Add Date: March 31
Artist: Peter Bjorn and John
Album: Living Thing
Label: Almost Gold/Columbia
Genre: Pop
Comments: The fifth album from Swedish trio Peter Bjorn and John (including last year's instrumental set Seaside Rock) finds them veering away from the '60s influences of their 2006 smash Writer's Block, and into territory populated more by synthesizers and drum machines. Less rock, more pop. The results are mixed; while the album as a whole seems to be lacking something, there are some terrific songs contained within. In particular, check out "It Don't Move Me," "Just the Past" and the title track.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Gentleman Reg
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Gentleman Reg
Album: Jet Black
Label: Arts & Crafts
Genre: Rock, Folk
Comments: Gentleman Reg is one of those singer-songwriters whose folk influences are just those, influences; they do not drive his work. Instead, the Canadian shifts around from the rock-y to the poppy to some strange places in between the two. He's been doing it for twelve years, so I assume he's doing something right.
Artist: Gentleman Reg
Album: Jet Black
Label: Arts & Crafts
Genre: Rock, Folk
Comments: Gentleman Reg is one of those singer-songwriters whose folk influences are just those, influences; they do not drive his work. Instead, the Canadian shifts around from the rock-y to the poppy to some strange places in between the two. He's been doing it for twelve years, so I assume he's doing something right.
Telekinesis!
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Telekinesis!
Album: Telekinesis!
Label: Merge
Genre: Pop/Rock
Comments: Telekinesis! knows how to do pop of a lighter, slower variety. This isn't your power-pop band, instead they will tease you with the hook and add in a strong rhythm from the drummer, but back off just enough to let you focus on lead singer Michael Benjamin Lerner. It's been done before (Transatlanticism), but it hasn't been done all that much better.
Artist: Telekinesis!
Album: Telekinesis!
Label: Merge
Genre: Pop/Rock
Comments: Telekinesis! knows how to do pop of a lighter, slower variety. This isn't your power-pop band, instead they will tease you with the hook and add in a strong rhythm from the drummer, but back off just enough to let you focus on lead singer Michael Benjamin Lerner. It's been done before (Transatlanticism), but it hasn't been done all that much better.
Sirsy
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Sirsy
Album: Revolution
Label: Self
Genre: Pop, Indie-pop
Comments: First things first, vocalist/drummer Melanie Krahmer has a great voice. It's clear, it's jazzy, and, when used correctly (see: the title track), it can really carry a song. Sadly, the two-peace band doesn't really live up to their opening track for the rest of the album, so even though it was a solid record, it seemed dissapointing in context.
Artist: Sirsy
Album: Revolution
Label: Self
Genre: Pop, Indie-pop
Comments: First things first, vocalist/drummer Melanie Krahmer has a great voice. It's clear, it's jazzy, and, when used correctly (see: the title track), it can really carry a song. Sadly, the two-peace band doesn't really live up to their opening track for the rest of the album, so even though it was a solid record, it seemed dissapointing in context.
The Coathangers
Add Date: March 31
Artist: The Coathangers
Album: Scramble
Label: Suicide Squeeze
Genre: Rock, Punk/Pop
Comments: I've never really understood why girls playing punk is so different from guys playing punk, but, for the most part, it's true: they have their own genre under the punk umbrella. The Coathangers usually skew a little to the angrier (when they aren't being ironic) side of the spectrum, but they come with all of the positive and negatives inherent in girly-punk.
Artist: The Coathangers
Album: Scramble
Label: Suicide Squeeze
Genre: Rock, Punk/Pop
Comments: I've never really understood why girls playing punk is so different from guys playing punk, but, for the most part, it's true: they have their own genre under the punk umbrella. The Coathangers usually skew a little to the angrier (when they aren't being ironic) side of the spectrum, but they come with all of the positive and negatives inherent in girly-punk.
Mastodon
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Mastodon
Album: Crack the Skye
Label: Reprise
Genre: Rock, Metal, Prog
Comments: Heavy metal band Mastodon is one of those bands taht you need to listen to at least once, even if only for the sake of listening to one of the leaders of American metal. And they're worth a listen here, shifting between plodding, methodical, ponderous songs, and sudden bursts of proggy goodness. And it's a concept album about Czarist Russia (I think)! The most single-ready song is "Divinations" (#2), but the rest of the album fills nicely around it, they just take longer to appreciate.
Artist: Mastodon
Album: Crack the Skye
Label: Reprise
Genre: Rock, Metal, Prog
Comments: Heavy metal band Mastodon is one of those bands taht you need to listen to at least once, even if only for the sake of listening to one of the leaders of American metal. And they're worth a listen here, shifting between plodding, methodical, ponderous songs, and sudden bursts of proggy goodness. And it's a concept album about Czarist Russia (I think)! The most single-ready song is "Divinations" (#2), but the rest of the album fills nicely around it, they just take longer to appreciate.
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Felice Brothers
Add Date: March 31
Artist: The Felice Brothers
Album: Yonder is the Clock
Label: Team Love
Genre: Folk/Americana/Country
Comments: The Catskill Mountains of New York are a fitting place to come from when you’re creating rambling, Americana mountain-music; the Felice Brothers do just that. An equal mix of folk and country, Yonder is the Clock is another welcome addition to the rustic folk movement of recent years. Warbling vocals, honest and unpretentious presentation, and an inclination towards the melancholy and rustic combine to create a beautiful (if not exactly catchy) record. Start with tracks 2, 5, and 10.
Artist: The Felice Brothers
Album: Yonder is the Clock
Label: Team Love
Genre: Folk/Americana/Country
Comments: The Catskill Mountains of New York are a fitting place to come from when you’re creating rambling, Americana mountain-music; the Felice Brothers do just that. An equal mix of folk and country, Yonder is the Clock is another welcome addition to the rustic folk movement of recent years. Warbling vocals, honest and unpretentious presentation, and an inclination towards the melancholy and rustic combine to create a beautiful (if not exactly catchy) record. Start with tracks 2, 5, and 10.
[P.S. Word on the street is the Felice Brothers are playing Buffalo Creek this spring. Just sayin']
RIYL: Great Lake Swimmers, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, our recent “Dark Was The Night” sampler
the boy least likely to
Add Date: March 31
Artist: the boy least likely to
Album: The Law of the Playground
Label: Plus One
Genre: Alternative/Pop/Country
Comments: The Law of the Playground is the newest release from UK natives the boy least likely to. Mixing standard indie-pop fare with some rural country/English-folk sensibilities, the outcome is a sweet, upbeat and playful record, complete with banjos, coordinated harmonies and lyrics about lemonade and balloons. Straightforward, uncomplicated and fun, “The Law of the Playground” is a solid and refreshingly honest record; start with tracks 2, 3, 11, and 13.
Artist: the boy least likely to
Album: The Law of the Playground
Label: Plus One
Genre: Alternative/Pop/Country
Comments: The Law of the Playground is the newest release from UK natives the boy least likely to. Mixing standard indie-pop fare with some rural country/English-folk sensibilities, the outcome is a sweet, upbeat and playful record, complete with banjos, coordinated harmonies and lyrics about lemonade and balloons. Straightforward, uncomplicated and fun, “The Law of the Playground” is a solid and refreshingly honest record; start with tracks 2, 3, 11, and 13.
Ben Lee
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Ben Lee
Album: The Rebirth of Venus
Label: New West
Genre: Pop
Comments: Ben Lee’s 7th studio album, The Rebirth of Venus, is pretty much what you’d expect from the veteran pop artist and college-radio staple (remember "Catch My Disease"?!): catchy, clear vocals and solid guitar. This time around, the record is dedicated to the goddess Venus; Lee says he is “trying to find a balance between my own masculine and feminine nature”. While this theme may direct the songs lyrically (“Boy with a Barbie”, “Yoko Ono”), the style is pretty much unchanged. It’s radio-friendly, thoughtful pop-music; start with tracks 1, 8, and 9.
Artist: Ben Lee
Album: The Rebirth of Venus
Label: New West
Genre: Pop
Comments: Ben Lee’s 7th studio album, The Rebirth of Venus, is pretty much what you’d expect from the veteran pop artist and college-radio staple (remember "Catch My Disease"?!): catchy, clear vocals and solid guitar. This time around, the record is dedicated to the goddess Venus; Lee says he is “trying to find a balance between my own masculine and feminine nature”. While this theme may direct the songs lyrically (“Boy with a Barbie”, “Yoko Ono”), the style is pretty much unchanged. It’s radio-friendly, thoughtful pop-music; start with tracks 1, 8, and 9.
Richard Swift
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Richard Swift
Album: The Atlantic Ocean
Label: Secretly Canadian
Genre: Rock
Comments: Tight, well-crafted instruments-- including an analog tape machine and a piano, both adding an older, weathered vibe—combine with Richard Swift’s distinctive vocals on The Atlantic Ocean, his most recent release. Described as creating “a perfectly proportioned mix of minimalistic rock and roll, and innovative synthesizer stabs”, the tracks are catchy and straightforward. Start with tracks 1, 7, and 10.
Artist: Richard Swift
Album: The Atlantic Ocean
Label: Secretly Canadian
Genre: Rock
Comments: Tight, well-crafted instruments-- including an analog tape machine and a piano, both adding an older, weathered vibe—combine with Richard Swift’s distinctive vocals on The Atlantic Ocean, his most recent release. Described as creating “a perfectly proportioned mix of minimalistic rock and roll, and innovative synthesizer stabs”, the tracks are catchy and straightforward. Start with tracks 1, 7, and 10.
Yes Please
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Yes Please
Album: For Now, For Then, For Them
Label: Bicycle
Genre: Experimental/Folk/Other
Comments: Yes Please, the solo project of musician Lily Maring, features quirky vocals (with somewhat of a Joanna Newsom vibe) and layered, sometimes repetitive instrumentals, combining to create a slightly weird, ambient record. The album works best when the instrumentation and vocals are in full force—the sparser, airier tracks (like track 4, “Doubt”) are either hit or miss. Quirky and stylized, but not too eccentric; start with tracks 5, 8 and 9.
Artist: Yes Please
Album: For Now, For Then, For Them
Label: Bicycle
Genre: Experimental/Folk/Other
Comments: Yes Please, the solo project of musician Lily Maring, features quirky vocals (with somewhat of a Joanna Newsom vibe) and layered, sometimes repetitive instrumentals, combining to create a slightly weird, ambient record. The album works best when the instrumentation and vocals are in full force—the sparser, airier tracks (like track 4, “Doubt”) are either hit or miss. Quirky and stylized, but not too eccentric; start with tracks 5, 8 and 9.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Barcelona
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Barcelona
Album: Barcelona (EP)
Label: Universal Motown
Genre: Indie Pop Rock
Comments: This West Coast Myspace hit sounds like it could be on Laguna Beach. It is recommended for fans of Travis, Mutemath, Coldplay, The Fray, and Jeff Buckley. Listen to "Takers."
Artist: Barcelona
Album: Barcelona (EP)
Label: Universal Motown
Genre: Indie Pop Rock
Comments: This West Coast Myspace hit sounds like it could be on Laguna Beach. It is recommended for fans of Travis, Mutemath, Coldplay, The Fray, and Jeff Buckley. Listen to "Takers."
Corey Crowder
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Corey Crowder
Album: Gold and the Sun
Label: Tooth and Nail
Genre: Alt-Country, Folk-Rock
Comments: Embracing his Southern roots, this Georgia native makes music with an emphasis on honest, heartfelt lyrics. Easy to listen to. RIYD: Dave Mathews Band, Jack Johnson
"Southern Way" sounds like it would be popular with the W&L set.
Artist: Corey Crowder
Album: Gold and the Sun
Label: Tooth and Nail
Genre: Alt-Country, Folk-Rock
Comments: Embracing his Southern roots, this Georgia native makes music with an emphasis on honest, heartfelt lyrics. Easy to listen to. RIYD: Dave Mathews Band, Jack Johnson
"Southern Way" sounds like it would be popular with the W&L set.
Leonard Cohen
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Leonard Cohen
Album: Live in London (selections from)
Label: Columbia
Genre: Folk Rock, Singer-songwriter
Comments: "For four decades, Leonard Cohen has been one of the most important and influential songwriters of our time, a figure whose body of work achieves greater depths of mystery and meaning as time goes on. His songs have set an unmatched standard in their seriousness and range. Sex, spirituality, religion, power-- he has relentlessly examined the largest issues in human lives, always with a full appreciation of how elusive answers can be to the vexing questions he raises. But those questions, and the journey he has traveled in seeking to address them, are the ever-shifting substance of his work, as well as the reasons why his songs never lose their overwhelming emotional force."
Listen to him sing his "Hallelujah," which Shrek and Rufus Wainwright reintroduced to a younger set.
AAM
Artist: Leonard Cohen
Album: Live in London (selections from)
Label: Columbia
Genre: Folk Rock, Singer-songwriter
Comments: "For four decades, Leonard Cohen has been one of the most important and influential songwriters of our time, a figure whose body of work achieves greater depths of mystery and meaning as time goes on. His songs have set an unmatched standard in their seriousness and range. Sex, spirituality, religion, power-- he has relentlessly examined the largest issues in human lives, always with a full appreciation of how elusive answers can be to the vexing questions he raises. But those questions, and the journey he has traveled in seeking to address them, are the ever-shifting substance of his work, as well as the reasons why his songs never lose their overwhelming emotional force."
Listen to him sing his "Hallelujah," which Shrek and Rufus Wainwright reintroduced to a younger set.
AAM
Front Porch Swing
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Front Porch Swing
Album: Back Room Sessions
Label: Flat Five Press
Genre: Hillbilly Swing, Blues and Honky Tonk
Comments: "An eclectic blend of American roots music styles with a twist is Front Porch Swing's specialty; their repertoire features hillbilly swing, blues, jazz, honky tonk and a dose of ukulele madness."
Artist: Front Porch Swing
Album: Back Room Sessions
Label: Flat Five Press
Genre: Hillbilly Swing, Blues and Honky Tonk
Comments: "An eclectic blend of American roots music styles with a twist is Front Porch Swing's specialty; their repertoire features hillbilly swing, blues, jazz, honky tonk and a dose of ukulele madness."
Scott Perry
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Scott Perry
Album: Eight Miles to Perryville
Label: Oh Papa
Genre: "Bona Fide Acoustic Blues and Roots"
Comments: "Scott Perry's music celebrates the relevance and vitality of the acoustic music created and recorded in the early years of the 20th century. Drawing inspiration from traditional blues, hill billy, ragtime, Tin Pan Alley, old time, honky tonk, western swing jazz and mountain guitar, Scott has fashioned an old school sound that resonates today."
Perry does many renditions of country blues classics as well as offering some originals.
Artist: Scott Perry
Album: Eight Miles to Perryville
Label: Oh Papa
Genre: "Bona Fide Acoustic Blues and Roots"
Comments: "Scott Perry's music celebrates the relevance and vitality of the acoustic music created and recorded in the early years of the 20th century. Drawing inspiration from traditional blues, hill billy, ragtime, Tin Pan Alley, old time, honky tonk, western swing jazz and mountain guitar, Scott has fashioned an old school sound that resonates today."
Perry does many renditions of country blues classics as well as offering some originals.
Lenny Marcus
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Lenny Marcus
Album: Waterdrops
Label: Self-released
Genre: Jazz
Comments: "Lenny Marcus originally began his piano career in DC, studying with the legendary blues oriented jazz pianist Ray Bryant, who affectionately called Lenny his "nephew." After a short stint at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Lenny moved to New Orleans and studied with Ellis Marsalis and Alvin Batiste, performing with many of New Orleans' greats and picking up flute as a second instrument. Lenny's music has a jazz sound that is unique, a mixture of high energy songs and more moving, melodic compositions. Waterdrops is exactly that, interweaving groove oriented songs like "One Fifth Gravity," "Crayola," and "Soft Energy," coming to a close with a piano solo rendition of "Amazing Grace."
Marcus is based out of Roanoke, and this album features many musicians from Southwest Virginia.
Artist: Lenny Marcus
Album: Waterdrops
Label: Self-released
Genre: Jazz
Comments: "Lenny Marcus originally began his piano career in DC, studying with the legendary blues oriented jazz pianist Ray Bryant, who affectionately called Lenny his "nephew." After a short stint at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Lenny moved to New Orleans and studied with Ellis Marsalis and Alvin Batiste, performing with many of New Orleans' greats and picking up flute as a second instrument. Lenny's music has a jazz sound that is unique, a mixture of high energy songs and more moving, melodic compositions. Waterdrops is exactly that, interweaving groove oriented songs like "One Fifth Gravity," "Crayola," and "Soft Energy," coming to a close with a piano solo rendition of "Amazing Grace."
Marcus is based out of Roanoke, and this album features many musicians from Southwest Virginia.
The Arrest
Add Date: March 31
Artist: The Arrest
Album: 01
Label: Princess
Genre: Pop Rock
Comments: This Minnesota foursome only records the sounds that they can make themselves live-- which amounts to soundscape pop-rock (with likely Coldplay/The Cure influences). Listen to "Leviathan," which has a more classic rock sound.
Tinderbox
Artist: The Arrest
Album: 01
Label: Princess
Genre: Pop Rock
Comments: This Minnesota foursome only records the sounds that they can make themselves live-- which amounts to soundscape pop-rock (with likely Coldplay/The Cure influences). Listen to "Leviathan," which has a more classic rock sound.
Tinderbox
Man is Doomed
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Man Is Doomed
Album: Escape to Europa
Label: Self-released
Genre: Dance
Comments: It is strange that this album is called "Escape to Europa" when it shows such an American funk influence. It is also strange that the group is called "Man Is Doomed" when they make upbeat dance music with such ditties as "Take Off Your Pants and Dance" which seems to have a Michael Jackson twist (maybe it's just the falsetto.)
Artist: Man Is Doomed
Album: Escape to Europa
Label: Self-released
Genre: Dance
Comments: It is strange that this album is called "Escape to Europa" when it shows such an American funk influence. It is also strange that the group is called "Man Is Doomed" when they make upbeat dance music with such ditties as "Take Off Your Pants and Dance" which seems to have a Michael Jackson twist (maybe it's just the falsetto.)
Ross Island Bridge
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Ross Island Bridge
Album: Volume 1: The Process Is Now the Work
Label: Bouncing Space
Genre: Indie Pop
Comments: "Indie-pop singer/songwriter and Elephant 6 confederate, Ross Beach is a pop composer, DIY visionary and a humble music legend... Ross's fuzz pop roots tremble and his experimental sensibilities come alive in his latest upbeat and danceable electronic masterpiece."
-Spectre
A series of collaborations with various artists from the Portland music community, this album goes back and forth between genres and styles. "Am I Alone" (maybe a Flaming Lips/Beta Band vibe) and "We Met too Soon" (more pop-oriented) stood out for me.
Artist: Ross Island Bridge
Album: Volume 1: The Process Is Now the Work
Label: Bouncing Space
Genre: Indie Pop
Comments: "Indie-pop singer/songwriter and Elephant 6 confederate, Ross Beach is a pop composer, DIY visionary and a humble music legend... Ross's fuzz pop roots tremble and his experimental sensibilities come alive in his latest upbeat and danceable electronic masterpiece."
-Spectre
A series of collaborations with various artists from the Portland music community, this album goes back and forth between genres and styles. "Am I Alone" (maybe a Flaming Lips/Beta Band vibe) and "We Met too Soon" (more pop-oriented) stood out for me.
Friday, March 27, 2009
1090 Club
Add Date: March 31
Artist: 1090 Club
Album: Natural Selection
Label: Sidecho
Genre: Pop-Rock
Comments: This quartet out of Billings, Montana is determined to prove that there is a music advantage to living in "Big Sky Country" -- basing their music off "the greatest place ever." Indie pop-rock with looping and soundscaping (maybe a little Death Cab-esque). Check out the opener "Itson."
Planetary
Artist: 1090 Club
Album: Natural Selection
Label: Sidecho
Genre: Pop-Rock
Comments: This quartet out of Billings, Montana is determined to prove that there is a music advantage to living in "Big Sky Country" -- basing their music off "the greatest place ever." Indie pop-rock with looping and soundscaping (maybe a little Death Cab-esque). Check out the opener "Itson."
Planetary
Bat for Lashes
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Bat for Lashes
Album: Two Suns
Label: Astralwerks
Genre: Rock
Comments: "Bat For Lashes is the work of British singer/ songwriter, multi- instrumentalist and visual artist Natasha Khan. Born in 1979, yet combining influences that span decades, Natasha's work dwells in the elemental, emerging in timeless forms. A new Bat For Lashes album 'Two Suns' is released on the 6th of April 2009. 'Two Suns' was written and recorded around the world, from Big Sur and the Joshua Tree desert in California to the rolling Welsh countryside and the city sprawls of New York and London. It includes appearances by Brooklyn's finest psychedelic experimentalists Yeasayer, who provide bass and beat programming. The legendary Scott Walker also performs a duet with Natasha for the album closer 'The Big Sleep'. As with Fur And Gold, Natasha chose to co-produce Two Suns with David Kosten (AKA Faultline). Having spent parts of her childhood in Pakistan, Natasha Khan now lives by the sea in England.
TRY: #1, 4, 7" -Pirate
Surreal, dark, sprawling music with an electro beat. I liked "Daniel" and the big "Siren Song."
Artist: Bat for Lashes
Album: Two Suns
Label: Astralwerks
Genre: Rock
Comments: "Bat For Lashes is the work of British singer/ songwriter, multi- instrumentalist and visual artist Natasha Khan. Born in 1979, yet combining influences that span decades, Natasha's work dwells in the elemental, emerging in timeless forms. A new Bat For Lashes album 'Two Suns' is released on the 6th of April 2009. 'Two Suns' was written and recorded around the world, from Big Sur and the Joshua Tree desert in California to the rolling Welsh countryside and the city sprawls of New York and London. It includes appearances by Brooklyn's finest psychedelic experimentalists Yeasayer, who provide bass and beat programming. The legendary Scott Walker also performs a duet with Natasha for the album closer 'The Big Sleep'. As with Fur And Gold, Natasha chose to co-produce Two Suns with David Kosten (AKA Faultline). Having spent parts of her childhood in Pakistan, Natasha Khan now lives by the sea in England.
TRY: #1, 4, 7" -Pirate
Surreal, dark, sprawling music with an electro beat. I liked "Daniel" and the big "Siren Song."
Common Market
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Common Market
Album: The Winter's End (EP)
Label: Hyena
Genre: Rap
Comments:
'The Winter's End... stems from the seed of belief in a direct connection between depression, suicide and the notoriously long, wet winters of the Pacific Northwest."
Big horns and soft-synths sound refreshingly open after listening to so many sample-filled productions. A little funky.
Check out the 2nd track.
Artist: Common Market
Album: The Winter's End (EP)
Label: Hyena
Genre: Rap
Comments:
'The Winter's End... stems from the seed of belief in a direct connection between depression, suicide and the notoriously long, wet winters of the Pacific Northwest."
Big horns and soft-synths sound refreshingly open after listening to so many sample-filled productions. A little funky.
Check out the 2nd track.
FCO
Add Date: March 31
Artist: FCO
Album: FCO
Label: Orange Park
Genre: Pop
Comments: "FCO is the current stage name of a music project started in Rome in 1998 by singer/songwriter Simone Baldi. A native Italian speaker, he writes his lyrics in English -- the language he speaks to tell his friends about his stories and experiences. Simone's music also reflects his global background and is a present day expression of the rock tradition contaminated by an Italian melodic sound." -Planetary
I don't know if we are supposed to be impressed that FCO is bilingual or excited that he is Italian or eager to here this Euro "contaminated" music. Pretty clear-cut pop-rock with a sort-of Crowded House feel.
Artist: FCO
Album: FCO
Label: Orange Park
Genre: Pop
Comments: "FCO is the current stage name of a music project started in Rome in 1998 by singer/songwriter Simone Baldi. A native Italian speaker, he writes his lyrics in English -- the language he speaks to tell his friends about his stories and experiences. Simone's music also reflects his global background and is a present day expression of the rock tradition contaminated by an Italian melodic sound." -Planetary
I don't know if we are supposed to be impressed that FCO is bilingual or excited that he is Italian or eager to here this Euro "contaminated" music. Pretty clear-cut pop-rock with a sort-of Crowded House feel.
Vertigo
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Vertigo
Album: The Coming and the Going
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock, Alt
Comments: Tense, sort-of dark alt-rock with female vocals.
Planetary
Artist: Vertigo
Album: The Coming and the Going
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock, Alt
Comments: Tense, sort-of dark alt-rock with female vocals.
Planetary
Enid
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Enid
Album: Bitter Sweet Rum
Label: Arts Express
Genre: Reggae
Comments: "Enid Holden is an international singer/songwriter based in Washington DC who is inspired to create most of her material is the mystical mountains of Colorado... A native of South Africa, she now has an American status and every year travels to Jamaica, where she steeps herself in the magic of reggae music and culture. In these original rock-reggae tunes she enjoys the reggae legacy, celebrates the social freedoms of Jamaica, explores fusion of African experience and experiments with taking reggae to the high ground of Mount Crested Butte."
-Planetary
Artist: Enid
Album: Bitter Sweet Rum
Label: Arts Express
Genre: Reggae
Comments: "Enid Holden is an international singer/songwriter based in Washington DC who is inspired to create most of her material is the mystical mountains of Colorado... A native of South Africa, she now has an American status and every year travels to Jamaica, where she steeps herself in the magic of reggae music and culture. In these original rock-reggae tunes she enjoys the reggae legacy, celebrates the social freedoms of Jamaica, explores fusion of African experience and experiments with taking reggae to the high ground of Mount Crested Butte."
-Planetary
Hatcham Social
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Hatcham Social
Album: You Dig the Tunnel, I'll Hide the Soul
Label: Fierce Panda
Genre: Pop
Comments: Hatcham Social is a "well-scrubbed Londoneering indiepoptastic quartet" that gives off Talking Heads/Morrissey vibe (the record label calls it a "charmingly jagged old school alternative stance."
Check out "Murder in the Dark" or "Sidewalk."
AAM
Artist: Hatcham Social
Album: You Dig the Tunnel, I'll Hide the Soul
Label: Fierce Panda
Genre: Pop
Comments: Hatcham Social is a "well-scrubbed Londoneering indiepoptastic quartet" that gives off Talking Heads/Morrissey vibe (the record label calls it a "charmingly jagged old school alternative stance."
Check out "Murder in the Dark" or "Sidewalk."
AAM
Sara Watkins
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Sara Watkins
Album: Sara Watkins
Label: Nonesuch
Genre: Singer-songwriter, Alt-country, Folk
Comments: Nonesuch Records has signed singer/songwriter/fiddle player Sara Watkins, who is best known as a founding member of Nickel Creek. This record was produced by former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones has help from "a wide range of colleagues and old friends" including Gillian Welch, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench, and Elvis Costello drummer Pete Thomas. Sara Watkins wrote a lot of the tracks, but also does versions of songs by Jimmie Rodgers, Norman Blake and Tom Waits.
Overall these very pretty, pleasant, stripped-down numbers come off as very tender. I liked the opener "All this Time."
Artist: Sara Watkins
Album: Sara Watkins
Label: Nonesuch
Genre: Singer-songwriter, Alt-country, Folk
Comments: Nonesuch Records has signed singer/songwriter/fiddle player Sara Watkins, who is best known as a founding member of Nickel Creek. This record was produced by former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones has help from "a wide range of colleagues and old friends" including Gillian Welch, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench, and Elvis Costello drummer Pete Thomas. Sara Watkins wrote a lot of the tracks, but also does versions of songs by Jimmie Rodgers, Norman Blake and Tom Waits.
Overall these very pretty, pleasant, stripped-down numbers come off as very tender. I liked the opener "All this Time."
Stella Schindler
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Stella Schindler
Album: Distant Hum
Label: Self-released
Genre: Americana
Comments: "Guided by this Washington, DC-based singer's haunting voice, the lonely often cursed citizens wander along urban trails and desert valleys trying to make some sense of the royal mess they've made." --Tinderbox
Gloomy Americana
Artist: Stella Schindler
Album: Distant Hum
Label: Self-released
Genre: Americana
Comments: "Guided by this Washington, DC-based singer's haunting voice, the lonely often cursed citizens wander along urban trails and desert valleys trying to make some sense of the royal mess they've made." --Tinderbox
Gloomy Americana
Thunderheist
Add Date: March 31
Artist: Thunderheist
Album: Thunderheist
Label: Big Dada
Genre: Hip Hop
Comments: "Equal parts electro banger, R&B grind and hip hop slap...." Thunderheist has some catchy but understated (breathy) club stuff. Check out "Sweet Sixteen."
Terrorbird
Artist: Thunderheist
Album: Thunderheist
Label: Big Dada
Genre: Hip Hop
Comments: "Equal parts electro banger, R&B grind and hip hop slap...." Thunderheist has some catchy but understated (breathy) club stuff. Check out "Sweet Sixteen."
Terrorbird
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Album: Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Label: XL
Genre: Folk
Comments: The long-awaited (by me, anyway) follow-up to debut album Ash Wednesday, Elvis Perkins in Dearland sees Elvis joined by three talented musicians to form an actual band. Without losing the heart and feeling of Ash Wednesday, the new crew has imbued Perkins' music with a kind spirit and liveliness. "At once raucous and profound, Elvis Perkins in Dearland conures both the greatest celebration and the saddest funeral."
Start with "Shampoo," "Hour's Last Stand," and "123 Goodbye."
Artist: Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Album: Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Label: XL
Genre: Folk
Comments: The long-awaited (by me, anyway) follow-up to debut album Ash Wednesday, Elvis Perkins in Dearland sees Elvis joined by three talented musicians to form an actual band. Without losing the heart and feeling of Ash Wednesday, the new crew has imbued Perkins' music with a kind spirit and liveliness. "At once raucous and profound, Elvis Perkins in Dearland conures both the greatest celebration and the saddest funeral."
Start with "Shampoo," "Hour's Last Stand," and "123 Goodbye."
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Spanish Armada
Add Date: March 24
Artist: The Spanish Armada
Album: The Spanish Armada
Label: Midriff
Genre: Rock, Experimental, Noise Rock
Comments: The Spanish Armada are great at using their music to create moods. Even without the somber, dark lyrics, nobody would deny that these are sad, depressed songs. Everything about this Boston-based noise rock band seems to be focusing on which sounds, which level of distortion, and which nostes lead to the optimal level of sadness.
Artist: The Spanish Armada
Album: The Spanish Armada
Label: Midriff
Genre: Rock, Experimental, Noise Rock
Comments: The Spanish Armada are great at using their music to create moods. Even without the somber, dark lyrics, nobody would deny that these are sad, depressed songs. Everything about this Boston-based noise rock band seems to be focusing on which sounds, which level of distortion, and which nostes lead to the optimal level of sadness.
Telling on Trixie
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Telling on Trixie
Album: Ugly, Broke & Sober
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock
Comments: Nothing stands out too much from this 5-piece New York outfit. Pretty straightforward rock. I really wish that I could write more about them, but nothing was really that notable about the album.
Artist: Telling on Trixie
Album: Ugly, Broke & Sober
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock
Comments: Nothing stands out too much from this 5-piece New York outfit. Pretty straightforward rock. I really wish that I could write more about them, but nothing was really that notable about the album.
Death Becomes Even the Maiden
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Death Becomes Even the Maiden
Album: Death Becomes Even the Maiden
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock, Post-Hardcore, Grunge
Comments: Post-Hardcore in the same vein as These Arms are Snakes or Call Me Lightning, but, unlike many post-hardcore bands, the vocals are a bit restrained. The only time the band really lets go and gets obviously angry is "The Only Thing I Feel for You is the Recoil," which is sad, because I felt that was their strongest song.
Artist: Death Becomes Even the Maiden
Album: Death Becomes Even the Maiden
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock, Post-Hardcore, Grunge
Comments: Post-Hardcore in the same vein as These Arms are Snakes or Call Me Lightning, but, unlike many post-hardcore bands, the vocals are a bit restrained. The only time the band really lets go and gets obviously angry is "The Only Thing I Feel for You is the Recoil," which is sad, because I felt that was their strongest song.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sleepwalk, a Robot
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Sleepwalk, a Robot
Album: Love in the Time of Global Warming
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop
Comments: Two former math teachers make up this really energetic electro-pop (emphaisis more on "pop") duo. All songs are pretty straightforward and just what you would expect, but I thought they shined the most on #4 ("Astronaut"), where they changed the pace up a bit.
Artist: Sleepwalk, a Robot
Album: Love in the Time of Global Warming
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop
Comments: Two former math teachers make up this really energetic electro-pop (emphaisis more on "pop") duo. All songs are pretty straightforward and just what you would expect, but I thought they shined the most on #4 ("Astronaut"), where they changed the pace up a bit.
Royksopp
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Royksopp
Album: Junior
Label: Astralwerks
Genre: Electronica
Comments: Norwegian electronic duo Royksopp brings us a fitting mix of up-tempo beats and light, dreamy vocals on their third full-length, Junior. Featuring vocalists such as Robyn, Lykke Li, Karin Dreijer-Andersson (The Knife) and Anneli Drekker (Bel Canto), Junior has a wide array of talent on-board their latest production; however, the pure electronic, vocal-free songs (such as “Royskopp Forever”) still shine. Half catchy and danceable, and half chill-out and downtempo, “Junior” is another electronic-music staple. Start with tracks 1 and 2 (both singles; track 2—“The Girl and the Robot”—starts out sounding like an 80’s classic before Robyn’s vocals kick in), 5 and 10.
Artist: Royksopp
Album: Junior
Label: Astralwerks
Genre: Electronica
Comments: Norwegian electronic duo Royksopp brings us a fitting mix of up-tempo beats and light, dreamy vocals on their third full-length, Junior. Featuring vocalists such as Robyn, Lykke Li, Karin Dreijer-Andersson (The Knife) and Anneli Drekker (Bel Canto), Junior has a wide array of talent on-board their latest production; however, the pure electronic, vocal-free songs (such as “Royskopp Forever”) still shine. Half catchy and danceable, and half chill-out and downtempo, “Junior” is another electronic-music staple. Start with tracks 1 and 2 (both singles; track 2—“The Girl and the Robot”—starts out sounding like an 80’s classic before Robyn’s vocals kick in), 5 and 10.
Greater California
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Greater California
Album: All the Colors
Label: Subtitled Audio
Genre: Pop/Psychdelic
Comments: A wonderfully layered pop record with beach-music sensibilities and a slightly psychedelic vibe, Greater California’s All the Colors is a hazy, yet never heavy, listening experience. Impressively dense, yet retaining its upbeat nature, the record balances jangly guitars, melodic vocals and harmonies, and a variety of other instruments including the piano, an electric sitar, and vibraphone to great effect. Track 4, “The Foolish Son”, is an uncanny Beach-Boys-esque production: swirling harmonies mixed with restrained drums, piano, and bells galore. The overall effect is a gorgeous, longing-for-summer record; start with tracks 1, 4, and 7.
Artist: Greater California
Album: All the Colors
Label: Subtitled Audio
Genre: Pop/Psychdelic
Comments: A wonderfully layered pop record with beach-music sensibilities and a slightly psychedelic vibe, Greater California’s All the Colors is a hazy, yet never heavy, listening experience. Impressively dense, yet retaining its upbeat nature, the record balances jangly guitars, melodic vocals and harmonies, and a variety of other instruments including the piano, an electric sitar, and vibraphone to great effect. Track 4, “The Foolish Son”, is an uncanny Beach-Boys-esque production: swirling harmonies mixed with restrained drums, piano, and bells galore. The overall effect is a gorgeous, longing-for-summer record; start with tracks 1, 4, and 7.
Red Red Meat
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Red Red Meat
Album: Bunny Gets Paid (Deluxe)
Label: Sub Pop
Genre: Rock
Comments: This deluxe edition re-release of Red Red Meat’s out-of-print album Bunny Gets Paid, originally from 1995, features the re-mastering of the original album plus a 7-song additional disc of alternates, demos, b-sides, etc. The music is bluesy, alternative rock with lo-fi sensibilities and prominent percussion and distorted guitar—called by Time Out Chicago an “acid-stained, unhurried take on blues/roots music”, Bunny Gets Paid is impressively still relevant, more than 10 years later. Start with tracks 2, 5, and 6.
Artist: Red Red Meat
Album: Bunny Gets Paid (Deluxe)
Label: Sub Pop
Genre: Rock
Comments: This deluxe edition re-release of Red Red Meat’s out-of-print album Bunny Gets Paid, originally from 1995, features the re-mastering of the original album plus a 7-song additional disc of alternates, demos, b-sides, etc. The music is bluesy, alternative rock with lo-fi sensibilities and prominent percussion and distorted guitar—called by Time Out Chicago an “acid-stained, unhurried take on blues/roots music”, Bunny Gets Paid is impressively still relevant, more than 10 years later. Start with tracks 2, 5, and 6.
The Long Lost
Add Date: March 24
Artist: The Long Lost
Album: The Long Lost
Label: Ninja Tunes
Genre: Acoustic/Other
Comments: From Terrorbird: “The Long Lost is a union of two songwriters and producers with a penchant for sad sounds and delicate, electro-acoustic melodies. These two hopeless romantics make psychedelic lullabies for lovers and the lovelorn. A fascinating and utterly individual project…”. Interesting production, but the somewhat stilted vocals can be more jarring than expected. Start with tracks 3 and 8.
Artist: The Long Lost
Album: The Long Lost
Label: Ninja Tunes
Genre: Acoustic/Other
Comments: From Terrorbird: “The Long Lost is a union of two songwriters and producers with a penchant for sad sounds and delicate, electro-acoustic melodies. These two hopeless romantics make psychedelic lullabies for lovers and the lovelorn. A fascinating and utterly individual project…”. Interesting production, but the somewhat stilted vocals can be more jarring than expected. Start with tracks 3 and 8.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Alterosa
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Alterosa
Album: Listen (EP)
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock
Comments: Alterosa is the new name of the band Sub Rosa. Their influences include Portishead, Interpol, and NIN (so, you know, darker stuff). Dark organ sounds, dark driven guitars, and dark commanding rhythms combine with quiet, dark female vocals to make an intensely dark (but not apocolyptic or goth) mood. Okay, enough kidding--- "Never Been Scared" actually works.
Planetary
Artist: Alterosa
Album: Listen (EP)
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock
Comments: Alterosa is the new name of the band Sub Rosa. Their influences include Portishead, Interpol, and NIN (so, you know, darker stuff). Dark organ sounds, dark driven guitars, and dark commanding rhythms combine with quiet, dark female vocals to make an intensely dark (but not apocolyptic or goth) mood. Okay, enough kidding--- "Never Been Scared" actually works.
Planetary
William Fitzsimmons
Add Date: March 24
Artist: William Fitzsimmons
Album: The Sparrow and the Crow
Label: Mercer Street
Genre: Pop, folk-pop
Comments:
"William Fitzsimmons is one of the oddest people you will ever meet. Born the youngest child of two blind parents, William was raised in the outskirts of the steel city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Due to the family's inability to communicate through normal visual means, William's childhood home was filled with a myriad of sounds to replace what eyes could not see. William draws from early folks stylings of his mother's music, and the embellished instrumentation of his father's. He is often compared to contemporaries Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, and the late Elliott Smith. His first two records were completely self-produced and his new album, The Sparrow And The Crow, produced by Marshall Altman at Galt Line Studios in Los Angeles, is his first studio recorded work."
Fitzsimmon looks like Devendra Banhart and his voice is, at times, remarkably similar to Sufjan's. His songs range from very Sufjan-- like "We Feel Alone", to a little more Jack Johnson, to a little cheezy "If You Could Come Back Home." "After Afterall" has a bit of a Bon Iver feel. So, maybe something for everyone?
Syndicate
Artist: William Fitzsimmons
Album: The Sparrow and the Crow
Label: Mercer Street
Genre: Pop, folk-pop
Comments:
"William Fitzsimmons is one of the oddest people you will ever meet. Born the youngest child of two blind parents, William was raised in the outskirts of the steel city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Due to the family's inability to communicate through normal visual means, William's childhood home was filled with a myriad of sounds to replace what eyes could not see. William draws from early folks stylings of his mother's music, and the embellished instrumentation of his father's. He is often compared to contemporaries Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, and the late Elliott Smith. His first two records were completely self-produced and his new album, The Sparrow And The Crow, produced by Marshall Altman at Galt Line Studios in Los Angeles, is his first studio recorded work."
Fitzsimmon looks like Devendra Banhart and his voice is, at times, remarkably similar to Sufjan's. His songs range from very Sufjan-- like "We Feel Alone", to a little more Jack Johnson, to a little cheezy "If You Could Come Back Home." "After Afterall" has a bit of a Bon Iver feel. So, maybe something for everyone?
Syndicate
Clea Roddick
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Clea Roddick
Album: Rollerskate
Label: Rawlco
Genre: Pop
Comments: Roots rock/pop in the vein of Nellie McKay or Sheryl Crow. The title track is a silly and fun-loving number.
Tinderbox.
Artist: Clea Roddick
Album: Rollerskate
Label: Rawlco
Genre: Pop
Comments: Roots rock/pop in the vein of Nellie McKay or Sheryl Crow. The title track is a silly and fun-loving number.
Tinderbox.
Ryebender
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Ryebender
Album: Hollow and Drifting
Label: Last Rain
Genre: Alt-Country
Comments: "The music of Ryebender is shaped by the musical journey of its members, with influences ranging from roots rock, pop and country, to folk, bluegrass and Irish music. The result is an unusual openness to diversity and personal songwriting-- with a refreshing ability to create genre bending arrangements that defy convention. It is familiar with Americana and Alt-Country, but yet somehow different." --Powderfinger
Actually, I found Ryebender to be most successful with its purest Alt-Country numbers--- check out "One Horse Town."
Artist: Ryebender
Album: Hollow and Drifting
Label: Last Rain
Genre: Alt-Country
Comments: "The music of Ryebender is shaped by the musical journey of its members, with influences ranging from roots rock, pop and country, to folk, bluegrass and Irish music. The result is an unusual openness to diversity and personal songwriting-- with a refreshing ability to create genre bending arrangements that defy convention. It is familiar with Americana and Alt-Country, but yet somehow different." --Powderfinger
Actually, I found Ryebender to be most successful with its purest Alt-Country numbers--- check out "One Horse Town."
Boom Box Repair Kit
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Boom Box Repair Kit
Album: My Dear Antagonist
Label: Kemada
Genre: Rock
Comments:
Artist: Boom Box Repair Kit
Album: My Dear Antagonist
Label: Kemada
Genre: Rock
Comments:
"Combining indie rock with the brisk fervency of merengue and the memorable melodies of pop with the twist and turns of prog rock, New York City’s Boom Box Repair Kit is claiming musical territory all its own. The band borrows from traditional Spanish-Caribbean music in much the same way Bad Brains borrows from reggae, Red Hot Chili Peppers borrows from funk and Gogol Bordello borrows from Balkan folk music. Some say the band is defining a new breed of Afro-Caribbean rock, while others feel that it stands out among the masses as a band in which no genre aptly captures their sound. My Dear Antagonist is a dance driven record that’s sometimes fun, other times dismal, but always thriving on the similarities between musical genres, not the differences. FCC: #2. SUGGESTED TRACKS: #4, 8, 10."
-Fanatic
While the "Spanish-Caribbean" influence isn't as evident as I would have thought from the above description, it does add an energetic twist to this pop-rock. Check out "Your Pain is Overrated" if you've ever had a whiny friend.
Julie the Band
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Julie the Band
Album: An Act of Communication
Label: Baby Bird
Genre: Pop Rock
Comments: Vocalist Nathan Blumenfield-James and guitarist Justin Bath were outside a nightclub when a petite woman named Julie was fighting with the bouncer and were inspired to name their band after her and her ability to be "fearless in the face of such odds." The LA based group mixes atmospheric orchestral elements with impassioned lyrics, humor, and a post punk edge.
Go to the catchy "Do Si Do."
Planetary
Artist: Julie the Band
Album: An Act of Communication
Label: Baby Bird
Genre: Pop Rock
Comments: Vocalist Nathan Blumenfield-James and guitarist Justin Bath were outside a nightclub when a petite woman named Julie was fighting with the bouncer and were inspired to name their band after her and her ability to be "fearless in the face of such odds." The LA based group mixes atmospheric orchestral elements with impassioned lyrics, humor, and a post punk edge.
Go to the catchy "Do Si Do."
Planetary
Tucker Jameson and The Hot Mugs
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Tucker Jameson and The Hot Mugs
Album: Or Something In Between...
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop-Rock
Comments: Tucker Jameson and The Hot Mugs is a student-group from Berklee School of Music in Boston. Tucker's voice is still a bit little-boyish but I guess that is alright since the album opens with a song which declares, "I'm in love with my best friend's sister..." Bummer dude. Very youthful...
Planetary
Artist: Tucker Jameson and The Hot Mugs
Album: Or Something In Between...
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop-Rock
Comments: Tucker Jameson and The Hot Mugs is a student-group from Berklee School of Music in Boston. Tucker's voice is still a bit little-boyish but I guess that is alright since the album opens with a song which declares, "I'm in love with my best friend's sister..." Bummer dude. Very youthful...
Planetary
Little Brazil
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Little Brazil
Album: Son
Label: Anodyne
Genre: Pop-Rock
Comments: "Omaha, NE's Little Brazil have peeled away layers of themselves: elation, desperation, tenderness, hope, sorrow and pain and found the tempestuous core of their shared experience--a series of narratives that make up their new album "Son" bound by the common thread of family dysfunction and tragedy. Tracing the arc of a relationship from it's wonderful, romantic beginning through an ending that is all too familiar to the children of broken homes, songwriter Landon Hedges eschews the hackneyed boy/girl adolescent, melodrama of six-million inferior records and plows head-on into divorce, adultery, custody battles, parental alienation, abandonment, suicide and a child's search for self. The type of grown up shit that would make Hedges' former Saddle Creek Records band-mates proud, and even envious. With "Son", Hedges firmly puts himself in the pantheon of great Omaha songwriters.
RIYL: Ra Ra Riot, Mason Proper, French Kicks
Try: #1, 4, 5, 6" -Pirate
This is energetic and well-polished with plenty of pop sensibility.
Artist: Little Brazil
Album: Son
Label: Anodyne
Genre: Pop-Rock
Comments: "Omaha, NE's Little Brazil have peeled away layers of themselves: elation, desperation, tenderness, hope, sorrow and pain and found the tempestuous core of their shared experience--a series of narratives that make up their new album "Son" bound by the common thread of family dysfunction and tragedy. Tracing the arc of a relationship from it's wonderful, romantic beginning through an ending that is all too familiar to the children of broken homes, songwriter Landon Hedges eschews the hackneyed boy/girl adolescent, melodrama of six-million inferior records and plows head-on into divorce, adultery, custody battles, parental alienation, abandonment, suicide and a child's search for self. The type of grown up shit that would make Hedges' former Saddle Creek Records band-mates proud, and even envious. With "Son", Hedges firmly puts himself in the pantheon of great Omaha songwriters.
RIYL: Ra Ra Riot, Mason Proper, French Kicks
Try: #1, 4, 5, 6" -Pirate
This is energetic and well-polished with plenty of pop sensibility.
Ice Palace
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Ice Palace
Album: Wonder Subtly Crushing Us
Label: Earthology
Genre: Pop, Folk-Rock
Comments: Produced and mixed by Cloud Cult's singer/songwriter Craig Minowa, this album from Ice Palace is billed as sweetly-sung "dark-night-of-the-soul" folk-rock (which I guess means that the band's singer is older, but still has plenty of angst to offer). There's something in their sound that is reminiscent of Modest Mouse, Kurt Cobain, Wussy and Silver Jews. I liked "Pirate By Thirty" and the more upbeat "Lily."
Planetary
Artist: Ice Palace
Album: Wonder Subtly Crushing Us
Label: Earthology
Genre: Pop, Folk-Rock
Comments: Produced and mixed by Cloud Cult's singer/songwriter Craig Minowa, this album from Ice Palace is billed as sweetly-sung "dark-night-of-the-soul" folk-rock (which I guess means that the band's singer is older, but still has plenty of angst to offer). There's something in their sound that is reminiscent of Modest Mouse, Kurt Cobain, Wussy and Silver Jews. I liked "Pirate By Thirty" and the more upbeat "Lily."
Planetary
Gliss
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Gliss
Album: Devotion Implostion
Label: Cordless
Genre: Rock
Comments: "....you will want to make out with GLISS....GLISS is incestuous....when GLISS play live, they all play each others instruments.... GLISS will turn you on with their fuzzed-out guitars and krautrock rhythms....GLISS will love you back...GLISS will have a dark side....victoria is danish and loves death metal....martin loves the velvet underground and practicing yoga....david likes to drink apple juice every morning and falls asleep to audio books every night....DEVOTION IMPLOSION feels like the morning after.... GLISS is being up all night...swirling ominous fuzz...an overdose of sound....chaos...dark propulsion beauty...rock 'n' roll excess.... drowned in aural pleasure..... GLISS is shattered soundscapes that melt you into a DEVOTION IMPLOSION." --Planetary
Big dark pop-rock like The Dandy Warhols, Liars or The Kills. "Beauty" is more pop-- like Yeah Yeah Yeahs. "Morning Light" is a good fuzzed-out number.
Artist: Gliss
Album: Devotion Implostion
Label: Cordless
Genre: Rock
Comments: "....you will want to make out with GLISS....GLISS is incestuous....when GLISS play live, they all play each others instruments.... GLISS will turn you on with their fuzzed-out guitars and krautrock rhythms....GLISS will love you back...GLISS will have a dark side....victoria is danish and loves death metal....martin loves the velvet underground and practicing yoga....david likes to drink apple juice every morning and falls asleep to audio books every night....DEVOTION IMPLOSION feels like the morning after.... GLISS is being up all night...swirling ominous fuzz...an overdose of sound....chaos...dark propulsion beauty...rock 'n' roll excess.... drowned in aural pleasure..... GLISS is shattered soundscapes that melt you into a DEVOTION IMPLOSION." --Planetary
Big dark pop-rock like The Dandy Warhols, Liars or The Kills. "Beauty" is more pop-- like Yeah Yeah Yeahs. "Morning Light" is a good fuzzed-out number.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Dish
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Dish
Album: Ma Raison De Vivre Ton Amour
Label: ROA
Genre: Rock
Comments: "Roberto and Nathaniel Aguilar are brothers who discovered music together. The pairing of Roberto’s organic, genre-busting singing and guitar work with Nathaniel’s junk-gypsy found percussion has been a decade in the making. That’s exactly what Dish is, two left-of-center musical minds preternaturally in tune with each other creating a sound without peer on the current pop scene. Their debut EP Los Angeles came from a feverish three-day recording session in Los Angeles produced by drummer Jay Bellerose (Robert Plant, Beck, Ray Lamontagne) and Jen Condos (Ryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen) and engineered by Ryan Freeland (who recently helmed Aimee Mann’s The Forgotten Arm). A year later the brothers produced their debut album Ma Raison De Vivre Ton Amour (“Your Love Is My Reason To Live”). With collaborators on hand and the room to stretch out artistically, Dish has been described as “Jeff Buckley as an ADHD-riddled nine-year-old playing prodigious poly rhythms on pots ‘n pans” and been compared to Flaming Lips with snippets of Radiohead. SUGGESTED TRACKS: #2,11,13,15. " -Fanatic
Artist: Dish
Album: Ma Raison De Vivre Ton Amour
Label: ROA
Genre: Rock
Comments: "Roberto and Nathaniel Aguilar are brothers who discovered music together. The pairing of Roberto’s organic, genre-busting singing and guitar work with Nathaniel’s junk-gypsy found percussion has been a decade in the making. That’s exactly what Dish is, two left-of-center musical minds preternaturally in tune with each other creating a sound without peer on the current pop scene. Their debut EP Los Angeles came from a feverish three-day recording session in Los Angeles produced by drummer Jay Bellerose (Robert Plant, Beck, Ray Lamontagne) and Jen Condos (Ryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen) and engineered by Ryan Freeland (who recently helmed Aimee Mann’s The Forgotten Arm). A year later the brothers produced their debut album Ma Raison De Vivre Ton Amour (“Your Love Is My Reason To Live”). With collaborators on hand and the room to stretch out artistically, Dish has been described as “Jeff Buckley as an ADHD-riddled nine-year-old playing prodigious poly rhythms on pots ‘n pans” and been compared to Flaming Lips with snippets of Radiohead. SUGGESTED TRACKS: #2,11,13,15. " -Fanatic
Quiet Countries
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Quiet Countries
Album: The Karate Williams Diaries
Label: Central Service
Genre: Electronic
Comments: Glitchy elecronics, broken-up beats, guitars and other acoustic instrumentation come together to make "bombastic numbers" and "quiet, contemplative musings." Check out "Karate and the Whale."
Spectre
Artist: Quiet Countries
Album: The Karate Williams Diaries
Label: Central Service
Genre: Electronic
Comments: Glitchy elecronics, broken-up beats, guitars and other acoustic instrumentation come together to make "bombastic numbers" and "quiet, contemplative musings." Check out "Karate and the Whale."
Spectre
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Add Date: March 24
Artist: Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Album: It's Blitz!
Label: Interscope
Genre: Rock
Comments: "There is something fabulous about the chorus to Heads Will Roll, the second track of Yeah Yeah Yeahs' third album. For the first few minutes, yappy frontwoman Karen O sounds like an imperious 12-year-old. But then comes the chorus with its glacial 70s synths, and she suddenly bursts into life. "Off, off, off with your head!/ Dance, dance, dance till you're dead!" she booms, and it justifies her indie-icon status like nothing else she's ever done. No other track on It's Blitz! surpasses that 10 seconds, but the band's glittery new disco sound suits them very well. It's all cool, brittle catchiness, with a debt owed to Eat to the Beat-era Blondie - something they partially repay through the album's euphoric twin peaks, Zero and Hysteric. Karen O's froideur carries even lesser songs, such as Skeletons' formulaic new wave, and imbues the ballad Little Shadow with the majesty of an ice queen. Great stuff." - The Guardian
Go to "Heads Will Roll," "Dull Life," and "Hysteric."
Artist: Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Album: It's Blitz!
Label: Interscope
Genre: Rock
Comments: "There is something fabulous about the chorus to Heads Will Roll, the second track of Yeah Yeah Yeahs' third album. For the first few minutes, yappy frontwoman Karen O sounds like an imperious 12-year-old. But then comes the chorus with its glacial 70s synths, and she suddenly bursts into life. "Off, off, off with your head!/ Dance, dance, dance till you're dead!" she booms, and it justifies her indie-icon status like nothing else she's ever done. No other track on It's Blitz! surpasses that 10 seconds, but the band's glittery new disco sound suits them very well. It's all cool, brittle catchiness, with a debt owed to Eat to the Beat-era Blondie - something they partially repay through the album's euphoric twin peaks, Zero and Hysteric. Karen O's froideur carries even lesser songs, such as Skeletons' formulaic new wave, and imbues the ballad Little Shadow with the majesty of an ice queen. Great stuff." - The Guardian
Go to "Heads Will Roll," "Dull Life," and "Hysteric."
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Buraka Som Sistema
Add Date: March 17
Artist: Buraka Som Sistema
Album: Black Diamond
Label: Fabric
Genre: Dance/Electronic, World (Portugal/Angola to be exact)
Comments: Well, I've heard of afropop before, and even listened to some of it. I've never experienced afrodance music before, and it's good. The Angola-inspired beats definately lend a flavor to this album which lifts it above the usual dance/electronic pack. All songs seem good (the bad part about dance albums is that, by the last half of the album, you are growing tired of the heavy beats), but "Sound of Kuduro (ft. M.I.A.) stands out as a real gem. Horrible pun intended.
Artist: Buraka Som Sistema
Album: Black Diamond
Label: Fabric
Genre: Dance/Electronic, World (Portugal/Angola to be exact)
Comments: Well, I've heard of afropop before, and even listened to some of it. I've never experienced afrodance music before, and it's good. The Angola-inspired beats definately lend a flavor to this album which lifts it above the usual dance/electronic pack. All songs seem good (the bad part about dance albums is that, by the last half of the album, you are growing tired of the heavy beats), but "Sound of Kuduro (ft. M.I.A.) stands out as a real gem. Horrible pun intended.
Beep Beep
Add Date: March 17
Artist: Beep Beep
Album: Enchanted Islands
Label: Saddle Creek
Genre: Rock?, Folk-Rock
Comments: To be honest, this album is probably too complex to review after just one listen (or two, or three for that matter), there's just too much going on in each song, too many changes in key, and too much falsetto for me to fully figure out what's going on. If you like complex music which may or may not be good, check out this album, I guess.
Artist: Beep Beep
Album: Enchanted Islands
Label: Saddle Creek
Genre: Rock?, Folk-Rock
Comments: To be honest, this album is probably too complex to review after just one listen (or two, or three for that matter), there's just too much going on in each song, too many changes in key, and too much falsetto for me to fully figure out what's going on. If you like complex music which may or may not be good, check out this album, I guess.
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears
Add Date: March 17
Artist: Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears
Album: Tell 'Em What Your Name Is
Label: Lost Highway
Genre: Soul
Comments: I've always held that the radio station needed more soul music. Well, maybe not, but, after hearing this record, I've decided that we do need more soul albums around. BJL&TH skirt the line between soul and blues pretty well, and with very few sleepers on the album (the call and response "I'm Broke" for example), and two stand out songs ("Sugarfoot" and "Boogie"), this album was strong enough to make me yearn for more music from a style I barely listen to.
Artist: Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears
Album: Tell 'Em What Your Name Is
Label: Lost Highway
Genre: Soul
Comments: I've always held that the radio station needed more soul music. Well, maybe not, but, after hearing this record, I've decided that we do need more soul albums around. BJL&TH skirt the line between soul and blues pretty well, and with very few sleepers on the album (the call and response "I'm Broke" for example), and two stand out songs ("Sugarfoot" and "Boogie"), this album was strong enough to make me yearn for more music from a style I barely listen to.
Monday, March 16, 2009
The Hopefuls
Add Date: March 17
Artist: The Hopefuls
Album: Now Playing at the One Seat Theatre
Label: Draw Fire
Genre: Pop/Rock, Power-pop
Comments: This album reminded me why I like power-pop so much as a genre. The upbeat melodies, the harmonies, and the skill of finding a good hook, playing it for three-and-a-half minutes, then finding a completely different hook, which is just as good, for the next song. For anybody who likes upbeat music, this album is a welcome addition to the playlist.
Artist: The Hopefuls
Album: Now Playing at the One Seat Theatre
Label: Draw Fire
Genre: Pop/Rock, Power-pop
Comments: This album reminded me why I like power-pop so much as a genre. The upbeat melodies, the harmonies, and the skill of finding a good hook, playing it for three-and-a-half minutes, then finding a completely different hook, which is just as good, for the next song. For anybody who likes upbeat music, this album is a welcome addition to the playlist.
Taxpayer
Add Date: March 17
Artist: Taxpayer
Album: Don't Steal My Night Vision
Label: Lunch
Genre: Rock
Comments: The planetary sticker calls this "arena-ready modern rock," and I can see why. Like arena rock of old, these songs sound best when the volume is turned up too high. Unlike the arena rock of old, Taxpayer are not ridiculous to the point of self-parody, and they are able to make some catchy songs (I caught my feet tapping a few times). I good reference point would be an angrier Band of Horses.
Artist: Taxpayer
Album: Don't Steal My Night Vision
Label: Lunch
Genre: Rock
Comments: The planetary sticker calls this "arena-ready modern rock," and I can see why. Like arena rock of old, these songs sound best when the volume is turned up too high. Unlike the arena rock of old, Taxpayer are not ridiculous to the point of self-parody, and they are able to make some catchy songs (I caught my feet tapping a few times). I good reference point would be an angrier Band of Horses.
Amadou & Mariam
Add Date: March 17
Artist: Amadou & Mariam
Album: Welcome to Mali
Label: Because Music/Nonesuch
Genre: Pop, international
Comments: "The singer Mariam Doumbia and her husband, the guitarist/vocalist Amadou Bagayoko, have been making music together since they first met and fell in love at the Institute for Young Blind People in Bamako, Mali's capital, three decades ago. Over the last few years, they have achieved remarkable critical and popular acclaim in Europe and North America. ...
This follow-up to the duo's Grammy-nominated Dimanche a Bamoko (which made the best of 2005 lists of Rolling Stone, SPIN, Blender, and TIME among others and earned tremendous critical praise from The New York Times and NPR) is truly a work of global pop. Within thirty seconds of popping in the CD, I was grinning to the funky hip-hop infused indie-pop feel of "Sabali." Put a spring in your step and check this one out.
Artist: Amadou & Mariam
Album: Welcome to Mali
Label: Because Music/Nonesuch
Genre: Pop, international
Comments: "The singer Mariam Doumbia and her husband, the guitarist/vocalist Amadou Bagayoko, have been making music together since they first met and fell in love at the Institute for Young Blind People in Bamako, Mali's capital, three decades ago. Over the last few years, they have achieved remarkable critical and popular acclaim in Europe and North America. ...
This follow-up to the duo's Grammy-nominated Dimanche a Bamoko (which made the best of 2005 lists of Rolling Stone, SPIN, Blender, and TIME among others and earned tremendous critical praise from The New York Times and NPR) is truly a work of global pop. Within thirty seconds of popping in the CD, I was grinning to the funky hip-hop infused indie-pop feel of "Sabali." Put a spring in your step and check this one out.
Les Claypool
Add Date: March 17
Artist: Les Claypool
Album: Of Fungi and Foe
Label: Prawn Song
Genre: Rock
Comments:
Les Claypool describes his inspiration:
"Sometime back I was commissioned to write soundtrack music for two projects that promised to have wuite a bit of very intense and unique imagery. One was for an interactive game about a meteor that hits Earth and brings intelligence to the mushrooms within the crash proximity and the other was about a 3000 lb wild boar that terrorizes the marijuana fields of Northern California. ... This music became the foundation of the songs that fill this collection... with a few added tidbits and a bit of gypsy sauce..."
With a premise like that the weird, sort-of bluesy, sort of apocolyptic, sort of carnival music on this album comes as no surprise. Strange low notes gurgle out over what sounds like someone playing a xylephone made of bones and a chorus of fat Jabba the Huts singing. Once you get past the initial shock, songs like "Bite Out of Life" and "Kazoo" are strangely likeable.
Also, how much do the things on the cover look like potential house-elves?
Syndicate
Artist: Les Claypool
Album: Of Fungi and Foe
Label: Prawn Song
Genre: Rock
Comments:
Les Claypool describes his inspiration:
"Sometime back I was commissioned to write soundtrack music for two projects that promised to have wuite a bit of very intense and unique imagery. One was for an interactive game about a meteor that hits Earth and brings intelligence to the mushrooms within the crash proximity and the other was about a 3000 lb wild boar that terrorizes the marijuana fields of Northern California. ... This music became the foundation of the songs that fill this collection... with a few added tidbits and a bit of gypsy sauce..."
With a premise like that the weird, sort-of bluesy, sort of apocolyptic, sort of carnival music on this album comes as no surprise. Strange low notes gurgle out over what sounds like someone playing a xylephone made of bones and a chorus of fat Jabba the Huts singing. Once you get past the initial shock, songs like "Bite Out of Life" and "Kazoo" are strangely likeable.
Also, how much do the things on the cover look like potential house-elves?
Syndicate
Fever Ray
Add Date: March 17
Artist: Fever Ray
Album: Fever Ray
Label: Mute
Genre: Pop, electronic
Comments: Fever Ray, aka Karin Dreijer Andersons, aka one half of (brother and sister duo!?) The Knife presents this, her self-titled debut. Though the music is certainly recognizable as a derivitave of The Knife (electronic base with some guitar and congas on top), Fever Ray "is starker, moodier, in places quite somber. ... Constantly inventive, restlessly emotive, [she] swaggers, broods, intrigues and dazzles without ever making concessions."
The best album I listened to this week-- I know Fever Ray will definitely be in my rotation. Listen to "Triangle Walks" or "If I Had a Heart."
ADD
Artist: Fever Ray
Album: Fever Ray
Label: Mute
Genre: Pop, electronic
Comments: Fever Ray, aka Karin Dreijer Andersons, aka one half of (brother and sister duo!?) The Knife presents this, her self-titled debut. Though the music is certainly recognizable as a derivitave of The Knife (electronic base with some guitar and congas on top), Fever Ray "is starker, moodier, in places quite somber. ... Constantly inventive, restlessly emotive, [she] swaggers, broods, intrigues and dazzles without ever making concessions."
The best album I listened to this week-- I know Fever Ray will definitely be in my rotation. Listen to "Triangle Walks" or "If I Had a Heart."
ADD
White Lies
Add Date: March 17
Artist: White Lies
Album: White Lies
Label: Fiction
Genre: Rock
Comments: "White Lies, who achieved some renown as the band Fear of Flying, are three 19/20-year-olds ... already being hailed as the next Great White Indie Hope. They purvey the sort of Big Music U2 and The Waterboys cut their teeth on. Some of their songs hark back to the epic anthems of Scouse-rockers Echo & The Bunnymen and Teardrop Explodes (singer McVeigh sounds uncannily Julian Cope-ish). Or maybe they're closer to those early 80s groups like Tears for Fears who took the forbidding goth rock of Joy Division and turned it into commercial, brightened-up chart pop. When they arrived onstage for that debut live appearance two weeks ago, "four angel-faced boys in black", White Lies seemed fully-formed, immaculate, as though the whole thing had been scripted by a Hollywood screenwriter. They talk with the confidence and conviction of true pros. ... Their music, described as cinematic, has been polished and perfected by name producers Ed Buller and Max Dingle. Now all they've got to do is survive the hype." -The Guardian
Polished, likable rock out of West London. Check out "Death" or "Unfinished Business" which have that "epic" feel.
Artist: White Lies
Album: White Lies
Label: Fiction
Genre: Rock
Comments: "White Lies, who achieved some renown as the band Fear of Flying, are three 19/20-year-olds ... already being hailed as the next Great White Indie Hope. They purvey the sort of Big Music U2 and The Waterboys cut their teeth on. Some of their songs hark back to the epic anthems of Scouse-rockers Echo & The Bunnymen and Teardrop Explodes (singer McVeigh sounds uncannily Julian Cope-ish). Or maybe they're closer to those early 80s groups like Tears for Fears who took the forbidding goth rock of Joy Division and turned it into commercial, brightened-up chart pop. When they arrived onstage for that debut live appearance two weeks ago, "four angel-faced boys in black", White Lies seemed fully-formed, immaculate, as though the whole thing had been scripted by a Hollywood screenwriter. They talk with the confidence and conviction of true pros. ... Their music, described as cinematic, has been polished and perfected by name producers Ed Buller and Max Dingle. Now all they've got to do is survive the hype." -The Guardian
Polished, likable rock out of West London. Check out "Death" or "Unfinished Business" which have that "epic" feel.
O+S
Add Date: March 17
Artist: O+S
Album: O+S
Label: Saddle Creek
Genre: Pop
Comments: O+S is the musical collaboration between Orenda Fink (Azure Ray, Art in Manila) and Scalpist (aka Cedric LeMoyne of Remy Zero). Based out of Omaha, Fink got an aural art residency from Bermis Center of Contemporary Arts which took her on numerous sound collecting excursions around Omaha, to an old church in Alabama, and ultimately Haiti. According to Fink her idea was to transform these moments of sound-time into loops and eventually into pop songs.
The result of this endeavor and collaborative effort is a beautiful collection of melodious songs with "the constant thump of drum loops, shifting from acoustic guitar and angelic coos to plodding piano, tinkling bells and a mélange of unidentifiable voices." Fink has a lovely voice, and this atmospheric music should definitely be checked out by fans of Portishead or Cat Power.
Artist: O+S
Album: O+S
Label: Saddle Creek
Genre: Pop
Comments: O+S is the musical collaboration between Orenda Fink (Azure Ray, Art in Manila) and Scalpist (aka Cedric LeMoyne of Remy Zero). Based out of Omaha, Fink got an aural art residency from Bermis Center of Contemporary Arts which took her on numerous sound collecting excursions around Omaha, to an old church in Alabama, and ultimately Haiti. According to Fink her idea was to transform these moments of sound-time into loops and eventually into pop songs.
The result of this endeavor and collaborative effort is a beautiful collection of melodious songs with "the constant thump of drum loops, shifting from acoustic guitar and angelic coos to plodding piano, tinkling bells and a mélange of unidentifiable voices." Fink has a lovely voice, and this atmospheric music should definitely be checked out by fans of Portishead or Cat Power.
Jeremy Jay
Add Date: March 17
Artist: Jeremy Jay
Album: Slow Dance
Label: K
Genre: Pop
Comments: Jeremy Jay’s records “Slow Dance” is an almost-fabulous pop record. Well-crafted and executed, and above other things, pretty enjoyable, it’s a lo-fi synth-and-guitar romp guided by Jay’s slightly hazy voice, recalling pop acts of the 70s. A great effort, the only downfall is that sometimes Jay’s posturing gets a bit out of hand (he isn't actually in the 70s, after all)—but his earnest nature on “Winter Wonder”, however, is both appropriate and appealing. Start with tracks 1, 6, and 10.
Artist: Jeremy Jay
Album: Slow Dance
Label: K
Genre: Pop
Comments: Jeremy Jay’s records “Slow Dance” is an almost-fabulous pop record. Well-crafted and executed, and above other things, pretty enjoyable, it’s a lo-fi synth-and-guitar romp guided by Jay’s slightly hazy voice, recalling pop acts of the 70s. A great effort, the only downfall is that sometimes Jay’s posturing gets a bit out of hand (he isn't actually in the 70s, after all)—but his earnest nature on “Winter Wonder”, however, is both appropriate and appealing. Start with tracks 1, 6, and 10.
Jason Shannon
Add Date: March 17
Artist: Jason Shannon
Album: Jason Shannon
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock/Soul/Blues
Comments: Any artist or group that can successfully integrate brass instrument into their songs starts out good in my book—seriously. Hearing the first track off of Jason Shannon’s self-titled debut, “Mister Miracle Miles”, I assumed the rest of the album would be an equally upbeat, heavily jazz-influenced production, with wailing vocals and saxophones galore. The second track immediately proved me incorrect—it was essentially a folk-country song. The entire album is a melting pot of jazz, blues, country, rock—which makes for an interesting, if not somewhat schizophrenic listening experience. Shannon is clearly talented despite being spastic—what’s nice is that there’s enough divergence in styles that most DJs will be able to find a track they like.
Artist: Jason Shannon
Album: Jason Shannon
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock/Soul/Blues
Comments: Any artist or group that can successfully integrate brass instrument into their songs starts out good in my book—seriously. Hearing the first track off of Jason Shannon’s self-titled debut, “Mister Miracle Miles”, I assumed the rest of the album would be an equally upbeat, heavily jazz-influenced production, with wailing vocals and saxophones galore. The second track immediately proved me incorrect—it was essentially a folk-country song. The entire album is a melting pot of jazz, blues, country, rock—which makes for an interesting, if not somewhat schizophrenic listening experience. Shannon is clearly talented despite being spastic—what’s nice is that there’s enough divergence in styles that most DJs will be able to find a track they like.
Obits
Add Date: March 17
Artist: Obits
Album: I Blame You
Label: Sub Pop
Genre: Rock
Comments: In describing their sound, Obits frontman Rick Froberg (Pitchfork, Hot Snakes) said “We’re not into innovation as a band”. Fair enough, because Brooklyn-based Obits do an excellent job of creating a call-it-what-it-is rock record. Helpful promotional sheet says—“On I Blame You Obits take apart and reassemble the genre’s traditions, raving up the ‘30s-era blues standard “Milk Cow Blues”, group vocalizing on a Motown-y mid-tempo ballad (“Back and Forth”), bopping through bass-driven rockers (“Two-Headed Coin”), taking surf-y riffs for a burning-rubber spin (“Pine On”). And it’s all done with a palpable, genuine sense of fun throughout.” To keep with the trend of shooting straight—I agree. Start with tracks 4, 6, 8 and 12.
Artist: Obits
Album: I Blame You
Label: Sub Pop
Genre: Rock
Comments: In describing their sound, Obits frontman Rick Froberg (Pitchfork, Hot Snakes) said “We’re not into innovation as a band”. Fair enough, because Brooklyn-based Obits do an excellent job of creating a call-it-what-it-is rock record. Helpful promotional sheet says—“On I Blame You Obits take apart and reassemble the genre’s traditions, raving up the ‘30s-era blues standard “Milk Cow Blues”, group vocalizing on a Motown-y mid-tempo ballad (“Back and Forth”), bopping through bass-driven rockers (“Two-Headed Coin”), taking surf-y riffs for a burning-rubber spin (“Pine On”). And it’s all done with a palpable, genuine sense of fun throughout.” To keep with the trend of shooting straight—I agree. Start with tracks 4, 6, 8 and 12.
Maria Taylor
Add Date: March 17
Artist: Maria Taylor
Album: LadyLuck
Label: Nettwerk
Genre: Indie/Acoustic
Comments: Let me preface this by saying Maria Taylor has a beautiful voice-it’s emotional without being obnoxious or overbearing, and quite simply, well-trained. Sadly, her voice isn’t enough to make her album “LadyLuck” anything more than decent, despite its potential to be amazing--it’s a pretty basic manifestation of your average female singer-songwriter. The tracks are pretty hit or miss—a highlight includes the slightly folk/country single “Cartoons and Forever Plans”, on which Taylor collaborated with Andy LeMaster and Michael Stipe—it makes you wish the album had gone more in that direction (or, in any direction really). Start with track 10.
Artist: Maria Taylor
Album: LadyLuck
Label: Nettwerk
Genre: Indie/Acoustic
Comments: Let me preface this by saying Maria Taylor has a beautiful voice-it’s emotional without being obnoxious or overbearing, and quite simply, well-trained. Sadly, her voice isn’t enough to make her album “LadyLuck” anything more than decent, despite its potential to be amazing--it’s a pretty basic manifestation of your average female singer-songwriter. The tracks are pretty hit or miss—a highlight includes the slightly folk/country single “Cartoons and Forever Plans”, on which Taylor collaborated with Andy LeMaster and Michael Stipe—it makes you wish the album had gone more in that direction (or, in any direction really). Start with track 10.
Eula
Add Date: March 17
Artist: Eula
Album: Language of Threat (EP)
Label: Unsigned
Genre: Rock
Comments: Tight guitar work and slightly manic vocals make “Language of Threat”, the new EP by New Haven trio Eula, an aggressive, slightly unstable production. Think a bit of Le Tigre mixed with a bit of the Blood Brothers and a decent amount of Sonic Youth; it’s a rock record through and through, drawing on an older punk/new-wave sound. Even on the slower track “At Its Worst”, the group stays far away from ballad-territory. Start with tracks 2 and 6.
Album: Language of Threat (EP)
Label: Unsigned
Genre: Rock
Comments: Tight guitar work and slightly manic vocals make “Language of Threat”, the new EP by New Haven trio Eula, an aggressive, slightly unstable production. Think a bit of Le Tigre mixed with a bit of the Blood Brothers and a decent amount of Sonic Youth; it’s a rock record through and through, drawing on an older punk/new-wave sound. Even on the slower track “At Its Worst”, the group stays far away from ballad-territory. Start with tracks 2 and 6.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Nextdoor Neighboors
Add Date: March 17
Artist: The Nextdoor Neighbors
Album: Magic Vs the Machine
Label: Bicycle
Genre: Bedroom pop
Comments: Cute bedroom pop with a electro-folk-hop feel from real-life nextdoor neighbors Jessie Hill and Kathy Cote. The two ladies met in Olympia, Washington when they were going to college. Their basic musical equation is Jessie talk-singing over the funny indie-sounding keyboard bloops and blips that Kathy provides. While they might not really have enough to make the whole album work together, little gems like "Town Full of Manequins" make Magic Vs the Machine worth a listen. *Plus cool animal-skeleton album art inside!
Artist: The Nextdoor Neighbors
Album: Magic Vs the Machine
Label: Bicycle
Genre: Bedroom pop
Comments: Cute bedroom pop with a electro-folk-hop feel from real-life nextdoor neighbors Jessie Hill and Kathy Cote. The two ladies met in Olympia, Washington when they were going to college. Their basic musical equation is Jessie talk-singing over the funny indie-sounding keyboard bloops and blips that Kathy provides. While they might not really have enough to make the whole album work together, little gems like "Town Full of Manequins" make Magic Vs the Machine worth a listen. *Plus cool animal-skeleton album art inside!
Conshafter
Add Date: March 17
Artist: Conshafter
Album: Bombs Away, Baby!
Label: Dork Ephiphany
Genre: Pop-Punk
Comments: These songs on Conshafter's fourth full-length album are catchy like Weezer-- but with a slightly thicker rock sound. It's no surprise that their music has been heard on Made, My Super Sweet Sixteen, and Celebrity Rehab.
Planetary
Artist: Conshafter
Album: Bombs Away, Baby!
Label: Dork Ephiphany
Genre: Pop-Punk
Comments: These songs on Conshafter's fourth full-length album are catchy like Weezer-- but with a slightly thicker rock sound. It's no surprise that their music has been heard on Made, My Super Sweet Sixteen, and Celebrity Rehab.
Planetary
My Glorious
Add Date: March 17
Artist: My Glorious
Album: Leper (EP)
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock
Comments: This debut EP from My Glorious, a rock trio from Vienna, Austria, has lyrics about love, bad days, and fire and plenty of guitar. Generally more raw than groovy.
Planetary
Artist: My Glorious
Album: Leper (EP)
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock
Comments: This debut EP from My Glorious, a rock trio from Vienna, Austria, has lyrics about love, bad days, and fire and plenty of guitar. Generally more raw than groovy.
Planetary
Tim Exile
Add Date: March 17
Artist: Tim Exile
Album: Listening Tree
Label: Warp
Genre: Electronic
Comments:
This dark electro-synth pop from revered producer Tim Exile is kind of weird.
For instance: "Listening Tree is spearheaded by lead single 'Family Galaxy,' a disorienting kaleidoscope of driving beats and constantly evolving hypnotic melodies. Strikingly, Family Galaxy switches from the almost-ambient to the entirely manic in seconds.
In a typically elusive way Tim explains the concept behind the single-- 'Family Galaxy is about the constant process of change that underpins everything. It's a tale from a thingless world where nothing stays the same. As 'now' shines its shifting shades on 'then,' so out ideas of what we have done and will do continually morph.' "
If none of that strikes to your fancy, go to the slightly catchier opener "Don't Think We're One."
Terrorbird
Artist: Tim Exile
Album: Listening Tree
Label: Warp
Genre: Electronic
Comments:
This dark electro-synth pop from revered producer Tim Exile is kind of weird.
For instance: "Listening Tree is spearheaded by lead single 'Family Galaxy,' a disorienting kaleidoscope of driving beats and constantly evolving hypnotic melodies. Strikingly, Family Galaxy switches from the almost-ambient to the entirely manic in seconds.
In a typically elusive way Tim explains the concept behind the single-- 'Family Galaxy is about the constant process of change that underpins everything. It's a tale from a thingless world where nothing stays the same. As 'now' shines its shifting shades on 'then,' so out ideas of what we have done and will do continually morph.' "
If none of that strikes to your fancy, go to the slightly catchier opener "Don't Think We're One."
Terrorbird
Bill Frisell
Add Date: March 17
Artist: Bill Frisell
Album: The Best of Bill Frisell Volume 1: Folk Songs
Label: Nonesuch
Genre: Folk
Comments: Acclaimed guitarist Bill Frisell offers his take on country, bluegrass, blues and Americana on the first of an ongoing series of retrospective albums. The CD has original material as well as his renditions of classics such as "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," "Shenandoah," and " Sittin' on Top of the World." Fans of Frisell's distinctive guitar style should check this out.
Artist: Bill Frisell
Album: The Best of Bill Frisell Volume 1: Folk Songs
Label: Nonesuch
Genre: Folk
Comments: Acclaimed guitarist Bill Frisell offers his take on country, bluegrass, blues and Americana on the first of an ongoing series of retrospective albums. The CD has original material as well as his renditions of classics such as "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," "Shenandoah," and " Sittin' on Top of the World." Fans of Frisell's distinctive guitar style should check this out.
Nite Club
Add Date: March 17
Artist: Nite Club
Album: My Tronic
Label: Tape Theory
Genre: Shoe gaze, electronic
Comments: Nite Club is the project of multi-instrumentalist Richard Spitzer who expresses shoe gaze and indie rock filtered through electronic and "club oriented sounds." I would describe this as the being similar to the Postal Service-- but with some more of those clubby sounds (that certain remix feel). Light, ambient, pleasant music. Go to "Left Right" of "Change Your Love" though if you want something extra-clubby go to "Eff$."
Fanatic
Artist: Nite Club
Album: My Tronic
Label: Tape Theory
Genre: Shoe gaze, electronic
Comments: Nite Club is the project of multi-instrumentalist Richard Spitzer who expresses shoe gaze and indie rock filtered through electronic and "club oriented sounds." I would describe this as the being similar to the Postal Service-- but with some more of those clubby sounds (that certain remix feel). Light, ambient, pleasant music. Go to "Left Right" of "Change Your Love" though if you want something extra-clubby go to "Eff$."
Fanatic
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Beth Orton
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Beth Orton
Album: Trailer Park (reissue)
Label: Heavenly
Genre: Folk-pop
Comments: "Over ten years after its release, Beth Orton's mixture of folk and digital jiggery pokery sounds remarkably prescient, especially considering how common this now is, both within and outside the community. Trailer Park remains a classic of its type that has dated less than you may assume. ...
Artist: Beth Orton
Album: Trailer Park (reissue)
Label: Heavenly
Genre: Folk-pop
Comments: "Over ten years after its release, Beth Orton's mixture of folk and digital jiggery pokery sounds remarkably prescient, especially considering how common this now is, both within and outside the community. Trailer Park remains a classic of its type that has dated less than you may assume. ...
The songs, in the main co-written with Friend and Ted Barnes (both now active in folk outfit Clayhill) are lyrically vague but musically like the equivalent of a big soft duvet. However the opening high water mark of She Cries Your Name (a version very different from the one she had recorded with co-writer, William Orbit) does tend to make everything that follows seem a tad pale. It's the more electronic tracks that have fared best over the years such as Tangent, Touch me With your Love or the closing ten-minute epic, Galaxy Of Emptiness. On quieter tracks the tentative nature of Orton's voice, while often seeming a little flat, displays a haunting tremulousness that sets her apart. Her reading of the Weill and Mann classic, I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine, shows off her guileless vocals to brilliant effect. " - Chris Jones BBC Music
The Whitest Boy Alive
Add Date: March 10
Artist: The Whitest Boy Alive
Album: Rules
Label: Bubbles
Genre: "Easy Listening" according to iTunes
Comments: The voice of the lead singer is so lovely,and contrasts well with the keyboard and bass, but i wish i could put the vocals with a more luxuriant backdrop, with more of guitars and less lounge jazz.
Artist: The Whitest Boy Alive
Album: Rules
Label: Bubbles
Genre: "Easy Listening" according to iTunes
Comments: The voice of the lead singer is so lovely,and contrasts well with the keyboard and bass, but i wish i could put the vocals with a more luxuriant backdrop, with more of guitars and less lounge jazz.
Sarah Borges and the broken Singles
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles
Album: The Stars are Out
Label: Sugar Hill
Genre: Alt-Rock
Comments: Despite having a bandmember named Binky, "We stay out late, we won't come home, no ones gonna miss us" is almost believable. No, wait, it's not. The single "Do it For Free" is a "Before He Cheats"-style anthem, but the rest of the CD is disjointed, going from mex-tex to ska, all with a country twang.
Artist: Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles
Album: The Stars are Out
Label: Sugar Hill
Genre: Alt-Rock
Comments: Despite having a bandmember named Binky, "We stay out late, we won't come home, no ones gonna miss us" is almost believable. No, wait, it's not. The single "Do it For Free" is a "Before He Cheats"-style anthem, but the rest of the CD is disjointed, going from mex-tex to ska, all with a country twang.
Violens
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Violens
Album: V (EP)
Label: Sunday Service
Genre: Pop Rock
Comments: Violens EP V has an album cover that perfectly fits the music it covers. These four songs are hazy and echo-y, but have a driving beat that keeps the music going. Fans of Interpol will like this.
Artist: Violens
Album: V (EP)
Label: Sunday Service
Genre: Pop Rock
Comments: Violens EP V has an album cover that perfectly fits the music it covers. These four songs are hazy and echo-y, but have a driving beat that keeps the music going. Fans of Interpol will like this.
The Honeydogs
Add Date: March 10
Artist: The Honeydogs
Album: Sunshine Committee
Label: Princess Records
Genre: Bluesy Rock
Comments: The Honeydogs are from the Six One Two (minneapolis, mn) and therefore play on my local radio station under "local music" all the time. I tend to think of them as The Hold Steady (also from mpls originally) lite. However, They are quite good on their own on "Sunshine Committee" especially. The song "Fiber Optic Paramour" is particularly good.
Artist: The Honeydogs
Album: Sunshine Committee
Label: Princess Records
Genre: Bluesy Rock
Comments: The Honeydogs are from the Six One Two (minneapolis, mn) and therefore play on my local radio station under "local music" all the time. I tend to think of them as The Hold Steady (also from mpls originally) lite. However, They are quite good on their own on "Sunshine Committee" especially. The song "Fiber Optic Paramour" is particularly good.
The Show Is the Rainbow
Add Date: March 10
Artist: The Show is the Rainbow
Album: Wet Fist
Label: Retard Disco
Genre: Rock
Comments: "The Show Is The Rainbow is a one-man electrical storm of one Darren Kind from Lincoln, Nebraska. ... Wet Fist incorporates glitchy 606 beats, twangy guitar, super funk-ass basslines and one rather twisted perspective of the world. To wit: "Made of Cardboard" is a song about Keen's fictional homeless friend freezing to death while having sex with his girlfriend while "Roar Means Run" is about 'Hitler and his addiction to methamphetamines and barbituates.'" -Terrorbird
The music really isn't as weird as that description makes it sound, in fact it is actually enjoyable. RIYL: WHY?
Terrorbird
Artist: The Show is the Rainbow
Album: Wet Fist
Label: Retard Disco
Genre: Rock
Comments: "The Show Is The Rainbow is a one-man electrical storm of one Darren Kind from Lincoln, Nebraska. ... Wet Fist incorporates glitchy 606 beats, twangy guitar, super funk-ass basslines and one rather twisted perspective of the world. To wit: "Made of Cardboard" is a song about Keen's fictional homeless friend freezing to death while having sex with his girlfriend while "Roar Means Run" is about 'Hitler and his addiction to methamphetamines and barbituates.'" -Terrorbird
The music really isn't as weird as that description makes it sound, in fact it is actually enjoyable. RIYL: WHY?
Terrorbird
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Cursive
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Cursive
Album: Mama, I'm Swollen
Label: Saddle Creek
Genre: Indie rock
Comments: I had been wondering what Tim Kasher and his not-so-merry band of men were up to these days. On this, Cursive's sixth album, the arrangements seem just the least little bit tamer, but that doesn't mean they don't pack as much punch. With Kasher pulling double duty between his harder-rocking effort Cursive and his softer -- but in my mind, superior -- group The Good Life, it's becoming increasingly tougher for him to churn out that elusive beast that is a solid album, rather than just a motley collection of songs. "From the Hips" is a solid rocker built on a folk-charged beat, while follower "I Couldn't Love You" rings with the inspired energy of earlier Cursive work. The rest of the lot is catchy and clever, Kasher's jaded-wiseguy lyrics at full force, and the band makes use of the horns that made their last album enjoyable. Give this one time and I think it'll grow. Also check out the bluesy "Mama, I'm Satan."
Artist: Cursive
Album: Mama, I'm Swollen
Label: Saddle Creek
Genre: Indie rock
Comments: I had been wondering what Tim Kasher and his not-so-merry band of men were up to these days. On this, Cursive's sixth album, the arrangements seem just the least little bit tamer, but that doesn't mean they don't pack as much punch. With Kasher pulling double duty between his harder-rocking effort Cursive and his softer -- but in my mind, superior -- group The Good Life, it's becoming increasingly tougher for him to churn out that elusive beast that is a solid album, rather than just a motley collection of songs. "From the Hips" is a solid rocker built on a folk-charged beat, while follower "I Couldn't Love You" rings with the inspired energy of earlier Cursive work. The rest of the lot is catchy and clever, Kasher's jaded-wiseguy lyrics at full force, and the band makes use of the horns that made their last album enjoyable. Give this one time and I think it'll grow. Also check out the bluesy "Mama, I'm Satan."
Monday, March 9, 2009
Vampire Hands
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Vampire Hands
Album: Vampire Hands
Label: Modern Radio
Genre: Indie Rock
Comments: Vampire Hands is one of those bands who just cannot get out of their own garage. The production is scratchy and distorted, the songs quick, and the tempo...slow? Yes, this album is much more pensive and somber than most garage rock albums, but, although different, I'm not quite so sure that's a good thing. In fact, my favorite song ("Paradise Knife Fights") also happened to be the fastest, and the only time they really delved into pop. I just wish they did that more.
Artist: Vampire Hands
Album: Vampire Hands
Label: Modern Radio
Genre: Indie Rock
Comments: Vampire Hands is one of those bands who just cannot get out of their own garage. The production is scratchy and distorted, the songs quick, and the tempo...slow? Yes, this album is much more pensive and somber than most garage rock albums, but, although different, I'm not quite so sure that's a good thing. In fact, my favorite song ("Paradise Knife Fights") also happened to be the fastest, and the only time they really delved into pop. I just wish they did that more.
Reigns
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Reigns
Album: The House on the Causeway
Label: Monotreme
Genre: Ambient
Comments: The House on the Causeway is the third album from this British band, and as far as I can tell, the third concept album. This album plays as if you are in a haunted house: usually spooky (especially with the dual-tracked spoken-word vocals), always delicate, but sometimes beautiful. It is a good album, definately worth a listen for what it is, but not really made for radio play. Unless you have the "spooky, delicate music hour" as your show.
Artist: Reigns
Album: The House on the Causeway
Label: Monotreme
Genre: Ambient
Comments: The House on the Causeway is the third album from this British band, and as far as I can tell, the third concept album. This album plays as if you are in a haunted house: usually spooky (especially with the dual-tracked spoken-word vocals), always delicate, but sometimes beautiful. It is a good album, definately worth a listen for what it is, but not really made for radio play. Unless you have the "spooky, delicate music hour" as your show.
Paper Route
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Paper Route
Album: Selections from Absence
Label: Motown
Genre: Pop/Rock
Comments: Paper Route compares themselves to Coldplay, and frankly, I have to agree (Parachutes-era, at least). The compositions are deep, but easily accessible, and, at least on the opener "Enemy Among Us" (the best song on the album) lead singer Chad Dowat seems to be doing his best Chris Martin impression. That is not to say that the band is just copying Coldplay, though, as the later songs expand their sound and add their own American touch to the music.
Artist: Paper Route
Album: Selections from Absence
Label: Motown
Genre: Pop/Rock
Comments: Paper Route compares themselves to Coldplay, and frankly, I have to agree (Parachutes-era, at least). The compositions are deep, but easily accessible, and, at least on the opener "Enemy Among Us" (the best song on the album) lead singer Chad Dowat seems to be doing his best Chris Martin impression. That is not to say that the band is just copying Coldplay, though, as the later songs expand their sound and add their own American touch to the music.
Greak Lake Swimmers
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Great Lake Swimmers
Album: Lost Channels
Label: Nettwerk/weewerk
Genre: Folk
Comments: Having toured with Feist and Andrew Bird, and critically acclaimed in their native Canada, it’s a sad surprise Great Lake Swimmers are not more well-known. They create soothing, ambient folk music (Nick Drake/Neil Young comparisons have been made), and their latest release Lost Channels is a rustic, equally wistful and comforting production. Although some songs venture into a louder, less-spacious, more-rock direction, the distinct vocals keep the record grounded in ambient territory reminiscent of warm evenings outside. An excellent addition to WLUR’s recent awesome-folk-music influx (following last week’s Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy); start with tracks 1, 2, 5, and 10.
Artist: Great Lake Swimmers
Album: Lost Channels
Label: Nettwerk/weewerk
Genre: Folk
Comments: Having toured with Feist and Andrew Bird, and critically acclaimed in their native Canada, it’s a sad surprise Great Lake Swimmers are not more well-known. They create soothing, ambient folk music (Nick Drake/Neil Young comparisons have been made), and their latest release Lost Channels is a rustic, equally wistful and comforting production. Although some songs venture into a louder, less-spacious, more-rock direction, the distinct vocals keep the record grounded in ambient territory reminiscent of warm evenings outside. An excellent addition to WLUR’s recent awesome-folk-music influx (following last week’s Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy); start with tracks 1, 2, 5, and 10.
An Horse
Add Date: March 10
Artist: An Horse
Album: Rearrange Beds
Label: Mom+Pop
Genre: Indie/Pop
Comments: An Horse is a two-piece, female-fronted indie pop duo out of Australia whose touring credentials include Death Cab for Cutie and Tegan and Sara; apparently the second track, “Postcards”, off their album Rearrange Beds has been featured in a Mercedes commercial. The vocals are equally choppy and melodic, the guitar slightly fuzzed out and the general vibe is catchy: Rolling Stone says “the agonized detail recalls the best of Nineties alt-rock”. Start with tracks 2, 4, and 8.
Artist: An Horse
Album: Rearrange Beds
Label: Mom+Pop
Genre: Indie/Pop
Comments: An Horse is a two-piece, female-fronted indie pop duo out of Australia whose touring credentials include Death Cab for Cutie and Tegan and Sara; apparently the second track, “Postcards”, off their album Rearrange Beds has been featured in a Mercedes commercial. The vocals are equally choppy and melodic, the guitar slightly fuzzed out and the general vibe is catchy: Rolling Stone says “the agonized detail recalls the best of Nineties alt-rock”. Start with tracks 2, 4, and 8.
Halloween, Alaska
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Halloween, Alaska
Album: Champagne Downtown
Label: East Side Digital
Genre: Indie/Pop
Comments: Creating semi-electronic, synth-driven indie-pop (twice featured on the OC), Halloween, Alaska returns with Champagne Downtown, a melodic and precise record well-worth the three-year wait. Described by All-Music Guide as follows: “A lot of bands claim not to fit any preexisting pop music genre, but few can back up such claims as convincingly as Minneapolis-based Halloween, Alaska…jittery-jangly and swooningly melodic…sonically large and weirdly cathartic…Highly recommended”. Start with tracks 3, 5, and 9.
Artist: Halloween, Alaska
Album: Champagne Downtown
Label: East Side Digital
Genre: Indie/Pop
Comments: Creating semi-electronic, synth-driven indie-pop (twice featured on the OC), Halloween, Alaska returns with Champagne Downtown, a melodic and precise record well-worth the three-year wait. Described by All-Music Guide as follows: “A lot of bands claim not to fit any preexisting pop music genre, but few can back up such claims as convincingly as Minneapolis-based Halloween, Alaska…jittery-jangly and swooningly melodic…sonically large and weirdly cathartic…Highly recommended”. Start with tracks 3, 5, and 9.
Track 2 is bleeped-out DNP--fine to play, but as a heads up, the beep is very loud.
Condo Fucks
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Condo Fucks
Album: Fuckbook
Label: Matador
Genre: Rock
Comments: Condo Fucks--aka indie-rock staples Yo La Tengo under a different name, having first performed as such last March during a Matador showcase at Magnetic Fields in Brooklyn--bring us fuzzy, lo-fi, vocally indistinguishable 90s-style music with their album Fuckbook, which is a play on the 1990 Yo La Tengo album “Fakebook”. Whether it’s all a huge joke or not, the album is enjoyable—think Yo La Tengo (obviously), mixed with Pavement, Black Lips, general garage-band sensibilities and noise. Just avoid saying the band name, or album name, on air (or else!).
Artist: Condo Fucks
Album: Fuckbook
Label: Matador
Genre: Rock
Comments: Condo Fucks--aka indie-rock staples Yo La Tengo under a different name, having first performed as such last March during a Matador showcase at Magnetic Fields in Brooklyn--bring us fuzzy, lo-fi, vocally indistinguishable 90s-style music with their album Fuckbook, which is a play on the 1990 Yo La Tengo album “Fakebook”. Whether it’s all a huge joke or not, the album is enjoyable—think Yo La Tengo (obviously), mixed with Pavement, Black Lips, general garage-band sensibilities and noise. Just avoid saying the band name, or album name, on air (or else!).
Manufactured Defects
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Manufactured Defects
Album: Manufactured Defects
Label: Man-Def
Genre: Rock
Comments: Manufactured Defects’ self-titled record is pretty standard pop-punk rock music, with some moderately interesting electronically-tweaked vocals--overall, the choruses can be catchy but the instrumentation is nothing out of the ordinary. Most of the songs are interchangeable; the 7+ minute long closer “I’ll Make it Home” heads in the ballad-direction but stops short. Decent, but nothing impressive.
Artist: Manufactured Defects
Album: Manufactured Defects
Label: Man-Def
Genre: Rock
Comments: Manufactured Defects’ self-titled record is pretty standard pop-punk rock music, with some moderately interesting electronically-tweaked vocals--overall, the choruses can be catchy but the instrumentation is nothing out of the ordinary. Most of the songs are interchangeable; the 7+ minute long closer “I’ll Make it Home” heads in the ballad-direction but stops short. Decent, but nothing impressive.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
We Know Mason
Add Date: March 10
Artist: We Know Mason
Album: You Do
Label: Self-released, Danger
Genre: Rock
Comments: This group out of Barry, South Wales presents songs of love, despair and heartache while maintaining an optimistic overtone. According to one review, " Their sound is a mix of The Stereophonics and Teenage Fanclub weaved in with Oasis undertones."
Their single "The Country" is well-made and worth a listen.
Artist: We Know Mason
Album: You Do
Label: Self-released, Danger
Genre: Rock
Comments: This group out of Barry, South Wales presents songs of love, despair and heartache while maintaining an optimistic overtone. According to one review, " Their sound is a mix of The Stereophonics and Teenage Fanclub weaved in with Oasis undertones."
Their single "The Country" is well-made and worth a listen.
Wild Light
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Wild Light
Album: Adult Nights
Label: Star Time
Genre: Rock
Comments: "On their debut, these New Hampshire guitar romantics combine the suave moping of Eighties Brit pop and the world-wise tenderness (and some of the sweeping sound) of the Arcade Fire, who picked Wild Light to open for them in 2007. Songs like "Canyon City" and the vaguely R.E.M.-ish "California on My Mind" — where co-frontman Jordan Alexander tells the entire state to go fuck itself, presumably because of a busted romance — reveal a fondness for fluid guitars, slightly askew melodies and name-checking American locales, a habit that fits the album's restless spirit. Adult Nights' guitar pop tugs at your heartstrings without sacrificing smarts. Not bad for a first go-round." -Rolling Stone
I liked "New Hampshire."
Artist: Wild Light
Album: Adult Nights
Label: Star Time
Genre: Rock
Comments: "On their debut, these New Hampshire guitar romantics combine the suave moping of Eighties Brit pop and the world-wise tenderness (and some of the sweeping sound) of the Arcade Fire, who picked Wild Light to open for them in 2007. Songs like "Canyon City" and the vaguely R.E.M.-ish "California on My Mind" — where co-frontman Jordan Alexander tells the entire state to go fuck itself, presumably because of a busted romance — reveal a fondness for fluid guitars, slightly askew melodies and name-checking American locales, a habit that fits the album's restless spirit. Adult Nights' guitar pop tugs at your heartstrings without sacrificing smarts. Not bad for a first go-round." -Rolling Stone
I liked "New Hampshire."
Malajube
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Malajube
Album: Labyrinthes
Label: Dare to Care
Genre: Rock
Comments:
The second full-length from Quebec francophiles has a certain creepiness permeating the whole album, even as it bubbles along catchy pop tracks like "Porte Disparu."
It's been a while since I took French so I turned to Paste to get a better idea of what the whole thing is supposed to be about.
"As the name and cover art might suggest, Labyrinthes’ treatment of religion’s permutations is nearly as mazelike as its song structures, rife with instrumental interludes and stylistic mash-ups. Single “Porté Disparu” fuses punchy burlesque pianos with breezy guitars, while “333” dashes to the other end of the spectrum and overlays strings onto Iron Maiden-worthy riffs as Mineau muses, “You rent and sell your soul / because you want to live forever.” Malajube’s ear for catchy, buoyant pop makes even morbid notions (“I know that one day / I’ll be eaten by bugs”) a rallying cry for living in the moment rather than an existential crisis. The album’s meditations on what follows the mortal coil are as sweeping as the gulf between its genres, but both are handled with rewardingly nuanced subtlety." -Paste Magazine
AAM
Artist: Malajube
Album: Labyrinthes
Label: Dare to Care
Genre: Rock
Comments:
The second full-length from Quebec francophiles has a certain creepiness permeating the whole album, even as it bubbles along catchy pop tracks like "Porte Disparu."
It's been a while since I took French so I turned to Paste to get a better idea of what the whole thing is supposed to be about.
"As the name and cover art might suggest, Labyrinthes’ treatment of religion’s permutations is nearly as mazelike as its song structures, rife with instrumental interludes and stylistic mash-ups. Single “Porté Disparu” fuses punchy burlesque pianos with breezy guitars, while “333” dashes to the other end of the spectrum and overlays strings onto Iron Maiden-worthy riffs as Mineau muses, “You rent and sell your soul / because you want to live forever.” Malajube’s ear for catchy, buoyant pop makes even morbid notions (“I know that one day / I’ll be eaten by bugs”) a rallying cry for living in the moment rather than an existential crisis. The album’s meditations on what follows the mortal coil are as sweeping as the gulf between its genres, but both are handled with rewardingly nuanced subtlety." -Paste Magazine
AAM
Covered
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Various Artists
Album: Covered, A Revolution in Sound: Warner Bros. Records
Label: Warner Bros
Genre: Rock
Comments: "Rarely can a tribute album be described as fresh and edgy, bold and filled with attitude, but those words apply to Covered, A Revolution In Sound: Warner Bros. Records, an album celebrating the golden anniversary of the label founded in 1958. Covered, A Revolution In Sound features 11 artists currently on the roster each performing a favorite rock song from Warner's first 50 years." -Amazon
Covers of classics from the likes of ZZ Top, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchel, Talking Heads, Madonna, Black Sabbath, Neil Young, and Tom Petty by today's big names like The Black Keys, Michelle Branch, Flaming Lips, Taking Back Sunday and Disturbed.
Artist: Various Artists
Album: Covered, A Revolution in Sound: Warner Bros. Records
Label: Warner Bros
Genre: Rock
Comments: "Rarely can a tribute album be described as fresh and edgy, bold and filled with attitude, but those words apply to Covered, A Revolution In Sound: Warner Bros. Records, an album celebrating the golden anniversary of the label founded in 1958. Covered, A Revolution In Sound features 11 artists currently on the roster each performing a favorite rock song from Warner's first 50 years." -Amazon
Covers of classics from the likes of ZZ Top, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchel, Talking Heads, Madonna, Black Sabbath, Neil Young, and Tom Petty by today's big names like The Black Keys, Michelle Branch, Flaming Lips, Taking Back Sunday and Disturbed.
The Soul of John Black
Add Date: March 10
Artist: The Soul of John Black
Album: Black John
Label: Eclecto Groove
Genre: Blues, Funk, Soul
Comments: The Soul of John Black is John "JB" Bigham who has written songs for Miles Davis, and played on session with Eminem, Dr. Dre, and Bruce Hornsby. With an all-star set of musicians backing him, Bigmham blends soul, gospel, funk and hip-hop into a fresh sounding blues.
"To say that Bigham is heir to multiple traditions is a major understatement.... he seamlessly merges influences and eras, and the results can be heard on his fine new album 'Black John.' ... The groove is indeed, the thing. It's relentless... what matters is the soul and the funk, and Bigham brings it on every track. He's a fine singer, too, throwing in godfather of soul grunts and gospel melismas and pleading sexually-charged asides that are worthy of Al Green."
-Paste Magazine
Go to "I Knew A Lady."
Powderfinger
Artist: The Soul of John Black
Album: Black John
Label: Eclecto Groove
Genre: Blues, Funk, Soul
Comments: The Soul of John Black is John "JB" Bigham who has written songs for Miles Davis, and played on session with Eminem, Dr. Dre, and Bruce Hornsby. With an all-star set of musicians backing him, Bigmham blends soul, gospel, funk and hip-hop into a fresh sounding blues.
"To say that Bigham is heir to multiple traditions is a major understatement.... he seamlessly merges influences and eras, and the results can be heard on his fine new album 'Black John.' ... The groove is indeed, the thing. It's relentless... what matters is the soul and the funk, and Bigham brings it on every track. He's a fine singer, too, throwing in godfather of soul grunts and gospel melismas and pleading sexually-charged asides that are worthy of Al Green."
-Paste Magazine
Go to "I Knew A Lady."
Powderfinger
Julien-K
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Julien-K
Album: Death to Analog
Label: Metropolis
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Comments: "The origin of Julien-K was in 2003, when founding Orgy guitarists Ryan Shuck and Amir Derakh melded their passion for electronic music and explosive live rock. The debut album, Death to Analog, produced by Chester Bennington and mixed by producer/engineer Tim Palmer (The Cure, HIM), fuses technology with artistic expression in a way that is hard to come by these days." -Syndicate
Check out "Kick the Base" or "Spiral."
Syndicate
Artist: Julien-K
Album: Death to Analog
Label: Metropolis
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Comments: "The origin of Julien-K was in 2003, when founding Orgy guitarists Ryan Shuck and Amir Derakh melded their passion for electronic music and explosive live rock. The debut album, Death to Analog, produced by Chester Bennington and mixed by producer/engineer Tim Palmer (The Cure, HIM), fuses technology with artistic expression in a way that is hard to come by these days." -Syndicate
Check out "Kick the Base" or "Spiral."
Syndicate
A Kid Named Thompson
Add Date: March 10
Artist: A Kid Named Thompson
Album: A Life Generally
Label: Batten Down
Genre: Pop Punk, Alt
Comments: Upbeat, polished pop-punk/alt work from San Antonio, Texas group A Kid Named Thompson. The album was mixed by producer Ed Rose (Get Up Kids, Motion City Soundtrack, Limbeck).
AAM
Artist: A Kid Named Thompson
Album: A Life Generally
Label: Batten Down
Genre: Pop Punk, Alt
Comments: Upbeat, polished pop-punk/alt work from San Antonio, Texas group A Kid Named Thompson. The album was mixed by producer Ed Rose (Get Up Kids, Motion City Soundtrack, Limbeck).
AAM
Bishop Allen
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Bishop Allen
Album: Grrr...
Label: Dead Oceans
Genre: Indie pop/rock
Comments: Rather cutesy intelligent indie-pop from now Brooklyn-based Harvard alums. These short little largely acoustic songs with an emphasis on lyrics are upbeat and enjoyable. Listen to "True False" or "Rooftop Brawl."
Pirate
Artist: Bishop Allen
Album: Grrr...
Label: Dead Oceans
Genre: Indie pop/rock
Comments: Rather cutesy intelligent indie-pop from now Brooklyn-based Harvard alums. These short little largely acoustic songs with an emphasis on lyrics are upbeat and enjoyable. Listen to "True False" or "Rooftop Brawl."
Pirate
Nat King Cole
Add Date: March 10
Artist: Nat King Cole
Album: RE: Generations
Label: Capitol/EMI
Genre: Jazz, Hip-Hop
Comments: RE: Generations is a "recording with a cosmopolitan flavor that celebrates Nat King Cole's musical and cultural contributions as reinterpreted by some of this generation's most creative artists. The Roots, Cut Chemist, Nas with Salaam Remi, Stephen and Damien Marley, Brazilian Girls and TV on the Radio all have remix work on this record.
Terrorbird.
Artist: Nat King Cole
Album: RE: Generations
Label: Capitol/EMI
Genre: Jazz, Hip-Hop
Comments: RE: Generations is a "recording with a cosmopolitan flavor that celebrates Nat King Cole's musical and cultural contributions as reinterpreted by some of this generation's most creative artists. The Roots, Cut Chemist, Nas with Salaam Remi, Stephen and Damien Marley, Brazilian Girls and TV on the Radio all have remix work on this record.
Terrorbird.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Lady Sovereign
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Lady Sovereign
Album: Jigsaw
Label: Midget
Genre: Hip hop
Comments: I'd be able to recognize that one song that Lady Sovereign had that was big maybe last year, the year before if I heard it. With a pretty distinctive sound, Louise Amanda "Lady Sovereign" Harman is the veritable female Mike Skinner. Island and Def Jam dropped Lady Sov last year and it's their mistake: Jigsaw is as catchy as ever and will please even casual fans of hip hop, dance, "club beats" (or whatever the kids are calling them these days), and wit. New single "So Human" reinvents The Cure's "Close To Me" to make Robert Smith's anthem a poppy, digital dance-rock revolution. Like Kanye West, Lady Sov decides to belt parts out on this album; unlike Kanye, it doesn't sound like she needs the Auto-Tune to handle it. Spin this.
[Note: Pay attention to the DNP tracks. Clean edits are available on the enclosed disc]
Artist: Lady Sovereign
Album: Jigsaw
Label: Midget
Genre: Hip hop
Comments: I'd be able to recognize that one song that Lady Sovereign had that was big maybe last year, the year before if I heard it. With a pretty distinctive sound, Louise Amanda "Lady Sovereign" Harman is the veritable female Mike Skinner. Island and Def Jam dropped Lady Sov last year and it's their mistake: Jigsaw is as catchy as ever and will please even casual fans of hip hop, dance, "club beats" (or whatever the kids are calling them these days), and wit. New single "So Human" reinvents The Cure's "Close To Me" to make Robert Smith's anthem a poppy, digital dance-rock revolution. Like Kanye West, Lady Sov decides to belt parts out on this album; unlike Kanye, it doesn't sound like she needs the Auto-Tune to handle it. Spin this.
[Note: Pay attention to the DNP tracks. Clean edits are available on the enclosed disc]
Clem Snide
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Clem Snide
Album: Hungry Bird
Label: 429
Genre: Pop
Comments: Eef Barzelay's outlet for his creative juices falls pretty flat this go around. Hungry Bird is Clem Snide's first real album after apparently getting back together, but Barzelay's been no stranger to the musical marketplace. Called "alt country," but I just don't believe it. Filler for Zach Braff's next movie soundtrack.
Artist: Clem Snide
Album: Hungry Bird
Label: 429
Genre: Pop
Comments: Eef Barzelay's outlet for his creative juices falls pretty flat this go around. Hungry Bird is Clem Snide's first real album after apparently getting back together, but Barzelay's been no stranger to the musical marketplace. Called "alt country," but I just don't believe it. Filler for Zach Braff's next movie soundtrack.
Chicago Afrobeat Project
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Chicago Afrobeat Project
Album: Off the Grid
Label: Self-released
Genre: Soul, jazz, fusion
Comments: From the group's website: "Chicago Afrobeat Project (CAbP) remains true to its original vision of breathing the intensity of Chicago’s rich music scene into the infectious sounds of afrobeat...Afrobeat’s range of influences — funk, rock, jazz, afro-cuban, high life and juju music – settle into a hypnotic, dance-compelling pulse at the core of CAbP."
Really fresh and breezy stuff. Reminds me of what I imagine Chicago would be like throughout the course of a summer's day.
Artist: Chicago Afrobeat Project
Album: Off the Grid
Label: Self-released
Genre: Soul, jazz, fusion
Comments: From the group's website: "Chicago Afrobeat Project (CAbP) remains true to its original vision of breathing the intensity of Chicago’s rich music scene into the infectious sounds of afrobeat...Afrobeat’s range of influences — funk, rock, jazz, afro-cuban, high life and juju music – settle into a hypnotic, dance-compelling pulse at the core of CAbP."
Really fresh and breezy stuff. Reminds me of what I imagine Chicago would be like throughout the course of a summer's day.
Chin Chin
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Chin Chin
Album: The Flashing, The Fancing
Label: Definitive Jux
Genre: Dance
Comments: From the disc tray: "Flashing - present continuous tense of verb, flash...Fancing - present continuous tense of noun/adjective, fancy." Straight-up 21st-century soul out of Brooklyn. The first track worried me that it would all be slow, brooding instrumental stuff. Far from it. Dancy and cool, start with track 2.
Artist: Chin Chin
Album: The Flashing, The Fancing
Label: Definitive Jux
Genre: Dance
Comments: From the disc tray: "Flashing - present continuous tense of verb, flash...Fancing - present continuous tense of noun/adjective, fancy." Straight-up 21st-century soul out of Brooklyn. The first track worried me that it would all be slow, brooding instrumental stuff. Far from it. Dancy and cool, start with track 2.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Gay Witch Abortion
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Gay Witch Abortion
Album: Maverick
Label: Learning Curve
Genre: Doom Rock
Comments: With a name like "Gay Witch Abortion" you'd better be a little tongue-in-cheek. Actually, if you are making any sort of Apocalyptic Rock you'd better be a little tongue-in-cheek.
"Minneapolis' own two-piece doom rockers, Gay Witch Abortion, consist of Jesse Bottomley on guitar and Shawn Walker manning the drums. 'Maverick' is a relentless and uncompromising breed of breakneck sludge that's occasionally peppered with Bottomley's vocal drone."
While those droning vocals leave something to be desired, GWA does make some pretty sick stuff. Just check out the opener "Asleep with Giants" or jump ahead to "Church Buffet.
AAM
Artist: Gay Witch Abortion
Album: Maverick
Label: Learning Curve
Genre: Doom Rock
Comments: With a name like "Gay Witch Abortion" you'd better be a little tongue-in-cheek. Actually, if you are making any sort of Apocalyptic Rock you'd better be a little tongue-in-cheek.
"Minneapolis' own two-piece doom rockers, Gay Witch Abortion, consist of Jesse Bottomley on guitar and Shawn Walker manning the drums. 'Maverick' is a relentless and uncompromising breed of breakneck sludge that's occasionally peppered with Bottomley's vocal drone."
While those droning vocals leave something to be desired, GWA does make some pretty sick stuff. Just check out the opener "Asleep with Giants" or jump ahead to "Church Buffet.
AAM
El Prezidino
Add Date: March 3
Artist: El Presidino
Album: The Illness EP
Label: 3 Fingers
Genre: Hip-Hop
Comments: Virginia raised star athlete turned rapper Demetrius "El Prezidino" Doss is a big fan of Kanye's "Jesus Walks" and aims to emulate that sound. Any W&L student should listen to the I Am Charlotte Simmons- esque "Athletes & Frat Boys."
Tinderbox
Artist: El Presidino
Album: The Illness EP
Label: 3 Fingers
Genre: Hip-Hop
Comments: Virginia raised star athlete turned rapper Demetrius "El Prezidino" Doss is a big fan of Kanye's "Jesus Walks" and aims to emulate that sound. Any W&L student should listen to the I Am Charlotte Simmons- esque "Athletes & Frat Boys."
Tinderbox
Polka Dot Dot Dot
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Polka Dot Dot Dot
Album: Love Letter to New Zealand
Label: Bicycle Records
Genre: Folk Pop
Comments: Every song of this album is absolutely darling. This New Zealand trio weaves clever, genuine lyrics about God, psychic flowers, the sympathetic nervous system, and of course, love and sex. Simple folksy instrumentation balances well with their lovely vocal harmonies. Listen to "Little Finger" and "Miss Restless."
Artist: Polka Dot Dot Dot
Album: Love Letter to New Zealand
Label: Bicycle Records
Genre: Folk Pop
Comments: Every song of this album is absolutely darling. This New Zealand trio weaves clever, genuine lyrics about God, psychic flowers, the sympathetic nervous system, and of course, love and sex. Simple folksy instrumentation balances well with their lovely vocal harmonies. Listen to "Little Finger" and "Miss Restless."
...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead
Add Date: March 3
Artist: ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead
Album: The Century of Self
Label: Justice
Genre: Rock
Comments:
"After the proggy overindulgence of their previous two albums, these Texans gracefully balance the dynamic alt rock of 2002's Source Tags & Codes with their more recent multimovement epics. "Halcyon Days" combines lilting, cathedral-size vocals, colossal guitars, and an organ coda without sounding bloated; the poppy surge of "Fields of Coal" has Conrad Keely musing about a fatal prophecy between rousing sailor chants; and the double-vocal punisher "Ascending" (featuring Brooklyn zanies Dragons of Zynth) and slow-burning ballad "Luna Park" showcase Trail of Dead at their unvarnished, poignantly roaring best." -Spin.com
I didn't get a change to much of this but what I did hear was definitely bad ass and huge.
Artist: ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead
Album: The Century of Self
Label: Justice
Genre: Rock
Comments:
"After the proggy overindulgence of their previous two albums, these Texans gracefully balance the dynamic alt rock of 2002's Source Tags & Codes with their more recent multimovement epics. "Halcyon Days" combines lilting, cathedral-size vocals, colossal guitars, and an organ coda without sounding bloated; the poppy surge of "Fields of Coal" has Conrad Keely musing about a fatal prophecy between rousing sailor chants; and the double-vocal punisher "Ascending" (featuring Brooklyn zanies Dragons of Zynth) and slow-burning ballad "Luna Park" showcase Trail of Dead at their unvarnished, poignantly roaring best." -Spin.com
I didn't get a change to much of this but what I did hear was definitely bad ass and huge.
Superdrag
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Superdrag
Album: Industry Giants
Label: Superdrag
Genre: Rock, Power Pop-Punk
Comments: "Taking as much influence from the British Invasion-style pop of The Beatles or The Zombies as My Bloody Valentine and Husker Du, their songs have always combined melodicism with noise in a fully distinct fashion." -Planetary
A few notes on this:
1. They are taking just as much influence from Greenday.
2. I don't think that melodicism is a word.
3. Rock fans should check this out. Go to track four-- "Everything'll Be Made Right."
Planetary
Artist: Superdrag
Album: Industry Giants
Label: Superdrag
Genre: Rock, Power Pop-Punk
Comments: "Taking as much influence from the British Invasion-style pop of The Beatles or The Zombies as My Bloody Valentine and Husker Du, their songs have always combined melodicism with noise in a fully distinct fashion." -Planetary
A few notes on this:
1. They are taking just as much influence from Greenday.
2. I don't think that melodicism is a word.
3. Rock fans should check this out. Go to track four-- "Everything'll Be Made Right."
Planetary
Anavan
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Anavan
Album: Cover Story
Label: Slanty Shanty
Genre: Rock, Synth-Punk
Comments: "Equally in debt to their noise-rock contemporaries and mid-80's synth-electro, Anavan throw pop music in a big noisy blender and deliver the results with a ferocity rarely seen in an electronic music trio."
The cover of this album has a whole rainbow of colors on it-- which seems appropiate to this boogie-down synth-pop-punk. Over the top in a disco way. Check out "Take It Back."
Terrorbird
Artist: Anavan
Album: Cover Story
Label: Slanty Shanty
Genre: Rock, Synth-Punk
Comments: "Equally in debt to their noise-rock contemporaries and mid-80's synth-electro, Anavan throw pop music in a big noisy blender and deliver the results with a ferocity rarely seen in an electronic music trio."
The cover of this album has a whole rainbow of colors on it-- which seems appropiate to this boogie-down synth-pop-punk. Over the top in a disco way. Check out "Take It Back."
Terrorbird
Kinetic Stereokids
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Kinetic Stereokids
Album: Kid Moves
Label: Overdraft
Genre: Rock, Folk
Comments: Dubbed "junkyard folktronina'" Kinetic Stereokids have a loose, kind of southern rock sound with some weird samples thrown in. "Twisted Thoughts" is a pretty groovy song with a cool, if you don't mind the samples of 50's style relaxation guide. "Assisted Living" is also worth a listen in a more pop influenced A-Sides way.
Fanatic
Artist: Kinetic Stereokids
Album: Kid Moves
Label: Overdraft
Genre: Rock, Folk
Comments: Dubbed "junkyard folktronina'" Kinetic Stereokids have a loose, kind of southern rock sound with some weird samples thrown in. "Twisted Thoughts" is a pretty groovy song with a cool, if you don't mind the samples of 50's style relaxation guide. "Assisted Living" is also worth a listen in a more pop influenced A-Sides way.
Fanatic
Neko Case
Add Date: February 24
Artist: Neko Case
Album: Middle Cyclone
Label: Anti-
Genre: Alt-country, rock
Comments: First, the album artwork. Then, the short film about salvaging pianos and recording in a barn. Followed by the absolute gem of a pop song, "People Got a Lotta Nerve", as the lead single. Did I mention the cover? Finally, we've arrived at the release date (March 3, when I'm tardily posting this review) for Neko Case's spectacular new effort, Middle Cyclone, which doesn't disappoint after all this buildup. Case continues to establish herself as one of the best songwriters in the business--who else could pull off a song from the point of view of a tornado, which she does on album opener "This Tornado Loves You"?--and as always, her backing band is full of terrific musicians, including long-time collaborators Jon Rauhouse, Kelly Hogan and Paul Rigby. Also check out "I'm an Animal," "Prison Girls" and "Magpie to the Morning." One of 2009's best.
Artist: Neko Case
Album: Middle Cyclone
Label: Anti-
Genre: Alt-country, rock
Comments: First, the album artwork. Then, the short film about salvaging pianos and recording in a barn. Followed by the absolute gem of a pop song, "People Got a Lotta Nerve", as the lead single. Did I mention the cover? Finally, we've arrived at the release date (March 3, when I'm tardily posting this review) for Neko Case's spectacular new effort, Middle Cyclone, which doesn't disappoint after all this buildup. Case continues to establish herself as one of the best songwriters in the business--who else could pull off a song from the point of view of a tornado, which she does on album opener "This Tornado Loves You"?--and as always, her backing band is full of terrific musicians, including long-time collaborators Jon Rauhouse, Kelly Hogan and Paul Rigby. Also check out "I'm an Animal," "Prison Girls" and "Magpie to the Morning." One of 2009's best.
Bell X1
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Bell X1
Album: Blue Lights On the Runway
Label: Yep Roc
Genre: Rock
Comments: "Bell X1's fourth studio effort marks a quantum leap for the Dublin combo, which has already earned a... reputation for its artfully constructed songs and playfully introspective lyrics. The result is a little bit electronic, a little bit Bacharach, a little bit New Orleans Funeral March."
Nice work -- a very Talking Head's sound on "The Great Defector" and a weird 80's style narrative on "The Ribs of a Broken Umbrella."
Vitriol
Artist: Bell X1
Album: Blue Lights On the Runway
Label: Yep Roc
Genre: Rock
Comments: "Bell X1's fourth studio effort marks a quantum leap for the Dublin combo, which has already earned a... reputation for its artfully constructed songs and playfully introspective lyrics. The result is a little bit electronic, a little bit Bacharach, a little bit New Orleans Funeral March."
Nice work -- a very Talking Head's sound on "The Great Defector" and a weird 80's style narrative on "The Ribs of a Broken Umbrella."
Vitriol
The Decks
Add Date: March 3
Artist: The Decks
Album: Breath and Bone
Label: Tortoise
Genre: Garage-Pop
Comments: "Detroit garage-pop foursome, The Decks, are gearing up for the release of their first LP.... [while] they may have started the recording of this album when they were in their teens, don't expect ignorant angst. They do live in Detroit you know. So, 19 there is really 31 anywhere else. "
Sort-of lo-fi grungy vintage feel to this rock. RIYL: Black Lips, The Subways, Mando Diao, JET
Check out "DTC" or "L'Enfant."
Pirate
Artist: The Decks
Album: Breath and Bone
Label: Tortoise
Genre: Garage-Pop
Comments: "Detroit garage-pop foursome, The Decks, are gearing up for the release of their first LP.... [while] they may have started the recording of this album when they were in their teens, don't expect ignorant angst. They do live in Detroit you know. So, 19 there is really 31 anywhere else. "
Sort-of lo-fi grungy vintage feel to this rock. RIYL: Black Lips, The Subways, Mando Diao, JET
Check out "DTC" or "L'Enfant."
Pirate
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Whip
Add Date: March 3
Artist: The Whip
Album: X Marks the Destination
Label: Razor & Tie
Genre: Electronica, Dance, Rock
Comments: "Looped lyrics and hypnotic hooks, washed down with chug-a-lug chords and a well-oiled rhythm section" make The Whip worth a listen. Produced by Jim Abiss, best known for his work with Bjork, Arctic Monkeys, and Kasabian, the album has a certain polish that makes it attractive to fans of rock as well as dance/electronica. Check out "Trash," which was the single.
Artist: The Whip
Album: X Marks the Destination
Label: Razor & Tie
Genre: Electronica, Dance, Rock
Comments: "Looped lyrics and hypnotic hooks, washed down with chug-a-lug chords and a well-oiled rhythm section" make The Whip worth a listen. Produced by Jim Abiss, best known for his work with Bjork, Arctic Monkeys, and Kasabian, the album has a certain polish that makes it attractive to fans of rock as well as dance/electronica. Check out "Trash," which was the single.
Balmorhea
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Balmorhea
Album: All is Wild, All is Silent
Label: Western Vinyl
Genre: Folk, Instrumental
Comments: Austin, TX group Balmorhea (a city in Texas which I was always taught to pronounce Bam-Or-ay though who knows really) actually came through Lexington last year and did an impressive in-studio performance at WLUR. Their instrumental music swells hauntingly, velvetly.
"Now a six piece with drums and upright bass, the band known for their understated simpilicity and restraint has produced an album joyous, haunting and even a little sexy." -Western Vinyl
Just pop it in and listen to the the opener "Settler."
Artist: Balmorhea
Album: All is Wild, All is Silent
Label: Western Vinyl
Genre: Folk, Instrumental
Comments: Austin, TX group Balmorhea (a city in Texas which I was always taught to pronounce Bam-Or-ay though who knows really) actually came through Lexington last year and did an impressive in-studio performance at WLUR. Their instrumental music swells hauntingly, velvetly.
"Now a six piece with drums and upright bass, the band known for their understated simpilicity and restraint has produced an album joyous, haunting and even a little sexy." -Western Vinyl
"...they create minimalist, cinematic music that combines modern, experimental acoustic sounds with classical qualities."
– NPR's Second StageJust pop it in and listen to the the opener "Settler."
The Weight
Add Date: March 3
Artist: The Weight
Album: Are Men
Label: Tee Pee
Genre: County-Rock, Americana
Comments: "The Weight are Brooklyn's hardest working country-rock band. After a string of EPs and a mostly acoustic full-length, singer Joseph Plunket enlisted a stable group of top-notch players to fill out the country sounds of 'Are Men.' [The album] is truly an honest and jam-filled Americana album highly recommended for fans of Drive-By Truckers, Lucero and Whiskeytown."-- AAM
Skip ahead to "Talkin'" for a toe-tappin' treat.
Also, the way the CD fits in the case is unlike any I've seen before so that's worth checking out too.
Artist: The Weight
Album: Are Men
Label: Tee Pee
Genre: County-Rock, Americana
Comments: "The Weight are Brooklyn's hardest working country-rock band. After a string of EPs and a mostly acoustic full-length, singer Joseph Plunket enlisted a stable group of top-notch players to fill out the country sounds of 'Are Men.' [The album] is truly an honest and jam-filled Americana album highly recommended for fans of Drive-By Truckers, Lucero and Whiskeytown."-- AAM
Skip ahead to "Talkin'" for a toe-tappin' treat.
Also, the way the CD fits in the case is unlike any I've seen before so that's worth checking out too.
The Tunnel
Add Date: March 3
Artist: The Tunnel
Album: Carver Brothers Lullaby
Label: Glorious Alchemical
Genre: Punk Rock
Comments: The Tunnel is not for everyone. The overall sound reminds me of The Cramps, except that, at some times, The Tunnel is even more dissonant. The album is billed as a "warped journey" "peppered with tales of snake oil salesmen, railway ghosts and feral fatales." Check out "The Ghost of the Late-Night Rails" which is one of the more narrative and accessible numbers.
AAM
Artist: The Tunnel
Album: Carver Brothers Lullaby
Label: Glorious Alchemical
Genre: Punk Rock
Comments: The Tunnel is not for everyone. The overall sound reminds me of The Cramps, except that, at some times, The Tunnel is even more dissonant. The album is billed as a "warped journey" "peppered with tales of snake oil salesmen, railway ghosts and feral fatales." Check out "The Ghost of the Late-Night Rails" which is one of the more narrative and accessible numbers.
AAM
Filligar
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Filligar
Album: Near Or Far
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop-Rock
Comments: Three brothers and their BFFL create very catchy pop-rock from Chicago-based Filligar about being shy, girls, and Chicago. Check out "Hounds" which has this interesting funky jam going on in the background.
Planetary
Artist: Filligar
Album: Near Or Far
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop-Rock
Comments: Three brothers and their BFFL create very catchy pop-rock from Chicago-based Filligar about being shy, girls, and Chicago. Check out "Hounds" which has this interesting funky jam going on in the background.
Planetary
Gretchen Phillips
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Gretchen Phillips
Album: I Was Just Comforting Her
Label: Seasick Sailor
Genre: Folk, Singer-Songwriter
Comments: Texas singer-songwriter Gretchen Phillips presents highly narrative, intelligently written songs weaving together folk, rock, country, gospel and punk on her first album in five years. Listen to "Honey, I Feel So Good" for a folksy one.
Fanatic
Artist: Gretchen Phillips
Album: I Was Just Comforting Her
Label: Seasick Sailor
Genre: Folk, Singer-Songwriter
Comments: Texas singer-songwriter Gretchen Phillips presents highly narrative, intelligently written songs weaving together folk, rock, country, gospel and punk on her first album in five years. Listen to "Honey, I Feel So Good" for a folksy one.
Fanatic
Soundtrack of Our Lives
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Soundtrack of Our Lives
Album: Communion
Label: Yep Roc
Genre: Space Rock
Comments: Veteran 6-piece Swedish group presents two-disk set packed really big sounding with psych-pop/space-rock songs. Check out "Ra 88" on the first disk to start with. RIYL: JET
Terrorbird
Artist: Soundtrack of Our Lives
Album: Communion
Label: Yep Roc
Genre: Space Rock
Comments: Veteran 6-piece Swedish group presents two-disk set packed really big sounding with psych-pop/space-rock songs. Check out "Ra 88" on the first disk to start with. RIYL: JET
Terrorbird
Leo Blais
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Leo Blais
Album: The Free EP
Label: Carbon Neutral
Genre: Pop
Comments: Rather jangly pop with vocals and tone reminiscent of Ben Kweller or Ben Folds.
Pirate
Artist: Leo Blais
Album: The Free EP
Label: Carbon Neutral
Genre: Pop
Comments: Rather jangly pop with vocals and tone reminiscent of Ben Kweller or Ben Folds.
Pirate
Say Hi
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Say Hi
Album: Oohs and Aahs
Label: Barsuk
Genre: Indie Pop/Rock
Comments: Lo-fi indie pop-rock. I just remembered how much I like AllMusic.com's adjective lists so here are some for Say Hi-- quirky, reflective, autumnal, witty, searching. Well-crafted, charismatic one man show. RIYL: Death Cab, Andrew Bird
Pirate
Artist: Say Hi
Album: Oohs and Aahs
Label: Barsuk
Genre: Indie Pop/Rock
Comments: Lo-fi indie pop-rock. I just remembered how much I like AllMusic.com's adjective lists so here are some for Say Hi-- quirky, reflective, autumnal, witty, searching. Well-crafted, charismatic one man show. RIYL: Death Cab, Andrew Bird
Pirate
Handsome Furs
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Handsome Furs
Album: Face Control
Label: Sub Pop
Genre: Rock
Comments: If you like Wolf Parade or Sunset Rubdown you really ought to give husband and wife duo Handsome Furs a listen.
"The juxtaposition of cold, metronomic, electronic beats courtesy of Alexei Perry, with the jagged, dissonant and frail, broken or breaking guitars of Dan Boekner (of Wolf Parade) portray what it is to be a human being at the bottom of hte 21st century.... The songs on Face Control often cast us as the young lovers in the shadow of the system, plotting their escape, revelling in their freedom as the shackles tighten around them. In the past, freedom may have meant jumping a barbed wire fence, or crossinga treacherous ocean or burning desert. On Face Control Handsome Furs shos us that in out modern age escaping these constraints has simultaneously become easier and more complicated. While it once meant hanging on, it now means letting go, and drifting off, refusing to participate in the structure that shapes and dominates so many lives, eschewing traditional values, opting instead to make up their own ways." -SubPop
But don't take a record label's word for it (even if it is SubPop)!
AAM
Artist: Handsome Furs
Album: Face Control
Label: Sub Pop
Genre: Rock
Comments: If you like Wolf Parade or Sunset Rubdown you really ought to give husband and wife duo Handsome Furs a listen.
"The juxtaposition of cold, metronomic, electronic beats courtesy of Alexei Perry, with the jagged, dissonant and frail, broken or breaking guitars of Dan Boekner (of Wolf Parade) portray what it is to be a human being at the bottom of hte 21st century.... The songs on Face Control often cast us as the young lovers in the shadow of the system, plotting their escape, revelling in their freedom as the shackles tighten around them. In the past, freedom may have meant jumping a barbed wire fence, or crossinga treacherous ocean or burning desert. On Face Control Handsome Furs shos us that in out modern age escaping these constraints has simultaneously become easier and more complicated. While it once meant hanging on, it now means letting go, and drifting off, refusing to participate in the structure that shapes and dominates so many lives, eschewing traditional values, opting instead to make up their own ways." -SubPop
But don't take a record label's word for it (even if it is SubPop)!
AAM
Mumiy Troll
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Mumiy Troll
Album: Comrade Ambassaor
Label: Real Records Russia/Mumiy Troll
Genre: Rock/Pop/World
Comments: Formed in the 1980s and wildly popular ever since in their native Russia, Mumiy Troll brings catchy rock sensibilities (in a style self-described as “rockapops”) to the forefront of their most recent album, Comrade Ambassador, their first American release. Intriguingly dramatic, moody vocals (sung in Russian—follow along with the English inserts, however) combine with energetic, strong instrumentation to create an effect something like “a nuclear meltdown of the Bravery, Tom Petty and the Afghan Whigs” (L.A. Times Review). Highly, highly enjoyable; start with tracks 1, 4, 8, and the bonus cover of “California Dreaming” (utterly, ridiculously amazing).
Artist: Mumiy Troll
Album: Comrade Ambassaor
Label: Real Records Russia/Mumiy Troll
Genre: Rock/Pop/World
Comments: Formed in the 1980s and wildly popular ever since in their native Russia, Mumiy Troll brings catchy rock sensibilities (in a style self-described as “rockapops”) to the forefront of their most recent album, Comrade Ambassador, their first American release. Intriguingly dramatic, moody vocals (sung in Russian—follow along with the English inserts, however) combine with energetic, strong instrumentation to create an effect something like “a nuclear meltdown of the Bravery, Tom Petty and the Afghan Whigs” (L.A. Times Review). Highly, highly enjoyable; start with tracks 1, 4, 8, and the bonus cover of “California Dreaming” (utterly, ridiculously amazing).
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Album: Beware
Label: Drag City
Genre: Folk/Alternative
Comments: Another wonderful album from Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Beware is full of gorgeous melodies, soaring and distinctive vocals, and a blend of country and indie-folk sensibilities. Once called an “Appalachian post-punk solipsist”, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy (real name: Will Oldham) creates incredibly honest, organic music without much regard for sticking to a specific style or genre. Refreshing, and enthralling: start with tracks 1, 3, 9, and 13.
Artist: Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Album: Beware
Label: Drag City
Genre: Folk/Alternative
Comments: Another wonderful album from Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Beware is full of gorgeous melodies, soaring and distinctive vocals, and a blend of country and indie-folk sensibilities. Once called an “Appalachian post-punk solipsist”, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy (real name: Will Oldham) creates incredibly honest, organic music without much regard for sticking to a specific style or genre. Refreshing, and enthralling: start with tracks 1, 3, 9, and 13.
Youth Group
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Youth Group
Album: The Night is Ours
Label: Ivy League
Genre: Rock
Comments: Youth Group brings us a collection of dense, focused songs on The Night is Ours, an album recorded on a decommissioned ship, with the mess hall turned into the primary studio—the effect is an intimate, purposeful collection of melodic tracks, all equally creative and catchy. Having toured with Death Cab for Cutie and Interpol, Youth Group brings the same dynamic of expressive vocals and layered instrumentation; start with tracks 2, 6, and 10.
Artist: Youth Group
Album: The Night is Ours
Label: Ivy League
Genre: Rock
Comments: Youth Group brings us a collection of dense, focused songs on The Night is Ours, an album recorded on a decommissioned ship, with the mess hall turned into the primary studio—the effect is an intimate, purposeful collection of melodic tracks, all equally creative and catchy. Having toured with Death Cab for Cutie and Interpol, Youth Group brings the same dynamic of expressive vocals and layered instrumentation; start with tracks 2, 6, and 10.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Mirah
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Mirah
Album: (a)spera
Label: K Records
Genre: Alternative/Rock
Comments: Direct, clear vocals and lush instrumentation mark the style of Mirah’s forth solo album, (a)spera, a well-developed, melodic yet experimental experience. The light and delicate tone is pleasantly grounded for the most part; standout track “The Forest” features strong background drums and horns. Start with tracks 1, 4, and 6.
Artist: Mirah
Album: (a)spera
Label: K Records
Genre: Alternative/Rock
Comments: Direct, clear vocals and lush instrumentation mark the style of Mirah’s forth solo album, (a)spera, a well-developed, melodic yet experimental experience. The light and delicate tone is pleasantly grounded for the most part; standout track “The Forest” features strong background drums and horns. Start with tracks 1, 4, and 6.
Bell Orchestre
Add Date: March 3
Artist: Bell Orchestre
Album: As Seen Through Windows
Label: Arts&Crafts
Genre: Instrumental
Comments:Bell Orchestre brings us a fascinating instrumental perspective with As Seen Through Windows, a creative, unique, film-score-style record. Non-traditional despite the implications instrumental records may have, the use of lap steel guitar and select electronics keep the experience unpredictable, if not totally radio-accessible. Start with tracks 3, 4, and 8.
Artist: Bell Orchestre
Album: As Seen Through Windows
Label: Arts&Crafts
Genre: Instrumental
Comments:Bell Orchestre brings us a fascinating instrumental perspective with As Seen Through Windows, a creative, unique, film-score-style record. Non-traditional despite the implications instrumental records may have, the use of lap steel guitar and select electronics keep the experience unpredictable, if not totally radio-accessible. Start with tracks 3, 4, and 8.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
