Add Date - Feb 16
Artist - Adam Green
Album - Minor Love
Label - Fat Possum
Genre - Indie Rock/Pop
This guy is classy - he rhymes "tassel" with "asshole." This album doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but it was overall a relaxing, humorous spin. Green co-founded the Moldy Peaches with Kimya Dawson, whose music I daresay I prefer. But back to the album in question. Green's voice varies from satisfyingly hearty on tracks like "Lockout" (13) to irritatinly Johnny-Cash-wannabe-weird on the very next track, "You Blacken My Stay" (14). The carefree aura is refreshing, however, and will likely keep you listening to Green's subtle variations from beginning to end.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Phantogram- Eyelid Movies
Add Date- Feb 9
Artist- Phantogram
Album- Eyelid Movies
Label- Barsuk
Genre- Trippy/Dancy pop
Bizarre pop music that somehow still makes me want to dance (and apparently it was recorded in a barn in upstate NY…wack). #4 is a sublime stunner full of layered hiphop beats and looped creepy vocals (Portishead on crack, if you will). Words are failing me right now (this cd eschews traditional genre classifications) but I suppose this is a slice of electronic-pop heaven in the same vein as Animal Collective’s “My Girls” but on ecstasy. Pulsing bass guitars keep the beat beneath ethereal male and female vocals and electronic blips. Tracks like #1 are more chilling and would appeal to fans of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! and the like. Not a single dud on this CD. If this album doesn’t hit the top ten lists at the end of the year I’ll be surprised.
Artist- Phantogram
Album- Eyelid Movies
Label- Barsuk
Genre- Trippy/Dancy pop
Bizarre pop music that somehow still makes me want to dance (and apparently it was recorded in a barn in upstate NY…wack). #4 is a sublime stunner full of layered hiphop beats and looped creepy vocals (Portishead on crack, if you will). Words are failing me right now (this cd eschews traditional genre classifications) but I suppose this is a slice of electronic-pop heaven in the same vein as Animal Collective’s “My Girls” but on ecstasy. Pulsing bass guitars keep the beat beneath ethereal male and female vocals and electronic blips. Tracks like #1 are more chilling and would appeal to fans of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! and the like. Not a single dud on this CD. If this album doesn’t hit the top ten lists at the end of the year I’ll be surprised.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Yukon Blonde- Yukon Blonde
Add Date: Feb 2
Artist: Yukon Blonde
Album: Yukon Blonde
Label: Bumstead/Nevado
Genre: 60ish / faux- Fleet Foxes
A fine debut album from yet another band reviving that signature 60s sound of layered harmonies and poppy instrumental arrangements. Track 4 (“Wind Blows”) is the catchiest fake Fleet Foxes track released so far this year. This album doesn’t sound too bad, but it doesn’t take any chances musically and any fan of golden indie pop should like this cd.
Title Tracks- It Was Easy
Add Date: Feb 9th
Artist: Title Tracks
Album- It Was Easy
Label- Ernest Jenning Record Co
Genre- Dark power pop
Solo album from Q and Not U drummer John Davis (playing most instruments) that is full of infectious power-pop tracks. Opener “Every Little Bit Hurts” is a nice quick song full of rushed verses that is kind of reminiscent of Ted Leo, while other tracks are more relaxed and sparse but still highly enjoyable. A couple tracks (#3…about bubblegum of all things) veer too hard into cutesy indie-pop but when Davis is at his darkest the songs are best. Two covers, Bruce Springsteen’s “Tougher than the Rest” (a duet with Camera Obscura's Tracyanne Campbell) and the Byrds’ “She Don’t Care About Time” top off the 9 original tracks. Adolescent angst combines with pop sensibilities to make an interesting debut.
Artist: Title Tracks
Album- It Was Easy
Label- Ernest Jenning Record Co
Genre- Dark power pop
Solo album from Q and Not U drummer John Davis (playing most instruments) that is full of infectious power-pop tracks. Opener “Every Little Bit Hurts” is a nice quick song full of rushed verses that is kind of reminiscent of Ted Leo, while other tracks are more relaxed and sparse but still highly enjoyable. A couple tracks (#3…about bubblegum of all things) veer too hard into cutesy indie-pop but when Davis is at his darkest the songs are best. Two covers, Bruce Springsteen’s “Tougher than the Rest” (a duet with Camera Obscura's Tracyanne Campbell) and the Byrds’ “She Don’t Care About Time” top off the 9 original tracks. Adolescent angst combines with pop sensibilities to make an interesting debut.
Basia Bulat - Heart of My Own
Add Date - Jan 26, 2010
Artist - Basia Bulat
Album - Heart of My Own
Label - Rough Trade
Genre - Folk
I didn’t expect anything great from this album. Oh boy, I thought, another woman who thinks that because she plays guitar and travelled the mountains, she is worth listening to. But from the first track, the expected cringe did not manifest itself. I was instead impressed by this modern day Joan Baez, with Feist’s tenderness and Florence(and the Machine)’s strength and energy. It is truly refreshing to hear a vocalist with actual talent. Bulat reels you in with the percussion of “Go On” (1), carries you forward with the energy of the strings in “Gold Rush” (4), and the mournfully sparse intro of “Heart of My Own” (5). Why yes, that is ukulele on track 6… and those are horns on 7… and autoharp on 9. I admire Bulat’s creativity and I am certainly a proponent of this excellent sophomore album.
Artist - Basia Bulat
Album - Heart of My Own
Label - Rough Trade
Genre - Folk
I didn’t expect anything great from this album. Oh boy, I thought, another woman who thinks that because she plays guitar and travelled the mountains, she is worth listening to. But from the first track, the expected cringe did not manifest itself. I was instead impressed by this modern day Joan Baez, with Feist’s tenderness and Florence(and the Machine)’s strength and energy. It is truly refreshing to hear a vocalist with actual talent. Bulat reels you in with the percussion of “Go On” (1), carries you forward with the energy of the strings in “Gold Rush” (4), and the mournfully sparse intro of “Heart of My Own” (5). Why yes, that is ukulele on track 6… and those are horns on 7… and autoharp on 9. I admire Bulat’s creativity and I am certainly a proponent of this excellent sophomore album.
Midlake - The Courage of Others
Add Date - Jan 25, 2010
Artist - Midlake
Album - The Courage of Others
Label - Bella Union
Genre - Indie-Folk
Sounds like Muse from Appalachia. Since I’m not a huge Muse fan, this wasn’t my favorite listen of all time. Laced with simple two-part harmonies and folkier instruments than their first album, this cd clearly was going for a softer feel. It wasn’t overall bad but I really can’t help but feel like I’ve heard this before. Somewhat depressing lyrics don’t really make me want to love this, either. However I should call your attention to the occasional varying instrumentation, such as in 7 “Children of the Grounds.” I recommend this for the hardcore indie-folk lover.
Artist - Midlake
Album - The Courage of Others
Label - Bella Union
Genre - Indie-Folk
Sounds like Muse from Appalachia. Since I’m not a huge Muse fan, this wasn’t my favorite listen of all time. Laced with simple two-part harmonies and folkier instruments than their first album, this cd clearly was going for a softer feel. It wasn’t overall bad but I really can’t help but feel like I’ve heard this before. Somewhat depressing lyrics don’t really make me want to love this, either. However I should call your attention to the occasional varying instrumentation, such as in 7 “Children of the Grounds.” I recommend this for the hardcore indie-folk lover.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Head For The Hills - Head For The Hills
Add Date - Jan 19, 2010
Artist - Head For The Hills
Album - Head For The Hills
Label - Self-released
Genre - Bluegrass
Artist - Head For The Hills
Album - Head For The Hills
Label - Self-released
Genre - Bluegrass
For the ultra folk-bluegrass fan. Not my favorite genre but this album still pleased me! A huge amount of detail was paid to instrumentation and each interwoven aspect of every song. The instrumental tracks caught my interest in particular (they’re my picks); the medley of instruments and skill involved in the creation of these tracks is really remarkable. Head For The Hills has released an album which stays true to their Colorado bluegrass nature while still catching the eye of an indie music fan today.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Spoon- Transference
Add Date- Jan 19, 2010
Artist- Spoon
Album- Transference
Label- Merge
Genre- Folk-alterna-indie pop
On their highly anticipated followup to 2007’s Top Ten hit album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, Spoon proves once again that they’re one of the most reliable bands in indie rock. Perfectly aggressive acoustic guitar riffs combine with the deceptively-simple drum patterns that seem to characterize Spoon songs. For the first time the band is working without an outside producer, and the songs are rawer than ever. Singer Britt Daniels is perhaps one of the best vocalists out there in that his voice is rough even that you believe what he’s selling. “Out Go the Lights” aches with twangy guitars and melancholic yearning. “Got Nuffin’” is the closest thing to a single on this album and boy it’s a killer of a track, chugging rhythm and angular guitars. In a way, the band is refocusing on their definitive songwriting skills instead of veering off into pop territory. Focused yet sounding looser than their previous albums, don’t expect another hit like “Way We Get By” but definitely don’t discount this lovely album.
Artist- Spoon
Album- Transference
Label- Merge
Genre- Folk-alterna-indie pop
On their highly anticipated followup to 2007’s Top Ten hit album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, Spoon proves once again that they’re one of the most reliable bands in indie rock. Perfectly aggressive acoustic guitar riffs combine with the deceptively-simple drum patterns that seem to characterize Spoon songs. For the first time the band is working without an outside producer, and the songs are rawer than ever. Singer Britt Daniels is perhaps one of the best vocalists out there in that his voice is rough even that you believe what he’s selling. “Out Go the Lights” aches with twangy guitars and melancholic yearning. “Got Nuffin’” is the closest thing to a single on this album and boy it’s a killer of a track, chugging rhythm and angular guitars. In a way, the band is refocusing on their definitive songwriting skills instead of veering off into pop territory. Focused yet sounding looser than their previous albums, don’t expect another hit like “Way We Get By” but definitely don’t discount this lovely album.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)