Spin span spun:
And don't miss: Brute Heart, Sondre Lerche, Thurston Moore, a reissue from Reatards and a single from John Maus
Thursday, May 26, 2011
GIVERS
Add Date: May 24
Artist: GIVERS
Album: In Light
Label: Glassnote
Genre: Rock, pop
Comments: In Light, the debut LP from GIVERS, is one of the most diverse, interesting, and purely joyous pop records that you'll hear in 2011. The Lafayette, La., quartet melds a wide range of influences and styles--pop and folk from all over the globe, psychedelic rock, and more--into a style that at times brings to mind a number of different bands (Dirty Projectors, Islands, Talking Heads and Vampire Weekend, to name a few), yet all the while remains quite distinctive.
The instrumentation is extremely well done, with guitar, bass, keyboards and percussion filled in by Tif Lamson's ukulele and occasional strings, flutes and hand claps from guest musicians; with everything going on, there seems to be something new to discover on each listen, whether it's a guitar jam here or a synth flourish there. Meanwhile, the vocal interplay between Lamson and Taylor Guarisco has been favorably (and accurately, I'll add) compared to Mates of State.
This is an outstanding record, and it's hard to believe that the band hasn't been at it for very long. No tracks unrecommended, but start with "Up Up Up", "Atlantic", "Meantime" and "Ceiling of Plankton".
Artist: GIVERS
Album: In Light
Label: Glassnote
Genre: Rock, pop
Comments: In Light, the debut LP from GIVERS, is one of the most diverse, interesting, and purely joyous pop records that you'll hear in 2011. The Lafayette, La., quartet melds a wide range of influences and styles--pop and folk from all over the globe, psychedelic rock, and more--into a style that at times brings to mind a number of different bands (Dirty Projectors, Islands, Talking Heads and Vampire Weekend, to name a few), yet all the while remains quite distinctive.
The instrumentation is extremely well done, with guitar, bass, keyboards and percussion filled in by Tif Lamson's ukulele and occasional strings, flutes and hand claps from guest musicians; with everything going on, there seems to be something new to discover on each listen, whether it's a guitar jam here or a synth flourish there. Meanwhile, the vocal interplay between Lamson and Taylor Guarisco has been favorably (and accurately, I'll add) compared to Mates of State.
This is an outstanding record, and it's hard to believe that the band hasn't been at it for very long. No tracks unrecommended, but start with "Up Up Up", "Atlantic", "Meantime" and "Ceiling of Plankton".
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Thurston Moore
Add Date: May 24
Artist: Thurston Moore
Album: Demolished Thoughts
Label: Matador
Genre: Rock, acoustic
Comments: An incredibly well-constructed set of tunes from Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore on his latest solo LP, Demolished Thoughts. Moore's acoustic guitar work, done with both 6 and 12-string guitars, is accented by guest musicians from Sunburned Hand of the Man, Tower Recordings and Hush Arbors, with bass and percussion joined by violin, keyboards and harp, and everything is tied together by Beck, who produced the album.
Demolished Thoughts finds Moore in a very contemplative mood--what with all the musical layers of a Sonic Youth record, it's quite easy to forget his brilliance as a songwriter; in that sense, I'd compare this album to Several Shades of Why from Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis, who stripped things down for that recent solo release. And I'll state the blatantly obvious: Moore, like Mascis, is a tremendous guitarist, which makes it quite rewarding to hear his work on an acoustic version of that instrument; indeed, there are several long instrumental stretches, particularly on late-album tracks "Space" and "January", that make for an extremely enjoyable listen.
Wonderful stuff. Start with "Benediction" and "Circulation".
Artist: Thurston Moore
Album: Demolished Thoughts
Label: Matador
Genre: Rock, acoustic
Comments: An incredibly well-constructed set of tunes from Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore on his latest solo LP, Demolished Thoughts. Moore's acoustic guitar work, done with both 6 and 12-string guitars, is accented by guest musicians from Sunburned Hand of the Man, Tower Recordings and Hush Arbors, with bass and percussion joined by violin, keyboards and harp, and everything is tied together by Beck, who produced the album.
Demolished Thoughts finds Moore in a very contemplative mood--what with all the musical layers of a Sonic Youth record, it's quite easy to forget his brilliance as a songwriter; in that sense, I'd compare this album to Several Shades of Why from Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis, who stripped things down for that recent solo release. And I'll state the blatantly obvious: Moore, like Mascis, is a tremendous guitarist, which makes it quite rewarding to hear his work on an acoustic version of that instrument; indeed, there are several long instrumental stretches, particularly on late-album tracks "Space" and "January", that make for an extremely enjoyable listen.
Wonderful stuff. Start with "Benediction" and "Circulation".
EAR PWR
Add Date: May 24
Artist: EAR PWR
Album: EAR PWR
Label: Carpark
Genre: Electronic rock
Comments: The North Carolina duo EAR PWR seems to be redefining itself on this self-titled second record for Carpark (Dan Deacon, Toro y Moi, The Death Set). The band's 2009 debut Super Animal Brothers III drew them favorable comparisons to The Go! Team for their upbeat, synth-driven pop; while there's still plenty of that to be found on EAR PWR, overall the LP is darker--and, I'd argue, more substantive--than their first record, especially on highlight tracks like "Mountain Home" and "Melt". Also spin "North Carolina" and "Your Life Is Important".
Artist: EAR PWR
Album: EAR PWR
Label: Carpark
Genre: Electronic rock
Comments: The North Carolina duo EAR PWR seems to be redefining itself on this self-titled second record for Carpark (Dan Deacon, Toro y Moi, The Death Set). The band's 2009 debut Super Animal Brothers III drew them favorable comparisons to The Go! Team for their upbeat, synth-driven pop; while there's still plenty of that to be found on EAR PWR, overall the LP is darker--and, I'd argue, more substantive--than their first record, especially on highlight tracks like "Mountain Home" and "Melt". Also spin "North Carolina" and "Your Life Is Important".
Sondre Lerche
Add Date: May 24
Artist: Sondre Lerche
Album: Sondre Lerche
Label: Mona
Genre: Pop
Comments: Eponymous album titles are generally reserved for debuts, but Sondre Lerche is actually the sixth LP from this Norwegian-born, Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter. And as we've come to expect from Sondre Lerche, it's another stellar array of tunes, informed by pop, jazz, rock and folk from across several decades. Boosted by a slew of superbly talented musicians, Sondre Lerche is richly constructed--with keyboards and strings complementing the guitars and percussion--and at times it sounds as much like a jazz LP as anything else.
RIYL: Burt Bacharach, Belle & Sebastian and Kings of Convenience. Check out "Private Caller", "Domino" and "Go Right Ahead".
Artist: Sondre Lerche
Album: Sondre Lerche
Label: Mona
Genre: Pop
Comments: Eponymous album titles are generally reserved for debuts, but Sondre Lerche is actually the sixth LP from this Norwegian-born, Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter. And as we've come to expect from Sondre Lerche, it's another stellar array of tunes, informed by pop, jazz, rock and folk from across several decades. Boosted by a slew of superbly talented musicians, Sondre Lerche is richly constructed--with keyboards and strings complementing the guitars and percussion--and at times it sounds as much like a jazz LP as anything else.
RIYL: Burt Bacharach, Belle & Sebastian and Kings of Convenience. Check out "Private Caller", "Domino" and "Go Right Ahead".
Let's Wrestle
Add Date: May 24
Artist: Let's Wrestle
Album: Nursing Home
Label: Merge
Genre: Rock
Comments: The sophomore release from London trio Let's Wrestle is an enjoyable collection of slightly lo-fi, punk-leaning rock tunes, produced by rock wizard Steve Albini. The band has drawn comparisons to Art Brut and Harlem, among others, and there's at least a little bit of '90s indie rock (Superchunk, or maybe Sebadoh) in there--no coincidence, perhaps, that the band puts out its stuff on Merge Records.
Start with "In Dreams Part II", "Bad Mammaries" and "If I Keep on Loving You".
Artist: Let's Wrestle
Album: Nursing Home
Label: Merge
Genre: Rock
Comments: The sophomore release from London trio Let's Wrestle is an enjoyable collection of slightly lo-fi, punk-leaning rock tunes, produced by rock wizard Steve Albini. The band has drawn comparisons to Art Brut and Harlem, among others, and there's at least a little bit of '90s indie rock (Superchunk, or maybe Sebadoh) in there--no coincidence, perhaps, that the band puts out its stuff on Merge Records.
Start with "In Dreams Part II", "Bad Mammaries" and "If I Keep on Loving You".
Amon Tobin
Add Date: May 24
Artist: Amon Tobin
Album: ISAM
Label: Ninja Tune
Genre: Electronica, dubstep
Comments: From the promoter: "Back from the depths of video game electronic scores and a back-to-basics approach comes the Brazilian maestro's newest LP, ISAM. This is Amon Tobin at his best: redrawing and blurring the lines between psychedelia and sci-fi, molding together sample-heavy, glitch-fused electronic soundscapes... [RIYL] Aphex Twin and DJ Shadow... Start with #3, 5, 7, 10."
Artist: Amon Tobin
Album: ISAM
Label: Ninja Tune
Genre: Electronica, dubstep
Comments: From the promoter: "Back from the depths of video game electronic scores and a back-to-basics approach comes the Brazilian maestro's newest LP, ISAM. This is Amon Tobin at his best: redrawing and blurring the lines between psychedelia and sci-fi, molding together sample-heavy, glitch-fused electronic soundscapes... [RIYL] Aphex Twin and DJ Shadow... Start with #3, 5, 7, 10."
The Shivers
Add Date: May 24
Artist: The Shivers
Album: More
Label: Silence Breaks
Genre: Rock
Comments: Slightly folksy pop-rock with a dominant '70s vibe on More, the latest LP from Queens band The Shivers, fronted by Keith Zarriello. According to Pitchfork, his "voice carries an eerie, mesmerizing eroticism"; not sure what that means, but I will say that his vocals are gravelly and captivating. Meanwhile, Jo Schornikow's keyboard and piano nicely accompany Zarriello's lead guitar. Try "Used to Be".
Artist: The Shivers
Album: More
Label: Silence Breaks
Genre: Rock
Comments: Slightly folksy pop-rock with a dominant '70s vibe on More, the latest LP from Queens band The Shivers, fronted by Keith Zarriello. According to Pitchfork, his "voice carries an eerie, mesmerizing eroticism"; not sure what that means, but I will say that his vocals are gravelly and captivating. Meanwhile, Jo Schornikow's keyboard and piano nicely accompany Zarriello's lead guitar. Try "Used to Be".
Art Brut
Add Date: May 24
Artist: Art Brut
Album: Brilliant! Tragic!
Label: Cooking Vinyl
Genre: Rock
Comments: Art Brut frontman Eddie Argos has made a name for himself for his clever--if not downright hilarious--lyrics, delivered in semi-spoken word style. So while it's admittedly a gamble to try to change things up, Argos has decided to test out his singing voice on Brilliant! Tragic! Perhaps unsurprisingly, the results are mixed, and some of the strongest tracks on this record are the ones in which he's being the old Eddie Argos, like "Clever Clever Jazz" and "Bad Comedian", which features these classic Art Brut couplets:
You're walking around like love's young dream
He dresses like he came free with the NME
How can you bear to hold his hand
I bet he signs his name in Comic Sans
So the sense of humor isn't impacted by the change in direction, and it's always worth nothing that behind Argos' antics lies a really good guitar-rock band. And it certainly doesn't hurt to have Black Francis back in the fold, after the Pixies legend produced the band's 2009 LP Art Brut vs. Satan. Start with tracks 2, 3, 1 and 5.
Artist: Art Brut
Album: Brilliant! Tragic!
Label: Cooking Vinyl
Genre: Rock
Comments: Art Brut frontman Eddie Argos has made a name for himself for his clever--if not downright hilarious--lyrics, delivered in semi-spoken word style. So while it's admittedly a gamble to try to change things up, Argos has decided to test out his singing voice on Brilliant! Tragic! Perhaps unsurprisingly, the results are mixed, and some of the strongest tracks on this record are the ones in which he's being the old Eddie Argos, like "Clever Clever Jazz" and "Bad Comedian", which features these classic Art Brut couplets:
You're walking around like love's young dream
He dresses like he came free with the NME
How can you bear to hold his hand
I bet he signs his name in Comic Sans
So the sense of humor isn't impacted by the change in direction, and it's always worth nothing that behind Argos' antics lies a really good guitar-rock band. And it certainly doesn't hurt to have Black Francis back in the fold, after the Pixies legend produced the band's 2009 LP Art Brut vs. Satan. Start with tracks 2, 3, 1 and 5.
We Are Augustines
Add Date: May 24
Artist: We Are Augustines
Album: We Are Augustines (EP)
Label: Turnout
Genre: Rock
Comments: Featuring former Pela members Billy McCarthy and Eric Sanderson, as well as Rob Allen on percussion, Brooklyn's We Are Augustines debut with this eponymous 5-song EP. Drawing as much inspiration from Bruce Springsteen as from Frank Black, McCarthy has a great voice--both in terms of his vocal style and his songwriting--for rock music. The band's first full-length, Rise Ye Sunken Ships, is due out this August; in the meantime, check out "Chapel Song" and "Book of James".
Artist: We Are Augustines
Album: We Are Augustines (EP)
Label: Turnout
Genre: Rock
Comments: Featuring former Pela members Billy McCarthy and Eric Sanderson, as well as Rob Allen on percussion, Brooklyn's We Are Augustines debut with this eponymous 5-song EP. Drawing as much inspiration from Bruce Springsteen as from Frank Black, McCarthy has a great voice--both in terms of his vocal style and his songwriting--for rock music. The band's first full-length, Rise Ye Sunken Ships, is due out this August; in the meantime, check out "Chapel Song" and "Book of James".
Panther Style
Add Date: May 24
Artist: Panther Style
Album: ¡Emergencia!
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock
Comments: From the promoter: "This project of heavy pop was started by Chicago rock veterans out of a mutual desire to make some beautifully catchy songs. Drawing influences from The Posies, Big Star, and New Order, along with the seductive feel of screaming tube amps from The Cult and Fugazi, their sound brings a refreshing blend of sweet melodies and thick distorted guitars."
Check out "Rhino" and "Fingers Crossed".
Artist: Panther Style
Album: ¡Emergencia!
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock
Comments: From the promoter: "This project of heavy pop was started by Chicago rock veterans out of a mutual desire to make some beautifully catchy songs. Drawing influences from The Posies, Big Star, and New Order, along with the seductive feel of screaming tube amps from The Cult and Fugazi, their sound brings a refreshing blend of sweet melodies and thick distorted guitars."
Check out "Rhino" and "Fingers Crossed".
King Creosote & Jon Hopkins
Add Date: May 24
Artist: King Creosote & Jon Hopkins
Album: Diamond Mine
Label: Domino
Genre: Indie pop, electronica
Comments: This seems like a fairly unlikely collaboration--an indie pop artist and a master of ambient electronica--but it most certainly works: Jon Hopkins' rich electronic soundscapes provide a gorgeous backdrop for King Creosote's downcast folk-pop melodies. But this isn't just synth lines versus indie songwriter; these tracks are put together extremely well, with Hopkins' work extending beyond electronics to include piano, harmonium and percussion. And the guest work is terrific, highlighted by harmony vocals from Lisa Lindley-Jones and featuring other occasional surprises, like Leo Abrahams' banjo on album standout "Bubble". (Abrahams and Hopkins also worked alongside Brian Eno on his 2010 issue Small Craft on a Milk Sea.)
Diamond Mine is a compelling record; start with tracks 5, 2 and 3.
Artist: King Creosote & Jon Hopkins
Album: Diamond Mine
Label: Domino
Genre: Indie pop, electronica
Comments: This seems like a fairly unlikely collaboration--an indie pop artist and a master of ambient electronica--but it most certainly works: Jon Hopkins' rich electronic soundscapes provide a gorgeous backdrop for King Creosote's downcast folk-pop melodies. But this isn't just synth lines versus indie songwriter; these tracks are put together extremely well, with Hopkins' work extending beyond electronics to include piano, harmonium and percussion. And the guest work is terrific, highlighted by harmony vocals from Lisa Lindley-Jones and featuring other occasional surprises, like Leo Abrahams' banjo on album standout "Bubble". (Abrahams and Hopkins also worked alongside Brian Eno on his 2010 issue Small Craft on a Milk Sea.)
Diamond Mine is a compelling record; start with tracks 5, 2 and 3.
John Maus
Add Date: May 24
Artist: John Maus
Album: "Believer" (single)
Label: Ribbon Music/Domino
Genre: Rock, electronic rock
Comments: "Believer", the first single from John Maus' forthcoming LP, We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves, has two dominant features: a huge, swirling synth line and Maus' reverb-drenched vocals. It's a healthy mix of shoegaze pop and post-punk, and a nice teaser for the album. The B-side, "Quantum Leap", is a lo-fi keyboard-pop number that reminds of me of Maus' collaborator Ariel Pink.
Artist: John Maus
Album: "Believer" (single)
Label: Ribbon Music/Domino
Genre: Rock, electronic rock
Comments: "Believer", the first single from John Maus' forthcoming LP, We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves, has two dominant features: a huge, swirling synth line and Maus' reverb-drenched vocals. It's a healthy mix of shoegaze pop and post-punk, and a nice teaser for the album. The B-side, "Quantum Leap", is a lo-fi keyboard-pop number that reminds of me of Maus' collaborator Ariel Pink.
Shine 2009
Add Date: May 24
Artist: Shine 2009
Album: Realism
Label: Cascine
Genre: Dance, electropop
Comments: We were introduced to the Helsinki duo Shine 2009 last fall with Associates, an EP highlighted by standout track "New Rules". That song is also the centerpiece of the band's debut full-length, Realism, an excellent assortment of electropop tunes that borrow from downtempo, Balearic pop, ambient house and '80s and '90s dance.
While it all starts with "New Rules", one of the finest pop songs you'll hear this year--or any year, for that matter--also check out "So Free" (featuring Paula Abdul) and "Graduation".
Artist: Shine 2009
Album: Realism
Label: Cascine
Genre: Dance, electropop
Comments: We were introduced to the Helsinki duo Shine 2009 last fall with Associates, an EP highlighted by standout track "New Rules". That song is also the centerpiece of the band's debut full-length, Realism, an excellent assortment of electropop tunes that borrow from downtempo, Balearic pop, ambient house and '80s and '90s dance.
While it all starts with "New Rules", one of the finest pop songs you'll hear this year--or any year, for that matter--also check out "So Free" (featuring Paula Abdul) and "Graduation".
David Bazan
Add Date: May 24
Artist: David Bazan
Album: Strange Negotiations
Label: Barsuk
Genre: Rock
Comments: The latest LP from David Bazan is a fine collection of melancholy, deeply personal indie rock songs. In other words, it's what we've come to expect from Bazan, dating back to a string of terrific releases as the frontman for Pedro the Lion and with his first solo project, Headphones. Sonically, Strange Negotiations is much closer to Pedro than his first Barsuk LP, Curse Your Branches; it's a full-band record, as Bazan worked with the musicians who had accompanied him on tour over the last couple of years.
For fans of ex-Barsuk greats like Death Cab for Cutie and John Vanderslice, as well as Elliott Smith and The Mountain Goats. Check out "Wolves at the Door", "People" and "Virginia".
Artist: David Bazan
Album: Strange Negotiations
Label: Barsuk
Genre: Rock
Comments: The latest LP from David Bazan is a fine collection of melancholy, deeply personal indie rock songs. In other words, it's what we've come to expect from Bazan, dating back to a string of terrific releases as the frontman for Pedro the Lion and with his first solo project, Headphones. Sonically, Strange Negotiations is much closer to Pedro than his first Barsuk LP, Curse Your Branches; it's a full-band record, as Bazan worked with the musicians who had accompanied him on tour over the last couple of years.
For fans of ex-Barsuk greats like Death Cab for Cutie and John Vanderslice, as well as Elliott Smith and The Mountain Goats. Check out "Wolves at the Door", "People" and "Virginia".
Thunderbang!
Add Date: May 24
Artist: Thunderbang!
Album: More Fun
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock
Comments: The Queens trio Thunderbang! seems to have a fine sense of humor; the band consists of musicians named Josh Thunder, Vinny Bang and General Stonewall Bryan Pocius, and the highlight tracks on More Fun are titled “Mustache” and “Dead But Too Dumb to Lay Down”. Irony aside, there’s something serious going on with the music, a combination of math rock and jazzy, Ween-inspired alt-rock.
Artist: Thunderbang!
Album: More Fun
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock
Comments: The Queens trio Thunderbang! seems to have a fine sense of humor; the band consists of musicians named Josh Thunder, Vinny Bang and General Stonewall Bryan Pocius, and the highlight tracks on More Fun are titled “Mustache” and “Dead But Too Dumb to Lay Down”. Irony aside, there’s something serious going on with the music, a combination of math rock and jazzy, Ween-inspired alt-rock.
Reatards
Add Date: May 24
Artist: Reatards
Album: Teenage Hate (reissue)
Label: Goner
Genre: Rock, garage punk
Comments: Goner is reissuing Teenage Fate, the 1998 LP from Reatards, the original project of the late Jay Reatard. With 39 songs clocking in at 74 minutes, this is garage punk at its best, from distorted guitars to crunching drums to Jay’s half-sung, half-screamed vocals (and with lots of profanity, so beware the 15 DNP tracks on the LP). Listening to Teenage Fate is bittersweet—while it’s great to go back to Reatard’s early work, it’s also a painful reminder of his tragic death last year at the age of 29.
Check out tracks 5, 2, 17 and 38.
Artist: Reatards
Album: Teenage Hate (reissue)
Label: Goner
Genre: Rock, garage punk
Comments: Goner is reissuing Teenage Fate, the 1998 LP from Reatards, the original project of the late Jay Reatard. With 39 songs clocking in at 74 minutes, this is garage punk at its best, from distorted guitars to crunching drums to Jay’s half-sung, half-screamed vocals (and with lots of profanity, so beware the 15 DNP tracks on the LP). Listening to Teenage Fate is bittersweet—while it’s great to go back to Reatard’s early work, it’s also a painful reminder of his tragic death last year at the age of 29.
Check out tracks 5, 2, 17 and 38.
The Demos
Add Date: May 24
Artist: The Demos
Album: Lovely
Label: Young Lion of the West
Genre: Rock, pop
Comments: The Demos' 12-song LP Lovely alternates between jangly indie pop and guitar-driven power pop, but there's one constant: your toes will be tapping for 32 straight minutes. Start with "Nervous" and "Tell Me How It Feels".
Artist: The Demos
Album: Lovely
Label: Young Lion of the West
Genre: Rock, pop
Comments: The Demos' 12-song LP Lovely alternates between jangly indie pop and guitar-driven power pop, but there's one constant: your toes will be tapping for 32 straight minutes. Start with "Nervous" and "Tell Me How It Feels".
Brute Heart
Add Date: May 24
Artist: Brute Heart
Album: Lonely Hunter
Label: Soft Abuse
Genre: Rock, experimental
Comments: From the onesheet: “Brute Heart… craft dense, trance-inducing sounds with primarily bass, drums, viola and voice… Informed by the fringes of post-punk, art rock, dark folk and other idiosyncratic strains, Brute Heart’s warm, mysterious music evoke[s] recollections of Dog Faced Hermans, The Raincoats, Family Fodder, and ESG, as well as contemporaries Quix*O*Tic, Grass Widow, and White Magic.”
That combination of instruments and musical styles makes for a very interesting listen, and it’s not a stretch to say that fans of tUnE-yArDs would also enjoy Lonely Hunter. Try tracks 2 and 3.
Artist: Brute Heart
Album: Lonely Hunter
Label: Soft Abuse
Genre: Rock, experimental
Comments: From the onesheet: “Brute Heart… craft dense, trance-inducing sounds with primarily bass, drums, viola and voice… Informed by the fringes of post-punk, art rock, dark folk and other idiosyncratic strains, Brute Heart’s warm, mysterious music evoke[s] recollections of Dog Faced Hermans, The Raincoats, Family Fodder, and ESG, as well as contemporaries Quix*O*Tic, Grass Widow, and White Magic.”
That combination of instruments and musical styles makes for a very interesting listen, and it’s not a stretch to say that fans of tUnE-yArDs would also enjoy Lonely Hunter. Try tracks 2 and 3.
Sphynx
Add Date: May 24
Artist: Sphynx
Album: Human Beast (EP)
Label: Self-released
Genre: Synth pop
Comments: Extremely catchy electropop from the Austin band Sphynx, which does its best Passion Pit impersonation—from the bouncy synth lines right down to the falsetto vocals—on tracks like “Maneater Pt. II” and “Swagger”.
Artist: Sphynx
Album: Human Beast (EP)
Label: Self-released
Genre: Synth pop
Comments: Extremely catchy electropop from the Austin band Sphynx, which does its best Passion Pit impersonation—from the bouncy synth lines right down to the falsetto vocals—on tracks like “Maneater Pt. II” and “Swagger”.
Nik Freitas
Add Date: May 24
Artist: Nik Freitas
Album: Saturday Night Underwater
Label: Little Record Co.
Genre: Rock, folk pop
Comments: Nik Freitas has made a name for himself as a collaborator par excellence, mainly from his work on Conor Oberst’s recent solo records and in the touring band for the Danger Mouse/James Mercer project Broken Bells. But he’s a fine songwriter in his own right—Oberst included two of Freitas’ compositions on his Outer South LP—and the latest evidence of that is Saturday Night Underwater.
Between his work with Oberst and Broken Bells, there hasn’t been much time for Freitas’ solo work, but he’s adapted well. A singer/songwriter at heart, Freitas tied Saturday Night Underwater together electronically, with drum machines and synthesizers hovering underneath his vocals and acoustic guitar. The end result is smooth folk pop; check out tracks 2, 8 and 4.
Artist: Nik Freitas
Album: Saturday Night Underwater
Label: Little Record Co.
Genre: Rock, folk pop
Comments: Nik Freitas has made a name for himself as a collaborator par excellence, mainly from his work on Conor Oberst’s recent solo records and in the touring band for the Danger Mouse/James Mercer project Broken Bells. But he’s a fine songwriter in his own right—Oberst included two of Freitas’ compositions on his Outer South LP—and the latest evidence of that is Saturday Night Underwater.
Between his work with Oberst and Broken Bells, there hasn’t been much time for Freitas’ solo work, but he’s adapted well. A singer/songwriter at heart, Freitas tied Saturday Night Underwater together electronically, with drum machines and synthesizers hovering underneath his vocals and acoustic guitar. The end result is smooth folk pop; check out tracks 2, 8 and 4.
The Trophy Fire
Add Date: May 24
Artist: The Trophy Fire
Album: Armor
Label: Greyday
Genre: Rock
Comments: Big-sounding melodies woven together by guitar and keyboards on the 6-song Armor EP from the Bay Area band The Trophy Fire. Check out "Glow".
Artist: The Trophy Fire
Album: Armor
Label: Greyday
Genre: Rock
Comments: Big-sounding melodies woven together by guitar and keyboards on the 6-song Armor EP from the Bay Area band The Trophy Fire. Check out "Glow".
Quiet Countries
Add Date: May 24
Artist: Quiet Countries
Album: The Ancient Motorcade
Label: Imminent Music Co.
Genre: Rock
Comments: Electronica-tinged rock from the Portland band Quiet Countries on The Ancient Motorcade, the band’s third LP. Most of the songs veer toward alt-rock or post-punk, but one of the strongest tracks on the record, “Lives in Repeat”, is a jangly, acoustic guitar-driven pop tune. Also try “In All Directions” or “Go to Bed”.
Artist: Quiet Countries
Album: The Ancient Motorcade
Label: Imminent Music Co.
Genre: Rock
Comments: Electronica-tinged rock from the Portland band Quiet Countries on The Ancient Motorcade, the band’s third LP. Most of the songs veer toward alt-rock or post-punk, but one of the strongest tracks on the record, “Lives in Repeat”, is a jangly, acoustic guitar-driven pop tune. Also try “In All Directions” or “Go to Bed”.
Bedouin Soundclash
Add Date: May 24
Artist: Bedouin Soundclash
Album: Light the Horizon
Label: Pirates Blend/Nat Geo Music
Genre: Rock, reggae
Comments: It wouldn't throw anyone for a loop to discover a reggae-influenced band from Kingston--except that, in the case of Bedouin Soundclash, we're talking about the city in Ontario, and not the Jamaican capital. The band's fourth LP, Light the Horizon, has been called "their strongest album to date" by Chartattack.com, while The Vancouver Sun noted "a new soulfulness apparent in the band's reggae hybrid".
There's definitely a lot more going on than classic reggae, especially on tracks like the ukulele-driven folk song "No One Moves, No One Gets Hurt" and the roots-rock number "Elongo"--but still enough Caribbean bass and percussion for fans of the band's past work to enjoy.
Check out tracks 1, 5, 4 and 6.
Artist: Bedouin Soundclash
Album: Light the Horizon
Label: Pirates Blend/Nat Geo Music
Genre: Rock, reggae
Comments: It wouldn't throw anyone for a loop to discover a reggae-influenced band from Kingston--except that, in the case of Bedouin Soundclash, we're talking about the city in Ontario, and not the Jamaican capital. The band's fourth LP, Light the Horizon, has been called "their strongest album to date" by Chartattack.com, while The Vancouver Sun noted "a new soulfulness apparent in the band's reggae hybrid".
There's definitely a lot more going on than classic reggae, especially on tracks like the ukulele-driven folk song "No One Moves, No One Gets Hurt" and the roots-rock number "Elongo"--but still enough Caribbean bass and percussion for fans of the band's past work to enjoy.
Check out tracks 1, 5, 4 and 6.
The Cars
Add Date: May 24
Artist: The Cars
Album: Move Like This
Label: Hear Music
Genre: Rock, pop
Comments: It's been 24 years since The Cars released a studio album--discounting that awful New Cars experiment from Greg Hawkes and Elliot Easton--but you won't notice the layoff on Move Like This. The band sounds as crisp as ever, though that's hardly surprising; Ric Ocasek is a perfectionist's perfectionist, so every guitar chord, synth line and drumbeat is done to precision. Whether this slick, straight-from-the-'80s New Wave pop is still relevant in 2011 is an argument for another day and time, but if you like The Cars or Heartbeat City, then Move Like This will be right up your alley.
Start with "Too Late" and "Sad Song".
Artist: The Cars
Album: Move Like This
Label: Hear Music
Genre: Rock, pop
Comments: It's been 24 years since The Cars released a studio album--discounting that awful New Cars experiment from Greg Hawkes and Elliot Easton--but you won't notice the layoff on Move Like This. The band sounds as crisp as ever, though that's hardly surprising; Ric Ocasek is a perfectionist's perfectionist, so every guitar chord, synth line and drumbeat is done to precision. Whether this slick, straight-from-the-'80s New Wave pop is still relevant in 2011 is an argument for another day and time, but if you like The Cars or Heartbeat City, then Move Like This will be right up your alley.
Start with "Too Late" and "Sad Song".
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Best New Music - May 17
Top adds for the week:
Also spin: The Antlers, Kids on a Crime Spree, Moby and a Nick Cave reissues sampler
This Will Destroy You
Add Date: May 17
Artist: This Will Destroy You
Album: Tunnel Blanket
Label: Suicide Squeeze
Genre: Rock, alternative, experimental
Comments: Think Explosions in the Sky, but not quite at that level. OK, maybe that's not completely fair. However, This Will Destroy You's Tunnel Blanket is an album full of long tracks of sound. I'm all for instrumental albums, but when the first three minutes of the 12-minute long opening track is full of fuzz, I have some problems. When the true instrumentals come, the sound is good and the album has lots of atmosphere, but it takes a lot of work to get to those points. And there aren't really any melodies to carry the tracks through. So, really, it's just sound.
Artist: This Will Destroy You
Album: Tunnel Blanket
Label: Suicide Squeeze
Genre: Rock, alternative, experimental
Comments: Think Explosions in the Sky, but not quite at that level. OK, maybe that's not completely fair. However, This Will Destroy You's Tunnel Blanket is an album full of long tracks of sound. I'm all for instrumental albums, but when the first three minutes of the 12-minute long opening track is full of fuzz, I have some problems. When the true instrumentals come, the sound is good and the album has lots of atmosphere, but it takes a lot of work to get to those points. And there aren't really any melodies to carry the tracks through. So, really, it's just sound.
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
Album: Reissues
Label: Mute
Genre: Rock
Comments: Mute Records recently took up the project of reissuing all 14 of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds' albums in 5.1 Surround Sound. This particular Reissues sampler features songs from Let Love In (1994), Murder Ballads (1996), The Boatman's Call (1997), and No More Shall We Part (2001). If you've never had the pleasure of listening to one of the band's albums, this sampler and the following reissues are the perfect time to explore their trademark rough, haunting sound. Start with "Nobody's Baby Now".
Artist: Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
Album: Reissues
Label: Mute
Genre: Rock
Comments: Mute Records recently took up the project of reissuing all 14 of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds' albums in 5.1 Surround Sound. This particular Reissues sampler features songs from Let Love In (1994), Murder Ballads (1996), The Boatman's Call (1997), and No More Shall We Part (2001). If you've never had the pleasure of listening to one of the band's albums, this sampler and the following reissues are the perfect time to explore their trademark rough, haunting sound. Start with "Nobody's Baby Now".
Amor de Días
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Amor de Días
Album: Street of the Love of Days
Label: Merge
Genre: Rock, folk pop
Comments: Well-constructed, gorgeous chamber pop tunes from Amor de Días, the new collaboration between The Clientele frontman Alasdair MacLean and Lupe Núñez-Fernández of Pipas. Spanish guitar arrangements are complemented by bass, drums, harp, bouzouki, horns, strings and more, all tied together by the beautiful harmony vocals of MacLean and Núñez-Fernández. The prevalent atmosphere falls somewhere between traditional folk and light psychedelia.
Street of the Love of Days will appeal to fans of Caetano Veloso, Kings of Convenience and (of course) The Clientele and Pipas. Start with tracks 5, 3, 2 and 10.
Artist: Amor de Días
Album: Street of the Love of Days
Label: Merge
Genre: Rock, folk pop
Comments: Well-constructed, gorgeous chamber pop tunes from Amor de Días, the new collaboration between The Clientele frontman Alasdair MacLean and Lupe Núñez-Fernández of Pipas. Spanish guitar arrangements are complemented by bass, drums, harp, bouzouki, horns, strings and more, all tied together by the beautiful harmony vocals of MacLean and Núñez-Fernández. The prevalent atmosphere falls somewhere between traditional folk and light psychedelia.
Street of the Love of Days will appeal to fans of Caetano Veloso, Kings of Convenience and (of course) The Clientele and Pipas. Start with tracks 5, 3, 2 and 10.
Living With Lions
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Living With Lions
Album: Holy S**t
Label: Adeline
Genre: Rock, punk
Comments: Energetic, anthemic punk rock in the spirit of Taking Back Sunday or Saves the Day on Holy S**t, the latest album from Vancouver's Living With Lions. Try "Honesty, Honestly" or "Matthew's Anthem".
Artist: Living With Lions
Album: Holy S**t
Label: Adeline
Genre: Rock, punk
Comments: Energetic, anthemic punk rock in the spirit of Taking Back Sunday or Saves the Day on Holy S**t, the latest album from Vancouver's Living With Lions. Try "Honesty, Honestly" or "Matthew's Anthem".
No Bird Sing
Add Date: May 17
Artist: No Bird Sing
Album: Theft of the Commons
Label: Self-released
Genre: Hip hop, rock
Comments: According to the promoter, No Bird Sing "is largely influenced by artists like One Day As a Lion and the Black Keys, while lyrical influences are pulled from sources as diverse [as] Mos Def, Aesop Rock, Kimya Dawson and John Lee Hooker. Their sophomore album, Theft of the Commons, finds the Twin Cities-based hip-hop trio on more organic ground, free of samples and more intently focused on the group's unique guitar/drum/vocal lineup."
Recommendations on the album promo sticker.
Artist: No Bird Sing
Album: Theft of the Commons
Label: Self-released
Genre: Hip hop, rock
Comments: According to the promoter, No Bird Sing "is largely influenced by artists like One Day As a Lion and the Black Keys, while lyrical influences are pulled from sources as diverse [as] Mos Def, Aesop Rock, Kimya Dawson and John Lee Hooker. Their sophomore album, Theft of the Commons, finds the Twin Cities-based hip-hop trio on more organic ground, free of samples and more intently focused on the group's unique guitar/drum/vocal lineup."
Recommendations on the album promo sticker.
DELS
Add Date: May 17
Artist: DELS
Album: GOB
Label: Big Dada
Genre: Hip hop
Comments: From the promoter: "England's latest contender for hip-hop royalty comes from DELS. Enlisting creative minds like Joe Goddard (Hot Chip), Micachu and Roots Manuva, DELS keeps things tight and explosive on his rap debut, GOB... Maintaining an extra grimy yet incredibly cerebral sound, DELS is able to bridge the gap between UK grime and the more accessible US hip hop sound."
Start with "Trumpalump", featuring Goddard (who also produced several songs on the LP).
Artist: DELS
Album: GOB
Label: Big Dada
Genre: Hip hop
Comments: From the promoter: "England's latest contender for hip-hop royalty comes from DELS. Enlisting creative minds like Joe Goddard (Hot Chip), Micachu and Roots Manuva, DELS keeps things tight and explosive on his rap debut, GOB... Maintaining an extra grimy yet incredibly cerebral sound, DELS is able to bridge the gap between UK grime and the more accessible US hip hop sound."
Start with "Trumpalump", featuring Goddard (who also produced several songs on the LP).
James Farm
Add Date: May 17
Artist: James Farm
Album: James Farm
Label: Nonesuch
Genre: Jazz
Comments: From the promoter: "James Farm is a collaborative band featuring saxophonist Joshua Redman, pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Matt Penman, and drummer Eric Harland. On its self-titled debut album, the group uses traditional acoustic jazz quartet instrumentation for its song-based approach to jazz. James Farm's 10 original tunes--written by Redman, Parks, Penman and Harland--incorporate the members' myriad of influences: rock, soul, folk, classical, and electronica, among many others."
The label should be a dead giveaway--Nonesuch is home to fine artists and bands across the musical spectrum, from Chris Thile to Laurie Anderson, Wilco to Caetano Veloso, Emmylou Harris to The Magnetic Fields, Bill Frisell to The Low Anthem--but this is high-quality stuff. Tracks 2 and 7 are highlighted by the band online, so start there.
Artist: James Farm
Album: James Farm
Label: Nonesuch
Genre: Jazz
Comments: From the promoter: "James Farm is a collaborative band featuring saxophonist Joshua Redman, pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Matt Penman, and drummer Eric Harland. On its self-titled debut album, the group uses traditional acoustic jazz quartet instrumentation for its song-based approach to jazz. James Farm's 10 original tunes--written by Redman, Parks, Penman and Harland--incorporate the members' myriad of influences: rock, soul, folk, classical, and electronica, among many others."
The label should be a dead giveaway--Nonesuch is home to fine artists and bands across the musical spectrum, from Chris Thile to Laurie Anderson, Wilco to Caetano Veloso, Emmylou Harris to The Magnetic Fields, Bill Frisell to The Low Anthem--but this is high-quality stuff. Tracks 2 and 7 are highlighted by the band online, so start there.
Billy Cardine
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Billy Cardine
Album: Yours to Find
Label: Indidog
Genre: Bluegrass, folk
Comments: From the onesheet: "Billy Cardine, from The Biscuit Burners and Acoustic Syndicate, will release a record featuring his slide guitars in a wide variety of band settings with musical friends and heroes from all over the USA... The album Yours to Find features Billy's unique, genre-blurring approach to an array of instruments, including acoustic dobro, Weissenborn, chaturangui (a 22-string Indian slide guitar), pedal steel, lap steel, banjo and guitar. He is featured alongside musicians familiar to many Americana music lovers, including Bobby Hicks, The Biscuit Burners, Uncle Earl, Alvin Breeden & the VA Cutups, David Via, Benny Galloway and members of Cadillac Sky, the Punch Brothers, Town Mountain, DownBeat Project and more."
A very nice mix of bluegrass, oldtime and folk from Cardine and his collaborators. Start with the traditional "Starry Crown" and the Gene Autry tune "Silver Haired Daddy".
Artist: Billy Cardine
Album: Yours to Find
Label: Indidog
Genre: Bluegrass, folk
Comments: From the onesheet: "Billy Cardine, from The Biscuit Burners and Acoustic Syndicate, will release a record featuring his slide guitars in a wide variety of band settings with musical friends and heroes from all over the USA... The album Yours to Find features Billy's unique, genre-blurring approach to an array of instruments, including acoustic dobro, Weissenborn, chaturangui (a 22-string Indian slide guitar), pedal steel, lap steel, banjo and guitar. He is featured alongside musicians familiar to many Americana music lovers, including Bobby Hicks, The Biscuit Burners, Uncle Earl, Alvin Breeden & the VA Cutups, David Via, Benny Galloway and members of Cadillac Sky, the Punch Brothers, Town Mountain, DownBeat Project and more."
A very nice mix of bluegrass, oldtime and folk from Cardine and his collaborators. Start with the traditional "Starry Crown" and the Gene Autry tune "Silver Haired Daddy".
Moby
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Moby
Album: Destroyed
Label: Mute
Genre: Electronica
Comments: Destroyed is the ninth studio album from Moby, and it's also the first that he's written on the road. From the promoter: "It's a fuzzier, woozier strain of the 'elegant melancholy' which has characterized much of Moby's best-loved music... Destroyed features a cabal of seductively-toned female guest singers. With often dissonant, minimalist introductions inexorably ceding to sometimes epic crescendo choruses, it's an album which, for all its musical smarts and sonic flourishes, allows its disconnected provenance to show through."
Check out "The Broken Places", "The Day" and "The Low Hum".
Artist: Moby
Album: Destroyed
Label: Mute
Genre: Electronica
Comments: Destroyed is the ninth studio album from Moby, and it's also the first that he's written on the road. From the promoter: "It's a fuzzier, woozier strain of the 'elegant melancholy' which has characterized much of Moby's best-loved music... Destroyed features a cabal of seductively-toned female guest singers. With often dissonant, minimalist introductions inexorably ceding to sometimes epic crescendo choruses, it's an album which, for all its musical smarts and sonic flourishes, allows its disconnected provenance to show through."
Check out "The Broken Places", "The Day" and "The Low Hum".
The Elected
Add Date: May 17
Artist: The Elected
Album: Bury Me in My Rings
Label: Vagrant
Genre: Rock, pop
Comments: Rilo Kiley is evidently kaput, but is that necessarily a bad thing? Not if Blake Sennett, Jenny Lewis and company continue to churn out quality music with their other projects, and Bury Me in My Rings, from Sennett's band The Elected, is just that. Much like Lewis' 2010 LP with Jenny and Johnny, this is retro-sounding pop, borrowing liberally from '60s and '70s rock, soul and folk; Sennett claims influences that range from Bowie to Byrne to The Rolling Stones.
Sun, Sun, Sun, The Elected's 2006 Sub Pop release--and, until now, the latest work from the band--is still one of my all-time favorites, and evidently a hiatus from music hasn't really taken away from Sennett's ability to write a good pop song and craft a catchy melody. There's not a track here that you'll want to skip, but start with 2, 5, 1 and 11.
Artist: The Elected
Album: Bury Me in My Rings
Label: Vagrant
Genre: Rock, pop
Comments: Rilo Kiley is evidently kaput, but is that necessarily a bad thing? Not if Blake Sennett, Jenny Lewis and company continue to churn out quality music with their other projects, and Bury Me in My Rings, from Sennett's band The Elected, is just that. Much like Lewis' 2010 LP with Jenny and Johnny, this is retro-sounding pop, borrowing liberally from '60s and '70s rock, soul and folk; Sennett claims influences that range from Bowie to Byrne to The Rolling Stones.
Sun, Sun, Sun, The Elected's 2006 Sub Pop release--and, until now, the latest work from the band--is still one of my all-time favorites, and evidently a hiatus from music hasn't really taken away from Sennett's ability to write a good pop song and craft a catchy melody. There's not a track here that you'll want to skip, but start with 2, 5, 1 and 11.
The Antlers
Add Date: May 17
Artist: The Antlers
Album: Burst Apart
Label: Frenchkiss
Genre: Rock
Comments: The Antlers' 2009 breakthrough, Hospice, was equally heart-wrenching and captivating--Peter Silberman wrote the record about a terminally ill cancer patient--and it was as emotionally weighted as you might expect, given the subject matter. It was also quite brilliant, propelling the band into the limelight and onto Frenchkiss Record (Dodos, Les Savy Fav, Passion Pit). The band follows that up with Burst Apart, a record that treads lots of new musical ground, but without losing any of the allure of their previous work.
First and foremost, it's a sunnier record. (Of course, it would be quite difficult to get any more melancholy than Hospice.) That's not to say that The Antlers are going to be mistaken for a twee band anytime soon; Silberman's falsetto might be the second-saddest voice in pop music--going to go with Antony Hegarty at No. 1 there--but whereas his voice might be partially concealed underneath a layer of guitar distortion before, now it's front and center, rising above rich, warm, often keyboard-based melodies.
An excellent LP that will appeal to fans of Jeff Buckley and Grizzly Bear. Start with tracks 2, 6, 9 and 1.
Artist: The Antlers
Album: Burst Apart
Label: Frenchkiss
Genre: Rock
Comments: The Antlers' 2009 breakthrough, Hospice, was equally heart-wrenching and captivating--Peter Silberman wrote the record about a terminally ill cancer patient--and it was as emotionally weighted as you might expect, given the subject matter. It was also quite brilliant, propelling the band into the limelight and onto Frenchkiss Record (Dodos, Les Savy Fav, Passion Pit). The band follows that up with Burst Apart, a record that treads lots of new musical ground, but without losing any of the allure of their previous work.
First and foremost, it's a sunnier record. (Of course, it would be quite difficult to get any more melancholy than Hospice.) That's not to say that The Antlers are going to be mistaken for a twee band anytime soon; Silberman's falsetto might be the second-saddest voice in pop music--going to go with Antony Hegarty at No. 1 there--but whereas his voice might be partially concealed underneath a layer of guitar distortion before, now it's front and center, rising above rich, warm, often keyboard-based melodies.
An excellent LP that will appeal to fans of Jeff Buckley and Grizzly Bear. Start with tracks 2, 6, 9 and 1.
Nodzzz
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Nodzzz
Album: Innings
Label: Woodsist
Genre: Rock, garage pop
Comments: As long as you don't mind out-of tune singing, this is a really fantastic record. I'm not trying to give Nodzzz a hard time for singing out of tune; in fact, they seem to be having so much fun with what they're doing that you can't blame them for not caring about being in perfect pitch when they sing. This is a really upbeat, summery record. As the promoter says: "If you're looking for straight talking garage pop, you're in luck."
Artist: Nodzzz
Album: Innings
Label: Woodsist
Genre: Rock, garage pop
Comments: As long as you don't mind out-of tune singing, this is a really fantastic record. I'm not trying to give Nodzzz a hard time for singing out of tune; in fact, they seem to be having so much fun with what they're doing that you can't blame them for not caring about being in perfect pitch when they sing. This is a really upbeat, summery record. As the promoter says: "If you're looking for straight talking garage pop, you're in luck."
Company
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Company
Album: Holy City
Label: Exit Stencil
Genre: Pop rock
Comments: This is a really nice lo-fi pop rock record. Holy City's relaxed, unpolished sound and meandering melodies create a fantastic springtime album. Company sounds like a combination of Belle and Sebastian and Band of Horses.
From the promoter: "Vocals that sound as if they're sung through a telephone float above drums, guitars and the occasional keyboard. Holy City's first half is more uptempo, with distorted tracks such as 'Always Bad' and 'Heaven is Gone'. The most rewarding part of Holy City, however, is its gorgeous and sprawling second half."
Start with tracks 6, 1, 7 and 3.
Artist: Company
Album: Holy City
Label: Exit Stencil
Genre: Pop rock
Comments: This is a really nice lo-fi pop rock record. Holy City's relaxed, unpolished sound and meandering melodies create a fantastic springtime album. Company sounds like a combination of Belle and Sebastian and Band of Horses.
From the promoter: "Vocals that sound as if they're sung through a telephone float above drums, guitars and the occasional keyboard. Holy City's first half is more uptempo, with distorted tracks such as 'Always Bad' and 'Heaven is Gone'. The most rewarding part of Holy City, however, is its gorgeous and sprawling second half."
Start with tracks 6, 1, 7 and 3.
Jamie Woon
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Jamie Woon
Album: Night Air EP
Label: Polydor
Genre: R&B
Comments: From the promoter: "Jamie Woon is a special talent who will carve his blues n' bass infused pop into your brain and leave them there forever... Written and produced by Woon, Night Air is as dark, sweet and seductive as molasses, an irresistibly understated combination of Jamie's uniquely supple voice, his subtly compulsive beats, and a sky full of atmosphere."
Artist: Jamie Woon
Album: Night Air EP
Label: Polydor
Genre: R&B
Comments: From the promoter: "Jamie Woon is a special talent who will carve his blues n' bass infused pop into your brain and leave them there forever... Written and produced by Woon, Night Air is as dark, sweet and seductive as molasses, an irresistibly understated combination of Jamie's uniquely supple voice, his subtly compulsive beats, and a sky full of atmosphere."
No Surrender
Add Date: May 17
Artist: No Surrender
Album: Medicine Babies
Label: ZerOKilled
Genre: Electronica, experimental
Comments: From the promoter: "Blending hip hop, electro, soul, synth pop, and indie rock, No Surrender's spanning sound is genre-blending. Produced by Tricky's former muse singer Constanza Francavilla and European production team Radioclit, Medicine Babies [features] several guests including TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe."
An eclectic record with sounds ranging from lo-fi electronica to high-energy hip hop.
Artist: No Surrender
Album: Medicine Babies
Label: ZerOKilled
Genre: Electronica, experimental
Comments: From the promoter: "Blending hip hop, electro, soul, synth pop, and indie rock, No Surrender's spanning sound is genre-blending. Produced by Tricky's former muse singer Constanza Francavilla and European production team Radioclit, Medicine Babies [features] several guests including TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe."
An eclectic record with sounds ranging from lo-fi electronica to high-energy hip hop.
Gold-Bears
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Gold-Bears
Album: Are You Falling in Love?
Label: Slumberland
Genre: Rock, indie pop
Comments: Fuzzy twee pop infused with punk-rock energy on Gold-Bears' Are You Falling in Love? The promoter compares them to both the Wedding Present and Titus Andronicus, and these are indeed C-86-inspired indie songs that race along with jangly guitar waves and crashing percussion, like an unholy love child conceived by those two bands. Gold-Bears are also a great fit for Slumberland, where they're labelmates with the likes of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Crystal Stilts and Girls Names.
Try "Record Store", "Xmas Song" and the 83-second gem "In This City, I'm Invincible".
Artist: Gold-Bears
Album: Are You Falling in Love?
Label: Slumberland
Genre: Rock, indie pop
Comments: Fuzzy twee pop infused with punk-rock energy on Gold-Bears' Are You Falling in Love? The promoter compares them to both the Wedding Present and Titus Andronicus, and these are indeed C-86-inspired indie songs that race along with jangly guitar waves and crashing percussion, like an unholy love child conceived by those two bands. Gold-Bears are also a great fit for Slumberland, where they're labelmates with the likes of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Crystal Stilts and Girls Names.
Try "Record Store", "Xmas Song" and the 83-second gem "In This City, I'm Invincible".
Balance and Composure
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Balance and Composure
Album: Separation
Label: No Sleep
Genre: Rock
Comments: From the onesheet: "A cohesive listen of anthemic and melodic guitar blitzes with poignant lyricism, rhythmic thrusts, and an abrasive pop knack in its overall deliverance, Separation churns in a fortified enclave of guitar fuzz and impending rhythms that drive heavily. Balance and Composure may wear their love for early '90s underground alt rock on their sleeves, but they are in no way merely a 'throwback' band as much as they are an outfit who respects their influences, and pushes them forward into brash sonic terrortory with the us vs. the world ethos of genuine punk rock."
For fans of Sunny Day Real Estate--Balance and Composure claims them as a major influence, and it shows--and melodic, punk-leaning rock in general. Try the title track or "Stonehands".
Artist: Balance and Composure
Album: Separation
Label: No Sleep
Genre: Rock
Comments: From the onesheet: "A cohesive listen of anthemic and melodic guitar blitzes with poignant lyricism, rhythmic thrusts, and an abrasive pop knack in its overall deliverance, Separation churns in a fortified enclave of guitar fuzz and impending rhythms that drive heavily. Balance and Composure may wear their love for early '90s underground alt rock on their sleeves, but they are in no way merely a 'throwback' band as much as they are an outfit who respects their influences, and pushes them forward into brash sonic terrortory with the us vs. the world ethos of genuine punk rock."
For fans of Sunny Day Real Estate--Balance and Composure claims them as a major influence, and it shows--and melodic, punk-leaning rock in general. Try the title track or "Stonehands".
Gorillaz
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Gorillaz
Album: The Fall
Label: Virgin
Genre: Alt-electro, hip hop
Comments: While The Fall may not be the greatest Gorillaz album ever produced, it's still pretty impressive for a record that was made by Damon Albarn while on tour... on his iPad. The Fall is expectantly quirky in terms of its production, but a bit sonically slower beat-wise and without a roster of guests (only Bobby Womack features on one track). In short, it sounds like a Gorillaz album made on tour--awesome, but slightly limited. With that said, the low-key nature of the record is a nice shift for Albarn. Try tracks 1, 2, 9 and 13.
Artist: Gorillaz
Album: The Fall
Label: Virgin
Genre: Alt-electro, hip hop
Comments: While The Fall may not be the greatest Gorillaz album ever produced, it's still pretty impressive for a record that was made by Damon Albarn while on tour... on his iPad. The Fall is expectantly quirky in terms of its production, but a bit sonically slower beat-wise and without a roster of guests (only Bobby Womack features on one track). In short, it sounds like a Gorillaz album made on tour--awesome, but slightly limited. With that said, the low-key nature of the record is a nice shift for Albarn. Try tracks 1, 2, 9 and 13.
Swimming With Dolphins
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Swimming With Dolphins
Album: Water Colours
Label: Tooth & Nail
Genre: Synth pop
Comments: Lush synth pop on Swimming With Dolphins' latest record, Water Colours. Crooning vocals are consistent against the shifting styles--here, '80s inspired with keyboard; there, '90s clubbing music--and the entire record has a big, powerful feel to it. In a nice touch, live drums, guitar and piano offset the synthyness of it all. Start with tracks 2, 6 and 7.
Artist: Swimming With Dolphins
Album: Water Colours
Label: Tooth & Nail
Genre: Synth pop
Comments: Lush synth pop on Swimming With Dolphins' latest record, Water Colours. Crooning vocals are consistent against the shifting styles--here, '80s inspired with keyboard; there, '90s clubbing music--and the entire record has a big, powerful feel to it. In a nice touch, live drums, guitar and piano offset the synthyness of it all. Start with tracks 2, 6 and 7.
Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside
Album: Dirty Radio
Label: Partisan
Genre: Rock
Comments: The Portland quartet Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside combines elements of country, jazz, blues and vintage rock and roll with a modern pop sensibility, and the result is infectious. Dirty Radio is a stellar record--Ford's quirky voice is incredibly powerful, and the constant shifting of styles gives the music a vintage, soulful sound. Sometimes the sound is closest to rockabilly; other times, backing vocals give the music an almost gospel sound. A fantastic record (and, for added music cred, Seth Avett is a fan); start with tracks 2, 4 and 7 (also track 3, which is sadly DNP).
Artist: Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside
Album: Dirty Radio
Label: Partisan
Genre: Rock
Comments: The Portland quartet Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside combines elements of country, jazz, blues and vintage rock and roll with a modern pop sensibility, and the result is infectious. Dirty Radio is a stellar record--Ford's quirky voice is incredibly powerful, and the constant shifting of styles gives the music a vintage, soulful sound. Sometimes the sound is closest to rockabilly; other times, backing vocals give the music an almost gospel sound. A fantastic record (and, for added music cred, Seth Avett is a fan); start with tracks 2, 4 and 7 (also track 3, which is sadly DNP).
Balkans
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Balkans
Album: Balkans
Label: Double Phantom
Genre: Rock
Comments: Energetic garage rock-pop on Balkans' self-titled debut LP. Jittery, angular guitar--with plenty of hooks--ties the record together, with sprawling vocals running through the tracks. Tempo shifts keep it interesting, and overall, it's a promising debut. Start with tracks 1, 3 and 6.
Artist: Balkans
Album: Balkans
Label: Double Phantom
Genre: Rock
Comments: Energetic garage rock-pop on Balkans' self-titled debut LP. Jittery, angular guitar--with plenty of hooks--ties the record together, with sprawling vocals running through the tracks. Tempo shifts keep it interesting, and overall, it's a promising debut. Start with tracks 1, 3 and 6.
matt pond PA
Add Date: May 17
Artist: matt pond PA
Album: Spring Fools (EP)
Label: Altitude
Genre: Rock, folk pop
Comments: Melodic folky pop on matt pond PA's latest, the Spring Fools EP. Summery and infectious, the EP is a nice mix of catchy, melodic sing-a-long indie pop and gentle folk tunes. Pond's songwriting talent is as apparent as ever; start with tracks 1 and 5.
Artist: matt pond PA
Album: Spring Fools (EP)
Label: Altitude
Genre: Rock, folk pop
Comments: Melodic folky pop on matt pond PA's latest, the Spring Fools EP. Summery and infectious, the EP is a nice mix of catchy, melodic sing-a-long indie pop and gentle folk tunes. Pond's songwriting talent is as apparent as ever; start with tracks 1 and 5.
13 & God
Add Date: May 17
Artist: 13 & God
Album: Own Your Ghost
Label: Anticon
Genre: Electronica, hip hop
Comments: This is a really interesting experimental rap/pop/rock/electronica record. One second, there will be a soft acoustic guitar with a gently song melody in tandem, and the next moment a rap solo will run away with electronic rhythms. Somehow, this band seems to make it all work. I definitely like this record.
From the promoter: "Six years after releasing their beautifully brittle eponymous debut, the cross-continental musical brotherhood of 13 & God returns with Own Your Ghost. This second album marks a vital shift from collaborative project to bona fide band, as Oakland art-rap stalwarts Themselves (Adam Drucker and Jeffrey Logan, plus Subtle's Dax Pierson and Jordan Dalrymple) and German pop experimentalists the Notwist (Markus and Micha Acher, Martin Gretschmann) truly become one. Own Your Ghost is a warm set of life-affirming songs on the subject of death, drawing its magic in equal parts from raw spontaneity, lush melody and boundless imagination."
Start with tracks 4, 1, 2 and 5.
Artist: 13 & God
Album: Own Your Ghost
Label: Anticon
Genre: Electronica, hip hop
Comments: This is a really interesting experimental rap/pop/rock/electronica record. One second, there will be a soft acoustic guitar with a gently song melody in tandem, and the next moment a rap solo will run away with electronic rhythms. Somehow, this band seems to make it all work. I definitely like this record.
From the promoter: "Six years after releasing their beautifully brittle eponymous debut, the cross-continental musical brotherhood of 13 & God returns with Own Your Ghost. This second album marks a vital shift from collaborative project to bona fide band, as Oakland art-rap stalwarts Themselves (Adam Drucker and Jeffrey Logan, plus Subtle's Dax Pierson and Jordan Dalrymple) and German pop experimentalists the Notwist (Markus and Micha Acher, Martin Gretschmann) truly become one. Own Your Ghost is a warm set of life-affirming songs on the subject of death, drawing its magic in equal parts from raw spontaneity, lush melody and boundless imagination."
Start with tracks 4, 1, 2 and 5.
Bella Ruse
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Bella Ruse
Album: Kuhzoo
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop
Comments: Bella Ruse, composed of the Minneapolis duo Kay Gillette and Joseph Barker, makes quirky pop music that sounds like a toned-down version of Regina Spektor or Feist. This toning-down, though, doesn't do any favors for the group. While the tracks are an enjoyable blend of girl-pop that has a beat to bop along with, the extreme softness of Gillette's voice and the restrained instrumentals will leave you wanting more.
Artist: Bella Ruse
Album: Kuhzoo
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop
Comments: Bella Ruse, composed of the Minneapolis duo Kay Gillette and Joseph Barker, makes quirky pop music that sounds like a toned-down version of Regina Spektor or Feist. This toning-down, though, doesn't do any favors for the group. While the tracks are an enjoyable blend of girl-pop that has a beat to bop along with, the extreme softness of Gillette's voice and the restrained instrumentals will leave you wanting more.
Kids on a Crime Spree
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Kids on a Crime Spree
Album: We Love You So Bad
Label: Slumberland
Genre: Rock, alternative
Comments: Kids on a Crime Spree has provided the perfect soundtrack for a sunny, breezy summer. The man behind the group--Mario Hernandez--delved into Phil Spector's back catalog and became obsessed with the simple pop songs that, after a while, didn't seem so simple; for, underneath the hazy and happy chords stand longing and heavy-hearted lyrics. This combination, while tried and true, is no less enjoyable on We Love You So Bad, which fully revels in the tradition, even going so far as to use the same recording techniques from the '60s. Though the album is not groundbreaking, Kids on a Crime Spree have mastered the California sun sound and made an album that is ever enjoyable.
Artist: Kids on a Crime Spree
Album: We Love You So Bad
Label: Slumberland
Genre: Rock, alternative
Comments: Kids on a Crime Spree has provided the perfect soundtrack for a sunny, breezy summer. The man behind the group--Mario Hernandez--delved into Phil Spector's back catalog and became obsessed with the simple pop songs that, after a while, didn't seem so simple; for, underneath the hazy and happy chords stand longing and heavy-hearted lyrics. This combination, while tried and true, is no less enjoyable on We Love You So Bad, which fully revels in the tradition, even going so far as to use the same recording techniques from the '60s. Though the album is not groundbreaking, Kids on a Crime Spree have mastered the California sun sound and made an album that is ever enjoyable.
Clock Opera
Add Date: May 17
Artist: Clock Opera
Album: Belongings (EP)
Label: Moshi Moshi
Genre: Rock, alternative
Comments: Clock Opera's latest single, "Belongings", makes waiting for the UK-based group's forthcoming album incredibly hard. "Belongings" starts with softly-played piano and an incredibly melancholic voice. The song quickly gains an atmosphere full of tingling bells and plenty of oh-ohs, which all build toward a welcome and expected break in the song. Though it might not have many elements, "Belongings" stays interesting and beautiful throughout the entire track and makes Clock Opera a group to keep an eye on in the days to come.
Artist: Clock Opera
Album: Belongings (EP)
Label: Moshi Moshi
Genre: Rock, alternative
Comments: Clock Opera's latest single, "Belongings", makes waiting for the UK-based group's forthcoming album incredibly hard. "Belongings" starts with softly-played piano and an incredibly melancholic voice. The song quickly gains an atmosphere full of tingling bells and plenty of oh-ohs, which all build toward a welcome and expected break in the song. Though it might not have many elements, "Belongings" stays interesting and beautiful throughout the entire track and makes Clock Opera a group to keep an eye on in the days to come.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Best New Music - May 10
Best of the week:
Gang Gang Dance
Add Date: May 10
Artist: Gang Gang Dance
Album: Eye Contact
Label: 4AD
Genre: Electronica, experimental
Comments: When a record doesn't easily fall into a particular genre (or two), we often file it on our "Defies Classification" shelf. (Recent examples include Gang Gang Dance's 4AD labelmate tUnE-yArDs and this week's Italian film score-meets-pop collaboration between Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi.) And while I'm fully comfortable with putting Eye Contact on the electronica shelf, perhaps no band further defies classification than this Manhattan troupe.
This is electronic music, to be sure. But don't call it electropop--the last syllable of that word doesn't seem to exist in Gang Gang Dance's vocabulary. Worldbeat rhythms, indecipherable vocals, 11-minute songs (see opener and album highlight "Glass Jar"), don't add up to "pop", persay, and yet this is easily one of the most engaging and interesting records to be released thus far in 2011. But don't take my word for it--check out Eye Contact for yourself, especially if you're into Yeasayer, early Animal Collective or Brian Eno. Try tracks 4, 1, 5 and 3.
Artist: Gang Gang Dance
Album: Eye Contact
Label: 4AD
Genre: Electronica, experimental
Comments: When a record doesn't easily fall into a particular genre (or two), we often file it on our "Defies Classification" shelf. (Recent examples include Gang Gang Dance's 4AD labelmate tUnE-yArDs and this week's Italian film score-meets-pop collaboration between Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi.) And while I'm fully comfortable with putting Eye Contact on the electronica shelf, perhaps no band further defies classification than this Manhattan troupe.
This is electronic music, to be sure. But don't call it electropop--the last syllable of that word doesn't seem to exist in Gang Gang Dance's vocabulary. Worldbeat rhythms, indecipherable vocals, 11-minute songs (see opener and album highlight "Glass Jar"), don't add up to "pop", persay, and yet this is easily one of the most engaging and interesting records to be released thus far in 2011. But don't take my word for it--check out Eye Contact for yourself, especially if you're into Yeasayer, early Animal Collective or Brian Eno. Try tracks 4, 1, 5 and 3.
Austra
Add Date: May 10
Artist: Austra
Album: Feel It Break
Label: Domino
Genre: Pop, electronic rock, experimental
Comments: This is a terrific first record from the Toronto trio Austra. From the promoter: "On Feel It Break, co-founder and lead singer Katie Stelmanis, drummer Maya Postepski and bassist Dorian Wolf have crafted a dark, danceable masterpiece suitable for both ritual incantations and clubs; an album hearkening back to the sleazier side of New Wave but still deeply rooted in Stelmanis' classical and operatic upbringing."
Haunting, beautiful and addictive (especially on lead single and album standout "Lose It"), Feel It Break is one of the best debuts I've heard in quite some time. Especially with Stelmanis' vocals, Austra brings to mind Zola Jesus and Bat for Lashes, and this music will easily appeal to fans of The Knife/Fever Ray, Glasser and even Kate Bush. Highly recommended; start with tracks 2, 4, 1 and 5.
Artist: Austra
Album: Feel It Break
Label: Domino
Genre: Pop, electronic rock, experimental
Comments: This is a terrific first record from the Toronto trio Austra. From the promoter: "On Feel It Break, co-founder and lead singer Katie Stelmanis, drummer Maya Postepski and bassist Dorian Wolf have crafted a dark, danceable masterpiece suitable for both ritual incantations and clubs; an album hearkening back to the sleazier side of New Wave but still deeply rooted in Stelmanis' classical and operatic upbringing."
Haunting, beautiful and addictive (especially on lead single and album standout "Lose It"), Feel It Break is one of the best debuts I've heard in quite some time. Especially with Stelmanis' vocals, Austra brings to mind Zola Jesus and Bat for Lashes, and this music will easily appeal to fans of The Knife/Fever Ray, Glasser and even Kate Bush. Highly recommended; start with tracks 2, 4, 1 and 5.
The Grownup Noise
Add Date: May 10
Artist: The Grownup Noise
Album: This Time With Feeling
Label: Self-released
Genre: Indie rock
Comments: The Grownup Noise's This Time With Feeling, while exhibiting talented musicians, falls into the category of boring. Each track is easy to listen to and melodic, but nothing, and I mean nothing, stands out. The group blends indie rock with some folk and some more alternative riffs to create an album that unfortunately, is completely generic.
Artist: The Grownup Noise
Album: This Time With Feeling
Label: Self-released
Genre: Indie rock
Comments: The Grownup Noise's This Time With Feeling, while exhibiting talented musicians, falls into the category of boring. Each track is easy to listen to and melodic, but nothing, and I mean nothing, stands out. The group blends indie rock with some folk and some more alternative riffs to create an album that unfortunately, is completely generic.
Man Man
Add Date: May 10
Artist: Man Man
Album: Life Fantastic
Label: ANTI-
Genre: Rock
Comments: Man Man is back again with another excellent record full of energy, unique sounds, and just enough melody to keep you singing along. Unfortunately, some of the best tracks on this album are DNP (but if you are listening in private, check these songs out for sure). Man Man is an experimental rock group, fusing jazz, punk, and postcore all into one fantastic bundle of fun. Life Fantastic is a great example of their unique sound. Start with 1, 3 and 9.
Artist: Man Man
Album: Life Fantastic
Label: ANTI-
Genre: Rock
Comments: Man Man is back again with another excellent record full of energy, unique sounds, and just enough melody to keep you singing along. Unfortunately, some of the best tracks on this album are DNP (but if you are listening in private, check these songs out for sure). Man Man is an experimental rock group, fusing jazz, punk, and postcore all into one fantastic bundle of fun. Life Fantastic is a great example of their unique sound. Start with 1, 3 and 9.
Devereaux
Add Date: May 10
Artist: Devereaux
Album: Cacti Pace (EP)
Label: MMMMM
Genre: Electronica, dance
Comments: This is a high-energy dance/electronica record. Very poppy and accessible beats. This record is great for all of you power-synth lovers. Sounds like a combination of Battles and Daft Punk. Start with tracks 1 and 2.
Artist: Devereaux
Album: Cacti Pace (EP)
Label: MMMMM
Genre: Electronica, dance
Comments: This is a high-energy dance/electronica record. Very poppy and accessible beats. This record is great for all of you power-synth lovers. Sounds like a combination of Battles and Daft Punk. Start with tracks 1 and 2.
Beastie Boys
Add Date: May 10
Artist: Beastie Boys
Album: Hot Sauce Committee Part Two
Label: Capitol
Genre: Hip hop
Comments: After taking some time off as Adam Yauch (MCA) battled cancer, the Beastie Boys return with their first proper studio record in seven years. The general consensus among critics seems to be that Hot Sauce Committee Part Two is a return to form for the Beastie Boys, a couple of steps up from 2004's To the 5 Boroughs and perhaps an album on the level of seminal '90s releases like Ill Communication and Hello Nasty.
It's a fine record, to be sure, mostly done by the Beasties--there are significantly more cameos in the video for album standout "Make Some Noise" than on the LP itself--with two notable exceptions: Nas shows up on the excellent "Too Many Rappers [new reactionaries version]", and Santigold contributes vocals on the reggae-leaning "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win". And much like the band's work in the '90s, Hot Sauce Committee is a very heavy record, almost with an industrial vibe at times (try "Lee Majors Come Again").
RIYL: Beastie Boys. Need I say more? Try 1, 4, 12, 7 and 2.
Artist: Beastie Boys
Album: Hot Sauce Committee Part Two
Label: Capitol
Genre: Hip hop
Comments: After taking some time off as Adam Yauch (MCA) battled cancer, the Beastie Boys return with their first proper studio record in seven years. The general consensus among critics seems to be that Hot Sauce Committee Part Two is a return to form for the Beastie Boys, a couple of steps up from 2004's To the 5 Boroughs and perhaps an album on the level of seminal '90s releases like Ill Communication and Hello Nasty.
It's a fine record, to be sure, mostly done by the Beasties--there are significantly more cameos in the video for album standout "Make Some Noise" than on the LP itself--with two notable exceptions: Nas shows up on the excellent "Too Many Rappers [new reactionaries version]", and Santigold contributes vocals on the reggae-leaning "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win". And much like the band's work in the '90s, Hot Sauce Committee is a very heavy record, almost with an industrial vibe at times (try "Lee Majors Come Again").
RIYL: Beastie Boys. Need I say more? Try 1, 4, 12, 7 and 2.
Here We Go Magic
Add Date: May 10
Artist: Here We Go Magic
Album: The January EP
Label: Secretly Canadian
Genre: Rock, experimental pop
Comments: From the onesheet: "The January EP's six songs complete the songwriting cycle that Here We Go Magic began in an upstate New York farm house upon the commencement of their critically-acclaimed sophomore LP Pigeons... The band's signature mix of swirling guitars, krautrock grooves, pulsing synths, and hushed chants provide a foundation for these otherworldly songs... At the center of the EP lies what Here We Go Magic does best, a dichotomy between eerie folk sounds and driving art rock."
Pigeons was one of 2010's semi-hidden gems, and The January EP is a worthy followup release. Influenced by the likes of Brian Eno and the Talking Heads, Here We Go Magic are one of the most interesting and engaging bands around. "Hands in the Sky" is the standout track among these six, but I also like "Backwards Time" and "Song in Three".
Artist: Here We Go Magic
Album: The January EP
Label: Secretly Canadian
Genre: Rock, experimental pop
Comments: From the onesheet: "The January EP's six songs complete the songwriting cycle that Here We Go Magic began in an upstate New York farm house upon the commencement of their critically-acclaimed sophomore LP Pigeons... The band's signature mix of swirling guitars, krautrock grooves, pulsing synths, and hushed chants provide a foundation for these otherworldly songs... At the center of the EP lies what Here We Go Magic does best, a dichotomy between eerie folk sounds and driving art rock."
Pigeons was one of 2010's semi-hidden gems, and The January EP is a worthy followup release. Influenced by the likes of Brian Eno and the Talking Heads, Here We Go Magic are one of the most interesting and engaging bands around. "Hands in the Sky" is the standout track among these six, but I also like "Backwards Time" and "Song in Three".
Made in Iceland IV
Add Date: May 10
Artist: Various Artists
Album: Made in Iceland IV
Label: Iceland Music Export
Genre: Compilations/soundtracks, rock, folk, electropop
Comments: For a country with a total population under 320,000, Iceland churns out a disproportionately high amount of quality music. You're most likely familiar with acts like Björk, Sigur Rós and Múm, but here's your chance to discover more of the great music the island nation has to offer.
There's really not a dud among the 19 tracks on this compilation, but my favorites were the quiet folk of Ólöf Arnalds (track 6, on a song featuring backing vocals from Björk herself), the jazzy electronica of FM Belfast (2), the folk pop of Hafdís Huld (11), the pop-rock of Of Monsters and Men (1), the Wolf Parade-leaning indie rock of Who Knew (4) and the atmospheric pop of Sigur Rós collaborators Amiina (9).
Artist: Various Artists
Album: Made in Iceland IV
Label: Iceland Music Export
Genre: Compilations/soundtracks, rock, folk, electropop
Comments: For a country with a total population under 320,000, Iceland churns out a disproportionately high amount of quality music. You're most likely familiar with acts like Björk, Sigur Rós and Múm, but here's your chance to discover more of the great music the island nation has to offer.
Overlord
Add Date: May 10
Artist: Overlord
Album: In Soviet Russia My Heart Breaks You
Label: Storm Tower
Genre: Indie pop
Comments: You'd be forgiven if you flipped over In Soviet Russia My Heart Breaks You to look for the Slumberland Records logo. (It's not there--the Brooklyn-based indie poppers are on Philly's Storm Tower Records imprint.) While Overlord isn't labelmates with the likes of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Crystal Stilts, Girls Names, et al, there's a lot of musical kinship.
Says CMJ: "Overlord has been turning out first-rate, '80s-style Manchester mope-rock since the mid-'90s, and it's about time the rest of the world caught up to their personal retro-revolution." Couldn't have said it better myself. RIYL: The Magnetic Fields, The Smiths and Guided By Voices. Start with 1, 4, 2 and 6.
Survey time: which is the better URL: Overlord's home page (http://www.overlordusa.com/) or their MySpace address (http://www.myspace.com/overlordisnotmetal)?
Artist: Overlord
Album: In Soviet Russia My Heart Breaks You
Label: Storm Tower
Genre: Indie pop
Comments: You'd be forgiven if you flipped over In Soviet Russia My Heart Breaks You to look for the Slumberland Records logo. (It's not there--the Brooklyn-based indie poppers are on Philly's Storm Tower Records imprint.) While Overlord isn't labelmates with the likes of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Crystal Stilts, Girls Names, et al, there's a lot of musical kinship.
Says CMJ: "Overlord has been turning out first-rate, '80s-style Manchester mope-rock since the mid-'90s, and it's about time the rest of the world caught up to their personal retro-revolution." Couldn't have said it better myself. RIYL: The Magnetic Fields, The Smiths and Guided By Voices. Start with 1, 4, 2 and 6.
Survey time: which is the better URL: Overlord's home page (http://www.overlordusa.com/) or their MySpace address (http://www.myspace.com/overlordisnotmetal)?
Come Wind
Add Date: May 10
Artist: Come Wind
Album: Wanderer O Wanderer (EP)
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock
Comments: Prog-rock meets post-punk on this 6-song EP from the Ohio band Come Wind. Try "Bricks".
Artist: Come Wind
Album: Wanderer O Wanderer (EP)
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock
Comments: Prog-rock meets post-punk on this 6-song EP from the Ohio band Come Wind. Try "Bricks".
Falcon
Add Date: May 10
Artist: Falcon
Album: Disappear
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock
Comments: This is pretty much straightforward indie rock from Falcon, though with the occasional interruption of a guitar squall, atmospheric synth layer or arena-rock crescendo. Influences must include Death Cab for Cutie and Modest Mouse. Check out "Say Goodbye".
Artist: Falcon
Album: Disappear
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock
Comments: This is pretty much straightforward indie rock from Falcon, though with the occasional interruption of a guitar squall, atmospheric synth layer or arena-rock crescendo. Influences must include Death Cab for Cutie and Modest Mouse. Check out "Say Goodbye".
Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi
Add Date: May 10
Artist: Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi
Album: Rome
Label: Capitol
Genre: Defies classification
Comments: Danger Mouse and Italian composer Daniele Luppi have joined forces to create Rome, a record that is an homage to classic Italian film scores, featuring Jack White, Norah Jones, and the original session musicians from various Ennio Morricone scores (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; Once Upon a Time in the West). Rome is, simply put, gorgeously cinematic. While some of the purely instrumental songs might not be your go-to for radio-play, the tracks with Jack and Norah are wonderfully produced, and they do have some intriguing, creative pop flair. Start with tracks 2, 4 and 7.
Artist: Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi
Album: Rome
Label: Capitol
Genre: Defies classification
Comments: Danger Mouse and Italian composer Daniele Luppi have joined forces to create Rome, a record that is an homage to classic Italian film scores, featuring Jack White, Norah Jones, and the original session musicians from various Ennio Morricone scores (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; Once Upon a Time in the West). Rome is, simply put, gorgeously cinematic. While some of the purely instrumental songs might not be your go-to for radio-play, the tracks with Jack and Norah are wonderfully produced, and they do have some intriguing, creative pop flair. Start with tracks 2, 4 and 7.
The Wombats
Add Date: May 10
Artist: The Wombats
Album: This Modern Glitch
Label: 14th Floor
Genre: Indie rock, electropop
Comments: Synthy, electro-indie-pop goodness on The Wombats' This Modern Glitch. The record is melodic, super-catchy, occasionally anthemic, and with enough hooks and harmonies to keep you engaged all the way through. Delightfully unpretentious and only occasionally darkly moody; This Modern Glitch is all about the rhythms and choruses. The Wombats' dance rock is wildly enjoyable and upfront; start with tracks 2, 4 and 8.
Artist: The Wombats
Album: This Modern Glitch
Label: 14th Floor
Genre: Indie rock, electropop
Comments: Synthy, electro-indie-pop goodness on The Wombats' This Modern Glitch. The record is melodic, super-catchy, occasionally anthemic, and with enough hooks and harmonies to keep you engaged all the way through. Delightfully unpretentious and only occasionally darkly moody; This Modern Glitch is all about the rhythms and choruses. The Wombats' dance rock is wildly enjoyable and upfront; start with tracks 2, 4 and 8.
Chad VanGaalen
Add Date: May 10
Artist: Chad VanGaalen
Album: Diaper Island
Label: Sub Pop
Genre: Rock, lo-fi
Comments: Chad VanGaalen's Diaper Island is a collection of stripped-down, almost minimalistic, guitar-focused tracks. Lo-fi sensibility is a current throughout the record, but there are nice shifts between more pop-oriented, garage-esque, and blues-y tracks, adding a nice textural element to the basically guitar-and-vocals format. Overall, a precise, cohesive record; start with tracks 3, 5 and 8.
Artist: Chad VanGaalen
Album: Diaper Island
Label: Sub Pop
Genre: Rock, lo-fi
Comments: Chad VanGaalen's Diaper Island is a collection of stripped-down, almost minimalistic, guitar-focused tracks. Lo-fi sensibility is a current throughout the record, but there are nice shifts between more pop-oriented, garage-esque, and blues-y tracks, adding a nice textural element to the basically guitar-and-vocals format. Overall, a precise, cohesive record; start with tracks 3, 5 and 8.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Chris Thile and Michael Daves
Add Date: May 10
Artist: Chris Thile & Michael Daves
Album: Sleep With One Eye Open
Label: Nonesuch
Genre: Bluegrass, folk
Comments: Chris Thile is a world-famous mandolinist, known for his work with Nickel Creek and The Punch Brothers. Michael Daves is an established guitarist in his own right, releasing a solo record of his own in 2007. The combination of these two powers with their energy and musical talent has produced a really fantastic bluegrass record.
Sleep with One Eye Open is a dynamic record. The album shines the most when Thile's inherent devotion to jazz tunes shine through (see track 7, a slow instrumental tune that tells a story without a single word sung). I am a fringe-bluegrass fan (I want to like it, and I like a lot of it, but some is just too "down-home" for me). This record reflects a perfect balance of tradition and progression. Check out 1, 7, 3 and 8.
Artist: Chris Thile & Michael Daves
Album: Sleep With One Eye Open
Label: Nonesuch
Genre: Bluegrass, folk
Comments: Chris Thile is a world-famous mandolinist, known for his work with Nickel Creek and The Punch Brothers. Michael Daves is an established guitarist in his own right, releasing a solo record of his own in 2007. The combination of these two powers with their energy and musical talent has produced a really fantastic bluegrass record.
Sleep with One Eye Open is a dynamic record. The album shines the most when Thile's inherent devotion to jazz tunes shine through (see track 7, a slow instrumental tune that tells a story without a single word sung). I am a fringe-bluegrass fan (I want to like it, and I like a lot of it, but some is just too "down-home" for me). This record reflects a perfect balance of tradition and progression. Check out 1, 7, 3 and 8.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Best New Music - May 3
Spring Fling fever:
And also spin: Emmylou Harris, Miracle Fortress, Lindi Ortega, The Spinning Leaves & Hezekiah Jones, an of Montreal EP and a Saint Motel single
Cotton Jones
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Cotton Jones
Album: Sit Beside Your Vegetables (EP)
Label: Suicide Squeeze
Genre: Rock, pop
Comments: Here's some fortuitous timing: just a week before they headline WLUR's first-annual Spring Fling concert, here's a new EP from Maryland's Cotton Jones. This 11-minute set--highlighted by the bouncy, keyboard-driven pop number "Egg on a Sea", the upbeat folk-rock tune "Down Beside Em" and the campfire singalong "Good in Every Word"--is just about perfect for the springtime.
Shameless plug: WLUR's Spring Fling, featuring Cotton Jones, The Cinnamon Band and Julie & the Scotts, will take place on Thursday, May 12, starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Cohen Amphitheater (between the Commons and the library on the W&L campus). The show is free and open to the public. Free ice cream, too! See you next Thursday...
Artist: Cotton Jones
Album: Sit Beside Your Vegetables (EP)
Label: Suicide Squeeze
Genre: Rock, pop
Comments: Here's some fortuitous timing: just a week before they headline WLUR's first-annual Spring Fling concert, here's a new EP from Maryland's Cotton Jones. This 11-minute set--highlighted by the bouncy, keyboard-driven pop number "Egg on a Sea", the upbeat folk-rock tune "Down Beside Em" and the campfire singalong "Good in Every Word"--is just about perfect for the springtime.
Shameless plug: WLUR's Spring Fling, featuring Cotton Jones, The Cinnamon Band and Julie & the Scotts, will take place on Thursday, May 12, starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Cohen Amphitheater (between the Commons and the library on the W&L campus). The show is free and open to the public. Free ice cream, too! See you next Thursday...
Okkervil River
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Okkervil River
Album: I Am Very Far
Label: Jagjaguwar
Genre: Rock
Comments: Will Sheff just make everything seem so effortless. Turn your band into a crowd and critic-pleaser, and stay in everyone's good graces for nearly a decade? No problem... Have a band member leave amicably to focus on his own indie behemoth? Of course. (That would be Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater.) Produce a phenomenal studio record from the legendary Roky Erickson--and, while you're at it, write the most astonishing, heartfelt, literary set of liner notes, essentially a mini-biography of Erickson's tragic life--with Okkervil as the backing band? Sure, why not...
So, it's no surprise that I Am Very Far, the latest effort from Okkervil River, is another dazzling collection of well-written, well-constructed, well-orchestrated folkish rock tunes--and it just might be the band's best LP yet. To be fair, Sheff did work pretty hard; after a week of marathon days in the studio, using seven guitarists, two bassists, two percussionists and two pianists, he took the results home and tweaked and redid bits of songs over and over again; and, as the label tells us, the end result is "an album that plays not only as a lush, seamless epic, but also as the most deeply personal of his career."
One of the best records of 2011. If you're unfamiliar with Okkervil, think of music along the lines of Neutral Milk Hotel, Magnolia Electric Co. and The National. Check out 3, 9, 10, 1 and 4.
Artist: Okkervil River
Album: I Am Very Far
Label: Jagjaguwar
Genre: Rock
Comments: Will Sheff just make everything seem so effortless. Turn your band into a crowd and critic-pleaser, and stay in everyone's good graces for nearly a decade? No problem... Have a band member leave amicably to focus on his own indie behemoth? Of course. (That would be Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater.) Produce a phenomenal studio record from the legendary Roky Erickson--and, while you're at it, write the most astonishing, heartfelt, literary set of liner notes, essentially a mini-biography of Erickson's tragic life--with Okkervil as the backing band? Sure, why not...
So, it's no surprise that I Am Very Far, the latest effort from Okkervil River, is another dazzling collection of well-written, well-constructed, well-orchestrated folkish rock tunes--and it just might be the band's best LP yet. To be fair, Sheff did work pretty hard; after a week of marathon days in the studio, using seven guitarists, two bassists, two percussionists and two pianists, he took the results home and tweaked and redid bits of songs over and over again; and, as the label tells us, the end result is "an album that plays not only as a lush, seamless epic, but also as the most deeply personal of his career."
One of the best records of 2011. If you're unfamiliar with Okkervil, think of music along the lines of Neutral Milk Hotel, Magnolia Electric Co. and The National. Check out 3, 9, 10, 1 and 4.
Religious to Damn
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Religious to Damn
Album: Glass Prayer
Label: M'Lady's
Genre: Rock
Comments: Religious to Damn's debut album Glass Prayer is an ethereal, atmospheric rock record; very Cocteau Twins-eque in the blending of solid instrumentation with floating vocals. Guitars, steady drums, occasional piano and violin add to the ambiance--it's moody and slightly mystical and pretty awesome. Start with tracks 3, 5 and 6.
Link to a much more thorough review: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/01/download_religi.php
Artist: Religious to Damn
Album: Glass Prayer
Label: M'Lady's
Genre: Rock
Comments: Religious to Damn's debut album Glass Prayer is an ethereal, atmospheric rock record; very Cocteau Twins-eque in the blending of solid instrumentation with floating vocals. Guitars, steady drums, occasional piano and violin add to the ambiance--it's moody and slightly mystical and pretty awesome. Start with tracks 3, 5 and 6.
Link to a much more thorough review: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/01/download_religi.php
Chop Chop
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Chop Chop
Album: The Spark
Label: Archenemy
Genre: Rock, pop
Comments: From the onesheet: "With their third album, The Spark, Chop Chop returns to the days when space was the setting for many an epic adventure or romance, and celebrated in a wonderful genre of literature and film called science fiction. Featuring 9 new tracks, The Spark tells the story of Carolyn, a 17-year-old Earth girl who is kidnapped by aliens and replaced with a devious shapeshifter. Forced to undergo cruel experiments which eventually turn her cyborg, Carolyn is rescued by a star captain with royal ties, and the two fall in love. Using enhanced intellect and new cyborg powers, Carolyn must then train a band of rebels for an epic battle to save Earth."
Wait, people are still making concept albums? Regardless of what you may think about the storyline, the music on The Spark is enjoyable, a mix of indie pop and post-punk that's sometimes semi-electronic, sometimes semi-acoustic, all fronted by the sweet vocals of Catherine Cavanagh (who also played most of the instruments). Try tracks 2 and 7.
Artist: Chop Chop
Album: The Spark
Label: Archenemy
Genre: Rock, pop
Comments: From the onesheet: "With their third album, The Spark, Chop Chop returns to the days when space was the setting for many an epic adventure or romance, and celebrated in a wonderful genre of literature and film called science fiction. Featuring 9 new tracks, The Spark tells the story of Carolyn, a 17-year-old Earth girl who is kidnapped by aliens and replaced with a devious shapeshifter. Forced to undergo cruel experiments which eventually turn her cyborg, Carolyn is rescued by a star captain with royal ties, and the two fall in love. Using enhanced intellect and new cyborg powers, Carolyn must then train a band of rebels for an epic battle to save Earth."
Wait, people are still making concept albums? Regardless of what you may think about the storyline, the music on The Spark is enjoyable, a mix of indie pop and post-punk that's sometimes semi-electronic, sometimes semi-acoustic, all fronted by the sweet vocals of Catherine Cavanagh (who also played most of the instruments). Try tracks 2 and 7.
Saint Motel
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Saint Motel
Album: Puzzle Pieces EP
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock, indie pop
Comments: If "Puzzle Pieces", the new single from Saint Motel, is any indication, this Southern California band is thinking big. As a preview of the band's upcoming full-length, the song is indie pop on a grand scale, hooking you in with a catchy piano line, building up on fuzzy guitar and crescendoing with swirling strings and synths.
Recommended for fans of Elf Power and Dr. Dog. "Puzzle Pieces" is packaged with two tracks from the band's recent Forplay EP, but you'll want to listen to the single--again and again and again.
Artist: Saint Motel
Album: Puzzle Pieces EP
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock, indie pop
Comments: If "Puzzle Pieces", the new single from Saint Motel, is any indication, this Southern California band is thinking big. As a preview of the band's upcoming full-length, the song is indie pop on a grand scale, hooking you in with a catchy piano line, building up on fuzzy guitar and crescendoing with swirling strings and synths.
Recommended for fans of Elf Power and Dr. Dog. "Puzzle Pieces" is packaged with two tracks from the band's recent Forplay EP, but you'll want to listen to the single--again and again and again.
The Perfect Vessels
Add Date: May 3
Artist: The Perfect Vessels
Album: Name Our Own Stars
Label: Makeshift Music
Genre: Rock
Comments: The Memphis trio The Perfect Vessels seems to draw equal inspiration from '90s alternative and power pop (Teenage Fanclub and Sloan come to mind) and quirky '80s post-punk (think The Clean or Orange Juice). That combination makes for a diverse and enjoyable 15-song LP, Name Our Own Stars. There are some pop-rock gems over the first half of the record--try "Shade Tree Astronomy" or "Running Out of Time"--and then things get interesting when the band loosens up and experiments a bit on late-album tracks like "Selling the Scenario" and "Shine".
Artist: The Perfect Vessels
Album: Name Our Own Stars
Label: Makeshift Music
Genre: Rock
Comments: The Memphis trio The Perfect Vessels seems to draw equal inspiration from '90s alternative and power pop (Teenage Fanclub and Sloan come to mind) and quirky '80s post-punk (think The Clean or Orange Juice). That combination makes for a diverse and enjoyable 15-song LP, Name Our Own Stars. There are some pop-rock gems over the first half of the record--try "Shade Tree Astronomy" or "Running Out of Time"--and then things get interesting when the band loosens up and experiments a bit on late-album tracks like "Selling the Scenario" and "Shine".
Imperial Mammoth
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Imperial Mammoth
Album: Imperial Mammoth
Label: Bleed101
Genre: Pop
Comments: The California due Imperial Mammoth make semi-acoustic, semi-electronic indie pop with alternating boy/girl vocals, much in the vein of The Submarines or Pomplamoose. Try "Greetings From Dystopia".
Artist: Imperial Mammoth
Album: Imperial Mammoth
Label: Bleed101
Genre: Pop
Comments: The California due Imperial Mammoth make semi-acoustic, semi-electronic indie pop with alternating boy/girl vocals, much in the vein of The Submarines or Pomplamoose. Try "Greetings From Dystopia".
Lindi Ortega
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Lindi Ortega
Album: Little Red Boots
Label: Last Gang
Genre: Country
Comments: From the promoter: "Lindi Ortega is a Toronto-based singer/songwriter in the mold of classic artists Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris and a contemporary blend of acts Neko Case and Jenny Lewis. Torched songs filled with heartache and passion, mixed with Lindi's Mexican/Irish heritage, make for an incredible record full of love, loss and yearning."
It's pretty dangerous to throw out a name like Neko Case--much less Cash, Dolly and Emmylou--but Ortega's music backs up these lofty comparisons. This is a wonderful, classic-sounding country record, with great songwriting, sweet vocals and fittingly simple instrumentation, highlighted by the occasional lap steel, slide guitar or banjo. Ortega has somehow managed to toil in relative obscurity for a decade, but hopefully Little Red Boots will gain her some deserved attention.
Start with "Little Lie", the title track and "When All the Stars Align".
Artist: Lindi Ortega
Album: Little Red Boots
Label: Last Gang
Genre: Country
Comments: From the promoter: "Lindi Ortega is a Toronto-based singer/songwriter in the mold of classic artists Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris and a contemporary blend of acts Neko Case and Jenny Lewis. Torched songs filled with heartache and passion, mixed with Lindi's Mexican/Irish heritage, make for an incredible record full of love, loss and yearning."
It's pretty dangerous to throw out a name like Neko Case--much less Cash, Dolly and Emmylou--but Ortega's music backs up these lofty comparisons. This is a wonderful, classic-sounding country record, with great songwriting, sweet vocals and fittingly simple instrumentation, highlighted by the occasional lap steel, slide guitar or banjo. Ortega has somehow managed to toil in relative obscurity for a decade, but hopefully Little Red Boots will gain her some deserved attention.
Start with "Little Lie", the title track and "When All the Stars Align".
The Globes
Add Date: May 3
Artist: The Globes
Album: Future Self
Label: Barsuk
Genre: Indie rock
Comments: The Globes' first full-length album, Future Self, exhibits the band's take on Washingtonian indie rock. At best, the band demonstrates early Death Cab for Cutie, full of angst and overwhelming emotion, but at worst, they slip into an abyss of directionless and sort of unbearable sound. To their credit, The Globes definitely have an edge, demonstrating their willingness to go darker and deeper than many. Future Self, while not groundbreaking, is a respectable album showcasing future potential. Start with "Haunted By Bears".
Artist: The Globes
Album: Future Self
Label: Barsuk
Genre: Indie rock
Comments: The Globes' first full-length album, Future Self, exhibits the band's take on Washingtonian indie rock. At best, the band demonstrates early Death Cab for Cutie, full of angst and overwhelming emotion, but at worst, they slip into an abyss of directionless and sort of unbearable sound. To their credit, The Globes definitely have an edge, demonstrating their willingness to go darker and deeper than many. Future Self, while not groundbreaking, is a respectable album showcasing future potential. Start with "Haunted By Bears".
Eprhyme
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Eprhyme
Album: Dopestylevsky
Label: K
Genre: Hip hop
Comments: A fine combination of old-school and modern rap styles from Brooklyn-based Ephryme (that's pronounced "E-Prime") on the first hip hop album issued by Calvin Johnson's K Records in over a decade. Says the promoter: "Dopestylevsky, Eprhyme's sophomore solo release... combines [his] signature blend of universal poetics and personalized rap polemic with an epic electronic orchestra provided by Smoke of Oldominion and a host of live musicians... Guest lyricists include... Labtekwon, African American Orthodox Jewish rap sensation Y-Love and more."
I'm a big fan of any blog post that lets me use the phrase "African American Orthodox Jewish rap sensation," so I'm fully in favor of this record. And it's actually quite good, too. Start with track 9.
Artist: Eprhyme
Album: Dopestylevsky
Label: K
Genre: Hip hop
Comments: A fine combination of old-school and modern rap styles from Brooklyn-based Ephryme (that's pronounced "E-Prime") on the first hip hop album issued by Calvin Johnson's K Records in over a decade. Says the promoter: "Dopestylevsky, Eprhyme's sophomore solo release... combines [his] signature blend of universal poetics and personalized rap polemic with an epic electronic orchestra provided by Smoke of Oldominion and a host of live musicians... Guest lyricists include... Labtekwon, African American Orthodox Jewish rap sensation Y-Love and more."
I'm a big fan of any blog post that lets me use the phrase "African American Orthodox Jewish rap sensation," so I'm fully in favor of this record. And it's actually quite good, too. Start with track 9.
Theophilus London
Add Date: May 2
Artist: Theophilus London
Album: Lovers Holiday
Label: Warner Bros.
Genre: Rap, pop
Comments: Obviously, Theophilus London is trying to change the hardcore, oh too serious image of rap. Lovers Holiday takes this image and completely warps it into a more futuristic, '80s pop sound. However, this attempt at providing reprieve from tradition would be welcome if London did it better. Instead of the two different styles blending well, they sound more discordant and completely out of place. The rapping is sub-par, and the '80s synthesizers and beats are annoying--and the perfect picture of why no one remembers the music from that period favorably. There's also not a memorable hook to be found anywhere on the five tracks. I appreciate the attempt, but it ultimately doesn't work.
Artist: Theophilus London
Album: Lovers Holiday
Label: Warner Bros.
Genre: Rap, pop
Comments: Obviously, Theophilus London is trying to change the hardcore, oh too serious image of rap. Lovers Holiday takes this image and completely warps it into a more futuristic, '80s pop sound. However, this attempt at providing reprieve from tradition would be welcome if London did it better. Instead of the two different styles blending well, they sound more discordant and completely out of place. The rapping is sub-par, and the '80s synthesizers and beats are annoying--and the perfect picture of why no one remembers the music from that period favorably. There's also not a memorable hook to be found anywhere on the five tracks. I appreciate the attempt, but it ultimately doesn't work.
Johan Agebjorn
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Johan Agebjorn
Album: Casablanca Nights
Label: Paper Bag
Genre: Electronica, dance
Comments: The promotional sticker on the cover of Johan Agebjorn's Casablanca Nights is concise yet comprehensive: "Sally Shapiro's producer/songwriter presents a collection of luxurious nu-disco pop" says it all. If you've come across either of Shapiro's albums, 2006's brilliant Disco Romance or her solid 2009 followup My Guilty Pleasure, you're already aware of Agebjorn's talents as a producer. And if not, now's the time to join the club.
Shapiro's dreamy vocals crop up on four of the 11 tracks on the album, which sees Agebjorn collaborating with a slew of guest vocalists. Casablanca Nights is a great modern take on classic dance music, falling somewhere between early '80s disco and current Balearic pop. Check out tracks 2, 5 and 6.
Artist: Johan Agebjorn
Album: Casablanca Nights
Label: Paper Bag
Genre: Electronica, dance
Comments: The promotional sticker on the cover of Johan Agebjorn's Casablanca Nights is concise yet comprehensive: "Sally Shapiro's producer/songwriter presents a collection of luxurious nu-disco pop" says it all. If you've come across either of Shapiro's albums, 2006's brilliant Disco Romance or her solid 2009 followup My Guilty Pleasure, you're already aware of Agebjorn's talents as a producer. And if not, now's the time to join the club.
Shapiro's dreamy vocals crop up on four of the 11 tracks on the album, which sees Agebjorn collaborating with a slew of guest vocalists. Casablanca Nights is a great modern take on classic dance music, falling somewhere between early '80s disco and current Balearic pop. Check out tracks 2, 5 and 6.
The Pleasantville Killerz
Add Date: May 10
Artist: The Pleasantville Killerz
Album: The Return
Label: MasterMindz
Genre: Rap, hip hop
Comments: From the promoter: "The Pleasantville Killerz return with the follow-up to their hard-hitting commercial debut LP, which hit the CMJ charts at #19 and maintained Top 30 play with the likes of Kanye West, N.E.R.D., Atmosphere, Lupe Fiasco, GhostFace Killa, David Banner, KRS-ONE, and other hip-hop greats. With many successes under their belt since the debut, the duo's sophomore venture delivers more of the duo's explosive delivery and contagious melodies that fans have come to expect."
Start with tracks 2, 1 and 4.
Artist: The Pleasantville Killerz
Album: The Return
Label: MasterMindz
Genre: Rap, hip hop
Comments: From the promoter: "The Pleasantville Killerz return with the follow-up to their hard-hitting commercial debut LP, which hit the CMJ charts at #19 and maintained Top 30 play with the likes of Kanye West, N.E.R.D., Atmosphere, Lupe Fiasco, GhostFace Killa, David Banner, KRS-ONE, and other hip-hop greats. With many successes under their belt since the debut, the duo's sophomore venture delivers more of the duo's explosive delivery and contagious melodies that fans have come to expect."
Start with tracks 2, 1 and 4.
Plain Jane Automobile
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Plain Jane Automobile
Album: Your Tomorrow
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock, pop
Comments: Atmospheric rock with plenty of layers and complex instrumentation. From the promoter: "Musically, their memorable melodies and driving rhythms have earned them comparisons to the likes of Doves, Supergrass, and U2."
Artist: Plain Jane Automobile
Album: Your Tomorrow
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock, pop
Comments: Atmospheric rock with plenty of layers and complex instrumentation. From the promoter: "Musically, their memorable melodies and driving rhythms have earned them comparisons to the likes of Doves, Supergrass, and U2."
Still Spark
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Still Spark
Album: Still Spark
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock, pop
Comments: This is a very accessible rock-pop record that is tough to dislike. High-energy, catchy melodies make up the album. Borderline generic pop rock. Start with 1, 2 and 3.
Artist: Still Spark
Album: Still Spark
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock, pop
Comments: This is a very accessible rock-pop record that is tough to dislike. High-energy, catchy melodies make up the album. Borderline generic pop rock. Start with 1, 2 and 3.
The Spinning Leaves & Hezekiah Jones
Add Date: May 3
Artist: The Spinning Leaves & Hezekiah Jones
Album: The Hezekiah Leaves & Spinning Joneses
Label: MAD Dragon
Genre: Folk, rock
Comments: This album is a collaboration between The Spinning Leaves and Hezekiah Jones. It's a fantastic Americana record from a group that sounds like they're having a whole ton of fun when they play music. The promoter calls the album a "collaboration of high-spirited and organic music." The first half the album is by Hezekiah Jones and the second half by The Spinning Leaves. Really great stuff here. Start with 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Artist: The Spinning Leaves & Hezekiah Jones
Album: The Hezekiah Leaves & Spinning Joneses
Label: MAD Dragon
Genre: Folk, rock
Comments: This album is a collaboration between The Spinning Leaves and Hezekiah Jones. It's a fantastic Americana record from a group that sounds like they're having a whole ton of fun when they play music. The promoter calls the album a "collaboration of high-spirited and organic music." The first half the album is by Hezekiah Jones and the second half by The Spinning Leaves. Really great stuff here. Start with 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Priscilla Ahn
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Priscilla Ahn
Album: When You Grow Up
Label: Blue Note
Genre: Folk pop
Comments: Priscilla Ahn's solo album is gracefully beautiful, pleasant, and subtle in its production of acoustic melodies. From the promoter: "The album, which was produced by Ethan Jones (Ray LaMontagne, Laura Marling, Ryan Adams, The Jayhawks), features songwriting collaborations with Sia Furler, Inara George, Eleni Mandell, and Charlie Wadhams, as well as a cover of Benji Hughes' frolicsome love call 'Vibe So Hot'.
"Growth emerges as the central theme of When You Grow Up. The songs thread a loose storyline through life's ups and downs, with Ahn's angelic voice narrating experiences beginning with childhood, progressing through cycles of romance and heartbreak, and concluding with the wise, reflective 'Torch Song'. The album also exhibits Ahn's continued growth as an artist and a songwriter since her 2008 debut A Good Day."
Artist: Priscilla Ahn
Album: When You Grow Up
Label: Blue Note
Genre: Folk pop
Comments: Priscilla Ahn's solo album is gracefully beautiful, pleasant, and subtle in its production of acoustic melodies. From the promoter: "The album, which was produced by Ethan Jones (Ray LaMontagne, Laura Marling, Ryan Adams, The Jayhawks), features songwriting collaborations with Sia Furler, Inara George, Eleni Mandell, and Charlie Wadhams, as well as a cover of Benji Hughes' frolicsome love call 'Vibe So Hot'.
"Growth emerges as the central theme of When You Grow Up. The songs thread a loose storyline through life's ups and downs, with Ahn's angelic voice narrating experiences beginning with childhood, progressing through cycles of romance and heartbreak, and concluding with the wise, reflective 'Torch Song'. The album also exhibits Ahn's continued growth as an artist and a songwriter since her 2008 debut A Good Day."
Hank III
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Hank III
Album: Hillbilly Joker
Label: Bruc
Genre: Rock, punk, country
Comments: Hank III is the grandson of Hank Williams Sr., the classic country pioneer. On Hillbilly Joker, Hank III melds country and punk into a record that is both energetic and musically complex. At points, the music unravels into hardcore-punk breakdowns. While being a little "too much" for my personal taste, I recognize that this album boasts good musicianship and songwriting. Start with tracks 2 and 3.
Artist: Hank III
Album: Hillbilly Joker
Label: Bruc
Genre: Rock, punk, country
Comments: Hank III is the grandson of Hank Williams Sr., the classic country pioneer. On Hillbilly Joker, Hank III melds country and punk into a record that is both energetic and musically complex. At points, the music unravels into hardcore-punk breakdowns. While being a little "too much" for my personal taste, I recognize that this album boasts good musicianship and songwriting. Start with tracks 2 and 3.
Bikini
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Bikini
Album: RIPJDS Remix (EP)
Label: India Trading Company
Genre: Electronica, rock
Comments: From Prefix: "Bikini are one of my favorite new electronic artists this year. Dance music fans, definitely keep your eye on them." These are super-upbeat dance/electronic tracks, all of which are remixes of earlier work by Bikini. Start with tracks 3 and 4; DNP 2.
Artist: Bikini
Album: RIPJDS Remix (EP)
Label: India Trading Company
Genre: Electronica, rock
Comments: From Prefix: "Bikini are one of my favorite new electronic artists this year. Dance music fans, definitely keep your eye on them." These are super-upbeat dance/electronic tracks, all of which are remixes of earlier work by Bikini. Start with tracks 3 and 4; DNP 2.
Emmylou Harris
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Emmylou Harris
Album: Hard Bargain
Label: Nonesuch
Genre: Folk, country
Comments: A staple in America's folk scene, Emmylou Harris has released another excellent album, Hard Bargain. Listening to this record brings to mind a country version of Norah Jones: upbeat and beautifully sung songs, super polished production, and a full range of sounds and rhythms to occupy your ears. Old and new fans of Emmylou will not be dissapointed with Hard Bargain. Start with 1, 2 and 5.
Artist: Emmylou Harris
Album: Hard Bargain
Label: Nonesuch
Genre: Folk, country
Comments: A staple in America's folk scene, Emmylou Harris has released another excellent album, Hard Bargain. Listening to this record brings to mind a country version of Norah Jones: upbeat and beautifully sung songs, super polished production, and a full range of sounds and rhythms to occupy your ears. Old and new fans of Emmylou will not be dissapointed with Hard Bargain. Start with 1, 2 and 5.
Wondernaut
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Wondernaut
Album: Mind the Pendulum Swing
Label: Lackadaisical
Genre: Rock, indie, math
Comments: This is a math-rock-pop EP that is pretty unpolished. Sounds a lot like Pinback mixed with Chin Up Chin Up. Not super melodic, but definitely some interesting musical layers. Start with tracks 1 and 2.
Artist: Wondernaut
Album: Mind the Pendulum Swing
Label: Lackadaisical
Genre: Rock, indie, math
Comments: This is a math-rock-pop EP that is pretty unpolished. Sounds a lot like Pinback mixed with Chin Up Chin Up. Not super melodic, but definitely some interesting musical layers. Start with tracks 1 and 2.
Wes Swing
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Wes Swing
Album: Through a Fogged Glass
Label: Shybaby
Genre: Folk pop
Comments: Charlottesville's Wes Swing makes gorgeous folk tunes that land somewhere between Andrew Bird's violin-based pop and Clogs' neo-classical songcraft. Swing has played the violin since he was four years old, and he's an accomplished cellist as well; the musicianship is the most easily recognized feature on Through a Fogged Glass--and that's saying something, because it turns out that he's a fine songwriter and vocalist as well. The strings certainly drive this record, especially on early standouts like "Lullaby" and "Sleeping Moon", but one of the late-album highlights is "song twelve", which simply features acoustic guitar and choral backing vocals.
Swing isn't all that well known outside of Charlottesville at the moment, but one listen to Through a Fogged Glass would be enough to hook anyone in. Start with tracks 2, 3, 12 and 4.
Artist: Wes Swing
Album: Through a Fogged Glass
Label: Shybaby
Genre: Folk pop
Comments: Charlottesville's Wes Swing makes gorgeous folk tunes that land somewhere between Andrew Bird's violin-based pop and Clogs' neo-classical songcraft. Swing has played the violin since he was four years old, and he's an accomplished cellist as well; the musicianship is the most easily recognized feature on Through a Fogged Glass--and that's saying something, because it turns out that he's a fine songwriter and vocalist as well. The strings certainly drive this record, especially on early standouts like "Lullaby" and "Sleeping Moon", but one of the late-album highlights is "song twelve", which simply features acoustic guitar and choral backing vocals.
Swing isn't all that well known outside of Charlottesville at the moment, but one listen to Through a Fogged Glass would be enough to hook anyone in. Start with tracks 2, 3, 12 and 4.
Vandaveer
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Vandaveer
Album: Dig Down Deep
Label: Supply & Demand
Genre: Folk rock
Comments: Dig Down Deep, the third full-length from Mark Charles Heidinger's Vandaveer project, is an extremely well-crafted collection of folk pop tunes that will appeal to fans of Chris Bathgate, Deer Tick and early Bright Eyes. Heidinger is a brilliant songwriter, and he surrounds himself with a cast of fine musicians--notably Justin Craig, who (like Heidinger) plays guitar, bass, piano and more throughout the album, and Rose Guerin, whose harmony vocals really complete this record.
Very nicely done. Try "Concerning Past + Future Conquests", "The Nature of Our Kind" and "Spite".
Artist: Vandaveer
Album: Dig Down Deep
Label: Supply & Demand
Genre: Folk rock
Comments: Dig Down Deep, the third full-length from Mark Charles Heidinger's Vandaveer project, is an extremely well-crafted collection of folk pop tunes that will appeal to fans of Chris Bathgate, Deer Tick and early Bright Eyes. Heidinger is a brilliant songwriter, and he surrounds himself with a cast of fine musicians--notably Justin Craig, who (like Heidinger) plays guitar, bass, piano and more throughout the album, and Rose Guerin, whose harmony vocals really complete this record.
Very nicely done. Try "Concerning Past + Future Conquests", "The Nature of Our Kind" and "Spite".
Mighty Clouds
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Mighty Clouds
Album: Mighty Clouds
Label: Life Like
Genre: Pop
Comments: Catchy indie pop on Mighty Clouds' self-titled debut. Fred Thomas, the frontman of Saturday Looks Good To Me, collaborates with vocalist Betty Marie Barnes; the result is a bright, intimate record with sublte references to vintage, beachy-vibe pop (particularly on tracks 4 and 10). Barnes' airy vocals work nicely with the understated instrumentation; there's a parsed-down quality to the record, with a focus instead on harmonies and song structures. Start with tracks 1, 2, 4 and 10.
Artist: Mighty Clouds
Album: Mighty Clouds
Label: Life Like
Genre: Pop
Comments: Catchy indie pop on Mighty Clouds' self-titled debut. Fred Thomas, the frontman of Saturday Looks Good To Me, collaborates with vocalist Betty Marie Barnes; the result is a bright, intimate record with sublte references to vintage, beachy-vibe pop (particularly on tracks 4 and 10). Barnes' airy vocals work nicely with the understated instrumentation; there's a parsed-down quality to the record, with a focus instead on harmonies and song structures. Start with tracks 1, 2, 4 and 10.
Benjamin Francis Leftwich
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Benjamin Francis Leftwich
Album: Pictures EP
Label: Dirty Hit
Genre: Folk, acoustic
Comments: Benjamin Francis Leftwich's latest EP, Pictures, is an expectedly gorgeous acoustic folk offering--melodic, with Leftwich's soft vocals undoubedly guiding the sound (there's a nice echo involved, which adds a nice depth). Simple and elegant; start with tracks 1 and 4.
Artist: Benjamin Francis Leftwich
Album: Pictures EP
Label: Dirty Hit
Genre: Folk, acoustic
Comments: Benjamin Francis Leftwich's latest EP, Pictures, is an expectedly gorgeous acoustic folk offering--melodic, with Leftwich's soft vocals undoubedly guiding the sound (there's a nice echo involved, which adds a nice depth). Simple and elegant; start with tracks 1 and 4.
of Montreal
Add Date: May 3
Artist: of Montreal
Album: Thecontrollersphere EP
Label: Polyvinyl
Genre: Pop
Comments: The only thing that you can really expect from of Montreal at this point is something at least slightly unexpected. Their latest EP, Thecontrollersphere, is just that--a blend of the group's familiar spacey and weird pop, and an introduction to a new sound, full of heavy, industrial beats (most evident on track 1). Despite the generally less-than-FCC friendly lyrics (but when has Kevin Barnes been anything else except wildly suggestive?), it's a steller of Montreal EP, and track 5--"Slave Translator"--is a fantastic exemplifier of the group's sound: falsetto vocals mixed with harmony of bursts of energy, constant tempo shifts, and spastic rhythms, all breaking down into a whirlpool of noise.
Artist: of Montreal
Album: Thecontrollersphere EP
Label: Polyvinyl
Genre: Pop
Comments: The only thing that you can really expect from of Montreal at this point is something at least slightly unexpected. Their latest EP, Thecontrollersphere, is just that--a blend of the group's familiar spacey and weird pop, and an introduction to a new sound, full of heavy, industrial beats (most evident on track 1). Despite the generally less-than-FCC friendly lyrics (but when has Kevin Barnes been anything else except wildly suggestive?), it's a steller of Montreal EP, and track 5--"Slave Translator"--is a fantastic exemplifier of the group's sound: falsetto vocals mixed with harmony of bursts of energy, constant tempo shifts, and spastic rhythms, all breaking down into a whirlpool of noise.
Miracle Fortress
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Miracle Fortress
Album: Was I The Wave?
Label: Secret City
Genre: Electronica
Comments: Described as a "hi-fi, mathy version of chillwave," the second album from Miracle Fortress (the solo work of Graham Van Palt from Canadian dance pop group Think About Life), Was I The Wave?, is pretty much exactly that. Carefully layered beats and powerful but restrained harmonic vocal lines run through the record as a whole, but there's a good amount of deviation between the tracks themselves. "Tracers" is an almost '80s-esque throwback, with a quickly moving bassline (described as "wiggling"--again, I can't really come up with a better descriptor), while "Raw Spectacle" is a denser, more fluid track, spanning 6 minutes with plenty of slow escalation. Overall, there's a nice synth-pop element and a New Wave vibe (hence the chillwave... but not lo-fi); start with tracks 2, 3 and 5.
Artist: Miracle Fortress
Album: Was I The Wave?
Label: Secret City
Genre: Electronica
Comments: Described as a "hi-fi, mathy version of chillwave," the second album from Miracle Fortress (the solo work of Graham Van Palt from Canadian dance pop group Think About Life), Was I The Wave?, is pretty much exactly that. Carefully layered beats and powerful but restrained harmonic vocal lines run through the record as a whole, but there's a good amount of deviation between the tracks themselves. "Tracers" is an almost '80s-esque throwback, with a quickly moving bassline (described as "wiggling"--again, I can't really come up with a better descriptor), while "Raw Spectacle" is a denser, more fluid track, spanning 6 minutes with plenty of slow escalation. Overall, there's a nice synth-pop element and a New Wave vibe (hence the chillwave... but not lo-fi); start with tracks 2, 3 and 5.
Dag för Dag
Add Date: May 3
Artist: Dag för Dag
Album: Boo
Label: Ceremony Recordings
Genre: Rock
Comments: The debut album Boo from American-Swedish brother/sister duo Dag för Dag is an energetic, slightly brooding record, full of male/female vocals, layered guitars on persistent drums, and just the right amount of reverb. Nicely atmospheric and spacious, in both the instrumental and vocal sense--the guitars aren't constrained, and both sets of vocals are allowed their own space, rather than competing with each other for any given song. Start with tracks 2, 4 and 6.
Artist: Dag för Dag
Album: Boo
Label: Ceremony Recordings
Genre: Rock
Comments: The debut album Boo from American-Swedish brother/sister duo Dag för Dag is an energetic, slightly brooding record, full of male/female vocals, layered guitars on persistent drums, and just the right amount of reverb. Nicely atmospheric and spacious, in both the instrumental and vocal sense--the guitars aren't constrained, and both sets of vocals are allowed their own space, rather than competing with each other for any given song. Start with tracks 2, 4 and 6.
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