Albums # 25 thru # 29 (Placebo Discography)

I did it again. For the second time this year I have listened to a bands entire collection of albums. This time the band was Placebo and I am very satisfied. For the last couple of years I have had all their albums, yet only listened to one song over and over again. Their song “Blind” is one of my all time favorite songs. Now I can add about 15 other Placebo songs to my list of must listens.

So in the order of their release here are 5 two line reviews:

Album # 25 Placebo – Placebo

Their self titled debut is a bit different than the Placebo nowadays. Still some good indepent punk, pop and rock on this fine debut.

Album #26 Without You I’m Nothing – Placebo

It seems that on this second album, Placebo started to find their sound and stuck with it throughout the album. The song “Every You Every Me” alone is worth buying this album which started introducing the electronic element of the band.

Album # 27 Black Market Music – Placebo

Their third album didn’t even chart in the United States, but hey it was # 1 in France! Makes me think those French dig pretty cool music!

Album # 28 Sleeping With Ghosts – Placebo

Their fourth album which really concentrated more on electronics than other releases is the first to gain any U.S. attention. This album would lead the way into their next album which brought them even more recognition here in the states.

Album # 29 – Meds – Placebo

With their 5th and latest release (2006) Placebo actually made the U.S. charts albeit at number 180! It once again was # 1 in many other countries and contains my new favorite Placebo song of all time “Infa-Red,” a song detailing how his lover can’t ever get away from him since he can “see in the dark.”

When all is said and done Placebo are a fine band, mixing some rock, electronica, and punk with some David Bowie thrown in. I cant see how anyone could listen to them and not be addicted!

Discography rating: 4 out of 5 Missed Outs

Book # 4 A Dull Roar - Henry Rollins

I have read many books by Henry Rollins over the years. He has become one of my favorite authors. Most know Henry from Black Flag or the Rollins Band, he was the lead singer for both. Most of his books are like journals where he chronicles his travels around the world. This book saw Henry all over the United States performing and some dates in Europe. Henry's commitment to his art and work are something to be desired. I'm sure I'll get through a few more Henry books this year, can't wait!

Where I was while reading: Laying around the house and hours in the back yard.

Missed Out Rating: 4 out of 5 Missed Outs

Album #'s 18 Thru 22 Blink-182 Discography (5 Albums)

Album # 18 Cheshire Cat – Blink-182

Well I did it. For some odd reason I decided to listen to all five Blink-182 releases over the last few days. I guess when they announced they were getting back together at the Grammy’s I was inspired. Cheshire Cat was their first release and boy do they sound young. This album is filled with 2-3 minute punk songs. The one thing missing from later Blink releases is the pop sound. They definitely were going for a more straight forward punk approach, where later albums find them in the pop punk world. Still a great album overall. 3 Missed Outs.

Album # 19 Dude Ranch – Blink-182

Two Line Review: Starting to sound more like the Blink 182 we all know and love. This album contains their two first hits “Dammit,” and “Josie.” 3.0 Missed Outs.

Album # 20 Enema Of The State – Blink-182

Two Line Review: So here is the album that broke Blink 182 into mainstream America and MTV! How could you forget “All The Small Things,” “What’s My Age Again,” and “Adams Song?” 3.5 Missed Outs.

Album # 21 Take Off Your Pants And Jacket – Blink-182

Two Line Review: The guys found themselves in a groove with the momentum from the last album. Contained the hits “First Date,” “Rock Show,” “Stay Together For The Kids,” and one of my favorite Blink songs ever, “Story Of A Lonely Guy.” 4.0 Missed Outs.

Album # 22 Blink 182 – Blink-182

This was the last release from Blink before they broke up. It’s their most mature album and has my favorite Blink song of all time “Feeling This.” It also has the hits “Down,” “I Miss You,” and a really cool song “All Of This” featuring Robert Smith of The Cure on vocals. 4.0 Missed Outs.

All in all a pretty good experience for me. I plan on doing this a few times this year with various artists.

What I was doing while listening: Laying on the couch, driving around town, taking showers and other general craziness.

Overall Discography Missed Out Rating: 4 out of 5 Missed Outs.

Album # 9 Narrow Stairs - Death Cab For Cutie

Almost at album #10 for the year. For those that don't know Death Cab For Cutie, you're certainly missing out. A very melodic kind of rock that some may say borders on the whole emo movement. Singer Ben Gibbards lyrics are certainly emotional and always revealing but this band deserves much more than just the emo tag. This is the bands latest release and as with most of the music I listen to deals with good relationships and bad relationships. The album contains 11 songs and honestly I can't think of one that I did not enjoy. It opens up with a sleepy, dreamy track called "Bixby Canyon Bridge" which is so beautiful you'll have to wonder whether you're dreaming or not. The second song and one of my favorites makes the stalker in all of us seem like a pretty cool person, it's called "I Will Posses Your Heart." Though I'm certain anyone who has ever been stalked may not appreciate the song, the song is done in quite a tasteful manner. "Twin Size Bed," is a great break up song detailing the ex-girlfriends desire to own a twin size bed as opposed to a queen, since the queen made her feel too alone. Another one of my favorite songs is "Grapvine Fires" which tells the story of being on a romantic date with his girlfriend and her daughter all while watching from afar the fires that burnt much of Los Angeles a few years ago. For the melodic fans out there, the album is filled with some of the most beautiful guitars and pianos you'll ever hear. I would recommend you buy the entire album and if you like it, take the time to look through the rest of their catalogue of great music.

Recommended downloads: "I Will Posses Your Heart," "Twin Size Bed," "Talking Bird," "Grapvine Fires," "The Ice Is Getting Thinner."

What I was doing while listening: Driving to and from work. (once again in the cold Ca rain)





Missed Out Rating: 4 out of 5 Missed Outs

Album # 7 Burn - The Red

I cannot believe that I have only listened to seven albums so far this year. However this is my case in point, I usually spend all my time skipping from one song to the next, from one artist to the next and so on. I very rarely listen to an album in it's entirety, and I'm loving this experiement so far. The Red are an accoustic rock act from Los Angeles that according to all my recent research may no longer be together. It's unfortunate because they were one of the best unsigned to a major label bands I've ever heard. The Red is mainly lead singer and songwriter Marco Aiello's baby as he is the only constant on their three albums. This album "Burn" was their last release and came out in 2005. The album was given out for free at shows in exchange for your email address. This album has so many good songs you'd think The Red was bigger than they ever became. Their biggest claim to fame was the song off this album "Don't Help Me," as it was featured on NBC's The Biggest Loser reality show. The theme of the album deals with relationships gained and lost and opens with a real heart wrencher called "Want." Marco's songs usually deal with romance and it's darker side. The only song on this album released to radio as a single is track #7 called "Run." It's a real gem, that whenever I played it for someone brought up comparisons to U2 for some odd reason. I believe my favorite song on the album is "Jacie" which is just a basic pop love song that sends shivers down my spine everytime I hear it. The album is made up of mostly accoustic guitars, light drumming and Marco's vocals. There is even a song sung in Itlaian which I'm sure most ladies would fall in love with. In any event I really wish I could tell you where to get the album, but it seems the bands website http://www.thered.com/ has been taken down. If you are even slightly interested just send me an email at themissedouts@gmail.com and I'd gladly burn a copy for you.

Recommended downloads: Not available for download

What I was doing while listening: Driving to and from work

Missed Out Rating: 4 out of 5 Missed Outs

Album # 1 808's And Heartbreak - Kanye West

Oddly enough, for my taste that is, I started the year off with Kanye West's latest CD. I wasn't looking all that forward to it as I'm not the biggest Kanye fan. However after reading in Rolling Stone magazine that it was an instant break-up classic, I was intrigued. Now that I've listened to it completely I am pleasantly surprised. Without a doubt, I believe it to be Kanye's strongest album by far. The subject matter on the album certainly seems to only deal with a lost relationship, though the song "Coldest Winter" is clearly about Kanye's mother who passed away last year. The last song is a live bonus track entitled "Pinocchio Story" that shows Kanye at his story telling best. If you haven't picked up the album, do yourself a favor and get it now! If you have ever been in a failed relationship, who hasnt? You should instantly fall in love with songs like "Heartless," "Love Lockdown," and "See You In My Nightmare."

I remember there was a time when people compared 50 Cent to Kanye West and vice versa, after listening to this album in it's entirety I'd say that's like comparing the Monkees to The Beatles. They don't even belong in the same sentence.


Recommended Downloads: "Welcome to Heartbreak," "Heartless," "Love Lockdown," "Robocop," "Coldest Winter."

Side Note: Anytime an album on here scores 4 or higher, it would be in your best benefit to buy the WHOLE ALBUM!

What I was doing while listening to: Cleaning house.

Missed Out Rating: 4 out 5 Missed Outs!