Albums # 31 Thru #35

So I have been lazy about updating daily, therefore here are 4 albums I listend to in the last week, with a two line review accompyning each.

Album #31 Either/Or by Elliott Smith

If some angels decided to play guitar and sing melodic songs, then I'm sure they'd sound a lot like Elliott Smith. This album maybe in my top 5 albums of all time.
5 out of 5 Missed Outs

Album #32 Album Of The Year by The Good Life

An absolutely amazing album chronicling the lead singers divorce month by month over a 12 month period. There are 12 songs, each song representing a different month in the marriage, this one will break your heart.
5 out of 5 Missed Outs

Album #33 Into The Wild by Eddie Vedder

This album served as the soundtrack to the movie "Into The Wild." It's Eddie from Pearl Jam, singing and playing an accoustic guitar without much other instrumentation on the album.
4 out of 5 Missed Outs

Album #34 One Day As A Lion E.P. by One Day As A Lion

This is Zack De La Rocha, from Rage Against The Machines new band. The E.P. is 5 songs long and it really just made me want to hear Rage Against The Machine because it's not half as good.
2 out of 5 Missed Outs

Album #35 Led Zeppelin I by Led Zeppelin

Do I really have to say anything about this album, besides it deserves...
5 out of 5 Missed Outs

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

Album # 17 Blind Melon - Blind Melon

Two line review: When this CD was released in 1990, no one sounded like this alt-country-folk-pop-rock band Blind Melon. Listening to it last night in 2009, still no one sounds like Blind Melon, a truly classic band.

Recommended downloads: "Tones Of Home," "No Rain," "Dear O'l Dad," "Change," "Drive," "Paper Scratcher," hell just buy the whole thing!

Album # 15 Until There's Nothing Left - Kill Hannah

Two Line review:

A very good emo/rock/pop album that was recommended to me by my friend as I dropped her off at school. I have had the album for quite some time, and after listening to it in it's entirety it's one I will definately listen to again.

Recommended downloads: "Lips Like Morphine," "Love You To Death," "Crazy Angel."

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

Missed Out Rating: 3 out of 5 Missed Outs.

Album # 11 It's Not Me, It's You - Lily Allen

Wow, what a great album. I was a pretty big fan of Lily's first album and I'm sure most of you are familiar at least with her big hit "Smile." I didn't even know this new album was out yet until reading a review in Rolling Stone magazine. I must say Lily has quite the gift to write hit singles. I swear all 12 songs on this CD can be radio hits. Upon first listen, each and every song sounds and feels like I've heard them before. Right off the bat I had a couple of favorites like "It's Not Fair," and "He's Wasn't There." The former song detailing her experiences with an older inadequate lover, while the latter song details her experience of growing up without a father present. There's a lot of pop, jazz and danceable music to enjoy on this disc. I almost want to give it a 5 missed out rating, but it's a little too poppy/bubble gummish to warrant that, so Lily you get a 3.5 missed outs from this guy!

Recommended downloands: "It's Not Fair," "He Wasn't There," "F$#! You," "Everyone's At It"

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

Missed Out Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Missed Outs

Album # 10 Rubber Soul - The Beatles

So it's happened again! Though I figure every Beatles album I listen to will probably warrant a 5 Missed Out rating, this happens to be maybe my favorite Beatles album of all time. Well maybe second favorite, I think the "White Album" may be number one. I will first say that this album contains my favorite song of all time. It's a hard thing to do for someone who loves music as much as I do. However when it comes to the song "In My Life," it's an easy decision. Through all my years of loving, studying and living music, The Beatles "In My Life" is far and away my favorite song of all time. Every song on this album is a gem, and if you don't already own it, I'd ask why? Do yourself a favor and buy it! The album opens with a Paul Mccartney rocker "Drive My Car" and doesn't let up until the album ends with "Run For Your Life" which is John Lennon's jealousy at it's worst. Lyrics from the song:

"Well I'd rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man
You better keep your head, little girl, or I won't know where I am,
you better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl, catch you with another man,
that's the end'a little girl"

Now as creepy as that may seem to some, I think it's absolutely beautiful! The album also contains "Norwegian Wood (This Bird has flown)" which tells the story of an affair John Lennon had while married to his first wife Cynthia. I mention this because it's probably the second best song on the album and deserves to be heard by anyone that enjoys story telling music. Well don't hesitate any longer, go out and buy it. Unfortunately The Beatles still are not on iTunes and may never be according to Sir Paul Mccartney. So guess what, you'll have to get it the old fashioned way, buying it online in CD or LP version, or actually visiting a record store!

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

Missed Out Rating: 5 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