Neon Trees: Habits

I've wondered about this band for a while now, so i finally decided to check out their album.  This is their breakout album featuring the radio hit "Animal", which I really enjoy. These guys remind me a bit of Modest Mouse from a few years ago, but with a touch of a techno/pop feel. The album opens up with "Sins Of My Youth", a great opener with an ambiguous intro, but it soon breaks out into what you would expect from the band. This track is a great romp that doesn't really surprise you, but it's okay because it is exactly the sound that got the band into the spotlight. The next thing solid impression comes from "Animal", this owing to the fact that "Love And Affection" passes under the radar and easily lets your mind wander. "Animal" is an incredibly catchy song. this is something anyone could point out. Fantastically written song that catches your attention, holds it, and then becomes the song that gets stuck in your head, and everyone asks you what your dancing to. It's a radio song through and through but a very unique one. The straight ahead beat and the simple one note guitar riff in the intro make this song super accessible. The vocals on this track are just perfect, with the chorus being the easiest thing to sing along with since sliced bread, for lack of a better metaphor. The only remaining track that is really outstanding is "1983". This song easily could've been the radio hit that "Animal" is. It does the same thing with the driving drums and bass, fun sing-able vocals, and catchy chorus. The rest of the album is pretty good if you can bring yourself to pay attention.  There's not a bad song on the album, but there isn't much that keeps you interested and invested in the album. Overall, I'll give this one an 8 out 10, but only just barely. It probably should only get a 7, but there's nothing in here that I disliked. I was satisfied with this album. If you really like "Animal", you'll be pleased, but I doubt this would become your favorite album.

Standout Tracks:
*Sins Of My Youth
*Animal
*1983

Rating:  8/10

Jason Mraz: Waiting For My Rocket To Come

Everyone has heard of Jason Mraz, but mostly through the radio. I'll agree with everybody that his music is fun, upbeat, and really catchy, but how many people have taken the time to go through one of his albums, start to finish? I'm guessing not many. Anyway, as for this album, if you like Jason Mraz you won't be disappointed. It starts out strong with "You And I Both", one of his top radio hits. A great song with clear instrumentals and a feel good groove. Being the solo artist that Jason Mraz is though, this song, as well as everything else, is a vehicle for his vocals. This is not necessarily a bad thing though. Mraz' vocals are really strong on all tracks, and his soulful sound is what, I believe, makes him appeal to a wide radio audience. It also doesn't hurt that Mraz is a fantastic lyricist. He writes some extremely creative lines into every one of his songs, and deftly throws in some pretty complex vocabulary. In one song, he manages to use the word "lugubrious" without making it sound goofy.  The ablum continues in much the same manner as "You And I", with the first half of the album bringing a lot of catchy tunes that you can't help but groove to, namely "Curbside Prophet". This is a great track with some really funky southern sounding banjo and slide guitar sounds. Sadly though, this is where the album starts to taper off. Everything else just flows by with out drawing any real attention. The songs aren't bad, it's just that they're mostly ballads and Mraz takes them a little too seriously and loses the fun quality that makes his music great.
        Mraz manages to pull things back together with the closer, "Tonight,Not Again", which opens with some mysterious minor guitar riffs that capture your interest right away. Mraz does what he does best with the rest of the song, building intensity in the verses and breaks out in the chorus with some major chords and generally "happy" sounds. It's a good ending to a decent album. What you get out of it is basically a couple radio hits, a few other pretty good songs, and everything else is a bit "meh".  To those of you who are already big Jason Mraz fans, go ahead and buy this one for archives sake. But those who, like me, who are casual fans of his radio hits, you're better off with a greatest hits or a live album. Everything on this album worth having will be there.

Standout Tracks:
*You And I Both (Radio Hit
*The Remedy (Radio Hit)
*Curbside Prophet
*No Stopping Us
*Tonight Not Again

Rating: 7/10

Mobius Band: The Loving Sounds of Static

First off, I just want to say that I love this album. It's very very strong altogether. Now, Mobius Band. I found out about these guys while I was looking for a band to join. It's a little known Indie band that's been together since the early 2000's. As for the album, it's songwriting style reminds a lot of early Weezer. Very different music but the song structure comes off really similar. Straight ahead simple songs that do everything they set out to do, and do it very well. It's a bit of a mellower sound that would be at home in a playlist with Jack Johnson and the like. The album starts out with "Detach", a great opener that introduces you to their style and sucks you in with the smooth vocals and simple instrumentals. As the album moves on Mobius Band adds some more upbeat tunes with some super fun syncopated drums parts, with the same kind of simple, one note guitar riffs in the verses, and light touches of electronic sounds. Peter Sax's earthy, every-man vocals suck you into the whole album, and make every song extremely easy to sing along to. The album peaks at "The Loving Sounds of Static", probably the most radio friendly song on here. Every time I listen to this album,  I find myself saying, "Ooh, this is a great song." Only to say the exact same thing about the next song. I find myself listening to this album when I'm mildly depressed or feel like I'm drifting emotionally. It may not sound like it at first, but his is a great pick-me-up album.  If you like a nice semi-chill soft rock album for a rainy day, I highly recommend this album. Buy this one, it'll be worth every dollar.

Stand Out Tracks:
*Twilight
*Radio Coup
*You're Wrong
*The Loving Sounds of Static(Radio Friendly)

Rating: 9/10

Hey kids! Mr. Village here. I just wanted to let you know, if you've got any album requests or suggestions, just shoot me an email at ammontk2y@hotmail.com

A New Project

So, fellows, have you ever wanted to buy a CD but are hesitant because you know there's a good chance it might suck? I know I have. And it's the worst isn't it? You get all pissed off because you just spent 12-15 dollars on an album you will rarely - if ever - listen to. Well, being the giant music dork that I am, have been wanting to remedy this problem for a while now. So i figured, hey, I might as well do it. After all, I have listened to, and currently listen to a lot of music. I like a lot of different genres and I like diving deep into a new artist. Hence I have decided to start my Novice Village Review Blog. I will review a new album as often as I possibly can. I will also be making a significant effort to draw attention to any new releases and review those as well, whatever genre they may be. So, no longer do you need to waste money on new, crappy albums. Let me do it for you. It's fun for me and you get to save money, hopefully. It's a win-win.