A Band In Hope

There has been a lot of hype surrounding The Matches' third album, A Band in Hope, and much of it is well deserved. Although many long time Matches fans may be surprised by the bands' new direction, they can sleep easy because once again their album is top quality, complete with witty hooks and catchy beats. The only track that is slightly disappointing is Darkness Rising. The vocals are still strong, but the song just sounds like a pathetic attempt at a Queen cover even though it is a Matches original. Other than this, it's a solid album, and whether this is the first time you've heard of The Matches or you've loved them since they were the Locals you're sure to like this album.

Track Listing:

1. AM Tilts
2. Their City
3. Wake The Sun
4. Darkness Rising
5. To Build A Mountain
6. We Are One
7. Point Me Toward The Morning
8. From 24C
9. Clouds Crash
10. Between Halloweens
11. If I Were You
12. Future Tense
13. Yankee In A Chip Shop
14. Proctor Rd.

-Clio

Wake the Sun

The Matches have just released their first video off their new album, A Band In Hope, which will be released March 18. So Check it out!



-Clio

A Band In Hope

The Oakland based pop punk band, The Matches, will be releasing their new album March 18, titled A Band in Hope. Although it has already been leaked online, it seems that their many fans will remain loyal and still purchase the cd on its release date. They currently have their new single, Wake the Sun, up on their myspace, so go check it out.

If you want to purchase their "limited edition bundle," complete with cd and T-Shirt

Click here to purchase now.


They will also be featured on the cover of alternative press magazine



-Clio

I've Been Thinking...

As we draw close to the end of the year, numerous blogs give their list of the "Top 10 Albums of The Year." Personally, I think this is a tad bit cliche. How could I ever chose just 10 albums that standout above the rest. It would be clearly biased, and there are probably albums that would be far greater than anything I would have chosen, but I've just never heard of them.

I started thinking about this because I was doing my usual reading of blogs, and I came across one that asked the readers if they were stuck on an island, and they could only bring four albums, what would they chose and why. This really got to me. How could I ever only chose four albums, and never be able to listen to anything else.

This got me thinking about how fortunate most of us are. I have the privilege of carrying my whole music library, which used to be a difficult task, in the palm of my hand. I've never had to chose just one or two albums. I have all the music I could ever want at my finger tips.

Then this made me think, do I just listen to anything because music has become so accessible. I still buy albums, but not how I used to. There was a time, not to long ago, when I would research an album before I purchased it. Now I'll buy an album just for the hell of it.

I feel like spoiled kid who can just listen to whatever she wants. The sad thing is that while I type this, I am listening to ipod.

After taking all of this into account I did chose four albums that I could not live without. I'm sure that I could change it many times, but for now the four albums I would chose are...

1.The Matches - Decomposer
-Probably one of my favorite albums. I love the musical diversity, and there is a quirkiness to the album that makes it addicting.
2.Beirut- The Flying Club Cup
-This is Beirut's best album to date. I've been listening to it non stop since I first bought it.
3.Against Me! - As The Eternal Cowboy
-It was hard for me to chose just one of their albums, but I ended up with this one. Its just very consistent, not to mentioning that Turn those Clapping Hands Into Angry Balled Fists is one of my favorite songs of all time.
4.Head Automatica - Decadence
-Everything Daryl touches turns to gold. This album is amazing. Whenever I listen to it I can't help but be in a good mood, and it's the ultimate album for when your trying to pull an all-nighter too.

Feel free to post yours too

-Clio

Listen to the Album....Even if It Kills You

Motion City Soundtrack never fails to impress and their new album in no exception. With in you face synth and Justin Pierre's signature vocals, their new album, Even if it Kills Me, is everything a MCS fan would expect. With all the hype surrounding the new album, being the most anticipated album of 2007 in Alternative Press Magazine, some would think that the guys might break under the pressure - good thing that these sythn rock vets were prepared. They have a line up of appearances that would be any emo kid's dream. These include Say Anything's Max Bemis, and The Matches' Shawn Harris, and Rachel Milton of Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer. In the end, if you're already a fan, there is no way you wont love the new album, and if you're new to the band, you'll find there sweet beats impossible to turn off.

-Clio

It's Been A While

So basically I haven't posted anything for a while, but I've had a lot of ideas floating around in me head. Something struck me recently while I was looking at Shawn Harris' Blog-he can't write very well. I'm sure he's extremely intelligent, and an excellent song writer, but something about his blog makes me want to hit my head repeatedly against a wall. This is a difficult thing for me to admit because The Matches are my favorite band and I consider Shawn Harris to be some what of a musical genius. The thing is he uses all of these big words that don't really fit in what he's talking about and he beats around the bush. I don't know if I've just been brainwashed by college classes but I thought you're supposed to be clear and concise. Your ideas can still be complex, its just that your writing shouldn't seem like a dictionary vomited on the page. I'm not trying to say that I'm a great writer and I definitely applaud Mr. Harris for attempting to educate the masses, its just that it nearly makes me sick reading comments of tons of teenage girls saying "wow, you're like soooo smart," because honestly, his writing bores me. I just had to get it off my chest. Please forgive me Shawn, even though I know you'll never read this.

-Clio

Salty Eyes

A while back we posted the video for The Matches' new single, Salty Eyes. Well here's the making of the video.



-Clio

Warped Tour

Warped Tour 2007...one word to describe it. okay maybe tons of words. So I'm just going to give a brief outline

late

traffic

more traffic

later

paramore

awesome

skinny girl

good voice

funeral for a friend

amazing

british

cool accents

thristy

hot

10000 degrees

eat

expenisive

new year's day

sucked

a lot

anberlin

amazing

stupid girls

smoking pot

the matches

the greatest

shawn harris

genius

best band

water

food

expensive

signing

autographs

picture

w/ matches

bad religion

legends

amazing

saw pit instructor

awkward

lost

can't find stage

spill canvas

super good

new bass player

lame

but still good

finish

wait

wait

water

bayside

awesome

bad teeth

in front

10 extra minutes

amazing

finish

meg & dia

blah

leave

hear playradioplay

pissed

thought they finished

still walk to car

drive

traffic

listen

sad

traffic

bad

driving

traffic

home

tired

no sunburn

happy

sleep



well, that's it. I have to get ready for work, that's why its so brief.

-Clio

The Matches New Video

Oakland based pop-punk band, The Matches, have made a new music video for their song Salty Eyes, the first track off their latest album. Their lead singer, Shawn Harris, has said that it was filmed in one take, so prepare to be amazed. The video is very creative and well executed considering their budget. So here it is:




For more information of the making of the video, check out Shawn Harris' blog, Heavy Breeding, here: http://shawnmatches.blogspot.com/

-Clio