Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures
| Rating: | 4.0 / 5 |
| Label: | Interscope |
| Website: |
The supergroup rarely works well - as there are typically so many clashing egos that nothing really ever shines. Fortunately that's not so much the case here. Each player does their thing incredibly well but never tries to steal the show. The songs are a bit jam-tastic at... More
Blitzen Trapper – Black River Killer
| Rating: | 4.5 / 5 |
| Label: | Sub Pop |
| Website: |
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... More
Girls – Album
| Rating: | 2.5 / 5 |
| Label: | True Panther Sounds |
| Website: |
I wanted to love this, I really did. I think Lust for Life is one of the finer gems to come out this year.. it's familiar and enjoyable and destined for commercial licensing. However, the rest of the record feels like some slow jams from Elvis Costello - not a bad thing but... More
Flaming Lips – Embryonic
| Rating: | 3.5 / 5 |
| Label: | Reprise |
| Website: | flaminglips.com |
While I heavily enjoy the pop styles that Flaming Lips are capable of deploying I do love it when they get a bit weirder. Embryonic is more than just a bit weirder - it's a lot weirder. It's their finest stab at an epic prog rock album in my opinion. A blend of the two... More
Atlas Sounds – Logos
| Rating: | 4.0 / 5 |
| Label: | Reprise |
| Website: | myspace.com |
Obviously the collab track with Panda Bear is the main highlight here but the ambient, languid pop style present on the whole is a welcome addition to my ears. This is pretty much perfect for putting on repeat while you hang out with friends, enjoy a brisk night or slumber... More
Port O Brien – Threadbare
| Rating: | 4.0 / 5 |
| Label: | Tbd Records |
| Website: | portobrien.com |
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... More
Ramona Falls – Intuit
| Rating: | 4.0 / 5 |
| Label: | Barsuk |
| Website: | myspace.com |
I love Menomena side projects because they inevitably sound like Menomena in some fashion. This is no different, as it sounds like elements of Menomena... similar production style, familiar vocals and instrumentation. If Menomena never existed, I think it is safe to say I... More
Yonlu – A Society in Which No Tear Is Shed Is Inconceivably Mediocre
| Rating: | 3.0 / 5 |
| Label: | Luaka Bop |
| Website: | yonlu.com |
For me, this record can not be appreciated without knowing the back story. As a work independent of context it is an indie pop record inspired by the likes of Tropicalia, Elliott Smith and bedroom pop everywhere. Knowing the backstory of sixteen year old Vinicius Gageiro... More
Jeepster – What If All the Rebels Died?
| Rating: | 3.0 / 5 |
| Label: | Distile Records |
| Website: | myspace.com |
Sort of dancey, sort of dark, sort of slow, sort of constant rising tension. It's a lot of different things and it's sort of hard to pin down. Feels like a record I might not ever think to conciously put on but whenever it comes around it's pleasing, enjoyed and appreciated. More
Great Lake Swimmers – Ongiara
| Rating: | 2.8 / 5 |
| Label: | Nettwerk |
| Website: | greatlakeswimmers.com |
Great Lake Swimmers, along with the likes Band of Horses or Iron & Wine, are successfully reviving a traditional folky sound made popular by Neil Young and a bunch of other bands my Dad used to listen to. It's a softer, more personal sound than the screamo and pop music the... More


