Generationals - Actor-Caster
Much like the first Generationals record this is going to have to grow on me. I slept on the first one for awhile but came around to it. The vibe from the first record remains, so there's no reason not to equally enjoy this one. They seem to have stepped away from some of the more obvious doo-wop influences but it's still solid. I have yet to discover the real JAM on the record (see: When They Fight, They Fight from the first record) but there's goodness here. Just keep listening.
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Those Darlins - Screws Get Loose
I think this band probably gets pigeonholed into being quirky country-fueled music from three rambunctious girls (and a quality drummer) but, honestly, it's just great rock songs. There may be a country twinge here and there but it's a rock record. I love that, lyrically, it comes from an empowered female angle - not something you hear too often - but it's not offputting. It's fun, it's catchy and it's the kind of thing I'd like to hear more bands doing - writing solid songs.
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TV Girl - EP
The onslaught of music that the Internet has unleashed has an interesting double edge sword effect. On the one side, you get to hear about small San Diego bands making great, dance-y, 80's influenced but not derivative pop songs with great guitar tones in small batches like this EP. On the other hand, when word gets around about how enjoyable it is, the pressure is on to create an equally compelling long form undertaking. This is not an easy task to accomplish. I'm loving what I'm hearing from TV Girl and I hope they can keep it up.
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The Zombies - Odessey and Oracle
Embarrassingly enough, I'd never heard this in its entirety until very recently. I'd heard it described as the Perfect example of late 60's psychedelic pop and I feared that hearing the whole thing would be a disappointment from such a grand claim.Turns out there was no reason to be worried. Top to bottom, this is phenomenal.
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Small Faces - Ogden's Nut Gone Flake
Small Faces is one of those bands that I've heard the name murmured for years but never actually known where to start with them. With a recommendation from Kurt I dove headfirst into this gem and am now quite anxious to know what other goods to investigate. In terms of quintessential 60's pop-rock bands, this one has everything you need in spades. Great guitar tones, the familiar production of the era, great energy and a bit of ridiculousness (see: the 19-minute Happiness Stan epic).
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The Strokes - Angles
This is how far behind I am in my music reviews.. just now reviewing this. Pretty much all of my friends expressed a lot of disappointment in this record and I don't get it. Granted, it's not as good as their first or second albums but, taken on its own, it has some great moments. The band is certainly capable of better but I like it.. maybe not an essential item for the record collection but enjoyment comes from listening.
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Danger Beach - Milky Way
If you're into the lo-fi instrumental bedroom musings, this is likely for you. Honestly, I was pulled in by the Apache song that's been making the rounds (the one with the great video, look it up). The rest of the record has similar moments throughout. Fun, quick, listen. Get it (it's free).
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Ghost Baby - The Rise and Fall Of
Of the three post-Creeper Lagoon releases from Ian Sefchick this is easily my favorite of the bunch. This is odd as these songs are considered b-sides, demos and older songs. It probably doesn't hurt that a few of the songs were floating around during the Creeper Lagoon hey-day and, thus, evoke many of the things I loved about that band. Long story short, for $7 - you should enjoy these little indie pop diddies.. even if they are 'incomplete.'
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Dodos - No Color
Much like the Devotchka album, Dodos never deviate too far from the sound you expect of them. However, that sound is unique and easily the most sublime balance of pop music and a heavy sullen undertone. Additionally, the integration of Neko Case is perfect and a welcome addition - despite some trepidation from the masses about her usage.
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Autolux - Bouncing Wall EP
New Autolux music without a multi-year gap between releases? I'll take it. If you're a completionist you, obviously, must get this. The remixes are interesting but, on the whole, it's about the two included b-sides. Census is what I'd file under Classic Autolux.
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Monster Rally - Coral
This was released back in January and I've been listening to it through the past few cold months and it's infuriating. The music within these sixteen songs embody summer entirely. There's something very breeze-y and beach-y about it (though not, at all, in that indie Pitchfork band kinda way). This is backdrop music for sitting by a pool, an ocean or body of water of your choice. I will go ahead and promise this wil be listened to with regularity through August without a second thought.
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Gruff Rhys - Hotel Shampoo
I'll be honest, I have procured this record through questionable means. It's not that I didn't think I'd love it but it wasn't out yet and I couldn't stop myself from hearing it immediately. As soon as the vinyl is released in May I will purchase it and wear the grooves out. Much like the previous album, Gruff reminds me of Beck - a fusion of so many things at once but never alarming and
always wrapped in a perfect pop song presentation. Sadly, I doubt this will get the recognition it deserves but I implore anyone who reads this to get the album. Legally.
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Devotchka - 100 Lovers
I have three other DeVotchKa albums. Aside from their awkward capitalization, I've always enjoyed it. I am told that this new record is a bit of a departure for them - a more accessible sound for a wider audience. Personally, it sounds like same ole Devotchka to me. However, don't take that as a slight! Their fusion of world influences, folk music and a dash of rock hasn't worn out its welcome and I enjoy hearing it every time.
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NOI - Seven
Nashville is not known to be a breeding ground for music outside of the country or singer-songwriter realm. We've been making huge steps lately in breaking that trend but when you think about post-rock endeavors, you still don't imagine Nashville. NOI could easily help you break that mentality. Quality, solid, rock done with just the right balance of quiet, loud.
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Jean Michel Jarre - Equinox
You know those ambient electronic records from the late 70's that sort of fit neatly into the niche you imagine they'd sound like? Sort of like if someone asked you what Yanni sounded like but you hadn't actually
heard Yanni... could you still make an educated guess? Yea, this is like that.
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Gruff Rhys - Candylion
I've been so enamored with the bits of the second Gruff Rhys album that it occurred to me that I had never heard his FIRST record; a problem I rectified immediately. I feel the fool for having passed over it for so long. Smart pop music.. sort of like what Beck does - playful, smart, remorseful at times, genre blending and just great to listen to. I earn an additional 10 Dummy Points for just now coming to this conclusion.
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Grouplove - Grouplove
Right off the bat this has elements to it that remind me of Tim Fite, particularly in the vocal department. There's something snide and crackly going on that you'd think is off-putting but it's quite engaging. The lead off track explodes into a huge chorus and guitar explosion - wild abandon I like to call it. Good, solid, rock music has become such a rarity in my listenings these days and this is quite a refreshing excursion.
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Telekinesis - 12 Desperate Straight Lines
I hope I'm wrong on this but Telekinesis seems like one of those bands that doesn't get the recognition they deserve. Their whole sound rides the perfect balance between melancholy and upbeat pop. I am a sucker for this combination; especially when done this well. I often get bummed out on the state of indie rock and what bands get showcased by the likes of Pitchfork / blogosphere.. so it's nice to see a legit pop-rock band like this plowing through and making another incredibly solid release.
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Radiohead - The King of Limbs
This is one of those times when having comments on this portion of the site would be interesting because I am totally baffled by why people lose their minds over Radiohead. This album is, as far as I can tell, yet another release of the exact same style that they've been doing for the past five records. For a band that is heralded as being so revolutionary with their sound they aren't exactly pushing themselves much further anymore. I guess I'm part of that snobby indie rock set that will always think OK Computer and The Bends are their best work. I am not a member of the Radiohead Cult and am really starting to wonder why anyone is. This album certainly isn't bad but I feel like I've heard it many times over at this point; continuously rehashing familiar territory.
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Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die But You Will
Mogwai will never re-invent their own wheel. They've got a style and sound that they embrace wholeheartedly and I wouldn't want it any other way. They do the post-rock quiet-to-loud thing better than anyone else in my opinion. I'm a big fan of when they allow their loud moments to get very loud - i.e. Glasgow Mega-Snake - but they never cut quite that loose on this one. It's a solid, quality, enjoyable Mogwai release but I do wish for just a little more of an onslaught somewhere in there.
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Jay Reatard - Watch Me Fall
Having listened to Blood Visions countless times I decided that anything else available from Jay Reatard would be too caustic, lo-fi or steeped in punk for me. That may be true of the earlier work but Watch Me Fall is pretty much an exact continuation of Blood Visions - same energy, same appreciation for melody hidden beneath the aggression.
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Pavement - Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
Up until this point I've never owned anything from Pavement beyond Brighten The Corners. For whatever reason I was struck to investigate their back catalog a little bit. I always assumed Pavement to be joke-y but not quite as obviously joke-y as a band like TMBG. I stand by that assumption but I think I get the joke more now than I would have as a teen when this first came out. In other words, I couldn't have appreciated this until now. It reeks of mid-90's production but in a pleasantly nostalgic way. I'm glad I finally came around to it.
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Millionyoung - Replicants
There's an odd mixture to this record - alarmingly smooth and somewhat new school electronic. Lots of blips and bloops but loads of thick bass lines, funky guitars and atmospheric vocals. Like a drug trip on a beach. It doesn't always hit the mark perfectly but when it does, it's quite nice. The mellower songs are the stronger ones without a doubt.
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Tristen - Charlatans at the Garden Gate
Honestly, having heard these songs for years in a live setting it did take some getting used to their alternate presentation on this debut full-length album but since I was already so familiar with the basic structures I couldn't help but be drawn in. I've always loved her clever lyrics and that hasn't changed a bit here. I certainly consider myself a big fan through and through but feel compelled to convince you to see her live to really GET it.. the energy is too perfect.
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Nick Drake - Five Leaves Left
After my complete enjoyment of Bryter Layter I had a decision to make.. investigate the follow-up or go back and hear the foundation works. I chose the later and couldn't be more pleased. The same sullen vibe exists here and I imagine throughout his entire body of work. It's interesting to hear this and imagine the influence it has had on more contemporary bands. I can hear traces of lots of bands that I like now (i.e. Midlake) but none of them come close to the quality of his voice, the tension, the emptiness or the perfect pace of it all.
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