Hammock - Asleep In the Downlights

Ever since I heard Kenotic I've been in love with Hammock. With every release the band solidifies themselves as one of the best musical acts going. The bands latest ep features 2 new songs plus two "remixed" versions of Chasing After Shadows b-sides. Asleep in the Downlights features the vocals of Steve Kilbey and Tim Powles from The Church. The new Hammock songs feature the vocals of Andrew Thompson and Marc Byrd.

4 songs, 4 different voices singing. The music is beautiful as it always is when it comes from Hammock. Asleep in the Downlights is another beautiful addition to the already brilliant career that has been Hammocks.

Free Music Friday: Jars of Clay - Gather and Build

It's not really a secret that I like Jars of Clay. Ever since their self-titled debut, I've always enjoyed what Jars of Clay was playing and their growth in sound has been perfect over the years (although it took a long while I get If I Left the Zoo).

The band is now offering a collection of songs called Gather and Build as a free download on Noisetrade. You can download Gather and Build for free here: http://www.noisetrade.com/jarsofclay

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

M83 has always been a band that's been able to successfully change their sound and introduce new ideas. Anthony Gonzalez has taken M83 from an unknown electronic band to indie/shoegaze superstars. Each albums growth has been perfect, winning more fans and gaining well deserved popularity. So a double album isn't really a stretch for an artist who is always pushing themselves.

Hurry Up, We're Dreaming almost feels like a step backwards. It seems like a lot of the great shoegaze elements from Saturday = Youth are missing. Instead Hurry Up, We're Dreaming plays like an extended version of Before the Dawn Heals Us without any great songs. A lot of solid songs but nothing that sticks out. There's no Kim and Jesse, no Teen Angst, no Don't Save Us From the Flames. The album's first single, Midnight City, has a nice synth lead line but the hock falls short of ever being really catchy or memorable (although the Kenny G sax at the of the track is a nice touch). Hurry Up, We're Dreaming does continue to push musical elements, as the overall sound pushes the 80's/disco line even further then M83 has gone before.

The biggest problem is that there is so much music that the most solid songs get lost in the shuffle of these one minute musical interludes and songs that are ok but maybe should have been a b-side. I'm convinced that there's a good album in this two disc set but it's not my job to go through and put together the best tracks to make a better album.

Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is a moment where Anthony Gonzalez's brilliance has gotten the better of him. Had he taken the best songs and given us one record, it probably would have played a lot smoother.

Close Your Eyes - Empty Hands and Heavy Hearts

Close Your Eyes is a band that makes my heart happy. Hardcore/punk fusion done well. I love it. I discovered We Will Overcome way too late but boy was I glad when I did. Positive punk infused hardcore has always been a favorite of mine and Close Your Eyes might be doing it better then anyone else right now.

Empty Hands and Heavy Hearts not only picks up where We Will Overcome left off but is a sign of major improvement and maturity. The songs are stronger, the hooks more memorable, the subtly variety more explored.

Hope Slips, Erie, Injustice, Keep the Lights On are all tracks that are great hardcore songs similar to old school Stretch Arm Strong and Comeback Kid, while songs like Empty Hands, Valleys, and Paper Thin all explore either more punk sounds or a more melodic sound that keeps each track fresh.

Close Your Eyes really upped their game and have delivered a great record. Close Your Eyes is proving themselves to be one of the best bands in the hardcore scene. Great songs, positive lyrics, all around good vibes.

Immortal Souls - IV: The Requiem for the Art of Death

Immortal Souls is European metal through and through. That ridiculous dark death metal imagery that's almost always over the top but the music never matches the dark tones of the song titles and are... Fun seems like the wrong word but in the realm of death metal Immortal Souls has an element of fun in their music.

IV: The Requiem for the Art of Death is the band's latest album and in my opinion their best album to date. It's their most consistent sounding album for sure. In a day and age when the Christian metal scene is dominated by metalcore and deathcore, Immortal Souls, while nothing new, a still a fresh sound amidst a sea of similarity.

The best moments on the album are the more melodic moments. Songs like I Wept, Absolution, Last Day on Earth carry enough change that it keeps IV from ever getting stale or boring. Evil Believer, Nuclear Winter, and Reek of the Rotting Eye all are heavy hitters, so no worries about it being a strictly melodic death metal record.

Immortal Souls delivers a solid record and the best album of their career.

The Meltdown 52

New music from Close Your Eyes, Deas Vail, Holding Onto to Hope, and The Violet Burning

Deas Vail - Deas Vail

It took a long time for Birds and Cages to grow on me. I instantly liked Excuses but the whole album just didn't hit me.

The band's self-titled new album on the other hand was an album I instantly connected with. With beautiful songs and catchy melodies, Deas Vail have created a great indie pop record. The album's first single, Sixteen, is a perfect example of the pop perfection on this album and the song is a showcase of how much Deas Vail has improved. Tracks like Quiet Like Sirens, Towers, Pulling Down the Sun all have a slightly quirky indie feel that keeps the album from becoming a stale pop record while Summer Forgets Me, Bad, and The Right Mistakes keep a light poppy feel.

Deas Vail have matured and delivered a fantastic pop record that shouldn't be missed.