Staff Album Review - Shelley

One might think Blitzen Trapper is one of those bands you would have never heard of if it weren’t for Myspace. However, NPR recently named Furr one of the top 25 albums of 2008 and I believe that is a well-deserved label.

Tyler and I stumbled upon Blitzen Trapper while doing research for Erin and JJ’s wedding. ITunes Genius, a new-ish feature to the program, was recently described as having the nerdy music friend at the record store telling you what to buy. I’d like to give Erin and JJ credit as being the brains behind this download. When we researched some of their favorite artists, such as Andrew Bird, Mirah, and The Good Life, we discovered Blitzen Trapper.

This album is definitely one you will listen to more than 20 times, and that’s taking it pretty far in my catalogue. It has an upbeat vibe with mellow undertones. I liken this contemporary band’s twist to classic favorites such as the Turtles or the Doobie Brothers.

This album begins with an upbeat, slacker feel and progresses to a slower, more delicate style. Maybe the perfect time to listen to this album is on a train ride home after a good day with friends or a road trip. This album deserves a full listen each time you put it in.

Every song captivates you in some aspect, whether it is the simple, yet thoughtful lyrics of the opening track, Sleepytime in the Western World, or the acoustic catchiness of the guitar and lyrical rhythm in the title track, Furr. There is a narcissistic, yet cheerful beat in the track, God & Suicide. The only place the album struggles is with Love U. I still cannot make it all the way through. Someone please enlighten me here.

The album continues with Stolen Shoes & a Rifle, a particular favorite of mine. I am a sucker for steel guitar where you least expect it. It is beautifully included here. It continues with a Bob Dylan-esque feel with Lady on the Water and concludes with bonus track, Ballad of Bird Love. The final track brings all of the elements back together for a nice finale.

Portland-based Blitzen Trapper deserves four out of five spins for a thought provoking and overall amazing album. Kudos to Erin and JJ for leading us to this band! And congrats on the big day ☺.

Staff Album Review - Mark

Lollapalooza 2007, me roaming Grant Park figuring out where I was going to go. It's the middle of the afternoon about three o'clock. I drifted to the south stage because of a guitar ballad that caught my ear. The sound was like chords spilling out of heaven. A forceful, delightful melody, with the perfect background, accompanied with a raspy sweet voice. I had found my place. For the next hour I settled in. I had just discovered Kings Of Leon. The band is from Tennessee, three brothers and a cousin. The song that caught my ear was “Arizona”, and the album they were playing from was their third, entitled Because of The Times. I went out and bought the album and was crazed by the new sound coming from a rock band.

The newest album Only By The Night was recently released September 22nd. Luckily Kings Of Leon were featured on the second episode of Saturday Night Live which aired on the 20th. They sang the songs “Sex On Fire” and “Use Somebody”. For me this album is simply refreshing. I get the same feeling I got when I sat on the grass in Grant Park and listened to the band match the mood and environment so impeccably. That's what I like about good rock. Only By The Night is a continuance of the quality rock they put out on the third album. It's like a good book with large and mini intervals from song to song. Kings of Leon explore love, sex, personal demons, and songs than make you want to lay back, chill and inhale life. The lyrics are strong and insightful and should charge anyone’s soul. This album has eleven tracks and is good from start to finish. This is the type music you could turn on and let roll. Great for a long car ride or for any stretch of work that needs to be done.

You can expect up-tempo, sweet/salty, and rocked out songs like “Sex On Fire” which is one of my favorite songs on the album. You can also expect lighter ballads that are good for relaxation like “ Cold Desert”, I also was a fan of the medium tempo pick-me-up tracks like “Manhattan”. The album has been released now for three weeks now and it is the number one album that I'm listening to. I keep coming back to it and I'm continually replaying songs or song combinations to satisfy my mood. Kings Of Leon has become one of the most popular bands in the world. “Sex On Fire” is number one in the UK, and “Use Somebody” is number two. They are on the charts literally everywhere. The variety of melodies is something that keeps this album fresh. I feel fresh when I listen to it. In the morning when I'm on my way to work, and when I'm coming home it is satisfying. I recommend it for everybody and I give it 5 out 5 spins.