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+
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