Friday, October 26th, 2007
All I can say is that I am now a Babyshambles fan. I never really understood the hype surrounding the Libertines outside of the tabloid gossip. Well, with their new album “Shotter’s Nation” (whatever that means), Pete and crew have really made something special. I tend to shy away from over analytical reviews, so just check it out and judge for yourself.
Thursday, August 30th, 2007
Just heard a new song from their upcoming album “Cease to Begin” hitting stores on October 9, 2007 (Sub Pop). Sounds like something I’ll be into.
Sunday, July 22nd, 2007
After hearing a buzz about this band for some time, I finally checked out their 2005 masterpiece, Black Sheep Boy and have since been obsessed with this album. I literally have been listening to it non-stop for almost a month. Needless to say, I was excited to hear that after a two-year hiatus, they were releasing a new album this fall.
Stage Names, due out on August 7th is a change in direction for the band. While “Black Sheep Boy” is a powerful and sweeping album of raw, unrestrained emotion. While pleasing, the new album lacks some of the pain and grit that made the last so compelling. Songs like “Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe” is probably the most gratifying song, incorporating singer Will Sheff’s familiar cracked-voice howl and unsettling urgency. Much of the albums remaining tracks suffer from a lack of passion, often feeling like over-polished and unimaginative contemporary pop. Oddly enough, that’s precisely the sound they seem to have aimed to cultivate. In an interview with Pitchfork, Sheff states he wanted to “make a record that’s unemotional, that pushes people away and is sort of flippant.” Sadly, I suppose he succeeded. He also mentions that they recorded 15 songs for Stage Names, but pared it down a mere 9 tracks to keep the album “precise.” Let’s hope that these lost tracks contain more of the bitting poignency that made me a fan. I myself will continue to listen to their last record (and the Appendix album). You should too.
Okkervil River - Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe
Okkervil River - A Hand To Take Hold Of The Scene
Our Live is Not a Movie or Maybe (Live from Austin City Limits)
Thursday, June 7th, 2007
I first heard of SF indie-folksters The Papercuts while browsing through the Pitchfork Media reviews. Somewhere between the time I downloaded their album and a few days later when I played the album through multiple times, I feel in love with their dreamy, slightly sad summer-pop sound. Songwriter Jason Quever’s frail, ghostly vocals perfectly compliment the album’s sepia-drenched, vintage vibe. Enough talk. Check out why Devendra Banhart released this album through his label.
The Papercuts - Dear Employee
The Papercuts - Summer Long
Friday, June 1st, 2007
Nebraska’s Eagle*Seagull has the honor of being one of my absolute favorite albums of 2006. Beginning to end, their self-titled debut album is truly one of the buzz-worthy efforts in the sometimes over-saturated indie landscape. Drawing on elements from Bowie, The Cure, and more recent arrivals Wolf Parade (and Sunset Rubdown), E*S delivers a powerful and dare I say, epic album chalked full of disjointed, melancholy anthems for a disillusioned audience. Seriously, every time this album is on the speakers I melt into a comfortable state of lonely bliss. Pour yourself a drink, light up a joint and enjoy.
Friday, June 1st, 2007
Psychedelic Swedish Rockers Dungen deliver a satisfying progressive-pop record in Tio Bitar. I have no idea what the title means (or any lyrics on the album), but sometimes all you need is the universal language of music to do the talking. This record is an enjoyable listen, and somewhat more focused and accessible than last year’s Ta Det Lugnt. The album’s standout track is the song, “Svart Är Himlen” which builds from a hard, breathy flute that would make Herbie Man jealous and over-driven rhythm guitar accents into a beautiful soaring piano chorus. Sweden Rocks.
Dungen - Gör Det Nu
Dungen - Du Ska Inte Tro Att Det Ordan
Dungen - Svart Är Himlen
Thursday, May 31st, 2007
With the release of “So Jealous” in 2006, Canadian sister-duo Tegan and Sara quickly became one of my favorite bands. Cuteness aside (Sara, call me!), this Canadian duo has earned praise from critics and artists alike. Suffice to say, their song “Walking With A Ghost” was covered by Jack White of The White Stripes/Raconteurs fame. With word of their upcoming album “The Con” slated for July 24th release, I had been regularly trolling the various torrent sites for an early leak. Last week, I struck gold. Man, I love the internet.
Unlike the previous album, which was filled with hook-laden uptempo gems, their new album has a slightly darker and more dense sound. Upon first impressions, I was somewhat disappointed as the songs were not as immediately accessible as it’s predecessor. However upon repeated listens, the album’s complex and delicate melodies unfolded and has been on constant loop ever since. Songs like title track “The Con” and “Back in Your Head” capture the duo’s signature melancholy-pop sound without missing a beat. Other tracks find the girls heading in a new direction, utilizing more electronic elements and minor key-signatures to balance their catchy pop sensibilities with a more mature and refined sound.
For those who already know and love this band, the title might be somewhat misleading. For new fans, the only “con” might be that the fact that they prematurely disregarded theses talented sister’s as candy. Their candy is more like Sour Patch Kids.
Tegan and Sara - “The Con”
Tegan and Sara - “Back In Your head”
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