Danny Echo - Rock Bottoms Up (2010)

Danny Echo are back (in black), having dropped most of the Oasis influence in favor of AC/DC with some serious hair metal attitude. They sound like a band out to have a good time and ROCK in a way that seems almost anachronistic. You can practically hear them strut across the stage on "Right Place Right Time". While there are still plenty of bands making rock n' roll, Danny Echo sound more suited for the stadium than the garage. It's a fun album, packed with hooks and fist pumping sing-along choruses. In particular, I like the wiry guitar riffs and propulsive smash of rock drums on "Powder Your Nose" and the addition of horns on "Things I Never Had". The mix of snarl and sass on "Better You Than Me" reminds me of Mötley Crüe. They've also included "Tomorrow Today" from their self-titled debut, which still reminds me a of (What's The Story) Morning Glory? B-side. Here's the newly released video:

Danny Echo - Danny Echo (2009)

Vancouver's Danny Echo play rock and roll that reminds me of the days when Brit pop ruled my roommates stereos -- when bands on both sides of the Atlantic were looking back to the Rolling Stones and Faces for inspiration. In the Bay Area it was Brian Jonestown Massacre and Mover. "Killing Me" expertly lifts a handful of who-who-who's from "Sympathy for the Devil". At times the lead singer's voice sounds a lot like Liam Gallagher's, especially on big dramatic ballads like "Tomorrow Today", which could be a (What's The Story) Morning Glory? B-side. All of which isn't to call them derivative. The songs are catchy, melodic, and generally a good time. In addition to the above songs, I like testy "I Can't Take It Anymore" and the twangy "Natural Disaster".

Soundtrack of our Lives - Communion (2009)

24 songs is a lot of songs, but hey, TSOOL make some of the most consistently enjoyable retro psych garage rock and 2002's Behind The Music was awesome. With that many songs, there was bound to be a couple clunkers, but overall, it's another solid album in a genre I seem never to get tired of listening to. It's full of power chords, chanted choruses and, well, rocking out - or at least those are the songs I like best. If you hate Oasis or Ocean Colour Scene, this probably isn't for you. What the hell is up with that album art?

Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads

Off With Their Heads? More like Off With Their Ears!

If you’re looking to pad your collection with indistinguishable Brit rock, add Kaiser Chiefs. Their third release is perfect for fist-pumping frat boys in Hoboken bars who desire some semblance of indie cred but are too lazy to research something less generic and slightly under the radar. This would require thinking, but then again so does most subterranean rock worth listening to. Their interesting debut, Employment (2005), flirted with new wave and 70’s punk, but commercial success has made their sound mass produced for, well, mass appeal. Quite frankly, fuck marketability if it’s at the expense of losing that certain something that had initially put them on the map. Even producer Mark Ronson did little for this derivative music than give it a shiny, polished sound.

“Spanish Metal” is their “badass” intro. The vocals excited me since they were reminiscent of Alice In Chains’ lead singer Layne Staley (may he rest). Alas, the thrill wore off since I ended up turning on Jar Of Flies instead. With a catchy chorus and watered down Gallagher (see: Oasis) vocals, “Never Miss A Beat” is actually one of the more tolerable tracks. But if blatant un-originality tires you, this song will put you to sleep faster than Nyquil. Unworthy of mention are the uninspired songs “Can’t Say What I Mean” and “Good Days Bad Days,” boasting lyrics that are equal parts cliché and utterly annoying. The punchy guitar that introduces “Like It Too Much” is nothing but a Spoon “I Turn My Camera On” baseline knock-off, but not in a good way. Plus, I’m not even a Spoon fan! And “You Want History,” with wailing guitars and big background vocals, is a mélange of sounds from forgettable 80’s bands not even worth the lackadaisical mention.

Overall, this album is far from groundbreaking and misses the very beat they claim to “Never Miss.” Had they covered familiar territory from a unique vantage point maybe they could’ve developed more worthwhile lyrics, but no dice. Plus, the music has been done before... and better. Suffice it to say, I’ve seen fake Prada wallets sold by NYC street vendors with more style and originality than Kaiser Chiefs.