UPCOMING RELEASES:
Lykke Li, Deerhoof, Fleet Foxes, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Hercules & Love Affair, The Go!Team, Akron/Family, Cut Copy, Wire, Fujiya & Miyagi, Gang of Four, Mogwai, Tennis, La Sera (the Vivian Girls sideproject whose single was in digital rotation), Cold War Kids, Cage the Elephant, Iron and Wine, Panda Bear, Crystal Stilts, Smith Westerns, Yuck (buzzzzzzz band), The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Babies, Woven Bones, Toro Y Moi, Cloud Nothings (even though they just dropped one 2 months back), Hunx and His Punx, Times New Viking
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Kraak & Smaak
Artist- Kraak & Smaak
Album- Dynamite [Single]
Label- Jalepeno
Genre- house, rpm
This funk-house track by Dutch group Kraak & Smaak is pretty friggin catchy. Nonsensical lyrics (“tricky licky…etc”). The 3min (opposed to 6 minute original) radio edit is the best version of the track. The only good remix in my opinion is the Pink Elephant one, which is crunchy and blows up in the style of Justice’s “Waters of Nazareth” right around the 2 minute mark.
Album- Dynamite [Single]
Label- Jalepeno
Genre- house, rpm
This funk-house track by Dutch group Kraak & Smaak is pretty friggin catchy. Nonsensical lyrics (“tricky licky…etc”). The 3min (opposed to 6 minute original) radio edit is the best version of the track. The only good remix in my opinion is the Pink Elephant one, which is crunchy and blows up in the style of Justice’s “Waters of Nazareth” right around the 2 minute mark.
The Elves of Heaven
Artist- The Elves of Heaven
Album- This Christmas EP
Label- Seaport
This cute EP sounds totally different on each song. #1 is like the Raveonettes performing Xmas tunes! #2 has a male singer doing his best Lou Reed impression to a slower tune, with a kind of talk-singing about the tale of some dude who’s down on his luck. #3 is an “alternate take” (you could say) on “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” – except he “ain’t” comin’! Sadness!!!! Anyway, this is adorable.
Album- This Christmas EP
Label- Seaport
This cute EP sounds totally different on each song. #1 is like the Raveonettes performing Xmas tunes! #2 has a male singer doing his best Lou Reed impression to a slower tune, with a kind of talk-singing about the tale of some dude who’s down on his luck. #3 is an “alternate take” (you could say) on “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” – except he “ain’t” comin’! Sadness!!!! Anyway, this is adorable.
Exray's
Artist- Exray's
Album- Ammunition Teeth [EP]
Label- Howells Transmitter
Really dreamy lo-fi indie pop. The band’s song “Hesitation” was featured in The Social Network. The vocals seem faraway and sleepy in a darling indie way, anchored by beats and some cool synth noises. This EP features Nate Query of the Decemberists, and the full-length (in January) will have Tim Cohen of the Fresh & Only’s.
Album- Ammunition Teeth [EP]
Label- Howells Transmitter
Really dreamy lo-fi indie pop. The band’s song “Hesitation” was featured in The Social Network. The vocals seem faraway and sleepy in a darling indie way, anchored by beats and some cool synth noises. This EP features Nate Query of the Decemberists, and the full-length (in January) will have Tim Cohen of the Fresh & Only’s.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Daft Punk
Artist- Daft Punk
Album- Tron: Legacy OST
Label- Disney
Genre- soundtrack
After weeks of anticipation, here it is. I want to like this – I honestly do – but it sounds a lot like other movie soundtracks. (“Recognizer” sounds like Inception). It’s orchestral, sweeping, and moody. Nothing has that initial badass moment like early single “Derezzed”, except for the dancey “End Titles”. It’s a pretty damn good movie soundtrack, and DP can certainly command this 85-piece orchestra, but don’t expect too many dance moments.
Album- Tron: Legacy OST
Label- Disney
Genre- soundtrack
After weeks of anticipation, here it is. I want to like this – I honestly do – but it sounds a lot like other movie soundtracks. (“Recognizer” sounds like Inception). It’s orchestral, sweeping, and moody. Nothing has that initial badass moment like early single “Derezzed”, except for the dancey “End Titles”. It’s a pretty damn good movie soundtrack, and DP can certainly command this 85-piece orchestra, but don’t expect too many dance moments.
The Naked and Famous
Artist- The Naked and Famous
Album- Passive Me, Aggressive You
Label- Somewhat Damaged
Blend of 80's electronic, shoegazer, and synthesizer to make a cd that rocks along the lines of a less-annoying Passion Pit. This New Zealand band’s debut is HIGHLY impressive, and singer Alisa Xayalith’s vocals are crazyyy. This is dreamy and exciting at the same time. Check this out for sure. #2 and #7 are the “singles”, but #5 is dark and creepy in a Radiohead Kid A kind of way.
For fans of: Empire of the Sun, Passion Pit
Album- Passive Me, Aggressive You
Label- Somewhat Damaged
Blend of 80's electronic, shoegazer, and synthesizer to make a cd that rocks along the lines of a less-annoying Passion Pit. This New Zealand band’s debut is HIGHLY impressive, and singer Alisa Xayalith’s vocals are crazyyy. This is dreamy and exciting at the same time. Check this out for sure. #2 and #7 are the “singles”, but #5 is dark and creepy in a Radiohead Kid A kind of way.
For fans of: Empire of the Sun, Passion Pit
Gospel Music
Artist- Gospel Music
Album- Duettes
Label- Kill Rock Stars
Genre- cutesy indie folk
This EP is the project of Owen Holmes from Black Kids (the bass player), performing duets with members of Vivian Girls (5), Camera Obscura (3), Magnetic Fields (2), and more. Holmes has the voice of Adam Green, Calvin Johnson, or Jonathan Richman (low, sing-talking), and all the female vocalists are lovely. Acoustic guitars or the occasional banjo provides backing music. This EP is adorable all around.
Album- Duettes
Label- Kill Rock Stars
Genre- cutesy indie folk
This EP is the project of Owen Holmes from Black Kids (the bass player), performing duets with members of Vivian Girls (5), Camera Obscura (3), Magnetic Fields (2), and more. Holmes has the voice of Adam Green, Calvin Johnson, or Jonathan Richman (low, sing-talking), and all the female vocalists are lovely. Acoustic guitars or the occasional banjo provides backing music. This EP is adorable all around.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Various Artists
Artist- v/a
Album- Friends and Friends of Friends Vol 3
Label- Tender Loving Empire
This 2-disc (with over 40 tracks) set is twofold in scope: the "Neighbors" disc gathers the best of bands currently from or settled in Portland, Oregon;
"Pen-Pals" are bands from elsewhere. There’s some familiar names (Y La Bamba, Social Studies, the Love Language) and a whole lot of unknowns. However, don’t be put off! Each CD has a number of gems. There’s something here for everyone.
Album- Friends and Friends of Friends Vol 3
Label- Tender Loving Empire
This 2-disc (with over 40 tracks) set is twofold in scope: the "Neighbors" disc gathers the best of bands currently from or settled in Portland, Oregon;
"Pen-Pals" are bands from elsewhere. There’s some familiar names (Y La Bamba, Social Studies, the Love Language) and a whole lot of unknowns. However, don’t be put off! Each CD has a number of gems. There’s something here for everyone.
Midnight Juggernauts
Artist- Midnight Juggernauts
Album- The Crystal Axis
Label- Siberia
Genre- synth rock
Synth-rock that’s percussive and groovy, and a nice sophomore effort at that. I definitely hear prog, 70’s influences as well. This band supported Justice after their first album was released, but they sound nothing like those Frenchies. Track 4 (“The New Technology”) is heavily indebted to Kraut-rock.
For Fans Of: The Presets, Cut Copy, Thieves Like Us, Van She
Album- The Crystal Axis
Label- Siberia
Genre- synth rock
Synth-rock that’s percussive and groovy, and a nice sophomore effort at that. I definitely hear prog, 70’s influences as well. This band supported Justice after their first album was released, but they sound nothing like those Frenchies. Track 4 (“The New Technology”) is heavily indebted to Kraut-rock.
For Fans Of: The Presets, Cut Copy, Thieves Like Us, Van She
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