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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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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