Okay folks -- a bunch of reviews here as I've been slack the past few weeks. A plethora of relatively good stuff, as well. Also, check out the new linkage.
Jay
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Artist: Isobel Campbell Album: Amorino
Label: Instinct Rating: A surprising 3.75 *s out of 5
I was prepared to loathe this album. I had never been fond of Isobel Campbell and her Gentle Waves album, which were little more than watered-down Belle and Sebastian numbers done over with her hamster-like vocals. Oddly enough, after her split with that band, she couldn't get them to collobarate on new music.
Which is a good thing. In this album, she shows her influence from jazz and samba in some tracks, which suits her talent and temperament better. In her better moments, there are sounds like a modern rendition of Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66 and that whole cool movement.
Don't ge tme wrong. There are a few clunckers here -- a just weird 20s/Dixieland number being the worst -- mostly her attempts at the B&S Twee-ness she typically mistakes as affectedly sappy melancholia.
All tracks clean.
Recommended Tracks: 6, 9, 12
Play if you like: Gentles Waves, High Llamas, Trembling Blue Stars/Aberdeen
Site: Here
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Artist: Belle and Sebastian Album: Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Label: Rough Trade Rating: 4.75 *s out of 5
Whoo-hoo! A new start for B&S works wonders! Moving from their long-time label Jeepster, finding a new producer in the form of Trevor Horne (yes, the one who did TaTu) and having ditched Bel Campbell from their line-up during their US tour last year have all combined for their best album in a while.
Horne lends them some forgotten hader rock sounds (Yes, forgotten. Keep in mind the band was born as a Metal Band called Rhode Island. Yes it was.) that create some great pop music like the title track, track one and eleven.
They keep a strong grip on the pop sounds they're famous for, but tweak them a bit. There's all the orchestral strength you remember, but it shifts into brassy, more voiced sounds rather than oodles of strings. (2)
And just cause they're Belle and Sebastian, there's some great twee stuff -- Lord Anthony, track 9, has been done for at least 5 years live and finally get the studio treatment it deserves. It's a heart-breaking little tale of Anthony, beat up at school and crossdressing...
The .25 reduction comes from the Noise Factor Horne brings with him: in several tracks, esp. in the last track (the poorest outing), it stops being The Funk and starts to be The Pest.
But still A Damn Fine Album. Worth all those days in 97 I spent drooling over Stuart Murdoch.
All Tracks clean
Recommended tracks 11!!, 1, 9
Play if you like: Good music. This has it all.
Site: Here
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Artist: The Quails Album: The Song is Love
Label: Mr Lady Rating: A good, solid 3.5 *s out of 5
Woo-hoo! Rock! Angry, socially/politically aware Punk, no less!
Think the queer-punk sensibilities of Le Tigre mixed in with some old-skool,
three chord power punk sounds, with just the slightest soupcon of poppy
goodness for good measure (the ooh-oohs on track
8). Song topics include gender restriction (1), War on poverty (5,7,9) and
political machinations (9,11).
Track 7 is an extremely atypical sort of hippy march anthem.
Pick your movement and rock, yo!
Also, they rock live!
Preferred tracks: 1, 5 and 6
Gots Dirty Words: 1 says "Fuck" and 12 says "shit".
Play if you like: Le Tigre, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Queers
Site: Here
PS: Play track one since this weekend is Pride...
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Artist: Stellastar Album: s/t
Label: RCA/Tiswas Rating: 4 *s out of 5
I'm a sucker for some goods 80s Sounds. The major emphasis here is The Cure,
but there are also elements of Joy Division/New Order and Duran Duran. The
album comes up with almost no originality (note the fact it's on RCA
Records...) but makes good use its influences to produce some fun music.
Consider them the 80s Version of labelmates the Raveonettes (q. v.), with whom they're currently on tour.
Preferred tracks: 2, *4* and 6
All tracks clean (Unsuprisingly)
Site: Here
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Artist: Jett Album: Get Born
Label: Elektra Rating: 3 *s out of 5
Hey! It's Jet!
Hey! It's The Hives!
Hey! It's The White Stripes!
Hey! It's The Raveonettes!
Hey! It's The --Insert your Label's Garage Rock Creation Here--!
Elektra's attempt to cash in on the crazy low-fi sounds the kids dig. It's rock, it's good. It just has nothing to make it different from any of the other bands above. They were on Conan O'Brien this week. That's all you can say, really.
Dirty Words: 8 says "bitch". A Cold, Hard one in fact.
Preferred tracks: 2, 4 and 8.
Site: Here
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Artist: The Roman Candles Album: Bang! Bang! Bang!
Label: self-released (?) Rating: 3.5 *s out of 5
This band is from Alaska. It's the creation of Matt Hopper, who seems to be the Alaskan version of The Shit. Rock-inflected poppy goodness. It's fun. It's good, but I can't really think of anything particular to say about it. It sounds /a lot/ like Weezer, bit is a bit savvier and poppier.
All tracks clean.
Preferred tracks: 1 is great. Also 7 and 9.
Play if you like: Weezer
Site: Here
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Artist: Sparrow Album: s/t
Label: Overcoat Rating: 4 *s out of 5
Mellow, sweet pop. Think: a more reduced Belle and Sebastian sound. Mostly slow, day-dreamy stuff, kinda like the stuff they call Shoe-Gaze. Slightly reedy vocals. Suits the recent weather perfectly. It was started by a bloke who started a band with one of the New Pornographers.
Play if you like: the New Pornographers, Ben Folds, Rilo Kiley or Aberdeen
Preferred tracks: All really, but 1,3, and 9 stand out the most.
Site: Here
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Artist: Jeff Buckley Album: Live at Sin-E ("Legacy Version")
Label: Columbia Rating: 2 *s out of 5
Buckley may have been sober when he drowned in the Mississippi, but he sure wasn't for these recordings. The majority of this two disc, three hour extended re-release (original EP was 3 songs and MAYBE twenty minutes long) is coke-addled rambling monologues. As in, he tries to walk through the wall at one point. He fails, but there's an amusing 'thump'. His music, though, is really incredible once you get to it. The version of "Hallelujah" is superior to that on his Grace album. All in all, this re-issue detracts from his memory and denegrates his music since you have to wade through crap to get to the gems.
You all know enough about Buckey to know that all tracks are clean.
Recommended tracks: Disc 1 -- 2, 3, 15, 16; Disc 2 -- 10, 12, 16
Site: Here
***
Sunday, September 14, 2003
Artist: Jett Album: Get Born
Label: Elektra Rating: 3 *s out of 5
Hey! It's Jet!
Hey! It's The Hives!
Hey! It's The White Stripes!
Hey! It's The Raveonettes!
Hey! It's The --Insert your Label's Garage Rock Creation Here--!
Elektra's attempt to cash in on the crazy low-fi sounds the kids dig. It's rock, it's good. It just has nothing to make it different from any of the other bands above. They were on Conan O'Brien this week. That's all you can say, really.
Dirty Words: 8 says "bitch". A Cold, Hard one in fact.
Preferred tracks: 2, 4 and 8.
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Artist: The Roman Candles Album: Bang! Bang! Bang!
Label: self-released (?) Rating: 3.5 *s out of 5
This band is from Alaska. It's the creation of Matt Hopper, who seems to be the Alaskan version of The Shit. Rock-inflected poppy goodness. It's fun. It's good, but I can't really think of anything particular to say about it. It sounds /a lot/ like Weezer.
All tracks clean.
Preferred track: 1 is great. Also 7 and 9
Play if you like Weezer and other mid 90s pop-rock like Dressie Bessie.
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Artist: Sparrow Album: s/t
Label: Overcoat Rating 4 *s out of 5
Mellow, sweet pop. Think: a more reduced Belle and Sebastian sound. Mostly slow, day-dreamy stuff, kinda like the stuff they call Shoe-Gaze. Slightly reedy vocals. Suits the recent weather perfectly.
Play if you like the New Pornographers, Ben Folds, Rilo Kiley or Aberdeen
Preferred tracks: All really, but 1,3, and 9 stand out the most.
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Artist: Jeff Buckley Album: Live at Sin-E ("Legacy Version")
Label: Columbia Rating: 2 *s out of 5
Buckley may have been sober when he drowned in the Mississippi, but he sure wasn't or these recordings. The majority of this two disc, three hour extended re-release (original EP was 3 songs and MAYBE twenty minutes long) is coke-addled rambling monologues. As in, he tries to walk through the wall at one point. He fails, but there's an amusing 'thump'. His music, though, is really incredible once you get to it. The version of "Hallelujah" is superior to that on Grace. All in all, this re-issue detracts from his memory and denegrates his music since you have to wade through crap to get to the gems.
Label: Elektra Rating: 3 *s out of 5
Hey! It's Jet!
Hey! It's The Hives!
Hey! It's The White Stripes!
Hey! It's The Raveonettes!
Hey! It's The --Insert your Label's Garage Rock Creation Here--!
Elektra's attempt to cash in on the crazy low-fi sounds the kids dig. It's rock, it's good. It just has nothing to make it different from any of the other bands above. They were on Conan O'Brien this week. That's all you can say, really.
Dirty Words: 8 says "bitch". A Cold, Hard one in fact.
Preferred tracks: 2, 4 and 8.
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Artist: The Roman Candles Album: Bang! Bang! Bang!
Label: self-released (?) Rating: 3.5 *s out of 5
This band is from Alaska. It's the creation of Matt Hopper, who seems to be the Alaskan version of The Shit. Rock-inflected poppy goodness. It's fun. It's good, but I can't really think of anything particular to say about it. It sounds /a lot/ like Weezer.
All tracks clean.
Preferred track: 1 is great. Also 7 and 9
Play if you like Weezer and other mid 90s pop-rock like Dressie Bessie.
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Artist: Sparrow Album: s/t
Label: Overcoat Rating 4 *s out of 5
Mellow, sweet pop. Think: a more reduced Belle and Sebastian sound. Mostly slow, day-dreamy stuff, kinda like the stuff they call Shoe-Gaze. Slightly reedy vocals. Suits the recent weather perfectly.
Play if you like the New Pornographers, Ben Folds, Rilo Kiley or Aberdeen
Preferred tracks: All really, but 1,3, and 9 stand out the most.
--
Artist: Jeff Buckley Album: Live at Sin-E ("Legacy Version")
Label: Columbia Rating: 2 *s out of 5
Buckley may have been sober when he drowned in the Mississippi, but he sure wasn't or these recordings. The majority of this two disc, three hour extended re-release (original EP was 3 songs and MAYBE twenty minutes long) is coke-addled rambling monologues. As in, he tries to walk through the wall at one point. He fails, but there's an amusing 'thump'. His music, though, is really incredible once you get to it. The version of "Hallelujah" is superior to that on Grace. All in all, this re-issue detracts from his memory and denegrates his music since you have to wade through crap to get to the gems.
Sunday, August 31, 2003
album: It's The Ones Who've Cracked That the Light Shines Through
artist: Jeffrey Lewis
label: Rough Trade Rating: 1.5 Out of 5 *s
Jeffrey Lewis, the admitted "ex-Hippy" Explains It All. This album was just released at a bad time. It tries to all the things Logan Whitehurst and the Junior Science Club new album does, but fails painfully. It's isn't funny. It isn't clever. And it isn't ironically lo-fi, it just comes off as poorly produced and ineptly performed. Top it all off with several bouts of Lewis' 20-something attempt at Wisdom that would sound hokey in an AfterSchool special.
Play if you like: Valium. Umm, solo work from the Moldy Peaches folk (especially Kimya Dawson)
Indecencies: Drug reference in 1 and 3, but no actual bad words in the album
Preferred tracks: 10 comes closest to being amusing, 1,4 and 11 are schmalzy in the extreme. 3 mentions an attmepted drug deal in Chapel Hill.
Site
-- J
album: This is The Von Trapps artist: The Von Trapps
label: self-released (?) rating: 4 out of 5*
I'd discuss the band's history -- the album was four years in the making -- but it's a bit moot as the band is no more. Fortunately before the end, this disc got released. They describe themselves as "Indie-noise-pop" and that's pretty accurate. It veers a little more into rock than most pop bands (the so-called "noise" part?) but it's upbeat and a little groovy. A short, sweet little album.
Play if you like: Aisler's Set, the Soviettes, and Le Tigre's first album
Preferred: All, but the first three are all swell.
All tracks clean
Site -- J
album: Chain Gang of Love artist: the Raveonettes
label: Columbia rating 4 out 5 *s
Riding the Garage wave in pop culture, the Raveonettes are a pastiche of several poluar acts: they're Scandanavian (Denmark to be precise), a ambiguously defined boy/girl team and have a retro look to them, as you can tell from the cover. You know they're probably a label Bitch when they wind up in a full page spread in Rolling Stone.
But for all that, it's a good album: it's loud and it's rock and there's a lot of reverb guitar. There's nothing about it that sticks out as great, but nothing about it is bad or badly done. Just some rock, yo.
Play if you like: The Hives, The Flaming Sideburns, The Dandy Warhols, The Velvet Underground.
Indecent: Track 8 says "Fuck"
Preferred tracks... (Their failing is that everything sounds so alike, so pick any but) 5, 6 and 12.
Site -- J
TIP: These guys are giving away a free vinyl single with the first single from this album and an unreleased B-Side called "Bubble-gum" from IRD
artist: Jeffrey Lewis
label: Rough Trade Rating: 1.5 Out of 5 *s
Jeffrey Lewis, the admitted "ex-Hippy" Explains It All. This album was just released at a bad time. It tries to all the things Logan Whitehurst and the Junior Science Club new album does, but fails painfully. It's isn't funny. It isn't clever. And it isn't ironically lo-fi, it just comes off as poorly produced and ineptly performed. Top it all off with several bouts of Lewis' 20-something attempt at Wisdom that would sound hokey in an AfterSchool special.
Play if you like: Valium. Umm, solo work from the Moldy Peaches folk (especially Kimya Dawson)
Indecencies: Drug reference in 1 and 3, but no actual bad words in the album
Preferred tracks: 10 comes closest to being amusing, 1,4 and 11 are schmalzy in the extreme. 3 mentions an attmepted drug deal in Chapel Hill.
Site
-- J
album: This is The Von Trapps artist: The Von Trapps
label: self-released (?) rating: 4 out of 5*
I'd discuss the band's history -- the album was four years in the making -- but it's a bit moot as the band is no more. Fortunately before the end, this disc got released. They describe themselves as "Indie-noise-pop" and that's pretty accurate. It veers a little more into rock than most pop bands (the so-called "noise" part?) but it's upbeat and a little groovy. A short, sweet little album.
Play if you like: Aisler's Set, the Soviettes, and Le Tigre's first album
Preferred: All, but the first three are all swell.
All tracks clean
Site -- J
album: Chain Gang of Love artist: the Raveonettes
label: Columbia rating 4 out 5 *s
Riding the Garage wave in pop culture, the Raveonettes are a pastiche of several poluar acts: they're Scandanavian (Denmark to be precise), a ambiguously defined boy/girl team and have a retro look to them, as you can tell from the cover. You know they're probably a label Bitch when they wind up in a full page spread in Rolling Stone.
But for all that, it's a good album: it's loud and it's rock and there's a lot of reverb guitar. There's nothing about it that sticks out as great, but nothing about it is bad or badly done. Just some rock, yo.
Play if you like: The Hives, The Flaming Sideburns, The Dandy Warhols, The Velvet Underground.
Indecent: Track 8 says "Fuck"
Preferred tracks... (Their failing is that everything sounds so alike, so pick any but) 5, 6 and 12.
Site -- J
TIP: These guys are giving away a free vinyl single with the first single from this album and an unreleased B-Side called "Bubble-gum" from IRD
Monday, July 07, 2003
Week of 6 July 2003
Artist: The Tyde Album: Twice Label: Rough Trade
Rating: 4 *s out 5 All tracks clean (I think)
This is the second LP out by the Tyde, who sound (not surprisingly) a lot like their labelmates Belle and Sebastian, the Hidden Cameras, Mull Historical Society and British Sea Power. It's mostly mellow, 60-esque pop with a distinctly Surfy twang. It's what a moody Californian might have shoed-gazed at when the Beach Boys albums stopped.
It's poppy, it's fun and works well out road trips to the beach. Play if you like other 60s Pop Revival sounds like The Aisler's Set, The Essex Green and other Twee Pop like Call and Response and The All Girl Summer Fun Band.
Preferred tracks: 1, 2 (has Smiths-y opening chords!) and 6, but they're all pretty good.
Site
Album: Michigan Artist: Sufjan Stevens Label: Sounds Familyre/Asthmatic Kitty
Rating 3*s out of 5 All tracks clean
I've never been to Michigan, and now I think I never will do. This album is absolutely brooding. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was recorded in a cabin over a long, cold Michigan winter. All the songs are sad, but hauntingly sad. And while they can be breath-taking in scope, all this moroseness takes more patience than I have. I'm reminded of a moody 17 year old and their affected depression, "dress[ed] in black and drink vermouth, reading Camus and smoking clove cigarettes..."
Still, Stevens is a hell of a songwriter and like Stephin Merrit, does his thing well even if he wants you to know how /sad/ he is. Play if you like Smog and the Gothic Archies. It reminds me of Belle and Sebastian's EP "This Is Just a Modern Rock Song" as well.
Preferred tracks: 5, 2 and 12 (The name! The name says it all!)
Site
Artist: Saloon Album: If We Ever Meet in the Future Label: Darla Records
Rating: 4 *s out of 5 All tracks clean (hopefully)
Sixties lo-fi meets Noughties (heh!) Indie sensibility. Yeah, I know that applies to a lot of stuff out now, but it's still accurate for Saloon. Fortunately for me, these guys skew slightly more towards a rock sound than the seemingly de riguer twee pop. It makes them easier to listen to. Well-thought out music, heavy with hammond organs and ringing guitars and a garagey-but-more-refined feel. Amanda Gomez on vocals goes from Jane Birkin to Debbie Harry.
Play if you like... Australian girl New Buffalo, Blondie, the New Pornographers.
Preferred tracks: 1 and 3, but they all sound great. Play this
Site
Artist: Saxon Shore Album: Four Months of Darkness Label: Burnt Toast/Broken Factory
Rating: 2 *s out of 5 All tracks clean
The Fanatic Review says it about all. I remember quite liking Saxon Shore's first release, an EP called "Be A Bright Blue" but I'm not nearly as keen on this. Too often, the album veers from "deep and emotional soundscapes" with "bittersweet melancholy" to what I'd call "soundtrack to your manic depressive bouts".
There are some sparse bits of really good music scattered throughout the disc. But you have to look (too?) hard to find them.
Preferred tracks: Umm, 2 is the least depressing. Three ain's so bad, neither.
Site down
Artist: The Tyde Album: Twice Label: Rough Trade
Rating: 4 *s out 5 All tracks clean (I think)
This is the second LP out by the Tyde, who sound (not surprisingly) a lot like their labelmates Belle and Sebastian, the Hidden Cameras, Mull Historical Society and British Sea Power. It's mostly mellow, 60-esque pop with a distinctly Surfy twang. It's what a moody Californian might have shoed-gazed at when the Beach Boys albums stopped.
It's poppy, it's fun and works well out road trips to the beach. Play if you like other 60s Pop Revival sounds like The Aisler's Set, The Essex Green and other Twee Pop like Call and Response and The All Girl Summer Fun Band.
Preferred tracks: 1, 2 (has Smiths-y opening chords!) and 6, but they're all pretty good.
Site
Album: Michigan Artist: Sufjan Stevens Label: Sounds Familyre/Asthmatic Kitty
Rating 3*s out of 5 All tracks clean
I've never been to Michigan, and now I think I never will do. This album is absolutely brooding. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was recorded in a cabin over a long, cold Michigan winter. All the songs are sad, but hauntingly sad. And while they can be breath-taking in scope, all this moroseness takes more patience than I have. I'm reminded of a moody 17 year old and their affected depression, "dress[ed] in black and drink vermouth, reading Camus and smoking clove cigarettes..."
Still, Stevens is a hell of a songwriter and like Stephin Merrit, does his thing well even if he wants you to know how /sad/ he is. Play if you like Smog and the Gothic Archies. It reminds me of Belle and Sebastian's EP "This Is Just a Modern Rock Song" as well.
Preferred tracks: 5, 2 and 12 (The name! The name says it all!)
Site
Artist: Saloon Album: If We Ever Meet in the Future Label: Darla Records
Rating: 4 *s out of 5 All tracks clean (hopefully)
Sixties lo-fi meets Noughties (heh!) Indie sensibility. Yeah, I know that applies to a lot of stuff out now, but it's still accurate for Saloon. Fortunately for me, these guys skew slightly more towards a rock sound than the seemingly de riguer twee pop. It makes them easier to listen to. Well-thought out music, heavy with hammond organs and ringing guitars and a garagey-but-more-refined feel. Amanda Gomez on vocals goes from Jane Birkin to Debbie Harry.
Play if you like... Australian girl New Buffalo, Blondie, the New Pornographers.
Preferred tracks: 1 and 3, but they all sound great. Play this
Site
Artist: Saxon Shore Album: Four Months of Darkness Label: Burnt Toast/Broken Factory
Rating: 2 *s out of 5 All tracks clean
The Fanatic Review says it about all. I remember quite liking Saxon Shore's first release, an EP called "Be A Bright Blue" but I'm not nearly as keen on this. Too often, the album veers from "deep and emotional soundscapes" with "bittersweet melancholy" to what I'd call "soundtrack to your manic depressive bouts".
There are some sparse bits of really good music scattered throughout the disc. But you have to look (too?) hard to find them.
Preferred tracks: Umm, 2 is the least depressing. Three ain's so bad, neither.
Site down
Week of 6 July 2003
Artist: The Tyde Album: Twice Label: Rough Trade
Rating: 4 *s out 5 All tracks clean (I think)
This is the second LP out by the Tyde, who sound (not surprisingly) a lot like their labelmates Belle and Sebastian, the Hidden Cameras, Mull Historical Society and British Sea Power. It's mostly mellow, 60-esque pop with a distinctly Surfy twang. It's what a moody Californian might have shoed-gazed at when the Beach Boys albums stopped.
It's poppy, it's fun and works well out road trips to the beach. Play if you like other 60s Pop Revival sounds like The Aisler's Set, The Essex Green and other Twee Pop like Call and Response and The All Girl Summer Fun Band.
Preferred tracks: 1, 2 (has Smiths-y opening chords!) and 6, but they're all pretty good.
Site
Album: Michigan Artist: Sufjan Stevens Label: Sounds Familyre/Asthmatic Kitty
Rating 3*s out of 5 All tracks clean
I've never been to Michigan, and now I think I never will do. This album is absolutely brooding. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was recorded in a cabin over a long, cold Michigan winter. All the songs are sad, but hauntingly sad. And while they can be breath-taking in scope, all this moroseness takes more patience than I have. I'm reminded of a moody 17 year old and their affected depression, "dress[ed] in black and drink vermouth, reading Camus and smoking clove cigarettes..."
Still, Stevens is a hell of a songwriter and like Stephin Merrit, does his thing well even if he wants you to know how /sad/ he is. Play if you like Smog and the Gothic Archies. It reminds me of Belle and Sebastian's EP "This Is Just a Modern Rock Song" as well.
Preferred tracks: 5, 2 and 12 (The name! The name says it all!)
Site
Artist: Saloon Album: If We Ever Meet in the Future Label: Darla Records
Rating: 4 *s out of 5 All tracks clean (hopefully)
Sixties lo-fi meets Noughties (heh!) Indie sensibility. Yeah, I know that applies to a lot of stuff out now, but it's still accurate for Saloon. Fortunately for me, these guys skew slightly more towards a rock sound than the seemingly de riguer twee pop. It makes them easier to listen to. Well-thought out music, heavy with hammond organs and ringing guitars and a garagey-but-more-refined feel. Amanda Gomez on vocals goes from Jane Birkin to Debbie Harry.
Play if you like... Australian girl New Buffalo, Blondie, the New Pornographers.
Preferred tracks: 1 and 3, but they all sound great. Play this
Site:
Artist: Saxon Shore Album: Four Months of Darkness Label: Burnt Toast/Broken Factory
Rating: 2 *s out of 5 All tracks clean
The Fanatic Review says it about all. I remember quite liking Saxon Shore's first release, an EP called "Be A Bright Blue" but I'm not nearly as keen on this. Too often, the album veers from "deep and emotional soundscapes" with "bittersweet melancholy" to what I'd call "soundtrack to your manic depressive bouts".
There are some sparse bits of really good music scattered throughout the disc. But you have to look (too?) hard to find them.
Preferred tracks: Umm, 2 is the least depressing. Three ain's so bad, neither.
Site down
Artist: The Tyde Album: Twice Label: Rough Trade
Rating: 4 *s out 5 All tracks clean (I think)
This is the second LP out by the Tyde, who sound (not surprisingly) a lot like their labelmates Belle and Sebastian, the Hidden Cameras, Mull Historical Society and British Sea Power. It's mostly mellow, 60-esque pop with a distinctly Surfy twang. It's what a moody Californian might have shoed-gazed at when the Beach Boys albums stopped.
It's poppy, it's fun and works well out road trips to the beach. Play if you like other 60s Pop Revival sounds like The Aisler's Set, The Essex Green and other Twee Pop like Call and Response and The All Girl Summer Fun Band.
Preferred tracks: 1, 2 (has Smiths-y opening chords!) and 6, but they're all pretty good.
Site
Album: Michigan Artist: Sufjan Stevens Label: Sounds Familyre/Asthmatic Kitty
Rating 3*s out of 5 All tracks clean
I've never been to Michigan, and now I think I never will do. This album is absolutely brooding. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was recorded in a cabin over a long, cold Michigan winter. All the songs are sad, but hauntingly sad. And while they can be breath-taking in scope, all this moroseness takes more patience than I have. I'm reminded of a moody 17 year old and their affected depression, "dress[ed] in black and drink vermouth, reading Camus and smoking clove cigarettes..."
Still, Stevens is a hell of a songwriter and like Stephin Merrit, does his thing well even if he wants you to know how /sad/ he is. Play if you like Smog and the Gothic Archies. It reminds me of Belle and Sebastian's EP "This Is Just a Modern Rock Song" as well.
Preferred tracks: 5, 2 and 12 (The name! The name says it all!)
Site
Artist: Saloon Album: If We Ever Meet in the Future Label: Darla Records
Rating: 4 *s out of 5 All tracks clean (hopefully)
Sixties lo-fi meets Noughties (heh!) Indie sensibility. Yeah, I know that applies to a lot of stuff out now, but it's still accurate for Saloon. Fortunately for me, these guys skew slightly more towards a rock sound than the seemingly de riguer twee pop. It makes them easier to listen to. Well-thought out music, heavy with hammond organs and ringing guitars and a garagey-but-more-refined feel. Amanda Gomez on vocals goes from Jane Birkin to Debbie Harry.
Play if you like... Australian girl New Buffalo, Blondie, the New Pornographers.
Preferred tracks: 1 and 3, but they all sound great. Play this
Site:
Artist: Saxon Shore Album: Four Months of Darkness Label: Burnt Toast/Broken Factory
Rating: 2 *s out of 5 All tracks clean
The Fanatic Review says it about all. I remember quite liking Saxon Shore's first release, an EP called "Be A Bright Blue" but I'm not nearly as keen on this. Too often, the album veers from "deep and emotional soundscapes" with "bittersweet melancholy" to what I'd call "soundtrack to your manic depressive bouts".
There are some sparse bits of really good music scattered throughout the disc. But you have to look (too?) hard to find them.
Preferred tracks: Umm, 2 is the least depressing. Three ain's so bad, neither.
Site down
Week of 6 July 2003
Artist: The Tyde Album: Twice Label: Rough Trade
Rating: 4 *s out 5 All tracks clean (I think)
This is the second LP out by the Tyde, who sound (not surprisingly) a lot like their labelmates Belle and Sebastian, the Hidden Cameras, Mull Historical Society and British Sea Power. It's mostly mellow, 60-esque pop with a distinctly Surfy twang. It's what a moody Californian might have shoed-gazed at when the Beach Boys albums stopped.
It's poppy, it's fun and works well out road trips to the beach. Play if you like other 60s Pop Revival sounds like The Aisler's Set, The Essex Green and other Twee Pop like Call and Response and The All Girl Summer Fun Band.
Preferred tracks: 1, 2 (has Smiths-y opening chords!) and 6, but they're all pretty good.
Site
Album: Michigan Artist: Sufjan Stevens Label: Sounds Familyre/Asthmatic Kitty
Rating 3*s out of 5 All tracks clean
I've never been to Michigan, and now I think I never will do. This album is absolutely brooding. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was recorded in a cabin over a long, cold Michigan winter. All the songs are sad, but hauntingly sad. And while they can be breath-taking in scope, all this moroseness takes more patience than I have. I'm reminded of a moody 17 year old and their affected depression, "dress[ed] in black and drink vermouth, reading Camus and smoking clove cigarettes..."
Still, Stevens is a hell of a songwriter and like Stephin Merrit, does his thing well even if he wants you to know how /sad/ he is. Play if you like Smog and the Gothic Archies. It reminds me of Belle and Sebastian's EP "This Is Just a Modern Rock Song" as well.
Preferred tracks: 5, 2 and 12 (The name! The name says it all!)
Site
Artist: Saloon Album: If We Ever Meet in the Future Label: Darla Records
Rating: 4 *s out of 5 All tracks clean (hopefully)
Sixties lo-fi meets Noughties (heh!) Indie sensibility. Yeah, I know that applies to a lot of stuff out now, but it's still accurate for Saloon. Fortunately for me, these guys skew slightly more towards a rock sound than the seemingly de riguer twee pop. It makes them easier to listen to. Well-thought out music, heavy with hammond organs and ringing guitars and a garagey-but-more-refined feel. Amanda Gomez on vocals goes from Jane Birkin to Debbie Harry.
Play if you like... Australian girl New Buffalo, Blondie, the New Pornographers.
Preferred tracks: 1 and 3, but they all sound great. Play this
Site:
Artist: Saxon Shore Album: Four Months of Darkness Label: Burnt Toast/Broken Factory
Rating: 2 *s out of 5 All tracks clean
The Fanatic Review says it about all. I remember quite liking Saxon Shore's first release, an EP called "Be A Bright Blue" but I'm not nearly as keen on this. Too often, the album veers from "deep and emotional soundscapes" with "bittersweet melancholy" to what I'd call "soundtrack to your manic depressive bouts".
There are some sparse bits of really good music scattered throughout the disc. But you have to look (too?) hard to find them.
Preferred tracks: Umm, 2 is the least depressing. Three ain's so bad, neither.
Site down
Artist: The Tyde Album: Twice Label: Rough Trade
Rating: 4 *s out 5 All tracks clean (I think)
This is the second LP out by the Tyde, who sound (not surprisingly) a lot like their labelmates Belle and Sebastian, the Hidden Cameras, Mull Historical Society and British Sea Power. It's mostly mellow, 60-esque pop with a distinctly Surfy twang. It's what a moody Californian might have shoed-gazed at when the Beach Boys albums stopped.
It's poppy, it's fun and works well out road trips to the beach. Play if you like other 60s Pop Revival sounds like The Aisler's Set, The Essex Green and other Twee Pop like Call and Response and The All Girl Summer Fun Band.
Preferred tracks: 1, 2 (has Smiths-y opening chords!) and 6, but they're all pretty good.
Site
Album: Michigan Artist: Sufjan Stevens Label: Sounds Familyre/Asthmatic Kitty
Rating 3*s out of 5 All tracks clean
I've never been to Michigan, and now I think I never will do. This album is absolutely brooding. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was recorded in a cabin over a long, cold Michigan winter. All the songs are sad, but hauntingly sad. And while they can be breath-taking in scope, all this moroseness takes more patience than I have. I'm reminded of a moody 17 year old and their affected depression, "dress[ed] in black and drink vermouth, reading Camus and smoking clove cigarettes..."
Still, Stevens is a hell of a songwriter and like Stephin Merrit, does his thing well even if he wants you to know how /sad/ he is. Play if you like Smog and the Gothic Archies. It reminds me of Belle and Sebastian's EP "This Is Just a Modern Rock Song" as well.
Preferred tracks: 5, 2 and 12 (The name! The name says it all!)
Site
Artist: Saloon Album: If We Ever Meet in the Future Label: Darla Records
Rating: 4 *s out of 5 All tracks clean (hopefully)
Sixties lo-fi meets Noughties (heh!) Indie sensibility. Yeah, I know that applies to a lot of stuff out now, but it's still accurate for Saloon. Fortunately for me, these guys skew slightly more towards a rock sound than the seemingly de riguer twee pop. It makes them easier to listen to. Well-thought out music, heavy with hammond organs and ringing guitars and a garagey-but-more-refined feel. Amanda Gomez on vocals goes from Jane Birkin to Debbie Harry.
Play if you like... Australian girl New Buffalo, Blondie, the New Pornographers.
Preferred tracks: 1 and 3, but they all sound great. Play this
Site:
Artist: Saxon Shore Album: Four Months of Darkness Label: Burnt Toast/Broken Factory
Rating: 2 *s out of 5 All tracks clean
The Fanatic Review says it about all. I remember quite liking Saxon Shore's first release, an EP called "Be A Bright Blue" but I'm not nearly as keen on this. Too often, the album veers from "deep and emotional soundscapes" with "bittersweet melancholy" to what I'd call "soundtrack to your manic depressive bouts".
There are some sparse bits of really good music scattered throughout the disc. But you have to look (too?) hard to find them.
Preferred tracks: Umm, 2 is the least depressing. Three ain's so bad, neither.
Site down
Week of 6 July 2003
Artist: The Tyde Album: Twice Label: Rough Trade
Rating: 4 *s out 5 All tracks clean (I think)
This is the second LP out by the Tyde, who sound (not surprisingly) a lot like their labelmates Belle and Sebastian, the Hidden Cameras, Mull Historical Society and British Sea Power. It's mostly mellow, 60-esque pop with a distinctly Surfy twang. It's what a moody Californian might have shoed-gazed at when the Beach Boys albums stopped.
It's poppy, it's fun and works well out road trips to the beach. Play if you like other 60s Pop Revival sounds like The Aisler's Set, The Essex Green and other Twee Pop like Call and Response and The All Girl Summer Fun Band.
Preferred tracks: 1, 2 (has Smiths-y opening chords!) and 6, but they're all pretty good.
Album: Michigan Artist: Sufjan Stevens Label: Sounds Familyre/Asthmatic Kitty
Rating 3*s out of 5 All tracks clean
I've never been to Michigan, and now I think I never will do. This album is absolutely brooding. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was recorded in a cabin over a long, cold Michigan winter. All the songs are sad, but hauntingly sad. And while they can be breath-taking in scope, all this moroseness takes more patience than I have. I'm reminded of a moody 17 year old and their affected depression, "dress[ed] in black and drink vermouth, reading Camus and smoking clove cigarettes..."
Still, Stevens is a hell of a songwriter and like Stephin Merrit, does his thing well even if he wants you to know how /sad/ he is. Play if you like Smog and the Gothic Archies. It reminds me of Belle and Sebastian's EP "This Is Just a Modern Rock Song" as well.
Preferred tracks: 5, 2 and 12 (The name! The name says it all!)
Artist: Saloon Album: If We Ever Meet in the Future Label: Darla Records
Rating: 4 *s out of 5 All tracks clean (hopefully)
Sixties lo-fi meets Noughties (heh!) Indie sensibility. Yeah, I know that applies to a lot of stuff out now, but it's still accurate for Saloon. Fortunately for me, these guys skew slightly more towards a rock sound than the seemingly de riguer twee pop. It makes them easier to listen to. Well-thought out music, heavy with hammond organs and ringing guitars and a garagey-but-more-refined feel. Amanda Gomez on vocals goes from Jane Birkin to Debbie Harry.
Play if you like... Australian girl New Buffalo, Blondie, the New Pornographers.
Preferred tracks: 1 and 3, but they all sound great. Play this
Artist: Saxon Shore Album: Four Months of Darkness Label: Burnt Toast/Broken Factory
Rating: 2 *s out of 5 All tracks clean
The Fanatic Review says it about all. I remember quite liking Saxon Shore's first release, an EP called "Be A Bright Blue" but I'm not nearly as keen on this. Too often, the album veers from "deep and emotional soundscapes" with "bittersweet melancholy" to what I'd call "soundtrack to your manic depressive bouts".
There are some sparse bits of really good music scattered throughout the disc. But you have to look (too?) hard to find them.
Preferred tracks: Umm, 2 is the least depressing. Three ain's so bad, neither.
Artist: The Tyde Album: Twice Label: Rough Trade
Rating: 4 *s out 5 All tracks clean (I think)
This is the second LP out by the Tyde, who sound (not surprisingly) a lot like their labelmates Belle and Sebastian, the Hidden Cameras, Mull Historical Society and British Sea Power. It's mostly mellow, 60-esque pop with a distinctly Surfy twang. It's what a moody Californian might have shoed-gazed at when the Beach Boys albums stopped.
It's poppy, it's fun and works well out road trips to the beach. Play if you like other 60s Pop Revival sounds like The Aisler's Set, The Essex Green and other Twee Pop like Call and Response and The All Girl Summer Fun Band.
Preferred tracks: 1, 2 (has Smiths-y opening chords!) and 6, but they're all pretty good.
Album: Michigan Artist: Sufjan Stevens Label: Sounds Familyre/Asthmatic Kitty
Rating 3*s out of 5 All tracks clean
I've never been to Michigan, and now I think I never will do. This album is absolutely brooding. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was recorded in a cabin over a long, cold Michigan winter. All the songs are sad, but hauntingly sad. And while they can be breath-taking in scope, all this moroseness takes more patience than I have. I'm reminded of a moody 17 year old and their affected depression, "dress[ed] in black and drink vermouth, reading Camus and smoking clove cigarettes..."
Still, Stevens is a hell of a songwriter and like Stephin Merrit, does his thing well even if he wants you to know how /sad/ he is. Play if you like Smog and the Gothic Archies. It reminds me of Belle and Sebastian's EP "This Is Just a Modern Rock Song" as well.
Preferred tracks: 5, 2 and 12 (The name! The name says it all!)
Artist: Saloon Album: If We Ever Meet in the Future Label: Darla Records
Rating: 4 *s out of 5 All tracks clean (hopefully)
Sixties lo-fi meets Noughties (heh!) Indie sensibility. Yeah, I know that applies to a lot of stuff out now, but it's still accurate for Saloon. Fortunately for me, these guys skew slightly more towards a rock sound than the seemingly de riguer twee pop. It makes them easier to listen to. Well-thought out music, heavy with hammond organs and ringing guitars and a garagey-but-more-refined feel. Amanda Gomez on vocals goes from Jane Birkin to Debbie Harry.
Play if you like... Australian girl New Buffalo, Blondie, the New Pornographers.
Preferred tracks: 1 and 3, but they all sound great. Play this
Artist: Saxon Shore Album: Four Months of Darkness Label: Burnt Toast/Broken Factory
Rating: 2 *s out of 5 All tracks clean
The Fanatic Review says it about all. I remember quite liking Saxon Shore's first release, an EP called "Be A Bright Blue" but I'm not nearly as keen on this. Too often, the album veers from "deep and emotional soundscapes" with "bittersweet melancholy" to what I'd call "soundtrack to your manic depressive bouts".
There are some sparse bits of really good music scattered throughout the disc. But you have to look (too?) hard to find them.
Preferred tracks: Umm, 2 is the least depressing. Three ain's so bad, neither.
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