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  A Place to Bury Strangers - Self Titled (Killer Pimp)
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Professional pedal crafter Oliver Ackermann and company have released a violent quasi industrial-drone-shoegaze bomb upon the world. This self-titled release is similar to the grinding trebly buzz of Japanese counterparts Xinlisupreme. Both of who have taken a key from early Jesus and Mary Chain as far as their wall of feedback approach. A Place to Bury Strangers differs in that they have the ability to shift gears within their wall of sound rather than simply escalating the loudness and abrasion. That's not to say this record isn't loud. Its as loud as any Guitar Wolf record or MVB live show.
In the shifts we hear a proclivity for mid-80s processed bass lines and drowned out dreamy vocals. At one point it sounds like The Cure fell into a well with Einsturzende Neubauten. Ackermann's vocals temper the madness throughout the record and supply an aural anchor in a sea of distortions. Tons of phasing, feedback, delay, and total sonic annihilation but amazingly some hooks and melody lie within the density. I I like it lots.
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Akron/Family - Love Is Simple (Young God)
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So there's that story of Neil Young driving from Canada to California in the 60s in order to "make it" in music, right? Well, what if... (harp glissando) Making a wrong turn in Dayton, Neil finds himself heading East rather than its opposite. In fluke, he ends up in New York where, at a party on the Lower East Side, he runs into Lou Reed and they summarily hit it off and decide to write songs together. After much excitement but little success, they both head to California for a break where, after much dabbling, they wade through the West Coast's menagerie of hobbled spirituality and emerge basked in their own philosophy of love and existence.
Money spent, and with friends back east, they return to New York and begin the melding of their duel coast sound. Neil throws in his folky/rockin', emotional two cents while Lou commits his hard city livin' ethos, sweet melodies and dissonant tendencies to some pretty awesome songs that they both get excited about.
First show: a few people show up but nothing comes of it. Ok, a little set back but not much. Second show: even less people (not even friends). Third show: same. Neil and Lou address: The songs are solid pieces shifting between full on cosmic harmonic folk and jammed rockers, yet nobody seems to get them. Much moping is done until Lou has an idea.
"The problem is that we are too early. People don't get it cause they aren't there yet."
"Well, how do we get them there?" Neil queried.
"That's impossible, so we need to get to where they will understand us."
Weeks passed as Neil and Lou pondered this until one (and they still argue over who) thought about cryogenics. And so Neil and Lou were frozen until 2002 when they burst forth from their iced caskets and... well first they had to change their names and get proper identification so they could get jobs and rent apartments, but then they formed the band Akron/Family and released a slew of fine albums and most recently put out Love is Simple. It combines both's idiosyncrasies and simply sounds great. So hooray for alternative history and hooray for this new Akron/Family album!
- Kevin |
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 Amiina - Kurr (Ever)
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Amiina is back with their first full length and an extra I in their name. You might have seen them opening for Sigur Ros on their last tour as well as supporting them onstage as their string section.
These Icelandic ladies have put together another sweet collection of lullabies adorned with a slew of instruments including xylophones, bells, synths (maybe, not so sure on that one), saw, water glasses, strings and a host of other tiny charms guaranteed to bring a serene grin to ruddy cheeks. They've even added some vocals this time out! Kurr is some sweet sweet sleepy time music or perhaps music for your magical jaunt through an enchanted wood.
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Angels Of Light - We Are Him (Young God)
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An album of swelling beauty and destructive anger (or is it destructive beauty and swelling anger?), Angels of Light's We Are Him is an amalgamation of contradictions. What was to be a simple album morphed into a collaborated effort with Akron/Family, a slew of instrumentalist (check Young God website for a full list) and former members of Swans. At the helm, of course, is Michael Gira whose done projects under the nomenclature Angels of Light since '97/98 and whose forceful songwriting, when combined with some superior instrumentation, has produced the best record yet in his post-Swan career.
This album's accessibility is more in line with the split AoL did with Akron/Family rather than some of the earlier records yet all those experimental traits that make Gira's albums great are culled and rightly dispersed here. There is a minimal grandiosity in the lyrics, vocals, and music that deliver one hell of a performance that's reliant on emotion rather than excessive overdubs and other distractions bands fall for in order to fill out their sound.
At times it feels as if the songs are pulsing with an uplifting force of sheer savagery. Almost like too much is being held back by something insufficient for the job and as everything is stressed farther all you can do is follow along with its ebb and flow and hope that it will all break free. Wrap everything up in some excellent production and you've got a highly recommended AoL album by me. Ta dah!
- Kevin |
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 Antelope - Reflector (Southern)
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Urging and insistent, this is Krautrock filtered through a DC sensibility. A little post-punk danceability not cluttered with wardrobe concerns, magazine cover shoots, or overt politics. As if there wasn't enough reason to rip out DC's maddening infrastructure. This record makes it absolutely clear that the beltway should be replaced with an autobahn.
- Cole |
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 Apparat - Walls (Shitakatapult)
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If you've been waiting for the NOTWIST full length for the last 4 years then you need to pick this up because it takes that classic NOTWIST, LALI PUNA sound and actually improves upon it. APPARAT is probably best known for last year's solid duet LP Bubbles with Berlin's Ellen Allien.
Walls is essentially flawless. It has huge beats, catchy melodies, enchanting vocals, and solid solid production. It's a great summer record. I'm driving to the beach this weekend and this is bound to get a few spins. A sure contender for album of the year!
- Ian Orth |
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 Arthur & Yu - In Camera (Hardly Art)
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Offering an all too short 10 song collection of ruminations on life and love, Arthur & Yu deliver one of this years most pleasurable listens. Plenty of reverb and tambourine along with alternating male/female vocals set the tone on this mellow, hazy record. Arthur and Yu (not their real names) have an obvious affinity for late Velvet Underground, Jesus & Mary Chain's Darklands record, and some indie-pop sounds like Camera Obscura, although they never stray too far into "cute" territory like that band sometimes does. My co-worker says they remind him of a folky Vaselines. That's not too far off either. More than anything though, these two know how to write lush songs with good repeat value. If that all sounds good to you then buy this record now!
- Andy |
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 Atlas Sound - Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel (Kranky)
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Last year's Crytograms rocketed Atlanta's Deerhunter into the hearts and minds of many a hipster, trendsetter, scenester, tastemaker and critic, as well as all manner of decent people across the land. As a result 2007 became a year of nonstop touring, band lineup shakeup, controversy, speculation, blogosphere rumor and intrigue, and general kickassery. Knowing that the events of 2007 were enough to overwhelm and possibly end the career of lesser bands, the men of Deerhunter decided to put the band on hiatus. So sad.
But all is not lost! Bradford Cox of Deerhunter has released his much talked about solo project Atlas Sound. And I mean muuucchhh talked about. Geez, this record was getting internet buzz when it was no more than a seedling in Cox's brain and surely after this year's SXSW festival Cox may once again be swept up in the fever that Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel seems to be a direct response against.
Many of the textures will be familiar to fans of Deerhunter. Let the Blind Lead... is replete with drones, delay, and breathy effected vocals. Instead of the eventual driving riff born of drones comes a different beastie laced in ambience, atmospherics and memory. Your aural journey begins with a found sample of a boy telling the story of a ghost named Charlie before unraveling and reassembling layer after layer of warm remembrance leaving you in a sweet little sonic cocoon.
If anyone has a pool with a killer speaker system let me know! I want to float along to this here record.
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Au Revoir Simone - The Bird Of Music (Moshi Moshi)
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Is it just me or does a pop culture reference for a band name immediately take credibility away from a band? It just makes it that much harder for me to get into a band when I'm loading the CD and thinking they should have spent more time on the name. Do you identify that greatly with that character or scene from Pee Wee's Big Adventure? If so what does that say about you? It just puts too many preconceived notions into my head and raises too many questions before I've even heard the album. So when I do end up liking the band it's a testament to how much I like them since I went into it with a negative bias. Sorry, had to get that out.
And that's just what happened with the Au Revoir Simone record. I was skeptical at first but the triple keyboard action with simplistic programmed drums sucked me in. They remind me a Slumber Party if they went completely electronic. Sometimes more casio-y and playful sometimes more warm and nord-y the songs are sweet little early morning light flooding your bedroom ditties that can't help but make you hopeful about the day at hand. And you can dance to it too!
- Edmund LeStrange |
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Balmorhea - All is Wild, All is Silent (Western Vinyl)
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Balmorhea is an Austin six-piece band headed by co-founders Rob Lowe and Michael Muller. All Is Wild, All Is Silent is their 3rd LP in as many years. Strikingly haunting and beautiful, the group works within the minimalist framework of the post-rock movement that is so popular nowadays. Lush piano, strings, and guitar effectively paint a sonic landscape of what the band imagines some of the first European-descended settlers of Texas might have come across when they made their home in a fairly uninhabited wilderness. Indeed, the band includes text from one such settler, William B Dewees (apparently one of SFA’s Old Three Hundred), in their liner notes, in which he expounds on the rough yet wondrous quality of the land. While it seems to me that the music invokes images of West Texas like the area around Alpine and the band’s namesake rather than Washington-on-the-Brazos and East Texas, the stark beauty recalls a time where the rugged individualist could set off in adventure to unknown lands, taking in untarnished nature, and doing things their way. At least, that’s the romanticized version that plays out in my head. Hey, I can’t help it. I’m Texan.
- Matt |
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 Battles - Mirrored (Warp Records)
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A definite "supergroup" if I've ever seen one. With John Stanier (Helmet) on drums and Ian Williams (Don Cab) on guitar and Tyondai Braxton (son of jazz composer Anthony Braxton) on whatever "instrument" he plays, it's almost a pedigree. Like a dog would have. Anyway, their first release on London's Warp Records unleashes all that talent in one place. Intricate drumming and mathematical guitar work aside, this album excels in places most "instrumental" works often fail. You come away whistling not only the whistle parts but most of the guitar parts and some of the other samples and sequences. Previous releases on Dim Mak, Monitor, and Cold Sweat only hinted at what was to come. This will not leave my "cassette deck " for some time.
- Corby |
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 Belaire - Exploding Impacting (Indierect)
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The first full length from Belaire, Exploding, Impacting, does exactly that. Exploding with sweet sounding harmonies over some bright sounding synthesizers and Impacting with irresistible hooks.One listen and you will be singing along. The album holds its ground from start to finish with breakdowns reminiscent of the first Anniversary album. With Belaire working their pop song writing muscles in to over time, they still manage to keep it sweet sounding and not overbearing. The band brings a childlike simplicity to the songs as if I fell into my little sister's tea pot at one of her tea parties... Only to find that party is really popping off inside, making me never want to leave this electro-pop wonderland. This album goes as far to bridge the gap from fey indie kids to the weight lifting guy that hates when you look at his girlfriend. Top contender for my top 10 of the year
- Nate Cardaci |
 Belle and Sebastian - BBC Sessions (Matador)
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It won't take much arm twisting to get your average B&S junkie to drink this Kool-Aid, nor should it with 4 unreleased songs (in any form!). These live tracks were recorded from 1996-2001, with the aforementioned four recorded with the legendary John Peel, the last ones ever with the beloved Isobel Campbell singing. For a band that is sometimes criticized for lackluster live shows, the quality of these performances is pretty stellar. For fans this is an essential addition to their collection and for those not "in the know" this is a great overview of the first half of a great band's career. CD or 2LP(!!!)
- Colby |
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 Besnard Lakes - Are The Dark Horse (Jagjaguwar)
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Oh my! I think this is my favorite album as a whole for 2007 so far. Besnard Lakes deliver epic twilight pop drenched in atmospherics. It's rare these days to get a record that solid from start to finish like this one. Oh, I'm blissing out... Jagjaguwar keeps getting better with each release.
For fans of Sigur Ros, TV On the Radio, Arcade Fire, Julee Cruise, Canada, Beach Boys
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha (Fat Possum)
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Andrew Bird continues his shift away from the good ol' days of the Bowl Of Fire with his latest release. It's still hyper-literate but take out the Django and put in more whistling and violin loops. More like Rufus Wainwright minus the Broadway, I guess. Just listen to "heretics" and see what you think. I think It's pretty and pretty good.
- Cole |
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 Sir Richard Bishop - While My Guitar Violently Bleeds (Locust Music)
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Alternately bone dry and sopping wet guitar improv from Sir Richard Bishop who is quickly emerging as a premiere virtuoso on the instrument. The obligatory eastern mysticism from this Sun City Girl throbs with a new life both disquietingly distant and full of passion. A little good old-fashioned mind-fuckery tops this hauntingly beautiful record off and helps make it one of this year’s true stand outs.
- Paul |
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 Black Diamond Heavies - Every Damn Time (Alive Records)
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Blues with a punk edge. Sounds like something old Fat Possum would have released. I saw these guys play in Nashville two years ago and haven't forgot them. If you can see them live, go. Black Diamond Heavies will give it to you with a gritty sound and a whole lot of soul.
- Lizzy |
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 Black Lips - Good Bad Not Evil (Vice)
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Timeless straight up country tinged rock n' roll. The notorious Black Lips have mellowed or shall we say matured on Good Bad Not Evil. Perhaps due to their relentless touring off of their previous record these Atlanta boys have left behind some of their raucousness in favor of better song crafting and the creation of an incredibly tight musical unit. Terribly accessible yet still dangerous.
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation (LidKerCow)
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Hey it's a formula and its not quiet/loud! Taking a page from Pavement's book Blitzen Trapper has alternating smart aleck-jangly-sloppy-spazzy-dischordant-scratchy rockers full of time slips alongside serene-drawl infused-fluffy pop. There's even a pinch of guitar noodling to make a one time metal fan smirk and don't we love to smirk. There's even a downright porch song on this here album! With the addition of occasional in the red production, light electronics, sweet sweet vocal melodies and the hint of locations below the Mason-Dixon line, Wild Mountain Nation is sure to please.
Thanks Blitzen Trapper! You're just what I needed today.
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Blonde Redhead - 23 (4AD)
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New Blonde Redhead album! New Blonde Redhead Album!
Right out of the gate we're bathed in Kazu's ethereal vocals, reminiscent of past 4AD bands like Lush, and Amadeo riding the tremelo bar to give us some MBV woozy gaze action. It's a less visceral Blonde Redhead to be sure but no less powerful. They have continued to evolve with each album and 23 is no exception. Kazu's vocals soar more than ever before while the brothers Pace genetic advantage gives them the uncanny ability to sound far larger than the 3-piece they are.
I'm not sure if its because its been a while since Blonde Redhead has been in my rotation and I'm just excited for them to be back in my headspace but I dare say this could be the strongest of their career. I don't know, I sure do like La Mia Vita Violenta, you say. Yes, I do too. But really check this one out. Especially Publisher, its the jam!
...and they definitely still have the goods live. Check 'em out when they come through your town.
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Blood on the Wall - Liferz (Social Registry)
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Keeping the tradition of 90's indie rock alive with simple yet infectious riffs. Alternating male/female vocals. Sweet lil' ditties sandwiched between driving bass and power chord anthems. Lilting slacker screams. Apathetic wavering howls. That "phone it in" quality that you loved so much way back when. Liferz will bring lots of your old favorites to mind (as well as some guilty pleasures) but it has just enough pep to keep it fresh for the 00's. Check out "Rize" it'll get your head a bobbin'.
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Bonde Do Role - With Lasers (Domino)
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If you didn't love Brazil already, you do now. Even if you don't know it yet. I bet you didn't know Brazilians were your favorite people in the world, did you? I don't care if you hate soccer and waxing your business. Listen to "Solta o Frango" and "Marina Gasolina" and tell me you haven't changed your mind. No, really. Just listen to it. If you're not running around naked by the end of it I'll give you a high five.
Seriously though, Bonde Do Role are about to blow up like Mentos dropped in a Coke bottle. They've taken hair metal and traditional Brazilian music, the two goopiest, cheesiest genres ever, sewn them together and took them clubbing. Other than your hungover roommate, nobody doesn't like Bonde (and, aside from the words "office boy" and a few lines in "Gasolina", the whole album is in Portuguese! Wow!). How many bands do you listen to that are awesome sitting at home with your dog and the best you've ever danced to? I bet you a dollar you never thought kazoos and a drumline would sound so ass-shakingly awesome. And I bet you also didn't notice how "Danca do Zumbi" is satisfied with being a bad Spinal Tap rip-off, and two tracks later "James Bonde" is all South America-ed out with horns and stuff. Right? Am I right? Of course I'm right. You owe me a dollar. Now, if we're done here, I'm going to go shimmy and wear my shiny gold high heels. See you in the grocery store.
- Tessa |
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 Boredoms - Super Roots 7 (Vice Records)
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While every volume of the newly re-issued Super Roots Series is worth picking up, Super Roots 7 is as good an entry point as any. The focal point of this 33 minute "ep" is the 21 minute track "7", which offers the first glimpse of the trance-inducing, neo-psychedelic motorik approach that made their albums "Super ae" and "Vision Creation Newsun" so amazing. The two remixes by Boredom's own Eye, show the band in a comparatively mellow state, while it is clear that they were continuing to experiment and try out new approaches. This is a must have!
- Andy |
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 Robert Calvert - Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters (Eclectic Discs)
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So it's 1974 and your time as sometime vocalist and "resident poet" of British spacerock juggernauts, Hawkwind, feels like it's about played itself out. What's to do? How about get a bunch of friends together (including the bulk of Hawkwind, Brian Eno, Arthur Brown, and Twink) and release a concept album loosely based on the purchase – and its subsequent controversy – by the German military of a US made jetfighter nicknamed by German public "the widowmaker."
Not as forthrightly psychedelic as Hawkwind, Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters is nonetheless and wild ride of chugging guitar, atmospheric effects, and spacey freak-outs peppered throughout by amusing spoken/acted interludes telling the story of a German military unscrupulously pressured into buying a notoriously difficult aircraft in a bid to revive past glories.
Calvert recorded two records before returning to Hawkwind in 1976 the second being Lucky Lief and the Longships, another concept album, this time about a Viking colonization of America. Both have finally been released under the auspices of UK based Eclectic Discs and German label SPV in brand new digitally remastered versions featuring at least a few bonus tracks each. Though mostly clouded in obscurity, whether you're a fan of Hawkwind or just creative, arty, articulate rock, Calvert deserves an ear.
- Doug |
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 Castanets - In The Vines (Asthmatic Kitty)
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Raymond Raposa returns with his 3rd and possibly finest record under the moniker Castanets. His unique brand of dark folk is replete with melancholy instrumentation accented by eerie atmospherics and his desperately breathy delivery. In The Vines is perhaps his most solid from a songwriting standpoint but it's a slow burner, it won't grab you the way Cathedral did. But if you're up for the slow introspective ride you can't miss with this record. Stick with it; the later half of the record really shines albeit more of a glimmering in the dead of night. Three Months Paid destroys.
His rotating cast of band mates continues with assistance from Jana Hunter and Sufjan Stevens amongst others.
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Cat Power - Jukebox (Matador)
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Is this the new Cat Power? Is this the way it's going to be from now on? If so, I don't mind. With 2006's The Greatest, she showed the world a more confident and sultry side. I can't help but think of Dusty Springfield. Sorry, somebody had to say it. With the latest release, Jukebox, I have to wonder, is this her now? The disturbed and frightened girl has completely left her voice. This being an almost completely covers album makes you think, contractual obligation? Cop out? Not at all! This is a beautiful, completely original perspective on some of her seemingly favorite songs.
It's 10 covers to be exact. Along with two of her own: a reworked "Metal Heart" and one completely new song. The deluxe, limited edition version even includes a bonus disc with 5 more covers. There's no need to compare any of these to the originals. They're not so much covers as they are interpretations. My personal favorites are "Silver Stallion" (a Highwaymen song for cryin' out loud) and Aretha, "Sing One For Me." Beyond confident, she shows us a wisdom and depth unheard in the previous, The Covers Record, in previous records period.
If you want the old Cat Power, listen to old Cat Power. She's going somewhere different now and maybe she'd like you to come along.
- Jessie |
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 Centro-Matic - Operation Motorcide EP (Houston Party)
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A little something extra to hold you for now, all you weary and wounded. Texas' (or at least my) favorite sons have more aces up their sleeves. They have given us eight more songs out of the 200 Will probably wrote last year and once again their extras are better than most bands' "A" game. You know that one friend you have that you can count on no matter what? If that guy was a band he would be Centro-Matic
- Cole |
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 !!! (Chk Chk Chk) - Myth Takes (Warp Records)
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Chk Chk Chk create a cheerfully dancable album in Myth Takes. The Brooklynites infuse groove, funk, and rhythm in this their second album. The tracks are heavy on bass and feature either deep sexy vocals or hypnotic falsetto harmonies. If you're into The Rapture and Radio 4, you'll like this one. I'm a girl who likes a little pop in my rock. Myth Takes does it for me.
- Lizzy |
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 Code Of Honor - Complete Studio Recordings 1982-1984 (Subterranean Records)
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Finally, somebody releases a comp for one of the greatest yet relatively unknown Socal punk bands ever. Code of Honor was the soundtrack to my 80's skateboarding fantasy-adventure and this cd compiles all of their releases. The music is tight and the rhetoric still rings fairly true. And check out that cover - those boards are like a foot wide. There's an original Jay Smith and two of the boards have copers on 'em. Nobody uses those anymore. We used to make them out of PVC so we could bust insanely long and smooth grinds on the pool coping. Why do halfpipes have the round lip at the top? Because pools do, that's why.
- Corby |
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 Ned Collette - Jokes and Trials (Dot Dash)
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Desperate and pastoral. Nostalgic and sweet. Jokes and Trials is a remarkable debut from Australian Ned Collette. The album, laced with just the right amounts of reverb and pedal steel, is predominantly acoustic with muted tones and a vocal palette that shows just enough restraint to lull you into pensive autumnal bliss. Plus there's an added bonus of an outright drone jam with "Heaven's the Key." Curl up or take a nice drive with this fine record.
For fans of David Kilgour, Nick Drake, Robert Wyatt, John Wolfington, and good music in general
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Eric Copeland - Hermaphrodite (Paw Tracks)
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Looking to pick up that new Black Dice record? Well, you'd be amiss not grab Eric Copeland's recent solo outing as well. Sounding more along the lines of his Terrestrial Tones project with Animal Collective's Avey Tare, Hermaphrodite glistens and shines with cut after cut of infectious sound collages that keep revealing more of themselves with each listen. Shying away from the kind of claustrophobic noise that characterizes much of Black Dice's output (brilliant as it is), this record actually hints at an underlying pop sensibility.
- Andy |
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 Rob Crow - Living Well (Temporary Residence)
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 Other Men -Wake Up Swimming (Robcore)
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I think Rob Crow now has his own branch on Indie Rock's Family Tree. He and Bob Bert (Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, Bewitched, Chrome Cranks, Knoxville Girls, Action Swingers, Intl Shades) and maybe David Pajo (Slint, Tortoise, Palace, Aerial M, Papa M, Royal Trux, Stereolab) are among the few who should have one. But Bob Bert was a drummer. And as we all know drummers can be kinda... well you know... slutty. Rob on the other hand, chooses his partners carefully. Pajo was a little closer to what Rob Crow is becoming. Thingy, Heavy Vegetable, The Ladies and Pinback are just a few of Mr Crow's repetoire. But his latest releases under his own name, and a release by one of his old bands under a new name, are bringing me the most joy at the moment. Rob's latest from Temporary Residence called Living Well is a warm, cohesive effort to bring one voice to his many endeavors. And it succeeds on many levels, not least of which is pure unadulterated melodic bliss. While the underlying emotions run the gamut, Crow brings it all to a shiny/bouncy head with tight production. A great pop record to say the least (that happened not to leave my "iPod" for at least a month).
Rob's other recent release is Other Men Wake Up Swimming from his new label/imprint Robcore. This is literally his old band Heavy Vegetable, under a new name. It's a wonderfully mathy affair with Crow supplying the vocals and bass to a record that could be a Pinback record in another universe. Maybe one where Robert Smith was still vital, instead of slated to do a duet with Ashlee Simpson.
- Corby |
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 Datarock - Self Titled (Nettwerk)
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This finally sees a domestic release. Hallelujah. The Europeans have been eating this up for at least the past two years, but that just goes to show how good the songs are.
Datarock is the perfect music for the summer. Fun. Quirky. Silly. Danceable. A little bit disco. A little bit Rock n Roll. They wear matching track suits when they play live and have a song that's about making a girlfriend at summer camp for computer gaming nerds... Commodore 64 anyone?
- Ian Orth |
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 Dan Deacon - Spiderman Of The Rings (Carpark)
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Oh man! You know when there are too many Christmas lights piggybacked on top of each other with frayed cords in an overloaded outlet that is moments away from a meltdown? Sure Christmas could be ruined but it looks sooo good! You know that tree is gonna burn but what a sight to behold. Well, it comes to mind while listening to this...
Baltimore composer/performance artist Dan Deacon unleashes Spiderman Of The Rings, his first proper release on Carpark Records. The album shifts between layers of noise with pitch shifting vocoder, playful casios and cartoon samples to gentle delayed xylophone and warm organ pulses creating pleasant analog soundscapes. Between the noise and soundscapes there are some jams like Okie Dokie that are sure to inject some life back into the party!
Somewhere between Mum, Joe Meek, Mark Mothersbaugh, Causey Way and video games on ecstasy or maybe Clara Rockmore on acid? I don't know. Have fun with it and then go see him live... if only he would play at Toy Joy...
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Deerhunter - Fluorescent Grey EP (Kranky)
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A few short months after the release of Cryptograms Deerhunter returns with an even stronger albeit briefer effort. There aren't the meandering atmospheric explorations that graced Cryptograms. But how could there be? This is an EP, we gots to gets down to business toot sweet.
This is exactly what an EP should be: short, sweet and leaving you desperate for more. 16 minutes of pure listening pleasure.
So much so that I can't seem to muster a proper review for it.
- Edmund LeStrange |
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 Devastations - Yes, U (Beggar's Banquet)
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With Black Heart Procession being a bit of a let down at the moment I've been searching hard for something to replace their huge hole. I found it with Devastations, but I can barley cram them in there, they fill it just fine, but the hole now looks more like a fat person in skinny pants, you know, sort of like a cup cake.
Yes,U is so haunting it is breathtaking. The songs are dark, slow, and remind me of the week I spent in that Chinese Opium den. Album opener "Black Ice" is the most lethargic disco burner I have heard in months, and actually mixes perfectly into Leonard Cohens "Waiting for a Miracle" and that's a good thing, a damn good thing.
Devastations isn't a "disco" band though, and "Black Ice" is the only track like it on the album, the rest of the tracks remind me of the first Calla record, which is also a good thing as that record got me through my junior year of college.
The press sheet that came with the promo for this was kind of funny, but it makes sense and I'm sure once you read what I'm about to tell you, you'll probably come out and buy the album as well. Ready... Devastations is one of Karen O's favorite bands. Bam! There it is, and now you and her have something in common you can talk about next time you see her.
- Ian Orth |
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 Devin The Dude - Waiting To Inhale (Rap-A-Lot)
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What's there to say about Devin The Dude that hasn't been said already? I'm not sure, and I probably wouldn't be the one to say it, but what I will say is that this record has not come out of my cd player (and iTunes, and iPod, and myspace) in a while. The themes are all there: Women, Weed, Booze, being Broke, Being a lover and Being a loser. Devin reminds me of a hip hop version of Bukowski (minus the violence), and I love Bukowski. Maybe that's why months after this has hit the shelves I'm still listening to it. The whole cd is also worth it to hear Snoop's first good rhyme in who knows how long (along with Andre3000 on the same song). Where as most rappers glorify them self's with how much money they have, how many women they have, and what ever else they have, Devin takes the opposite approach and rhymes about how hard it is to survive. And for the first time in a while, I believe a musician.
- Adam |
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 Digitalism - Idealism (Astralwerks)
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It's like imagine if a band was all like dancy and loved to put layers of delay on their arpeggiated "synths" and created this sort of hybrid post-Daft Punk dance pop record with chunky distorted bass lines. When they play live the strobe lights will love them and the fog machines will love them and the kids will dance and do things their parents forbid until early in the morning.
- Ian Orth |
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 Dr. Dog - We All Belong (Park The Van)
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It isn't often I fall for a band my own age, but when I do I fall hard. Such is the case with Dr. Dog. They came into my life one hung-over Saturday morning at Waterloo and have been true ever since. With We All Belong Dr. Dog deliver what they do best - catchy lo-fi pop tunes with sing-along choruses and tankard swinging tempos.
The LP sounds as though it was recorded one night after last orders and the raw honesty of their songs brings long overdue soul to a market over saturated with pretence and irony. Dr. Dog are not afraid to have fun and put their heart on the line which is all I've ever wanted from a man, er I mean band.
- Linda |
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