The End of The White Stripes – A Sad Day For Concert Goers

After a number of years and a hand full of hit songs The White Stripes have called it quits. Front man Jack White and ex-wife Meg White are no longer going to be making music together. This is not a big surprise given Jack White has been getting involved in more and more side project such as The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather and others. It isn’t really the fact that the band will no long record albums; it’s that they will no long be performing live.

Anyone who has seen a live performances of The White Stripes knows that they were a must see live act. The energy generated from the two on stage was incredible. On the tour for the Icky Thump album the stage was all dressed in black and red as were the performers which gave the performance a distinctive character.  Whenever watching them you couldn’t help but think, all of this music coming from just two people. Jack’s massive vocals rained onto the crowed and the ever present deep seeded bead provided by Meg seemed to log right in your sternum and just hum.  It was incredible, and the greatest loss of this break up will be of those who will never have the chance to experience that for themselves. 

White Lies | Ritual is Good Gloomy Fun

The U.K.’s White Lies have released their second full length album called Ritual. As with their first offering, White Lies latest album is just as steeped in overly dramatic ballads that are filled with never ending exclamations of love and pain. It’s just what 2011 needed a bit of throwback 80s themed goodness in the same vain as The Cure. White Lies may be the kind of music you are embraced to play with acquaintances or even friends present, for fear they may judge you harshly for your overly dramatic taste in music, but who cares. While Lies is gloomy pulp rock, their songs revolve around tales of sorrow and heartache the likes of which haven’t been seen since John Cusack raised his “Boombox” above his head in that movie Say Anything. The lyrics have an entertainment value beyond that which was obviously intended by those who penned them.

Ritual might not be the height of musical creativity but it is enjoyable in its own way.        

Disappears | A Review of Guider

Chicago’s own Disappears have released their second full length album entitled Guider. The album may lack in melodic diversity, with each track awash in drums and only a hand full of guitar chords, but that is where Guider finds its strength. Each track seems to have its own mesmerizing quality. One of the better cuts off of this album, Halo is one of those fine examples of lo-fi drone, its pace is such that you wouldn’t fall asleep while listening to it but if you weren’t carful just might slip into a daze. That is the how you could describe the entire Guider album, it takes you up to a certain musical height then leaves you dazed but not confused.         

Cake | A Review of Showroom of Compassion

The band that brought us one of the most over played songs on the radio, Short Skirt/Long Jacket, have released their sixth studio album entitled Showroom of Compassion.  In this latest offering Cake, front man John McCrea delivers both on vocals and lyrics. The first song off of the record called Federal Funding boasts a classic rock vibe while still maintaining a modern edge. The lyrics of this track are rather entertaining in that they paint a distinctly unflattering portrait of those who don a suite and get their rocks off by attaining a certain business status which can be held over others.  Another track on the new album just has that instant classic personality to it; we are talking Mustache Man (Wasted). Mustache Man (Wasted) with its funk beat and generous helping of horn (let’s not forget the healthy dose of cow bell) is truly made great by the lyrics which create a vivid and eccentric of a mustache sporting dude. Most people are under the correct impression that anyone who only grows facial hair above their lip should be avoided at all cost and this Cake track lends weight to that belief. You see, “With the mustache man and carpet of his van, you can feel you fatty tissues giving way to sweaty hands.”  If that’s not an indictment of mustached men, what is?   

There are some lesser cuts off of Showroom of Compassion but as a whole this album is sure to have a long and happy life in the music library of those who buy it.     

The Decemberists | The King Is Dead Album Review

The Decemberists are set to release their sixth studio album in 2011. The release date for the new album is January 18^th 2011 and you might just want to mark it on your calendar.  You can tell that some of the tracks on The King Is Dead album find some inspiration in R.E.M. They sort of resonate with that kind of Orange Crush energy. The beginning of The King Is Dead may have a more commercial sound to it but it also harkens back to the good old days, bringing on recollections of bands like Neutral Milk Hotel, with its slight country twang matched with a curious set of cautionary tails woven into the lyrics. The lyrics to Calamity Song and June Hymn are standouts and will no doubt find their way into the hearts of fans that flock to this band.