Week 3: Caribou- Our Love

Week 3 Features Our Love by Caribou. Here is what we thought of it:

Mike: This album isn't that new as it was released back in October. However, it has received enough attention that I feel like we had to listen to it as that’s really what his whole project is about. The album is very well composed throughout and I feel that rather than telling a listener what to think it forces him or her to ask themselves questions. I got this from the feel of the music rather than the lyrical content, with the actual lyrics touching mainly on relationships from friends to family. Although it is a dance record, I feel like most of this album isn’t something I would dance to or blast in my car. Rather, I would blast it as I lie on my bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about past lovers. 

Alex: This album creates the energy and smoothness of a DJ set one would expect to here in a club. However, contrary to the effect of a club, this album turns this energy into a hypnotically subtle wash of melodies and rhythms. It sounded, at first, as though it where a mix that was missing a drop that would cement it as text book EDM. After listening to it a second and third time (for this record, I HIGHLY recommend multiple listens before making an opinion), I found I was almost unable to even articulate my thoughts on it. It entrances the listener in a way that defies opinions. I find that this album can grab your attention and refuse to let go. Even if you don’t particularly like it. Parts of the record are unapologetically obscure. Using subtlety and false build-ups to make you wonder if you’re listening to an interlude, or if this is in fact a song all on its own. This album doesn't have a song that I would name my favourite. Rather, the entire album, to me, sounds like a single piece that should be listened to in one shot with the lights off. Our Love is record which requires a level of tolerance for being immersed in a piece of music to truly get all you can out of it. If this is something that appeals to you, you will be greatly rewarded with a mesmerizing experience. 

Week 2: Walk The Moon- Talking is Hard

Week 2 features Talking Is Hard by Walk the Moon. Here is our words:

Alex: Dance-inducing as all h*ck;  Talking Is Hard is up-beat from the very first note and keeps that energy throughout the bulk of this awesome album. Going into this, the only song that I had heard from this album was the single, Shut Up and Dance. It was an instantly appealing song; although being a different sound from most of the music I listen too. I was not convinced that an album of twelve songs by this band would be able to grab me as the single did. Boy was I wrong. The very first song on the album, Different Colours, very quickly usurped Shut Up and Dance as my favorite on the album. The rest of the album followed suit with a barrage of catchy riffs and funky grooves that never let go of my attention. The synthesizers take center stage for the vast majority of the album. However, the band does not sacrifice the guitar and one can find many instances where the two are combined masterfully. Down in the Dumps displays this but is by no means the only example. This is definitely an album that is worth listening to. Even if you have a problem with pop music, you may be forced to count it as a guilty pleasure because it is an immensely fun record to listen to. 

Mike: Talking Is Hard is an album that dares you not to dance to it, except for it's conclusion, “Aquaman” which dares you not to have sex to it. When you aren't singing along to it's catchy hooks, your rocking out to the riffs in “Up 2 U” and “Spend Your $$$”. Unless you're not, maybe you don't like Indie-Pop, you probably won't like this record then. The sounds are common amongst contemporary Indie-Pop, but through the record sounds familiar, it wasn't tiring to the brain. It doesn't go out of it's way to be unique, but instead delivers on everything expected of it. I would not be surprised if, in the near future, hear every one of these songs feature in a commercial for a cell phone company or breathe mint. Teens will listen to this album during a bonfire and decry that Summer 2015 is the best that there was and that there ever will be. They will listen to this album and forget that everything in the world is out there to crush them, and isn’t that really what what everyone wants?

Week 1: Angels & Airwaves- The Dream Walker

Week One of 52 Albums in 52 weeks starts us of with The Dream Walker by Angels And Airwaves. Here's what we had to say.

Mike: As an avid Blink-182 fan I will admit I have some resentment towards Angels & Airwaves for breaking up the band during the mid 2000s, but since they have reunited and released some great stuff since, I can get over it. This record was pretty good in my eyes but this could have been the best release ever heard by human ears and I don't think it would reach the hype Tom DeLonge put behind it.  He hyped Halloween for months, for that just to be the day they announce when the record will actually be released? Come on bro don't fake everyone out. 

I have multiple album's of theirs in my library but after going through them, they rarely made me want to The Dream Walker delivers their best material in my opinion. "Teenagers and Rituals" sets a really good pace for the record, and the rest of the songs don't fall far behind. "The Wolfpack" is my favorite song on the record with really cool synths and a great hook. This also continues the pattern of all my favorite songs by the band starting with "The". Honorable mentions go out to "Tunnels", "Mercenaries", and "Bullets in the Wind". I find very few dull moments, though I wouldn't say that it is overly exciting. I feel like it still very much fits into the template of what I would expect an AVA record to sound like, atmospheric and aggressive,  but does so better than any of their earlier works. 


Alex: This is an album which had been announced over a year prior to its release and, although I am not personally very invested in AVA, I can imagine the euphoria of fans upon its release. After listening to it a jaw-dropping three different times, I feel very confident in my official expert opinion (my opinion is neither of those things). My expert opinion, in as technical and pretentious terms as I can find, is that this is a pretty solid record. It boasts great atmospheric presence with a sound that consistently offers something new to discover after more than one listen. Guitars and synthesizers commingle in the background and serve as a compelling environment for Tom DeLonge’s distinct vocals. The vocals in this album offer many cool melodies as well as clever earworms which you can catch yourself humming for some time after listening to them. My favorite track  I do admit, however, that I very nearly did not listen to it. This being due to the fact that the release was dragged out for such a long time. For me this album was hindered by the hype it received. However, to not listen to it on those grounds, I feel, would be to miss out on an above average record. While I would not list this as one of my favorite albums of the previous year, this album is definitely one that I will listen to again and makes me want to listen to other releases by Angels & Airwaves.

The 52 Albums in 52 Weeks Project

Welcome to the first post of this music blog! How are you? Can I get you a drink?

This website is run by Mike Wilson (myself), and Alex Hominiuk, members of the Alt-rock band, No Such Thing As Ghost. This blog was mainly started to document thoughts on listening to a new album every week for an entire year, but there will also be posts about the progress and adventures of the band.

I decided there is so much great music out there that I haven't listened to and although this method might not make a dent, it will still bring new bands to my attention and maybe yours as well. Some of my favorite records I found by a fluke so I want to increase my chances of finding good music. My largest problem is actually listening to albums I hear are good, because that would take some sort of effort. I am not a perfect man. Besides listening to a new album every week there aren't many rules. Alex and I will listen to an album as many times as we think we need to and then we will right a thing about it. No real formula. They posts aren't meant to be proper reviews, so take from each post what you will. Even better, comment on what you think of any given album if you happen to listen to it. Join us on our musical adventure!

The first album we will be listening to is "The Dream Walker" from Angels and Airwaves and it should be posted shortly.