I think this one is a grower. There are several tracks that I love on first listen but nothing seems to have the staying power of the songs I absolutely adore from the previous records. That being said, it's Broken Social Scene - they have their sound and they do it well. No grandiose insight from me on this subject. BSS is BSS. [www.brokensocialscene.ca]
Guess what? Dr. Dog rules. What else is there to say? They've not released a single album since We All Belong that I didn't like. I could reel off all the things I enjoy about it so much but it'd basically just be a list of all the elements that make up a Dr. Dog album. That is to say, I like everything about it. [www.drdogmusic.com]
I always had ultra high hopes for The Secret Machines. They seemed poised to be a band that could take the best parts of loads of different styles of bands and combine them into a new super-effective work horse. They sort of fell off from their last album and I was a bit hesistant to buy a two-song single that could fall flat as well.. but it seems that they're back on their game now. It's nicely textured, great layered vocals and has that rising tension that I always wanted for them. The b-side is even better than the a-side as they embrace the darker tone that are so good at. [www.thesecretmachines.com]
Everyone ranted and raved about this album so much I was convinced I was not going to like it before even cracking into it. I hadn't heard previous releases and whenever an album gets the amount of hype this has gotten I am almost always confused where the excitement has stemmed from. I will admit to being wrong in this particular case; Teen Dream is a solid record. I think it's a bit of the same sound throughout the record - very similar tempos, sounds and pace for every song. However, that sound is an enjoyable one; atmospheric, forelorn, a bit melancholy and perfectly engaging. [www.myspace.com]
I was super excited when I heard the first track from Home Acres as it sort of signified that the band had returned more to their sound of Here Comes Everyone as opposed to the, in my opinion, flop of Light Works. My excitement continued on once I'd procured the whole album and my suspicions were confirmed.. the band has re-embraced their upbeat style a whole lot more. It's still languid and reminiscent of late 90's indie pop but that's the Aloha appeal. Hopefully they continue in this vein, as they do it quite well. [alohahomeacres.com]
My expectations for this album is that it would be a bit of a dirty, straight forward, somewhat forgettable rock record. Turns out it is a dirty, somewhat subdued, intriguing bit of shoegaze-y rock. It's pretty withdrawn on the whole but it makes for some nice build ups; though not in a math rocky way. Get 'On My Honor' it will be your jam. [tapedeckmountain.blogspot.com]
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. [www.builttospill.com]
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. [www.antlersmusic.com]
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. [www.modestmouse.com]
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. [www.protomen.com]
A varietal mix of strings, piano, alt-country leanings and a solid foundation in instrumental / classic rock. If you gave me this and said it was released in 1974 but never got the proper press it deserved, I'd likely believe you. I put it in the same category of music as Dr. Dog, Plants and Animals, etc but sort of the more experimental version of them. It's a very pleasant listen, perfect for whiling away the hours. [megafaun.tumblr.com]
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. [en.aircheology.com]
Having loved the full-length Nouns record I was very prepared to hear some new music from No Age. My hopes were squashed after having downloaded Losing Feeling first and expecting more of the same from the other three tracks. Of the four, it is the most upbeat and what I was yearning for. Two of the others feel like throwaway b-sides and the third is an enjoyable ambient noise track. My suggestion: download track 3 and 4 and call it a day. [www.subpop.com]
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. [www.islandsareforever.com]
I hate to say it but I think my affection for the Eels is effectively over. Every album since Electro-Shock has been increasingly hit or miss and this one was supposed to be full of sad E jams. That's what E does best! Sad songs! But something about them seems hollow. I will return to this and try again but I'm fairly sure this really will be the End for me and The Eels. [www.eelstheband.com]
Expectations are a real bitch. I loved Van Occupanther. A lot. A whole lot. So my anticipation for the follow-up was quite high. Surely, they'd bust out some new jams like "Young Bride" or "Roscoe," right? Right?! No. No, they will not. They will focus on their more somber, self-reflecting side and love of the M.A.S.H. theme song for their follow-up. Is this album disappointing? On the first few listens, you bet it is. However, I believe my expectations will fade away and I'll come around to this... but it's no Van Occupanther 2, which is really all I wanted.
I was never a huge Mclusky 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.
I totally went into this record thinking this was it, this was going to be the first Spoon record I was legitimately disappointed in. I figured their track record has been so good for so long now (with me, at least) that they had to trip up at some point and this was likely it. Turns out this is probably my favorite record from them in years. On the whole, it sounds like Spoon demos -- dirtier production than normal, abrupt song stops and an unpolished side to it that works extremely well. [www.spoontheband.com]
As most anyone knows that has downloaded the leak, the album takes the band in a much fuller zone of production and dancier, accessible songs. Fortunately they've also mixed in a hefty dash of extremely weird and dark overtones to it all as well; a combination you wouldn't think would work this well. But it does! [www.yeasayer.net]
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 times (as they should be with John Paul Jones involved, forefather of Jam Bands) but on the whole, pretty darn enjoyable. I'd still prefer a badass QOTSA record but this will hold me over. [www.themcrookedvultures.com]
