record are "Rudy" and "Raindrops On The Kitchen Floor".

8. The Vaccines What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
The Brit rockers totally took America by surprise when they played their first show at the Bowery Ballroom. They were some of the big hype this year with their big song, "Post Break-Up Sex" taking the media by surprise. I wouldn't say they are amazing, as there are other bands sounding similar, but I would say that they definitely have talent and write great songs. is a spot on poet in the way that he writes. The best songs are "Post Break-Up Sex" and "If Ya Wanna".


9. Howler This One's Different EP
Jordan Gatesmith is an amazing singer in my opinion. He is a huge inspiration to me these days because of how his career started. Jordan used to be the guitarist for the local band, Total Babe. He attended De La Salle High School in Minneapolis, MN and literally the summer he graduated, got signed to Rough Trade Records, all the way in England. I found out the other day that Howler warmed up for my friend Tony Williams at a venue called the Depot last year and I was invited but didn't go! Think of how fun of a show that would've been to see! Howler warming up for a rap artist in a small venue when they were still writing the songs to be on this EP. Now that brings me to the fact that this is only an EP and I'm still waiting to hear their new record which is coming out in January. Be on the lookout for a review of that new album because it will be coming your way! The best songs on the EP are "This One's Different" and "You Like White Women, I Like Cigarettes".

10. Poliça Give You The Ghost
Channy Leaneagh (Formally Casselle) and Ryan Olson created this band in 2011 and quickly shot to stardom. These guys will make it big if they play their cards right. They've only played around 10 shows and have already sold out some of them with bands like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! and Foster the People. There is a huge amount of talent in this band even if Channy is using auto tune, which is my least favorite vocal effect. I do believe she could have made the album without it but, it's always up to the artist and she seems to be getting praise for it. I just hope that she doesn't start a trend of this though. Bon Iver's use was bad enough, now she needs to use it. This album really is amazing though because of her beautiful voice. The two drummers in the back of the stage really add to the show. I saw them warm up for Foster the People this year and I definitely plan to see them again. The best songs on the album are "Amongster", "Lay Your Cards Out" and "Form".

Doomtree: No Kings

So what's going on in Minnesota Hip-Hop currently? Doomtree is the answer! With their first release in 3 years, their new CD No Kings successfully follows up it's predecessor, conveniently self titled Doomtree. The crew features some of the Twin Cities greatest Emcee's P.O.S., Dessa, Mike Mictlan, SIMS, and Cecil Otter. Most people when generalizing rap believe that the music is just crap about money, hoes and cars. These guys actually put thought and inspiration into their music. Their influences take place anywhere from political matters to stuff happening in their homes. I personally went to one of the 7 Doomtree Blowout nights this year and experienced the emotion that they put into their music (If you are unfamiliar with the Blowout, every year the group puts together an event where they play multiple shows at First Avenue Night Club back to back). They all have a good vibe whether they are together on stage or preforming their solo music which in some cases is beautiful. For example, Dessa's solo album Badly Broken Code was considered by many as one the most elegant albums to come out of Minneapolis in 2010. The fact that they mix their punk rock roots (P.O.S. being in many punk bands including currently, Marijuana Deathsquads) and conjoin in with the rap that they so sublimely make. If I happened to be a rapper, these guys would for sure be my inspiration.
Best Tracks: "Bangarang", "Fresh New Trash" and "Little Mercy"
Rating: A+
Hope You're Rockin!
~Mx2007

The Smashing Pumpkins: Gish and Siamese Dream Deluxe Editions

So you might ask, what's the perfect Christmas present? Well I have the answer! For your average Smashing Pumpkins fan, these are the CD's to have and not only did Capitol Records release one album in Deluxe, they released two! Gish and Siamese Dream are now out in box set display and being sold for mainly around $25 each. These albums are classics from the band that saw it all in the 80's/90's Grunge Rock scene. Siamese Dream is probably one of the biggest Smashing Pumpkins albums considering that some of their most popular songs like "Today" and "Cherub Rock" are on the album. This album in itself has inspired hundreds maybe thousands of musicians around the world. Billy Corgan's writing style is unique as his voice but you can never get tired of this classic!
Best Tracks: "Today" and "Cherub Rock"
Rating: B
Hope You're Rockin!
~Mx2007

Best and Worst of 2010!

A return is what I've been getting ready for and here it is! But that won't happen until 2011. For today I will give you my annual Best and Worst of 2010! Now in the past I've down 25 albums or had everyone vote. Last I did those and Top 15 of my life but this year it's different. It started when I made a list of my Top 100 songs for this year... I know it seems long but it was fun and exciting to choose out the winners! I will make a page on the website exclusively for the past years! Also I am going to start making a page for reviews and short reviews from the book I'm going to be following for the next year. So for the 100 songs, I will include them on the new page and just show the top 10. Here ya go!

Album of the Year

Gorillaz: Plastic Beach

Top 10 Songs of the Year!

1. Tell 'Em by Sleigh Bells
The amazingly powerful gunshot/ drum roll sound
is amazing and fantastic! Great to listen LOUD!
Plays this Year: 32 Listens

2. Glass by Julian Casablancas
The mysterious sound of the intro and the empathetic
verse are amazing together! I think this guy has more hits than
the Strokes even on his first CD which only has 8 songs.
Plays this Year: 22 Listens

3. Good Morning (The Future) by Rogue Wave
The happy sound of this song is really great especially the lyrics because
their very joyful.The beat and the track is flamboyant and gives you hope.
Plays this Year: 23 Listens

4. Superfast Jellyfish (Feat. Gruff Rhys & De La Soul) by Gorillaz
The cartoon part of this band is what really makes some people love them.
I love them for songs like this though where they are a brand. It's like a cereal add
the whole song! It's amazing!
Plays this Year: 48 Listens

5. the High Road by Broken Bells
The song is engrossing because it has many different instruments
playing all around that the song. It's a mixture of the Shins and Danger Mouse!
Who couldn't love it? But my favorite part is the end when it gets all quiet and nice.
Plays this Year: 1o Listens

6. Stylo (Feat. Bobby Womack & Mos Def) by Gorillaz
Stylo is one of those very weird songs where you have no clue what their
saying or talking about. I like the fact that Damon Albarn takes a current hip-hop star
and an old Blues singer and combines them into such a new style.
Plays this Year: 18 Listens

7. We Used to Wait by Arcade Fire
Now Arcade Fire is a band I never shared a love for until I saw them in concert
this fall. They always seemed boring on their album Neon Bible and to tell you the
truth, that album mainly is. But there new one... Must be my second favorite album
of the year! The voice on this record is crazy and amazing, the song is more rock anyways.
Plays this Year: 1o Listens

8. Congratulations by MGMT
The slow-moving melancholy part of this song is stunning but at the same time it's supposed
to be a happy song about winning... How does this work? I'll tell you how, because it's MGMT! It's great and can get you to sleep or quiet down.
Plays this Year:11 Listens

9. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
Chorus's are always cool and interesting, that's why their in songs. But this chorus
is very cool on the fact that it's got good lyrics and he sings really cool! It's just funny
to say that. The suburbs is basically about, Suburbs.
Plays this Year: 6 Listens

10. O.N.E. by Yeasayer
Gosh this song must have been my favorite song at the very beginning
of the year! I was waiting for this album ever since I saw them at Rock the Garden
and then again that July, but when Ambling Alps the single came out I got excited.
This song is cool because of its weirdness and that's all I can say about it.
Plays this Year: 8 Listens

This year was really just horrible for local music, which is why there's none on my Top 10... The actually good albums were Jeremy Messersmith's, the Reluctant Graveyard and Communist Daughter with their debut, Soundtrack to the End. Now I'm not usually a downer but this year I just had to do the Worst and most annoying songs of 2010. Just because our music era is failing and sucking. All pop stars that call themselves rap is just annoying and disturbing. So give it up for your Worst songs of 2010!
(In no particular order)

We Are the World for Haiti by Various Artists
How crappier can people remake a song? Seriously... Justin Bieber sings the first line? What ever happened to the dead guy Michael Jackson or Steve Perry? Or how about Bruce Springsteen? Common! Is this how senseless these people are? You totally ruined a perfectly good song from the 80's!

Airplanes (Feat. Haley Williams) by B.o.B.
I don't know if it's a joke or something? This song is too dramatic and WAY over liked... Not much else I can say about it other than how boring it is.

Sweepstakes (Feat. Mos Def) by Gorillaz
There's no point to this song and the fact that it's sound is stupid and annoying. Unless you really want to get annoyed right now, don't listen to this crap.

Lost in the World (Feat. Bon Iver) by Kanye West
Kanye what have you done. Your ruining peoples careers.... First Taylor Swift & Beyonce, now the amazing Bon Iver. Oh and why auto-tune! Ever since Gayngs Bon Iver has been overusing auto-tune.

Your Love Is My Drug by Ke$ha
First off, Love is not the only drug your on... Why do you just write about party's? No one wants to hear about your parties and how drunk or high you get. Please don't write anymore!

Drunk Girls by LCD Soundsystem
I think these kinda lost it with this new CD of theirs. I mean, this song was decent for a little bit but got annoying fast. Overplay on the radio and other stuff also kinda help it. Critics like praised this song as if it we're amazing! News flash, it's not.

Can't be Tamed by Miley Cyrus
WTF (What the Frack?)

Holiday by Vampire Weekend
I seriously love Vampire Weekend, I started listening to them when I entered Middle school but this song could not be played more than it is. The new Honda commercial plays it too much. I'm sure it gets them a lot of money but for the rest of us...

Crystalised by the XX
Again it's the same situation as Holiday, the song was overplayed on the Current. To tell you the truth, what's so great about this song? It's slow paced and not fun.

Whip My Hair by Willow Smith
I understand that you guys are like a super-family with your dad being Will Smith, Mom being Jada Smith and your brother being Jaden Smith but the one Smith that doesn't have talent is the youngest in the family. Willow who repeats the lyrics "I Whip my hair back and forth" at least 10 times every chorus.

Well its Christmas!

Well it's Christmas and me and my dad got the book 1,000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die, by Tom Moon. It's one of those things where it told me, you should start writing! So It's a HUGE idea to do so but once a day me and my dad will listen to one recording and I will write a short paragraph about if it's memorable or not and why...

Hope You're Rockin!
~Mx2007

Notorized: Lottery Pick

Hey all you fans out there that have been disappointed about my lack of reviewing this Summer. I was happy to just kind of take a break after reviewing my friend Jeremy Messersmith's CD "The Reluctant Graveyard". But now one of my close friends from school has inspired me to get back writing with his hip hop/rap bands, Notorized new CD "Lottery Pick". Adrian Williams who I work close with and his friend Reid Travis have been behind this project for two years at the most, creating songs to perfect this new CD. I was told it was gonna be the best CD that ever comes out of our school and I must say in our 8th grade year, this could be it! With a chance of a lifetime ahead of them, I talked to my friend Adrian AKA Dre Will in an exclusive interview right here for all you readers out there at AreYouRockin'

Mx2007: Hi Dre how are you?

Dre Will: I'm good! Do you like the CD?

M: Yeah! I'm loving it... OK so what gave you the idea of the name Lottery Pick for the album?

D: Lottery Picks are elite players in NBA or NFL drafts, so we felt like we were elite, combined with our interest in Basketball, the name suited our ego/feeling about the album

M: So your all big basketball players?

D: Yeah, we all play on traveling teams... but Reid is the best out of us.

M: So how did Israel fit into the group and what is his input on your debut album?

D: When we started the group it was just me and Reid. Then we added guys like Israel and some behind the scenes guys like Skull Face or Phancy Khid

M: Uhuh and the new single with Phancy Khid, can we expect that on his new album entitled "Modern Love"?

D: Yeah we are considering it, but he has some really new stuff that is even better than that one. So expect big things!

M: I'm definitely looking forward to it! Now on the song, "The Best" what got you too use a sample of Michael Jackson and what inspired you too write such an outgoing song?

D: We wanted to make some sort of tribute to the king of pop on the album and the sample fit nicely into the song. We wanted to have another up-tempo song to go along with the song "Takin' Ya Girl".

M: Ya I would have to say those are the best songs on the album so you should definitely keep it up. Do you plan on writing a few more for your next album?

D: That was more of Reid's style though...

M: What would you have done differently?

D: I think we should of put a couple more songs on there, but it turned out pretty good for a debut release.

M: Yes which brings us to your second single called Takin' Ya Girl, who inspired that?

D: A lot of the guys that thought they got a lot of girls at our old school

M: So your old school wasn't the best?

D: Nah, It sucked. Just not a very good environment for learning and stuff. you know what I'm saying?

M: Ya so are you happy to write songs about your school or are you just ready to grow up and start writing about the world?

D: Well at our age, school is a major part of our life.

M: Ya that's true but are you excited about any aspects of adult life and do you plan on doing music forever?

D: Me personally, I plan on making music for as long as I want to. Which will be a long time, but the other guys (besides Skull Face) have bigger interests in other things. So only time will tell.

M: Me and you both being huge young entrepreneurs do you think we could sometime collaborate?

D: I am basically almost always looking for new people to collaborate with. I do Hip hop, RNB, Funk, and Jazz.

M: I know many people think your a great DJ, Now whats the update on the upcoming show with Notorized, the Paradox and Phancy Khid?

D: Yeah I'm a DJ first, Producer 2nd and MC 3rd and there is no new update on that concert in particular.

M: Well I know from Dreams you can MC and do it occasionally well, do you plan on making a song just for you to sing or rap on?

D: All I can say right now is be on the look out for a solo album!

M: Great! Another thing to look forward to! Well I'm afraid were all out of time!

D: Ya, Anytime Mx2007

AreYouRockin' and Blue Wolf Entertainment

So that should explain most about their CD but when it really just comes down to it, It's so easy to show every bit of enthusiasm on this debut album. Here's a recap of some of their best songs... Dreams, one of their first singles is very inspiring and more slower and captivating than other songs while Takin' Ya Girl is all out and exciting. Some of the instrumentals also just overpower the slower more hip hop songs with a more classy flamboyant beat, like on the track Hero. Throughout this CD, Dee-Jay Dre Will, and MC's Reid and Israel really bring out the trendiness of this new decades underground hip-hop scene. This is Mx2007, glad he's not retiring off this website for now... be expecting a new review very soon!

Are You Rockin?
~Mx2007