The Dark Knight Rises Movie Review

First of all, our hearts go out to the victims of the Colorado Movie Theater massacre. It never ceases to amaze how horrible people in the world can be at times. I admit that I felt a bit guilty going to see the movie tonight, especially after what happened just a few hours ago.

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What a great end to the Dark Knight Trilogy. The movie was epic (3 hours) with great effects and story lines. The stress and anxiety was tangible throughout the movie. Bale showed again why he’s the best Batman. (Sorry Michael Keaton you should have stuck to Beetlejuice) Anne Hathaway made for a superb Catwoman. Hot in the catsuit, and rocking some serious martial arts moves, Hathaway kicks serious ass.

Bane was an interesting character. Tom Hardy played a good muscled up bad guy, but what the hell was up with his voice? It was cringeworthy at times, and was the worst part of the movie.

There were lots of plot twists and surprises throughout. One also had to do some serious suspension of reality in certain parts. How did Bruce escape from a certain place, make it a very long distance, then get back into a place where no one could get to? (yes, I’m being very ambiguous on purpose. I won’t spoil anything).

If you can get to a theater, go see The Dark Knight Rises. It’s definitely worth the money, and will win an assload of awards this year. Was Bane a “big” enough enemy to close out the Dark Knight Trilogy? I didn’t think so. I wanted someone on the level of The Joker, but the movie still was amazing.

The Train Says: 9.4 out of 10

The Men – Open Your Heart (9.0/10)

This delicious album made me feel like a kid eavesdropping on the odd older neighbor’s Budweiser-inspired garage session.

Drop description: Roasted southern gravel finished in a 70’s British-punk milieu accompanied with a classic rock escabeche. Damn that sounds good! (But it’s also a really ostentatious way of me saying it’s raw rock and it’s fucking rad!) Everything I was looking for… Gracias, El Hombres.

- B.

Excuse me Mr. The Men, please come to Philly immediately.

People Under the Stairs – Highlighter (2.1/10)

[So against my better judgment I’ve started checking out “What’s New” albums on Spotify.] This PUTS album is absolutely awful. My first impression of the L.A.-based hip-hop group’s 8th album was that the Funky Bunch had finally bucked up and released music independent of their figurehead, Marky Mark. (They were awarded .1 points for that.) If you liked the Lords of the Underground’s 1993 album Here Come the Lords, you’d definitely hate this record.

I am unable to serve up witty quips because I’m still stupefied by the uninspired lyrics and flagrant awfulness. No words. I actually suggest that you listen to it yourself if only to justify my opinion. Please. [If you like it, never again visit our website.]

BTW, The Lords were dope-sound.

- B.

Anti-Flag – The General Strike (7.7/10)

It’s great to see that Anti-Flag’s still kicking government ass and taking names. They were on heavy rotation on my playlist back in the day when I was really in the Philly punk scene, and they’re still bringing the heat.

“The Neoliberal Anthem” is a great sing-along track that sounds like it’s off of AFI’s December Underground album. Speaking of sing-alongs, AF has always had a high sing-along-ability in their tracks, and it’s still very evident through this album.

They’ve stayed true to the “against authority” nature of their music, and they still make you want to pogo with your fist in the air. Poppy instrumentation with a tough edge and upbeat vocals.

For a few minutes, I felt as though I was back in the 90′s… And that’s not a bad thing in punk rock terms. It’s not shoe gazing music… It’s get in the pit, sing with the band and whip some ass music. Nothing groundbreaking, but good, solid punk rock.

- Train

 

 

Lindstrom – Six Cups of Rebel (4.5/10)

After 20 minutes of listening to this Six Cups I wanted to Gronkowski-spike my iPhone into the pavement. Conversely, if you told me that this album was a sonic representation of Turbo and Ozone’s ambiguous gayness, I’d say it was GENIUS.

(Breakin’ 2 reference; you’re welcome.)

-B.

Gregg Allman – Low Country Blues – 7.9/10

Gregg Allman’s first solo album in 14 years, produced by T-Bone Burnett features covers of songs from blues gods such as Bobby “Blue” Bland, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and more. Through the first few songs, I was left thinking, ‘Did Gregg lose his vocal chops?’ However, as the album progressed, his vocals became stronger as did the musical selection.

His soulful delivery finally started to shine as I dove into the proverbial “meat” of the albums. No more did he hold back, or keep repeating the same riff over and over. Gregg reached deep and gave an excellent performance on the album which truly paid homage to his blues forefathers.

If I could trim the fat on this album, and pull out the prime cuts, I would discard the first few and last tracks. One would be left with a bluesy chateaubriand, cooked rare, topped with bearnaise sauce and paired with a two pound South African Lobster tail and a 1997 Chateau Laffite.

Classy and fulfilling.

Yellowcard – When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes – 7.5/10

I’m a punk kid at heart, and always will be. When I saw that Yellowcard’s new album came out, I was eager to give it a few spins. The album has a very late 90′s to early Y2K feeling to it, but that’s not a bad thing. The vocals are still spot on and infectious as is the musicianship.

However, I can’t help but to feel that the electric violin is a wimpy for a pop punk band. If they traded in the violin for a great lead guitarist, they could really be a much more powerful band. I know, it’s what sets them apart. I understand. I still think it’s a bit pussified.

Production is well done, as is the performance. Not by any means the best punk album that I’ve come across, but it’s a strong effort.

- Moe

Male Bonding – Nothing Hurts – 6.3/10

First of all, what happened to balls in music these days?! It’s an unfortunate trend with many recent releases where bands attempt to be so avant-garde with their music that it makes for a semi-poor listen. Male Bonding’s latest isn’t horrible, but balls?  It has none.

The album has gritty and dirty flashbacks of 90′s punk, but the vocals are so pussified that it’s kinda angering! Yes, I understand the lo-fi movement, but come on. Most of the “points” that Nothing Hurts gains is from the instrumentals. The instrumentals would benefit from better production, but the vocals should be put back in the blender and refurbished for their next album.

- The Train

Against Me! – White Crosses (8/10)

A raucous caricature of seasoned punk rock and roll, the follow-up album to 2007’s well-received New Wave is at times generic sounding but always unrelenting and unapologetic in its tone.

Against Me! – White Crosses (8/10)

A raucous caricature of seasoned punk rock and roll, the follow-up album to 2007’s well-received New Wave is at times generic sounding but always unrelenting and unapologetic in its tone.  The album’s eponymous first track White Crosses is a microcosm for whole the album, where the intuitively hostile lyrics “White crosses on the church lawn, I want to smash them all!” are misleadingly played out in the fashion of a jolly Irish drinking song.

Suggested listening environment:  Gym or pub.  If you can find a hybrid between the two, please contact me at b@moetrainstracks.com.

LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening (8.5/10)

LCD’s third album is nothing unforeseen, another laser-inscribed lamentation from the reigning analog-meets-digital maestro.  Murphy once again transcends the dance-punk genre, a style in which he is now a perennial figurehead.

LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening (8.5 out of 10)

LCD’s third album is nothing unforeseen, another laser-inscribed lamentation from the reigning analog-meets-digital maestro.  Murphy once again transcends the dance-punk genre, a style in which he is now a perennial figurehead.

What to listen for:

-major Talking Heads influences, check out Pow Pow

-Dance Yrself Clean- one of 2010’s best songs to date

-my only caveat- some of the songs drag-on a smidge (the average track is 7 minutes), not something that has worked well with my unrelenting ADD

- B

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