Muse April 2015

With its titanic guitar solos, symphonic suites, and multi-layered melodies, Muse's fifth album operates under the assumption that bigger is better. This is the very definition of a super-sized album, an album that takes its cues from Queen, its lyrics from science fiction novels, and its delivery from rock opera. It's also the first time that Muse has truly sounded like Muse, as few bands since Queen have so readily explored the intersection of bombast and extravagance. The Resistance is most certainly extravagant - there are snatches of classical piano entwined throughout, not to mention bilingual lyrics, concert hall percussion, coronet solos, and song titles like "Exogenesis: Symphony, Pt. 2 (Cross-Pollination)" - but it's also quite beautiful, capable of moving between prog rock choruses and excerpts from Chopin's "Nocturne in E Flat Major" within the same song…

Death Cab For Cutie - Kintsugi (2015) {Atlantic 548366-2}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 301 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 108 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 20 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2015 Atlantic / WEA | 548366-2
Rock / Indie Rock / Indie Pop / Alternative

Death Cab for Cutie's eighth full-length album, 2015's Kintsugi, finds the group sliding further into the studio smoothness that marked 2011's Codes and Keys. Produced by Rich Costey – best-known for his work with Kimbra, Mew, Muse, Interpol, and Chvrches – Kintsugi is also the last album Death Cab recorded with co-founding member Chris Walla, who announced he was leaving the band during the recording process. Sentiment has always been lead singer/songwriter Ben Gibbard's calling card, but as he starts to stare down the corridor to 40, he seems comfortable with leaving that open heart unadorned – or, better still, gussied up in a coat of studio shellac.

Leap Day was founded on the 29th of February 2008. This Dutch sympho outfit has members of wellknown bands from the world of progressive rock, such as Flamborough Head, King Eider, Nice Beaver, Trion and Pink Floyd Project. In 2008 they released their demo cd containing three songs, including Awaking The Muse which is the title of their first full-length studio album released through Oskar music in 2009. In terms of musical style we're treated to neo-prog of the vintage variety here, with nods in the directions of Camel and Genesis as far as possible influences go. Lush sonic tapestries with multiple keyboard layers and melodic, gentle guitar soloing will be found aplenty on this album, and the lead vocals calm and soothing with a few subtle dramatic flairs on select occasions. Melody and harmony are keywords for this production though, and if that sounds enticing you'll most probably enjoy this effort…