The Black Angels - Directions To See A Ghost (2008)

Konichiwa!

Here's something you don't know. Named after a Velvet Underground song, The Black Angels play psychedelic drone-rock at it's best. Intense, acid, twisted, hynotizing and fucking amazing. This isn't close to sounding like anything, admitting that some songs do whisper The Doors in the background. This is one of the most interesting albums of 2008 and every fan of good music should do themselves a favor and listen to this. There's nothing to do but to sit down, listen to and worship Directions To See A Ghost.

Download - Megaupload


Cheers,
Joachim

Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst (2008)

Oy!

Bitches - I'm back. And I've taken Conor Oberst with me. After 12 days of sun, sun and sangria, I've read a lot of NME and MOJO, so I'm damn inspired which means I'll post a lot of music this week. As said, the first one is Bright Eyes man Conor Oberst's latest outcome. This guy is pretty fucked up, and he delivers both punk music and laid back acoustic music. Being compared to Bob Dylan sure is some of a pressure, but Oberst seems to handle it pretty well, this album being no exception.

Download - Megaupload

Cheers,
Joachim

Vacational Megapost!

Oy!

Okay, the case is that I'm going to Spain tomorrow and I won't post anything the next two weeks. So! I shall present you: The "okay" albums of 2008! It's the 16th of July, and I already have about 40 albums released in 2008. Some of them rock. Some of them rock hard. Some of them are almost masterpieces. And some of them are good, but not that good. Allow me to take it away:

Lenny Kravitz - It Is Time For A Love Revolution

Lenny might be the king of funky, and It Is Time... sure is a groovy thing. As always, Lenny writes good songs, BUT, none of them are brilliant. He's got the grooves (just listen to the title track or Will You Marry Me), but he doesn't give it to us a 100%. Something's missing out. The first single is alright, it's the über-clichéed piano-driven ballad, I'll Be Waitng. There is grooves here, but something's still missing.
It Is Time For A Love Revolution... It sure is, Lenny...


Download - Rapidshare


Filter - Anthems For The Damned

Just look at that album title. Filter files themselves under "Industrial", but it's not really Industrial. The producing of the album has given it a metallic edge, but that's about all that is Industrial on this album. Nine Inch Nails do Industrial way better. So, why listen to this album? There's one answer to that question, and that answer is: Frontman Richard Patrick. His voice is really, really good and that is what saves Filter from just being lame industrial rock.

Filter rock. But not very hard.

Download - Rapidshare


Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs

Death Cab For Cutie say they've written more rock-orientated songs this time. They may have, but you can't really hear it. This is well-produced, but there is a massive lack of memorable songs on this album. The only song that sticks to my brain is the 8-minute single, I Will Possess Your Heart, that starts with a 5-minute instrumental jam. Other than that, there really isn't anything special and that is that makes Narrow Stairs their weakest effort yet.

They sound like "the middle of the road" for emotional teens. That's a step down the "Narrow Stairs". Haha. Oh...

Download - Rapidshare


The Subways - All Or Nothing

The Subways' second album, and now they're going for both "rock-ish", "pop-ish", "hard-rock-ish" and, sorry, a bit of "rubbish". The stand-out kick-ass track is the "hard-rock-ish" track called Girls And Boys. Tom Morello helped writing that riff. It kicks in at 0:32, and it's a damn cool riff. Nuff said. The track called Alright really isn't alright, and the album sounds too much of "pop-ish" which is "rubbish". If it had more "rock-ish" and less "pop-ish" it wouldn't be "rubbish" which limits "pop-ish" in this case.

It really isn't All Or Nothing. Ish.

Download - Mediafire

I'm outta here,
Joachim

Twins Twins

Hey

Here's a little treat. I saw this Danish indie band live about some months ago, and was really thrilled by their energetic performance. As of now i have finally found some of their songs lurking around the internet. Pure indie rock. Definitely the next big thing in Denmark.

Download - Rapidshare

Damn heat

Hjörtur

Beck - Modern Guilt (2008)

Shalom!

Okay, the case is that I'm going to Spain very soon and therefor, this may be the last post from me in about 2 weeks. But fear not, 'cause I've found something for you! His name is Beck Hansen and that's about all that you can put words on about Beck. He's been everywhere from electronica to lo-fi rock, and to be honest, I haven't heard this record yet. So I have no clue what it sounds like. But Beck would never publish a pile of shit, so I'm not throwing crap in your ears. I've heard a snippet of the title track, and it sounds pretty damn good. Modern Guilt is produced by Dangermouse (who also produced The Black Keys' latest outcome) and it's the summer soundtrack for you experimental music-lovers out there.

Download - MediaFire

Hot Damn,
Joachim

Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer (2008)

Oy!

Indie, indie, indie, I never seem to get tired of it. This time, the indie folks are Canadian and friends with Arcade Fire. And they sound a little like 'em, too. Now add the fact that they're signed on Sub Pop Records. Hell yeah, this is quality indie! Think Arcade Fire with a bit more guitar instead of violin and only male voices. Wolf Parade have strong melodies as well. Catchy hooks are not missing either, just check out Call It A Ritual. Indeed, this is a nice summer soundtrack. Lots and lots of "happy", lots of "sing your heart out" and lots of "let's play these instruments very hard". So, here's your weird, but nice summer soundtrack.

Download - Rapidshare

Sha-Mone,
Joachim

Cansei de Ser Sexy - Donkey (2008)

G'day

Cansei de Ser Sexy have returned with a new album filled with raw power. You can clearly hear that the band has become more talented musicians, than they were when they made their self-titled debut album back in 2005. Following the goodbye to their bassist, the band has established a different sound then the one on the debut. Some of the numbers on the album are really good pop material.

Download - Rapidshare
(Link is now fixed - this one works!)

Fuck yeah

Hjörtur

The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead (2008)

Mjallo!

Sorry, but I think it's glorious indie-time again. The Helio Sequence is an act from Portland, Oregon and they are released by legendary Sub Pop Records (Band Of Horses, Fleet Foxes, Grand Archives, The Gutter Twins...). This is no masterpiece or something, just fine indie-rock songs. Good to listen to in the summer! If you're into Grand Archives or other Seattle indie acts, The Helio Sequence is definately the thing for you! Check out the amazing title track, Keep Your Eyes Ahead, it's a blast. This is the summer soundtrack for you indie-folks out there, now LET ME SEE SOME POGO-DANCING!!!


Download - Rapidshare

Ring-a-ding-ding,
Joachim

Caribou - Andorra (2007)

Oy!

If that CD cover doesn't look like summer, nothing does. And, surprisingly, the CD sounds like summer, too! Caribou is an American one-man-project (although it doesn't sound like it), and Andorra is psychedelic rock with a little twist of elegant electronic music. And then, it adds the sound of sunshine, California and just summer in general. Imagine MGMT (on happy pills) with all their computers and electronic elements stolen and replaced by one little old laptop, and you're almost there. So, a perfect summer soundtrack this is. Listen to this and get happy. And thank God for Global Warming which allows Danes to lay on their back in their gardens.

Download - Rapidshare

Scholl,
Joachim

My Bloody Valentine - Loveless (1991)

G'day!

If we would start a "Masterpiece Of The Month"-section on Fries Of Freedom, this would be a damn good start of it. The newly reunited british band play a tour right now, and they come to Roskilde and say hello (And still it's going to sound like camels fucking because of the bad sound)! From 1991 (And their second and latest album), this is a shot of dreamy noisepoprock. This is so special because you'll enjoy this if you're a garagerock-fan as well as if you're a fan of huge soundscapes filled with pop. In my eyes, a perfect summer soundtrack. You can do something else and hear it in the background and go "Hey, this is brilliant easy-listening music!", but you can as well sit down and really listen to it and go "Hey, this is fucking genious!". Just perfect.

Download - Rapidshare

Yippie-kay-yeah motherfuckers / Yours sincerely,
Joachim