Reign of Terror

Sleigh Bells

After receiving very positive reception with their 2010 debut Treats, Sleigh Bells return with their sophomore effort Reign of Terror. The duo of Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss had stated prior to its release that Reign of Terror would draw from metal influences. Sure enough, you can feel that influence from the get go.

We get a decent opener in “True Shred Guitar” with its crowd-buffering guitar riffs. We then dive into “Born to Lose” where the subject matter takes a dark turn toward suicide accompanied by pounding bass pedals intermittently. Very metal.

The album is at its best with arena thumpers “Crush and “End of the Line”, the latter of which is more of a traditional pop song than anything else on Reign of Terror. Kind of like what “Rill Rill” was on Treats. Sadly, this is the peak of the album’s greatness. Make no mistake, Sleigh Bells delivered on their promise of metal influences. It’s very evident in most of the songs, especially on the second half of the album. From the dark songs about death and suicide (“You Lost Me”) to the powerful guitar riffs and thudding kick drums (“Demons”) the Brooklyn duo really made sure to cover the basics of metal-inspired tunes. Sadly, the album just fell flat. Like the thud of a kick drum. The least three songs on the album all blended together for me and were not very memorable.

I’ll admit that I wasn’t that big a fan of Treats. It had its few good songs, but as a whole the album sounded like a garbled bunch of noise. However, as I was listening to Reign of Terror I wanted to go back to Treats and if I do, I’ll probably appreciate it more. Sleigh Bells did try to do something different with their sound here and I applaud the effort from Miller and Krauss. I never got the feeling they were phoning it in by any means. This album just suffers from too much repetitiveness in its beats and ultimately can’t redeem itself.

Recommended Tracks: “Crush”, “End of the Line”

Born to Die

Lana Del Rey

I can’t remember an artist in my lifetime who’s been as polarizing as Lana Del Rey. You can’t get a performing gig on SNL without attaining a big fan base (especially without even having put out a record at the time). Alas, haters love to hate her. I mean they REALLY love to hate her. So many blogs and forums have made it their mission in life to tear her apart, even though Del Rey (a.k.a. Lizzy Grant) only released a handful of tunes under her current moniker. And after Del Rey completely tanked on SNL, it seemed the haters had won the battle.

I wanted to listen to this album with a very open mind. Truth be told, I really wanted this album to be good just to put an end to the unfair backlash she's received over the past few months. Most of it had to do with her “fake” image and her stage name. It’s ridiculous how many people fake their image in music, so why does Lana Del Rey get so much shit for it? I don’t for one minute believe that Lady Gaga has always exhibited the weird and outlandish behavior does, yet she got nowhere near the amount flack Del Rey’s received when she broke out with "Just Dance". Speaking of which, Lady Gaga is not her real name. Neither is Prince. Nor Jay-Z, Bob Dylan, or Common. So why can’t Lizzy Grant perform under the name “Lana Del Rey”? But, I digress…

This review isn’t about any of that. It’s about Lana Del Rey’s first LP Born to Die and whether or not she can back up the hype that’s surrounded her since last summer.

Her debut album focuses mostly on problems with men. I use “men” very loosely because many of the songs give off a very teenage vibe. But, I’d feel so lame if I said “boy problems.”

I had already heard the title track “Born to Die” and “Video Games” prior to the album’s release and I honestly like them. I still stand by them now as both being good songs. Especially the latter, which offers an honest perspective of what it’s like to love someone so much and feel like something isn’t being reciprocated.

Unfortunately, I can’t speak so highly of the rest of the album. All of the songs are so one-note and don’t measure up to par with the aforementioned tracks. Born to Die is an album almost exclusively about love and boys and wanting to feel loved by boys. This is fine as a topic for a few songs, but honestly ends up falling flat because none of the songs are really memorable at all. They have the same slow, lusting rhythm without much variation. I’m guessing the idea was to focus more on the lyrics and sultry seduction in Del Rey’s voice rather than crafting a synthy pop beat. This is good in theory (like communism), but doesn’t work at all and completely backfires (like communism). The result is an album of boring and forgettable tracks.

It’s not that Del Rey doesn’t have a good voice. She just doesn’t exhibit much vocal range on any of the songs on this album. Then again, maybe she doesn’t have a good voice at all and the production crew did a great job of mixing and perfecting the vocals. Either way, by the time “Million Dollar Man” rolled around, I was so tired of hearing the same song about how fickle boys can be that I had given up hope that it would redeem itself lyrically. And it didn’t. The album hit a complete thud with such drivel as “This is What Makes Us Girls” and “Without You”, the latter of which contains the lyrics “Summertime is nice and hot / My life is sweet like vanilla is”. “Lolita” might be the worst of the bunch. It’s basically what you’d get if Ke$ha’s and Katy Perry’s songwriters collaborated.

I’m sorry to say it, but the haters have been vindicated. At least for now.

Recommended Tracks: “Born to Die”, “Video Games”

Given to the Wild

The Maccabees

Before finally listening to Given to the Wild, a lot of hype was being built around The Maccabees’ third album. London’s own indie rock sextet has become one of the hottest bands in the U.K. over the past 5 years. But let’s face it: there are so many buzz bands that have great debuts, pretty solid follow-ups, and then fizzle into obscurity by the time their third album is released. Naturally, I was wary of what I was about to listen to.

I needn’t have worried. The Maccabees have released what is the first truly great album of 2012 in Given to the Wild. Here, we are treated to a splendid, yet heartbreaking album about loss of innocence and coping with heartbreak. Singer Orlando Weeks really knows how to evoke all the proper emotions out of the listener when he tackles each of these themes with his soft and solemn tone.

The opening title track is a perfect segway into “Child”, the album’s second song which tackles the loss of innocence head on. Songs like “Feel to Follow” and “Go” show how truly in sync the band is from an instrumental perspective. The former is just pure bliss with dueling guitars and light drum battering that builds up to the finale of the song, while the latter has its own distinct beat and soaring guitar solo that builds up until only to slow down at the halfway mark. From there it’s lather, rinse, repeat for the second half of “Go.” Lead single “Pelican” is one of the faster songs on the album that focuses on taking what you can from life and enjoying it before our time is up. And the cycle repeats itself over and over.

The album really shines when it deals with heartbreak on one of the album’s best tracks “Forever I’ve Known”, where Week’s sings of knowing a relationship is over, but begs his lover “couldn’t you still try?” After one listen, I was hooked and it’s one of my favorite breakup songs to be released in the past couple years. On “Went Away” he revisits the same theme of love lost and clings onto the shambles of a broken relationship. And when it feels like all hope is lost on “Slowly One” the album slips into a nearly two-minute breakdown that sees the light at the end of the tunnel.

Though this is a fantastic album, it does not come without its flaws. The sound on many of the tracks feels very similar to each other, making it hard to distinguish between them. Fortunately, it’s a very relaxed and focused sound with shimmering guitars and steady bass lines that allow the album to be enjoyed anywhere and at any time. One listen may not be enough to hook you on Given to the Wild, but after a few plays it becomes hard to resist. Unfortunately it has yet to be distributed in the U.S., but will hopefully be available stateside in the not-too distant future.

Recommended Tracks: “Feel to Follow”, “Forever I’ve Known”, “Pelican”, “Slowly One”

Most Anticipated Albums of 2012

"Given to the Wild" - The Maccabees (Released January 6th)

Ok, so technically this album has already been released and I just haven't reviewed it yet. I know, I suck. It's been getting a lot of hype lately and I'll be sure to review it soon. From what I've listened to so far, I have a feeling I won't be disappointed. 

"Born to Die" - Lana Del Rey (Expected January 30th)

Whether you love her or hate her, you can't deny that the girl's got a great voice. And with Youtube hits in "Video Games" and "Born to Die" the major label debut of Lana Del Rey is one of the year's most built up albums. It's boom or bust on this one.

"Reign of Terror" - Sleigh Bells (Expected February 21st)

While I didn't particularly care for their first album, I dug a few songs so I'm willing to give the noise-pop duo of Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss a second chance. 

"Sounds From Nowheresville" - The Ting Tings (Expected February 27th)

I seriously almost forgot these guys were still making music. That's how long it's been since Katie White and Jules de Martino released their first album, "We Started Nothing." They're not so concerned about making a hit pop record as they are doing whatever the feel like, which I admire in a band. Especially considering today's pop hits.

"The Odd Future Tape, Vol. 2" - OFWGKTA (Expected March 20th)

One of hip-hop's most controversial collectives is about to have a big year, starting with the release of their newest mixtape followed by solo albums by group members Tyler, the Creator and MellowHype. Oh and their debuting their own sketch comedy show on Adult Swim also.

"Port of Morrow" - The Shins (Expected March 20th)

After collaborating with Danger Mouse as Broken Bells (which was better than any other Shins album!),  James Mercer has returned to The Shins to release their first new music since 2007. Their new single "Simple Song" is currently available for download.

"3" - Silversun Pickups (Expected in spring)

Though that's only the tentative title, I'm eagerly awaiting the third album by the L.A. indie rockers. They're just one of those bands that always sound good no matter what your mood is.

Untitled 6th album - Soundgarden (Expected in spring)

Since they reformed in 2010, much talk of a new album soon followed. Can one of grunge's top bands deliver a rare success on a reunion album? I really hope so.

Untitled 2nd album - The xx (Expected in summer)

Jamie Smith had a nice 2011 while releasing some solo tracks, but the focus for 2012 is on his band and their new record and tour. While their debut had a chill, ethereal vibe, The xx's second outing is said to be inspired by club music and will no doubt appeal to a wider demographic. 

Untitled 2nd album - Two Door Cinema Club (Expected in summer)

Tourist History was a nice surprise in 2010 and their popularity grew astronomically in 2011. I mean the crowd was overflowing at their tent during their Coachella performance last year. Needless to say, many are looking forward to what the band is calling a hip hop-inspired sophomore effort. Which is only fitting from an indie rock band that uses a drum machine.

Untitled 3rd album - Crystal Castles (Expected in summer)


After putting out two successful self-titled albums, the Canadian duo are heading back to the studio to record their 3rd album (what's the over-under on it being called Crystal Castles?). Both their albums are fantastic and should be mandatory listening for anyone that enjoys electronic music. Hopefully they stick to their signature electro-goth sound for this go around.

Untitled 3rd album - Vampire Weekend (Expected in summer)

Their first two albums have become modern classics, delivering incredibly catchy songs with their signature Afrobeat experimentation. Here's hoping they haven't lost their touch.

Untitled 4th album - The Killers (Expected in summer)

Tentatively titled "Battle Born" (after their recording studio), the Las Vegas rockers have said that their next album will put a greater emphasis on guitars. Hopefully their hiatus has given them enough time to come back with a bang.

"MGMT" - MGMT (Expected in summer)

Haters of their second album will be happy to hear that MGMT's self-titled 3rd outing will be more similar to their Oracular Spectacular debut. Personally, I enjoyed both albums so I'm game for whatever these guys do next.

Untitled 6th album - Muse (Expected in October)

The best live act today is heading back to the studio in what promises to be a new direction for the band. Hopefully this doesn't affect the output of arena jams these guys never fail to crank out. 

Untitled 3rd album - The Stone Roses (Expected in fall)

It's really sad when a band this great has only released two albums. Since 1989. In case you're not keeping count, Justin Bieber has matched that total since 2010. Thankfully, Ian Brown and friends have reunited for at least a 2012 tour. Rumors of a new album soon followed their reunion, but I think it's a stretch we'll see one by the end of the year. Still...

Untitled 6th album - Queens of the Stone Age (Expected in fall)

Since Era Vulgaris in 2007, frontman Josh Homme has been keeping active whether it was forming supergroup Them Crooked Vultures or producing for Arctic Monkeys. Now the king of desert rock returns to his band for another go around. What to expect? No one knows (zing!)

Untitled 2nd album - The Joy Formidable (Expected in fall)

After their terrific debut The Big Roar, the Welsh shoegazing trio are looking to expand their sound on their sophomore effort.

Untitled 6th album - The National (Expected late 2012)

The brothers and the baritone (as I like to call them) are coming off a very successful past couple of years. They deserve a break, but the band has already begun writing new songs so it's not too much to hope for a new album by year's end right?

Untitled 2nd album - Mumford & Sons

After completely blowing up the americana scene, Marcus Mumford and crew are writing for what is said to be a "doom folk" second album. Aside from singles "Little Lion Man" and "The Cave", 2009's Sigh No More was a pretty boring album so I'm hoping Mumford & Sons can improve with their second effort.

Untitled 2nd album - Warpaint (Expected late 2012)

Rumor has it the all-female psych rock band are thinking about ditching the tie dye for some heavier beats and synths. It's a bold move Cotton, let's see if how it plays out for them.

Untitled 4th album - Bloc Party (TBD 2012)

After taking some time off to pursue a solo record (and thankfully not breaking up the band), frontman Kele Okereke and co. have gone on record saying they will release a 4th album this year.

Untitled 6th album - No Doubt (TBD 2012)

At this point it's getting ridiculous. After reuniting and touring in 2009, No Doubt have been working on album #6 for the past 2 years. It has to be almost complete, right? Did they learn nothing from Guns n' Roses' Chinese Democracy?!?!

Untitled 9th album - The Offspring (TBD 2012)

These guys haven't put out a good album since 1998, but they have such a catchy (albeit overplayed) collection of singles that I can't help but be a little bit curious about what they have left to offer.

Untitled 8th album - Nine Inch Nails (TBD 2012)

I know he's done touring under the NIN moniker, but that doesn't mean Trent Reznor still can't record under Nine Inch Nails. He's gone on record saying that he's writing with Nine Inch Nails in mind. This could mean a single or hopefully a new album!

Untitled 5th album - Phoenix (TBD 2012)

Though 2009's Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix broke them into the mainstream, the French indie rockers have stated their moving into more experimental territory for their next album.

Untitled 1st album - Of Monsters and Men (Early 2012)

Probably my most anticipated album of the year. Technically this indie folk sextet already released their debut record in Iceland back in September, but it has yet to drop stateside (though they do have an EP available for download). I like to think of them as Iceland's Arcade Fire. And I love me some Arcade Fire. I've been following them for the past few months and I'm really looking forward to their debut album, My Head Is an Animal. Their single "Little Talks" is currently my favorite song and is infinitely listenable.  

Untitled 5th album - Linkin Park (TBD 2012)

Ugh I'm anticipating and dreading this one. I grew up with Hybrid Theory and Meteora so I'll always love those albums. Minutes to Midnight was definitely an acquired taste. A Thousand Suns, 2010's awful fourth album by Linkin Park, made me want to throw up. The way I see it, they can't get any worse. I'll be keeping my hopes low and a paper bag nearby.

Untitled 4th album - Paramore (TBD 2012)

After the Farro brothers' ugly exit, I'll be very cautious with this one. Now more than ever, Paramore seems like a completely manufactured studio band. Hopefully, the band can move forward gracefully and retain their too-catchy-for-their-own-good sound.

Untitled 9th album - Green Day (TBD 2012)

No band has had a hotter streak in the past 8 years than Green Day. American Idiot revitalized the band and gave them a huge new fanbase and led to Broadway success with a theater adaptation of the album, which will be coming to Los Angeles this year. 2009's follow-up, 21st Century Breakdown, was every bit as good as its predecessor. Here's hoping for another fantastic album from the Berkeley natives (if they have the time for it).

Untitled 4th album - The Gaslight Anthem (TBD 2012)

The Springsteen-goes-punk band from New Brunswick have recently taken to Twitter saying that they're in the recording process for their follow-up to American Slang. No timetable has been given for a release date, but Brian Fallon's nostalgic and big-dreamer lyrics are worth the wait!

Well, that's my list (in no particular order). Did I miss anything? Get it right? Completely blow it? Sound off in the comments!

L.A. Concert Update

Ok it's been a while since I've updated Suburban Sound, but it's been a really slow month as far as music goes. Nothing new has grabbed my attention or has inspired me to write a review. I know that last sentence sounded really pretentious.

Anyway, while I'm waiting for some good music to come out I'll try to post weekly concert updates for the Los Angeles area.

Circa Survive lead singer Anthony Green is playing a solo show at the Fox Theater in Pomona on Saturday, February 11th. Opening for him will be indie rock band The Dear Hunter (not to be confused with Deerhunter) and Isodora Crane. Tickets are on sale now and are $18.50 + fees.

Singer-songwriters Jay Farrar and Anders Parker will be teaming up with Will Johnson (frontman of indie rock band Centro-matic) and Jim James (lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter of My Morning Jacket) to perform at The Music Box in Los Angeles on Wednesday, March 7th. Singer-songwriter Sarah Jaffe will be opening for the quartet. Tickets are on sale now and are $33.15 after fees.

For heavy metal fans out there, Five Finger Death Punch will be playing at the Fox Theater in Pomona on Saturday, March 24th as part of their tour supporting their October release of American Capitalist. Tickets go on sale Friday, January 27th @10am and will cost $43.80 after fees.

Portugal. The Man will be performing at the Fox Theater in Pomona on Friday, May 4th. Tickets go on sale Friday, January 27th @10am and will cost $33.15 after fees.

Singer-songwriter Kina Grannis will be playing at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Los Angeles on Friday, May 18th. Tickets go on sale Saturday, January 28th @10am and will cost $31.65 after fees.

For fans of bluegrass, Trampled by Turtles will be performing on Tuesday, May 22nd at The Music Box in Hollywood. Tickets go on sale Saturday, January 28th @10am and will cost $33.15 after fees.

And finally, for those of you who need a quick concert fix ASAP, I recommend checking out Mutemath at Club Nokia next Thursday, February 2nd. Tickets are still available and cost $27.50 plus fees.

Coachella 2012 Lineup

Just about 9 hours ago, Goldenvoice released the lineup for Coachella 2012. Though most of you have probably already seen it by now, here it is:

Friday April 13th & 20th

The Black Keys
Swedish House Mafia
Pulp
Refused
Arctic Monkeys
Mazzy Star
Afrojack
Explosions In The Sky
M83
Amon Tobin
Cat Power
Madness
Jimmy Cliff & Tim Armstrong
GIRLS
The Rapture
Madeon
M. Ward
The Horrors
Frank Ocean
James
Alesso
SebastiAn
Datsik
Yuck
Neon Indian
Dawes
The Black Angels
Death Grips
WU LYF
Breakbot
Atari Teenage Riot
Feed Me
GIVERS
Other Lives
Band Of Skulls
R3hab
Wolf Gang
The Midnight Beast
EMA
Ximena Sarinana
Kendrick Lamar
The Dear Hunter
honeyhoney
Hello Seahorse!
The Sheepdogs
LA Riots



Saturday April 14th & 21st
Radiohead
Bon Iver
The Shins
David Guetta
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
Kaskade
Miike Snow
Jeff Mangum
Sebastian Ingrosso
Andrew Bird
Feist
fIREHOSE
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
St. Vincent
Martin Solveig
Sub Focus
SBTRKT
Flying Lotus
Manchester Orchestra
Kasabian
AWOLNATION
Azealia Banks
Squeeze
A$AP Rocky
Buzzcocks
Kaiser Chiefs
Destroyer
The Head and the Heart
Laura Marling
tUnE-yArDs
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Black Lips
The Big Pink
Childish Gambino
The Vaccines
Zeds Dead
Grouplove
Jacques Lu Cont
We Were Promised Jetpacks
Gary Clark Jr.
Borgore
Dragonette
We Are Augustines
Mt Eden
Destructo
Suedehead
Keep Shelly in Athens
Pure Filth Sound



Sunday April 15th & 22nd
Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg
At The Drive-In
Justice
Florence + The Machine
AVICII
La Roux
Beirut
The Weeknd
Girl Talk
The Hives
DJ Shadow
Calvin Harris
Nero
Wild Flag
Modeselektor
Dada Life
Porter Robinson
Santigold
Flux Pavilion & Dr. P
Gotye
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
Beats Antique
Fitz and the Tantrums
araabMUZIK
Company Flow
Real Estate
Zedd
Le Bucherettes
Greg Ginn
The Growlers
NOISIA
Morgan Page
The Gaslamp Killer
First Aid Kit
Oberhofer
Lissie
Thunder Cat
Metronomy
Wild Beasts
Housse de Racket
Fanfarlo
Spector
Gardens & Villa
Airplane Boys
Sleeper Agent



After staring relentlessly at this lineup since its release here are my reactions:

• Great headliners, but it's weird to see The Black Keys in a headlining spot. Especially after they played last year as the #1 subheadliner on Friday. Nevertheless, I will make sure I'm there to see them because they always bring their A game. Can't wait to see Radiohead in what will no doubt be the biggest crowd of the weekend. Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg should be interesting to watch, though Goldenvoice is clearly going out of their way to get a big name hip hop act in a headlining spot every year. As far as hip hop artists making new music today you don't get much bigger than Jay-Z and Kanye West. Since they've headlined back to back years, I suppose this is the biggest they could've gotten. An Outkast reunion would've been unreal though...

• Saturday is the best day. I don't know how it would be possible to see everyone I want to see. Radiohead, everyone on line 2, Andrew Bird, Feist, St. Vincent, SBTRKT, Manchester Orchestra, AWOLNATION, Kaiser Chiefs, tUnE-yArDs, Childish Gambino, and Grouplove make for a very exciting, but somewhat stressful day. Some sacrifices will need to be made. Luckily there is plenty of time to prioritize so that when the set times are released, I'll have some idea of who I'd want to see.

• Friday is the second-best day, Sunday is a distant 3rd.

• Though Saturday is the best day overall, the combo of The Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys, and M83 is my favorite of the weekend and are all must-sees.

• Lot of repeat artists this year. This can happen when you have a festival that's been held every year since 2001. However, a lot of the artists on this year's bill have played Coachella in the last 2 years, including The Black Keys, Afrojack, SBTRKT, Band of Skulls, Florence + the Machine, David Guetta, Miike Snow, The Big Pink, La Roux, and Kaskade. 

• Two of the three members of Swedish House Mafia (Axwell and Steve Angello) played their own dj sets last year. And Sebastian Ingrosso is playing twice this year (Friday with Swedish House Mafia and Saturday as a solo act).

• Omar Rodriguez-Lopez played last year as a solo act and will play this year with a reunited At The Drive-In.

• Frank Ocean is a member of OFWGKTA. They played last year as well.

• So happy to see The Hives making their return! It's been a little over 4 years since their last album came out and they have a new album slated to be released later this year.

• I'm gonna make a giant "Put a Bird on It" poster just in case I end up seeing Wild Flag.

• I'm a big fan of Donald Glover and his work as Childish Gambino. He'll be a priority on Saturday.

• "Up Up Up" by Givers and "Colours" by Grouplove were two of my favorite songs of summer 2011.

• "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye has been a favorite song of mine in the past couple months and has started getting a fair amount of airplay on L.A. alternative radio stations.

• Not a huge fan of AWOLNATION, but "Not Your Fault" is another song that I've really been enjoying by him recently.

• I can see myself spending a lot of time in the Sahara tent this year. Acts like SBTRKT, AVICII, Calvin Harris, and Kaskade are starting to convert me to a fan of dance music.

• "Laid" by James: the first song I thought of after seeing this lineup. I'd see them just to hear this song. "This bed is on fire with passionate love. The neighbors complain about the noises above..."

• Has any concert lineup ever featured more artists with capital letters? (GIRLS, WU LYF, GIVERS, EMA, fIREHOSE, SBTRKT, AWOLNATION, A$AP Rocky, tUnE-yArDs, AVICII, araabMUZIK, and NOISIA)

• Not as good of a lineup as last year's, but that would've been impossible to top. Great music came out in 2010, which is why the 2011 lineup was so great. Not a lot of great music came out in 2011, which is why the lineup isn't as strong. Plus, it's incredibly difficult to book artists for 2 weekends in a row so hat's off to the workers at Goldenvoice for being able to put together a lineup this great considering these facts. Overall I feel that Coachella 2012 has a solid lineup and will be an amazing weekend full of great music in the blistering heat of Indio. Weekend 2 here I come!