Midlake - Acts of Man
Two new tracks from new forthcoming album. Not quite as impactful as the likes of Roscoe but a pleasant enough introduction to the new record. It's pretty solemn and laid back but it's a vibe that Midlake works well. I forgive them the flute because they actually use it well (if such a thing is possible).
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Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
The supergroup rarely works well - as there are typically so many clashing egos that nothing really ever shines. Fortunately that's not so much the case here. Each player does their thing incredibly well but never tries to steal the show. The songs are a bit jam-tastic at times (as they should be with John Paul Jones involved, forefather of Jam Bands) but on the whole, pretty darn enjoyable. I'd still prefer a badass QOTSA record but this will hold me over.
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Tom Petty - Full Moon Fever
One of those albums that felt like a real headslapper when I realized I didn't actually own it. It is, as you should know, absolutely great. This is true of most Tom Petty but particularly so here.
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Keegan DeWitt - Wild Heart
Special EP comprised entirely of Fleetwood Mac covers. Keegan's style is very withdrawn and introspective but it works for these songs. The title track is great.. well worth the free download for sure.
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Capulets - Classics
Some time ago I received this album from my friends at SUR as their next potential release. Sadly, the band broke up and the album was lost in limbo. Fortunately, SUR took the initiative to master the record anyway and put it out there digitally. It's rare to stumble across a rock record that is devoid of any gimmicks - these guys just write a bunch of upbeat, sometimes goofy, fun songs. You might not see them live anytime soon but the record is one to own.
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Jookabox - Dead Zone Boys
This is the only album I can remember of recent procurement that I've picked up based on a friends suggestion (Janet Timmons) and absolutely run it into the ground. I've listened to it at least twice a day since I've gotten it and I show no signs of slowing. Pop songs masquerading in a dark, creepy, electronic backdrop. Love.
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Flaming Lips - Embryonic
While I heavily enjoy the pop styles that Flaming Lips are capable of deploying I do love it when they get a bit weirder. Embryonic is more than just a bit weirder - it's a lot weirder. It's their finest stab at an epic prog rock album in my opinion. A blend of the two would be musical bliss.
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Atlas Sounds - Logos
Obviously the collab track with Panda Bear is the main highlight here but the ambient, languid pop style present on the whole is a welcome addition to my ears. This is pretty much perfect for putting on repeat while you hang out with friends, enjoy a brisk night or slumber off to sleep. I'm creeped out by the cover art but really enjoying the contents within.
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Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young
I do not count myself among the throngs of people that are hardcore Strokes fans. I like them but dont consider them the End All / Rock Saviors that some do. That being said, I was curious what Casablancas could do on his own. The result, an album that might grow on me given time but really stirs little interest in even giving it much of a chance to do so.
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Burywood - There Exists An Abstraction Ladder
Austin based bedroom electronic pop. Drum machine beats, tasty keys and a bit of fuzzed out guitar. I dare you not to like Northward.
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Girls - Album
I wanted to love this, I really did. I think Lust for Life is one of the finer gems to come out this year.. it's familiar and enjoyable and destined for commercial licensing. However, the rest of the record feels like some slow jams from Elvis Costello - not a bad thing but not what I was expecting. I think I'll come back around to it eventually but, if we're being honest, I wanted 12 tracks that sounded very much like Lust for Life.
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Clues - Clues
I am obviously losing sight of my ability to keep up with all of the bands that I enjoy because I had no idea that Unicorns founding member Alden Penner had a new band; Clues. The self titled release is about what I would expect - weird subject matter, frantic pop, a vague underlying dark vibe and some familiar guitar tones. I think I may like this more than anything Islands will ever put out but only time will tell.
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No Age - Losing Feeling
Having loved the full-length Nouns record I was very prepared to hear some new music from No Age. My hopes were squashed after having downloaded Losing Feeling first and expecting more of the same from the other three tracks. Of the four, it is the most upbeat and what I was yearning for. Two of the others feel like throwaway b-sides and the third is an enjoyable ambient noise track. My suggestion: download track 3 and 4 and call it a day.
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The Antlers - Hospice
Recommended to me as an equivalent to Arcade Fire's Funeral record. While I should know better than to get any record setup with such a comparison, I went for it. Very quiet, building record - sort of post-rock for the indie set. It's pleasant but requires a certain mood to appreciate; a mood often associated with being sort of bummed out.
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Kavinsky - Teddy Boy
More excellent videogame-esque 80's electronic music. Exactly the same tone as the 1986 EP.
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Kavinsky - 1986
Throbbing electronic music inspired by 80's sounds and Ferraris. Honestly sounds like it could have been the soundtrack to any terrible dance club scene in a 1982 heavy handed drama. I mean that in a good way. It's a bit out of left field from my standard listening but it's highly enjoyed.
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Port O Brien - Threadbare
Takes the sound of their first record and properly expands upon it. Overall a very laid back, quiet vibe - perfect for winter listenings. There's a sad, dark and somewhat ominous vibe that shows itself every so often that is very appreciated. Previous album was okay, this one will be revisited much I am sure.
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The Pretty Things - SF Sorrow
1968 Concept album recommended by a friend. I love the scope of the record and the overall vibe but will be honest in saying that it hasn't grabbed my attention in such a way that I've really dug deep into how it all fits together. It's worth checking out but gotta be willing to do the listening legwork to make it truly enjoyable.
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Bear in Heaven - Beast Rest Forth Mouth
Moody, dark keyboards either looping throughout the duration or building into some rising release type of scenario. When they go for the upbeat, it works rather well.. when they go for the drone-y, slower stuff.. not so much. The sounds just feel muddy. I'd give it a solid B+ and look forward to more.
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Dead Man's Bones - Dead Man's Bones
After curbing some initial expectations I eventually settled on finding this pretty enjoyable. It's not an epic tour de force but its a very well done, quiet, moody record. It's like a Halloween record that doesn't require Halloween to enjoy - a quality compliment if there ever was one.
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Turbo Fruits - Echo Kid
As with many of the releases from the Infinity Cat family I often find a handful of songs that I really love and the rest are going for something that I don't find offensive but don't really desire to listen to either. Some great gems in here but the rest, for me, are meh.
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Tristen - Tour EP
It'd be a shame if Tristen didn't manage to reach a larger audience of fans at some point in the not too distant future. Her songs are catchy, witty, breezy and yet full of a driving energy that far too few female musicians seem to be able to conjure. I suggest downloading this from Bandcamp - well worth it.
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Built to Spill - There Is No Enemy
While the bag of tricks Built To Spill employ are pretty predictable at this point they are always welcome. Doug Martsch's voice always has a believably sad quality to it that juxtaposes the soaring guitars oh so perfectly. My mind isn't blown by what they're doing on this record but it's another dose of quality music that fewer and fewer artists are effectively embracing these days.
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AIR - Love 2
To me, even the most mediocre AIR album would be a total treat. Somehow they've managed to corner the market on their sound - no one makes music of this calibre / style that I am aware of. That being said, I do prefer when they travel down a darker path (Eat My Beat, Tropical Disease) but it's all enjoyable. Not a landmark AIR album but another quality entry.
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Modest Mouse - No One's First, And You're Next
While this one doesn't hold my attention tightly for the duration I think the procurement is entirely worth it for The Whale Song and the two previously released tracks - King Rat and I've Got It All (most). The other tracks are good but just seem to meander along.
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