Music Binge: Shotgun Reviews, Second Barrel

...Aaaand I'm back to continue with the reviews. I decided to break it up otherwise I'd be writing for another day or two given my work schedule. Hope you guys have checked out a few of the bands by now, if not, what are you waiting for? Get out there and get it!


Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings/100 Days 100 Nights:
Sharon Jones, backed by the Dap-Kings, has seemingly perfected soul music in a way that hasn't been heard or seen since the 1960's or 70's. They bring to mind smoky lounges with men in shark skin suits with skinny ties and high polished patent leather shoes with women clad in short silk dresses. The Black Cat hosts a New Year's Eve party every year with Sharon Jones headlining, and I think I've just been convinced to attend and make sure most of my friends attend with me. I forgot how integral a saxophone is to that sound, and this album reminded me. The album is strong throughout with all the soul and funk in all the right places. Put it on for a party or even some dancing in the living room with your lady (or fella).
A


The Antlers/Hospice:
I know I just wrote about how I don't really like that hazy noise pop coming out of Brooklyn (Ahem! Grizzly Bear, Ahem!) as of late, but I think I'll make an exception for Hospice. I know that while listening to the openers, Prologue and Kettering, I was somewhat apprehensive. As the album progresses however, some of that hazy crap is stripped away to reveal still very talented musicians in songs like Two and Shiva. I should mention hear that another reason why I tend to enjoy them more than Grizzly Bear is the fact that they have some up tempo songs. The sparing use of glockenspiel and horns add perfect accents to songs. Vocalist, Peter Silberman has a somber, haunting voice that pairs with the music in a heart-wrenching way. Excellent drive home music.
B


The Brunettes/Paper Dolls:
If I found Everybody was in the French Resistance...Now somewhat saccharine, The Brunettes' female vocalist, Heather Mansfield, is the embodiment of sugar shock. To that end, male vocalist, Jonathan Bree is almost a palate cleanser. The band has very strong pop sensibilities which cover for not a whole lot of diversity in their pop/twee sound. Much like EwitFR...N, they're decent in a mix but not all at once.
C-

The Jim Jones Revue/The Jim Jones Revue:
How a bunch of Brits are able to so completely replicate a rockabilly sound that's Jerry Lee Lewis with the pop savvy of Little Richard is unknown to me, but I really like it. I've been getting into older forms of music (Soul, rockabilly, metal, blues) as of late and this is another great example of one of those forms. The album is produced in a way that it sounds as if it's being played through an old tinny radio in a hot, sweaty honky tonk bar on a humid Alabama summer day. I think my only quarrel with the album, is much like the one I have with the genre in general, and that after a while it can all start to run together.
B-


The Morning Benders/Big Echo:
Big Echo, the follow-up to their critically successful Talking Through Tin Cans, is a bright, sun-shiney album of indie pop that is equal parts The Shins and The Beatles. This California quartet have traded their stripped down sound for a fuller, more mature sound. This is probably due in great part to Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear (funny how I keep mentioning Grizzly Bear when talking about bands I like more than them, perhaps I should give Veckatimest another shot) sharing production duties with front man Chris Chu. In this case, his perfectionist approach leads to a very complete sound that makes me feel that these new elements are not bells and whistles but accents to an already strong core. Perfect for the score of a coming of age movie taking place during the summer.
B-


Titus Andronicus/The Monitor:
This is a relatively high concept album for a post-punk band that will likely play bars and small venues for the rest of its tenure. Using the Civil War as an analogy for a young man coming of age as he moves from New Jersey to Boston, The Monitor delivers Keystone-Light-powered punch to your gutty works (in a good way). Full of gang lyrics to make you crave a live show, and witty, albeit cynical observations, this album is a fun sing-a-long album to take you back to crowd surfing in a basement bar somewhere in Boston (or make you feel like you have).
B+


VV Brown/Traveling Like the Light:
This eccentric little wailer has both the pipes and musical talent that should make her an instant classic; but unfortunately because of her voice sounding the way it does, it's likely she will just be lumped in with the Amy Winehouses and the Lilly Allens (not terrible company to be in, mind you; but no one wants to be pigeonholed). Aside from having a more unique sound backing her vocals, she's got witty thoughtful lyrics as well. Pop for the mature set, but still way fun to dance to.
B-


The Wave Pictures/If You Leave it Alone:
The Wave Pictures have given us something that is altogether warm, somewhat folk-y, and sentimental. Some of the lyrics are a little quirky but with that British accent it comes off charming and whimsical. They create great images in your head as you listen with great detail, and can elicit strong emotions. Lead singer, David Tattersall's voice is a little quavery but again, it comes off endearing as opposed to letting you down. I could see these guys popping up in your local pub and just making everything alright.
B


White Rabbits/It's Frightening:
The White Rabbits have a unique sound as the main instruments are the piano and drums. Both of these elements are played percussively in a way that gives a certain power to their music. They've previously toured with Spoon, and I feel that is a perfect fit. They've got a certain soulfulness to their singing, and it can't help but bring a smile to your face. I'm excited about it, and I'm probably going to be looking for them to be playing here soon if anyone would like to join me.
A


The White Stripes/Under Great White Northern Lights:
White Stripes. Live Album. Enough said.
A


The xx/The xx:
Little can be said about this band that hasn't already been stated on any music blog worth its salt, but that hasn't stopped me before, so why start? This super-young band (21 average age currently and 15-16 when they started) shows a lot of maturity both lyrically and musically at such a very early age. This is a very minimalistic album and not a single beat or note is wasted. Vocalists, Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim, trade off throughout most songs giving them an almost conversational tone. I have to say, I'm addicted to this album right now. The only time I'm not listening to it is when I listened to the other bands to write these reviews or when I was working out. I'm pretty sore that I missed their show at the 6th and I Synagogue and when they opened for Hot Chip, so I'm looking out for them as well. A little insight as to my process: I've already listened to these albums once or twice but as I'm writing, I pop on the album just to make sure I'm immersed in the material. As short as these reviews are, I never get to finish an album. That being said, I almost want to just sit here and keep listening and finish it before I move on. As perfect a first album as one could ask for.
A+


The Civil Wars/Poison & Wine EP:
I was actually put on to these guys via my friend Val. I gotta say, I think my first impression was a little higher than my informed one. That isn't to say that the Civil Wars aren't talented. They are. They have a haunting sound reminiscent of Damien Rice and fans of such music will be excited for them to put out a full album. While I appreciate this music, I'm rarely in the mood for it. These are excellent, bittersweet songs about the duality of the nature of love which is always good fodder for songs. I get the feeling that either one or both vocalists have worked in the religious music field at one point. I don't know exactly what it is about the way they sing, but it just seems hymn-like, minus the content of course.
C


Los Campesinos!/Romance is Boring:
Los Campesinos! is a 7-piece band that between all its members plays pretty much every instrument you could want in a band these days. The album has great music all the way through. Lead singer, Gareth Campesinos! (move over Ramones, that's right everyone in the band has the last name Campesinos!) delivers charming vocals paired with cynical, jaded lyrics. It's really quite a juxtaposition to have such dark pessimistic lyrics alongside such fun music. It's almost as if the band is recognizing these problems with the world and are celebrating despite or in spite of it. I was lucky enough to catch these guys at 9:30 the other day, and I felt bad for not being as familiar with their discography as the rest of the people on the floor. Their live show might be one of the best I'll see this year, and might even make my Top 5 come New Year's.
B+

Music Binge: Shotgun Reviews, First Barrel

I've settled into this pattern where except for the occasional album I've been waiting for, I will download a bunch of new music at once and slowly work my way through it as I put it on my iPod. I think my most recent binge, might be my biggest to date, so for your benefit here are my initial impressions after a few listens through each band/album.


Citizen Cope/The Rainwater LP:
If you haven't yet heard of this Brooklynite by way of DC/Baltimore, you might have had your head buried in the sand for the last decade or so. Cope is known for his relaxed blend of hip-hop, R&B, soul, reggae, and folk and often plays here in DC to sold out shows at the 9:30 Club. His latest offering, The Rainwater LP, is somewhat of a breath of fresh air for me. While I enjoyed his last two albums, I find them to be a little overproduced. Especially on Every Waking Moment, I found the production took away from the subtleties of his music. I've always found Cope at his most powerful with just him and a guitar. I had the privilege to see a full show of this acoustic type at the Strathmore in October of 2008. I feel that Rainwater is a return to this more stripped down approach. That isn't to say that I don't like the beefed up versions of his songs, or that this album is lacking those little flourishes here and there, because it has songs like Jericho for instance.
A


Cymbals Eat Guitars/Why There are Mountains:
This loud-as-hell quartet from Staten Island, New York debuted last year with what can only be described as frenetic romp through the different sides of indie scene. CEG is able to deliver hellacious reverb, palate cleansing piano, blaring horns, and machine gun drumming. Singer, Joseph D'Agostino gives us vocals that bounce between grating screams that can only be done justice at a live show to soft ballad-like tones delivered as if he were right next to you. I recently was able to catch CEG open for Los Campesinos! and had a great time. They brought it all on the stage and left it all up there for the crowd to just bask in.
B


Everybody was in the French Resistance...Now!/Fixin' the Charts:
Now, I'm not always a fan of bands borne from people hooking up in their personal lives; but the joining of Dyan Valdes of The Blood Arm and Eddie Argos of Art Brut is a fun pop experiment if nothing else. Conceptually, the album is a response to the pop songs that have been ripping up the charts for the last few decades (Gold Digger/Coal Digger, My Way/My Way (is not always the best way), Scarborough Fair/The Scarborough Affaire). Musically, Eddie speak/sings over bouncy piano provided by Valdes is the basic gist of the album. There is enough musical talent there that makes it fairly enjoyable; but unfortunately because Eddie just speak/sings everything in the same oh-I'm-British-and-it's-very-charming-matter-of-fact way, all the songs just end up sounding the same. In their defense, they still put on a fun show. Good for a mix, but not really something you can just sit and listen to, unless you want to die ofdiabetes.
C


Foxy Shazam/Introducing:
Foxy Shazam is a supersonic soulful punch to the mouth. The band seamlessly blends elements of hardcore, soul, and pop with a dash of glam rock in a unique way that is both catchy and invigorating. Hardcore drums, bass, and guitars provide ridiculous fills to accompany the true highlights: the manic piano of Sky White and the Freddie-Mercurial wailing of vocalist Eric Nally. They're touring with Hole right now, and I have to be honest, if they're live show is anything like they're album, I might consider the $45 cost of admission.
A-


Freelance Whales/Weathervanes:
This quasi-dream pop sound has me thinking of an only slightly folkier Postal Service. This is largely due to the similarities I hear in lead singer voices and use of occasional synth. This five-piece band has a full sound that would make you believe that it was several members larger. They utilize instruments associated more closely with folk like banjo, harmoniums, and tambourines than their synthed-out colleagues scattered all throughout Brooklyn. It's a soft pop scattered with whimsical yet occasionally meaningful lyrics.
B

Frightened Rabbit/The Winter of Mixed Drinks:
Those who know me, might recall that Noah and the Whale's Five Year's Time, might be one of my top 5 go to albums of all time. Many would subsequently know that Noah and the Whale's electric follow-up, The First Days of Spring, might be one of my biggest disappointments. I consider The Winter of Mixed Drinks to be in spirit, what The First Days of Spring should have been. Much like Noah and the Whale's first album, Frightened Rabbit is able to take on serious and even depressing themes with a sound that can even be uplifting.
B-


Grizzly Bear/Veckatimest:
Full disclosure here: I'm not really into the dreamy/hazy noise-pop sound that's made Brooklyn its home. I already gave my initial impressions of Grizzly Bear in my ACL review. Truth be told, my first impressions to a certain degree still hold true. I can't quite get into their dreamy meandering music and actually listen to it for extended periods of time or even as part of a mix. I find it best in terms of something to throw on while I'm working or studying.
C-


J. Roddy Walston and the Business/Hail Mega Boys:
I had the pleasure of seeing these gentleman open for Jukebox the Ghost at DC9's 10th Anniversary. They have an insane amount of energy that turns their soulful funky southern type rock into something timeless that speaks to all generations. Hail Mega Boys is great summertime/cookout music that can carry you through burgers, beer pong, into late night dance parties. They have strong party songs like Used to Did and soulful melodies like Go Malachi.
B+


Kidz in the Hall/Land of Make Believe:
Kidz in the Hall has a somewhat catchy album in Land of Make Believe. The earlier tracks on the album are the weakest I feel. The beats get progressively better as it progresses and their pop-culture-reference-laden lyrics are amusing and clever at best. Oddly enough, I find that their best songs are when they collaborate with other artists. I think it strengthens the album but it indicates that the band might not be so great itself.
C+


Miike Snow/Animal:
I have seen this band appear on the Rock and Roll Hotel's schedule a few times and have always been curious but never curious enough to actually check them out until now. I have to admit, I'm actually pretty pissed I didn't pick'em up sooner. These rockin' Swedes have a real good pop sensibility that leads to an enjoyable album all the way through. They've got a bouncy sound that reminds me of Passion Pit although not quite as manic.
B+


Priestess/Prior to the Fire:
Priestess is a band that doesn't usually fall into my normal milieu, although with this (and the death of Ronnie James Dio) I feel like maybe my milieu needs to expand. Anyone who can't get into the shredding that takes place on this album doesn't deserve to hear. Lead singer, Mikey Heppner, delivers vocals that would make James Hetfield or Dave Mustaine proud. Hard rock and metal have been missing from the scene too long and these drums and guitars make that a crime. They are not completely devoid of subtlety, however, and Communicating Via Eyes' opening really proves that.
A-


Rhymefest/Blue Collar:
Everyone knows my love for Midwest rappers, especially from Chicago. Rhymefest does not disappoint in this regard. Where Kidz in the Hall had a somewhat amusing album, Rhymefest has delivered an album that is sure to keep your head nodding for quite some time. Rhymefest is the co-writer of Kanye West's smash, Jesus Walks. He shows on Blue Collar, that this was not a singular act. The production on this album shows influence by Kanye in its use of particular beats and fun samples (including the aforementioned Citizen Cope).
A