»Album Reviews For Release Date: 06.08.10
by Joshua Krage

So much summer out this week, it’s glorious, but there’s a big lack of major label releases and only one culprit: vampires. The Twilight: Eclipse soundtrack is a behemoth I would not wish upon any competitor entering the ring this week, but for any of you looking beyond the teenage supernatural melodrama, you’ll find some incredibly meaty summer tuneage to kick start your poolside chillin’ (or warmin’, but I digress). Step outside where the vampires can’t get you, and enjoy the good times while you got ‘em:

Against Me!, White Crosses – with these guys you know you gotta come ready to accept some protest rallying, but since their major label debut with last album New Wave, they’ve gone from folk-punk to full-on arena-punk. Expansive guitars, surprise piano textures and anthemic, huge-sounding production dominate the landscape courtesy of Butch Vig, who smoothed out any rough edges (formerly one of their strong points) save for Tom Gable’s visceral, anarchist yowl, which continues to call out the government and established authority in general. Most surprising, however, is Gable’s progression, maturing from one-note anti-establishment propaganda to introspection and soul-searching but not enough to take the bile out of his bark. If you’re a fan and you liked the last LP you’ll love the direction they’re going here.

Christina Aguilera
AM Taxi
Ariel Pink’s
(DJ) Baby Anne
Andy Bell
Dierks Bentley

Blitzen Trapper, Destroyer of the Void – one of Sub Pop Records’ more consistently eclectic signings of the last few years, this acoustic-flavored indie rock band has progressed from the backwoods straight into prog-rock territory on this LP. Challenging at first but mountainside traces remain such as the lush string and vocal arrangements and the overall classic ’70s tinge in the production.

BLK JKS

Casiokids, Topp Stemning På Lokal Bar – true to their name, these Norwegian showmen make most of the optimistic indie dance-pop on this album with vintage Casio keyboards and drum machines. I actually own an old Casio keyboard from the late ’80s, and I recognize its glorious synth-flute, voice and keyboard percussion tones all over this work. The release is a double disc, with one disc originals (cobbled together from previous EPs and such) and one a remix disc, but it’s all sung in vintage Norwegian so you Sigur Rós fans rejoice and start dancin’.

Chali 2na
Deer Tick

Delorean, Subiza – continuing their evolution toward Europe’s best indie dance band, these Spaniards incorporate even more sampling and meaty loops into their Ibiza house sound and dig deeper into the obscure/classic new wave trench in a new and accessible way.

The Delta Spirit, History From Below – these SoCal rockers’ high-energy debut was handed to me by a good friend last year and they hooked me immediately with their raw, rambunctious enthusiasm and sprawling arrangements. This followup finds them losing a member but adding layers and layers of guitar noise and rootsy landscaping to fill in the sound, and frontman Matthew Vasquez’ sun-dried yowl delivers each track from a convincing hillside overlooking the beach. Add this to your list of Perfect Ways To Start the Summer.

Ducks Deluxe
Due Voci

Renee Fleming, Dark Hope – the esteemed classical soprano tackling modern indie and rock tracks? Believe it. Included here are songs from Muse, Arcade Fire, Band of Horses, Peter Gabriel, Death Cab, and more. An interesting diversion though she rarely reaches for her operatic register; ultimately the largest potential victory is in the possible introduction of these new classics to folks who feel Philip Glass is the only “current” artist worth listening to. I can see aged NPR enthusiasts reservedly bobbing their head to Ben Gibbard lyrics in the near future…

Glee – Regionals
A Guy Called Gerald
Hail the Villain

Hanson, Shout It Out – seeing this album materialize is bittersweet for anyone who thoroughly enjoyed Taylor Hanson’s diversion into indie supergroup Tinted Windows (because it means that group’s on the back-burner). Likewise, many folks may still be grasping illusions this group was over after “MmmBop.” Luckily one listen will enlighten anyone paying attention to the full-voiced, well-crafted business these three rockers have been about for the past 10+ years. Serious soul instrumentation, crisp vocal arrangements, and of course Taylor’s voice has aged well since their ascent to teen stardom and beyond. The brothers’ Motown and classic soul upbringing shines brightly all through the album, ending up with a solid grip of rocking soul tuneage so bursting with hooks it could be a tackle box. Highly worth checking out.

Warren Haynes – Benefit Concert 3

The Henry Clay People, Somewhere On the Golden Coast – this album is a party waiting to happen, and your summer just got a better soundtrack. Bottling up the bluesy rock swagger indigenous to the outlying Los Angeles hillside suburbs, this is a lo-fi rawk extravaganza with vocals which fall somewhere between Tom Petty’s hazy drawl and Black Francis’ frenetic howl. Drawling slide guitar work weaving throughout the tracks gives a bonus sepia-tone tinge in just the right places, and a bevy of uptempo barn burners threatens to get entire area codes dancing. Currently on the road with Against Me! and Silversun Pickups, which makes a bill that’s bulletproof, baby.

Here We Go Magic, Pigeons – began mostly as a bedroom electro-pop offshoot of downbeat frontman Luke Temple’s eclectic folk, the second proper LP finds this project grown into a full band and playing like one. Springing from the debut’s ethereal foundations, this album ups the tempo and takes the sound on the road, delivering a lot more invigorating sounds (whether live, looped, programmed or stumbled-upon) and sees Temple get a bit excited across a few of the tracks. Ultimately a much more focused (but still deliberately hazy) dreampop record with gorgeous spaces and interesting places along the roadside.

Kristin Hersh
Hot Hot Heat
Ingidenous – acoustic
Jewel
Nigel Kennedy, Shhh! – the modern violin anarchist breaks out some original compositions for his quintet, including a rather interesting take on Nick Drake’s “River Man.” Always fascinating stuff in this UK classical hooligan’s braincase…
Lil’ Jon
Travie McCoy
MyChildren MyBride
Nachtmystium
Nada Surf
Nevermore
OCR – The Addams Family
OCR – Fela!
Off With Their Heads

Orianthi, Believe (II) – anyone who saw Michael Jackson’s This Is It will remember the striking, out-of-place-looking Aussie blonde who was shredding her six-string in his band. Her “second” album here is basically perfect for anyone who likes Disney rock like Demi Lovato or Selena Gomez but wishes it had some serious metal ballz. Some of the Meg&Dia gang join in the songwriting action for added hooks & giggles.

OST – Twilight: Eclipse – I have not, at this point, watched any of the Twilight films, but I would gladly watch all of them ten times each in succession if it guaranteed their soundtracks would continue to be this good. Taken apart from the film, it’s an indie and mainstream A-list artist roster (including Muse, Dead Weather, Beck & Bat For Lashes, Sia, Band of Horses and so on) contributing a smorgasbord of specially-crafted tunes, all of which are memorable among their respective artists’ bodies of work, and all of which you’ll only hear on this album. I’m sure they fit in and make many emotional moments in the film as well, but I hope to never have need of finding out. Mad props to Alexandra Patsavas and the Chop Shop Records crew for leveraging this franchise into a mighty and marketable vehicle to get our generation’s best musicians’ work in the ears of mainstream tweens everywhere.

Pain of Salvation
Plies
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals

Ratatat, LP4 – that an instrumental indie rock band continues to even exist, let alone thrive in this day and age is amazing enough, but it’s a testament to dual masterminds Evan Mast and Mike Stroud that this group continues to both garner praise from innumerable peers and to earn that praise with high-quality compositions such as the ones found on this, their fourth LP (if the title didn’t clue you in). Everything heard here is pretty much a continuation of the heights they reached on previous LP3, with chunky rhythms, electronic noisecraft, and wizardly guitar textures creating a flurry of different feelings and moods, but some tweaks include somber (and deftly arranged) strings and a fully-ironic talkbox employed as a rhythmic device for maximum effect. Innovative to the last, these tracks have enough ingenuity in them to drive three lesser bands, and every sound is deliberate and delightful.

Refused
Rhymefest
Rocket to Memphis

Rooney, Eureka – third album of sunny, summer-tinged pop/rock from the photogenic Los Angeles quartet. Lots of bouncy choruses and decent guitar hooks guarantee fans will be dancing, and while not a lot here sounds new per se, they’re getting older and wiser while chasing that perfect sound which will unite their ’70s rock influences with the modern hipster-kid landscape.

Saving Abel
Silverstein – live
Since October

Rachid Taha, Bonjour – you might have heard this French/Algerian Rai dance swami’s take on “Rock the Casbah” on this season’s Chuck soundtrack. This album finds the multi-cultured and well-traveled bard transplanting his sound a bit further west into Europop and even country music territory, all while continuing to blend traditional middle eastern flavor with solid dance club rhythms.

Teenage Fanclub
Tiesto – hits

Tokyo Police Club, Champ – getting a bit older and wiser, this angular indie rock quartet has slowed their tempo a bit and get more ambient use out of Graham Wright’s keyboard, but the group keeps plenty of pogo swagger in their backbeat; singer/bassist David Monks still comes on like Beck on Red Bull and their guitars swarm and shimmer in blistering walls of hazy drone, frenetic and dizzying. The tempo drop is the biggest change in landscape, however, and when a tune titled “Breakneck Speed” is among the slower numbers, you can’t help but wonder why this madcap ride is applying the brakes. That aside, this LP has plenty of arty corners to traverse, and advances their overall sound in a direction which might be a bit more sustainable in years to come…

VA – Twistable Turnable Man: A Musical Tribute to the Songs of Shel Silverstein – featuring a large list of top-shelf rock, folk, indie, and even country artists ranging from My Morning Jacket to Bobby Bare to Black Francis to Andrew Bird. Completely fitting, I can’t wait to hear this.

VA – Warped Tour 2010
Villagers
Clay Walker
Steve Winwood – best of
Wye Oak – My Neighbor
Yo La Tengo – Here To Fall remixes

What a great way to start your summer, no? Aside from the tuneful amazingness of that Twilight soundtrack, there’s enough rock, dance, and fringe goodness to give anyone something enjoyable to dig on that road trip, by that pool, waiting for the tide to come in, or whatever your summertime activity of choice might be. Dig it well, and I’ll see you next week.

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To view past reviews, visit our archives.

»Album Reviews For Release Date: 10.27.09
by Joshua Krage

It’s time for candy and costumes, but the only thing scary about this week’s new music is how good some of these albums are, and I’m not saying that for the (candy-)corny joke’s sake. That new Swell Season album is jaw-dropping, the new Tegan and Sara redeems their previous album for me, and we’re even getting some tejano versions of Disney songs that aren’t half bad. Plus, there’s an album from the chick who was backing Michael Jackson on guitar as he was gearing up for his concerts. Yes — scary good. See for yourself:

3
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
Atreyu

Awesome New Republic, Hearts – a dance-tastic indie duo (+touring drummer) that hits me like a hip update of Erasure. Lots of disco synth-pop with solid backbeat and outrageously good vocals that hold up just as well when the tempo slows down.

Devendra Banhart
Bassnectar
Between the Buried and Me
Birdman

Blind Boys of Alabama, Duets – just what it says, and the duets are with a roster including Ben Harper, Jars of Clay, Susan Tedeschi, Toots Hibbert, Asleep At the Wheel, John Hammond, and even Lou Reed. I suspect this is mostly just older recordings, but some of these are new to my ears and they’re all pretty good, in the suped-up contemporary style the Blind Boys have been sporting for the better part of this decade.

The Bravery
Broadcast & the Focus Group
James Brown live
Creed – yes, THAT Creed, with the original lineup
A Day to Remember
Florence and the Machine
Former Ghosts
Garage a Trois
Glass Ghost
Glasses Malone
Gov’t Mule

Gregorian, Christmas Chants – it’s a German modern rock band with gregorian monk singers, curbing their normal rock/pop leanings in the holiday spirit for some traditional Christmas classics, but with their contemporary styling thrown in for good measure.

Euge Groove
Halford
Hem
Hollywood Undead
Hot Chellie Rae
Jack Johnson live CD/DVD
Kid Sister
The Longcut

Los Lobos, Goes Disney – if you couldn’t guess from the title, this seriously is Los Lobos playing Los Lobos versions of classic Disney songs (i.e. rocking them out tex-mex style).

Yo-yo Ma box set
Brian McKnight
Morningwood
The Mother Hips
Joe Nichols
John Nolan

Orianthi, Believe – everyone would’ve been talking about this golden-locked guitarist if Michael Jackson’s concerts had gone off as planned, and the “This Is It” film should get some buzz going just the same. She’s basically a modern-day Jennifer Batten (MJ’s Thriller-era guitarist) out of Australia, and she’s already taken the stage with Steve Vai, among other six-string noteworthies. She does sing fairly decently, but it’s the instrument in her hands which sets fire to these songs.

Pelican

Pink Martini, Splendor In the Grass – one of the most versatile overall bands in the non-traditional pop world, seamlessly incorporating jazz, swing, and world styles into a thoroughly enjoyable multi-lingual hybrid of intoxicating classic dance music. China Forbes’ sultry singing is but one of many highlights to be found…

Radio Disney
R.E.M. – Live at Olympia
Kenny Rogers
Carly Simon
Keely Smith Christmas
Stephen Stills live
Sting live CD/DVD
String Cheese Incident
Suffocation

The Swell Season, Strict Joy – Rest assured, this album is worth lots more words than I can give it. Glen Hansard is no stranger to making quality music, and his seasoned hand is well on display in the songcraft, the arrangements, and production (shared with Peter Katis, another expert hand) of this complete work. Marketa Irglova’s wistful voice and piano provide the perfect counterpoint to Hansard’s weary tenor and urgent guitar playing, and the competing ideas which kept occurring to me listening to these tracks are “filling in the corners” and “keep it simple.” There are expert touches in the album’s small spaces (a backing vocal here, a sustained string swell there), but never any overcrowding, each stroke masterfully applied. These are not simple pop songs, they are small journeys that alternate course, taking detours through a busy city or stopping on the roadside to admire the scenery — and that’s just the music. Hansard and Irglova’s shared songs put the album’s title to the test, veering from quiet celebration to winsome pleading to wide-eyed, regretful wonder. Indeed, when Hansard sings “I’m stuck here killing myself” in standout “The Verb,” you’d be hard-pressed to tell whether it’s from despair or wry-smiled self-deprecation. This is a dynamite follow-up to their Oscar-winning debut, and if this is the direction they’re headed, we can expect even better…

TechN9ne

Tegan and Sara, Sainthood – for any of you uninitiated, these Canadian twins have more than just the nasally-sweet voice which dominated their last two albums, and if anyone enjoyed their first two LPs (This Business Of Art and If It Was You), you’ll be happy to hear their soulful, heavyweight rock voices making some appearances on this new LP. I personally felt a bit cheated by the brevity and scrappiness of the songs on their last album (though I shouldn’t — they called it The Con so it was right in the title), so I am happy to report this is a much meatier work: better songs, more musicianship, extra keyboard layers (the kind that made So Jealous so memorable), almost prog-level dynamics, and much bolder lead vocals from both of the Quin sisters. Last album had them composing separately (a mistake), and they began collaborating again on this one, which is evident in its significantly improved overall quality. A great return to form.

Tia Carrerra (the band, not the actress)
Train

Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Night Castle – yes, a new one, and it’s a second non-Christmas entry into the prog/Broadway/rock ensembles catalog, so less holiday fare but still plenty of classical intertwines and underpinnings.

U2 – Unforgettable Fire 25th Anniversary

Wolfmother, Cosmic Egg – still calling them “Wolfmother” is a bit misleading, as it’s now just singer/guitarist/afro-helmet Andrew Stockdale and three brand new guys. However, Stockdale is the sound of this band with his classic-rock riffage and high-register vocal histrionics so proper album #2 is a faithful continuation of the chunky, riff-driven retro-metal style laid down so thickly by their (his) earlier releases. The music on the album is great and all, but I might buy it just for the cover alone.

This is a decent lead-up to the holiday season, so get’em while they’re hot. I’m about to burst with all the good music going into my ears from these last few weeks. I’m almost glad the flood will soon trickle down to a quiet stream… almost. Until next week, see you when I read you.

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To view past reviews, visit our archives.