Editors - In This Light and On This Evening

The Editors are back and boy have I missed them. They always come out with these songs that are so full of adrenaline it makes me want to bust out my jogging pants. The first single "Papillon" is no different. Supposedly they were going for a different direction on this album, pursuing a new "raw" sound. Having been a huge fan of the first two albums I am interested in hearing what this new sound is. I know its gonna be a bit darker but who doesn't love darker? All I know is that when the tour comes to the states I am not missing them like i did last year.

SONG LIST
01 In This Light and on This Evening
02 Bricks and Mortar
03Papillon

04 You Don’t Know Love

05 The Big Exit
06 The Boxer
07 Like Treasure
08 Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool
09 Walk the Fleet Road
(Bonus EP disc)
Bonus This House is Full of Noise
Bonus I Want A Forest
Bonus My Life As a Ghost
Bonus Human
Bonus For the Money

Pavillon

The XX

Ok I'll admit that when I first heard about them months and months ago, I wasn't really sold. Yes I read all about them, and listened to every single as they came out and still felt nothing. Last week my "Heart Skipped a Beat" and I was in love. Its one of those bands that takes you awhile to really appreciate the reverbs, lack of a live drummer, and minimalistic sounds. Fans of dreamy music like Mazzy Star, are going to be eating this like pistachio cake at a wedding (trust me it's gone in minutes). Although the album doesn't technically come out in the U.S. for another 3 weeks, you can stream the album here. Obviously my favorite track is "Heart Skipped a Beat", but other noteworthy songs are: "Crystalized" and "Basic Space". They are another English band destined to take over North America.

Tracklisting:

1. "Intro" – 2:08
2. "VCR" – 2:57
3. "Crystalised" – 3:22
4. "Islands" – 2:41
5. "Heart Skipped a Beat" – 4:02
6. "Fantasy" – 2:38
7. "Shelter" – 4:30
8. "Basic Space" – 3:08
9. "Infinity" – 5:13
10. "Night Time" – 3:37
11. "Stars" – 4:23
12. "Hot Like Fire" (iTunes Bonus Track) – 3:31

Crystalized


Basic Space


Heart Skipped a Beat

Electric Valentine - Automatic

Synth pop & dance lovers rejoice! If you are looking for that record that is gonna make you get up and dance then you have found it. Pretty much every song on this album is very catchy and very reminiscent of Daft Punk vs. Lady Gaga (more of the former rather than the latter thank goodness). You know anyone can make a DIY album but as you know most of them are just plain bad. Not Electric Valentines, there "Automatic" will be the dance album of the year. I'm sure that it will take America a year before they get it but trust me they will (I'm calling it now). You can stream the entire album on myspace.

Tracklisting:
1 - Body To Body
2 - 13 Reasons
3 - Automatic
4 - Binary Outbreak
5 - Beat Drop
6 - Chasing the Sun
7 - A Night With You
8 - My Best Mistake
9 - Faster
10 - The Opposite of Name Dropping
11 - A Better Class of Criminal
12 - Waiting For the Harmony
13 - Take Your Time (Bonus cover)

A Night With You


Body to Body

Emilie Autumn - Opheliac Deluxe Edition

Are you suffering? Don't suffer no more cause Fall will bring us Autumn, Emilie Autumn that is. Your suffering wont end but at least your hunger for more Emilie Autumn will. She is an amazing American born, classically trained violinist, and singer-songwriter! She has contributed to soundtracks like Saw, and has worked with the likes of Billy Corgan and Courtney Love. Her 2007 release Opheliac was heralded by many as a work of masterpiece. Songs like The Art of Suicide and Misery Loves Company have this euphoric and haunting quality about it that stay with you much after the CD ends. The Deluxe edition of Opheliac will include tons of goodies such as a poster booklet and and Bonus CD. She will be going on a North American tour beginning in October to promote the release inlcuding VIP packages. Hope to see you there.

Deluxe Edition includes:
Disc 1:
01. Opheliac
02. Swallow
03. Liar
04. The Art Of Suicide
05. I Want My Innocence Back
06. Misery Loves Company
07. God Help Me
08. Shalott
09. Gothic Lolita
10. Dead Is The New Alive
11. I Know Where You Sleep
12. Let The Record Show
13. The Art Of Suicide (Acoustic Version)
Video Extra: Interview with Emilie Autumn

Disc 2:
01. Thank God I'm Pretty
02. Dominant
03. 306
04. Gloomy Sunday
05. Asleep (originally by "The Smiths")
06. Mad Girl (Acoustic Version)
07. Thank God I'm Pretty (Acoustic Version)
08. Largo for Violin by J. S. Bach
09. Marry Me
10. Poem: How To Break A Heart
11. Poem: Ghost
12. Poem: At What Point Does A Shakespeare Say
13. "Opheliac" Recording Out Takes
Video Extra: Live Concert Footage


Opheliac


Misery Loves Company

Simian Mobile Disco - Temporary Pleasure

Simian Mobile Disco second official album comes out with a bang. On this one they include plenty of delicious vocalist like Beth Ditto (Gossip), Young Fathers, and Telepathe. At first listen it sounds like a deep house record with lots of breathtaking/shaking beats but in true SMD fashion with each vocalist appearance, comes the songs that you would hear on the radio (if the radio actually played good music). Some non-radio friendly tracks that don't have any vocals seem at times kind of blank but I wouldn't call them filler songs as they have something for everyone here. I do enjoy a good house track but as I've been told by my partner, if it doesn't have any vocals then i'm not interested. I will tell you that I know the electro boys are gonna be all over them. As for me I expect to hear Audacity of Huge, Cruel Intentions, and Turn up the Dial at least 100 times. You could stream the album here. My rating: 4/5 (its a must for electro enthusiasts)

Tracklisting:
01 Cream Dream (Featuring Gruff Rhys)
02 Audacity of Huge (Featuring Chris Keating)
03 10000 Horses Can’t Be Wrong
04 Cruel Intentions (Featuring Beth Ditto)
05 Off the Map (Featuring Jamie Lidell)
06 Synthesise
07 Bad Blood (Featuring Alexis Taylor)
08 Turn Up the Dial (Featuring Young Fathers)
09 Ambulance
10 Pinball (Featuring Telepathe)

Audacity of Huge


Cruel Intentions

The Temper Trap - Conditions

Australian rock band, The Temper Trap received plenty of buzz during last year's SXSW festival but not enough for the masses to really take notice. That's why when their debut album landed on my lap, I didn't rush to my CD player as with most CD's. It actually sat there until I heard that the song "Sweet Disposition" was in the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack. Having seen that movie and absolutely loving all of the music, I finally ran to my CD player. First thought, wow this is gonna be Epic. I mean pounding drums, grandiose vocals, and melodic guitar riffs ala' Coldplay or U2. Only thing missing on the album is great lyrics. Given that this is their first album and just know there is plenty of room for growth. You could stream the entire album on myspace. Highlights: Sweet Disposition, Fader, and Science of Fear. My rating: 3.5/5

Tracklisting:
1. Love Lost
2. Rest
3. Sweet Disposition
4. Down River
5. Soldier On
6. Fader
7. Fools
8. Resurrection
9. Science Of Fear
10. Drum Song

Sweet Disposition


Science of Fear