A Valiant Attempt, But Comes Up Short

The Silver Jews sixth album Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee; and the Cash-like vocals of David Berman fit right into the folklore of Music City, USA. Assisted by his wife Cassie, Berman lays down an album filled with poetic lyrics and good ol’ country twang. Regardless of whether or not you are a big country fan, Berman gives his songs enough edge so it doesn’t feel like you are at a Chet Atkins concert.

Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea is a valiant attempt, but it just doesn’t live up to the Jews previous accomplishments. I just don’t believe in songs like “Candy Jail” or “Strange Victory, Strange Defeat”. Without Malkmus, the Silver Jews have lost an edge. The music is not terrible, but when comparing this album to an album like American Water, it is just mediocre. What the Jews do accomplish is a tighter performance. It no longer feels like jam sessions. The production is crisp and clean. Perhaps i’m living in the past, but the off-beat feel of the Jews previous work is what I liked about this once make-shift band.

 ~TJK

>> BUY NOW @ Insound
>> WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: Blender, Splicetoday.com, Paste Magazine
>> YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Pavement, Sebadoh,Smog
>> BAND WEBSITE: The Silver Jews

Montreal Indie Rockers Pass Sophomore Test  

It’s now my third listen to Wolf Parade’s new sofomore album, At Zoomer Mountain, and I think i’m just starting to figure out what all the hype is about. I was not super enthusiastic with my first and second listen, but I think I’m now starting to get why these indie rockers are so well revered by their fans and peers. There really are no hooks, flashy guitar solos, or poppy gyrations.

After a long hiatus, I can’t yet say that this album lives up to Apologies to the Queen Mary, but what Wolf Parade accomplishes is that they didn’t take a step backward. Songs like ”California Dreamer” and “Kissing the Beehive” are definately steps forward. Sophomore albums are important in judging a bands depth and breadth and Wolf Parade is here to stay. Boeckner and Krug’s talented song writing helped push through that critical sophomore phase. Expect good things from Wolf Parade in the future.

~TJK

>> BUY NOW @ Insound
>> WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: Obscure Sound, Rolling Stone, Stereogum
>> YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Sunset Rubdown, The Unicorns,Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
>> BAND WEBSITE: Wolf Parade Bio

Sappy & Happy Honeymoon Album

 

After John Dragonetti and Blake Hazard tied the knot they released Declare A New State; an album full of songs that they had written about each other during their first break-up. There was pain and conflict, hope, and desire. Now after a couple of honeymoon years of marriage, the happy couple have released Honeysuckle Weeks. It felt like one love song after another; with Dragonetti and Hazard alternating each song as if they are in a constant “no I love you more” kind of lovey dovey battle. In “Thorny Thicket”, Hazard belts out “Love! Love! and the skies opened up!”.

Although at times I thought I was watching a Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan romantic comedy marathon, the music is well-puttogether and there are a few songs that I liked which included “1940″, “Brightest Hour”, and “Fern Beard”. However, songs like “Swimming Pool” make Jack Johnson look edgy. There are a lot of experimentive sounds and instruments used, but they too make the album sound more fluffy. I don’t know about you, but Xylophones don’t quite exhilarate me. If you are in the mood for extremely upbeat love songs give the album a listen. It will probably make you happy.

~TJK

>> BUY NOW @ Insound 
>> WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: Allans World, The Yellow Stereo, Blog Critics Magazine 
>> YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Emily Haines, Stars,Rogue Wave
>> BAND WEBSITE: http://www.thesubmarines.com/

Mysterious and Seductive

I had just bought a couple of new discs from Insound.com (the best music source on the net) and had recently run into a roadblock in trying to find some quality new albums. Nothing was jumping out at me. It is important to note that whenever you purchase music from Insound they hook you up with free swag, MP3’s, catalogues, etc. In this particular case, I was given a Goldfrapp promo poster. When I unraveled the poster I was drawn in by a photograph of Allison Goldfrapp staring intensely at me. My curiosity got the best of me and I grabbed the album the next day. Not only did the album art hook me, I was captivated from the first track until the fade ending of “Monster Love”.

Allison and William Gregory, known for their electronic dance music, decided to move away from their traditional pop sounds to create an album with a more laid-back vibe. Seventh Tree features some some soothing and ominous sounds in “Clown”, “Roads to Somewhere”, and “Monster Love”. In “Some People”, the talented duo also manage to use many instruments layered on top of each other to create a melodious symphonic effect. “Happiness” and “Caravan Girl” are more peppy editions to the album that help balance out the more down-tempo tracks. Definately an album that won’t get dusty on the shelf.

 ~TJK

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Zero 7, Blonde Redhead, and Theivery Corporation

Hercules and Love Affair Resurrect Disco Sounds

Recently released Hercules and Love Affair by DFA Records has been getting lots of international attention popping up on top 40’s charts around the world. Centering around DJ Andy Butler, the Hercules and Love Affair members have managed to put together potentially one of the more significant dance albums of the last decade… if last decade was the 1970’s. Drawing on traditional disco sounds and 80’s spunk, the self-titled album interlaces melancholic vocal melodies with groovy beats that would be worthy of making the playlist at Studio 54. Songs like “Hercules Theme”, “Athene”, and “Blind” would have John Travolta dancing like it was 1977… click here.

While I appreciate the retro disco grooves, and wouldn’t mind hearing a few of the tracks at the club, this album will not transform dance music as we know it. What the album does do, is remind us of what dance music was originally about. This album does not involve complex mixing or mash-ups, but at it’s foundation are sound house beats with disco-like sounds layered on top. While Hercules and Love Affair is no ground-breaking, it will get people onto the dance floor.

 ~TJK

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: New Young Pony Club, Glass Candy, The Chromatics