Summary of March

With the month like we had thus far in music, it's time to reflect back on the releases that unveiled in March this year. Here are my mini-reviews of each.

Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
Absolutely incredible album. Starting off with the torque drenched, "March Into the Sea," this is Modest Meat at its finest and is one of the harder tracks on the album, which is followed by radio-friendly "Dashboard," which is also a top track on the album. Stoner anthem "Fire It Up" is incredible. I could keep going but it would be too thorough. James Mercer adds great touches to favorites like "Missed the Boat" and "Florida" Basically 1-7 are amazing...add "Little Motel" and "Spitting Venom" (an epic which I have ran into the ground) and you have a classic album. The only songs I am not just going crazy over is "Fly Trapped in a Jar" and "Invisible," however they are growing on me. Grade - A

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Arcade Fire sophomore effort is a slower tempo-ed even darker album than Funeral. However, it is an amazing album. Highlights include, "Keep the Car Running," "Anti-Christ Television Blues," "Intervention." Weaknesses of the album include "My Body is a Cage" (which is growing on me). Although I love the album, I still feel they could have done better...see "Power Out" and "Rebellions(Lies)" While I know it is like comparing apples to oranges, I don't find myself oohing and ahhing over it like I did with Funeral. This might be because I enjoy upbeat music more. I do love the album, I just wish there were more faster tracks that seem to make me keep coming back for more, and craving certain songs. Grade B+

Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
The Bird comes through in the clutch. This album is Andrew Bird at his finest, and is very up-tempo combining whistling, violins, mandolins, guitars and Martin Dosh's drums and effects. Highlights include "Dark Matter" "Fiery Crash" "Heretics" "Simple X" and "Plasticities" All highly recommended.
Grade A-

Son Volt - The Search
As I have nearly given up hope for my oldest obsession, Jay Farrar comes back with a pretty solid album. Although the album starts off with the weakest song on the cd, the rest of the album is non-comparison. The album is very diverse. It is mixed with poppy upbeat rock tunes ("The Picture"), Slow country steel guitar ballads ("Highway and Cigarettes")and middle of the road rock songs. "Adrenaline and Heresy" somehow points to Death Cab's "Different Names for the Same Thing" or "Transatlantacism." Highlights include "Circadian Rhythm," "Adrenaline and Heresy," "Beacon Soul," and "Methamphetamine" Grade B-

Panda Bear - Person Pitch
Although I do think this album is brilliant and unique, I feel it loses its luster after a while. I do enjoy popping it in every now and then but it is not something you can just put in anytime. In accord with the theme of this post.....it is a little slow for me. Highlights, "Bros," "Comfy in Nautica" I also think sometimes critics just decide on an album that they are going to rave about, which leads me to the next album..... Grade - C+

LCD Soundsystem - Sounds of Silver
This album is not as good as the critics say. Although I do LOVE "Someone Great" and "All My Friends" the rest of the songs are just pretty good...not great.
Grade - C

I know no one leaves comments but I would love to hear opinions.