Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs

It seem's misery love company. And Death Cab For Cutie want you to be their company on their new record 'Narrow Stairs'. This is an epic album with riff's, catchy chorus' and O so much more. Death Cab For Cutie have always been critcally aclaimmed but they had their nay sayer's. This album it seem's will prove the nay sayer's wrong. This album is more experimental and well put together than any other one of their albums. Lyrically this album is dark. One of the albums central themes is lonliness, that alone gives the indication that this album is dark. Will this be one of the best album's of they year? No, put so far it's in my top 10.

Rating: Lyrics: 38/40 (Dark...)

Tunefulness: 44/50 (Some of the more experimental moments don't really work..but it is very good)

Originality: 7/10 (We've seen it before...but they just do it better)

Overall: 89/100 (A wonderful gem of an album)

Next Week On Amplifier Reviews...

This week I did no new release album reviews because to tell you the truth...I did not wanna hear any album's out this week. But next week I will be reviewing:

1. Duffy - Rockferry

2. Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs (I will reviewing TODAY)

3. Jason Mraz - We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things

Like I said I will be reviewing 'Narrow Stairs' TODAY! So check in regularly...

Coldplay - Violet Hill (Single Review)

It was a ballsy move releasing your first single free on the internet. But Coldplay has just that...balls. Although the new single is nothing mind-blowing it is a nicely constructed song with great vocal's from Chris Martin. (By the way the link if you have not downloaded the new single is www.colplay.com and then go to the 'I'.)

76/100

Good Girl... Rereleased

As most of you know Rihanna will be re-releasing her hugely successful album 'Good Girl, Gone Bad'. It will feature her new single 'Take A Bow' and a duet between her and Maroon 5 ('If I Never See Your Again') and 3 other new songs. It will also feature a dvd featuring a concert, documentary and a umbrella home video.

Song Of The Week...

My favorite song this week is Estelle 'No Substitute Lover'. As you know already I loved her new album Shine so check out one of my favorite track's from the album.

Mindless Self Indulgence - If

One of the most confusing/unclassifiable band's is back and getting more and more crazy by each album. By now if you have been on myspace you probably have checked out these guys music page. And their's two thing's you could have done. Exit it and promise yourself to never listen again. Or find yourself singing along (as best you can). And that is exactly what this band is. A love/hate band. Although their music does get a little too crazy for my liking I can see their appeal. Crazy haired and all that. Their new album 'If' is not their best but it tries damn hard to be.

Rating: Lyrics: 28/40 (You need the actual lyrics for this album)

Tunefulness: 32/50 (Most of their song follow the same formula...)

Originality: 4/10 (I just wish they can try something a little different)

Overall: 64/100 (A good effort, but did not meet my expectations)

Augustana - Can't Love, Can't Hurt

One of the unexpected hits of last year was Augustana's 'Boston'. With video's on youtube being uploaded on kid's attempting to do what Augustana does best. Although this album is more diverse than the first, it seems that they are trying way too hard rather than just letting the music flow. Although you got to give them A for effort because of track's trying to be the next 'Boston' ('Sweet And Low'). It seems they still haven't put that song behind them just yet. If you are to pick up this record it will just show potential and nothing more.

Rating: Lyrics: 29/40 (Strongest part of the album)

Tunefulness: 32/50 (Trying way too hard)

Originality: 2/10 (It been done way better...)

Overall: 63/100 (I expect better things from these guys next time around)