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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Odd Nosdam - TIME
With such a wealth of back catalog behind him I feel a bit naked trying to share any sort of worthwhile insight into Odd Nosdam. I'm a new listener so I can't say if this is out of the ordinary or not but it's an instrumental album backed mostly by hip-hop influenced beats but still fusing lots of great other sounds. It's like Prefuse 73 but more organic. I'm quite enjoying it and may have to dive farther back to discover more.
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Thee More Shallows - A History of Sports Fishing
As much as I love this band I was totally kicking myself when I realized I did not own their first record. I quickly remedied this and set forth into the listening. Unsurprisingly, it sounds like their later releases but just a bit quieter. Normally I shy away from the sadder offerings of music but Thee More Shallows have always had a take on it that worked for me.. I think it's the earnestness of Dee Kesler's voice. Love it.
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Protomen - Act II
If someone had asked me a few years ago if it was possible for The Protomen to get more dramatic than they already were I would have said 100% No Way. However, they proved that notion very very wrong. Act II is a rock opera of most literal degree. The booklet that accompanies the disc reads like a script and the music plays it out pretty much to a T. The band has also delved into some 80's Rock Ballad territory that I'm not entirely comfortable with and, ultimately, detracts from my enjoyment of the record. The Spaghetti Western style stuff is fantastic and they've got a masterful usage of keyboards throughout - so I'd give it a solid B in the end.
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Pearl Jam - Backspacer
Yea, that's right.. I bought the new Pearl Jam. Add to that the fact that I like the new single and you've got a recipe for Indie Rock Cred Disaster. Despite Pearl Jam having a stigma attached to them these days this album is actually pretty mediocre. Considering that there was a time in my life that I could name every song from every album and a majority of the b-sides I really don't even see myself listening to this for very long. Maybe we've just outgrown each other but, on the whole, it doesn't do a whole lot for me. Or maybe the nostalgia is too overwhelming to accept something new into the mix.
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Islands - Vapours
An enjoyable followup to Return to the Sea but I think I expect so much from someone that was a founding member of The Unicorns that I can't help but be a little disappointed. While the songs are solid and enjoyable throughout I don't feel like it's throwing anything crazy into the mix (except maybe some AutoTune.. bah). I will continue to listen and enjoy but quietly wish it was a bit weirder.
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Generationals - Con Law
Funny story: I booked a show earlier in the year and was asked to add these guys to the bill as a favor to the venue. I ultimately passed and thought nothing else of the band. Fast forward several months later and I'm kicking myself for not letting it happen. It wouldn't have fit the show but I would have liked to see these songs pulled off live. There's a nice bit of throwback / vintage influence going on here that is more enjoyable on each listen.
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Zoot Woman - Things Are What They Used To Be
This is an atypical record for me to suggest or even listen to. It's very dancefloor beat with vaguely dramatic vocals over top but there's always been something appealing about the guys voice that I enjoyed. Download "We Won't Break" and you'll have your fix.
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Why - Eskimo Snow
I believe I read somewhere that the majority of these tracks were recorded at the same time as Alopecia but didn't fit the vibe of that album so they were put aside for this project. Thus far it has proven to be an album that has taken a few listens to get into. There's something different about it, as if they are moving away from their traditional sound and attempting a more straightforward approach. Its not unpleasant but not what I expected. The rising energy throughout is great.. stick with it.
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DM Stith - BMB
Part one of a trilogy of EP's featuring alternate versions, outtakes, b-sides and new stuff. I find myself revisiting the full-length Heavy Ghost with great regularity and this is a nice additional bit of music done in the same vein. No surprises but a welcome aural treat.
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Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes - Self Titled
The album is good but gets so outshined by the track 'Home' that it actually makes the rest of the disc feel a bit lame in comparison. I can not recommend that one track enough, the rest seems good but not something you can't live without.
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Amusement Parks on Fire - Young Fight EP
Changes to the APOF sound must be extremely subtle because I often have a hard time deciphering between what songs belong to what release. These are new tracks but contain the exact same huge guitar, sweeping shoegazing rock experienced on prior releases.. and, honestly, I wouldn't want it any other way. They've nailed the format.
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Future of the Left - Travels With Myself And Another
I was never a huge McClusky fan but was curious to hear the new project and it sounds much the same - aggressive, snarky, strained rock songs. Check that, Rawk songs. And I don't say that with a bit of negativity. There's an anxious energy mixed with a respect for the pop song structure that makes it work extremely well.
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Science and Technology - Music From The Films Of R. Swift
My love of Richard Swift is no secret if you've been paying attention but I think it gets taken to a new level with this side project. Very atmospheric, electronic, Jim O'Rourke style compositions from a man known for his pop songs is a very welcome surprise. As with most things Swift is involved in I can safely say I love it.
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Metroid Metal - Varia Suite
What can you say about an album consisting entirely of songs from the Metroid game series done in an intensely metal style? It sounds exactly as you'd imagine and it works perfectly... assuming that you're down with hard rock songs based on epic sci-fi journeys.
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Caitlin Rose - Dead Flowers
If someone had played this for me two years ago I would have immediately said No Thank You and thought nothing of it. However, after having seen Caitlin perform these songs I think GET it. I think I'm "ready" to have them in my musical life. This is an atypical listen for me - grounded in proper country music - but it's shortsighted to write it off because of that. Honestly think this will open some new (old) artists to me that I hadn't thought to explore previously.
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Cortney Tidwell - Boys
While the comparison is unfair the constant mention of Bjork and Tidwell in the same breath make sense - in as much as they both make atmospheric musical journeys fueled by a healthy mix of electronic and traditional instrumentation. How anyone could hear Watusii or 17 Horses and not enjoy it is beyond me... the rest of the album finds a nice balance between the quietly languid and quality pop upbeat.
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Richard Swift - Ground Trouble Jaw
A digital only release containing earlier versions of several songs later found on Atlantic Ocean and two tracks unavailable elsewhere - namely The Bully; a Richard Swift must-have. Hell, it's a must-have for anyone that enjoys music. Period. Get it.
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Blitzen Trapper - Black River Killer
A solid EP is always a treat as it rarely has time to mess things up. Such is the case with this single from Furr mixed with a bunch of tracks previously only available on CD-R's from the bands show. The majority of tracks are the more quiet, storytelling Blitzen Trapper style but enjoyable from top to bottom. 'Black Rock' has my favorite quiet BT style all over it - recommended just for that.
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Matt Berry - Opium
Part of me wants to say that if you're not a fan of the Matt Berry persona just steer clear of this but that's selling this album short. That being said only Matt Berry could create this style of album. Lots of 70's inspired songwriter tunes intermixed with narrative dialogue, odd pronunciations and spacey overtones. If you're a Snuffbox fan you'll hear some familiar sounds throughout - an extra bonus.
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