Deastri - Parallelogram
Only two songs but they are quality indie pop with a sweeping dark edge to it. They've got a nice twinge of lo-fi to their recordings that is just the right balance. I'm curious to hear the entire record now.
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Bell Orchestre - Recording A Tape The Colours Of The Light
One of the latest signings to Arts and Crafts.. I decided to get familiar with their previous work. It's instrumental, it's orchestral and it integrates a lot of horns, strings and some tiny bits of electronics. I'm loving it and looking forward to the new album.
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Broken West - Now Or Heaven
Personally, I find it rare to hear a pop-rock record these days that doesn't totally disgust me. There are way too many tender bands copping a vague Coldplay vibe - fact. However, Broken West has made a record that is both refreshing, smart and fun to listen to. It's not fluff but it's also not a record that requires ten listens before understanding the point. It's rock music with a pop edge and it's good.
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How I Became the Bomb - Foremost Sentinel
The second, free, digital EP is possibly more pleasant than the first; or maybe I'm just more partial to these songs. Not that something being free makes it more worthwhile but it does make a good thing even better. I suggest downloading this right away before they put a pricetag on it.
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Louis CK - Chewed Up
Despite not having even listened to a single track yet I can tell from the tracklisting that I needed to own this and am happy that I used my emusic credits on it.
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Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
I remember listening to this streaming when it was first slated to be released and I didn't get what the big deal was. It wasn't as appealing as Summer Teeth and seemed to just be noisier for the sake of being 'weird.' I still don't feel entirely different from that but I can hear the normal, appealing, Wilco through the weirdness now.
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Television - Marquee Moon
Another entry in the Albums You Should Already Own And Will Be Shunned By Rock Snobs For Not Being Familiar With Already. There's a lot of those actually. I've got to spend some more time with it but I think it's taken me this long to come around to it just to be actually ready to appreciate it.
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Catfish Haven - Devastator
While not quite as instantly memorable as the first album the vocal style is still so perfectly unique (grating and melodic) to the musical style that it's hard to turn it off. Works as nice upbeat background music. I am sure it's quite the soulful experience live.
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Deerhunter - Microcastle
Honestly I don't know a damn thing about all the hype surrounding this band. I never heard the first record - or at least never paid it much mind - and don't think this album is the next best new thing. However, that being said, I think it's a solid and intriguing album - nice fusion of ambient shoegazing styles mixed the occasional fuzzed out rockin track.
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Delta Spirit - Ode to Sunshine
Loving the subtle country vibe mixed with the forelorn songwriting while still being mixed with rawkus and rambly upbeat songs. Took me far too long to finally check this out.
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Harry Nilsson - Anthology
Great compilation of the still insanely underrated Harry Nilsson. Maybe not as good as a cohesive album or two but it gives a well rounded look at his whole career - good from start to finish.
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Kindercastle - In A Tizzy
If you haven't picked up on it yet, I absolutely love this record. They wear their ELO influence on their sleeve but not in a detrimentally derogatory manner. It's a great combination of the upbeat with the sullen. Quality songwriting deserving of note.
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Lily Allen - Alright, Still
I will not apologize for enjoying this. It's pop and it's cutesy but I can't help it, I just like it.
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Nick Butcher - Bee Removal
A serious study in the low key, almost silent at times. Actually seems to cross the line from ambient into something else - as it is almost unnaturally quiet (to me). But it is an interesting and challenging listen.
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The Features - Some Kind of Salvation
It's going to be a real travesty if this record doesn't get some sort of recognition or more widespread appreciation. The Features have been creating consistently solid pop rock for over a decade and this album is likely their best yet.
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Jensen Sportag - Sergio
Despite them being associated with a Dance Scene (something I am not too keen on) I think Jensen Sportag are making pure pop music - albeit with the aid of some modern electronics. Love that they are able to balance out a bit of hipster style appeal and mix it effectively with influences along the lines of funk, true R&B and often times cinematic style overtures.
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Do Make Say Think - You're A History In Rust
I always really want to love DMST but they fall just barely on the side of TOO low key. Occasionally they grab my attention but even when listened to predominately as background music, I can't help but find myself thinking it's entirely silent. They are incredibly talented musicians and I enjoy the record for what it is but I need something just a hair less soothing.
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Egadz! - What We Are Destined To Do
I find myself more and more drawn to instrumental music of all kinds these days - as vocals and lyrics just tend to screw up a good thing. Egadz is predominately a DJ and it shows, as many of the elements present here are fairly standard issue.. that being said, it's a nice mix of ambient, keyboards, and driving drums. A welcome backdrop of sound.
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Talking Heads - More Songs About Buildings And Food
After receiving multiple recommendations to get this album in particular I dove right in. The funk is less prevalent and the pop is more forthcoming - a welcome exchange. I mean, it's the Talking Heads - what more can I say that hasn't already been said?
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School of Seven Bells - Alpinisms
The new project from Secret Machines departed member Ben Curtis is similar to his previous band in that it creates an ethereal, spacey vibe - only this time with electronics, noise and ambiance instead of big drums and guitar. So, theoretically similar but musically a bit of a departure. It's an album that takes many listens to form a full opinion of, so I'm still hashing it all together.
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Wintersleep - Welcome to the Night Sky
Enjoyable intelligent rock music is a rarer breed than one would think. No catch involved - no mathy guitars, no twee-esque twist, no scream-y vocals, just plain ole rock music. It's hard to do something so simple well but Wintersleep consistently delivers.
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Little Joy - Little Joy
Side project from Strokes member Fabrizio Moretti that sounds like The Strokes without the occasional aggression or passion. However, that's not a detriment - it's an enjoyable listen that rolls along. Not a groundbreaking piece of work but a pleasant listen.
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The Secret Machines - The Secret Machines
An enjoyable listen but pretty much blends into the background and fails to grab me at any moment. I will continue to listen to it in an attempt to rediscover what I liked so much about the previous releases but it's a bit of work.
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Department of Eagles - In Ear Park
Have been listening to this for months but just recently actually purchased it - bad, I know. The first album has a bit more diversity to it but this one is a more focused endeavor and probably better for it. Absolutely in the top ten of the year.
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And The Relatives - Animals
The only downside to this disc is that is a mere six songs. Aside from that it's a refreshing bit of rock. No pretentiousness, no gimmicks. Just straight ahead rock with intelligent parts for all the instruments. Rarely does everything mesh this well.
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