Open Up Your Ears v.2: Rock

AFI- Song the Sorrow- You think you know A.F.I.(A Fire Inside)- dark punk rock with a cult following and a slew of lo-fi recordings that only college radio plays- well think again. Guitarist Jade Puget has brought a whole new sound to the A.F.I. experience since his 1999 debut with the band; his synth and drum programming takes their sound to the masses(which obviously tunred away hoards of adoring, and selfish long time fans). Sing the Sorrow is exactly what a major label debut should be; a step above everything a band has ever done. Anthemic choruses with dark lyrics set off by backing strings and pianos- every song is a serene scene of pop goth beauty.
The only albums that came close to Sing The Sorrow in 2003 were Copeland's Beneath Medicine Tree, The Postal Service's Give Up, and Death Cab For Cutie's Transatlantacism- all of which will be featured in Open Up You Ears in the coming months.

Open Up Your Ears v.1: Singer/Songwriter

Open Up Your Ears will be my weekly, or probably monthly, post about an album or artist that you have just got to hear. So no matter if it is punk, folk, rock, or soul do yourself a favor and check out each weeks highlighted artist/album- you'll thank me later.

Andrew Osenga - Photographs- First solo release from former Normals lead singer/guitarist and current member of Caedmon's Call is wrought with storytelling that Dylan would be proud of. Andrew's ability to make the audience re-live his songs is ever present on Photographs. Recorded in his basement with multiple Christian indie musicians dropping in for sessions, Photographs is a treat for today's 20something Christian and just about everyone else too. This album is a lesson on life; the joys, the ups, the downs, the hesitation, and the regret- simply put: Photographs is one of my favorite albums of all time.

awe man, that stuff is Jarmusch

Just a quick note: Jim Jarmusch's Broken Flowers is amazing. That's all you need to know for now- so go rent it and enjoy. smarty