Ellipse - Imogen Heap

I bought this album really wanting to like it, I still enjoy listening to her last album "Speak For Yourself" whenever I am going for a ride around town for no good reason, It just makes me feel good and energized whenever I get back home.

But this album works for me about half the times I have listened to it.  It is a solid album, it has some great beats on it, her vocals are flawless, (although I tend to believe Pro Tools and a good Macbook are the reason for that) but the album really does not break any new ground, it shows that she is consistant, but I guess I was craving something groundbreaking and new.  There are too many songs that sound just like the one that was two tracks ago, and afterwards I kinda felt like I was listening to a slightly more inventive Dido. (maybe that was a little to harsh)

All in all the album is solid, but nothing all too new.  I will still listen to it and who knows, it may grow on me after a few more times through

Muse - The Resistance

Being a musician, as well as a music lover, I completely understand the symphonic pretention of many bands.  On the newest album from Bristish rockers Muse, they actually have the gumption to go ahead and do just that.  There album "The Resistance" closes with "Exogenesis: Symphony" that is full of orchestral swells and airy lyrical compostions.  Unfortunately in comparison to the previous albums this band has turned out, this is not their strongest.  Aside from the fact that frontman Matthew Bellamy is trying to channel Thom Yorke, all the while the rest of the band is trying to do the same with Queen, but without the glamour and swagger.

Now there are some highlights to this album that are somewhat of a saving grace.  The industrial-tinged "Uprising" still shows that Muse knows how to bring the rock.  Plus there is the fast paced "Unnatural Selection" that brings back the memories of the Muse albums of the past.  All in all "The Resistance" is a good album and definately worth a listen, but it leaves you wanting more when it is over 

http://www.muse.mu/

Mute Math - Armistice

MUTEMATH - Armistice
Review

Three years ago MUTEMATH started to make a name for themselves with a very straight forward U2-ish, self-titled debut album.  They have returned this year with a follow up to that album, and I must say Armistice completely embarrasses their first album.

Thay have decided to make the complex vocals of Paul Meany as the forefront of this album.  From the first few beats of the opening track "The Nerve" I found myself hooked into the album.  That is not to stay that there are not some songs that did not wet my pop-rock pallet (This is the band that redid the Transformers Theme song for the latest movie as well as have a few songs on the Twighlight Soundtrack.)With songs like "Spotlight" and "Goodbye" it creates a great balance to the rest of the album. For the most part Amistice is a solid album that is well comprised of complex vocal melodies, a few hints of New Orleans brass band, and etheral string and synth combos.  When the last song was done, I found myself satisfied and looking forward to what this band has to offer in the future.

www.myspace.com/mutemath