November 2011
1 post
10 tags
What I’m Listening To: Horse Feathers – Thistled... →
Written By Simon Chisholm
‘Thistled Spring’ is Portland Oregon band Horse Feathers’ third studio album. Encompassing their indie folk style, Horse Feathers’ latest release sees them metaphorically thaw from their 2008 effort and embrace the changing landscape of the Spring.
Horse Feathers was introduced to me through the often-annoying ‘Recommended Videos’ sidebar on YouTube, while checking...
October 2011
6 posts
7 tags
What I’m Listening To: James Blake – James Blake →
Written By Simon Chisholm
James Blake is a British electronic producer and songwriter. After a number of E.P releases and rising fame, he released his self-titled LP in early 2011. I was introduced to the post dub step sounds of James Blake when my brother showed me a beautiful live performance of the song ‘Wilhelm’s Scream’ at the BBC.
James Blake creates sparsely textured sound-scapes...
6 tags
What I’m Listening To: Steve Liriks – Pardon Me... →
Written By Simon Chisholm
I’m not a huge rap fan. Most of the hip hop we are bombarded with on the mainstream is about clubbing and ‘bitches’ and the whole thing just makes you ill. Steve Liriks’ LP ‘Pardon Me I’m Going Thru A Phase’ was recommended by fellow ‘What I’m Listening To:’ Reviewed Chaz Knapp, who also contributes to the accompaniment. Steve Liriks has created a rap/ hip hop album...
6 tags
What I’m Listening To: Anberlin – Dark Is The Way,... →
Written By Simon Chisholm
‘Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place’ is Anberlin’s fifth studio album, the second to be released on a major label. This release is in no way one of the typical pop rock ‘cookie cutter’ imitations churned out by major labels. In fact ‘Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place’ takes a step back to bridge the gap between 2008’s ‘New Surrender’ (Universal Republic) and ‘Cities’...
6 tags
What I'm Listening To: Four Year Strong - Enemy Of... →
Written By Simon Chisholm
Four Year Strong’s fourth album,‘Enemy Of The World’, is a collection of ‘Summer Songs’, or what I’d call pop punk battle anthems. No matter what label you choose to put on it, this is music that will get you moving. For me, Four Year Strong falls into the same vein as Set Your Goals, with the call and response vocal style, and the mixing of pop punk and hardcore....
6 tags
What I'm Listening To: Veara - What We Left Behind →
Written By Simon Chisholm
What We Left Behind’ is, in essence, an ode to all the negativity the members encountered in their hometown in Augusta, Georgia. Every track has a bitter feeling. The groups Sophomore effort explodes from your speakers.
The songs are fast paced pop-punk pump up music that will have you wanting to jump around. In keeping within the pop punk genre, the choruses are...
7 tags
What I’m Listening To: Yellowcard – When You’re... →
Written By Simon Chisholm
When I heard that Yellowcard were back working together, I was quite excited. When I finally got my hands on the new release, ‘When You’re Through Thinking Say Yes’, I could not have been happier with the effort.
I really like this album, from start to finish. It is fun to listen to, has typical Yellowcard punk melodies and rhymes and the dynamics between tracks vary...
September 2011
6 posts
8 tags
What I’m Listening To: Easton – H&H →
Written By Simon Chisholm
Easton is a band made up of a group of friends. It’s a project that is ongoing, a fun interim between the busy lives of it’s members. ‘H & H’ was released independently in the US summer of 2010. I was drawn in to this band by Elliot James, a former member of ‘Hey Monday’. This is a collaboration of five talented and passionate guys doing what they love, and loving...
9 tags
What I'm Listening To: Tegan & Sara - The Con →
Written By Simon Chisholm
I know I’m late to the party, but sometimes it takes time for music tastes to evolve, and to save enough money to purchase music; but the cost of music is a discussion for another time and place. An old friend showed me some of Tegan and Sara’s music years ago, and also personal hero Hunter Burgan (of AFI) is friends with and has recorded and performed with the girls....
8 tags
What I'm Listening To: Me’Shell Ndegeocello -... →
Written By Simon Chisholm
A good friend recommended Me’Shell Ndegeocello to me after a discussion about bass guitar and grooves. I don’t know if I chose the best album to reflect what we were discussing, but it still put an amazing artists on my radar. On this album, Me’Shell is Bitter.
The album title is very descriptive of the overall tone of the album, and the first track (an instrumental)...
8 tags
What I’m Listening To: Emma Louise – Full Hearts &... →
Written By Simon Chisholm
Emma Louise is a young independent artist from Brisbane. Her folk pop tunes are mind blowing-ly beautiful. At only 19 years old Emma Louise has already achieved more that us ‘bedroom musicians’ could dream of. At 15 she had already won two Q Sing Awards for her song writing, and she has played support for aussie heavy weights Sarah Blasko, Bob Evans and Boy and Bear...
7 tags
What I’m Listening To: Ari Herstand – Your Eyes →
Written By Simon Chisholm
Ari Herstand is an independent multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter based out of L.A. I came across this track somewhere on Tumblr. It was accompanied with a caption something along the lines of ‘love this song’, or ‘so me right now’, which piqued my interest. What are social networking sites for if not to share music that moves us?
This is one of those truly...
7 tags
What I'm Listening To: Patrick Stump - Spotlight... →
Written By Simon Chisholm
Being a rather obsessive Fall Out Boy fan it would have been wrong and disrespectful to overlook the solo projects of singer Patrick Stump. Stump had taken it on himself to work on the music he wants to work on, writing, recording and producing all of his work by himself. Let’s look his first single off of his debut E.P. ‘Truant Wave’, Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia).
The...
August 2011
2 posts
6 tags
What I'm Listening To: Evan Taubenfeld - Welcome... →
Written By Simon Chisholm
Evan Taubenfeld kicked off his career as a band member, and co-writer for a few songs, for Avril Lavigne. In recent years however, he has been working as a producer and writer for other pop acts, as well as building up his own repertoire. ‘Welcome To The Blacklist Club’ is his debut solo album.
‘Welcome To The Blacklist Club’ is essentially radio friendly pop-rock...
10 tags
What I'm Listening To: Green Day - 21st Century... →
Written By Simon Chisholm
‘21st Century Breakdown’ is essentially a sequel to 2004’s ‘American Idiot’. It has the same rock operah approach. It is also similar in the overall sound and impact. The release is dark and jaded with an ‘all hope is lost’ kind of vibe. I guess when you break it all down, Green Day have composed a slew of songs with the theme of social commentary and protest.
...
July 2011
4 posts
15 tags
What I'm Listening To: Motion City Soundtrack - My... →
Written By Simon Chisholm
‘My Dinosaur Life’ is Motion City Soundtrack’s fourth album, and the first released on major label Columbia. My first MCS experience was back when Mark Hoppus was doing his ‘Hi My Name Is Mark’ podcast. In one of the first podcasts he played a MSC song. After that, it was not until Soundwave 2008, where their set kept me pleasantly entertained while waiting for...
9 tags
What I'm Listening To: Anarbor - The Words You... →
Written By Simon Chisholm
Anarbor’s debut album is a collection of high-energy rock and roll tracks. This album is a fun listen from start to finish and will leave you feeling as though you just attended the party of the year. I believe ‘The Words You Don’t Swallow’ lives up to the hype and delivers on the potential offered by 2009’s ‘Free Your Mind’ E.P.
This release is infested with a slew...
10 tags
What I’m Listening To: Chaz Knapp – Vie comme un... →
Written By Simon Chisholm
I came across the amazing Chaz Knapp after stumbling upon a series of video works entitle “50 People One Question”. I was so moved by the soundtrack he had provided for the work ‘London’ I went searching. The piece on the London video is entitled ‘Célébration à une Nouvelle Vie’, and can be found on the free online release ‘Vie comme un Parasite Faisant la fête’.
...
10 tags
What I'm Listening To: Taylor Swift - Speak Now →
Written By Simon Chisholm
Taylor Swift’s third studio album ‘Speak Now’ was released in October 2010. In the few months since release, ‘Speak Now’ has been certified three times platinum in the USA and two times platinum in Australia, and peaked at number one on the Aria Charts in 2010, a monumental feat. This is an album that acts as an extension of Swift’s musical ability from Fearless (six...
June 2011
13 posts
6 tags
What I'm Listening To: Jo Blankenburg - Vendetta →
Written By Simon Chisholm
Whether we realise it or not, the music accompanying motion picture has a profound influence on the effect towards an audience. The same applies to teaser trailers of films. I find that movie trailers are just as enjoyable, if not more so than the film itself. It’s easy to contribute the suspense, excitement, emotion felt during the viewing of a trailer to the music....
6 tags
What I'm Listening To: A Day To Remember - What... →
Written By Simon Chisholm
A Day To Remember seemed to come out of nowhere with their release ‘Homesick’ back in 2009, shaking the world to it’s core with their blend of pop punk and hardcore. Their follow-up LP ‘What Separates Me From You’ is a continuation of the journey that began with ‘Homesick’. The album peaked on the ARIA charts at number 24. The album received mixed reviews from fans...
12 tags
What I'm Listening To: Gyroscope - Cohesion →
Written By Simon Chisholm
2010 saw Aussie rockers Gyroscope release their fourth studio album. ‘Cohesion’ peaked at number 3 on the Aria Charts. Perth locals Gyroscope have been delivering powerful rock anthems since their formation in 1997. ‘Cohesion’, the follow up from 2008’s ‘Breed Obsession’. ‘Cohesion’ is a rock powerhouse, showing the band developing song writing and creating...
14 tags
Bring Me The Horizon - Blessed With A Curse →
Written By Simon Chisholm
Taken from the bands third album, ‘There Is A Hell Believe Me I’ve Seen It. There Is A Heaven Lets Keep It A Secret’ (2010), the video popped up on my Facebook newsfeed a number of times. Bring Me The Horizon is a band that is highly regarded in my social circuit, and thus I have tried them out before, but something about hardcore and silly breakdowns just failed to...
6 tags
Brandon Flowers - Flamingo →
Written By Simon Chisholm
The Killers front-man Brandon Flowers released his solo effort ‘Flamingo’ in 2010 to mixed reviews. Many critics claim that Flowers’ solo project was the same as The Killers but not as good. Despite these mixed opinions, the album debuted in the US Billboard Chart at number 8, number 5 in Australia, and went gold in the UK, with a debut of number 1. I prefer to think...
9 tags
Birds Of Tokyo - Birds Of Tokyo →
Written By Simon Chisholm
Birds Of Tokyo released their self-titled third album in 2010. This LP represents a forward progression from previous full-length releases ‘Day One’ and ‘Universes.’ Fast taking over the Australian music scene, Birds of Tokyo have returned with a strong album full of infectious, rocking tunes. This album won the ‘Best Rock Album’ Aria Award.
The opening notes of...
4 tags
Come Back To Earth - Come Back To Earth E.P. →
Written By Simon Chisholm
Local southern Sydney band ‘Come Back To Earth’ are blasting their way into the synth pop scene with their upbeat and catchy tunes. This debut E.P. shows the beginnings of a lucrative assault on the electro-pop/ disco rock music scene.
These four tracks will have you dancing and singing along. The up-beat drums will have your feet tapping and the catchy hooks will...
6 tags
The Lonely Island - I Just Had Sex (Feat. Akon) →
Written By Simon Chisholm
Hip-Hop comedy group ‘The Lonely Island’ released ‘I Just Had Sex’ towards the close of 2010. The song’s video was released on YouTube and has since accumulated almost 71 Million views. In Australia, the song peaked at number 10 on the Aria Chart.
No doubt the success of this track lies in the humour. No matter your demographic, sex is funny, and it’s...
10 tags
Hey Monday - Beneath It All →
Written By Simon Chisholm
Pop-punk young guns Hey Monday followed up their debut album ‘Hold On Tight’ with six song (7 including iTunes bonus track) E.P ‘Beneath It All’. I’ve got a real soft spot for pop music, and am a big fan of the genre dubbed pop-punk. Hey Monday is an indulgence. This E.P. is produced by a slew of pop-punk heavy weights, including Butch Walker and S*A*M and Sluggo....
12 tags
Azlock - This Is How You Raised Us →
Written By Simon Chisholm
Local alternative outfit Azlock released their much-anticipated second E.P. on February 12. This hardworking band released the E.P. fully independently, the band paid for the recording, mixing, mastering, artwork and manufacture out of their own pockets; not cheap in any way. Kudos.
Let me begin by saying that this hardcore style of music is not my preferred...
10 tags
Good Charlotte - Cardiology →
Written By Simon Chisholm
Late 2010 saw Good Charlotte release their fifth album. After 10 years, four albums, scandals and harsh critics, the boys have returned just as strong as ever. They are appreciative of their fans, positive, and ready to do what they do, be themselves and play music. Good Charlotte are giving it all they have, from the heart. This is ‘Cardiology’.
The first thing...
9 tags
30 Seconds To Mars - This Is War →
Written By Simon Chisholm
‘This Is War’ has a not so subtle focus of violence. The sound of this album is epic and powerful. This entire album, it seems, stems from the anger and frustration of the bands lawsuit with label Virgin/ EMI. Thirty Seconds To Mars have always been known for their passionate, never back down approach to their art and this new addition to their catalogue is...
7 tags
Set Your Goals - This Will Be The Death Of Us
Written By Simon Chisholm
This is an album that will explode out of your speakers. If you aren’t jumping up and down from the first beat to the last, then this isn’t for you. The whole album is up beat, fast pop punk. This is the kind of music that will leave you breathless, wanting more, ready to take on the world. Set Your Goals is a force to be reckoned with. ‘This Will Be The Death Of Us’.
...
March 2011
1 post
How bad is your hearing? →
courtneytothemax:
amandalynndavis:
dylanwins:
I can barely hear 16kHz. Not the most comforting thing as a sound guy, but whatever. I make it work!
evanpierri:
I got all the way to 17KhZ. I could hear 18 click on but NOT actually hear it. Kids this is why I wear ear plugs every night during the shows/soundcheck/standing on or near stage. Like I always say. I’m trying to hear my grand kids...
Break Blossom: BEADS OF SWEAT ON OUR BROWS AND... →
iamelliotjames:
Your life was never an accident, or equally a random string of events. Out of all the ones who swam the fastest that could’ve been, you made it when the other’s didn’t. Do you really believe that’s an accident?Everything happens for a reason and coincidence is a made up word from the heads of…
February 2011
1 post
8 tags
What I’m Listening To: Versa Emerge – Fixed At... →
Written By Simon Chisholm
‘Fixed At Zero’ is Florida band Versa Emerge’s debut LP. The best way to sum up this music is to call it progressive pop rock. A progression from 2009’s Self-titled E.P. the trio (now duo) have polished off their song writing, performance and production chops to create a hard hitting progressive album with a pop punk backbone.
The music was definitely written and...
September 2010
2 posts
Watchchazknapp9:
‘Acceptance’ is a song off of my album Finger. It was also heard on the 50 People 1 Question: London video. A very talented friend of mine, Peiter Hergert, decided to make a music video for the song. The result is beautiful. Thank you Peiter!
http://www.cargocollective.com/peiterhergert
This song is amazing. I found Chaz Knapp’s music through 50 People 1 Question. His...
Believe - Yellowcard
August 2010
3 posts
Love the smell of a brand new Apple product.
earthtoalex:
A demo of a song from the upcoming...
July 2010
1 post
June 2010
4 posts
Cats
Cats
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyric Theatre
12 June 2010
I’m not one who is exposed to a lot of theatre. My experience is limited to two Cirque Du Soleil productions. Theatre and musicals are things I’ve always wanted to get into and involved with.
‘Cats’ blew my mind. Those four words are enough to describe my feelings towards the Broadway production.
May 2010
3 posts
“Forget the sun, in it’s jealous sky”
March 2010
1 post
“I don’t want to be famous. I want to be recognized.”
– iamelliotjames
January 2010
1 post
