Artist- Blaqstarr
Album- Divine EP
Label- N.E.E.T./Interscope
Genre- hip-hop
Not to be confused with confused with other rap group Black Star (Talib Kweli & Mos Def), Baltimore DJ Blaqstarr is mostly known for his production work on M.I.A.’s albums. “Rider Girl” is a of reworking of previous collab with Rye Rye with Kanye-esque short verses about relationships. This definitely is more experimental as hip-hop goes, but anyone familiar with M.I.A.’s work should dig this. None of these are club bangers, definitely a more laid-back feel.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Apex Manor
Artist- Apex Manor
Album- The Year of Magical Drinking
Label- Merge
If you’re like me you pulled this off the shelf because of the album title
(who doesn’t love magical drinking?) but here’s some bad news: it doesn’t
quite live up to its charismatic name. That’s not to say this isn’t a
decent album. In fact the relaxed, catchy, slightly poppy guitar based
rock on Magical Drinking has a pretty classic sound (there’s even cowbell
on a few tracks) and is very easy to listen to. Think something like a
late Wilco with less piano, more electric guitar, and a deeper voice.
Album- The Year of Magical Drinking
Label- Merge
If you’re like me you pulled this off the shelf because of the album title
(who doesn’t love magical drinking?) but here’s some bad news: it doesn’t
quite live up to its charismatic name. That’s not to say this isn’t a
decent album. In fact the relaxed, catchy, slightly poppy guitar based
rock on Magical Drinking has a pretty classic sound (there’s even cowbell
on a few tracks) and is very easy to listen to. Think something like a
late Wilco with less piano, more electric guitar, and a deeper voice.
Tristen
Artist- Tristen
Album- Charlatans at the Garden Gate
Label- American Myth
Tristen is yet another songstress coming out of the Nashville scene. This is good enough, not great by any means. These songs draw more inspiration from Revolver and folk-pop than country. Opener “Eager for Your Love” is rather Cardigans-esque, featuring a vintage organ that provides a nice backing. The key word here seems to be “ernest” in its pop-stylings.
Album- Charlatans at the Garden Gate
Label- American Myth
Tristen is yet another songstress coming out of the Nashville scene. This is good enough, not great by any means. These songs draw more inspiration from Revolver and folk-pop than country. Opener “Eager for Your Love” is rather Cardigans-esque, featuring a vintage organ that provides a nice backing. The key word here seems to be “ernest” in its pop-stylings.
Fierce Creatures
Artist- Fierce Creatures
Album- I Mostri Feroci
Label- Self-released
This debut EP is pretty exceptional for being just that – a debut effort. It has all the enthusiasm of kids not yet jaded by the music industry, kids who saved their best melodies for their debut. It’s quirky folk-pop with quick melodies. Opener “Satan is a Vampire” is anthemic in its vocal melodies; it reminds me of Funeral-era Arcade Fire. The female vocalist takes over on “The Great White” and the effect is delicate. Closer “The Brute and the Beast” is the undisputed standout – it starts off well enough before adopting a soft, spaghetti-western surf guitar riff. Wonderful debut.
Album- I Mostri Feroci
Label- Self-released
This debut EP is pretty exceptional for being just that – a debut effort. It has all the enthusiasm of kids not yet jaded by the music industry, kids who saved their best melodies for their debut. It’s quirky folk-pop with quick melodies. Opener “Satan is a Vampire” is anthemic in its vocal melodies; it reminds me of Funeral-era Arcade Fire. The female vocalist takes over on “The Great White” and the effect is delicate. Closer “The Brute and the Beast” is the undisputed standout – it starts off well enough before adopting a soft, spaghetti-western surf guitar riff. Wonderful debut.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Lia Ices
Artist- Lia ices
Album- Grown Unknown
Label- Jagjaguwar
This carefully-constructed album is delicately beautiful, carried by simple melodies and Lia Ices’ amazing, ghostly voice. “Daphne” begins with acoustic guitar and light straight arrangements before Bon Iver pops up half-way through to duet. Ethereal and poetic. I like the handclap backing on the title track “Grown Unknown” in particular. Definitely not for everyone, but this rises well about the usual singer-songwriter crap on the basis of Lia’s voice and the minimal arrangements.
Album- Grown Unknown
Label- Jagjaguwar
This carefully-constructed album is delicately beautiful, carried by simple melodies and Lia Ices’ amazing, ghostly voice. “Daphne” begins with acoustic guitar and light straight arrangements before Bon Iver pops up half-way through to duet. Ethereal and poetic. I like the handclap backing on the title track “Grown Unknown” in particular. Definitely not for everyone, but this rises well about the usual singer-songwriter crap on the basis of Lia’s voice and the minimal arrangements.
Blank Dogs
Artist- Blank Dogs
Album- Land and Fixed
Label- Captured Tracks
Blank Dogs is the lo-fi post punk project of Mike Sniper, the owner of veritable indie label Captured Tracks. This LP is certainly cleaner in sound than the last few Blank Dogs releases, but it still has an unpolished charm. “Goes By” features the mechanized drumming of Joy Division with gothy synths. All of Sniper’s vocals are distorted in some way on this album; it comes off as distant yet strangely cool (influences of 70’s group Suicide). “Northern Islands” has elements of 8bit, Nintendo-ish beats. “Insides” sounds like the Cure for the first minute until the song opens up into a quicker punky jam. Sniper has definitely begun to make a transition from post-punk to new wave on this LP.
Album- Land and Fixed
Label- Captured Tracks
Blank Dogs is the lo-fi post punk project of Mike Sniper, the owner of veritable indie label Captured Tracks. This LP is certainly cleaner in sound than the last few Blank Dogs releases, but it still has an unpolished charm. “Goes By” features the mechanized drumming of Joy Division with gothy synths. All of Sniper’s vocals are distorted in some way on this album; it comes off as distant yet strangely cool (influences of 70’s group Suicide). “Northern Islands” has elements of 8bit, Nintendo-ish beats. “Insides” sounds like the Cure for the first minute until the song opens up into a quicker punky jam. Sniper has definitely begun to make a transition from post-punk to new wave on this LP.
Delicate Steve
Artist- Delicate Steve
Album- Wondervisions
Label- Luaka Bop
“Delicate” Steve Marion’s album is a wondrous exploration of a variety of styles. Psychadelic guitar shredding on “Welcome-Begin”; Afro-pop in the style of Dirty Projectors on “Sugar Splash” or “Butterfly”. The entire thing is instrumental, but the guitar riffs were interesting enough to keep my attention through. Fans of Marnie Stern, Dirty Projectors, or tropicalia will dig this.
Album- Wondervisions
Label- Luaka Bop
“Delicate” Steve Marion’s album is a wondrous exploration of a variety of styles. Psychadelic guitar shredding on “Welcome-Begin”; Afro-pop in the style of Dirty Projectors on “Sugar Splash” or “Butterfly”. The entire thing is instrumental, but the guitar riffs were interesting enough to keep my attention through. Fans of Marnie Stern, Dirty Projectors, or tropicalia will dig this.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Ben + Vesper
Artist- Ben + Vesper
Album- HONORS
Label- Sounds Familyre
Husband and wife duo who are tight friends with Sufjan Stevens (he plays piano on this) put out their first full-length in four years. It’s not twee like all those other boy-girl duos. This is balanced and well-done freak-folk pop. Often both vocalists sing the same parts together, though “Holly Home?” is more call-and-response. “How You Are” is kind of a nice, drifting tune too.
Album- HONORS
Label- Sounds Familyre
Husband and wife duo who are tight friends with Sufjan Stevens (he plays piano on this) put out their first full-length in four years. It’s not twee like all those other boy-girl duos. This is balanced and well-done freak-folk pop. Often both vocalists sing the same parts together, though “Holly Home?” is more call-and-response. “How You Are” is kind of a nice, drifting tune too.
When Saints Go Machine
Artist- When Saints Go Machine
Album- Fail Forever EP
Label- !k7
Blissed out rpm with dancey tones, ghostly vocals, and some hazy atmospheric sounds. The Danes sure do know how to do this shit right. Singer Nikolaj Manuel Vonsild’s vocals remind me of a not-annoying Anthony Hegarty (of Antony and the Johnsons / Hercules + Love Affair). “Pick Up Your Tears…” is influenced by Salem and it shows. “Fail Forever” and “You Or the Gang” are definite favorites – the later almost veers into Miike Snow territory but is saved by the great beat drop. While WSGM has an RPM base, this definitely has crossover appeal in my opinion.
Album- Fail Forever EP
Label- !k7
Blissed out rpm with dancey tones, ghostly vocals, and some hazy atmospheric sounds. The Danes sure do know how to do this shit right. Singer Nikolaj Manuel Vonsild’s vocals remind me of a not-annoying Anthony Hegarty (of Antony and the Johnsons / Hercules + Love Affair). “Pick Up Your Tears…” is influenced by Salem and it shows. “Fail Forever” and “You Or the Gang” are definite favorites – the later almost veers into Miike Snow territory but is saved by the great beat drop. While WSGM has an RPM base, this definitely has crossover appeal in my opinion.
Daniel Martin Moore
Artist- Daniel Martin Moore
Album- In the Cool of the Day
Label- SUB pop
Sub Pop gone folk? What??? This Kentucky-based dude’s CD for classic indie label Sub Pop is straight up Appalachia-tinged folk. Acoustic guitar, sometimes a piano, sometimes that’s all music needs. My Morning Jacket’s Jim James helps out on the banjo too. DMM definitely has an appeal – headphone music, chillout, whatever – and a lot of these songs have a gospel underpinning.
Album- In the Cool of the Day
Label- SUB pop
Sub Pop gone folk? What??? This Kentucky-based dude’s CD for classic indie label Sub Pop is straight up Appalachia-tinged folk. Acoustic guitar, sometimes a piano, sometimes that’s all music needs. My Morning Jacket’s Jim James helps out on the banjo too. DMM definitely has an appeal – headphone music, chillout, whatever – and a lot of these songs have a gospel underpinning.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Modern Skirts
Artist- Modern Skirts
Album- Gramahawk
Label- self-r
Athens, GA four-piece’s third album of melodic alterna-pop. Love it. Melodies of the Beach Boys via the post-modern weariness of Spoon. The vocals on “Under Bridges & Overpasses” are almost hypnotic in their rhythmic talk-y delivery with overtracked sung melodies. The final track, “To Be a Branch Davidian”, is delightful and spacey with the right touch of melancholy. This album is varied in styles (mostly held together by the vocal stylings) but this is still absolutely pleasant indie pop.
Album- Gramahawk
Label- self-r
Athens, GA four-piece’s third album of melodic alterna-pop. Love it. Melodies of the Beach Boys via the post-modern weariness of Spoon. The vocals on “Under Bridges & Overpasses” are almost hypnotic in their rhythmic talk-y delivery with overtracked sung melodies. The final track, “To Be a Branch Davidian”, is delightful and spacey with the right touch of melancholy. This album is varied in styles (mostly held together by the vocal stylings) but this is still absolutely pleasant indie pop.
Madison
Artist- Madison
Album- The Noise Some People Make
Label- G
Genre- electro pop
I dug this EP. It’s chock full of female 80’s electro/synth pop, like a hipster version of Robyn or a not-annoying Kesha. It’s very dreamy and breathy. The first two tracks are pretty good, but the second half of the EP sucks. “Superman” is annoying in its attempts to be kind of urban and sexy; “Hot Hot Love” is an improvement but still kind of dumb. Stick to “#1” and “Lights Low” (the single, already featured on a number of TV soundtracks).
Album- The Noise Some People Make
Label- G
Genre- electro pop
I dug this EP. It’s chock full of female 80’s electro/synth pop, like a hipster version of Robyn or a not-annoying Kesha. It’s very dreamy and breathy. The first two tracks are pretty good, but the second half of the EP sucks. “Superman” is annoying in its attempts to be kind of urban and sexy; “Hot Hot Love” is an improvement but still kind of dumb. Stick to “#1” and “Lights Low” (the single, already featured on a number of TV soundtracks).
Fergus & Geronimo
Artist- Fergus & Geronimo
Album- Unlearn
Label- Hardly Art (imprint of Sub Pop)
Genre- varied
This Brooklyn by-way-of Texas duo’s first LP is a smart and often funny blend of 60’s style jangly pop-rock. It’s off-kilter at time, drawing from a range of influences. “Powerful Lovin’” and “Unlearn” have the slow waltzy tempo of old 60’s R&B crooners. Most tracks have the attitude of the Violent Femmes- “Baby Don’t You Cry” is a jangly rocker with the same nasally voices (though less annoying) as the VF’s. The CD indicates a band that isn’t fully sure of their identity yet, but the varied styles means that there’s something for everyone.
Album- Unlearn
Label- Hardly Art (imprint of Sub Pop)
Genre- varied
This Brooklyn by-way-of Texas duo’s first LP is a smart and often funny blend of 60’s style jangly pop-rock. It’s off-kilter at time, drawing from a range of influences. “Powerful Lovin’” and “Unlearn” have the slow waltzy tempo of old 60’s R&B crooners. Most tracks have the attitude of the Violent Femmes- “Baby Don’t You Cry” is a jangly rocker with the same nasally voices (though less annoying) as the VF’s. The CD indicates a band that isn’t fully sure of their identity yet, but the varied styles means that there’s something for everyone.
ESG
Artist- ESG
Album- Dance to the Best of ESG
Label- Fire
Genre- Post punk
For those who don’t know, ESG was a highly influential early 80’s post-punk (with funky basslines) group that remains highly influential to this day – all that early 2000’s stuff like the Liars (#5 here is used for the Liars’ “Tumbling…”)as well as anything on DFA records. If you dig the disco-dance-punk sound of LCD Soundsystem, you must check this out. ESG is one of the most sampled groups of all time. They’re kind of like the female version of Public Image Ltd. with sparser arrangements. Start with "U.F.O.", "Chistelle", and newer instrumental "Tiny Sticks."
Album- Dance to the Best of ESG
Label- Fire
Genre- Post punk
For those who don’t know, ESG was a highly influential early 80’s post-punk (with funky basslines) group that remains highly influential to this day – all that early 2000’s stuff like the Liars (#5 here is used for the Liars’ “Tumbling…”)as well as anything on DFA records. If you dig the disco-dance-punk sound of LCD Soundsystem, you must check this out. ESG is one of the most sampled groups of all time. They’re kind of like the female version of Public Image Ltd. with sparser arrangements. Start with "U.F.O.", "Chistelle", and newer instrumental "Tiny Sticks."
Ryan Adams
Artist- Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
Album- III/IV
Label- Pan-Am
Genre- rock
Evidently this double album was recorded back in 2007 (the Easy Tiger sessions) and Adams just found the tapes recently. Like previous album Rock N Roll, Adams leaves his alt-country schtick behind, instead favoring muscled out power pop rock. With 21 tracks to choose from, it wasn’t hard to find a few winners. “Icebreaker” is Adams goes faux-metal, “The Crystal Skull” sounds like Morrissey. Adams needs to reevalute his recording practices, since his prolific output means that more often than not these CDs are full of filler.
Album- III/IV
Label- Pan-Am
Genre- rock
Evidently this double album was recorded back in 2007 (the Easy Tiger sessions) and Adams just found the tapes recently. Like previous album Rock N Roll, Adams leaves his alt-country schtick behind, instead favoring muscled out power pop rock. With 21 tracks to choose from, it wasn’t hard to find a few winners. “Icebreaker” is Adams goes faux-metal, “The Crystal Skull” sounds like Morrissey. Adams needs to reevalute his recording practices, since his prolific output means that more often than not these CDs are full of filler.
Monday, January 10, 2011
British Sea Power
Artist- British Sea Power
Album- Valhalla Dancehall
Label- Rough Trade
Having never understood the appeal of BSP, their new, fifth album does nothing to help me out. Bloated, spacey and orchestral indie rock and no longer at their peak. Guitar swells and U2-level grandstanding. Perhaps it’s just not my cup of tea. #5 (Mongk II) is the clear standout track, a Krautrock reworking of the so-so track “Mongk” from the Zeus EP. “Thin Black Sail” is a random 1 ½ minute post-punk rocker. Overall, BSP seems to have lost the plot on their newest album.
Album- Valhalla Dancehall
Label- Rough Trade
Having never understood the appeal of BSP, their new, fifth album does nothing to help me out. Bloated, spacey and orchestral indie rock and no longer at their peak. Guitar swells and U2-level grandstanding. Perhaps it’s just not my cup of tea. #5 (Mongk II) is the clear standout track, a Krautrock reworking of the so-so track “Mongk” from the Zeus EP. “Thin Black Sail” is a random 1 ½ minute post-punk rocker. Overall, BSP seems to have lost the plot on their newest album.
Oberhofer
Oberhofer with Cloud Nothings - Brillobox, this Thursday!
Artist- Oberhofer
Album- Away Frm U EP
Label- self-released
This 19 year old hipster doesn’t even have a proper album out yet and already this shit is buzzy- talk of being the next Wavves. Regardless, this bedroom-pop EP is pretty pleasant. “Away Frm U” has a pretty, whistled melody, and although the title of “o0Oo0O0o” is pretty annoying, the echoed vocals that run through the 5 songs here show this kid’s skill. It’s self-aware, Brad kind of yelps at times, but it comes off as charmingly unpolished.
Artist- Oberhofer
Album- Away Frm U EP
Label- self-released
This 19 year old hipster doesn’t even have a proper album out yet and already this shit is buzzy- talk of being the next Wavves. Regardless, this bedroom-pop EP is pretty pleasant. “Away Frm U” has a pretty, whistled melody, and although the title of “o0Oo0O0o” is pretty annoying, the echoed vocals that run through the 5 songs here show this kid’s skill. It’s self-aware, Brad kind of yelps at times, but it comes off as charmingly unpolished.
OFF!
Artist- OFF!
Album- The First Four EPs
Label- Vice
Genre- Hardcore
The long-awaited hardcore punk project of Keith Morris (Circle Jerks/Black Flag), Dimitri Coats (Burning Brides), Steven McDonald (Redd Kross), and Mario Rubalcaba (Rocket From the Crypt/Earthless). It’s pretty amazing, clocking in 16 songs at just about 20 minutes, but unfortunately this is pretty FCC dirty. The Raymond Pettibon (Black Flag, SY’s Goo) album art is perfect. OFF! sounds like the perfect dose of revival 80’s West Coast hardcore, leaning heavily on influences of Morris’ work in Black Flag and Circle Jerks mostly. I highly recommend this, but admittedly it’s not for everyone.
Album- The First Four EPs
Label- Vice
Genre- Hardcore
The long-awaited hardcore punk project of Keith Morris (Circle Jerks/Black Flag), Dimitri Coats (Burning Brides), Steven McDonald (Redd Kross), and Mario Rubalcaba (Rocket From the Crypt/Earthless). It’s pretty amazing, clocking in 16 songs at just about 20 minutes, but unfortunately this is pretty FCC dirty. The Raymond Pettibon (Black Flag, SY’s Goo) album art is perfect. OFF! sounds like the perfect dose of revival 80’s West Coast hardcore, leaning heavily on influences of Morris’ work in Black Flag and Circle Jerks mostly. I highly recommend this, but admittedly it’s not for everyone.
The Veils
Artist- The Veils
Album- Troubles in the Brain EP
Label- Pitch Beast
The Veils are a New Zealand band fronted by Finn Andrews (son of XTC’s keyboardist Barry Andrews) that hit their stride with 2009’s Sun Gangs. This followup EP is pretty mixed- lead tracks “Bloom” and “The Stars…” are pretty great indie rock songs, but most of the others have sparse arrangements and sound like polished demo tapes. Produced by Bernard Butler, guitarist of Britpop band Suede. Andrews’ voice is like a dryer version of Jeff Buckley.
Album- Troubles in the Brain EP
Label- Pitch Beast
The Veils are a New Zealand band fronted by Finn Andrews (son of XTC’s keyboardist Barry Andrews) that hit their stride with 2009’s Sun Gangs. This followup EP is pretty mixed- lead tracks “Bloom” and “The Stars…” are pretty great indie rock songs, but most of the others have sparse arrangements and sound like polished demo tapes. Produced by Bernard Butler, guitarist of Britpop band Suede. Andrews’ voice is like a dryer version of Jeff Buckley.
Darwin Deez
Artist- Darwin Deez
Album- self-titled
Label- Lucky Number
Genre- Indie pop
This debut album from a mustached hipster already has the British press blowin’ up, now Darwin Deez has hit American shores. Songs like “Constellations” and “Radar Detector” are chirpy, upbeat numbers that sound like the intersection of The Strokes (first album era) and Yeasayer. It’s hard to find problems with these 3-minute gems. As an album, there’s naturally some filler, but the combination of Deez’s earnest vocals (switching between deadpan, falsetto, and Julian Casablancas’ casualness), the weird 4-string guitar he plays, and drum machine beats make for some great indie-pop songs.
Album- self-titled
Label- Lucky Number
Genre- Indie pop
This debut album from a mustached hipster already has the British press blowin’ up, now Darwin Deez has hit American shores. Songs like “Constellations” and “Radar Detector” are chirpy, upbeat numbers that sound like the intersection of The Strokes (first album era) and Yeasayer. It’s hard to find problems with these 3-minute gems. As an album, there’s naturally some filler, but the combination of Deez’s earnest vocals (switching between deadpan, falsetto, and Julian Casablancas’ casualness), the weird 4-string guitar he plays, and drum machine beats make for some great indie-pop songs.
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