Apples in Stereo - Her Wallpaper Reverie
I would often hear "Strawberryfire" on my local college radio station (RIP) and marvel at the LSD-style Beatles influence that was present. The album is old news to most Apples in Stereo fans, as it was released in 1999, but has certainly stood the test of time. Most of the collection are just song snippets intertwined with the sugary pop style you expect from AIS but the whole thing certainly doesn't sound dated in any way. If you're unfamiliar, get it.. if not, well, you're a luckier individual than I for being familiar with it already.
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Rachel's - Music for Egon Schiele
Apparently these guys are described as a post-rock band but given my limited listening experience, I'm not sure how that is possible. Maybe that's the only term that exists for contemporary classical style music that is intentionally sparse in its execution? Whatever the term may be, this record is haunting, sad and captivating for it.
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Menomena - I Am The Fun Blame Monster B-Sides
The first album of Menomena remains my favorite era of the band. It had a bit more of a rocking edge to it and the production was a bit crappier than it is now, a perfect fit for what they were doing. While I understand these songs were cut for a reason - and rightfully so, the album wouldn't have worked as well with them - they still fill that part of my aural brain that loves their production values. Definitely a Must Procure for the Menomena completionist.
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Frank LoCrasto - El Dorado
There are some records that should be described as "Morning Albums" - best experienced when just waking up and getting about your day. These albums make your day better by starting them off right. They're quiet, textured and while they never demand your attention they get it just by their very existence. El Dorado falls into that category perfectly. It can (and should) be listened to at other times with equal enjoyment but it feels just right at the start of your day.
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Thee More Shallows - Book of Bad Breaks Demos
So perfect. If you have not had the chance to enjoy The Book of Bad Breaks, get that first, fall in love with it and enjoy it for a few months. Then get this and relive the whole thing again. Its rare to experience a record that is both familiar and entirely new. I don't know if I'd say it's better per se, just different. Equally enjoyable.
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White Denim - D
Love it when a band makes a slow progression through various styles and sounds without losing their original charm. While the energy and enthusiasm of the first records is definitely still present here it's a lot less manic and frantic. The underlying 70's rock vibe still persists ever so subtly but it's more breezy this go around. In the end, it's proof that quality rock records can still exist. Oh, and it's got a flute solo that actually works - who knew that was even possible?
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Pete and The Pirates - One Thousand Pictures
If Pete and The Pirates had a different (better) band name they would likely get a ton more credit for writing the phenomenal songs that they do. I adored their first record and was highly skeptical that they could keep the same balance of energetic rock songs soaked with a wash of melancholy but, much to my pleasant surprise, they absolutely did. The guitars are big, the lyrics are clever, the songs memorable - everything a good Rock Song should be.
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Todd Rundgren - Something Anything
If you treated this as a 25-track record it would be overwhelming. However, if you treat it as it was intended - as four conceptually theme records meant for each side of the vinyl it's quite consumable. And, frankly, Rundgren is awesome. As I am sure you are aware there are so many great pop songs on here and plenty of weirdo tracks as well - I mean, Sounds of Studio is legendary, right?
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Plone - For Beginner Piano
Fun, interesting electronic music that seems to have some deep influences from the original keyboard fiddlers of the 50's and 60's. There's a notably darker vibe to this album than what they were doing (at least in the front half) but the sense of exploration, the tones and sometimes downright silliness is spot on. I'd say that one day this album would be a crate digger; a gem to be unearthed at random at some record story - but I think it already is. Get it.
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Mutual Benefit - Mutual Spirits
More lovely lo-fi from Mutual Benefit. The handclap percussion is particularly enjoyable. Always good for a laid back listen.
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JEFF the Brotherhood - We Are The Champions
JEFF is, maybe unfortunately for them, one of those bands that really only begins to make sense after you've seen them live. The album is a great rip roaring batch of simple jams but it may not register just WHY it's so great until you see the duo crank them out live. There's a Ramones-esque simplicity to their delivery but that's the charm.
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Henry Wolfe - Linda Vista
Do you like Dent May? Would you like to hear a slightly less zany version? Then Henry Wolfe is your new jam. That's actually an unfair and oversimplified comparison but it gives you a starting point. The album is poppy but languid on the whole. Great instrumentation throughout and an easy listen. Enjoyed.
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Quichenight - Quichenight I
If we're being honest, I absolutely love the track 'Does Cilantro Taste Like Soap?' and the rest of the album is OK. That track is so catchy and enjoyable that it's sometimes hard to compare the rest of the record to its goodness. On the whole, it's a fun lo-fi undertaking from a promising Nashville band.
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Man Man - Life Fantastic
Man Man is one of those bands that may offer up too much of a good thing. I love their 2006 'Six Demon Bag' and, for whatever reason, glossed over the follow-up. Both were filled with crazy sea-shanties and the same ridiculous energy but I loved one and not the other. Life Fantastic is much the same; great variety of instrumentation, a pirate undertone throughout and a general Craze to the album. A mad man's ranting through song. Maybe I just like every OTHER Man Man album and this is the proof to the rule.
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Panda Bear - Tomboy
I think I have listened to this three times. That, in and of itself, should be enough of a review. I'm not really compelled by it or drawn in by much of it. I think it's a solid release and will please the Animal Collective diehards. I can't even say it's all that different from Person Pitch (on the surface) but I just haven't been engrossed by it yet. Blame it on Internet overload, or overhype, or maybe it just met my expectations too perfectly. Or maybe I just need to spend more time with it..
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We Are Trees - Girlfriend
The Grizzly Bear / Daniel Rossen comparison is probably entirely unfair to this band who have created two perfect EPs full of forelorn pop songs but it can't be avoided. He really does sound just like Rossen (at least, the way your brain remembers Rossen sounding if you haven't listened to GB in awhile). So, it's unfair but it's a helluva comparison to have in your pocket.. flattering and deserved.
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Here We Go Magic - January EP
Every release from this band seems to differ just a little bit from the prior. A bit more accessible, a bit more upfront about itself. However, they manage to maintain the weirdness, the great keyboard sounds and the ability to zone out into realms of space throughout.
To me, this is the perfect Warm Summer Nights compilation of songs.
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Wye Oak - Civilian
There was a time in my life that I would have said that acts fronted by women did not appeal to me. I know that sounds sexist or short-sighted or whatever - but it's not. I know they are every bit as
capable of making great music, it just rarely strikes me in the same way.
However, Wye Oak proves that I've emerged from that cave of thinking. This album absolutely could not be achieved with the same effectiveness if the vocals were male. There's a nice restraint to the album - even when it's forceful, it's holding back perfectly. Recommended for anyone that likes Beach House but always wanted a little more punch.
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Eureka Gold - Land of Imaginary Suffering
I was bummed when I heard that Eureka Gold broke-up because I had listened to their debut album more times than I could count. Fortunately, the members of the band went on to form a plethora of other great projects but nothing ever grabbed me in quite the same way as EG. Turns out, they maybe didn't break up - they recorded another album and have now released it on the world. Will they play live shows? Probably not. Will they record more? I hope so. Long story short, if you're into clever-y written, intricate, catchy, pop with the right amount of melancholy songs - this is for you. I'd venture to say it's for everybody.
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Paul McCartney - RAM
WTF is wrong with me having not really listened to this in its entirety before? I am embarrassed to even list it here as a new procurement. Long story short, it's awesome. Doi.
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Norm - Norm
I try not to review local music as if it were any different from any other music but Norm is the new undertaking of a local musician Dave Paulson, whom I've always respected his output. So, I can't say what it's like to approach this without any knowledge of his prior undertakings but I will say that it's a great taste of what he's capable of. I wish there were more upbeat tracks because "Wasted" is one of those tracks I'm likely tempted to just leave on repeat.. be nice to balance that out with another track. The other tracks are quite nice too but I'm a sucker for a perfect uptempo pop-rock track.
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Alex Turner - Submarine OST
Oddly, in the context of the film these songs can be a little distracting because they are so lyrically heavy and up-front. However, outside of the film they serve as a great reminder of the overall tone. I'm not going to say it couldn't be played during any melancholy scene of your favorite indie movie of the past ten years but that doesn't mean it's not good. Reminds me of quiet summer nights just staring out, lost in your brain.
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COOLRUNNINGS - Dracula Is Only The Beginning
I posted about these guys on the blog so you may have already read my bit of gushing here. Honestly this falls into a category of music that I have seen take off only since Internet distribution has become so popular. It's kind of lo-fi, lots of looping, kind of ambient, kind of dancey, vaguely weird, etc... as if Panda Bear were a genre. Fortunately these guys remembered to infuse their rock roots as well and it hits home just right for my ears.
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Mean Lady - Kid Friendly
Caught a rather alluring video for "Far Away" on youtube and snagged this EP afterwards. Surprisingly, it delivers on a number of levels. It is, on the whole, a bit of ambient, very relaxed, slightly lo-fi arrangement with some not-at-all-aggravating female vocals mixed in.. but it's also got a random dose of pure pop to it as well. I'm into it.
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Jim Guthrie - Sword and Sorcery LP
Typically if I were recommending a soundtrack to a video game I'd be fairly cautious about who I suggested it to. There's an immediate bit of judgment that comes with being associated with a video game; a Less Than mentality that makes enjoyment tougher than usual when trying something new out. However, I'm going to go ahead and shout from the rooftops that anyone that enjoys an epic tune with some haunting undertones.. one that never goes too over the top... should procure this. I've listened to the music more than I've even played the game; so it's not about an association you may not have. Probably top 10 of the year.
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