Mini-reviews: 2008 releases #1

There have been quite a few new albums recently that have caught my ear, but not enough for me to write a full review on; plus, I'm just a bit burnt out on writing lengthy reviews right now in general. But I'm trying to keep better track of which albums I like the most so that it's easier to compile a list at the end of the year so I'm going to post some mini-reviews every so often, a little paragraph summarizing the album and a few of my favorite songs from it. There won't be any kind of schedule to them, just whenever I find another album to write about and get around to actually doing so. However, there are a handful that I already have planned to write about; I just have to give them some more listening time first. So look for a few more of these posts in the coming weeks. Here are the first two.

Be Your Own Pet

Get Awkward

This album didn't leave an impact at all initially but the more I hear the songs, the more I like them, and I've decided that it is pretty good. Their sound has gotten less harsh but is still insanely energetic and fun. Sure, the lyrics are obnoxious and immature, Jemina's vocals are bratty, and the songs are quite similar (though there is more variety than on their debut) - come on, those things are what make them so awesome! It's unfortunate that three songs were cut from the US release for being "too violent" (stupidest excuse I've ever heard), especially considering one - "Becky" - is among the album's finest moments. Sample lyrics: "Now I'm going to juvie for teenage homicide/It would all have been cool if you'd stayed by my side/Then you know Becky wouldn't have had to die/And now every single night I cry/If only what you wrote in my yearbook was true/Then I wouldn't be stuck in fuckin' cell block two/But I don't regret what I've done/'Cause in the end it was fun!" Quite morbidly brilliant, if I do say so myself.

• Heart Throb
• Becky
• Twisted Nerve

Blood Red Shoes

Box of Secrets

I kind of forgot about this band for awhile but their debut full-length is definitely enjoyable. It's nothing too surprising if you've heard their singles and last year's EP; the same sound, just a bit more polished. Their songs have heavy garage rock/punk influences but they also have a lot of pop sensibilities and catchy hooks, which is what makes them memorable. And of course, I love the multitude of girl/boy vocals, handclaps a plenty, and shout-along choruses. It's all pretty impressive when you think about the fact that they are only a duo. I still can't quite figure out why the actual title track is nowhere to be found, though. Hmm... (If you're curious, it does appear on the aforementioned I'll Be Your Eyes EP.) Oh, and this doesn't actually come out officially until next week but I figured it was close enough to post about anyway.

• Try Harder
• I Wish I Was Someone Better
• This Is Not for You