Artist- Edwyn Collins
Album- Losing Sleep
Label- Co-op/Downtown
Edwyn Collins was the frontman for bitchin’ Scottish 80’s new-wave group Orange Juice and is currently having the comeback of his life. His old band just got a huge reissue on Domino, and now the dude is putting out a solo cd with collaborations from Johnny Marr, The Drums, Aztec Camera, and Franz Ferdinand. This album explores Collins’ 2005 double brain hemorrhage and subsequent recovery, yet it’s set against poppy and jangly indie-pop- a weird combination, but to be honest how many young bands are doing postpunk jangly rock the right way anymore? Not many. While many 80’s musicians struggle to stay relevant in the 21st century, Orange Juice’s influence is still palpable in many 2000’s bands, and this excellent solo album is a triumph.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Dom
Artist- Dom
Album- Sun-Bronzed Greek Gods
Label- Astralwerks / Burning Mill
Dom is a hyped Worcester, MA quartet that follows the trend of catchy, surf-y fuzz-pop, though the addition of a female singer adds a Tennis-ish vibe. This EP has been “remastered and remixed”, aka it’s polished. The synths keep this EP sounding fresh and sets it apart from other summery bands. Single “Living in America” is great- the looped, sarcastic lyric “It’s so sexy to be living in America” backed with synth-tinged riffs. Most of this songs are about drugs, making out, teenage shit. This is a highly catchy EP, and Dom’s star has only been rising since the original release of “Sun Bronzed Greek Gods.” A band to watch.
Album- Sun-Bronzed Greek Gods
Label- Astralwerks / Burning Mill
Dom is a hyped Worcester, MA quartet that follows the trend of catchy, surf-y fuzz-pop, though the addition of a female singer adds a Tennis-ish vibe. This EP has been “remastered and remixed”, aka it’s polished. The synths keep this EP sounding fresh and sets it apart from other summery bands. Single “Living in America” is great- the looped, sarcastic lyric “It’s so sexy to be living in America” backed with synth-tinged riffs. Most of this songs are about drugs, making out, teenage shit. This is a highly catchy EP, and Dom’s star has only been rising since the original release of “Sun Bronzed Greek Gods.” A band to watch.
The Brutes
Artist- The Brutes
Album- Wonderous Punch
Label-self-released
The Brutes are a newish rock band from Minneapolis. Their music reminds me of the Strokes (early Strokes too) and the singer sounds like Paul Banks of Interpol. “Yourspace” is the most obviously Strokes-y, and the guitars on “Last Man Left Hanging” seem to pulled straight from Franz Ferdinand’s first album. I wish this album had been more original, but overall it’s really not bad and the guitars are quite catchy for anyone who digs the jangly-pop vibe.
Album- Wonderous Punch
Label-self-released
The Brutes are a newish rock band from Minneapolis. Their music reminds me of the Strokes (early Strokes too) and the singer sounds like Paul Banks of Interpol. “Yourspace” is the most obviously Strokes-y, and the guitars on “Last Man Left Hanging” seem to pulled straight from Franz Ferdinand’s first album. I wish this album had been more original, but overall it’s really not bad and the guitars are quite catchy for anyone who digs the jangly-pop vibe.
Sean Rowe
Artist- Sean Rowe
Album- Magic
Label- ANTI-
Sean Rowe’s debut album is definitely a Leonard Cohen / Van Morrison affair: sparse instrumentation that accompanies Rowe’s soft yet powerful bass voice. This style of music definitely is not for everyone – fans of Cohen, Nick Drake, and Morrison will love this – but it always bear similarities to The National circa Boxer.
Album- Magic
Label- ANTI-
Sean Rowe’s debut album is definitely a Leonard Cohen / Van Morrison affair: sparse instrumentation that accompanies Rowe’s soft yet powerful bass voice. This style of music definitely is not for everyone – fans of Cohen, Nick Drake, and Morrison will love this – but it always bear similarities to The National circa Boxer.
Jamaica
Artist- Jamaica
Album- No Problem
Label- Cooperative USA
Following up on their Cross the Fader EP from fall 2010, Parisian duo Jamaica is back with their first full-length. As before, this is produced by Xavier de Rosnay (of Justice) and Peter Franco (Daft Punk’s engineer) and their influence shows in Jamaica’s electro-tinged rock. The best tracks of the EP reappear on the LP (#1, 2, and 11), but new tracks “The Outsider” and “By the Numbers” are just as good. Jamaica sounds like a harder Phoenix than they do Daft Punk, but I still dig their punk staccato guitar riffs and the duo certainly has a knack for melody. (None of the remixes tacked on are particularly worth playing).
Album- No Problem
Label- Cooperative USA
Following up on their Cross the Fader EP from fall 2010, Parisian duo Jamaica is back with their first full-length. As before, this is produced by Xavier de Rosnay (of Justice) and Peter Franco (Daft Punk’s engineer) and their influence shows in Jamaica’s electro-tinged rock. The best tracks of the EP reappear on the LP (#1, 2, and 11), but new tracks “The Outsider” and “By the Numbers” are just as good. Jamaica sounds like a harder Phoenix than they do Daft Punk, but I still dig their punk staccato guitar riffs and the duo certainly has a knack for melody. (None of the remixes tacked on are particularly worth playing).
The Boxer Rebellion
Artist- The Boxer Rebellion
Album- The Cold Still
Label- self-released
The third release from this alt-rock London quartet is perhaps a step backwards from sophomore album Union. While it’s certainly not as ferocious, and it’s pretty clear that the Boxer Rebellion draws influence from The National, there are still some solid moments on this album. Most songs, excepting “Step Out of the Car”, are slow, indie tracks carried by the vocalist’s pleasant National-meets-Chris Martin voice.
For fans of: the National, Editors, The Veils, Chapel Club
Album- The Cold Still
Label- self-released
The third release from this alt-rock London quartet is perhaps a step backwards from sophomore album Union. While it’s certainly not as ferocious, and it’s pretty clear that the Boxer Rebellion draws influence from The National, there are still some solid moments on this album. Most songs, excepting “Step Out of the Car”, are slow, indie tracks carried by the vocalist’s pleasant National-meets-Chris Martin voice.
For fans of: the National, Editors, The Veils, Chapel Club
Banjo or Freakout
Artist- Banjo or Freakout
Album- s/t
Label- Rare Book Room
Banjo or Freakout is the shoegaze-influenced, dare I say it, chill-wave project of Italian-born/London-based Alessio Natalizia, and after many EPs we finally have a full-length. There are NO BANJOS ON THIS LP, so don’t worry. Some songs, like “Move Out”, have definite discernible guitar elements, while others (the woozy, wondrous “Go Ahead) are looser and more shoegazey in nature. Vocals are generally hazy and at times I’m reminded of the Antlers. Obviously it’s hard to be fully original in a genre that’s fairly defined, but Banjo or Freakout does a pretty good job here.
Album- s/t
Label- Rare Book Room
Banjo or Freakout is the shoegaze-influenced, dare I say it, chill-wave project of Italian-born/London-based Alessio Natalizia, and after many EPs we finally have a full-length. There are NO BANJOS ON THIS LP, so don’t worry. Some songs, like “Move Out”, have definite discernible guitar elements, while others (the woozy, wondrous “Go Ahead) are looser and more shoegazey in nature. Vocals are generally hazy and at times I’m reminded of the Antlers. Obviously it’s hard to be fully original in a genre that’s fairly defined, but Banjo or Freakout does a pretty good job here.
Neon Legion
Artist- Neon Legion
Album- Empire
Label- self-released
Neon Legion is the project of Phillip Kressin –a name that means nothing- except this project features members of Holy Fuck, the Hidden Cameras, and Fischerspooner. The result is an album of dancey, New Wave laser music. Kressin’s vocals sound like the singer for the Pet Shop Boys. Given the guest performers, I expected this album to be much better.
Album- Empire
Label- self-released
Neon Legion is the project of Phillip Kressin –a name that means nothing- except this project features members of Holy Fuck, the Hidden Cameras, and Fischerspooner. The result is an album of dancey, New Wave laser music. Kressin’s vocals sound like the singer for the Pet Shop Boys. Given the guest performers, I expected this album to be much better.
Winter's Fall
Artist- Winter's Fall
Album- At All Angles
Label- Velvet Blue Music
Despite what the sticker says, Winter’s Fall actually reminds me more of Band of Horses than My Morning Jacket. Like Band of Horses meets country-folk. It’s mostly the singer that sounds country, not the music. The music itself has a spacey, meandering quality that is rather nice- with a different vocalist this would be a better band. “Maybe I Do” best exemplifies this band’s sound.
Album- At All Angles
Label- Velvet Blue Music
Despite what the sticker says, Winter’s Fall actually reminds me more of Band of Horses than My Morning Jacket. Like Band of Horses meets country-folk. It’s mostly the singer that sounds country, not the music. The music itself has a spacey, meandering quality that is rather nice- with a different vocalist this would be a better band. “Maybe I Do” best exemplifies this band’s sound.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Silk Flowers
Artist- Silk Flowers
Album- LTD. Form
Label- Post Present Medium
This New York-based “dance goth” trio is undoubtedly one of the better acts signed to No Age’s personal label Post Present Medium. The LP is split evenly between instrumentals and tracks with singer Peter Schuette, who sounds very similar to Joy Division’s Ian Curtis. The album is synth-driven and not as lo-fi as their previous album thanks to Amanda “MNDR” Warner at the production helm. The album sounds warm, but without sacrificing any charm. Anyone who digs Joy Division, Zola Jesus, or synthy stuff like Diamond Rings will love this.
Album- LTD. Form
Label- Post Present Medium
This New York-based “dance goth” trio is undoubtedly one of the better acts signed to No Age’s personal label Post Present Medium. The LP is split evenly between instrumentals and tracks with singer Peter Schuette, who sounds very similar to Joy Division’s Ian Curtis. The album is synth-driven and not as lo-fi as their previous album thanks to Amanda “MNDR” Warner at the production helm. The album sounds warm, but without sacrificing any charm. Anyone who digs Joy Division, Zola Jesus, or synthy stuff like Diamond Rings will love this.
Tommy Guerrero
Artist- Tommy Guerrero
Album- Lifeboats & Follies
Label- Galaxia
Former 80’s professional skateboarder returns to the 2000’s with a CD of jazzy, Afrobeat and lazy downtown-cool drum beats. I want to wear black and read poetry to this LP. TG himself plays guitar, bass, keys and percussion, and is joined by a variety of instrumentalists to flesh out his sound. “Bulls on Broadway” is bassy with a hint of dub underneath the melodica parts, and “Cut the Reins” has a cool jazz shuffle going on.
Album- Lifeboats & Follies
Label- Galaxia
Former 80’s professional skateboarder returns to the 2000’s with a CD of jazzy, Afrobeat and lazy downtown-cool drum beats. I want to wear black and read poetry to this LP. TG himself plays guitar, bass, keys and percussion, and is joined by a variety of instrumentalists to flesh out his sound. “Bulls on Broadway” is bassy with a hint of dub underneath the melodica parts, and “Cut the Reins” has a cool jazz shuffle going on.
Beans
Artist- Beans
Album- End It All
Label- Anticon
Genre- hiphop
This album is insanely good- Brooklyn-based rapper Beans (formerly of the Antipop Consortium) is at his best, and each track is produced by an indie superstar such as TOBACCO, Four Tet, Bumps (aka Tortoise), Sam Fog of Interpol, and more. Beans’ rapping style often consists of staggering his rhymes, and the varied production actually shows how adaptable his rhymes are to different beats. My only complaint is that each track is too damn short: most clock at 2 minutes tops. “Glass Coffin” has a gritty, industrial edge set off by cool 8-bit arpeggiated riffs ; “Mellow You Out” features Tunde Adebimpe of TV on the Radio singing background to Beans’ raps. BEWARE FCC VIOLATIONS
Album- End It All
Label- Anticon
Genre- hiphop
This album is insanely good- Brooklyn-based rapper Beans (formerly of the Antipop Consortium) is at his best, and each track is produced by an indie superstar such as TOBACCO, Four Tet, Bumps (aka Tortoise), Sam Fog of Interpol, and more. Beans’ rapping style often consists of staggering his rhymes, and the varied production actually shows how adaptable his rhymes are to different beats. My only complaint is that each track is too damn short: most clock at 2 minutes tops. “Glass Coffin” has a gritty, industrial edge set off by cool 8-bit arpeggiated riffs ; “Mellow You Out” features Tunde Adebimpe of TV on the Radio singing background to Beans’ raps. BEWARE FCC VIOLATIONS
Monday, February 7, 2011
Shunda K
Artist- Shunda K
Album- The Most Wanted
Label- Fanatic
Genre- Hiphop
The hip-hop scene needs more women MCs and luckily Shunda K brings her best. Shunda begans as one third of group Yo Majesty, a buzzy rap group that signed to Domino in 2007. Her Southern-style of rapping is crazy quick and the beats here are gritty and electro-tinged. Highlight “Here I Am to Save the World” is insane. “My Light” cribs from Outkast but is still pretty good. “Rock & Roll” begins with an annoying sung intro, but once the grimy beat drops the song picks up. The album is sharp, well-produced, and above all entertaining.
Album- The Most Wanted
Label- Fanatic
Genre- Hiphop
The hip-hop scene needs more women MCs and luckily Shunda K brings her best. Shunda begans as one third of group Yo Majesty, a buzzy rap group that signed to Domino in 2007. Her Southern-style of rapping is crazy quick and the beats here are gritty and electro-tinged. Highlight “Here I Am to Save the World” is insane. “My Light” cribs from Outkast but is still pretty good. “Rock & Roll” begins with an annoying sung intro, but once the grimy beat drops the song picks up. The album is sharp, well-produced, and above all entertaining.
Little Comets
Artist- Little Comets
Album- In Search of Elusive Little Comets
Label- Dirty Hit
This British band found themselves signed to Columbia Records and then held hostage to their contract for 2 years for not making catchy enough indie pop. Strange, because this album is extremely influenced by popular indie bands (see below). The singer reminds me Kele Okereke of Bloc Party, and the music itself, and the band’s style does have hints of the punky-Afrobeat style that Vampire Weekend folded into the indie mainstream. For fans of: Vamp Weekend, Ra Ra Riot, Futureheads
Album- In Search of Elusive Little Comets
Label- Dirty Hit
This British band found themselves signed to Columbia Records and then held hostage to their contract for 2 years for not making catchy enough indie pop. Strange, because this album is extremely influenced by popular indie bands (see below). The singer reminds me Kele Okereke of Bloc Party, and the music itself, and the band’s style does have hints of the punky-Afrobeat style that Vampire Weekend folded into the indie mainstream. For fans of: Vamp Weekend, Ra Ra Riot, Futureheads
James Vincent McMorrow
Artist- James Vincent McMorrow
Album- Early in the Morning
Label- Vagrant
Genre- folk
This cd of folk-pop from Irish singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow rises above similar efforts within the genre. It has elements of Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes (ok, it is particularly similar to Bon Iver), yet McMorrow’s music feels more intimate. His tenor voice is quite beautiful if not thin as well. Fans of confessional style folk will love this, or for anyone who needs good headphone chill tunes.
Album- Early in the Morning
Label- Vagrant
Genre- folk
This cd of folk-pop from Irish singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow rises above similar efforts within the genre. It has elements of Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes (ok, it is particularly similar to Bon Iver), yet McMorrow’s music feels more intimate. His tenor voice is quite beautiful if not thin as well. Fans of confessional style folk will love this, or for anyone who needs good headphone chill tunes.
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