Big Black Delta - EP1
I know absolutely nothing about Mellowdrone; the band that preceded the existence of Big Black Delta. So, I can give no comparison to how this measures up, how it is different or where it might be headed. I can say that it is an EP consisting of two big rock tracks steeped in thick electronic sounds, one song of glitchy atmospheric mess, one ultra pleasant, lulling, string filled journey and a final track that sounds like what it will be like when every electronic device on the planet shuts off. All and all, a project to keep an ear on.
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Y La Bamba - Lupon
I saw these guys play in a little restaurant in Portland one time and it stuck with me how every band member seemed to be glowing in each others presence. Even the saddest, heart-wrenching, songs were being performed with a passion for it. Lupon is, on the whole, a pretty quiet stroll of a record. It has moments where it opens up (Juniper) but it mostly sounds like a moment in quiet little restaurant with friends enjoying their creations. A bit hippy of a review? Yea, probably so but it fits. A pleasant, melancholy, listen.
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FOPS - Yeth Yeth Yeth
I loved Thee More Shallows - mostly for the dark undertones of the music and the dryness of Dee Kesler's voice. FOPS is much the same, dark yet pop based songs with Dee Kesler narrating along. There's a quality to the instruments and production that is well done but never slick; a grit that is tough to properly explain. I keep going back to this album and enjoying it more each time.
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Sharon Van Etten - Epic
I met Sharon Van Etten at a party one time, long before I'd heard any music from her. Some friends of mine gushed afterwards that she was a phenomenal songwriter and had a pained voice that's a rarity to encounter. Months later, and still skeptical, I checked out Epic. I am happy to admit that my friends were right; she's great. Her songs are straightforward, sparse and simple without lacking and her voice is burdened, honest and alluring. There's a particular pain to her voice; likely stemming from the songs being born of actual experience, and there's a powerful human connection that comes with that.
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Grandfather - Why I'd Try
I assume most people checked these guys out because they were mentioned in an interview with Steve Albini about their recording methodology and how they were doing things the right way. I respect them for that right out of the gate but still wanted to see what was going on with the actual music. Turns out, it's reminiscent of a lot of music with a darker, tension filled edge. I can think of plenty of Dischord comparisons that would be apt without being the least bit insulting. I tend to prefer the first half of the record where the energy of the songs is released immediately and relentless moving forward. The second half tends to build much more slowly before exploding. On the whole, worth checking out and keeping an eye on them.. they are, after all, doing things the right way.
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Javelin - No Mas
I think I have listened to this exactly two times. There's no reason for that - it's actually an interesting record. Plenty of weird atmospheric soundscapes, dance-y beats mixed in, found sounds, loads of different 70's influences, etc. Not sure what my problem is - I'm intrigued by this but just haven't spent much time with it. Worst review ever or most telling review?
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Superchunk - Majesty Shredding
I missed the boat on Superchunk during my college years. Either I'm a little too young or just a little too ignorant (or both) but we just never crossed paths. So, with that in mind, I can't really say how this fits into the bands overall career or how it's a return to form or how majestic it is for them to put this out. I just simply don't know. What I do know is that if you like catchy rock songs there really isn't a better cure for what ails you than this. I can't help but hear major mid-90's execution here but, at this point, that's no longer a bad thing but more of an uplifting nostalgic feeling.
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Telekinesis - Parallel Seismic Conspiracies
I love the self-titled record from these guys - so good, so underappreciated. This new EP continues the same style - sweet pop songs with somewhat melancholy vocals (one of my favorite combos) - but it acts as more of a holdover for the next full-length. It's a Tour EP. It has good songs but it's short and leaves you wanting a little more. If you're a fan already, get it. If you're new to them, get the existing full-length.
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Jasmin Kaset - Hell and Half of Jordan
Usually when a local Nashville band releases a record I know a little something about them before diving in. Not so much with Jasmin Kaset - I had no expectations in terms of songwriting or recording quality. Pleasantly, she delivers on all cylinders. The songs feel like the intimacy of a singer-songwriter type but delivered with enticing harmonies, dark guitars, brooding building arcs and just the right amount of catchy. The short running time (19 minutes) seems like a bummer on the surface but, honestly, it's the perfect amount to make you want to re-listen and re-listen.
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White Denim - Last Days of Summer
I'll let you in a secret - I always think I know what to expect from White Denim and they almost always surprise me. So, when they release a record of odds and ends (for free no less) I had no idea what I was getting into. Turns out, it's mostly a balance of their frantic energy from the first record and the drawn out jam-y nature of the second; with a heavy dose of 70's style pop rock thrown in. That is to say, it's incredibly pleasant and enjoyable. These guys have a slickness that is lost in the manic energy of the live show.. I will probably listen to this record 100 times without realizing it. Tony Fatti is my jam.
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No Age - Everything In Between
More accessible than the previous undertakings and adopting a few more traditional pop pinnings (like vocals you can vaguely understand). Best listened to loud and in its entirety. It drags in parts and probably won't be listened to all that regularly but I do like it when it comes on. I'd love to see this live - as I bet it makes your ears bleed.
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Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
Deerhunter will never top Microcastle in terms of instant appeal and personal appeal to my heart. Comparing one record to another is totally unfair but I had to get that out of the way. Halcyon Digest is farther out there - slower builds, more atmospheric, less direct but still captivating. Much of that, for me, has to do with the believability of the forelorn and detached vocals. Deerhunter is one of those bands, like Arcade Fire or LCD Soundsystem, that seems like there is indie judgement for liking them - as if it is too obvious of a choice but, frankly, it's damn good and worth every ounce of praise it receives. Heavy rotation.
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Heartbeater - Slow Waves
Nashville natives debut full-length. Much of the sound reminds me of late 90's indie rock bands; particularly the production. The songs have a great energy to them and a nice dark undertone to the majority of them; an aspect I almost always enjoy. Listening to this feels like reliving some college hey-day but almost ten years later... and that's meant in the most complimentary way.
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Karen Elson - The Ghost Who Walks
In all honesty, I heard the title track from this and was so enamored I picked up the whole thing. The organ sound, the languid build, the sweet sound with macabre lyrics and Elson's voice are pretty much undeniable. I find the rest of the record enjoyable.. and it covers a lot of musical territory without over extending itself but, man, that first track is too good.
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Conan O'Brien - And They Call Me Mad?
Short run 7" recording of Conan doing what he does best, talking ridiculously. It's pretty much the perfect Halloween companion as he takes on the role of Dr. Frankenstein, speaking to his creation and explaining why he must act the way he does. I suggest picking this up before the season has passed.
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El Guincho - Pop Negro
Did I see the video for Bombay and immediately purchase the entire album? Yes. Do I completely comprehend the wide range of styles being incorporated together here? Absolutely not but that's the draw. There's obviously a Spanish influence, found sounds, heavy beats, sampling, looping and carefree good times being bandied about left and right. I can't explain my enjoyment of it but it's there.
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Sleep Good - Skyclimber
I'll be honest, this album has a little bit of a gimmick to it. The recording process was done entirely without the aid of computers. All recording, mixing and mastering was done with tape machines. So, there's a sound and warmth to it that is automatically associated with that process. An almost nostalgic vibe for something brand new. The pop songs contained within are quite enjoyable on their own - nice harmonies, light rolling tempos and an overall pleasantness to it all. The production value gives it an extra little timelessness to it. Hopefully people give this one a whirl; it seems nice for any time of year.
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Of Montreal - False Priest
I kinda hated the last Of Montreal album so I was pleased to hear that the band had returned to writing proper pop songs. In that respect, this is a marked improvement. My favorite moments from the band are the darker ones; the descents into madness, the pleas for something the narrator can't have, etc. All under the umbrella of an upbeat pop song. Serious subjects with frivolous music. This album doesn't fit into that mold - it seems much lighter and Not To Be Taken Seriously on the whole. That's fine, funky, sexy, upbeat, somewhat silly songs about girls have their place as well. Long story short, it's not my favorite Of Montreal album but I think with the right listening mode intact (i.e. Full Goofy Mode) it's actually enjoyable.
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The Sword - Warp Riders
There are very few bands that I would describe as Hardcore or Metal that fit into my preferred musical repertoire. The Sword is one of them. Sometimes you need songs about Norse Gods, huge guitar riffs and a brutal onslaught of sound. Every good musical diet needs a dose of actual legitimate Hard Rock - no tongue in cheek maneuvers here. There's also a refreshing lack of aggro bravado to this that makes it even more enjoyable - the music is certainly masculine but unlike a lot of music in this vein there isn't an unbridled attack at you. Recommended.
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Les Savy Fav - Root for Ruin
I saw Les Savy Fav play at a rather small club one time purely to see if the rumors I had heard about the live show being nuts were as true as I'd hoped. They were. So much so that I was actually a little worried that frontman Tim Harrington might interact with me; not something I was hoping for. But I never investigated the actual recorded music until this record was recommended to me by multiple people as a perfect transition from some of my favorite angular 90's indie rock bands. The energy, the guitar tone and the slightly snide vocals are spot on. After embracing this I can properly understand the fever of both the performers and the audience from that prior show experience. For anyone missing energetic, driving Rock music, this seems like the right antidote.
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Jogger - This Great Pressure
Thanks to Postal Service there is a whole host of bands that embrace beat making and electronics to back up their pop songs; usually with stomach wrenching results (Owl City, I'm looking at you). Fortunately, there are bands like Jogger that break that stereotype and show how an electronic pop/rock record should be made - with layers of sound to discover and a smart usage of acoustic sounds peppered throughout. The lush harmonies are a nice touch but the duo isn't afraid to tear the vocals down into a distorted chaotic mess; a quality I highly appreciate. This is one of those gems that might go undiscovered by the indie rock masses but, if you're smart, you'll grab it and keep songs like Biss and Falling on repeat for days.
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Y La Bamba - Alida St
I caught this band in Portland and, at the time, the only available album was this 2008 release. On the whole, the album is incredibly sparse and not something you'd typically expect to find me listening to. It's mostly a drifting acoustic guitar and some female vocals - but the vocals of Luzelena Mendoza are captivating and perfect for a quiet night. The incorporation of tiny bits of Spanish influence - lyrically and musically - add to the appeal. It's a nice little look into the start of a band that, undoubtedly, has much more to offer on their sophomore album.
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T. Rex - Electric Warrior
For the longest time I couldn't handle the production values of loads and loads of seminal rock records. It's a shameful fact but it's true. So, now that I've gotten over myself and am able to dive into the world of non-overly-glossy production I am educating myself on all those albums that I *should* already have deeply entrenched in my rock and roll consciousness. It's funny that for years I've always had preconceived notions about the mold that Glam Rock should fit into it but it's far more progressive, low key, sweet and lulling than what I imagined. I'm ashamed it's taken me this long to get around to these rock classics but I'm relieved that I'm finally getting it.. how unfortunate it would be to live life without Jeepster, Get It On or Life's A Gas.
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Brad Laner - Natural Selections
Most people know Brad Laner for his involvement with Medicine or Electric Company. For some reason, I'm entirely ignorant to those volumes of work and know him entirely for his involvement in the project Lusk. With the release of his second solo album it seems that the influence Laner had on Lusk is becoming more clear. The psychedelic, atmospheric pop songs of Natural Selections are much in line with what I enjoyed so much about Lusk. It's nice to see that this many years after his involvement in said project that he's continuing to create great music in his own way. This is one of those albums that I'll unfortunately let fall by the wayside and then pick back up and think "Why don't I listen to this all the time?"
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Sufjan Stevens - All Delighted People
Here's my stance on Sufjan Stevens: he is incredibly talented and able to traverse an alarmingly wide amount of genres. He can even blend those genres together in a way that few others can do. His voice is expressive but never over the top. His only problem is that he seems incapable of embracing any amount of brevity. Even this short EP contains one eleven minute song and one seventeen minute song. The rest average out to about five amounts. It gives him the ability to spread his wings into different "movements" of songs but it can wear ya down. With all that in mind, he seems to be exploring some new territory here and I'm enjoying what I'm hearing. I look forward to the full-length that will follow this.. even if I have to listen to it in segments.
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