Album Review: Timber Timbre- Hot Dreams

        Timber Timbre have released four studio albums before the release of Hot Dreams. The first two albums from this Canadian group, Cedar Shakes and Medicinals, are deep into the sound of very lo-fi folk/ americana music. Their self-titled 2009 album saw a drastic change in tone and overall sound. The first two albums felt like a sad man sitting around the campfire singing songs of woe on his 35 year old guitar. The 2009 release felt like a ghost whispering to you in a church. With a new found love for reverb and cinematic scale, Timber Timbre jumped into a sound that felt much more like what they wanted to produce. And if that album wasn't creepy enough, in 2011 Timber Timbre released Creep On Creepin' On. It's very rare for an album's title to match the feel and mood of the record as well as this one does. With an even bigger scale then Timber Timbre and a new found sexiness to the music, during 2011 this was one of my favorite records of the year, and since then, I've only come to enjoy the album more and more with every listen.
        The 5th studio album from Timber Timbre lives up to the hype I've surrounded it in. And like Creep On Creepin' On, Hot Dreams' music and tone lives up to the name. Hot Dreams signifies for Timber Timbre a settling in with a sound. Now when I say this, I don't mean it as a bad thing. The first four records from Timber Timbre all felt like different bands were making them, even with Taylor Kirk's brooding voice front and center in all of them. From Creep On Creepin' On to Hot Dreams feels like the most natural transition from the band to date. When listening to Hot Dreams I feel like I'm listening to the band that created Creep On Creepin' On, and with this record, Timber Timbre has evolved from the weird creepy man in the shadows to the band very much like in the music video for "Hot Dreams", Timber Timbre on this record feel like those guys that play smooth music in the strip club.
        From the first moments of Hot Dreams, the one word to describe the feeling is cinematic. I feel like I'm listening to the soundtrack for an 1970's horror b-movie, equal parts terror and sex. Timber Timbre have used their continually evolving love towards reverb and big sound to create A record that, even in a year of an onslaught of great releases, that will stand with the best. I highly enjoy the ever so slightly (and I do mean "ever so slightly") lighter sound with the new addition of sexiness and smoothness to the music. I also enjoy small return of an influence from folk/ americana. The evolution of Timber Timbre's sound has me listening to this record, and again, very much like after there last release, wanting to hear the next album right now. Although, that does not mean that this is a record without it's flaws. The songs on this record keep me involved for the majority, but there are points on this record where the lyricism is not as strong as Timber Timbre usually writes. Songs like "Grand Canyon" (even though I like the return to the folk/americana roots) and "Low Commotion" can for me at least begin to feel somewhat lyrically lacking. Now that being said, I enjoy both these tracks very much, and I wouldn't cut them from the record. I just feel that these songs sometimes lose my interest for little bits at a time.
        Overall, I loved Hot Dreams, The continuation of their creepy sound with a new sexy flare. Although this new flare was probably my favorite thing about this album, in the end it also weirdly is my least favorite part of the record. Creep On Creepin' On was a record that was completely about the terror and creepiness of the music, and it kept me intrigued from the first second to the last. Although, this new flare makes songs like "Hot Dreams" a contender for song of the year, I keep wanting to return to Creep On Creepin' On. Maybe this is just me being a mega fanboy of their last record. Nevertheless, I love this new record. It currently sits with my favorite of the year so far. And my biggest hope for Timber Timbre is that after four great, heavily under appreciated albums, this album will make it's way into the ears of many people, and that it gets the acclaim that not only this record, but the band deserves.

8.75/10      

Peaces, Godspeed, and Stay Golden

  -Evan

Swans- The Seer Album Review

Good day squeezelets, Im back with another album review. This time it's the review of The Seer by the post-punk/post-rock legends Swans. If you have not heard this album yet, go listen to it immediately. Their is currently no better way to spend 2 hours. 10/10

Peaces, godspeed, and stay golden.
-Evan

Frank Ocean- Channel Orange Album Review

Hello Squeezelets, here is my first review in a while. Hope you enjoy!
Peaces and Godspeed to you all.

-Evan

Nas - The Don (Single) Review

The Odd Future Tape Vol. 2 Review

Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (also known as Odd Future or OF) is a rap group based out of LA. Established in 2007 by producer/rapper Tyler, The Creator, the group consists of rappers Mike G, Earl Sweatshirt, Domo Genesis and Hodgy Beats as well as producers Left Brain, Syd tha Kyd, and Matt Martians and singer Frankie Ocean. Other members include Jasper The Motherfucking Dolphin (Jasper Dolphin), L-boy, and Taco. The Odd Future Tape Vol. 2 is their fourth release under the label Odd Future Records.


For this album, I felt that they should have spent more time on each individual track writing more lyrical rhymes and producing higher quality beats like in Oldie, and less time trying to make a super long (18 track, 1h3m) album. OF also seemed to have a hard time finding a unique style and sticking with it. Styles ranged from R&B (Analog 2) to hardcore underground (crunk?) shit (50). The majority of the tracks seemed underproduced and cluttered, much different than the dope style of past tracks like Yonkers. Two key tracks were Oldie and White. Oldie had a fresh and beautifly simple beat as well as very solid raps from Earl and Tyler and a clever verse from Jasper Dolphin. White featured crisp vocals and thoughtful lyrics from Frank Ocean over top of an elegant chord progression played on a Fender Rhodes.


Overall, I listened to this album with hopes of hearing dope beats and witty lyrics. I guess I overestimated OF a little because I was disappointed with the lack of effort on many levels throughout the album.


4/10

Kiran Leonard- Bowler Hat Soup Album Review

  To start off this album was my first introduction to Kiran Leonard. I had heard the name but had never listened to the music until a few weeks ago while searching on bandcamp for new music I stumbled upon an album that had cover art that I just couldn't ignore. Then I started to listen and started to fall in love with Kiran Leonard's style. This album utilizes an indie rock sound that is just plain old fun to listen to. To start out with the pros of this album I would like to say I love the voice of Kiran Leonard, his voice fits the instrumentals he is given on every track. Another thing that I enjoyed on this album was the use of Kiran's influences in music. For example on the the tracks Port- Ainé he uses the same keyboard sounds that Daniel Johnston used on many of his more famous tracks. In fact when listening to Port- Ainé I had to quickly check my screen to make sure that I wasn't listening to Big Business Monkey. But moving on I like his use of these influences but also maybe he could try to maybe break away from such obvious influences. Going back to the rest of the album another thing I like Is the catchiness of this album. It seems that every now and then I find myself humming or singing he tracks. Overall I'm really liking this album, but haven't really found myself loving it. It is a catchy and fun album to listen to, but albums like that tend to fade away for me after awhile. 7.5/10

-Evan

Perfume Genius- Put Your Back In 2 It Album Review

Finally Back with another review. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Peaces.
  Evan.

Sharon Van Etten- Tramp Album Review

What is up people of the internet, this video has been up on youtube for a day or so but now i'm finally placing it on the blog. Not a whole lot left to say. Peaces.

-Evan

Air- Le Voyage Dans La Lune Album Review

Finally a new review for you guys. Also be on the look out for my Sharon Van Etten- Tramp review.
but for now enjoy the review and look at the album art from Air's new LP.

Peaces.

-Evan

Deadmau5 at Play Vol. 1 REVIEW

Yo, this is Carl the Chronical of Monocle here to hit wit a track by track review of Vol. 1 of Deadmau5 at Play. 

Track 1 (Vanishing Point) - This track is very typical of Mau5's style, good build at the beginning, and a solid production overall. The bass is heavily synthesized with good KORG style melodies over the top. Overall 6.5/10

Track 2 (Sex Lies Audiotape) - SEX. LIES. AUDIOTAPE. Ugh. The hook is ridiculous in a bad way, the song is repetitive even for techno, and it never really moves (no drops, filters etc.) 3/10

Track 3 (Cocktail Queen) - This song is an atrocious mix of one-note bass, a whiny hook from Melleefresh that makes my brain quiver with horror, and kids club rave quality. If you're going to listen to this song, start listening at 3:30 and pop a pill for good measure. 3.5/10

Track 4 (Faxing Berlin) - The drum kit he uses is uniquely influenced with lots of cowbell. This reminds me of the Deadmau5 we all know and love (Some Chords anyone?). Give this one a listen. 8.5/10

Track 5 (Hey Baby - Adam K Dirty Remix) - Shoot me now. 0.5/10

Track 6 (Turning Point) - This is a collection of obscure techno sounds gathered together into one big melting pot named Turning Point. 3/10

Track 7 (This is the Hook) - Oh no...  NOT ANOTHER ONE.... :'(    2.5/10

Track 8 (1981) - Funky. That is all.  7/10

Track 9 (Dr. Funkenstein) - Besides the fact that it sounds like the computer is saying Dr. Fuckinstein, not bad. 6/10

Track 10 (Afterhours) - What a lame ending. 4/10

Overall not a huge fan of the album, averages in at 4.5/10

Leonard Cohen- Old Ideas Album Review

Hello peoples, I am deeply sorry about not getting any thing up in the past couple of days. But here is a review for you guys. You all know who Leonard Cohen is and for the people watching probably know that this album was coming out and also was one of my most anticipated of this year. I love Leonard and this album certainly didn't disappoint.  8.5/10

-Evan

Gonjasufi- MU.ZZ.LE Album Review

"Holy Crap! Two different album reviews posted on the blog in one day what could be better?" says The Random Squeeze's hugest fan at the finding of yet another album review posted on The Random Squeeze. "Well mr. fan, what could be better is a link to Gonjasufi- MU.ZZ.LE here: http://www.thefader.com/2012/01/19/stream-gonjasufis-album-mu-zz-le/".

Then the eager fan said "man only if only Evan had a youtube channel". Well I do, Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/user/facesplosion.

Herman Dune- Tell Me Something I Don't Know EP Review

If You want to know what I think of this EP, you should check out the video above.

check out my youtube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/facesplosion

of Montreal- Paralytic Stalks Album Review

Was up guys, watch the video above to see my thoughts on the new of Montreal LP.

-Evan



I know I was supposed to do a written review but I was very unimpressed my this album and I really don't feel like repeating virtually everything Evan already said. Sorry.  3/10

-Carl

Alexander Spit - These Long Strange Nights Review

Hi Guys! Carl here reviewing a new mixtape that just dropped.

San Francisco born rapper Alexander Spit's new mixtape (~45 min.) is filled with smooth, clever rhymes that glide effortlessly over silky, suggestive, jazzy, dark, complex beats. A lot of these songs made my ears feel like they were having an expensive spa treatment. I really, really enjoyed the first three tracks for this reason. They really had a unique, unusual sound unlike anything I had ever heard. However tracks 4 and 5 were a disappointing mess. They were very cluttered sounding and reminded me of a two year old banging on pots and pans pretending to be a drummer. Luckily, the album made a quick turnaround with the track Six Days Remix, which had a very eerie sample that reminded me of 1970's psychedelic rock mixed with Beach Boys, blended together seamlessly to resemble something you would hear on an album like Plastic Beach. After that track, it was just one song after another of one of the best hip-hop mixtapes I have ever listened to . I do however wish that Spit had used the phenomenal beat at the beginning of Shawn Kemp throughout the whole track. All that aside, this is truly a magical mixtape. I would try to pick out my favorite tracks but I'm too impressed with the mixtape as a whole to even try. Just go listen to the whole damn thing. This mixtape gives me hope that there's still real hip-hop out there. It tells me that change IS good.

8.5/10

Cloud Nothings- Attack On Memory Album Review

Cloud Nothings review, in my opinion it's nothing that special, well, you can just watch the review and take a look at this wonderfully, purposely fuzzy album art to go along with the new sound.

-Evan

The Act of Estimating as Worthless Album Review

To start out the band i'm reviewing today is a folk band from New York, with a band name that's as beautiful as the music sounds. The Act of Estimating as Worthless has just released there debut album, Amongst These Splintered Minds/ Leaden Thoughts Sing Softly. This album is just under the 40 minute mark and for those nearly 40 minutes I am happy to say that I was sucked into the world of this album. This is a folk album that takes great success in using simple vocals and instrumentals. My favorite part of this album for me was the instrumentals. The guitars set the mood for each of these love inspired songs and the Neutral Milk Hotel sounding trumpets and the beautiful violins pulled everything together as far as the sound of this album. When I first dove into this album the one thing that bothered me was the Moldy Peaches style vocals. After a few more listens through the album the sometimes off pitch harmony grew to be just yet another thing I liked about this album. Through the voices of Zoe Grant and Matthew Van Asselt come out beautiful love lyrics that in some points on this LP can get quite creepy. I would recommend this to most everybody, especially if you're in love with such bands as The Moldy Peaches, Neutral Milk Hotel or The Microphones. I'm really excited that something this good could come out this early this year and I'm excited for whatever this band decides to do next. I'm going to give this a 9/10 as the first Freshly Squeezed music (that will be the Random Squeeze's favorites) of this year and ever.

check their bandcamp to see if you liked it as much as I did: http://theactofestimatingasworthless.bandcamp.com/

-Evan