Zeus - Say Us
Picked this up because I've always had faith that Arts & Crafts was one of those labels that you could trust to put out the best music, even if you had no idea what you were getting into. I've been burned on that mindset in that past but this time it pulled through. Say Us is a fun pop/rock record that could easily be on constant rotation for many months to come. No gimmicks, no overt stylistic leanings.. just a fun, upbeat record. There are far too few of them these days.
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The Secret Machines - Like I Can
I always had ultra high hopes for The Secret Machines. They seemed poised to be a band that could take the best parts of loads of different styles of bands and combine them into a new super-effective work horse. They sort of fell off from their last album and I was a bit hesistant to buy a two-song single that could fall flat as well.. but it seems that they're back on their game now. It's nicely textured, great layered vocals and has that rising tension that I always wanted for them. The b-side is even better than the a-side as they embrace the darker tone that are so good at.
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Holopaw - Oh, Glory. Oh, Wilderness.
At first listen this reminds me of Conor Oberst or Kind of Like Spitting - the somewhat overly affected vocal stylings that evoke a desperation and sadness from the singer that comes across a bit put on. It can get a bit tiresome at times but it feels authentic; particularly on the first track. Overall, I like it and it's got some strong tracks throughout but I wouldn't tell ya to buy it.
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Megafaun - Gather, Form and Fly
A varietal mix of strings, piano, alt-country leanings and a solid foundation in instrumental / classic rock. If you gave me this and said it was released in 1974 but never got the proper press it deserved, I'd likely believe you. I put it in the same category of music as Dr. Dog, Plants and Animals, etc but sort of the more experimental version of them. It's a very pleasant listen, perfect for whiling away the hours.
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Zaza - Cameo
Truth be told I've had this little EP laying around for awhile and keep meaning to listen to it so I can give it a proper review. I was told it was sorta Broken Social Scene-esque and that I would like it. Whenever I queue it up I like what I hear but it's so atmospheric and languid that I sort of forget about it. It is a good record, seemingly perfect for quiet summer nights but since it is not summer yet, it doesn't get the proper rotation.
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Junk Culture - West Coast
Extremely difficult to properly describe this - instrumental, ADD riddled, dance-y, lo-fi, laid back at times, really upbeat other times, spacey, etc. etc. I suppose the proper word here would be 'eclectic' but even that seems to be a disservice. Grab the title track somewhere and if that doesn't hook you, don't even consider anymore. I, for one, love it and recommend you snag it all.
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Glossary - Feral Fire
I remember buying the first Glossary record back in the early days of college and thinking that they weren't a band that I would keep up with because it was too steeped in alt-country leanings. Fortunately, since then they've downplayed the country and upped the rock a bit.. Feral Fire is a great example of the new balance they've accomplished. It's a rock record with some alt-country flourishes throughout.. instead of the opposite.
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XTC - Drums and Wires
It is next to impossible not to love "Making Plans for Nigel." The rest of this record is a quality entry in anyone's catalog.. they have such a unique production sound and the vocals are always pleasing to my ears, even when they're being weird.
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ELO - Time
Why haven't I owned this for years? What's been wrong with me? Why didn't anyone tell me how great this was? I blame all of you for depriving me of this for so long. I'm just happy that I picked it up on my own and bestowed such a gift to ME.
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Midlake - The Courage of Others
Expectations are a real bitch. I loved Van Occupanther. A lot. A whole lot. So my anticipation for the followup was quite high. Surely they'd bust out some new jams like Young Bride or Roscoe, right? Right?! No. No they will not. They will focus on their more somber, self-reflecting side and love of the MASH theme song for their followup. Is this album disappointing? On the first few listens, you bet it is. However, I believe my expectations will fade away and I'll come around to this.. but it's no Van Occupanther 2, which is really all I wanted.
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The Hotrats - Turn Ons
Gaz and Danny from Supergrass doing a bunch of their favorite cover songs while being recorded and produced by Nigel Godrich. If that sentence alone isn't enough to sell you on this, then forget about it. It is what it is, a covers record by half of Supergrass. As an SG fan, it is great.. very very high re-listenablility.
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Spoon - Transference
I totally went into this record thinking this was it, this was going to be the first Spoon record I was legitimately disappointed in. I figured there track record has been so good for so long now (with me) that they had to trip up at some point and this was likely it. Turns out this is probably my favorite record from them in years. On the whole, it sounds like Spoon demos - dirtier production than normal, abrupt song stops and an unpolished side to it that works extremely well.
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Tape Deck Mountain - Ghost
My expectations for this album is that it would be a bit of a dirty, straight forward, somewhat forgettable rock record. Turns out it is a dirty, somewhat subdued, intriguing bit of shoegaze-y rock. It's pretty withdrawn on the whole but it makes for some nice build ups; though not in a math rocky way. Get 'On My Honor' it will be your jam.
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Eels - End Times
I hate to say it but I think my affection for the Eels is effectively over. Every album since Electro-Shock has been increasingly hit or miss and this one was supposed to be full of sad E jams. That's what E does best! Sad songs! But something about them seems hollow. I will return to this and try again but I'm fairly sure this really will be the End for me and The Eels.
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Hanzelle - Bio-Electric Flower Pot
Local musicians making some interesting electronic pop music. As a first effort it shows a lot of promise but the new demos they have up are even better, so there are better goods coming on the way. Reminds me of Broadcast a lot of times - some disparate elements presented in a pop format.
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Yeasayer - Odd Blood
I was fairly sure this wasn't officially released in any format until Feb 8th but my local record store had a huge display full of the vinyl so I snatched it up. As most anyone knows that has downloaded the leak, the album takes the band in a much fuller zone of production and dancier, accessible songs. Fortunately they've also mixed in a hefty dash of extremely weird and dark overtones to it all as well; a combination you wouldn't think would work this well. But it does!
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Gershon Kingsley - Music to Moog By
Gershon Kingsley is noted for having recorded the first ever electronic pop instrumental song - not a small feat by any means - but it certainly doesn't feel like an amateur or fledgling undertaking of an album by any means. It has plenty of cover songs but there's a lot to appreciate on here.
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Unbunny - Black Strawberries
If this album sounded like total crap I'd probably still give it a favorable review because the packaging is so impressive and enjoyable throughout. Fortunately, that's not the case and this is one of those indie albums that probably fell under your radar in 2002 and is now getting the proper release that it deserves. The comparison to Neutral Milk Hotel, Elliott Smith, Jason Lytle and Neil Young are all apt in their own way.
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David Bowie - Hunky Dory
Sad fact about me: until recently I really had a hard time with production values from the 60's and 70's. A lot of classic albums have long been swept under the rug because I just couldn't get past the odd sounds. It's a long story but it's not so much that way anymore. All that being said - this album is great. That's not news to anyone.
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Miike Snow - Miike Snow
Several friends of mine had recommended this to me as a great, fun, album worthy of all the praise it was getting. It wasn't until I listened to the entire album that I think it clicked for me - hearing individual tracks just didn't hook me properly. It's a solid, upbeat, dance-y record with just the right amount of forelorn tinge to it.
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George Harrison - Cloud 9
Jeff Lynne and George Harrison can do no wrong in my book; especially together. I'm sure I heard parts of this album in my youth but it's a pity that it took me until now to give it a proper listen as an adult. I forgive him the ridiculous album art and fully embrace the silliness of Zig Zag.
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Phoenix - Alphabetical
It recently dawned on me that I hadn't ever legitimately purchased this and I felt terrible as I can listen to this from top to bottom on repeat for hours. So good.. but that's obvious by now.
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Phoenix - United
Shamefully I never properly owned this. There are too many undeniable tracks on here to not have given my meager dollars to their proper cause. Not owning this is a bad idea.
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Seth Kauffman - Research
Very akin to the Dr. Dog languid morose pop style that I've come to love as of late. "Absolute Sway" is an undeniable gem. The rest of the record is good but not quite as rad. Overall, a solid B. Someone to keep an eye on for sure.
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Richard Swift - as Onasis
Yet another side project from Mr. Swift. This one features his more Garage Rock tendencies spanned across two discs. Frankly, garage rock should be short and sweet - not in massive abundance. So, it gets a bit tiring but he plays well so as long as you keep it smaller doses.
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