#15 Who's Better, Green Day or Green Day?

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I have very broad tastes in music, and as a result, I have a lot of friends who have to bare with me as I drown on about bands they neither understand or could care less about. The above comic is what I'd like to think would happen if I really pressed it, and tried to draw a friend into a conversation about a band they really hate. I love Green Day, but I've met very few people who feel the same as I do.

Green Day has gone through a lot of changes in their career but have been able to maintain a consistent following despite their multiple metamorphosises. I think this speaks ultimately to their credibility as artists. From simple beginning, as one of hundreds of faceless cali-pop punk bands to Alt-Rock behemoth, they’ve shown themselves time and time again to be a talented and innovative group that will continue to shift their artistic focus to reach new heights and smash expectations… All praise aside though, I was little disappointed with American Idiot. I don't know if I'd enjoy another Rock Opera by them, and I'm not sure that medium exactly fits they're particular style. I wish they would have continued the Alt. Folk rock thing they had going on Warning, but alas, they had other callings. *le Sigh* One can always dream for a Warning II.

No review this week, but I’ll be sure to have one up next Thursday. Have a good weekend!

#14 Pick Your Poison

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Some people like Time Again... I'm not one of them. I'm afraid I just don't understand they're appeal. If I was in the mood for something like Time Again I'd listen to Rancid. Music doesn't come in generic brands, its not like a Time Again cd costs any less then a Rancid disc, so why settle for less when you could have more? Idk, doesn't make sense to me.

#13 Chicks Don't Dig It

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I don't hate Chixdiggit. I really don't hate anyone. All I'm saying is that someone has to make Shot Baker look good by comparison.

#12 All Lost In the Super Market

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This actually happened to me. I didn't freak out when the song was interrupted in real life, but it had been a long day at that point and the inconvenience of having one of my favorite songs sectioned to announce some sale I couldn't give a crap about really cheesed me off. Is it a bad thing that I get into the background music at the supermarket? I don't thinks so, you should be able to get into music where ever it is playing in my opinion. Right or wrong though, I'll stop dancing in the aisles when they stop playing Elvis Costello every other time I get groceries.

Also, if you hadn't noticed, while the comic celebrates the awesomeness of England's favorite sons of catchy pop tunes, The Jam, the title of the strip is a Clash reference (England's other favorite sons, of a less specifically pop nature). Caught that already? Didn't need my help? Good for you! Here's a cookie. That's right, here at Noise Pollution we bring you it all, The Jam, The Clash... cookies! We're pretty much all that and a bag of Chips-ahoy.

If you are unfamiliar with The Jam here's what you've been missing:


If you are unfamiliar with The Clash I have nothing more to say to you.

Have a good Weekend!

Artist: Mute Math

Album: Mute Math

Label: Teleprompt/Warner Bros. 2006

Formed out of the disbandment of the Christian rock band Earthsuit, the New Orleans based Indie-pop quartet, Mute Math, goes heavy on the pop and holds a lot of the Indie, on their debut for Warner Brother Records. The album begins with the intriguing, drum/synth based, instrumental “Collapse”, before transitioning beautifully into the inspiring and hard hitting “Typical”, which then transfers over to the Postal Service inspired “After We Have Left Our Homes”, and then… that’s about it. The album seems to just drop off after that point. Despite a strong beginning this album quickly looses focus, and never again achieves the high points it did in its opening moments. This is a frustrating development and does much to create a sense of apathy in the listener regarding the remainder of the album.

What makes the lack of achievement on Mute Math’s self-titled so frustrating is that the remaining tracks aren’t terrible, and would make great filler between stronger songs. The issue here is that besides the initial single “Typical”, there aren’t really any strong or memorable tracks to be had. With nothing to really hold the listeners interest, most of the songs end up sounding like cop-outs, with Indie noise layered sloppily over predictable guitar riffs and drum beats. None of the bands more experimental tendencies, compliment their pop-rock formula, creating almost two distinct entities; that the band then tries to synergize with very mixed results. In the end, the good there is to be had, is matched by the group’s short comings, resulting in an enjoyable but otherwise unremarkable listening experience that comes hard to recommend.

Score: 5 out of 10

Check them out by following this link to their myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mutemath

#11 Everyone Wants To Be U2, But No One Wants To Admit It.

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Top 5 best chick bands of all time:
1. The Breeders
2. Bikini Kill
3.L7
4. The Gore Gore Girls
5. U2

Really though, I don't understand how U2 got to the point that they are at. Being the biggest band in the world that is. They have some good songs and are obviously very talented, but how they came to have such a fanatic and nearly suicidal fan base who's numbers can be counted in the 10os of millions is completely beyond my capacity to explain. They're not that good. I can name all the songs I like by them on about 7 fingers and after that the rest of their collection is a little contrived sounding for my tastes. I suppose that comes with the territory of being the worlds greatest pop/rock band, but they also have this perplexing label of Alternative Rock that radio DJs and music critics like to toss around in association with their sound; which boggles my mind and makes me feel like I'm on crazy pills. When I think of Alt Rock I literally think of the first 3 band on the above list plus- The Pixies, Foo Fighters, and Nirvana (who I know a lot of people like to label as GRUNGE as if they were the ONLY Grunge band ever, but after listening to Mudhoney and L7 its hard to find many similarities in the styles of other Grunge musicians that also resonates in Nirvana own style. Nirvana is, and alway has been, a machine on to its self in my opinion and really didn't do much to effect Grunge as a style of music out side of the mainstream medias impression of the genre... but thats a story for another time, anyway...), U2's sound strikes me as the ultimate in marketability and chock full of commercial advertising potential. Its non-offensive, smooth and devoid of any abrasive edges, and most of all boring *ahem* I mean very relatable. I don't see anything alternative about a band that everyone can relate to. If everyone likes them, which they do, I don't see anything alternative about that.

My judgment of a band as either good or bad usually teeters on their originality and their ability to surprise me; U2's sound and style are highly predictable though, leaving me to deem them as mediocre at best (especially for how popular they are). To sum up this rant though: U2- not my favorite band. Why? They’re not very good, especially for how insanely poplar they are. They confuse me because they are placed in the same class as many of my favorite bands but share next to nothing in common with them. (if your a pop band, be a pop band, don’t horn in on others turf). And last but not least, if three bands are introduced to the American poplar media from across the pond at any given time, one of them will sound almost exactly like U2. Which is a damned shame considering all the good stuff the UK has going on right now. Of course if they don’t sound like U2, they will almost inevitably be compared to Radiohead, which is just as bad. Why don’t you just race an Olympic track athlete against a 3^rd Grader and then tell the 3^rd Grader that they’re awful and can’t come out to ice cream with the rest of the family because they lost. Honestly, why do that to the poor kid.

#10 Sell Out, From East To West...

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Most web-comics wait 'til they are popular to sell out. I say why wait?

Oh my god... Blank just killed Black... did not see that coming.

If you don't read the webcomic Sam and Fuzzy you probably have no idea what I'm talking about... also you probably have a girlfriend.

Anyway, follow the link to see what the hubbub is about: Sam and Fuzzy- Black and White, Pt. 9

#9 The Led Strips

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So I think Jack White is talented, what about it.

Also, I recently learned that these two videos have the same director.

Foo Fighters- Everlong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H0BMfqFP9c

The White Stripes- The Hardest Button To Button

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWe-7Cm1GHg

They're both directed by one Michel Gondry. Not half bad huh? I'm interested to see what he does next.

Review: The Methadones- This Won't Hurt

Artist: The Methadones

Album: This Won’t Hurt

Label: Red Scare 2007

No matter how much the genre changes, how ever many bands sell out, or how dead punk rock seems, the Methadones always seem to be in the background keeping things in perspective. The powerpop/ pop-punk quartet hails from the frigid northern tundra of Minnesota, bringing with them the attitude, that it’s not how fast you play or how tough you look on stage, but how much you love the music you’re playing that matters. And they do love it! When it comes to genuine powerpop, there are few who do it better.

This Won’t Hurt, is the Methadones 3rd legitimate full length album, after 2006’s 21 Century Pop Riot, (a cover album of some of the band’s favorite powperpop artists, recorded while the group’s singer/ song writer, Dan Vapid, was on hiatus from writing, but still evidently wanted to perform and record with the band) picking up where 2004’s Not Economically Viable left off, it’s another great addition the band’s growing catalog. If you’re already acquainted with the groups work, or have ever heard anything by Cheep Trick other then “I Want You to Want Me”, you’ll be in the right frame of mind for this album. The mid-tempo 3-4 chord switches are immediately accessible to most listeners and Vapid’s charmingly untrained voice is a perfect convenience for the lightly introspective and youthful subject matter of the lyrics. Songs on this album range the full gambit; from syrupy sweet love songs with longing backup vocals (“Almost Gone”), Pogo-worthy adolescent rock explosions (“Turning Up the Noise”), snotty socially commentary (“Poor Little Rich Girls”, “Getting Older/Losing Touch”), tense angst ridden outbursts (“Where Did You Hide The Sun”, “Break Out of My Head”), even a lightly soulful acoustic number, appropriately named “I Believe”. Each every song was written for anybody who’s ever been mad at their parents, nervous before a date, or felt like they’d rather be committed then spend one more day in the suburbs. This Won’t Hurt has a lot to offer, and is probably the groups strongest release to date.

While some may complain the group sticks too closely to the genre’s format or that they don’t take enough chances. The Methadones have remained one of the most consistent and pleasing punk band of the last decade. Proving you don’t always have to be edgy to be great. Lots of times it’s just about doing what you love, and doing it well.

Score: 6 1/2 out of 10

Check them out by following this link: http://www.myspace.com/themethadone

#8 Salad Days

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I don't have much to say this time so I'm just going to keep it short, sweet, and to the point:

Jesus was black. Deal with it!

Have a good one.

#7 Lova Budy Budy, Hate Breed Whoa-oh!

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I like The Misfits, but I don't think real lyrics have ever done detriment to a musician's career either. As far as Danzig is concerned... That's something he might want to think about next time he's belting out Whoa Whoa's.

Anyway, you may have noticed that Sam changed his hair style for this strip. This change in style is the result of a weekend bender composed almost entirely of PBR and Jimmy Eats World and Alkaline Trio. All that beer and reflective music made him feel a little ashamed of the fact that his hair advertised the ownership of Sum 41's entire catalog as part of his personal music collection, and so he decided to change his hair to a style that reflected the fact that he had requested "Fatally Yours" off of Good Morning for him and his date at the High School prom. Yeah basically he wanted to look more Emo; partly becuase looking like a jerk is in, but more so becuase the swoopy hair due is easier and more fun to draw then the spiky tapper hawk he had before. I think the new due fits his personality better as well so its probably here to stay.

I other news, I took a short trip to Door County this weekend to do a little camping and get some fresh air. While I was driving around I channel surfed in the hopes of finding some good driving music. I came across 4 country and 2 Christian rock stations and was beginning to ponder what the stats where for incident of murder/suicides in the area when I stumble upon some sanity in 106.9 The Lodge. It's not quite The Zone, but when your out in the middle of no where with nothing to listen to but the voices in your own head it, will most likely keep you from ax-murdering your family and dumping their bodies in the quarry. The station has quite the variety of music and maintains a consistent "chill" vibe regardless of what's playing. I was able to listen to it the whole time I was up there with out having the urge to switch stations to avoid 3 minutes of something horrible like Puddle Of Mudd or Shinedown (a almost constant problem that I have with The Zone). Between getting to hear "Supernatural, Superserious" by REM followed by the new Sharl Crow single (Motivated I think its called. IDK, its about rich kids and how very much of a bunch of whiny little bitches they are), in addition to their Mandatory Marley segments each day, I found the entire listening experience very enjoyable and satisfying. If you can stand music that doesn't beat you to death with double bass kicks or lacks enough distortion to chock an ox, then I'd give the station a listen, I think you might enjoy the change of pace they offer from your average radio fair.

#6 Glen Gives Music a Fail

Another week down. Everything up on time. I think I'm getting pretty good at this.

Today's comic is an angry look at the very rehashed sound so much modern musicians seems to call their own. Now don't get me wrong, I love groups like The Klaxons and The Hold Steady, but so much of what they do sounds played out. Like its all been done before as the old Barenaked Ladies song said. A lot of today's musicians have a pretty good idea of the sound they want to convey and have a good understanding of what the sounds and music they enjoy consist of, but for all their talent and knowhow they don't allow themselves to be inspired by others work, but rather allow others work to sort of be their own. The Hold Steady in particular sounds like some one put all the better elements of 80's rock and synth, put them in a blender, blended them, drank the results, and then threw up. Like most good parties, you know its really on when somebody tosses their cookies, but at the same time you realize that if things don't start winding down somebodies going to get hurt. The Hold Steady, and bands like them, are the regurgitated sign of triumph to the Indie rock scene that its finally hit its stride, but more importantly, that the parties just about over and things are going to start getting ugly quick. It will be a dark day indeed when Indie rock becomes as played out and sterilized as Emo or Punk have become. As sad as it is though, that day doesn't seem far off. I'd start packing your flashlights now... maybe bring some glowsticks along too... I hear House is back. (The music not the show. Although I'm sure there'll be a new season of that too.)

Awsomecar Funmaker- E Is for Everyone

Artist: Awesome Car Funmaker

Album: E is for Everyone

Label: Self- Release 2008

Madison’s Awesome Car Funmaker has developed a very different and distinct sound that separates them from just about every other group currently residing in Wisconsin. Their new album, E is for Everyone, is an accomplished release which should put the group smack dab in the middle of every rock magazines’ top “50 Artists to Watch” list. Combining elements of indie rock; such as whimsical, high pitched vocal hooks, poppy guitar riff and keyboard combo driven tunes, and an insatiable appetite for obscure subject matter, with the grandeur of crowd pleasing arena rock and a the tenacious urgency of punk rock, Awesome Car has all the makings of a major contender in the indie rock scene. They are very much an awe inspiring poster children of this generations’ delightful obsession with weirdness and balls to the wall rock and roll. Designations they wear with pride.

E is for Everyone is a funny mix of musical elements that could easily excite a crowd of fans to form a professionally choreographed stage production as it could incite a raging mosh. There is really a sense of epic storytelling and rock opera, theatrical greatness to their music that makes the realization that the band is singing about picking pickles out of the garbage, birthday cakes, and Adderal all the more intriguing and amusing.

Stand out tracks include the keyboard and drum driven ballad “Don’t Try”, the poppy and winding “Sloppy Girl”, and the jazzy depiction of Costa Rica’s national history on (what else) “Costa Rica”. The band keeps things fresh and coming fast through out the course of the full album, making it clear that they are more then capable of living up to the title of “Awesome”, to which they rightfully boast as part of their name.

Awesome Car’s style and uniqueness are good for earning scene points and praise from snooty music critics *cough, cough*, but unfortunately does little to appeal to a wider audience out side of the indie market. Your average listener will most likely recognize the band for their talent and style, but regrettably tune them out in favor of something blander. While not exactly for everyone, E is for the listener with a real appreciation of original music, who is more then a little willing to take a walk on the wild side.

Score: 7 out of 10

Check them out at: http://www.myspace.com/awesomecarfunmaker

#5 NoMetallicaNopeNone!

In case you haven't gathered yet, St. Anger isn't one of my top albums.

#4 I'm Still Stoked

I try not to use the whole "This Band Is Ruining Everthing!" argument if I can help it becuase when you really think about it... its pretty lame. This is true for a number of reasons; most poignant among them: 1. If a band cultivates a certain sound, and that sound is copied by other bands, people obviously like it and they connect with it on some level. I can identify with this position because god knows no one else on the planet listens to Johnny Society or The Black and White Years. (EVEN THOUGH THE LOT OF YOU SHOULD!) Being a fan of obscure music I try not to hold it against other people for enjoying music I don't personally get. 2. At least they're doing something, which is more then I can say for my musically untrained ass. Me becoming a recognized musician is about at likely as Al Franken banging Ella Fitzgerald. I have two words for you... stubby fingers. I always have some reserved respect for anyone who is halfway decent at their instrument, which to sell millions of albums like a lot of these guys do, you'd have to be doing something right, and that points to some skill or talent in my book.

The one band that I will pull the TBIRE! card on though is Blink 182. Pop-punk took a series dive in the 90's and Blink 182 seemed to be at the center of this fall from grace. They played a part in portraying pop punk as a artistic medium only slightly more sophisticated then fart jokes or midgets kick themselves in the head. As a fan of pop punk, I find my self incapable of forgiving them. They really did ruin everything, and not just for pop punk, but for punk in general. Its seems like it would really take something special to cheapen what was already at bargain bin prices by the time they came around, but they some how pulled it off. Good for them... and by "good" I mean DIE!

As stoked as I was when they announced they're indefinite hiatus all three of them have managed to suck even more separately then they ever did together. Tom DeLonge has gone on to form the absolutely horrible Angels and Airwaves (which I would deem the musical equivalent to having an aluminum drill point burrow through my thigh), Mark Hoppus is now in +44, a slightly more tolerable version of his previous band (proving himself, once and for all, to be a one trick phony), and Travis Barker has deluted what ever respect I once had for him by adding some truly predictable percussion to +44's set as well as being part of "The Great Phone In Mascaraed" that was the Transplants' second album (Being a big fan of their debut, their second effort was a huge disappointment).
I know these guys have a lot of fans, and that's just fine for those who like their style of music, but for me they'll always be enemy #1. Admittedly they where always more of a nuisance then they ever were destructive, but with that said, if they were a mosquito they'd be about the size of a german-shepard and sound like an apache when they flew over head.

#3 Mark Arm Raises Your Kids

Here is today's comic. Mark Arm is one of the few artists that's still doing the whole grunge thingy most of us thought was passé back in the mid-90's. I say most of us becuase I still have a little spot in my heart for grunge no matter how many death metal bands try to ruin the genera for me. Altogether, I think Mark arm is one of the more consistent artists out there, and I really appreciate his efforts. He's been playing the same style of music for close to 3 decades and he's still bringing it as hard and fast as when he was 19. Man's pretty much a machine as far a punk rockers go.

As for the comic, the references here are admittedly a little obscure. So if you don't quite get it I've provided a visual aid to help clear the fog a bit. Please enjoy, its one of my favorites!



Final Note: There is a show at Mugshots tonight in De Pere ft ex- members of both the Suicide Machines and The Fags in the form of Hifi Handgrenades. I've posted the flyer bellow. Its really going to be a wicked show! Have a good Weekend!!!