Tapes 'n Tapes

Add Date: January 11 

Artist: Tapes 'n Tapes

Album: Outside 

Label: Ibid 

Genre: Rock 

Comments: Tapes 'n Tapes is, all things considered, back where it belongs. After 2005's breakthrough The Loon, originally released on the band's on Ibid Records and later reissued by XL, the Minneapolis foursome spent the next couple of years opening for the likes of Spoon, Franz Ferdinand and Echo & the Bunnymen. Then came 2008's Walk It Off, in which the band teamed with producer Dave Fridmann. Don't get me wrong--Fridman is absolutely brilliant; just see his work with The Flaming Lips, among many others--but it was simply a poor match. The record was by no means poor, but perhaps even worse, it was rather forgettable, failing to stand out in a crowded music field.

So the band has left XL--imagine how hard that decision must have been--and returned to its own imprint. And in doing so, they've managed to recapture the magic of some five years ago. Outside is a fine collection of indie rock tunes, drawing from the last three decades of alternative rock, with the Pixies, Pavement, The Shins and Modest Mouse as obvious touchstones. And what's more, it's a great album, easily listenable and engaging from start to finish. "Freak Out" is the first truly memorable single of the 2011 music year, but it's far from the only song worthy of airplay; I'd also recommend "Badaboom," "One in the World" and "Desert Plane."