Archive for 2005

Album review: Soon, Under the Wire

Wow! Mix the wave style of bands like Interpol and The Editors with modern rock, add some Emopunk and a cup of scene-setting lyrics and you have the recipe for Under the Wire, the new album by Soon. And what a savory musical taste this is!

Under the Wire is the second full-length album by these Flemish musicians, after releasing Please Accelerate in 2003. This newest miracle from Belgian soil is more balanced then their previous work and is more rock orientated compared to the rather emo orientated previous releases (no screaming, though). Repetitive guitar riffs are accompanied by varied lyrics, making it a perfect sensation of tastes. Sweet, sour, bitter, salt and savory. Soon crosses musical barriers, discovers new frontiers, though sounds very familiar. The latter because it just sounds great.

I can go on and on, making up analogies, allegories, keep throwing in superlatives, but it will do no good for Soon’s evolved energetic sound. I just recommend you to get a hold on their album and find out yourself.

Artist: Soon
Album: Under the Wire
Duration: 10 tracks (0:39:02)
Label: Funtime Records
Released: November 8, 2005

Listen to Secrets (mp3; right click – save as…)
Watch Serenade the City (mpeg)

mp3 Frenzy #2

Hurricane season down in New Orleans (and I’m not talking about the famous Hurricane drink!) What to do when tropical storm Arlene or Balkenende is tearing down the roof and flooding the area? Well, enjoy some music while you’re evacuating up North of course! Here are 5 new downloads for your playlist. This time you can download tracks by Soon, The Sedan Vault, Circle, Lamb and Mogwai. Continue reading this post»

Snow Patrol and Athlete at the HOB New Orleans

Their gig in Paradiso, Amsterdam, was sold out way before Snow Patrol actually rocked the stage. Every DJ was talking about it on the radio. People (like me) offered hundreds of euro’s just for tickets on eBay. Madness. But here, musically blasphemous as it may sound, the opening act for part of the European U2 tour played in a full but far from sold out House of Blues.
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Memorial Day and Dead Cows

Well, it’s the 30th of May, also known as Memorial Day. Today is the day that Americans commemorate all the fallen soldiers who have fought bravely and courageously for freedom and democracy. And the way Americans commemorate and celebrate these fine men? Well, by having BBQ’s ofcourse! What a better way to reminisce upon all the wounded and dead men then by killing a bunch of cows, chickens and pigs, throw them on hot coal and sit back chugging bottles of ice cold Coors.
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The US of Paradox

This country seems to be build upon paradox after paradox, and I’m not just talking about the war mongering while they’re talking about peace. No, paradox is part of everyday life (and a little hole of a town in both upstate New York and west Colorado, too).

For instance:
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mp3 Frenzy #1

It is spring and summer is coming near; time for some new tracks to play on your mp3-player or computer. This time it’s Straylight Run, Taking Back Sunday, Skip The Rush, Face Tomorrow and Smoosh! Continue reading this post»