Sorbos Guide To Laneway 2012

So last week I did a blog on the bands I want to see at Big Day Out and now Laneway festival have announced their lineup for 2012 and unsurprisingly its better than Big Day Outs. So here's who without listening to any of the bands I haven't heard on the bill (there's a few) who I'm going to check out.

Toro Y Moi
This years album Underneath The Pine is a great album, I believe the track Go With You has been on my list of top songs at some stage this year. It's a nice song and I hope it gets played with a bunch more from that album will be certainly fun to see what the indie pop artist is like live.
Album to check out: Underneath The Pine

Washed Out
I did a review of the new Washed Out album form this year (review here) its a very cool, chill album and so long as the sun is out this band will be great to sit around and check out.
Album to check out: Within and Without


Girls
The new album Father, Son, Holy Ghost is legit and with the announcement of them playing Laneway left me very excited to see them. Really can't wait to hear Vomit live, one of the best tracks from this year and the earlier releases from this band give them a strong catalogue for their set.
Album to check out: Father, Son, Holy Ghost

Yuck
This indie/alt rock band from America has really broken out with their debut self titled album. Shook Down is one of my top songs of this year and hope to hear it live. While Wall, Suck and others will surely go down a treat, a band not to be missed.
Album to check out: Yuck

Pains At Being Pure At Heart
The more I listen to their new album Belong, the more I dig it I album opener is by far my favourite and keeps some old 90's alternative vibes from the past. While moving into a dream pop band with this album it still is an impressive release.
Album to check out: Belong

Cults
A band that was review earlier this year from me and I really did enjoy it. I feel like this group could be one of the funnest bands of the day. My review talked about how fun their sound was and to me they are perfect for this festival.
Album to check out: Cults

The Horrors

I caught them at Big Day Out 2010 and most said they should've been on the Laneway bill, now they are and again I'll be checking them out. I really enjoyed seeing them last time and I love the new album Skying so this is probably the band I want to see the most.
Album to check out: Skying

Album Review: Future Islands - On The Water

On The Water is album number three for synth pop act Future Islands, I was a fan of this band after listening to the last release In Evening Air released about a year ago. Before I gave this album a listen I wanted to refresh myself with the band as I hadn't heard the album for quite some time. When listening it wasn't the band I remembered I liked it but I just couldn't figure out why I even liked it or why because of that album was I excited for On The Water.

The album starts with the album title track, the chimes in the back ground before the synth slowly builds and gets louder with the drums. I've always struggled to describe the vocals that Sam Herring produces because they just sounds a little different and unlike anyone I can think of off the top of my head. The opener is a laid back peaceful beginning something a bit more upbeat proceeds this in the track Before The Bridge I do enjoy the back ground synth on the track adding a bit of atmosphere to the track.

The Great Fire is a beautiful duet the backing is so sweet, the music is soft and adds really well to the track without going over what the vocalists are doing. The Tracks Open, Where I Found You and Give Us The Wind are all beautiful slower tracks that really are built on some nice synth giving the tracks some added atmosphere. While Close to None again bring s a bit more fun to the album the most upbeat synth pop track on the album.


The track Balance seems to also seems to go this route I wish more of the tracks were like this as they're much more interesting and fun then the slower stuff. The vocals on this and the rest of the album are quirky and beautiful making it an important part of the album. While not being my favourite thing on the album the slow songs are helped by some flowing atmosphere in the background.

The album is nice, but the more I listen to this album the more I feel let down by it all. It sounds great but song to song its a little bland at time and incredibly samey. With that being said of course I still dig this and many Future Islands fans will for sure its just not nearly as good as In Evening Air unfortunately.

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Worst Of 2011: The Third Quarter, Can I Push Stop Now?

With the good albums also comes the bad and in some cases the really bad and here's my top 10 worst to date.

1. Limp Bizkit - Gold Cobra
Seriously its hilarious how bad this thing is

2. Incubus - If Not Now, When?
It'll put you to sleep

3. Lupe Fiasco - Lasers
Probably should drop the "A"

4. Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You
Probably should have quit a while back

5. Devil Wears Prada - Dead Throne
They sound pretty tough

6. The Rapture - In The Grace Of Your Love
I don't like Temper Trap

7. Blink 182 - Neighborhoods
Remember us!?!?...oh come on you must surely?

8. In Flames - Sounds Of A Playground Fading
Its the same as the last...two

9. Jay Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne
Hey I don't think you guys know but I think they love themselves

10. Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
Wasting my time

Album Review: Zola Jesus - Conatus

Conatus is the third full length release from American singer/songwriter Zola Jesus. Now I've been a fan of her stuff for about a year, I first got a taste of what she had to offer on the EP Valusia which was amazing, I was immediately drawn to her voice and what intrigued me further was the strong electronic influence. Since then I checked out Stridulum EP which I also enjoyed, not as much as Valusia but it definitely increased my enjoyment for this artist.

The album starts with the intro track Swords, which is pretty much a nice little electronic number with Zola's voice quietly in the background. Once this is over in starts the real album with the track titled Avalanche, this song is quite dark in atmosphere and Zola keeps with her usual soaring style of vocals, there's still a fair amount of experimenting electronically and the beat for the most part is pretty solid. The darkish atmosphere of this album seems to continue on the track Vessel, the drums are far more pronounced as the tempo builds just that little bit more.

Hikikomori shows a lot of keyboard/synth, before the drums come in, the key board again lends to the dark feel of this album. The darkness isn't that obvious but I definitely think its there, taking a fairly back seat to the drums and added electronics. The song is at the same time a little dreamy, the songs patience as it flows along adds another dimension to what she is going with. When I first heard her sing I was reminded of Florence Welsh just a little bit, Zola is similar in probably her high and nothing else. The music is certainly different and her voice lacks the charisma that Florence's has.

The more I listen to this album the more I see it as an electronic album firstly, there's times where its more of an electro pop album as seen on the track Seekir which is definitely the most fun poppy moment on the album. I feel like any emotion is very subtle and sometimes it took me multiple listens of the album to really realise what it was. The track Lick The Palm Of The Burning Handshake to me is probably the saddest song on this album, Zola's voice certainly suits emotional music but thankfully she doesn't over do this on the album.

I really am a fan of Zola Jesus and most of her songs are really nice, her voice of course is stunning, unfortunately with this album I not really sure I dig this as much as I would like. The songs are great, beautiful in fact the problem is the electronics are lacking at times which was one of my favourite parts. This combined with Zola never really changing it up vocally makes her vocals get a little boring after a while, this might be why I loved the shorter burst of tracks on the EP's particularly.

With everything said this is still a cool album, not perfect but the basis of a great album. The vocal range is superb and when the more experimental electronic bits are in play the tracks can be really interesting and fun to listen to.

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

In Carter WeTrust...Wait No Slade We...Seriously? Wednesday Sorbo Sports

I always had only two things I'm consistently interested in, music and sports so after last week when I did three days of sports blog posts I decided on one thing. Maybe I'll try implement Wednesdays as sport and four days of music, I dunno I guess we'll see how this plays out.


Dan Carter Goooooooooooooooooooooone
Dan Carter is gone from the world cup, but don't fear everyone we have COLIN SLADE at the helm now. I don't expect him to be anything like Carter but if he can play confidently and steer what is a quality backline round then we will still win it. If not then Weepu will do it.

The All Blacks
Will still win the world cup


Minnesota Vikings
Losing to Kansas City!?!? hitting new lows, seriously bring in Ponder and tell McNabb he might as well retire.

Auckland Warriors
Unlucky, Auckland mourns, I saw my favourite vocalist perform instead of watching and it was beautiful

Buffalo Bills
I said last week you were fo real and then you lose to a rookie quarterback that isn't Cam Newton WTF I had you guys in my multi bet and out of ten picks were the only one I got wrong.

Fantasy Football
back to .500 even if I had Vick 20+ points and Beanie Wells 30 points on my bench, they'll get a start this week.

New York Yankee
Are going to be eliminated tonight, Forza Detroit

Quarter Final Picks
Wales
South Africa
England
New Zealand
Don't put money on it, I'm not

Hyundai A League
Begins this weekend!!!! with the Phoenix so far behind in terms of sorting their squad it could be tough early on, but the basis of a side that made the playoff is still there.

My Picks For This Weeks Games
Sidnee v Melbin - draw
Gold Coast v Nix - nix
Heart v Jets - Heart ($20 says they will)
Grand final rematch - CCM
Perf v Adelaide - Adelaide to walk it

Faux John Madden
Still the greatest thing on twitter

FauxJohnMaddenThe iPhone 4S will have a feature known as "Tony Romo" where the phone has no rings and shuts down without warning.

FauxJohnMadden Chad Henne may miss season with shoulder injury. And just like that the Dolphins are back in the playoff picture

FauxJohnMadden Right now the only thing lower than Mark Sanchez's QB rating tonight is the age of women he dates.

Sorbos Guide To Big Day Out 2012 The First Announcement

Big Day Out made its first announcement for it's 2012 lineup, I personally like the bands chosen there's some I've blogged about and even some that have made my not at all prestigious top 25 lists. So Here is my guide to who I think you should check out,


Best Coast

This surf pop three piece from America were the first officially announced band and I definitely didn't see it coming. They will be great in the sun (it better be sunny) will be one of the great BDO moments.
Album to check out: Crazy For You (they only have one album)

Odd Future

Now regular readers will know I have some Odd Future love, Tyler, The Creator leader of this rap group has the best song made this year in Yonkers. The show these guys do is crazy and I'm expecting more of the same.
Album to check out: Either Bastard or Goblin (both Tyler creations)

Battles

Gloss Drop the 2nd album from Battles has consistently been on my top 25 list since it dropped and there's a reason for that, its great. plenty of fun tracks on this particularly Ice Cream which has a very "interesting" intro to the song, a must see act at BDO fo so.
Album to check out: Gloss Drop

Girl Talk

Greg Gillis is back and I'm pretty happy he is, sure he was at BDO in 2010 but I didn't get the chance to check him out so this time I'm hoping I'll get the chance. Will definitely be a fun time in the boiler room with this guys mashups being fuckin great.
Album to check out: Night Ripper

David Dallas

One of the New Zealand acts announced and this was one I pleased to see, I had the chance to see David  Dallas and he really was great. He definitely has the talent there's no denying that and with the release (for free) of his new album The Rose Tint he has the material to back it up.
Album to check out: The Rose Tint

Cut Off Your Hands

It was recently I saw these guy and the show was very fun, they started the set from the new album Hollow which I reviewed and quite enjoyed. They finished the set with the hits off You and I. Their set will definitely be fun with the energy they produce on stage.
Album to check out: Hollow

Unknown Mortal Orchestra

This band is still pretty fresh and while technically not an NZ band, I guess they'll still be considered one. This indie pop band is the new project by former Mint Chicks singer Ruban Neilson and with an EP and debut album released the band is building a following.
Album to check out: Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Kasabian

I'm pretty surprised this band grabbed the third headline spot on the bill, I mean this rock band from Leicester had some pretty big crowds at BDO 2010 but still. They have recently released their fourth album which I thought was decent, but if  do catch them I hope they play stuff from all of their discography.
Album to check out: Velociraptor

Soundgarden

Before this goes anywhere I guess I called it (well in advance might I add). Its great that those who were too young to catch these guys back in the day are back. So many classic songs and after catching Cornell's solo show, his voice is still capable of doing it.
Album to check out: Superunknown

Kanye West

FUKK DA HATERZ this will be great if he goes even close to the show he did at Coachella then we're in for a real treat, if he plays a lot of his earlier stuff and nothing from Watch The Throne then it'll be great. So hes a dick person, who cares a lot of his music is great and that's all I care about.
Album to check out: Late Registration

Top 25 Albums Of 2011, The Third Quarter...When Lebron Can Still Play

 So it only makes sense that I release the top albums for me so far, its starting to get harder to make decisions just because albums don't always have staying power.

1. Nicolas Jaar - Space Is Only Noise
I'm still surprised I haven't gotten bored by this album, everytime I turn it on it continues to intrigue me further.

2. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
After their EP and self titled release I didn't think this band could top what they had already made and then this was released. It takes what they've already done to another level and is seriously a folk masterpiece for me anyway.

3. Mastodon - The Hunter
I only recently reviewed this, its still fresh in my mind the riffs, the epic moments vocally and explosive drumming. Pretty good for an album that isn't my favourite from them.

4. Bright Eyes - Peoples Key
I've never been much of a Bright Eyes fan over the years but for some reason this album has seemed to click with me, some really fun tracks on an overall cool album.

5. Wilco - The Whole Love
This is seriously the best Wilco album since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, love the electronic bits, Tweedy kills it vocally so so sweet.

6. Radiohead - The King Of Limbs
Its Radiohead and cool electronics, nuff said

7. Black Lips - Arabia Mountain
The Psychedelic rock in this is great, the energy in this is great, the songs are great this album grew on me pretty fast and I'll throw this album on a few times a week, there's not one bad song on the album.

8. Tim Hecker - Ravedeath, 1972
This album is another one that must be listened to as a whole, the atmosphere on this in amazing, the chill surrounding this is also cool, very much something you must focus on to pick up all the little pieces.

9. The Horrors - Skying
This is more mature Horrors album, more going on electronically and more patience showing wise. Don't expect them to return to Strange House.

10. Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost
This album is sad and sweet such emotional lyrics and the music behind it finds a way to bring it all together.

The rest

11. The Kills - Blood Pressures
12. Cut Copy - Zonoscope
13. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
14. Yuck - Yuck
15. TV Ghost - MASS Dream
16. ...And You Will Know Us From The Trail Of The Dead - Tao Dead
17. Fergue & Geronimo - Unlearn
18. Septic Flesh - The Great MASS
19. Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math
20. Fucked Up - David Comes To Life
21. Toro Y Moi - Underneath The Pine
22. TV On The Radio - Nine Types Of Light
23. Okkervil River - I Am Very Far
24. Today Is The Day - Pain Is A Warning
25. Wooden Shjips - West