I just had a chance to listen to both the new Dexter Jones Circus Orchestra and Asteroid albums that were released recently.
The Dexter Jones retains their signature sound from past albums but this album adds singer/guitar player Matt Bethancourt from Josiah and Cherry Choke to the mix. Matt adds his signature sound and voice to the album. He doesn’t take lead on the vocals but mearly adds to the backgrounds. When I found out he joined the band I was estatic and couldn’t wait to hear it. Overall I’d give it four out of five stars. It didn’t blow me away but still grabbed me none the less.
On the same day as the new Dexter Jones album was released, Fuzzorama records also released fellow Swedish rock band Asteroid’s followup album. Their second album titled II, or two continues a bit where the first one left off. This time around it’s a bit heavier and darker but still stands out as an Asteroid album. The songs definately have that oomf that belongs to them. Sometimes a bit on the bluesy side, 70’s classic rock and I even detect a hint of a jazz side. A few of the songs reminded me of Dr. Smoke, the last song off their debut album.
A friend on Facebook said it may be his album of the year. Upon first listen it didn’t hit me as an album of the year. A second listen made me apprecite the album a bit more and I think I may be going back to listen to this a few more times. It may turn out to be one of those albums that you have to listen to a few times to really appreciate it. Kind of like the Skanska Mord album released recently by Small Stone. Right now I’ll give “II” a 3 out of 5 stars but I may update that in a day or two if this album grabs me lime I think it may.
7 Inch Review 