Recent Articles in CD Reviews
Vampire Weekend – “Contra”
A good deal of Vampire Weekend’s coverage is making hay over the African influence. Again. The truth is that the band trades in an even broader multicultural mash-up. It’s not just how powerful of an influence African culture is in American music (cf. the past 100 years of popular music), but how indiscriminately most art now draws from a panoply of cultural supply.
The Bravery – ‘Stir the Blood’
Third time’s the charm for The Bravery’s latest, Stir The Blood, written in an abandoned church in the woods of upstate New York. Awash in echo effects and 80’s revival synths reminiscent of The Cure and Depeche Mode…
Kitsuné Maison 8 (V/A) – ‘The Chic and Nice Issue’ Compilation
The Kitsuné Maison compilations are akin to tidy time capsules of international dancefloor passion, blessed with some songs which stand out and others you may rather forget, but always mind-opening and rarely drab. Leave it to the French to bring style and surprise to our ears on such a regular basis. Kitsuné’s 8th in [...]
Monogold – ‘We Animals’
Monogold’s previous EP, Waves, had comparisons to top acts like Arcade Fire and Radiohead, but with We Animals, it’s obvious that this Brooklyn band has begun to carve out and master their own niche. Throughout the album, there’s a sense of majesty in the music’s waxing and waning textures, dreamlike details, falsetto vocals and [...]
Echo & the Bunnymen – “The Fountain”
Yes, to answer your question, yes; the title of Echo & the Bunnymen’s fifth record is in reference to the ubiquitous Fountain of Youth, but also inspired by the belief that hope springs eternal. As loveably cantankerous lead singer Ian “Mac” McCulloch has said, nothing really lasts forever “but the fountain and the journey.”
Julian Casablancas – “Phrazes for the Young”
Phrazes for the Young, the solo debut from Strokes frontman Julian Casablacas, is a busy, messy marvel. Its principle vibe, a synthy, complicated rush of blood to the head, must be what life as a cog or lever in a downtown Manhattan pinball machine sounds like.
outputmessage/City Rain – ‘I Remember’ EP
D.C. vocalist Bernard Farley, aka Outputmessage, and Philly-based DJ/producer Ben Runyan, aka City Rain, combined talents to write the song “I Remember”, a synth-based, shimmering pop ballad that would make a bittersweet tune for a couple’s first wedding dance.
Tegan and Sara – “Sainthood”
Beloved indie sister duo Tegan and Sara took inspiration from a Leonard Cohen tune for the title of their sixth record, and their own romantic foibles for the compulsively listenable songs contained within. Writing songs together for the first time with Sainthood…
Wolfmother – “Cosmic Egg”
Hard to believe crazy-haired Wolfmother frontman Andrew Stockdale didn’t lead a charge out into the unforgiving desert to tune in and drop out for the Australian band’s sophomore effort.
The Temper Trap – “Conditions”
“Anthemic” and “soaring” are two words most frequently used to describe the Temper Trap’s fantastic debut album, Conditions. And while both are certainly true, I prefer to say that the buzzy Australian band’s songs are so utterly charming and earnest that being this disarmed by your own smile should come with a warning sticker.
