Allegedly, Chris Walla’s new solo release, Field Manual, contains two tracks that were left off of Death Cab for Cutie’s 2005 gem Plans. I can’t find anywhere that tells me which songs these were, and most of these songs sound like they could have come from some point in Death Cab’s past, if you let them. But, well, Chris produces all of DCfC’s material, he’s major creative input in the band. You know, kind how if you let it, Thom Yorke’s solo album The Eraser sounds like a proper follow up to Kid A and Amnesiac. Yeah, it’s a solo project, that’s what you get. There are moments, though, like the opening Imogen Heap-like harmonies of “Two-Fifty,” that really get you excited for the next Death Cab album, if this is what Chris is doing on his own. There are some truly good songs on here. Avoiding the solo album/side project pitfall of writing songs that simply are not catchy, or good, we get songs like “The Score,” “Archer V. Light” and my current favourite “Geometry &c,” which, oddly enough, sounds like early Jimmy Eat World as much as it sounds like early Death Cab. I like it, and I guess US Homeland Security was excited enough that they wanted a copy in October.
Check out “Sing Again” and “Geometry &c” before rushing out to buy it, okay?

Chris Walla@HallofJusticeRecording.com | MySpace | Buy Field Manual

 Geometry &c - Chris Walla [3:07m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Sing Again - Chris Walla [2:31m]: Play in Popup | Download

Hello you lovely ladies and gentleman. It's been a while. We have some catching up to do. 

First of all, I apologize sincerely for not bringing you awesome music in the past couple of weeks. Summer caught up with me, wrapping me up in romantic bedtime stories and lovely magical time with my significant other, thus distracting me from my responsibilities. And also, in all honesty, I haven't heard anything that really smacked me in the face, and made me feel I had to share it. One of my low points; it happens several times a year.  

Forgetting all that stuff, let's get to the reason why I'm posting. One of my favorite albums is the reason. It be called "Marking Time", and features a lot of guess who? the John Butler Trio.

I actually discovered this album a couple of years ago, and take it for a spin quite frequently since I got it. A classic. Love it. Never gets old. It has this funky mix of JBT's music and Indian pizzazz, and the other artists featured on the album, such as Khalil gudaz, Martin Armiger Band, and Oumou Sangare rock the hose too.

I actually never even heard of the ABC miniseries that this soundtrack is supposed to be for, I just somehow found out that JBT was featured on it, so I wanted to check it out, and was not disappointed at all. Keep in mind that if you're someone that doesn't dig Indian sitars and other such trippy mellow stuff, you may not like. I, however, love that stuff. Can't get enough. Thus, I share. Be glad I'm so nice.

We have 3 tracks here to check out. If you like what you hear, drop me a line and I'll let you listen to another one. Enjoy, folks. 

P.S. I figured out why we never saw it. It was in Australia. Duh.

P.P.S. This album has JBT's version of "Across the Universe" on it. Sweet deal! 

Marking Time Wiki // Buy this Soundtrack, please 

Hear It: 

You Friend Tracy - John Butler Trio MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/07%20Your%20Friend%20Tracy%20-%20John%20Butler%20Trio.mp3]

Girlsong - Mir Wais and Jade Macrae MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/16%20Girlsong%20-%20Mir%20Wais%20and%20Jade%20Macrae.mp3]

N'Guata - Oumou Sangare MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/10%20N_Guata%20-%20Oumou%20Sangare.mp3] 

So how much fun is Lily Allen's latest release, Alright, Still? Lots.

Allen actually played at Bonnaroo, but I think I bypassed her performance to see someone else I was more familiar with. I now regret it a little.

This album is super cute, super fun, and super funny. Perhaps I'm biased towards British performers, but I don't think so. I mean, I never loved Eternal. 

I love this album for a few reasons: 

1. People always ask me, as though I am an authority on linguistics in music, why British musicians mask their accents whilst singing. I won't hear that question here, because her British accent is quite clear, and warms my heart a bit.
2. It's funny. The lyrics aren't sentimental and sappy and emotional, it's fun words to sing along to, and hearing "Tesco's" in the track LDN made me feel a bit nostalgic. Tesco's has the best Cornish Pasties, fyi.
3. Her voice isn't harsh or belty, it's sweet and simple, and uncomplicated.
4. The album is boppy to the point of wiggling my bum around my seat. It's not washed down pop music, it actually has elements of other genres of music in it, and I can appreciate that.
5. It has a decent variety of beats and sounds. Listen to "LDN" and then "Shame For You". 

If you're discriminating when it comes to your musician's personal life, Allen might not be for you. She's similar to Amy Winehouse–the bad girl reputation and the lot. I couldn't give two shits either way. 

Definitely take the time to check her out.  

Lily Allen Official Website // MySpace (which she personally updates, I think) // Buy Alright, Still 

LDN

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/03%20%20Lily%20Allen%20-%20LDN.mp3]

Take What You Take

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/09%20%20Lily%20Allen%20-%20Take%20What%20You%20Take.mp3]

Shame For You

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/07%20%20Lily%20Allen%20-%20Shame%20For%20You.mp3]

There is a lot of music out there that I know I should be listening to, and just haven't yet.  Two ways that I generally do this are through live albums and tribute albums, which is how I really got into the Clash at first.  One of the really standout tracks on both From Here to Eternity: Live and Burning London: A Tribute to the Clash was "Straight to Hell", which closes out both albums.  I present here Moby's smooth organ chords and Heather Nova's floaty vocals.  The song is beautiful, and one of my favourite ways to end things.  Dig it!

Straight to Hell - Moby and Heather Nova

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/Moby%20&%20Heather%20Nova%20-%20Straight%20to%20Hell.mp3]

Buy This CD 

Here's a crazy 6 degrees of separation for you, and you may enjoy it. 

I have a good friend, who has a good friend, who plays guitar in a band called Paths of Possession. Okay, so theres not 6 degrees. Like two.

For all you metal enthusiasts out there, I decided to do a post on the band, as metal is a genre of music I have little or no experience reviewing and listening to, really.

I had decided to do a review a few months ago, intending on having it done within a week. I realized I didn't have the balls to do a review on a band or genre I was completely unfamiliar with. That was my goal, to broaden my spectrum here at LTM, but I suppose the radical difference between death metal and other music we've reviewed here made me feel like a bit of n00b. Here goes.

Paths of Possession is, according to Wikipedia (I referenced the wiki because I have no idea what kind of metal the band makes, me being a complete novice) a solid mix of traditional heavy metal with influences of Swedish melodic death metal. Anybody who knows metal well enough should be familiar with the lead singer, George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher, who used to lead the band Cannibal Corpse.

To be honest, when I first listened to the album a couple of times, I didn't like it. I didn't understand why someone would voluntarily listen to music that makes you feel like you're falling down a pit of hell, and you never hit bottom. It's like a the action-movie fall into a volcano, with no grisly end. All I could think about was calling Randy and asking him why he was so pissed off, and that I'd give him a hug if he needed one.

I remembered a trip to the beach I took the other day, with my good friend who introduced me to Jay. A song by Metallica came on the radio, and she turned it up, sang along with every word, and when the song ended, she turned to me and said, "See, Jen, that is the kind of music that relaxes me, and makes me feel better." I suppose I've come to understand, and appreciate metal music, but I don't think I'll ever listen to it with the intent of it relaxing me. This isn't to say the album isn't good, but rather that I know that everyone makes their own kind of music, through their lives, and although this isn't it for me, it certainly works for many other people. And to those many other people, I think you'll like this album. A lot. 

 For Jay and Veronika 

Related Links:

Paths of Possession Official Website // MySpace // Buy Promises In Blood

Metal Blade Records 

The helpful Wiki Entry

Related Audio:

Bring Me the Head of Christ

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/10%20Bring%20Me%20The%20Head%20Of%20Christ.mp3]

Darklands (MP3)

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/01%20Darklands.mp3]

Bleed the Meek (MP3)

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/03%20Bleed%20The%20Meek.mp3]

UPCOMING U.S. TOUR 

When I praise NYD's live stylings, I mean every word.  They are engaging and energetic and pleasing to the eye; all of 'em, not just Ashley.  However this is one of those sad situations where the live lustre we loved when the opened for a band we adore doesn't quite come through on the album [I'm referring to when I saw Moneen open for Saves the Day last year, but I've come to really enjoy the Red Tree].

The first thing I'd like to mention is that Ashley Costello doesn't sing her own backing vocals.  It's extra cool when a female-fronted band has the fellers singing the backgrounds; not just because it sounds cool, but because it shows a type of band equality.  You know, so things don't end up like the "Don't Speak" video.  I always figure that's how band's like this will end, especially when the Eric Stefani element [in this case former Home Grown bassist Adam Lohrbach] leaves and the band becomes a solo project.  But I digress.  There's not a whole lot of new ground covered on this album, but that's not always the point, is it?  The point here seems to be to make some good musics and have some good times.  Mission accomplished.
Final Verdict: My Dear is pretty much what you'd expect, really.  Catchy songs about bein' done wrong and lovin' SoCal.  I'm going to keep listening because I see no reason not to.

Part Time Lover - New Years Day

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/04%20Part%20Time%20Lover.mp3]

New Years Day Official MySpace // Buy My Dear