365 – New Music Daily

Two 70’s artists on entirely different ends of the rock spectrum, and a moody, chilled out modern-day indie record for today.

Only feel like reading about music you think you might like? I get it. Use these links to jump to reviews on albums from Joy Division (Punk Rock), HOMESHAKE (Indie) and Talking Heads (Alternative Rock/New Wave).

Unknown Pleasures – Joy Division (Punk Rock)

Normally, I delineate between punk and rock, but this one feels like it’s pretty firmly in both courts. Given how my music taste has been trending over the past 3-4 months, you would think that this would be a recipe for success – however I find this album wholly uninspiring.

This one is a very, very subjective review, but I thought this was a total fucking snoozefest. The lead singer had no charisma, I really don’t like his voice at all and while there was nothing wrong with the musicality, I just felt like it totally fell flat. I am going to keep it short here – this isn’t Black Flag bad, but I did feel like it was a waste of time from a band that I’ve heard lauded. Not for me.

Favorite songs: nothing. I’m not even going to link to this album. Here’s a D’Angelo song I like a lot.

Midnight Snack – HOMESHAKE (Indie)

If you have engaged with me in a dialogue (we are going to start a dialogue.) on anything music related, I have either A) told you about my Eddie Vedder impression B) ranted about how stupid the genre “indie” is because of its total and complete ambiguity in tying to a specific sound and simply being an abbreviated version of independent or C) both.

As much as my having the above sentiment has not changed, this album and the general sonic profile of HOMESHAKE is so representative of a gigantic chunk of what’s coming out of indie that it’s hard to assert that point here. This is what a shit ton of indie music sounds like; synth or guitar heavy melodies, or both, interspersed drums and kind of odd, sometimes off key singing. That’s what you’re getting here. I’m sure there are people that are head over heels for this. Me, I’m just fine with it. Not bad, not mind blowing. Though he (HOMESHAKE) does do it pretty well, and the song below is really cool and got flipped into a fantastic Joey Badass song (which is worth checking out).

Favorite songs: He’s Heating Up, Love Is Only A Feeling, Midnight Snack

Talking Heads ’77 – Talking Heads (Alternative Rock/New Wave)

Known by Psycho Killer, the bands debut album certainly introduces pieces of their oddball energy, and overall weirdo shit. I’m not going to paste the lyrics, but just pick a random line from Don’t Worry About the Government. Ridiculous song.

However, I find their musical originality to be under developed at this point in time, and the record coming off much more as a rock record with little twists then the signature, incredible sound that the Talking Heads deliver in so many of their future records. It’s not bad, by any means, but it’s easily the worst Heads album I’ve heard. Even with Psycho Killer being so legendary.

Favorite songs: Psycho Killer, I Feel It In My Heart