Finally, we see a physical release for the long leaked and digitally released Microcastle.
All the drone and gaze is still there. As are the effects laden multi
tracked vocals that you can drown in. The glistening pitchshifted bright
guitars. Walls of sound. Ambient scapes. and of course... "extensive vamping"
(According to Pandora, who must have a trademark on that phrase cause they sure
love it to pop up as often as humanly possible.) Beyond what you've come to
expect from Deerhunter you'll get a far poppier record with a hook laden
danceable low end so good that you'll wish some of these tracks were locked
grooves. (Man, I can't remember the last time I saw a locked groove on a
record. But I digress...)
The last record , Cryptograms, was a great album listening
experience from start to finish and Microcastle is as well. What sets
Microcastle apart is that at least half of the songs stand on their own as
singles making it versatile and accessible for casual listening experiences as
well as full on sonic emersion.
I like it lots and you will too.
- Edmund LeStrange
Mellow Candle - Swaddling Songs (Esoteric Records) buy now
Even more than the Michael Moorcock CD, this album is (circa 2008) my favorite album. Haunting psych folk by two girls (women) raised almost in a nunnery and barely out of their teens. Famous for being the most sought after LPs from the folk-rock era, it can now be yours for this low, low cost (far cheaper than what I paid to own this record.)
- Joe
New Zealand
native James Milne, aka Lawrence Arabia, has been a fixture in that country's
burgeoning music scene for years now. As a member of the Brunettes he played
sweet Beach Boys and Phil Spector styled pop music, and toured the States with
this band called The Shins. Back home in New Zealand, the band that he fronts
known as the Reduction Agents (which also included Ryan McPhun of the Ruby
Suns) scored some hits and had some songs featured in the indie film Eagle vs.
Shark (starring Flight of the Conchords' Jemaine Clement!). Mr. Arabia has also
found time to (oddly enough) play bass for Okkervil
River on one of their Australian
tours, and is opening up for them on their European tour this fall. Here is a
collection of frequently brilliant songs recorded around 2006. A terrific pop
record! Don't know if we'll be getting any more of these, so grab one while we
got 'em!
- Andy
The Notwist's follow-up to the much heralded Neon Golden does not
disappoint. The Devil, You + Me is a more subtle, reflective album
that highlights the best elements of The Notwist, achieved through a nearly 20
year run in the German indie scene. Markus' vocals still have that distinctive
dry/sincere yet detached delivery. The guitars tastefully jangle.
Minimalist electronics pepper the record for
atmosphere. The low end gracefully propels. They continue to fuse
indie/electro/jazz/singer-songwriter/dark-pop in an amazingly palpable way.
Looking back, that last sentence would spell a disastrous record for most bands
but The Notwist has elegantly slipped another pop gem into the canon.
I can almost hear that modem solo hiding in the background that made me first
love this band when I discovered Shrink way back when.
- Edmund LeStrange
In The Red delivers a long sought after compilation of all of Mr. Reatard's
7"s for the label. You'll get alternate versions of songs on Blood Visions
as well as some killer B-sides and singles never available before on CD. It
seems ridiculous to try to pick out any standouts, as all the tracks are finely
honed crackly pop gems, but if you haven't heard "Hammer I Miss You",
"Night of Broken Glass", or "Don't Let Him Come Back" then
you are missing out on some of the most raw, anthemic music of today.
Singles 06-07 comes with a DVD featuring one awkward
interview and 3 live performances from '07. Each of which captures the fury and
brevity of his live shows.
- Edmund LeStrange
The Slip (also
known as Halo 27) is the eighth major studio release by Nine Inch Nails.
Produced by Trent Reznor alongside Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder, this album is
a leaner machine than their last label release Year Zero. Not long after the release of his instrumental Ghosts (which was somewhat of a letdown
for me), Reznor announced "this one's on me" and gave this album away
for FREE on his web site as a downloadable ZIP file. But this is no gimmicky
throw-away album.
Indian -
Slights And Abuse/The Sycophant (Seventh Rule Recordings) buy now cd
White man killed the Indian with small pox, now Indian is back to kill the
white man with metal. Ok ok, cheesy I know, and all the dudes in this band are
white, but its the best my friend Kevin and I could come up with for a tag
line. Chicago's Indian has finally
put out 2007's Slights and Abuse LP and this years The Sycophant LP on to one
Cd. Having heard about them a few times in the last year, I was glad to finally
see this sitting on our shelf and when I put it in I was immediately blown away
by the level of intensity these guys bring. Hrmm..always wanted to use the word
"intensity" in a review. Any way, I was not expecting songs that
actually moved, had interesting time changes and was heavier than most bands
who claim "to be the heaviest band in the universe". Yes its doom /
stoner metal, but they do not overkill the Sabbath influence. Instead they
throw hints in that they have been listening to Grief, Noothgrush, Eldopa,
Playing Enemy, His Hero Is Gone, Neurosis and Corrupted threw their life span.
If your a metal fan, I highly recommend this release. Especially for the track
"Fatal Lack".
Figurines -
When The Deer Wore Blue (Control Group) buy now
So, you say you have a thing for Danish pop rock bands? Figurines are
Danish, they're like totally awesome, and this is their second album, and it
like totally moves me. It's a bit more relaxed than their debut, but that's not
a bad thing. For fans of The Legends, Radio Dept., Band Of Horses or Loney
Dear. Boo Ya!
Disco Not
Disco: Post Punk, Electro & Leftfield Disco Classics 1974-1986 (Strut) buy now
So you say: "There haven't been nearly enough comps in the last few years that
have "Contort Yourself" on it!" Then I say: "Why are you being so sarcastically
smug?" Or were the roles reversed?
Either way we now have the third release in the Disco Not Disco series Post
Punk, Electro & Leftfield Classics 1974-1986. A fine collection it is for
who would like to get acquainted with Gang Of Four's sister group Delta 5 or
the No Wave/pre-electro stylings of Konk or maybe you wanna get introduced to
one of the creators of synthpop in Yellow Magic Orchestra. This record is a
fine place to get your learn on. However, it might be a little disappointing
for those already immersed in these worlds .
- Edmund LeStrange
Various Artists - BIPPP: French
Synth Wave 1979-85 (Everlasting) buy now cd
Oh, mon Dieu! I am so excited about this record! Mostly because I know next to
nothing about the artists on it! BIPPP is a remarkable collection of some of
the most obscure selections from a movement birthed out of punk and krautrock
in which you can hear the beginnings of cold wave, dark wave, post-punk,
electro pop, twee and a host of other sub genres that would develop in the
years to come. Each song retains its edge without sacrificing danceability or
playfulness.
It's astounding how fresh the bulk of these songs sound, most seem like they
could have been released within the last five years. Conversely it's a shame
these artists aren't getting their just dues till now. Even now who knows how
much they'll actually get but don't you sleep on this record!
This compilation does exactly what a compilation should do
and rarely does; it features artists/groups that I, the listener, was sadly
unaware of but due to excellent track selection will now investigate. Absorb
BIPPP.
- Edmund LeStrange
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