Gayngs – Relayted

Posted in Reviews by yewknee on Jul 26, 2010
Rating: 3.5 / 5
Label: Jagjaguwar
Website: gayngs.net

Honestly a supergroup comprised of Bon Iver, Megafaun, Rosebuds, etc is not something I would have ever admitted to being the least bit intrigued by. However, having listened to Relayted many many times over now I can safely say there's a smooth airiness to this that can't... More

Here We Go Magic – Pigeons

Posted in Reviews by yewknee on Jul 26, 2010
Rating: 4.0 / 5
Label: Secretly Canadian
Website: secretlycanadian.com

I bet good money this will fly under so many people's radars for all the year end lists and that's a damn shame because this is a great step forward for the band. Listening to the album I am struck with the perfect balance of both being quite upbeat and incredible laid back... More

Admiral Radley – I Heart California

Posted in Reviews by yewknee on Jul 26, 2010
Rating: 4.0 / 5
Label: The Ship
Website: admiralradley.com

Umm, a new Jason Lytle project featuring members of Earlimart making music you can obviously tell they just had FUN with? Yes, please. It's great when the chemistry of band members comes through in the records - like you can just hear them having a good natured time in the... More

Mutual Benefit – Drifting

Posted in Reviews by yewknee on Jul 26, 2010
Rating: 4.0 / 5
Label: Kassette Klub
Website: kassetteklub.blogspot.com

Fantastic, free, ep from Kassette Klub. Very lo-fi bedroom pop with an excellent keyboard-y undertone to everything. I'd even go as far as to say it reminds me of the first EP from The Unicorns - though maybe not as out there lyrically; very similar production and... More

Keegan DeWitt – Nothing Shows EP

Posted in Reviews by yewknee on Jul 21, 2010
Rating: 3.5 / 5
Label: Daytrotter
Website: keegandewitt.com

I will admit that I have previously pigeonholed Keegan DeWitt into the realm of talented singer songwriters putting out introspective compositions that are top notch in their execution but not always entirely appealing to my ears. However, this new EP (due out in mid-July... More

Twin Sister – Color Your Life

Posted in Reviews by yewknee on Jul 21, 2010
Rating: 3.5 / 5
Label: Infinite Best
Website: twinsistermusic.com

It took me a long time to come around to the first EP from these guys - a bit of vaguely lo-fi pop with a seemingly Wall of Sound approach to the whole thing. Once I got it, I was hooked. This new EP is much of the same, though with better production. It's melancholy (a... More

David Cross – Bigger and Blackerer

Posted in Reviews by yewknee on Jul 21, 2010
Rating: 4.0 / 5
Label: Sub Pop
Website: subpop.com

Honestly, there's not really a way I wasn't going to enjoy this. Maybe if it was an hour of Cross reading ingredients.. Nah, he'd probably do it in a way that I would still love. No surprises here.. lots of funny, abrasive takes on religion, politics, culture as a whole and... More

Holy Fuck – Latin

Posted in Reviews by yewknee on Jul 21, 2010
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Label: Young Turks
Website: holyfuckmusic.com

Love it. Period. There's a track called SHT MTN for God's sake. This has every element of upbeat electronic fueled music that I like - spacey sounds, driving beats, a mild grit to some of the production and track lengths that don't go on forever. Also, no super aggravating... More

Sleigh Bells – Treats

Posted in Reviews by yewknee on Jun 24, 2010
Rating: 3.5 / 5
Label: Mom & Pop
Website: infinitybells.com

I'll admit it, I fell prey to the hype and snatched this record up based only on having heard the lead track and a few reviews from trusted friends. On the whole, I love the gritty sound to the whole thing. It sounds downright gnarly at times and I mean that in a highly... More

How To Destroy Angels – EP

Posted in Reviews by yewknee on Jun 24, 2010
Rating: 4.0 / 5
Label: Self-Released
Website: howtodestroyangels.com

I've long been curious what Trent Reznor would sound like when he finally really put down the NIN moniker and tried something new. Turns out, it sounds like NIN. I'm not saying it's a total replica, there are differences - mainly the female vocals, but if someone played... More