WE GOTTA STAY POSITIVE.

Looking back at the year 2008, there were a handful of shining albums that were truly gripping from the first to last track. While exploring the ranks of awards, comebacks, and debuts, its hard to notice the mildly recognized artists of alternative rock that have been a part of the scene long before you even knew about it.

I'm talking about the brooklyn born, Saint Paul crooning rock band The Hold Steady.

The album that I have been listening to on repeat ever since I got it is their fourth studio album, "Stay Positive". This is actually the band's 6th album (mixing studio with EPs), which is rich with powerful, upbeat songs about alcohol, hooking up, and nostalgia for the old rock music scene.

The album begins with the gritty, upbeat sound that the band is noted to produce, complete with shredding guitars and poppy piano riffs. The opening track, "Constructive Summer", is packaged complete with the message of support, excitement, and friendship. After a couple skippable songs ("One for the Cutters" and "Navy Sheets"), the album picks itself up and delivers to the listener, complete with power ballad "Lord, I'm Discouraged", and some dedications to old flames and more to religion.

Easily, the best track off of the album is the title track, "Stay Positive", in which frontman Craig Finn croons out lines of hope and support from old friends.

The album reflects the band's hard work over the years, and they have finally made their well-deserved comeback since Boys and Girls in America, and the album proves that almost everything can be solved through redemption.

It's good to hear a positive message threaded through every track of an album, and The Hold Steady easily impress listeners with cinematic lyrics and an eclectic, unique sound.

You're Disappointed in the Way She Looks

Sometimes, I think of music like a big blender. Let's blend together our favorite bands so we can create the ultimate sound! It's like one big math equation.

In this big blender, let's put in Lou Reed and his Velvets, Jesus & Mary Chain, Beach Boys, Beatles (obviously), My Bloody Valentine, Elliott Smith, and the Kinks (why not?). What do we get?

AMBULANCE LTD -- LP

A cacophony inspired by such influences must be a symphony, right? Almost. The songs in Ambulance LTD's are well crafted. Actually they're very methodically crafted, just like their sound. I can imagine how songwriter Marcus Congleton's brain works as he's strumming his acoustic guitar.

"Hey, I've got this tune in my head. Wow, it's very catchy! Let me try to figure out the chord progression."

He strums a few chords.

"Wow, I've got a great verse. Now let's come up with a chorus."

He hums a few melodies until he comes up with one he likes.

"Okay great, I've got a great chorus and a great verse. That means I've got a great song."

I don't know for sure, but I can imagine the above conversation probably happened eleven times in Congleton's mind... enough times for him to create his first album. Yes, the album is filled with peacefully beautiful melodies, great swooning shoegaze guitars, and warm fuzzy harmonies.

Ambulance LTD's mid tempo "rockers" aren't songs I would expect people dancing to. I envision a group of high class sophisticated music connoisseurs (such as Sasha and I) sitting around the band, snobbily applauding each song.

The problem I have with the album is that it's too neat and tidy. It's too well-crafted and doesn't leave any room for error... or excitement. The songs are well-written but light-weight. The hooks are catchy but soft. And the album is good but forgettable. Just like the album cover... and the album's name.

PS: I do like the songs though. Here are my recommendations: "Anecdote", "Ophelia", "Stay Where You Are" (skip the unnecessary intro), and "Stay Tuned."

For even better Ambulance LTD songs, check out "New English" and "Arbuckle's Swan Song" off their latest EP "New English"

PSS: What the hell where they thinking when they named their debut album "LP"?

Album Review: Pop-Up (English)

Okay so I was trying to be witty with the review in french, but the truth is, if you don't know french you have no idea what the album is like. So I'm going to translate it for you into english, so you can tell how good it is.

Julie Budet has made a name for herself in both her birthplace, France, and in the United States with her first album, "Pop-Up". Known under the pseudonym of Yelle (which stands for You Enjoy Life, only feminized), she explodes in electronic-pop beats with bursts of energy funk.

It is not love at first listen, though. The tracks are well organized, giving the album a comfortable flow of dance beats as well as easy listening, slower songs.

Yelle's influences are mixed, ranging from Madonna and Prince to the British pop band, Blur. The young pop artist has set high goals for the future, and does not take her success with Pop-Up for granted. In an interview with Virgin Music in March 2009, she expressed an interest in starting her own fashion line.
Songs to pay attention to:
1. Ce Jeu
2. A Cause Des Garcons
3. Je Veux Te Voir

Album Examen: Pop- Up

In honor of Yelle's album Pop-Up being in french, I will write this review in french. Merci.

Julie Budet s'est fait un nom pour elle-même à la fois en France et aux États-Unis avec son premier album, "Pop-Up". sa musique, dans le style de pop électronique, avec des rafales d'énergie funky. Il ne s'agit pas d'amour dès la première écoute, si. Les pistes sont bien organisés, en donnant à l'album une circulation confortable des pistes de danse ainsi que l'écoute facile, le ralentissement de chansons.

Yelle influences sont mixtes, allant de Madonna et Prince de la pop britannique Blur. Le jeune artiste pop a même fixé de grandes ambitions pour l'avenir, et ne prend pas son succès de Pop-Up pour acquis. Dans un entretien avec Virgin Music en Mars 2009, elle exprime un intérêt à lancer sa propre ligne de mode.

Chansons de prêter attention à:

1. Ce Jeu

2. A Cause Des Garcons

3. Je Veux Te Voir

Sleeping With Other Men

"We're not really interested in being controversial. If we wanted to be controversial we'd have called the album I Fuck Dogs."

Maybe they weren't trying to be controversial, but Suede's self-titled debut album is undeniably sexually charged. Brett Anderson's theatrical croon recalls Bowie and Morrissey, but Bernard Butler's dirty guitar riffs would never be found on a Smiths album. This is not a pop album. Do not expect sing-a-long choruses or catchy melodies. Suede is a dark and steamy wet dream.

Of course, the album has plenty of rocking moments from the jangly guitarwork in "Metal Mickey" to the pounding beat of "The Drowners," but the atmosphere the album evokes is slow and surreal. Listen to the reverb-driven production in "Pantomime Horse" or Anderson's calculated delivery in "Animal Nitrate." This album may not be easily accessible because of its lack of traditionally poppy melodies, but creating soundscapes this unique is a feat worth mentioning.

Suede had never been just about the music anyway. This album became the fastest selling album of all time at its release not because of the music, but because of the attitude the music was wrapped in. And no matter what Brett Anderson says, the attitude was definitely controversial.