R.i.a.a.

So the one new post I had immediately got shut down by the RIAA, bless their hearts. That being said, please start hitting up the CBox with new music that you'd like to share or that I'd be interested in. New Rancid is STILL on the way, I was busy, but did not forget.

At long last

Well, I haven't let the poll run it's full course, but I think the overwhelming majority of readers want me to bring back the blog. So I will, once I catch up on some new music. Expect new Taking Back Sunday and Rancid here within the next day or so. Thanks for all the continued support...

And so it ends...

Friends, alas I just got a new job and I'm moving to Japan, so the blog is coming to an end. I've had a great time over the past year and a half, it's been awesome sharing music with all of you. I started this back in September '07 to share some albums with friends back home while I was at school on the East coast, and then it just sort of exploded. Based on the statistics from the site, over 153,000 people have visited, and what I'm most proud of are the 18,000+ that are returning visitors. Take care of yourselves, and maybe I'll unknowingly meet some of you at a show.

Thanks for visiting, and all the support. If you find a great band or album, make sure you tell everyone you know. Oh, and go to shows, and buy vinyl.

-Lucas

PS:
The blog will be up for a few days, so grab what you want.

HIM - Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights

This post is for my buddy Kev. I would say, out of all the Finnish love-metal bands that I know of, HIM is absolutely my favorite. Nevermind the "heart-o-gram" or the coverage that Bam Margera provides; the band excels on their own by creating a dark, goth rock that many have tried to capture, but nevertheless, have fallen short. In some respects, the band looks like they belong back during the 80's hair band craze, but the lack of contrived musicianship shows differently. Ville Valo's lyrics move seamlessly from track to track, never losing the deep inflections that help root the music in darkness. The melodies are great, and the band has a unique harmony that pulls you into the songs.

1. Salt In Our Wounds
2. Heartache Every Moment
3. Lose You Tonight
4. In Joy And Sorrow
5. Pretending
6. Close To The Flame
7. Please Don't Let It Go
8. Beautiful
9. Don't Close Your Heart
10. Love You Like I Do

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?vjhymjnmyzf

Lars Frederiksen & the Bastards - S/T

This is perhaps my favorite side-project of all-time, only because Rancid is one of my favorite bands of all time. The way Lars crafts his music to convey so much emotion and belief in the things that he holds near and dear should be what every musician aspires to do when they write. This is some of the finest mix of rock that isn't already on a Rancid album. And yes, it is somewhat ironic that one of my favorite tracks wasn't even written by Lars, but by Billy Bragg. Enjoy.

1. Intro
2. Dead American
3. 6 Foot 5
4. To Have and Have Not
5. Army of Zombies
6. Campbell California
7. Wine and Roses
8. Anti-Social
9. Ten Plagues of Egypt
10. Leavin' Here
11. Subterranean
12. Sknux
13. Vietnam

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?u0j3conwzdi

Laredo - Bury for Growth

Right off the bat, I'll let you know that I think this album is absolutely amazing. This band was brought to my attention by "Sleep," and I'm all that much better off for the recommendation. The first thing that caught my eye was the fact that it's only seven tracks, but the length of most of them makes it a legitimate LP. The expansive instrumentation borders on post-rock, but the singers belie that genre-specific title and move it towards a deeper-toned Jesse Lacey-style of vocals, artistic and brash. The choruses are loud and echo through the rest of the band, which makes for a unique indie-punk feel. This is definitely a great, great find and I cannot recommend it enough.

1. Returning Gone
2. Ties
3. Dark
4. Rest
5. Growing
6. Delicate
7. YM

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?ag3tj44wg5z

Happy Holidays from Sick Albums

From me to you and your family, Happy Holidays!

May your 2009 bring much love, joy, and of course, some Sick Albums.