So Far:

To kick of the best albums in 2008 reviews so far, I'm going to introduce you to a newer band.

Their name is simply Fire Zuave, Comprised of Chuck Andrews (cousin of Of Montreal front man, Kevin Barnes), Chris Cartrett, Jason Hermes, This indie rock threesome from West Palm Beach are on the rise. Their Debut Album, Sand Fastened, is a catchy 9-track epic, bouncing back and forth from catchy pop melodies, like opening track "Starving Like A Pack Of Wolves" to soft ballads, like "Way We Were Before". The album is a great start for a band that shows great promise, I wouldn't be surprised to see them on the cover of SPIN in a year or two. The band is offering their CD for $5 through the band's myspace. It's worth every penny. While your there feel free to check out there music player for a taste of what the albums sounds like.

Happy Listening!

Album art for Sand Fastening (by David Barnes)

Don't Call It A Comeback

Though this blog is as empty as a square dance in East L.A., I figure i'll update it for lack of having nothing better to do. If You do happen to stumble upon this, enjoy as I review the best albums of 2008 so far(and in the future).
Unlike past posts i will not be posting mp3s
1.they expire after about a month and i'm too lazy to renew them
2. It requires uploading each song individually which takes time
3. No one reads this, if you would like a particular mp3s and/or album, I'll be happy to send it to you just request it

Thanks

Record Review: The Shaky Hands by The Shaky Hands

Rating: 7.9 out of 10

This Self titled debut album was released this year on Holocene Music.
The Shaky Hands hail from Portland and if their future work is anything like their debut, they'll be the next big thing out of Portland following in the footsteps of such bands as The Shins and The Decemberists. Their Indie folk pop sound calls to mind bands everywhere from Page France to Death Cab For Cutie. This Catchy Album full of "Sliding Bouncy go-go beats under shambling guitars and reedy, swooning vocals" could easily make The Shaky Hands the Best New Band of 2007. Give "Whales Sing", "Summer's Life" and "The Sleepless" a listen and if you don't have any urge to buy this album afterwards, their is no hope for you.
Check the bands myspace for news and tour dates

The Shaky Hands - "Whales Sing"
The Shaky Hands - "Summer's Life"
The Shaky Hands - "The Sleepless"

Record Review: The Outer Void Intrepid Sailor by The Universe

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

The Universe is the side project of Gus Franklin, The Guitarist of Architecture In Helsinki, The Outer Void Intrepid Sailor is The Universe's debut album. The album chronicles the journey a man's journey into space. Lyrically the album calls to mind David Bowie especially in the song "Goodbye". It is a masterpiece full of dream like melodies and , it's one of the best albums i've heard in a while. The highlights of the album in my opinion are "The Announcement", a poppy song that set's up the journey to space, "Grand Central", A dreamy Olivia Tremor Controlesque song and "The Bigness of Small Things". This whole album is amazing, I guarantee this album will be spinning on your CD player for a week or two. I highly recommend you check this one out, you can buy it on Itunes or thru Amazon. check out the bands' myspace


The Universe - "The Announcement"
The Universe - "Grand Central"
The Universe - "Goodbye"
(mp3's thru sendpace so you have to click the links)

Record Review: Places Like This by Architecture In Helsinki

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Though this album is not slated to come out until August 21st, it leaked a little while ago and is currently being streamed on the band's myspace.
Onto the review.

Though only 31 minutes long Places Like This delivers a plethora of catchy beats and exuberant vocals. The album showcases a newer sound for Architecture in Helsinki that has evolved from their last album In Case We Die. Cameron Bird's soft harmonic vocals on In Case We Die as well as on Fingers Crossed, the band's first release, are seldom seen on Places Like This instead replaced by louder, rougher vocals.
Though the new sound might throw some past listeners off after a few listens the new album will grow on you. It starts off a little rough but picks up as it goes along. "Heart it Races", The first single off Places Like This, "Nothing's Wrong", "Debbie", "Like It Or Not" and "Hold Music" are the highlights of this album. I recommend giving it a listen on the bands myspace and/or preordering it.

The band are currently in the middle of a tour of Europe(check out their myspace for tour dates) and they just announced a Fall US Tour. Here are the dates.
10-10 Philadelphia, PA - Starlight Ballroom
10-11 New York, NY - The Gramercy Theatre
10-12 Brooklyn, NY - Studio B
10-13 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
10-16 Chicago, IL - Metro
10-18 Toronto, Ontario - Lee's Palace
10-19 Montreal, Quebec - La Tulipe
10-24 Minneapolis, MN - 400 Bar
10-26 Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
10-27 Salt Lake City, UT - In the Venue
10-29 Seattle, WA - The Showbox
10-30 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
11-01 San Francisco, CA - Fillmore
11-02 San Diego, CA - House of Blues
11-05 West Hollywood, CA - Troubadour
11-10 Tucson, AZ - Solar Culture
11-13 Denton, TX - Hailey's
11-14 Austin, TX - Emo's
11-15 New Orleans, LA - The Republic
11-16 Tallahassee, FL - Club Downunder

Architecture In Helsinki - "Heart It Races"
Architecture In Helsinki - "Debbie"
Architecture In Helsinki - "Nothing's Wrong"
(mp3's are through sendspace so you have to click them to download)
also check out the two music videos for the album so far
"Heart It Races"
"Hold Music"

Record Review: Trust Electricity by The Upsidedown

Rating: 7.1 out of 10

The Upsidedown are making a name for themselves amongst the Portland Indie scene with Trust Electricity, The band's first album. This 56 minute epic was released in 2004 under Reverb Records. The Upsidedown's sound is similar to that of fellow Portland rockers, The Dandy Warhols.
The similarity stands out in tracks like "Wake Up Drive Thru" and "Airplane Eyes". "Blackeye Liner", The third track on the album reminded me vaguely of Clinic's "Harvest(Within You)". Overall the album was quite good, i highly suggest adding this album to your collection.

The Upsidedown are expected to come out with a second album soon, They're playing a show tomorrow night in support of The Dandy Warhols at The Wonder Ballroom in Portland. check They're website, or their myspace, for news and updates.

The Upsidedown - "Wake Up Drive Thru"
The Upsidedown - "Blackeye Liner"
The Upsidedown - "Airplane Eyes'
(all mp3s are through sendspace, so you need to click on them to get to the download page)

Welcome!

Hello, this is the first posting of The Artificial Cloud.I will update the blog a few times a week with Concert Reviews(in Portland, OR) and Record Reviews and various music news. Feel free to check back for updates. Thank you