A little bit Fastbacks, a little bit Fitz and the Tantrums, with some Aislers Set thrown in (I think of some old Shonen Knife here), Those Darlins aren’t just a band with a strip club name. On the title track they establish quickly that they will do whatever the fuck they want, and your options are to listen or jump in a lake.
“Mystic Mind” borders on twee and also has some psychedelic stuff going on. This was the direction Hope Sandoval could have gone in but didn’t. “Waste Away” is good for Holly Golightly fans. All in all, this is fun stuff for fans of the genre.
Archive for the ‘KSCU’ Category
Those Darlins “Screws Get Loose”
May 15, 2011Oh Land “Oh Land”
May 15, 2011I played the Oh Land EP a ton so it seemed only natural that I review the full length as well. I really like it, but I can see why they picked the tracks they did for the EP. Still, “Perfection” is pretty close to it. I wish the verses could sound like the chorus, because she actually sings those. The verses are more of a storytelling sound, which is a performance best reserved for people who can’t sing.
“Sun of a Gun” was on the EP, and it stands out among the 11 tracks the same way it did on the four-tracker. If you want something a little slower — perhaps you’re a Sneakerpimps fan — “Lean” will take care of you. Dot Allison would be proud.
Look elsewhere for Human League covers, although she could totally do it. Regardless, “Human” has the syncopation you’re looking for to finish painting the den. White Nights was also on the EP, and it also stands out. So the whole album is fine, but the tracks from the EP are better.
“We Turn It Up” sounds like the Tilly and the Wall song that sounds likes a Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam song. That makes it great.
Ellie Goulding “Lights”
May 15, 2011Trying to capitalize on the crossover success that La Roux has seen, Ellie Goulding has seen the “Lights.” What we have is an unabashedly attempt at modern pop music. Your 12-year-old niece will love this.
The title track leads off and will be played in casinos everywhere. There’s just enough Lady Gaga in there, as well as late ’80s synths and sampling. The only thing missing is the high-energy beat. There’s no question this is the music of today, even as it winks and nods at Reagan/Bush-era hit music.
“This Love (Will Be Your Downfall)” sounds like a Tegan and Sara song that’s been remixed. Well, really I suppose the whole album does. “The Writer” is not about me. I’m just a blogger, after all. This track is a little slower than the rest, but I wouldn’t call it a ballad. The melody is on the simplistic side, but being on Interscope will do that for you. It’s like cotton candy. Don’t expect substance and just be happy with it.
“Every Time You Go” is not a Paul Young cover — how cool would that be? This seems to be to lure in Pipettes fans, but the dance rhythm overpowers the likely self-made backgrounds. The song is fine, but it sounds like “further reading” if you will.
The La Roux comparison goes into overdrive with “Salt Skin.” So go enjoy it. You know you want to. The last track is a cover of Elton John’s “Your Song.” I hope you don’t mind.
Loch Lomond “Little Me Will Start a Storm”
May 15, 2011When your friends ask you what indie rock is (does anyone still ask that?), hand them this record. There’s some emotion, but it’s not out of control. They’re feeling something, even if it’s just gas. The lead singer does enough falsettos to keep the atmosphere light, like at a mountaintop restaurant. He makes you think of Peter Murphy and James, all at the same time.
“Blue Lead Fences” reminds me of early Smashing Pumpkins but with some female vocals mixed in. If you want something a little more haunting and garage sounding, go for “I Love Me.”
If you want a male-female duet, “Earth Has Moved Again” has what you’re looking for. It’s a little long, but it has just enough of a beat to get you through. It makes me want to look at my shoes — but not gaze at them.
The last track is “Alice Left With Stockings and Earrings.” Maybe this one is a little too slow, but it’s still a beautiful song. This album offers standard indie fare, a little on the softer side.
Snowblink “Long Live”
May 15, 2011This band needs its own iPhone commercial. The vocals are straight out of the Chairlift/Feist vein, and the music is acoustically crisp. Lots of tracks are folky, but “Ambergris” is in more of an Azure Ray vein.
“Green to Gone” even starts with “1, 2, 3, 4.” Take that, Feist! “Bulb for Later” is also good. It is slightly faster but still has the same feel as the other tracks. This album is Claritin clear.
The rest of the tracks are fine but really short. The 15 tracks total a whopping 34 minutes. Still, this should be a Top 20 album for me in 2011 when all is said and done.
Wye Oak “Civilian”
May 8, 2011This band is a barrel of fun. “Two Small Deaths” gives us some harmony during the chorus and accompaniment reminiscent of Death Cab for Cutie. The vocals are more like the Lightfighters.
“Holy Holy” is not about my underwear. Musically this song is simple, but that’s no reason to think less of it. If you’re trying to show someone the type of music you listen to, this is a good one to show them, because it’s not unnecessarily complex. Even your mom could handle this one like a champ.
The title track is a little slower at the beginning but otherwise sounds a lot like the other tracks. I can’t imagine these guys being any good live, but for studio stuff it’s got just enough feedback, reverb and other vocabulary words to keep me going. I could listen to this record a lot more.
I enjoyed “Plains,” but I can’t put my finger on why. I thought “We Were Wealth” was going to be about the housing meltdown, but I guess it isn’t. It reminds me of Soft Cotton County, although the vocals don’t compare. Musically this is the best song on the album, especially the end.
The Thoughts “I Won’t Keep You Here”
May 8, 2011Sunday brunch bacon music, this is what you listen to with your sweetie after you went to the farmer’s market and bought a bunch of arugula and other quiche ingredients. You probably make mimosas, too. It’s a mature Suran Song in Stag sort of sound.
The vocals in “Orange Sky” come from deep within but aren’t without melody either. “You’re Not Happy Here” is even slower but is much longer. It builds and builds to a big finish, so if you have an inclination for inclining songs, this is for you.
“Winterkill” has some chipper xylophonic action, or perhaps they left an iPhone on, and they received a text message. No one ever changes their default settings, you know? That’s why it’s important to make sure they’re good ones. Also, the dude sings in this one, but it sounds fine.
If you’re looking for strings, “Cutting Skin” provides a bountiful harvest. The title track also sounds good. The last track is “The Cage.” It is also stringy but is much better balanced than the other tracks.
It’s always nice to have lots of acoustic music on hand for special guests, and this one fits right in.
Various Artists “The Acidsoxx Family Sampler”
April 3, 2011Sixteen tracks of psychedelic goodness. Whether it’s bacon in a pan or little half-inch squares of paper, there’s some serious frying going on here.
Perfect Vacuum don’t suck in their song “Number One Comrade.” Like a lot of the tracks on here, this one is a little quirky, but it’s not threatening. It’s as family-friendly as a trip to Walmart. The dance beat that comes and goes make me think of Big Audio Dynamite and B-52s. They also shine on “The River Is Dry.”
Dick el Demasiado & Lukas Simonis prove you can never have too much dick with “Fangio Angel.” The obviously Latin-infused track is horny at times and sounds like something at Berryessa Flea Market. Bring it on.
The best trip may be Erikka Sylphh’s “Die Trip Summertime Die.” This is the trip half of trip-hop. Good samples of various homages to summer as well. It’s like the halftime show on the Simpsons that was dedicated to halftime itself. Far and away the best track on here.
Let’s not forget Pan Parag. “Mapping Antarctica” is the most normal-sounding track here, perhaps buried at the end because it’s what you listen to when you’re coming down.
Kings of Leon “Come Around Sundown”
April 3, 2011I don’t even understand why a college radio station should have this record, but what do I know? The first track is called “The End,” which makes no sense, but then again, that is probably why they did it. But if I can be mocked for listening to Counting Crows when I was in college, then I suppose I should be able to mock fans of Kings of Leon today. At any rate, this track must sound good live. They can do the thing where one musician comes on stage at a time, and by the second chorus the whole band is out there and the #kingsofleon hashtag takes off, with everyone saying the same damn thing, lol.
“Pyro” has a wailing chorus. Guys should like this song so they can make out with women who like this song. Say what you will about Kings of Leon, but their fans are really hot. And it also brings new meaning to the song “The Face.”
If you like John Mellencamp’s “Wild Night” (well, Van Morrison, but you know), then “Back Down South” should sound really familiar to you. A pop song with good hooks can be found in “No Money.” All kidding aside, I guess Kings of Leon aren’t completely worthless after all.
I’m thinking “Birthday” is another single. It has a catchy chorus. “Pickup Truck” is the last track. I think it’s their way of trying to keep it real. After all, a big-time star would never own a pickup truck, right?
Today's featured shit 