Musical Sensations..

Okay. Here we go. The coolness will begin......now. While spending time on the Subway, criss-crossing the metropolis that is Seoul, I tried to think of a cool way to present the music I've been listening to. And then it came to me...everything's so much better in lists. I mean, everyone loves lists; Christmas lists, shopping lists, top 10s, top 20s...you get the idea.

So what I have for you today are the 5 most mind blowing albums I've been listening to while in the grand city of Seoul. You may be surprised, overwhelmed, maybe even crushed. However, I take no responsibility for any consquences...

Number one: My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade

This album had to be number one. Unquestionable. This is an opus, a glorious, majestic opus. After listening to it, I was reminded very much of American Idiot (Green Day). Not in terms of musical style, mind you, but in terms of scope or nature. Just massive...powerful. This is not just a rock record, this is a musical...for the punk in all of us. Is it actually possible to resist Gerad Way's dramatics? I mean, this guy's got attitude. Enough to positively drip out of my earphones. I can listen to this disc constantly. Although, I didn't always feel this way. Originally, I thought Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (their first disc) was a little too much 13 year old girl and not enough 25 year old indie rocker. I think my fears were put to rest with this CD. All you haters out there - this album is good - really!

Number two: Vaux - Beyond Virtue, Beyond Vice

This was a band I heard of long ago on some ancient punk sampler. I loved the one song of theirs and so I thought to look them up while here. I read a little bit about the album before downloading it...and I was surprised...some of the comments were "best album of the year" or "freakin' amazing." I, however, was a little skeptical...how could a little punk album produce the best album of the year? Oh, how little did I know...how very little.. This album is freakin' amazing. No. Doubt. About. It. They use a fuzzed out effect throught pretty much the entire CD, but once you get over that...it is mind blowing...the combination of brief hits of intensity and enoromous choruses, along with some indie credibility, make for a sweet dish indeed. Think maybe Radiohead + Thrice...that's probably the best I can do.

Number three: Sparta - Threes

This was a much more recent download. Again, I had some interest in this band before downloading. I had listened to Sparta way back, years ago, when they first formed after At the Drive-In split up. I was never convinced of any greatness though. I always thought the Mars Volta were the better of the two...and stuck with them. However, I read some positive things about this album and thought to give it a shot. Needless to say, I was blown away. You know, it started out rather uninterestingly enough, but then the fireworks really went off. The choruses came crashing down, throwing me senseless. It was like the dramatics of U2 with the grittiness of a punk soul. How can I resist? Like really...

Number four: Band of Horses - Everything All the Time

This disc does not follow the theme of punkiness I've followed so far. Yet, that does not stop its brilliance. I discovered this band through some of the indie websites I browse from time to time. They were touted as the "next big thing" (no surprise - everything is in indie circles) but I gave them a shot. The song I downloaded, The Funeral, altered my mind incredibly so. Consquently, I wanted the disc..BAD. However, I wasn't able to purchase it before coming to Korea, so I did the next best thing; I downloaded it. I was most certainly not disappointed. Probably the best combination I can think of to describe the beauty of this album is Coldplay + The Shins. In themselves, two great bands - now imagine them together. Yes, it is bliss.

Number five: Matchbook Romance - Voices

Okay, I know what you're thinking...Matchbook Romance...is this the same band as My Chemical Romance? Umm...actually..NO!!..if you really have to ask. Matchbook Romance came out a few years ago amid all the emo hype days. Does anyone remember that? Anyway, this is their follow up and it rocks much harder and thoroughly than most else out there. Actually, I was given the heads up on this disc back in Canada, indirectly from James. So James...if you're reading this...thanks. These songs are quite epic in nature...at times reminding me a little of Thrice's Vheissu, but definitely not enough to irritate. Completely decent album.

What an outpouring! Are you enthused? Ready to delve into the magical world of music? Get you hands dirty, you feet wet? Ummm...yeah...music is great. These are 5 of the coolest albums running through my head right now. Of course, this list is not complete, nor will it ever be. As many of said before me, this not the end but just the beginning...

Cheers,

-Paul