A conversation/review of ¡Uno!

Straight from the “trying something a little different department” here are some thoughts about Green Day’s latest, “Uno,” with a twist. The conversation below came as a result of me needing to talk about some music after being so disappointed with the new No Doubt album (one of my friend’s tweeted “I can't stop laughing at the new No Doubt album. I feel like this is some kind of joke”). The best person I knew to discuss this with was Mike and as to not be a total rant of a message, I also included my praise for the new Green Day songs. The following conversation took place and I present it to you, unedited, as our blog piece on “Uno.”

(We jump into the conversation after I had just finished pronouncing my dissatisfaction with “Push and Shove” from No Doubt)

Matt: But Green Day on the other hand... I am really liking it. I won't say love yet, but I am more than satisfied. After hearing it a couple times I feel two things. 1) It's kind of weird to not be a concept album and have it be just straight rock songs. But at the same time it's kind of refreshing. Like, we know they can take it there but it's nice to have them excel at being simple. 2) I feel like the songs they officially released were a perfect indicator for the rest of the record. The really cool thing though - we still have two more of these.

Mike: Uno is really wonderful. I'm on the fence as to whether it's a 4 or a 4.5 for me, but it was definitely worth the wait. The thing that surprised me was how consistently energetic it is. I love the nods to Nimrod and Cheap Trick, and it sounds irreverent after AI and 21CB's seriousness. If I had a complaint it's that I could have used more beef on the guitars, and some of the choruses are a bit repetitive. Still, I think ditching the concept and getting back to pop-punk and old school rock & roll revitalized them. There are some deep cuts on this, especially Sweet 16 and Rusty James. And I REALLY like Oh Love as a closer. What are your favorites? And I think your excitement for Dos and Tre definitely matches my own.

Matt: Uno is on the opposite end of the spectrum from No Doubt. The more I listen, the more I like it. I agree about everything you stated - from the nods to the consistency to the lack of beef. Like I said above, I think there's something to be said for how simple it is. This is a band that two records ago was running down the leader of the free world and now are saying "I had a dream that I kissed your lips and it felt so true / Then I woke up as a nervous wreck and I fell for you." That song and Carpe Diem are a couple of my favorites, but for some reason the oddness of Troublemaker has me pulling toward it. Take away the fact that it's a single, but Let Yourself Go is my absolute favorite. And I remember you saying Oh Love sounds like a closer so good call on that one.

Mike: I was so worried when I heard the YouTube version of Carpe Diem because it's similar to Before The Lobotomy. The studio version is sooooo good though. I love how punchy it is, and how much Cheap Trick sneaks into the second chorus. The big stand out for me was Rusty James. I love that Green Day are fucking calling out the Gillman St. gestapo and all the people that say they aren't "punk enough." Where AI and 21CB sounded world-weary, I love that Uno sounds YOUTHFUL, echoing your sentiment about Fell For You. Let Yourself Go is a song I feel like they wanted Christian's Inferno to be, and I love that they finally figured out how to write it without all the studio effects. That's the thing I think I appreciate most: Uno feels like 4 guys just JAMMING, where their past 2 records felt like carefully sculpted monuments. That's definitely something to appreciate, but there's something to be said for simplicity and energy. Also, that countdown on Nuclear Family.

Matt: That simplicity and energy that you mentioned is what’s drawing me back to this album. Not to overstate it, but what they did with the last two albums was brilliant. But going to just straight punk rock and roll (that’s the genre name I’m going to go with) was just as bold as a move. I think people are going to write off this album before even listening, but I think repeated listens will showcase each of the band member’s talent. The drumming is insane and understated at the same time. And we previously discussed the guitar work, but its simplicity is also a selling point here. Also, I have to admit – if used correctly “explicit” songs can be effective. And I think these songs are the perfect time to showcase F bombs. Angel Blue’s content is subtle, but it’s center stage in Let Yourself Go and honestly takes the song up a notch. And while at one point you have to discuss the adult lyrical content, you also have to address how sweet this album is, as in it could be something ripped out of the 60s. From songs about staying the night to someone always being a Sweet 16 – there’s a nostalgic “love in the air” feel to some of the tracks. Of course, that sound is accompanied by three mega rock stars. I think in the end I would have to go with a solid four stars, but to keep in mind that that could change by February, a month after the third album in this trilogy is released. If this is the first chapter, then this is going to be a hell of a read.

Mike: You're absolutely correct about people writing this album off before they really hear it. 8 years later, people are still angry about the eyeliner and the clothes, rather than focusing the chords that support them. The tragedy is that they're missing out one some of the most invigorating music of this band's career. I think you're right to point out the amount of restraint that Uno has--the higher energy tracks like Let Yourself Go propel this album forward while still allowing for experimentation on other tracks. Kill The DJ hasn't gotten the love it deserves I think, it's probably the darkest cut here, providing an interesting juxtaposition to the Beatles-shine of Sweet 16. Again, I'm harping on Rusty James, but it may be the record's most concise snapshot of the group's trajectory since 1988. Yet, I think the thing that really endears Uno is the same thing that keeps it from perfection--Its sweetness, be it in its sometimes glam-candy production and in its lyrics. Though the group is able to channel that same kind of irreverent riffing that made Nimrod so great, I think the puppy-dog love theme does make long time fans wonder why the group can't balance that with some black sarcasm like on Dookie--Especially with 5 albums worth of songwriting experience since then. I thought about giving it an extra half star, but I think I agree with you, this album feels like it's a 4/5*. What's most exciting is that this IS part 1 of 3, and this was a very strong statement to start with. I feel like a comparison to The Clash's Sandinista! is unavoidable because with 3 albums of material, no one will like everything, but like the Clash, I think Green Day have always been good at twisting traditional pop-hooks and genre mainstays in the name of earnest songwriting. That's what's really going to stick with me on Uno--Green Day's tireless dedication to turn something on its head and stay true to themselves. I think with Dos and Tre, we're going to see our generation's version of the Clash finally break free from the shadow of their Gilman St. beginnings.

(*editor's note: Mike's 4/5 rating was later changed to 4.5; hearing the music in your car can change one's appreciation)

2012 Fall Preview

Well whadda ya know? A blog post about the music you can look forward to in the autumn months. No one else is doing that, right?

Seriously though, September and October are shaping up to be a big time for returning artists and sophomore efforts with a debut in there for good measure. To say I'm excited is an understatement. So enough with the small talk - let's get right to the albums I'm really looking forward to, and writing about so that you can get excited for them as well, in this month and the next.

Sept. 4

Two Door Cinema Club - "Beacon"

Yes, I realize that the timing of the post means that this album is already out. But it still needed to be included on here because, well, honestly I've been meaning to write this post for a while. Two Door Cinema Club uses soaring vocals atop light guitar resulting in relax mode at some times and jam session at others. In a former blog of mine, I listed their debut, Tourist History, in my top 5 albums of 2010 so the sophomore effort is one I have been looking forward to for a while. My first tastes of it this week have not been disappointing with lead single "Sleep Alone" keeping the chill / jam vibe going strong.

Listen to: Sleep Alone

Sept. 11

The xx - "Coexist"

I have to admit that I had a love / hate relationship with the self-titled debut album from The xx. I wasn't a big fan of "Crystalized" but was a an admirer of "Islands." With that, I never really gave the rest of the album a shot. But on the suggestion of a friend of mine, I checked out the sophomore release, Coexist (now streaming on NPR), and was blown away. The xx is a band I had been sleeping on and, ironically given the oozing melodic tone on the records, I have now woken up.

Listen to: Angels

The Avett Brothers - "The Carpenter"

I can't say I've been a fan of The Avett Brothers for their entire career, but I can say I really liked I And Love And You. I'm still slow to the folk game, but it's artists like these guys that are making me embrace it. Thanks to NPR again, I've already listened to The Carpenter and I am already in love.

Listen to: Live and Die

Sept. 18

G.O.O.D. Music - "Cruel Summer"

In 2010, Kanye West brought us My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. In 2011, he teamed with Jay Z for Watch the Throne. Now, 2012 will bring Cruel Summer, a compilation of artists from his G.O.O.D. music label. Four songs have already been released, including "Cold (Theraflu)" and "Mercy." While I'm not a fan of every artist on that particular label, any new music from Yeezy is good enough for me.

Listen to: Cold (Theraflu)

Sept. 25

Lupe Fiasco - "Food & Liquor Part 2: The Great American Rap Album Part 1"

Lupe Fiasco isn't your average rap artist, which is sad. If the genre had more Lupe's it would be better off. Unfortunately, labels don't want to go with what isn't selling and an attempt to market Fiasco's style into something more radio-friendly with L.A.S.E.R.S. was an experiment with negative results. Enter tracks like "Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)" and "Bad Bitch" and Lupe seems to be back to form on his upcoming release. Hopefully this long-titled album will be the shot in the arm that hip hop needs.

Listen to: Bad Bitch

Green Day - "¡Uno!"

At this point you shouldn't really need the history lesson on Green Day. Just know this: the first in a planned trilogy of releases over the next few months is off to a fun start. Not everyone is a fan, but I for one love "Kill the DJ" and the live version of "Let Yourself Go" keeps my anticipations for this album high. After two concept albums, I'm ready to just press play and rock out again.

Listen to: Kill the DJ

Mumford and Sons - "Babel"

I'm not sure how I feel about "I Will Wait," the first single released off Babel, the follow-up to Sigh No More - another release I put in my top 5 for 2010. On one hand, it has the signature sound of the band but at the same time it sounds like something they made for radio. Not much else has been released, save for a possible studio recording of "Ghosts." It still sounds like it's going to be at least half as good as Sigh, and that is all I can ask for.

Listen to: I Will Wait

No Doubt - "Push and Shove"

An album that I've had on previous year's "Most Anticipated" lists, the comeback album for No Doubt is finally seeing the light of day. The first two songs to be released - "Settle Down" and the title track - sound less Tragic Kingdom and more Rock Steady, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. What both albums had in common is that they were both fun and that's what Push and Shove is shaping up to be.

Listen to: Push and Shove

Oct. 2

Muse - "The 2nd Law"

At this point, I think the only thing we can expect from Muse's sixth studio album is that we don't know what to expect. There have been hints of dubstep, hints of opera-style flare and lead-single "Madness" combines multiple genres. Admittedly, I hated that song the first time I heard it. Three or four listens later and I'm in love. I should never doubt Muse and will probably be pleased when The 2nd Law rings in October.

Listen to: Madness

Matt and Kim - "Lightning"

The duo of Matt and Kim have always been an act where I like a few of their songs, but can never get into the full albums. Maybe the third time will be a charm with Lightning. So far, that's the case with "Let's Go" and "Now." Both are glitzy, catchy and fun - the elements that have defined Matt and Kim for the past few years. Here's to expecting more of the same.

Listen to: Let's Go

Oct. 9

Bad Books - "II"

Going back to my top 5 list from 2010 once again, the self-titled effort from Bad Books finished in my top 3. The collaboration from members of Manchester Orchestra and singer-songwriter Kevin Devine was much better than what could have been expected. At times using elements of folk, others straight acoustic, the side project uses the best of both worlds. If the branching out of "Forest Whitaker" is any indication, we are in for a nice follow up.

Listen to: Forest Whitaker

Oct. 16.

Anberlin - "Vital"

Let's just say that 2010's Light is the Way, Dark is the Place wasn't Anberlin's best work. So the announcement of a new album, the sixth album from the band, was met with some hesitation. However, two songs in and I can officially say I am more than excited. Anberlin is one band where I will pull my hipster card and say that I have been a fan for a number of years and have watched them grow, albeit with some pains. Here's hoping they pull it all together and Vital shows what the band is truly capable of.

Listen to: Self-Starter

Ben Gibbard - "Former Lives"

"Death Cab for Cutie frontman releases solo album" - that's pretty much all you have to say and the album will sell itself. And that's all I can really say about this release. Last year's Codes and Keys was much better in my opinion that people gave it credit for, but that was the whole band. It will be interesting to see how Gibbard does by himself.

Listen to: Teardrop Windows


Oct. 22/23



Kendrick Lamar - "good kid m.A.A.d city"

Kendrick Lamar is an artist I'm looking to break out in the fall of 2012. He has a kind of rap that I first want to dismiss as radio filler, but I'm finding myself hooked on his tracks. The fact that he had Dr. Dre on one of his first radio singles probably helped a little bit. In a year that hasn't really been a strong one for hip hop, a strong debut could be just what the game needs.

Listen to: Swimming Pools (Drank)

Gary Clark Jr. - "Cary Clark Jr."

Earlier this year a friend and I were having a conversation about The Black Keys and The Alabama Shakes when the name Gary Clark Jr. popped up. After a few listens, his style - retro soul mixed with modern rock - became an instant favorite. After a couple EPs, his proper self-titled will be out this fall and hopefully everyone else will get a chance to see why Clark was a favorite among music festivals over the summer.

Listen to: Don't Owe You A Thang

Taylor Swift - "Red"

I'm kind of glad Taylor Swift's new album comes out at the end of October. That way, I could put it at the end of this list. Otherwise, people may have stopped reading as I would have lost all credibility if she were mentioned earlier. Everyone has a guilty pleasure - Taylor Swift is mine.

Listen to: We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

(Some of) The Best of The Rest

A few weeks ago I posted on Facebook about my top 5 albums for 2012 (so far) and then realized I haven't discussed three of them on this little blog of mine. That changes today.

Two of those five have already been featured and you can read about fun. and Alabama Shakes at their respective posts. Now, I have to reiterate that we still have plenty of time left in the year so this could all change. But for now, here the selections to round out the top 5.

Neon Trees - Picture Show (***1/2)

Let’s start with admittedly one of my favorite releases this year, one that I had “anticipated” since January. Neon Trees had one of the best debuts in recent memory with 2010’s Habits, spurring a few radio friendly singles with “Animal” and “1983.” But it contained a deceptive pop sound to it as deeper cuts on the album proved the band was more than one that could provide a hit for a movie based on teenagers dancing. With “Everybody Talks,” the first single off of Picture Show, it seemed like they were going to repeat the same success. But the same deceptiveness came into play and Show opened up a world of the Trees moving forward while nodding to the past. A majority of the album could appear on movie remakes of those that were popular in the 80s. “Touch” is the definitive track on the album, featuring synthy beats and cocky vocals straight out of a time when Tom Cruise was on the cover of teen magazines. If you like that track, then the album is for you. If not, you may want to pass on this one. Personally, the whole thing has gotten repeat listens from me, particularly with its attention to detail and how each song could be its own movie. Check out the released movie posters that go with each track and go back to the future with one of the best releases of the year.
Check out: Trust, Lessons in Love, Teenage Sounds

Jack White - Blunderbuss (***1/2)

If we're being honest, this album does get some recognition based on the name alone. It was the first solo release from a man who seemed content to just join/organize as many bands as he could. On Blunderbuss, you can see that Jack White's genius can still shine through, but it does much in a way of a Picasso piece. You know that you have art in front in you, even though you may not understand half of it. Take the schizo approach to the first two released singles. "Love Interruption" was a light guitar-picker while "Sixteen Saltines" was an absolute blaze of a track that ranks up their with "Demons" by Sleigh Bells as my favorites of the year. However, ask me to tell you what the hell he is talking about in that track and I do not have an answer. The rest of the record is a little more of the same. Some of the stories connect - "Missing Pieces" - while some just sound cool with elements of folk, ragtime and rock and roll thrown in. "I'm Shakin" is a fun song that showcases White being born in the wrong decade. Of my top 5, Blunderbuss is one that is the most likely to get knocked out, especially with a strong September (Green Day, Muse, etc) coming up, but for now it's sitting pretty as a release that for once lived up to expectations.
Check Out: Sixteen Saltines, I'm Shakin, Freedom at 21

Silversun Pickups - Neck of the Woods (*****)

I saved the best for last and at this point I'm glad I saved the time on the review. If I would have written about it when it came out in April, I would have discussed how I felt it lacked a punch to really connect. Now that I have spent some time with it (and I mean a lot of time with it) I feel I am able to see more clearly what the band was trying to do. The album resembled a listening structure of climbing a mountain - low valleys at the beginning ("Make Believe") a peak in the middle ("Mean Spirits") and a climax at the end to bring it all together ("Out of Breath"). Why this album got rated so high is that it's hard to pick out any one track to identify it. In order to look at the entire scope of Neck of the Woods, you have to look at the entire track list. The album cover works here as well - a seemingly ordinary house taking residence in a seemingly ordinary neighborhood. But listen to the lyrics in tracks like "The Pit" (a standout track with nods to Joy Division) and you can tell the album carries somewhat of a theme as music videos to all the tracks could take place in the same neighborhood. Last year, Manchester Orchestra released a third studio album that I felt could put them on their way to being one of the biggest names in alternative rock. This year, Silversun Pickups did the exact same thing with Neck of the Woods.


Check out: Skin Graph, The Pit, Gun-Shy Sunshine

Also noteworthy:

Motion City Soundtrack - GO (***)

The group seems to step off the momentum they were developing with My Dinosaur Life, but still come through a solid release. Check out: Son of a Gun, The Coma Kid


Say Anything - Anarchy, My Dear (**1/2)

Max Bemis spouts lyrics that are as nonsensical as ever with an album that doesn't really go anywhere, but the ride is enjoyable nonetheless. Check out: So Good, Peace Out


Linkin Park - LIVING THINGS (***1/2)


A band that had the potential to be written off came back swinging in a (near) return to form. Check out: Lost in the Echo, Victimized


B.o.B. - Strange Clouds (**1/2)

At times a rap album with infused pop, at times a pop album with infused rap; Strange Clouds either gets hurt or helped by the mashup. Check out: So Good, Both of Us featuring Taylor Swift

Band of Skulls - Sweet Sour (***1/2)

A surprisingly strong effort from a band that did a nice job mixing today's alternative with yesterday's "classic" sound. Check out: The Devil Takes Care of His Own, Lay My Head Down


The Used - Vulnerable (*1/2)

When you're not expecting much, it's easy to meet those expectations. Check out: I Come Alive, This Fire


lostprophets - Weapons (***1/2)


Almost ten years (and two albums) after the breakthrough success of Start Something, lostprophets show the harder alternative airwaves have been missing a certain Welsh band these last few years. Check out: We Bring An Arsenal, Jesus Walks


The-All American Rejects - Kids in the Street (***)


Hats off to AAR for sticking around much longer than anyone probably expected of them and doing so while bringing the experience to a damn good fourth studio release. Check out: Someday's Gone, Walk Over Me


Maroon 5 - Overexposed (***)

Unsure whether or not this would be considered a guilty pleasure, but it can definitely be called catchy and a good fun time. Check out: One More Night, Lucky Strike