Razor's Edge
The Razor’s Edge is a bit dull because the releases that I’m talking about in this entry were released last week. I just had a weird busy week and even though I might have had time to do a write up. I just never got around to it. I had a really hard time deciding between two great albums I heard this week on which one I would feature on Razor’s edge so I decided to cover them both. Hands Like Houses and Gogol Bordello.
Hands Like Houses - Unimagine
This is my first time hearing Hands Like Houses and they remind me so much of bands like Trapt and Taking Back Sunday. Hands Like Houses is an Australian rock band from Canberra. Formed in 2008, the group is currently signed to Rise Records. This is pretty much another radio alt rock band so they aren’t too spectacular or breaking any molds but I still love them nonetheless. I even went to FYE to pick up their album so I could have a physical copy and I ended up finding their album from last year which I didn’t know about. I asked the clerk if they had any copies and he’s like “yeah no, we won’t be ordering that or getting any copies in.” If you have been in plug with me lately, I pretty damn sure you’ve heard at least one of their songs but I’ll put two here for you to listen to.
This song triggers happy memories for me when I was in my late teens and listened to alt rock heavily. My teen years weren't all sunshine and golden but I did have some good memories and this song takes me back.
Another bonus to this album is that it’s only 11 tracks so you don’t have to drown in too much mediocrity but I’ve listened to this album repeatedly all last week and into this week.
Gogol Bordello - Pura Vida Conspiracy
I’m late on catching onto Gogol Bordello apparently. Gogol Bordello is a Gypsy punk band from the Lower East Side of Manhattan, formed in 1999 and known for theatrical stage shows and persistent touring. Much of the band's sound is inspired by Gypsy music. The band incorporates accordion and violin (and on some albums, saxophone) mixed with punk and dub. I went into this album not knowing what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised by the sound gracing my ears. This is their 6th album and I will most definitely look into earlier albums based on how much play I gave this album over the span of a week. My favorite track Dig Deep Enough has a mariachi playing and some flamenco that gives it an excellent latin flair.
I should go to misspoptart and get some more gypsy music recs from her. I really enjoyed this album that much that it turned me onto gypsy music.