Butch Slap

Friday, July 30, 2010

Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

Not unlike 2007’s Neon Bible, a dark tension permeates this unapologetically conceptual album. The Suburbs is probably not as immediately likeable as the last, but I think that's ultimately a good thing in this case. I can tell from just a few listens that most all these songs have that subtle kind of hook that will work itself ever deeper once it takes hold. I’m looking forward to more extended listening as this becomes the soundtrack of the moment to my own suburban life.

City With No Children

Half Life II (No Celebration)

We Used To Wait

Friday, June 18, 2010

Damien Jurado – Saint Bartlett

There is always a degree of melancholy on any Damien Jurado album, and on Saint Bartlett it’s turned up to about 8.5 (assuming the scale starts at 6). I continue to be amazed at the beauty and brilliance of his particular brand of songwriting. This release is a strong one with nearly every track pulling its weight, and should help to widen his small but adoring audience, of which I am a part.

Cloudy Shoes

Throwing Your Voice

Kalama

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening

The word is so out, that it almost doesn’t need to be uttered yet again. The new album is good – a masterpiece some say. And I can’t argue. Every track is a winner (with the exception of the dopey Drunk Girls.) James Murphy lays down chunky synth-beats, krautrock grooves, gurgles, chirps, and pays homage to his heros with wit, originality, and a touch of earnestness. We may not hear a finer album this year.

Recommended Tracks (sorry links were pulled):

Dance Yrself Clean

One Touch

All I Want

Friday, May 14, 2010

The Black Keys - Brothers

Man, this is a good album. Glad the more straight-ahead blues-rock sound is up front and the Danger Mouse influence has taken a backseat. It’s why I really went for band to begin with. Here, their sound continues to evolve – and Dan Auerbach's vocals have never been more varied, reaching for the upper registers and even capturing a 60’s girl group vibe at times. Needless to say, I am completely down with my Brothers.

Recommended Tracks (sorry links were pulled):

Everlasting Light

Sinister Kid

Never Give You Up

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Harlem - Hippies

Austin, Texas based Harlem have put out a garage-pop gem of an album. It’s stripped down sound and catchy-as-hell songwriting is an effortless pleasure that will have you singing along in two minutes flat.

Recommended Tracks (sorry links were pulled):

Be Your Baby

Gay Human Bones

Torture Me

Faces

Friday, March 19, 2010

Tindersticks - Falling Down a Mountain

I don’t know why it took me so long to dig into the new Tindersticks album. I’ve adored the band since their first release in 1993—although they did lose me for a brief time near the tumultuous end of their first incarnation. After a five-year absence, the band reformed with a more stripped down lineup and recorded The Hungry Saw, which I did indeed like very much. So maybe it’s just an over-familiarity with what they do that found me procrastinating with Falling Down a Mountain. In any event, I was missing out on a terrific album that features the strongest first three album tracks of any they’ve put out. The sound is looser and more confident—and I’m back 100%.

Falling Down a Mountain

Keep You Beautiful

Harmony Around My Table

No Place So Alone

Friday, February 26, 2010

Lightspeed Champion - Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You

Though Dev Hynes has been busy cranking out scrappy music over the past couple years, he’s back with a proper full-length album. And although its appeal may not be quite as immediate as 2008's Falling Off A Lavender Bridge, it is remarkably good, and will no doubt, work its magic on you after a few extended listens. It’s really the first album out this year that I’m truly excited by.

Recommended Tracks (Sorry, links were pulled)

Marlene

I Don't Want To Wake Up Alone

Madame Van Damme

Sweetheart

Friday, January 22, 2010

The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Who Killed Sgt. Pepper?

BJM have not yet collapsed under the weight of their own strangeness. They return to semi-coherent form with their new release Who Killed Sgt. Pepper? The good news is that it’s actually got a lot going for it—driving spacey grooves (at times), more consistency as an album, a touch of Eastern instrumentation, and even a nod to Joy Division. The vocals are still a bit garbled, but overall, it’s a big step in the evolution of the “new” BJM sound.

Tempo 116.7 (Reaching for Dangerous Levels of Sobriety)

This Is the One Thing We Did Not Want to Have Happen

Super Fucked