London’s Scanners really can carry a gloomy mood in some of their tracks but without going overboard. The indie rock band has been around for a couple of years now and even if you have never heard of them are a pretty big deal – maybe not so much in the US but I have the feeling that will be changing in the upcoming months. If you were a fan of alt rock in the 90’s as well as have love for new wave this band might be up your alley.
Don’t be held off by this though if you were not a fan of either genre as the band also carries a great melodic talent heard throughout.
Philadelphia electronic jam band The Disco Biscuits (TDB) have always stood out to me as an original act since the day I was introduced to them. I have to admit I was not really into jam bands at the time they were brought to my attention, but thanks to a couple of jam band loving friends I was just intrigued with what I heard. They were indeed a jam band but their addition of electronics into the songs they played (also known as “trance-fusion” captured my attention fully and I was not the only one.
Over the years the band attracted a huge fan base and not only played all over he world from clubs to festivals but has also hosted their own festival known as Camp Bisco.
After my initial taste of TDB I remember immediately going out to pick up a couple of of their albums and even caught them live, twice at the Odeon (RIP) and once at Bonnaroo in 2006. For reasons unknown though I stopped listening to future releases by the band, that is, until now. Recently TDB released Planet Anthem an album that once again will be turning heads of many. This time around the band collaborated for the first time with other producers, songwriters, and musicians to push out a jam album full of indie rock, hip-hop, and electronical awesomeness. I can honestly say this as well – The Disco Biscuits have never sounded better.
Opening up the CD is “Loose Change” a song that was not speaking of extra quarters in your pockets. This song prepared me for the rest of the album with electronic heavy guitar playing and almost old school Daft Punk beats. “On Time” without a doubt will be making it’s way to the dance floors in 2010. This futuristic disco-ish song had me nodding my head in approval throughout. Comparable to something Dirty Vegas might have done this song had all of the elements to make the dance floor move and is best listened to at high volumes.
I felt as if I was listening to Radiohead when “Widgets” started playing especially when the shifting samples started. All I could think of was how similar it was to something that might be found on Kid A or Amnesiac yet the song held it’s own. I really enjoying the repetitious gentle singing that was implanted in my head throughout.
“You and I” was one of my favorite cuts on the album over the rest. Comparable to something The Faint might push out but with TDB flair, the song just overpowered the rest. Hearing this track confirmed that TDB tried something completely different and I must say, I approved.
The experimental jam of sorts “Konkrete” had a Middle Eastern feel techno feel to it. I just could not help but think of the Butthole Surfers during this track. Perhaps it was the monotone singing layered over the thumping bass and electronic noise. “Fish Out Of Water” shifted back to the older TDB I recalled with barely any electronics. WIth a catchy chorus and slick guitar playing the song was a fun jam to sit back and listen to.
The unsuspecting “Sweatbox” was like a Gorillaz meets Gnarls Barkley song on speed. This track was insanity at it’s finest with a mix of hip hop and rock and even some soul added in. I could not get enough of this track nor could I hardly believe TDB had something to do with it as it was completely out of their norm.
Following was “The City”, a more classic TDB singing style song mixed with indie rock. Think Kings Of Leon mixed with Phish…yes it is entirely possible. “Big Wrecking Ball” continued the indie rock feel sans the jam and made for a enjoyable song.
Being one of the first albums I have heard in 2010 I must say I was beyond impressed with what The Disco Biscuits dropped. They made a change in their sound on this album that took almost three years to complete and I personally think it is for the better. By doing so they have created a CD that will be attracting a lot of attention from new fans and old thanks to the array of genres mixed up in Planet Anthem.
Nothing like waiting until the last minute… With less than 10 hours to go I give you my Best / Worst list of 2009. Mind you none of these are in order/ranked, they are just the best / worst I have been pondering over all year long… Enjoy.
Best Albums:
The Avett Brothers – I & Love & You
Mastodon – Crack The Skye
Frank Turner – Poetry Of The Deed
Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus
Converge – Axe To Fall
Those Darlins – Those Darlins
Gallows – Grey Britain
Dan Auerbach – Keep It Hid
P.O.S. – Never Better
BlakRoc – BlakRoc
The Sidekicks – Weight Of Air
Best Unreleased Album:
Dangermouse & Sparklehorse – Dark Night Of The Song
Worst Albums:
Brokencyde – I’m Not A Fan But The Kids Like It
Alice In Chains – Black Gives Way To Blue
Third Eye Blind – Ursa Major
Sugar Ray – Music For Cougars
On The Fence About Albums:
Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures
Drummer – Feel Good Together
Guilty Pleasure Albums:
Owl City –Ocean Eyes
Brokencyde – I’m Not A Fan But The Kids Like It
Best Box Set Released:
Coheed & Cambia – Neverender
Best Anthology Released:
Fat Wreck Chords – Wrecktrospective
Best Festival I Attended:
Bonnaroo – Bruce Springsteen, Merle Haggard, Public Enemy, NIN, Andrew Bird, Wilco, Beastie Boys, Al Green, Elvis Costello, Jenny Lewis, Phoenix and many more.
Best Shows I Attended:
The Avett Brothers @ Akron Civic Center – Akron, OH
Dan Auerbach / Those Darlins @ Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH
Converge / High On Fire @ The Grog Shop – Cleveland Hts., OH
Loudest Show I Attended (EVER):
Mastodon @ Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH
Most Unsuspecting Show I Attended (with good reason):
Britney Spears / Pussycat Dolls @ The Value City Area – Columbus, OH
Worst Show I Attended:
Gin Blossoms @ Cain Park – Cleveland Hts., OH
Best Local Acts I Saw Live:
Nicholas Megalis
Unsparing Sea
Best Movies:
Zombieland
The Hangover
District 9
Inglorious Basterds
Up
Star Trek
Worst Movies:
G.I. Joe
Transformers 2
Movie That You Should Not Watch When Your Heart Aches:
500 Days Of Summer
Best TV Show:
Community
The Awesome:
Bouncing Souls celebrating 20 years as a punk band and releasing a song a month all year.
Greg Ginn (of Black Flag) agreeing to play a couple of songs for free at Blue Arrow Records courtesy of myself and Addicted To Vinyl.
Going to Bonnaroo with two of my favorite people and then coming home and immediate going to see Rancid / Rise Against from backstage.
Seeing Those Darlins 4 times live.
Matt’s wonderful girlfriend scoring me an autographed personalized CD from Frank Turner as well as a hi-five.
Meeting the fine folk at Thirty Tiger Records followed by shopping at Grimey’s while pit-stopping in Nashville.
Having friends from all around come up to visit and see the magic that is called Cleveland.
The Suck:
November 5th, 2009
My laptop crashing
My external hard drive crashing
Changing for the better.
RIP (there were plenty more but these are ones that stuck with me):
Michael Jackson
James “The Rev” Sullivan
DJ-AM
Taylor Mitchell
Vic Chesnutt
Les Paul
Jay Bennett
Brittany Murphy
Captain Lou Albano
Patrick Swayze
Jim Carroll
John Hughes
Walter Cronkite
Billy Mays
David Carridine
Dom DeLuise
Bea Arthur
Jeremy Lusk
Heath Ledger
So with just a few hours left I would like to say goodbye to 2009. It was a fun and incredibly rough year for me. I see big things happening in 2010 for me.
Resolutions? A couple I suppose…
Portion Control – I can eat and now I need to watch how much of it I do
Personal Conquest – I have ideas and will follow through
Sugar – I am limiting my intake
Live – I plan on attending more shows this year than previous years
Blog On – I will continue making BHP bigger and better so that people actually will COMMENT on here…
Do you have a best of you wish to share or do you think I overlooked someone? Let me know. Email me at broken@brokenheadphones.com or comment below. I want to hear from you!
I just learned that Avenged Sevenfold‘s drummer James Owen Sullivan, aka The Rev, was found dead. He was only 28 years old.
He was a talented drummer. I was lucky enough to see him play live a handful of times and his drumming always impressed me. Shame to hear about this…
Direct from the band’s website:
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan. Jimmy was not only one of the world’s best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy’s family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time.
Jimmy you are forever in our hearts.
We love you.
M Shadows, Synyster Gates, Zacky Vengeance and Johnny Christ
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