Sound Opinions Message Board

Wolfgang

Sep 14 2006, 04:51 PM

QUOTE(dano @ Sep 14 2006, 03:43 PM) [snapback]194269[/snapback]

QUOTE(Wolfgang @ Sep 14 2006, 09:18 AM) [snapback]193545[/snapback]

QUOTE(Inzane @ Sep 13 2006, 10:47 PM) [snapback]193402[/snapback]

Someone wanted CSS?

hxxp://www.yousexyit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=0D613C805C21D5F4&rcpt=Manticoreman11@aol.com

yeah, about a month ago.
kidding, thanks for this, but could you tell me the encryption password?

password is brmblog.

thanks

Nixon

Sep 14 2006, 05:19 PM

Here's the shitty transcode of the new Hold Steady that surfaced a few days ago. Beware: it's a shitty transcode.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/dovjg5

Threadkiller

Sep 14 2006, 06:35 PM

I doubt anyone really cares, but the new Fear Before the March of Flames album leaked. Its a departure for the band, who-- based on their previous album, at least-- seemed to be moving towards the musical likes of Converge. Instead, well...i'm not sure how to classify this album. It's not quite punk, but it does have punk elements. It's not quite metal, but there are some moments which suggest otherwise. I guess it is some kind of experimental/hardcore/metal/punk hybrid. Either way, its pretty good.

IPB Image

1. Absolute Future
2. Drowning the Old Hag
3. Mouth
4. Taking Cassandra to the End of the World Party
5. Ten Seconds in Los Angeles
6. The Waiting Makes Me Curious
7. Of Horses and Medicine
8. Dog Sized Bird
9. Complete and Utter Confusion...
10. As a Result of Signals Being Crossed
11. My (Fucking) Deer Hunter
12. Lycanthropy
13. A Brief Tutorial in Bachanalia
14. A Gift For Fiction
15. Absolute Past

CODE

http://www.sendspace.com/file/vb5rm8

Saskadelphia

Sep 14 2006, 06:49 PM

There are probably two or three other people who care, but the new Trivium leaked this afternoon.

solace

Sep 14 2006, 06:53 PM

QUOTE(Saskadelphia @ Sep 14 2006, 06:49 PM) [snapback]194384[/snapback]

There are probably two or three other people who care, but the new Trivium leaked this afternoon.

hah, shit

you shoulda asked. got a copy of that from RoadRunner a few weeks ago

zoltar

Sep 14 2006, 08:01 PM

Evanescence : The Open Door (256 VBR)

QUOTE

Track Listing:

01. Sweet Sacrifice
02. Call Me When You're Sober
03. Weight of the World
04. Lithium
05. Cloud Nine
06. Snow White Queen
07. Lacrymosa
08. Like You
09. Lose Control
10. The Only One
11. Your Star
12. All That I'm Living For
13. Good Enough

CODE

http://rapidshare.de/files/33152624/Evanescence_-_The_Open_Door.rar

All the Other Evanescence Albums:-

Evanescence - Anywhere But Home
Evanescence - Sound Asleep
Evanescence - Bring Me To Life
Evanescence - Evanescence
Evanescence - Fallen
Evanescence - Live In Cologne
Evanescence - My Immortal
Evanescence - Not For Your Ears
Evanescence - Origin
Evanescence - Ultra Rare Trax Volume 1

http://rapidshare.de/users/WIBNVP

pw: Feed Your Head

Alky 2009

Sep 14 2006, 08:44 PM

QUOTE(zoltar @ Sep 14 2006, 08:01 PM) [snapback]194409[/snapback]

Evanescence - Anywhere But Home
Evanescence - Sound Asleep
Evanescence - Bring Me To Life
Evanescence - Evanescence
Evanescence - Fallen
Evanescence - Live In Cologne
Evanescence - My Immortal
Evanescence - Not For Your Ears
Evanescence - Origin
Evanescence - Ultra Rare Trax Volume 1

The fuck? I'm assuming thats just an assload of singles and boots. This band is not that good people, come on.

Chex Mix Dancer

Sep 14 2006, 09:28 PM

QUOTE(AlkalineDrown @ Sep 14 2006, 08:44 PM) [snapback]194425[/snapback]

QUOTE(zoltar @ Sep 14 2006, 08:01 PM) [snapback]194409[/snapback]

Evanescence - Anywhere But Home
Evanescence - Sound Asleep
Evanescence - Bring Me To Life
Evanescence - Evanescence
Evanescence - Fallen
Evanescence - Live In Cologne
Evanescence - My Immortal
Evanescence - Not For Your Ears
Evanescence - Origin
Evanescence - Ultra Rare Trax Volume 1

The fuck? I'm assuming thats just an assload of singles and boots. This band is not that good people, come on.

Agreed. It's not even remotely worth listening to that band. My sister liked them when she was 11. Fuck, people, come on.

By the way, Alky, love the new avatar.

dano

Sep 14 2006, 09:30 PM

I prefer the Songs About Fucking version.

Chex Mix Dancer

Sep 14 2006, 09:35 PM

QUOTE(dano @ Sep 14 2006, 09:30 PM) [snapback]194445[/snapback]

I prefer the Songs About Fucking version.

Eh. In a way, that's too expected...

Oh, and, new Jeremy Enigk. It's pretty damn good.

hxxp://www.mega*pload.com/?d=BNL9655A

jasmine

Sep 15 2006, 10:20 AM

It's not a "leaked" album, but it is a 2006 release and since I never contribute anything, here's Mojave 3 - Puzzles Like You.

If it's already been put in the thread, sorry.

LOL Alzado

Sep 15 2006, 10:25 AM

odds on the new beck leaking?

Jordan

Sep 15 2006, 10:29 AM

it'll happen soon enough, half the songs are already out there

Hips

Sep 15 2006, 10:37 AM

QUOTE(LOL Alzado @ Sep 15 2006, 10:25 AM) [snapback]194746[/snapback]

odds on the new beck leaking?

QUOTE(Jordan @ Sep 15 2006, 10:29 AM) [snapback]194751[/snapback]

it'll happen soon enough, half the songs are already out there

and they aren't that hot to begin with.

this is a burn it at best for me.

i speak SO talk.

cock

Sep 15 2006, 10:39 AM

Any more new leaks i'm tired of hanging around lurking and gobbling up the free shit.

c'mon someone should at least get me beck served on a nice set of porcelain wear.

jeez.

yours,

le cock.

Sid Hartha

Sep 15 2006, 10:42 AM

QUOTE(zoltar @ Sep 14 2006, 08:01 PM) [snapback]194409[/snapback]

Evanescence : The Open Door (256 VBR)

IPB Image

Track Listing:

01. Sweet Sacrifice
02. Call Me When You're Sober
03. Weight of the World
04. Lithium
05. Cloud Nine
06. Snow White Queen
07. Lacrymosa
08. Like You
09. Lose Control
10. The Only One
11. Your Star
12. All That I'm Living For
13. Good Enough

A Nirvana and a Melvins cover on this? Cool beans!

cock

Sep 15 2006, 10:55 AM

QUOTE(Sid Hartha @ Sep 15 2006, 10:42 AM) [snapback]194775[/snapback]

QUOTE(zoltar @ Sep 14 2006, 08:01 PM) [snapback]194409[/snapback]

Evanescence : The Open Door (256 VBR)

IPB Image

Track Listing:

01. Sweet Sacrifice
02. Call Me When You're Sober
03. Weight of the World
04. Lithium
05. Cloud Nine
06. Snow White Queen
07. Lacrymosa
08. Like You
09. Lose Control
10. The Only One
11. Your Star
12. All That I'm Living For
13. Good Enough

A Nirvana and a Melvins cover on this? Cool beans!

edit: for the second time of doing.
Ever'chuffing'vesence? standards are slipping i may have to leech elsewhere mandingos..

They're almost as bad as this hearty lot, strumming there geetars and no one is listening...

IPB Image

Track Listings
1. Whipping Piccadilly
2. Best In Town
3. Catch Me Up
4. Pick Up The Pieces
5. Royalty
6. We Haven't Turned Around
7. Coltrane
8. Zyx
9. 78 Stone Wobble
10. Flight
11. Chickenbones
12. Blind
13. Old School Shirt
14. Sweet Virginia
15. Air Hostess Song
16. Ping One Down
17. Big Man
18. Old China (Previously Unreleased)
19. Rhythm & Blues Alibi
20. Silhouettes
21. Dire Tribe
22. Bring It On
23. Mississippi Bo Weevil Blues
24. Butterfly
25. Silence
26. Pussyfootin’
27. Step Inside
28. Shot Shot
29. Champagne For Monkeys
30. So
31. Tanglin'
32. Get Myself Arrested
33. Sound Of Sounds
34. M57
35. Pop Juice
36. Diskoloadout (Previously Unreleased)

i doubt its a leak but at least it keeps the wolves from the chicken shed.

The download link is: hpsauce://www.sendintospace.com/file/338pvb

le cock.

tweed

Sep 15 2006, 12:24 PM

QUOTE(Sid Hartha @ Sep 15 2006, 10:42 AM) [snapback]194775[/snapback]

A Nirvana and a Melvins cover on this? Cool beans!

Wolfgang

Sep 15 2006, 01:07 PM

QUOTE(Philoctetes @ Sep 14 2006, 06:35 PM) [snapback]194380[/snapback]

I doubt anyone really cares, but the new Fear Before the March of Flames album leaked.
IPB Image

i kinda care about this, thanks for posting it!

Saskadelphia

Sep 15 2006, 02:27 PM

Um, does anyone here have the new Xiu Xiu album? I sort of missed out on that one a while back.

Gbro

Sep 15 2006, 02:41 PM

QUOTE(Saskadelphia @ Sep 15 2006, 03:27 PM) [snapback]195047[/snapback]

Um, does anyone here have the new Xiu Xiu album? I sort of missed out on that one a while back.

Sask,

Not at home tonight, but I'll up it for you tomorrow if no one else gets to it before then.

LOL Alzado

Sep 15 2006, 03:02 PM

could someone please upload Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose

just kidding

Saskadelphia

Sep 15 2006, 03:39 PM

QUOTE(Gbro @ Sep 15 2006, 01:41 PM) [snapback]195079[/snapback]

Sask,

Not at home tonight, but I'll up it for you tomorrow if no one else gets to it before then.

Cheers!

Much appresiated.

Chex Mix Dancer

Sep 15 2006, 05:09 PM

Sask, i gotcha covered...

i'm a gigantic Xiu Xiu fan so i love to share the wealth.

hxxp://download.ewesendit.com/C51528E80FB97C10
Xiu Xiu - The Air Force

Saskadelphia

Sep 15 2006, 06:06 PM

QUOTE(new bedlam @ Sep 15 2006, 04:09 PM) [snapback]195279[/snapback]

i'm a gigantic Xiu Xiu fan so i love to share the wealth.

Many thanks. I'm a fan of the band, but have been so busy with other music, this release kind of passed me by. All the glowing reviews this week reminded me to get around to listening to it.

Inzane

Sep 15 2006, 07:51 PM

Spank Rock - YoYoYoYo

hxxp://www.sendspace.com/file/arce6j

Inzane

Sep 15 2006, 08:55 PM

New York Dolls - One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This

hxxp://www.megaupload.com/?d=PMEPBA47

Great CD. Underrated. Sure isn't old Dolls, but Johansen sounds better than ever, Steve Kaante (however you spell it, I like that spelling), while being too good a guitarist, is a good fill-in for Johnny Thunders. Some of the songs sound like David Johansen solo, but there are only.. 2 or 3 throwaway tracks on this album, in my opinion.

Chex Mix Dancer

Sep 16 2006, 12:00 AM

QUOTE(Saskadelphia @ Sep 15 2006, 06:06 PM) [snapback]195331[/snapback]

QUOTE(new bedlam @ Sep 15 2006, 04:09 PM) [snapback]195279[/snapback]

i'm a gigantic Xiu Xiu fan so i love to share the wealth.

Many thanks. I'm a fan of the band, but have been so busy with other music, this release kind of passed me by. All the glowing reviews this week reminded me to get around to listening to it.

Yeah, it's actually a really really good album. i'm seeing them next month and i am quite looking forward to it. The Air Force is easily their most accessible work since Fabulous Muscles, but at the same time it's also just a really good, unique work. Songs like "Bishop, CA" work really well, and the album varies from the incredibly fast ("Save Me") to the more subdued Jamie Stewert (P.J. in the Streets of London). What i like about it though is that on the softer songs you can actually hear the lyrics; one of the major problems i have with La Foret is precisely that; sure, the lyrics are great, but what's the point if you can't hear the damn words?

b*derty

Sep 16 2006, 12:12 AM

QUOTE(new bedlam @ Sep 15 2006, 05:09 PM) [snapback]195279[/snapback]

Sask, i gotcha covered...

i'm a gigantic Xiu Xiu fan so i love to share the wealth.

hxxp://download.ewesendit.com/C51528E80FB97C10
Xiu Xiu - The Air Force

i tried to up it earlier but right at like 90% something happened and i had to run to work so i couldn't do it again. this album is really great, its not as dark but still as dangerous as the other, and you have to love that she sings on this one

cdvaught

Sep 16 2006, 10:33 AM

Here is the Bonus Disc from "Ta Dah" Scissor Sisters

CODE

http://rapidshare.de/files/33319378/Scissor_Sisters-Ta-Dah-_Bonus_CD_-2006.rar

(pw iRis)

1. Hair Baby
2. Contact High (Demo)
3. Almost Sorry
4. Transistor
5. Making Ladies
6. I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ (Paper Faces Remix)

Inzane

Sep 16 2006, 12:24 PM

Can somebody up the Viva Voce album? Get Yr Blood Sucked Out.

kessler

Sep 16 2006, 01:23 PM

QUOTE(new bedlam @ Sep 14 2006, 09:28 PM) [snapback]194444[/snapback]

By the way, Alky, love the new avatar.

You know it's fake, right?

k

Inzane

Sep 16 2006, 01:25 PM

Bel Auburn - Lullabies in A & C

hxxp://www.sendspace.com/file/gch4al

An indie band. Great stuff. They actually offer the entire album free on their website..

castaña

Sep 16 2006, 05:31 PM

Jerry Lee Lewis - Last man standing

IPB Image

01. Rock 'n' Roll - Led Zeppelin song with Jimmy Page on guitar
02. Before The Night Is Over - With B.B. King on guitar
03. Pink Cadillac - duet with Bruce Springsteen
04. Evening Gown - Duet with Mick Jagger, Ron Wood on slide guitar
05. You Don't Have To Go - duet with Neil Young
06. Twilight - duet with Robbie Robertson
07. Travelin' Band - duet with John Fogerty
08. That Kind Of Fool - duet with Keith Richards
09. Sweet Little Sixteen - with Ringo Starr on drums and Ivan Neville on organ
10. Just A Bummin' Around - duet with Merle Haggard
11. Honky Tonk Women - duet with Kid Rock
12. What's Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made A Loser Out Of Me) - duet with Rod Stewart
13. Don't Be Ashamed Of Your Age - duet with George Jones
14. A Couple More Years - duet with Willie Nelson
15. Old Glory - duet with Toby Keith
16. Trouble In Mind - with Eric Clapton on guitar
17. I Saw Her Standing There - duet with Little Richard
18. Lost Highway - duet with Delaney Bramlett
19. Hadacohl Boogie - with Buddy Guy on guitar
20. That's What Makes An Irish Heart Sing - duet with Don Henley
21. The Pilgrim - duet with Kris Kristofferson

Inzane

Sep 16 2006, 06:17 PM

QUOTE(constanza @ Sep 16 2006, 03:31 PM) [snapback]195737[/snapback]

Jerry Lee Lewis - Last man standing

[img]
11. Honky Tonk Women - duet with Kid Rock

castaña

Sep 16 2006, 06:26 PM

QUOTE(Inzane @ Sep 17 2006, 01:17 AM) [snapback]195746[/snapback]

QUOTE(constanza @ Sep 16 2006, 03:31 PM) [snapback]195737[/snapback]

Jerry Lee Lewis - Last man standing

[img]
11. Honky Tonk Women - duet with Kid Rock

I respect Kid Rock. He's got a sexual life. I ain't.

Inzane

Sep 16 2006, 06:38 PM

Didn't he just marry Pam Anderson?

kingsleadhat

Sep 16 2006, 07:16 PM

QUOTE(constanza @ Sep 16 2006, 05:31 PM) [snapback]195737[/snapback]

Jerry Lee Lewis - Last man standing

Surprisingly, I've read nothing but great things about this. How is it?

Discomurf

Sep 16 2006, 09:31 PM

QUOTE(Inzane @ Sep 13 2006, 11:47 PM) [snapback]193402[/snapback]

Someone wanted CSS?

hxxp://www.yousexyit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=0D613C805C21D5F4&rcpt=Manticoreman11@aol.com

This record rules. Thanks for sharin'

Jordan

Sep 16 2006, 10:39 PM

QUOTE(Inzane @ Sep 16 2006, 07:17 PM) [snapback]195746[/snapback]

QUOTE(constanza @ Sep 16 2006, 03:31 PM) [snapback]195737[/snapback]

Jerry Lee Lewis - Last man standing

[img]
11. Honky Tonk Women - duet with Kid Rock

I was curious till I saw that

Weird Al leaked recently if anyone cares
and aparently I'm out of the loop but Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio's new band "Heavens" album leaked..in like..fuckin..july

Chex Mix Dancer

Sep 17 2006, 12:18 AM

QUOTE(kessler @ Sep 16 2006, 01:23 PM) [snapback]195668[/snapback]

QUOTE(new bedlam @ Sep 14 2006, 09:28 PM) [snapback]194444[/snapback]

By the way, Alky, love the new avatar.

You know it's fake, right?

Yes, i am fully aware that it is fake, and i was fully aware that it was fake when i made the comment. Doesn't change much. i would actually be kind of disappointed were it real; seeing Paris Hilton somehow endorsing, nay, acknowledging a NMH album would spoil a large chunk of the band's magic for me. Fuck yeah, it's fake.

Pavement Ist Rad

Sep 17 2006, 12:22 AM

I think this one is real, though:

IPB Image

Chex Mix Dancer

Sep 17 2006, 12:22 AM

Oh, naturally.

castaña

Sep 17 2006, 07:52 AM

The black crows - The lost crows

Password: N!MrOd

Track List: CD #1/2
----------------------------
01. Paint An 8 3:05
02. Another Roadside Tragedy 5:31
03. If It Ever Stops Raining 4:45
04. Wyoming And Me 4:15
05. Predictable 3:14
06. Never Forget This Song 3:43
07. Lifevest 3:19
08. Grinnin 3:16
09. My Heart's Killing Me 5:06
10. Peace Anyway 4:01

Track List: CD #2/2
----------------------------
01. A Conspiracy 4:39
02. Evil Eye 4:26
03. Cursed Diamond 5:45
04. P.25 London 3:33
05. Dirty Haired Halo 4:51
06. High Head Blues 4:20
07. Feathers 6:41
08. Nonfiction 4:13
09. Tied Up And Swallowed 4:19
10. Wiser Time 6:17
11. Sunday Night Buttermilk Waltz 2:30
12. Descending 5:25
13. Low Down 4:51
14. Tornado 2:41
15. Song Of The Flesh 3:44
16. Thunderstorm 654 4:03

thresholdofrevelation

Sep 17 2006, 08:05 AM

Could anyone do any good country or singer/songwriter stuff from this year? Nothing specific, I just haven't listened to much this year.

Bobzilla

Sep 17 2006, 09:42 AM

QUOTE(Inzane @ Sep 16 2006, 12:24 PM) [snapback]195651[/snapback]

Can somebody up the Viva Voce album? Get Yr Blood Sucked Out.

Here ya go:

CODE

http://www.sendspace.com/file/p425z0

Inzane

Sep 17 2006, 10:22 AM

QUOTE(Bobzilla @ Sep 17 2006, 07:42 AM) [snapback]195928[/snapback]

QUOTE(Inzane @ Sep 16 2006, 12:24 PM) [snapback]195651[/snapback]

Can somebody up the Viva Voce album? Get Yr Blood Sucked Out.

Here ya go:

CODE

http://www.sendspace.com/file/p425z0

Thanks so much. Anything I can get you?

Bobzilla

Sep 17 2006, 10:42 AM

QUOTE(Inzane @ Sep 17 2006, 10:22 AM) [snapback]195942[/snapback]

QUOTE(Bobzilla @ Sep 17 2006, 07:42 AM) [snapback]195928[/snapback]

QUOTE(Inzane @ Sep 16 2006, 12:24 PM) [snapback]195651[/snapback]

Can somebody up the Viva Voce album? Get Yr Blood Sucked Out.

Here ya go:

CODE

http://www.sendspace.com/file/p425z0

Thanks so much. Anything I can get you?

If you can find a digital copy of the Verlaines Bird-Dog and put it up here or somewhere, I'd be grateful. One of my favorite albums, long out of print, and my cassette copy has had it.

Otherwise, I'm pretty much wading in new music right now.

Dammit, the Viva Voce album is sounding much much better on second listen than on first. It's a good one.

dano

Sep 17 2006, 11:24 AM

Not really a leak since it's been out for a few months, but 2006 anyways:

As Fast As - Open Letter to the Damned

CODE

http://download.yousendit.com/0A6CBBF92178CFE2

Really good power pop/rock album that should have gotten more attention than it did. The only publication to catch on was AMG.

QUOTE

Spencer Albee, the singer/songwriter behind As Fast As, has been kicking around for about a decade now, first as a member of Rustic Overtones and then as the leader of Rocktopus, which adopted the name As Fast As a little while after their 2003 Something Fierce (a title which would, ironically enough, seem more appropriate in 2006, after Tyra Banks' grand mission to apply "fierce" to everything from walking to confronting a fear of dolphins). As Fast As isn't as wonderfully silly a name as Rocktopus; in fact, it veers just a little bit too close to generic, which is too bad, because their AFA debut Open Letter to the Damned isn't generic at all. It's a glorious rush of power pop sounds from Elvis Costello to Weezer, with a few throwbacks to such '60s touchstones as the Beatles or the Kinks. It's possible to hear all those bands and more on Open Letter to the Damned, since As Fast As draws deeply from the pop tradition and aren't ashamed of it. But listening to this album doesn't become a game of spot the influence -- sure, it's easy to hear melodies inspired by Squeeze, harmonies lifted from old Nick Lowe albums, or vocal phrasing that has Ben Folds as a forefather, but Albee is a sharp songwriter, fusing together his influences instead of merely regurgitating them. He winds up with 11 bright, bold, ceaselessly catchy tunes that are so colorfully melodic, they sound like forgotten favorites upon the first listen. If Albee's vocals can get a little too affected on occasion, as they do on the opening lines of "Wasted Youth," he quickly rights himself with his knack for effortlessly memorable melodies, not to mention the band's muscle -- and as good as the songs are, equal credit should go to the rest of As Fast As, who do not play these songs timidly. They are a rock band playing pop tunes, and the hooks dig in deeper because the group hits harder, which gives Open Letter to the Damned an appealing immediacy. Upon repeated spins, it's easier to appreciate the different textures and styles threaded throughout the album, from the nervy new wave of "Blame It on the Drugs" and the sugary Wall of Sound on "Special" to the slick '70s soft rock of "If I Only Knew" and the heavy, grinding riffs on "This Is Real." This combination of strong first impressions and lasting musical strengths is one that Albee hasn't quite pulled off in the past, but that doesn't matter because he and his band pull it off quite gloriously here on this addictive power pop gem, resulting in one of 2006's biggest and best surprises.

-AMG (****1/2)

Gbro

Sep 17 2006, 04:07 PM

QUOTE(dano @ Sep 17 2006, 12:24 PM) [snapback]195963[/snapback]

Not really a leak since it's been out for a few months, but 2006 anyways:

Really good power pop/rock album that should have gotten more attention than it did. The only publication to catch on was AMG.

QUOTE

Spencer Albee, the singer/songwriter behind As Fast As, has been kicking around for about a decade now, first as a member of Rustic Overtones and then as the leader of Rocktopus, which adopted the name As Fast As a little while after their 2003 Something Fierce (a title which would, ironically enough, seem more appropriate in 2006, after Tyra Banks' grand mission to apply "fierce" to everything from walking to confronting a fear of dolphins). As Fast As isn't as wonderfully silly a name as Rocktopus; in fact, it veers just a little bit too close to generic, which is too bad, because their AFA debut Open Letter to the Damned isn't generic at all. It's a glorious rush of power pop sounds from Elvis Costello to Weezer, with a few throwbacks to such '60s touchstones as the Beatles or the Kinks. It's possible to hear all those bands and more on Open Letter to the Damned, since As Fast As draws deeply from the pop tradition and aren't ashamed of it. But listening to this album doesn't become a game of spot the influence -- sure, it's easy to hear melodies inspired by Squeeze, harmonies lifted from old Nick Lowe albums, or vocal phrasing that has Ben Folds as a forefather, but Albee is a sharp songwriter, fusing together his influences instead of merely regurgitating them. He winds up with 11 bright, bold, ceaselessly catchy tunes that are so colorfully melodic, they sound like forgotten favorites upon the first listen. If Albee's vocals can get a little too affected on occasion, as they do on the opening lines of "Wasted Youth," he quickly rights himself with his knack for effortlessly memorable melodies, not to mention the band's muscle -- and as good as the songs are, equal credit should go to the rest of As Fast As, who do not play these songs timidly. They are a rock band playing pop tunes, and the hooks dig in deeper because the group hits harder, which gives Open Letter to the Damned an appealing immediacy. Upon repeated spins, it's easier to appreciate the different textures and styles threaded throughout the album, from the nervy new wave of "Blame It on the Drugs" and the sugary Wall of Sound on "Special" to the slick '70s soft rock of "If I Only Knew" and the heavy, grinding riffs on "This Is Real." This combination of strong first impressions and lasting musical strengths is one that Albee hasn't quite pulled off in the past, but that doesn't matter because he and his band pull it off quite gloriously here on this addictive power pop gem, resulting in one of 2006's biggest and best surprises.

-AMG (****1/2)

References to Nick Lowe get me every time. Dl'ing now and looking forward to hearing it. How did you find out about it?