Cults - 7 inch
The first release from Austin's Forest Family Records is an excellent combo of bedroom lo-fi, 50's inspired pop and the always welcome combo of upbeat music with melancholy vocals. It certainly falls a bit in the realm of languid but it's entirely pleasant. It's also entirely free and there is zero excuse not to immediately procure this for your utmost enjoyment.
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Nada Surf - If I Had a Hi-Fi
Previously only available at shows, Nada Surf has been kind enough to widely release this compilation of various cover songs. Honestly, if you weren't familiar with the original material you would think this is just a collection of new Nada Surf songs. That is to say, they don't really stretch their style out in any way to match the original but, rather, bend the originals into a proper Nada Surf pop song. If you have a super soft spot for the originals it may be tough to hear them reworked this way but, as a Nada Surf fan, it's nice to hear the likes of Depeche Mode, Spoon and loads more presented this way.
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Self - Could You Love Me Now
This is probably unfair to review as it is a single song - not an album, not an EP but just a single song. Also keep in mind that I count myself among those that would refer to themselves as fanboys. I absolutely loved this band and have just about every recording they've ever put out there and some they never put out there but I was still able to obtain. With ALL that in mind I can safely and honestly say, this song sucks. Total bummer. Please don't make me wait 7 years between releases for something this humdrum. I am actually tempted to delete it as I don't want to be reminded of its mediocrity. That's harsh but that's how disappointing it is.
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Film School - Always Never
I never fully comprehended the allure of the full-length from this band but still decided to go back and get this earlier EP.. just in case I was missing something that my friends swore was worthwhile. I think I am able to handle the quiet, creeping nature of the band in smaller doses. Hearing this now it reminds me of some of my favorite quiet songs from Thee More Shallows; hushed, dark, a little foreboding and sincere without being dramatic. Score.
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Future of the Left - Curses
I think I needed to hear the followup to this record in order to appreciate where this was coming from. I was never a huge McClusky fan but now that I properly comprehend the swagger and snarl of the delivery involved in these songs I can appreciate the listen. I love the dirtiness of the whole package; particularly the guitar tone. Glad to have this and look forward to more from the band.
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New Pornographers - Together
It occurred to me the other day just how much I respect and enjoy the work of New Pornographers. The entire discography. They are an incredibly talented team of folk able to craft the perfect balance of melancholy and pop into one. And while I fully believe that, and always enjoy listening through their records, I rarely find myself compelled to put it on. It's odd.. I love what they do and can't think of another band better at it but it just sort of exists. Terrible review I know but had to get it out there.
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Minus The Bear - OMNI
Stylistically this doesn't feel much different than the past progressions of albums. Maybe not as much finger tapping guitar work throughout but the same recent Minus The Bear. I think it's beginning to show that they are growing up and not writing songs stemmed from constant partying. Even the song titles have "matured" (for lack of a better word). It is, sadly, kind of an average record to me. Nothing about it really grabs hold but I don't have anything overtly negative to say about it either.
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Mutual Benefit - Drifting
Fantastic, free, ep from Kassette Klub. Very lo-fi bedroom pop with an excellent keyboard-y undertone to everything. I'd even go as far as to say it reminds me of the first EP from The Unicorns - though maybe not as out there lyrically; very similar production and instrumentation. Get it.
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Hospital Ships - Oh, Ramona
This is one of those records that just flew completely under my radar back in 2008. Graveface is, to me, known more for their tripped out BMSR releases but this is fine pop from top to bottom. Every time I play it, I hear something new that I like. Jordan Geiger's voice has that sweetly forelorn quality that I never get enough of.
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Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record
I think this one is a grower. There are several tracks that I love on first listen but nothing seems to have the staying power of the songs I absolutely adore from the previous records. That being said, it's Broken Social Scene - they have their sound and they do it well. No grandiose insight from me on this subject. BSS is BSS.
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Silver Seas - Chateau Revenge
Four years between albums is an eternity at this point in Internet time but the wait is well worth it. Overall, the music may be a little Adult Contemporary Radio style but Daniel Tashian's songwriting is damn near perfect. His influences are strong on his sleeve but never derivative. Solid. Highly recommended. Get it.
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Plants and Animals - La La Land
This doesn't feel as loose and open as their debut album; a feeling that I miss a little bit. It's a solid rock record and a band to keep an eye on but I keep missing the big choruses and underlying joyous vibe from the predecessor.
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Morning Benders - Big Echo
When I heard the first releases from these guys I assumed they were a fun little pop outfit that would make for a good listen a few times and then I'd forget about them entirely. Turns out, they were capable of writing a very enjoyable pop record filled with a melancholy juxtaposed with some saccharine vocal styles. My musical vocabulary won't do this justice but it's always good to hear a heartfelt chorus that isn't a turn off in its sincerity but, rather, a feeling that you can relate to.
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De Novo Dahl - Tigerlion
Theory 8 was kind enough to release this for one-day-only online and I snagged the official download. It is, by far, the bands best release. Poppy and interesting but undercut with a dark tone throughout. I hated 99% of what I heard from their previous release so it's nice to hear that the band has still got loads of ideas up their collective sleeve and can execute them this well.
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Caribou - Swim
I find myself neither enamored with this or offended by it. The Odessa track is, undeniably, a great song but the rest just fades into the background for me. I have a feeling that hearing these tracks come up randomly will yield some surprise enjoyment but a top to bottom listen just melts into the air.
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Medications - Completely Removed
I loved Faraquet. I even enjoyed the first Medications release a little bit but I honestly feel like all the life has been sucked out of these guys now and its not making for a pleasurable listen. Maybe I should give it more of a chance but my first attempts have yielded total apathy and will likely ultimately result in full deletion.
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Apples in Stereo - Travellers in Space and Time
Have you heard of that band ELO? Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Apples in Stereo recorded an entire record devoted to ELO sounds with their influence of said sound so firmly on their sleeve that it encroaches on possibly ripping off ELO at times? Well, look no further! Truth be told, this is a seriously great listen but it's because I love the original material that its copping so hard. Get it and don't be afraid to love it.
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Dr. Dog - Shame, Shame
Guess what? Dr. Dog rules. What else is there to say? They've not released a single album since We All Belong that I didn't like. I could reel off all the things I enjoy about it so much but it'd basically just be a list of all the elements that make up a Dr. Dog album. That is to say, I like everything about it.
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Dosh - Tommy
I try my best to take every new release from an artist as it's own thing. Comparing it to previous works is not always a fair assessment, even if it does provide some context from where the artist is coming from. Unfortunately, I can rarely pull this off effectively. I love the previous Dosh albums and came into this fully expecting to love it just as much as the others. The elements are here - the swirling electronics, the sprinkling of vocals and languid vibes but nothing jumped out to me at first. It's not a mix of the upbeat with the laid back.. it's just mostly laid back. Once I am over my initial preconceived notions of what I was expecting I am sure I will come around to this. I mean, there are sax solos on it after all....
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Broken Bells - Broken Bells
Every time Dangermouse releases something I assume I am not going to enjoy it. It will be too commercial or too pandering to the wide audiences that he's managed to reach. Every time I am wrong. James Mercer's vocals are among my favorite in the realm of the indie circuit and the music is a perfect mix of languid and upbeat - lots of great electronic sounds mixed amongst the melancholy singing. I've been wanting a new Shins record for awhile but, having heard this, I don't think I need one... this is a perfectly natural progression and a welcome one.
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Deerhunter - Cryptograms
It has come to my attention that Microcastle is one incredibly fine album. Among the best of the past ten years. It probably took me too long to realize this but having done so it seemed smart to go back and check out the album that led the way to its release. Cryptograms is heavier on the noise and ambience but, as a predecessor, it makes total sense. It's unfair to compare it to the record that follows it but that's what I'm doing, deal with it!
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Melissa Auf der Maur - Out of Our Minds
Should I admit to having purchased this? Probably not. I've been vaguely fascinated with ole Auf der Maur since her days in Hole. She actually associates herself with a great deal of fantastic musicians and tackles records like conceptual beasts. Indie circles would probably never want to admit it but this is an extremely well produced Rawk record. It's a bit melodramatic at times but that's just her style.. not something you listen to all the time but occasionally, it's worth being reminded that accessible rock music can also be smart.
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Colourmusic - F, Monday, Orange, February, Venus, Lunatic, 1 Or
I've had "Put In A Little Gas" in my iTunes library for years but it wasn't until hearing / seeing the video for "Yes!" that I was completely convinced that I needed to hear the whole record. It's a quality rock record - driving drums, fuzzed out guitars, big choruses, etc. etc. and a summer-y vibe that should not be missed.
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De Novo Dahl - Bobby Thompson Reels, Vol I
Free EP released from local band De Novo Dahl comprised of interview samples and some of the more dancier tunes from the band. I prefer the style of the new, forthcoming, album a bit more but it's nice to hear the band keep stretching their styles.
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ELO - El Dorado
More procurement of the fine ELO catalog that I've somehow been missing out on for years. A concept record about The Wizard of Oz probably doesn't sound too appealing on the surface but it doesn't really smack you in the face with it. It's clever and the orchestration is so phenomenal you can't not love it.
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