The Syndicate

Have you bought any new albums recently? Come discuss any recent purchases of music you've made and what your thoughts are on them.

I got these albums yesterday.



Godspeed You Black Emperor! - F♯ A♯ ∞
The Decemberists - The King Is Dead

I love the Decemberists, and the King Is Dead album is a favorite. It's standard Decemberists in some ways, the hyperliterate lyrics, for instance, or Meloys use of his voice, BUT... the instrumental arrangements almost puts me in mind of The Band or some other late 60's/early 70's country grit rock. Their earlier albums were more derivative of folk in many ways; this is a twangier direction, less black turtlenecks, more faded jeans. A few places there is almost a Gram Parsons/Flying Burrito Bros vibe. I'm gonna go listen to it right now!

I do not own the other. Should I? What do people who might like it also like?

S~V~S wrote:
I do not own the other. Should I? What do people who might like it also like?

Modern Classical
Dark Ambient
Noise
Minimalism
Free Jazz
Swans
Winning Mafia as a FEB

I like The King is Dead.

I have a tiny record collection. I got In The Aeroplane Over The Sea (I know, I know, but I had to) and Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? (which was my favorite album for years) on my spring break visit to the US. Record stores here have so little to offer, I was amazed by how easy it was to find them in America.

S~V~S wrote:I love the Decemberists, and the King Is Dead album is a favorite. It's standard Decemberists in some ways, the hyperliterate lyrics, for instance, or Meloys use of his voice, BUT... the instrumental arrangements almost puts me in mind of The Band or some other late 60's/early 70's country grit rock. Their earlier albums were more derivative of folk in many ways; this is a twangier direction, less black turtlenecks, more faded jeans. A few places there is almost a Gram Parsons/Flying Burrito Bros vibe. I'm gonna go listen to it right now!

I do not own the other. Should I? What do people who might like it also like?

Yay! Good. I have not listened to the Decemberists at all as of yet, so I look forward to giving the album a listen when I get a chance soon.

Metalmarsh89 wrote:

S~V~S wrote:I love the Decemberists, and the King Is Dead album is a favorite. It's standard Decemberists in some ways, the hyperliterate lyrics, for instance, or Meloys use of his voice, BUT... the instrumental arrangements almost puts me in mind of The Band or some other late 60's/early 70's country grit rock. Their earlier albums were more derivative of folk in many ways; this is a twangier direction, less black turtlenecks, more faded jeans. A few places there is almost a Gram Parsons/Flying Burrito Bros vibe. I'm gonna go listen to it right now!

I do not own the other. Should I? What do people who might like it also like?

Yay! Good. I have not listened to the Decemberists at all as of yet, so I look forward to giving the album a listen when I get a chance soon.

Then you have failed.

The King Is Dead is probably one of the albums I have listened to the most times. I have it memorized. Definitely get into the Decemberists' other stuff too, all their albums are amazing.

It's their worst one.

Nah, they don't have a worst one. I guess I wouldn't really say it's their best though. I think Crane Wife is #1.

Epignosis wrote:
Then you have failed.

Epignosis wrote:It's their worst one.

Wow, so negative

Most people prefer Crane Wife, but my faves are Picaresque and The King is Dead. I LOVE Colin Meloys voice; wavery & quavery & so expressive. My favorite Decemberists song is Mariners Revenge song from Picaresque. The irony at the end gets me every time.

S~V~S wrote:

Epignosis wrote:
Then you have failed.

Epignosis wrote:It's their worst one.

Wow, so negative

Most people prefer Crane Wife, but my faves are Picaresque and The King is Dead. I LOVE Colin Meloys voice; wavery & quavery & so expressive. My favorite Decemberists song is Mariners Revenge song from Picaresque. The irony at the end gets me every time.

Not negative at all!

And thanks for taking my remarks out of context.

If you have not listened to The Decemberists, then you have failed. That's a positive opinion of The Decemberists.

I think The King is Dead is their worst because it is overshadowed by everything else they had done before. This too, is a positive opinion of The Decemberists.

The Crane Wife and The Hazards of Love are their best.

My second two favorites will be equally Picaresque and Castaways & Cutouts

Her Majesty is good. I quite like The Tain.

Has anyone here heard "A Record Year for Rainfall?" Brilliant. Good video.

So no, not negative. Quite positive!

What I liked about the King Is Dead is that it was different, while being the same, as prior Decemberist albums, imo. It was less hipster than some of their recordings have been. And i used to live in the Northwest, i know hipsters

And I did not mean to take it out of context. Calling someone a fail seemed ... harsh, I guess. Sorry if I offended.

Have you heard their newest album, that came out a couple months ago? I need to give it another listen, but I really enjoyed it, and I love the single "Make You Better"

Epignosis wrote:

Metalmarsh89 wrote:

S~V~S wrote:I love the Decemberists, and the King Is Dead album is a favorite. It's standard Decemberists in some ways, the hyperliterate lyrics, for instance, or Meloys use of his voice, BUT... the instrumental arrangements almost puts me in mind of The Band or some other late 60's/early 70's country grit rock. Their earlier albums were more derivative of folk in many ways; this is a twangier direction, less black turtlenecks, more faded jeans. A few places there is almost a Gram Parsons/Flying Burrito Bros vibe. I'm gonna go listen to it right now!

I do not own the other. Should I? What do people who might like it also like?

Yay! Good. I have not listened to the Decemberists at all as of yet, so I look forward to giving the album a listen when I get a chance soon.

Then you have failed.

Didn't I just say that?

Epignosis wrote:It's their worst one.

If anything, I think their latest one is. I appreciate The King is Dead as the kind of "breather" they intentionally said they wanted [citation needed?], after both pushing themselves and forcing it with Hazards of Love. It is indeed overshadowed, uncharacteristic and mellow, but I also think most of the songs are actually damn nice. But this new one is now signaling they are either out of gas or unwilling to switch back from laidback songs to creative concept. One breather too many, if the latter.

Yeah, I haven't heard the latest one. I'm poor.

I boought a cheap cardboard flavoured Ministry box set and four replacemtnet heads for my electric toothbruhs.

Have you given them a spin yet?

I have k, they seem harder than the one i had butt maybe they start to soften as years pass. i only hope they don't wear out the enamel.

Not exactly a NEW album per se, but I did buy the third and first albums from Gorillaz(Gorillaz and Plastic Beach), since I already had Demon Days. I've enjoyed them greatly. Interesting how their sound changed from album to album

Gorillaz is more of a "we were just jamming with stuff and this is what happened"
Demon Days more of a "We wanted to make it REALLY weird"
Plastic Beach being kinda "We wanted the songs to be happier and have more of pop sound to them"

Also if you guys like chiptunes/electronica stuff give this a shot


This is basically the only place I've ever found this album. His music is super low profile. Desk is better known as somebody who breaks fighting games and finds ridiculous fucking tech and plasters it all over the FGC through youtube. The guy played a match of Third Strike against himself with one hand to an arcade stick each. Too bad he's bad under pressure and is only a lab monster. He doesnt fare well at tourneys. My favorite song out of that link though is 悪夢の中

I have not bought albums in a long time - though I am always searching for picture discs - the last one I got was Elvis - Heartbreak Hotel.

I just bought some songs by The Academic recently-- I enjoyed it I guess.

I've finally discovered Tool. Wow what a band.

I just bought their 2 most recent albums: Lateralus and 10,000 Days.

Metalmarsh89 wrote:I've finally discovered Tool. Wow what a band.

I just bought their 2 most recent albums: Lateralus and 10,000 Days.

Recent albums.

Has anyone heard the new Beach House yet?

MovingPictures07 wrote:

Metalmarsh89 wrote:I've finally discovered Tool. Wow what a band.

I just bought their 2 most recent albums: Lateralus and 10,000 Days.

Recent albums.

They are the 2 most recent albums from the band.

Though I guess there is rumor of a fifth.

Metalmarsh89 wrote:

MovingPictures07 wrote:

Metalmarsh89 wrote:I've finally discovered Tool. Wow what a band.

I just bought their 2 most recent albums: Lateralus and 10,000 Days.

Recent albums.

They are the 2 most recent albums from the band.

Though I guess there is rumor of a fifth.

Not denying that.

Recent albums.

Iron Maiden - Book of Souls: I'm a huge fan of Iron Maiden. For a band that's been around since the 70's, they did not disappoint with this release.

Muse - Drones: I can tell this one is good. Like the last Muse album, I didn't love it right away, but it grows on me with each listen.

Haken's new album Affinity just came out today, thus arriving in the mail since I preordered it.

I love it when new albums come out.

Metalmarsh89 wrote:Haken's new album Affinity just came out today, thus arriving in the mail since I preordered it.

I love it when new albums come out.

I haven't released anything in five years.

That's how long I've been teaching in NC.

Epignosis wrote:

Metalmarsh89 wrote:Haken's new album Affinity just came out today, thus arriving in the mail since I preordered it.

I love it when new albums come out.

I haven't released anything in five years.

That's how long I've been teaching in NC.

My understanding is that you're getting close right?

But close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Metalmarsh89 wrote:

Epignosis wrote:

Metalmarsh89 wrote:Haken's new album Affinity just came out today, thus arriving in the mail since I preordered it.

I love it when new albums come out.

I haven't released anything in five years.

That's how long I've been teaching in NC.

My understanding is that you're getting close right?

But close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

I feel like I've been "close" since October.

There's one section of one song that is causing me intense grief. I cannot stay in time for it. How lame is that? I've been playing music over half my life, and I'm having trouble keeping time for one section.

The New Nurse With Wound double album came in the mail today.

Somewhat disappointing.

Everyone stop gaming, Autechre have released a five-disc album.

Ricochet wrote:Everyone stop gaming, Autechre have released a five-disc album.

!!!!!!!!!!

MovingPictures07 wrote:

Ricochet wrote:Everyone stop gaming, Autechre have released a five-disc album.

!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, I may have to get that.

In other news, I just got Comus' First Utterance and it's as amazing as everyone always said it would be.

MovingPictures07 wrote:

Ricochet wrote:Everyone stop gaming, Autechre have released a five-disc album.

!!!!!!!!!!

Oh wait, I can't get it on physical media? Laaaaame.

I just got the new album from the reformed version of one of my favorite bands, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. After a long hiatus, they're back under the name Free Salamander Exhibit. I have to say, I'm fairly disappointed, though. The album feels much less experimental, much more straight ahead alt-metal. The Henry Cow and RIO influences are mostly gone. I think the loss of violinist Carla Khilstedt probably had a lot to do with this. It's a shame. I was really looking forward to this record.

I didn't buy them, but I got two new albums at Christmas:

Weezer's latest self-titled album (nicknamed the White album). I think I actually like it better than their previous album, which was hailed as a triumphant return to form. It's light and breezy for the most part and has a very consistent sound the whole way through. In other words, it sounds like an intentional album instead of a bunch of tracks slapped together to satisfy a contract.

I also got Explosions in the Sky's latest release, The Wilderness. I love the band and have all but one or two of their albums. This one branches out into new territory in production, arrangements, and textures. It features shorter tracks than previous releases too, which I think may work in their favor. They used to be what I describe as a band to listen to in the passenger seat of a car as beautiful country side rolls past. Either that or an ideal soundtrack to lay over old home movies. This new one steps up their game a little and I'm not sure how to best describe the music.

thellama73 wrote:I just got the new album from the reformed version of one of my favorite bands, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. After a long hiatus, they're back under the name Free Salamander Exhibit. I have to say, I'm fairly disappointed, though. The album feels much less experimental, much more straight ahead alt-metal. The Henry Cow and RIO influences are mostly gone. I think the loss of violinist Carla Khilstedt probably had a lot to do with this. It's a shame. I was really looking forward to this record.

I didn't know about this!! I'll give it a listen and let you know what I think.

G-Man wrote:I didn't buy them, but I got two new albums at Christmas:

Weezer's latest self-titled album (nicknamed the White album). I think I actually like it better than their previous album, which was hailed as a triumphant return to form. It's light and breezy for the most part and has a very consistent sound the whole way through. In other words, it sounds like an intentional album instead of a bunch of tracks slapped together to satisfy a contract.

I also got Explosions in the Sky's latest release, The Wilderness. I love the band and have all but one or two of their albums. This one branches out into new territory in production, arrangements, and textures. It features shorter tracks than previous releases too, which I think may work in their favor. They used to be what I describe as a band to listen to in the passenger seat of a car as beautiful country side rolls past. Either that or an ideal soundtrack to lay over old home movies. This new one steps up their game a little and I'm not sure how to best describe the music.

I'm an EitS fan too! Love their new one. Beautiful stuff.

MovingPictures07 wrote:

thellama73 wrote:I just got the new album from the reformed version of one of my favorite bands, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. After a long hiatus, they're back under the name Free Salamander Exhibit. I have to say, I'm fairly disappointed, though. The album feels much less experimental, much more straight ahead alt-metal. The Henry Cow and RIO influences are mostly gone. I think the loss of violinist Carla Khilstedt probably had a lot to do with this. It's a shame. I was really looking forward to this record.

I didn't know about this!! I'll give it a listen and let you know what I think.

I like it better on the second listen than the first, but it still doesn't measure up to Of Natural History. I'm increasingly annoyed by Dan Rathburn's predictable communist "work is bad" screeds that make it onto every album.

I like commie lyrics but the Free Salamander Exhibit album is just meh, I couldn't finish my first listening.

I've also gotten massively into Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in the last month (somehow I missed him until now). Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus is so good I can hardly even believe it.

thellama73 wrote:I've also gotten massively into Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in the last month (somehow I missed him until now). Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus is so good I can hardly even believe it.

I know right? I love Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

Since it was free I'm not sure about its "bought" status but RTJ3 is bangin

A Person wrote:Since it was free I'm not sure about its "bought" status but RTJ3 is bangin

Isn't it though? I love RTJ3. Might even be my new favorite from them, which says a lot.

The newest The xx

This CD of engine sounds

Vompatti wrote:This CD of engine sounds

I bet I would love that.