Ten Grand
This Is the Way to Rule
Southern (2003)
Ten Grand (formerly The Vidablue) are definately an acquired taste. Hearing their stuff before I thought it was just alright. Nothing to go nuts over. After seeing them live, my outlook on them changed drastically. I gave them a second chance and found out I had been kidding myself. This new record is no different. I suppose you could classify Ten Grand as one of those "screamo" bands you hear so much about these days. Ten Grand manages to fit more emotion into their music than almost every one of those other "screamo" bands you hear about though. The singer sings with such a cry that you have to feel for the guy. There is such a rawness to the music that just adds to the vocals. The hollow sound of the drums in particular sound as if they were recorded in a big empty room. The song titles don't take on the seriousness as the music does, and provide entertainment on their own. With songs such as "I Will Seriously Pay You To Shut Up", "Hands Off the Merch", and "Fuck You Guyses Teams", you'll find yourself chuckling to yourself upon reading them the first time. Although there isn't … Read more
Ester Drang
Infinite Keys
Jade Tree (2003)
On previous records, Ester Drang's output had an epic feel to it; it was more drawn-out and atmospheric than that … Read more
Ester Drang
Infinite Keys
Jade Tree (2003)
The party starts to wind down and everyone is sitting in lawn chairs around the bonfire. There are at least … Read more
The Mars Volta
De-Loused In the Comatorium
Universal (2003)
Every now and then a super heavily hyped record comes along and completely lives up to all of the expectations … Read more
The Mars Volta
De-Loused In the Comatorium
Universal (2003)
I've never heard The Mars Volta call themselves "experimental" or "out there," have you? Where does everyone get this idea? … Read more
The Mars Volta
De-Loused In the Comatorium
Universal (2003)
As one of the few music geeks on the planet who wasn't infatuated with At the Drive-In, I approached this … Read more
