Current Playlist

Lots of sweet new music out recently, especially with the group of albums that came out today. Here’s what I’m listening to, along with a few comments of what I think so far or what I’m expecting:

  • Voxhaul Broadcast - Frozen Beach EP // An awesome local OC band. I wasn’t a huge fan besides the first track at first but the other songs have really grown on me. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who hasn’t heard it yet.
  • The Darkness - Hot Cakes // Of course it’s not as good as their debut, but it’s still miles ahead of the second album. On the songs where they actually have catchy vocals instead of just showing off, and straddle the line between parody and trying to be serious instead of going hard on either side, they are amazing like “Concrete” and “Cannonball”.
  • Yellowcard - Southern Air // This is the album that should have come after Ocean Avenue. I love it, take that as you will.
  • Circa Survive - Violent Waves // I still need more time with this one. There are a few songs that are some of the best they’ve ever written, but as an album I think I still like Blue Sky Noise better.
  • NOFX - Self Entitled // A solid release from them. Not their best, but definitely a great album.
  • Propagandhi - Failed States // Amazing, just like all Popaghandi albums.
  • Usher - Looking 4 Myself // Exactly what I expected; a few great songs and a lot of shit songs. “Climax” will probably be on my top 10 for this year.
  • Dave Matthews Band - Away From the World // Sounds like signature DMB so far, no surprises.
  • Green Day - Uno! // Eeehhhhh… I want to like this but it’s just not that good. It’s definitely better than the last one but has no stand out songs. It’s just, meh.
  • As I Lay Dying - Awakened // I’ve only heard a couple songs so far but I like what I hear. I can already hear Bill Stevenson’s influence. Looking forward to hearing the rest.
  • Murder By Death - Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon // I’ve gotten through about half of the album. The songs so far are great but the production value, especially the drums, could have used some more work. They become a little distracting at times when they’re too high in the mix.
  • Mumford & Sons - Babel // The songs are great but I think they could have toned down the extra instrumentation on some of them. Mumford is at their best when it’s stripped down to their core instruments.
  • No Doubt - Push and Shove // This one is waiting in the queue to be listened to but I’m not expecting much.