New Reviews - July 8

Finally... some new material!

Magic Wands - Aloha Moon

Aloha Moon is one of the unheralded finds of 2012. Magic Wands have an electro sound that is vaguely reminiscent of a lot of artists, but really quite unique. The album starts out softly with The title track and Teenage Love, but really kicks up a gear with Kaleidoscope Heart which follows the format of several of the best songs on the album - a basic catchy beat with great riffs, Soft vocals and a huge powerful sound. Warrior, Wolves and Kaleidoscope Heart are probably the biggest sounding tracks on the album, while there are darker tracks that sound kind of like The XX making electro music (Crystals, Space), and also rockier tracks with a little bit of a Ladyhawke / Muse type feel (Black Magic, Kiss Me Dead). This is really simple effective electronic stuff, a short album which delivers throughout - from a 10 track album I originally marked down 7 as standout tracks.. Excellent stuff.

Top tracks: most of them

Sounds like: Ladyhawke, School Of Seven Bells, Muse, The XX

9/10

Graham Coxon - A&E

Since the split of Blur Graham Coxon has gone on to become basically a one-man punk rock outfit, and while Damon Albarn remains in the headlines with acts like Gorillaz, in his own right Coxon has produced some excellent music relatively under the radar. This is slightly more electro than much of his previous stuff, though it is still an album filled with his usual catchy riffs, repetitive lyrics and unmistakable gruff vocals. Highlight tracks for me are 'What'll it take', which is basically a dance track by Coxon standards, and 'Running For Your Life' which is a superb reflection of violent nights out in England, and provides an interesting perspective on the attitude of the youth of the country. An excellent rocker of an album.

Sounds like: Kind of like a punky English Jack White

Top tracks: City Hall, What'll It Take, Seven Naked Valleys, Running For Your Life

8/10

Alabama Shakes - Boys And Girls

The debut album from one of the years most hyped groups, this is very powerful, soulful, bluesy stuff. They have an old school soulful rock sound, the like of which you don't see from many new bands these days. The album itself gets off to a very strong start, and for me it peaks with the third track 'Hang Loose', which has a superb catchy beat and is instantly memorable. After this there is nothing too notable until the album rounds off with a couple of very strong tracks, 'I Ain't The Same' and 'On Your Way'. Is the hype justified? Probably. There is no doubt they have a great unique sound, and they have kicked off with a strong debut album. Based on the power of their music, they are definitely a band to look out for on the live circuit.

Sounds like: Amy Whinehouse, Janis Joplin

Top tracks: Hang Loose, Hold On, I Ain't The Same

7/10

Bear In Heaven - I Love You, It's Cool

When sampling this album I got a distinct feel of new order from Bear In Heaven, which is obviously a huge compliment. However when listening to the songs in full, an electro sound is pretty much all they have in common. This is low-fi electro stuff, they produce a decent sound though the tracks are generally monotonous with little deviation. Their are few highlights to speak of on I love you it's cool, the album passes you by with barely a whimper.

Sounds like: Soft Moon, Tame Impala

Top tracks: Idle Heart, Sinful Nature, World Of Freak Out

5/10

The Chap - We Are Nobody

On this evidence, the chap produce solid organized low-key electronic music, which makes for pleasant listening rather than something that will pick you up and shake you. Many of the tracks are repetitive, and at times the lyrics are delivered in a robotic style. For me the best songs on the album are the less repetitive ones, a couple of which are real standouts. There is some good stuff on We are Nobody, though it is definitely more solid than spectacular.

Sounds like: Metronomy, but maybe a little more disco

Top tracks: Talk back, What Did We Do, This Is Sick

6.5/10

Live Reviews - May 12th

Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros – Roseland Ballroom, May 8^th 2012

The first thing you will notice about the Magnetic Zeros is that there are absolutely loads of them, and by god do they know how to make a lot of noise. They are a real quirky outfit, who in many ways produce a quirky sound and show to match. At times they are like a Rockabilly family performing on stage, they seem to genuinely have a good time playing their stuff together. Their sound is obviously influenced by country music, but they carry a much a much wider appeal by mixing it up with other musical styles. I would almost equate them to a country influenced Arcade Fire, with huge epic songs like ‘Carries On’ and ‘Home’ in their locker, both of which were performed superbly on the night. They blooded a lot of new songs throughout the show, some of which had a very country sound, a couple of epic huge sounding tracks and even a few with an almost Hawaiian hula sound. Signs are positive for their upcoming new album. They were supported by the band Fools Gold who offered quirky surfer style rock, and were obviously not influenced (as I had hoped) by the English band who created the song with which they share their name.. Overall this was a great performance and an excellent gig from a band who are worth watching regardless of your musical taste.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Spiritualized – Terminal 5, May 7^th 2012

Although Spiritualized have been around for years, my only previous experience of seeing them live came at a festival in Canada in 2009. This show got off to a pretty low key start, nothing too raucous at all, with a sound I would categorise as epic chill out. The entire gig was a pretty mellow affair, at times they threaten to break out into heavier rock but it never really happens. Their vast array of musical variation was on full display with them going through their repertoire of space age rock, gospel, soulful rock and even a little poppy indie from the new album. They played a long set, and while you could never say they are a massively entertaining band to watch there can be no argument about the quality of the sound produced. I would summarise Spiritualized for the neutral as a great band to see at a festival, a great sound when you are not particularly paying attention, ideally lying on the grass with a pear cider in hand.

RECOMMENDED

Live review

The Vaccines – Webster Hall, April 23^rd 2012

The Vaccines rose to prominence last year with the superb debut ‘What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?’, which was hugely popular in England and pretty well regarded on this side of the Atlantic, and expectations were high heading in to this show. This really was a short, sharp, rocking gig, lasting no more than an hour in total, including encore. At the start of the set the band really gave the impression of going through the motions, and not really putting in too much effort, with the lead singer in particularly jovial spirit.. However after a superb delivery of the epic ‘Wetsuit’ the bands performance really kicked up a notch and the crowd were noticeably more into it. With their debut album only lasting 37 minutes a short show was to be expected, and the band mixed it up by going through a number of new tracks which were all rocking with a distinct punky, ramones-esque feel. There wasn’t a lot of banter with the crowd, just delivery of their excellent rocking stuff. This band are undoubtedly talented, produce a great sound, and are excellent live when putting the effort in. They really could be big, if they want to..

RECOMMENDED

New Reviews - April 30th

Of Montreal – Paralytic Stalks

Of Montreal were one of the first bands I discovered after moving to the states, with their superb album ‘Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?’. It was immediately obvious from the song titles and lyrics that they are a very quirky outfit, yet the sound produced was fantastic. Unfortunately Paralytic Stalks doesn’t come close to the heights of Hissing Fauna. There is an element of their funky disco type stuff, with twanging bass and squeaky vocals, however the majority of this is poor. Indeed, some of this is just extended periods of random noise, particularly the last 3 tracks which total 28 minutes and make up over half the length of the album. The first 5 tracks are all what you would call normal length, yet nothing really stands out too much. I’m not sure if this is the direction the group have chosen to go in, but for me Paralytic Stalks sees the band almost trying to be too quirky and weird for their own good.. I would always recommend seeing them live however, you are guaranteed an entertaining show.

Sounds like: nothing else I’ve ever heard..

Top tracks: Spiteful Intervention, Dour Percentage

3.5/10

Grimes – Visions

Grimes seem to produce weird electronic stuff kind of reminiscent of an 80s computer game, with squeaky vocals and barely understandable lyrics.. Visions really is a mixed bag, decent sounding at times and downright weird at others. There are a few notable moments on here though, and for me the album gets better as it goes along with the highlight tracks being on the second half. I’m massively intrigued to see them perform live.

Sounds like: Weirder Bat For Lashes, darker Crystal Castles

Top tracks: Oblivion, Be A Body, Colour Of Moonlight, Nightmusic

5/10

Nada Surf – The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy

Very solid indie guitar stuff, that you could never really describe as heavy. The songs are consistently good throughout, and there are some very likeable tracks on The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy.

Sounds like: A little Idlewild at times, Snow Patrol rockier stuff, British Sea Power

Top Tracks: Clear Eye Clouded Mind, Let The Fight Do The Fighting, No Snow On The Mountain, Jules And Jim

7/10

Miike Snow – Happy To You

As you would expect from a group containing very talented producers, Happy To You is a very well produced electro pop album. They use drums and pianos prominently combined with soft vocals, and although there are some slower middling songs on the album which are no better than decent, the highlight tracks are very strong, and pretty dancy. There are some real catchy tunes on Happy To You, particularly Pretender and Paddling Out, the latter of which must be heard as it is without question one of the best tracks of the year so far. A very good offering from a solid electro group.

Sounds like: M83 / Mark Ronson

Top tracks: Pretender, Paddling Out, Devils work

7.5/10

Civil Twilight – Holy Weather

After listening to the first 3 tracks of Holy Weather I was left thinking this could be a really superb electro rock album, the second and third tracks ‘Holy Weather’ and ‘Fire Escape’ are two huge tunes with a Rapture / Klaxons type of sound. The album gets off to a high tempo start but slows markedly after the first 4 tracks, with the sound moving away from upbeat electro to slower, softer piano based stuff, very reminiscent of a band like Keane. For me this album is really a tale of two halfs, with a very strong start but nothing particularly notable after the first 4 tracks. That said, Civil Twilight clearly are an outfit capable of producing some excellent electro rock music.

Sounds Like: Klaxons, The Rapture, Keane, White Lies

Top Tracks: Fire Escape, Holy Weather, River, Doorway

6.5/10

The Shins – Port Of Morrow

More gentle indie rock from the Shins, Port Of Morrow doesn’t really deviate far from their recent releases. They have been putting out the same brand of softer indie stuff for a good while from what I can tell, and this is sure to be another big seller for them. There are a couple of standout songs on here but for the most part the songs are pleasant enough, though nothing too special.

Sounds like: Soft indie rock

Top Tracks: Simple Song, The Rifles Spiral, September

5.5/10

New Reviews - April 15th

School Of Seven Bells – Ghostory

On this evidence, School Of Seven Bells create an excellent softish electro sound, which approaches beautiful at times. Ghostory is very easy to listen to with strong but soft vocals, and the sound just works well without being poppy or particularly catchy. At times the sound is really like a combination of Ladyhawke and Goldfrapp, and at other times a lot like Bat For Lashes. The album has a very strong start, and in Lafaye the group have created a real highlight which must be one of the best songs of the year so far. There are a couple of slower tracks mid album in Reappear and Show Me Love, but it kicks on again from there and finishes off with a slow builder in When You Sing. Definitely a band to look out for on the live circuit.

Sounds like: Ladyhawke, Goldfrapp, Bat For Lashes

Top tracks: The Night, Lafaye, Low Times, White Wind

8/10

Sleigh Bells – Reign Of Terror

I think I am totally missing the appeal of Sleigh Bells. The music seems to consist of mixing heavy guitar blast noise, drums and chanted lyrics, yet the guitar and background noise pretty much overpower everything else. I thought this may have been a grower and that the sound would improve after a few listens, but it doesn’t really. At times this is just noise, and although there are a couple of decent sounding tracks in here and a few slower songs thrown in, it is fairly difficult to get through. Tough to recommend.

Top tracks: Crush, Comeback Kid

3.5/10

The Ting Tings - Sounds From Nowheresville

It would have been easy for The Ting Tings to take a very poppy route following the success of their debut album, but that seems to be what they have purposely avoided on Sounds From Nowheresville. It is clear from the first track ‘Silence’ that they have developed a darker sound. Don't get me wrong, this is still poppy but of a darker, two tone variety rather than cheesy, and there is nothing on here that would have the mass appeal of a song like ‘Thats Not My Name’. There are a few tracks which have an almost Sugarhill gang sound, notably Hang It Up. The tracks are consistently good, yet the album ends slowly with the 3 overall softest songs; Day To Day, Help and In Your Life. An interesting direction, and ultimately a solid offering.

Sounds like: a darker, two tone version of the Ting Tings, blondie ish

Top tracks: Silence, Hit Me Down Sonny, Give It Back, One By One

7/10

Shearwater - Animal Joy

This is good dark folky rock, Shearwater really have a decent sound. There are a number of tracks on here which are real builders, and If you like Mumford and Sons and also appreciate The National, you will like this.

Sounds like: A darker Mumford And Sons, without the fiddling… a little of The National

Top Tracks: Animal Life, You As You Were, Immaculate, Star Of The Age

6.5/10

Live Reviews

The Naked And Famous – Terminal 5, April 4^th 2012

Having produced one of the best albums of 2011 in ‘Passive Me, Aggressive You’, The Naked And Famous have very much sharpened up their live act to go with their increasing popularity. This gig sold out well before the night, and tickets were being bought way over face value on various exchanges. They have added an impressive light show to the live performance which complements the electronic side of their music perfectly, and seemed to make it easier for the crowd to get into things. 

The support from the Vacationers was solid, they played good softer indie stuff, and its always refreshing to see a band use a full size xylophone on stage.. As well as going through all the major songs from last years album The Naked And Famous played a couple of new songs, which sounded excellent, and some older stuff which was pretty decent and almost comedic. My only slight knock on the band is that perhaps their current sound would not be big enough for venues larger than this, but they are certainly moving in the right direction and this show was a marked improvement on the gigs of 6-8 months ago, which were pretty good to start with.. Impressive stuff.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Pulp – Radio City Music Hall, April 11^th 2012

Growing up in England in the mid 90s means it is almost impossible not to appreciate Pulp, and Jarvis Cocker. Pulp are generally categorised as quintessential britpop, though to me their style was somewhat different to the likes of Blur, Cast, Menswear, Echobelly etc, a little edgier and darker. Regardless, this show really was a blast from the past. The band played for almost 2 hours, and could have got through many more songs than they actually did were it not for Cockers banter and stories between songs. He has fantastic rapport with the audience, and to be honest I would gladly pay just to hear him talk and tell his stories, regardless of music. They opened up with the brilliant ‘Do you remember the fist time?’, and basically played all the greatest hits from their biggest albums ‘His N Hers’ and ‘Different Class’, and a couple of songs from ‘This is Hardcore’. Cocker has certainly not lost any of his signature dance moves and swagger, and the performance was thoroughly energetic and hugely entertaining. Regardless of what you paid for a ticket here, you certainly got your moneys worth. A fantastic show and a real trip down memory lane for a lot of people.

MUST SEE

White Denim – Bowery Ballroom, April 13^th 2012

The first of a Friday night doubleheader, I didn’t know a lot about White Denim before this gig. They are basically a rocking jam band; a little country at times and a little 70s, with some bluesy stuff reminiscent of The Black Keys. This was an impressive performance, they are a tight unit and the singer has a deceptively powerful voice when he gets going. I fundamentally do not understand the popularity of Jam bands and long jamming sessions at the end of songs however, my assumption is the substances taken by the audiences for those types of gigs make you see things in a different light (watching Phish for 3 days solid??).. Id swap for a guitar solo anyday, but I digress..

White Denim are definitely a good time, with a big sound. They are worth watching and would be a great band to see at a festival.

RECOMMENDED

The Cribs – Music Hall Of Williamsburg, April 13^th 2012

The return of the Wakefield Ramones! The Cribs are a proper rocking punk band, and you are always guaranteed an energetic performance at their shows. They went through a mixture of old hits and newer songs, though the performance was notably less disciplined without Johnny Marr. In truth this was probably the smallest crowd I’ve seen the band play to in New York, which I’m assuming is down to Marr no longer being there. Vocals are not really the Cribs strong point, particularly from the secondary vocalists, but the music isn’t really about their voices. The band refuse to do an encore, which I personally think is fantastic but because of this the show was pretty short. This was a decent performance, but for me the removal of Marr from the lineup has definitely had a negative impact.

RECOMMENDED

New Reviews - April 3rd

The Maccabees – Given To The Wild

They have taken somewhat of a different direction with Given To The Wild, but The Maccabees are producing a solid softer indie guitar sound here. The album gets off to a gentle start, both Child and Feel The Follow start softly before getting going into an almost big band orchestral type sound, which is a theme followed throughout the album. At times the music almost feels like it should kick off more than it should, and for me two of the better tracks are the ones that are a little more rocking, Pelican and Unknown. That said this is an album with a good sound (plucking guitars, piano, trumpets) and many building tunes, and fans of Young The Giant style music will most like appreciate this.

Sounds like: Young The Giant, Temper Trap, a little Doves at times

Top tracks: Feel To Follow, Ayla, Pelican, Unknown

7 / 10

The Big Pink – Future This

More electro / indie guitar stuff from The Big Pink. They generally create a good sound and there are some very strong songs on Future This, but at times it is somewhat annoying due to the repetitiveness of some tracks. The album gets better as it goes along and for me the standout tracks on the album are a long way above the others, which are decent for the most part but forgettable at times. This will appeal to many as the singles are undoubtedly strong, and the band certainly have enough about them to make them worth watching live, but this is not the follow up many were hoping for.

Sounds like: Kind of like a slightly annoying version of Kasabian

Top tracks: Jump Music, Stay Gold, Lose Your Mind

6.5 / 10

Django Django - Django Django

This is a new band with a real interesting sound, twanging electro country is about the best way to summarise it. It is chanty, catchy, dancy, foot tapping, and bordering on ridiculous at times. After a steady introduction the album gets off to a huge start with Hail Bop and Default, which are probably the best tracks on the album. Django Django is entertaining throughout, there is a continuous solid beat and at times they really sound a lot like Hot Chip, particularly during instrumental parts of songs (and especially ‘Zumm Zumm’). With barely a dull moment this is a good effort, and I’m massively intrigued by what kind of live show they would put on.

Sounds Like: Hot Chip, Neon Indian

Top Tracks: Default, Hail Bop, Wor

7 / 10