It’s an EP. iTunes says it is metal. It is not. “So Long” is the first track, and it sounds like newer Social Distortion with a woman singing. Pretty straightforward rock, if you ask me. Two-thirds of the band is named “Sarah,” so there’s a lot of heart-string pulling going on for me, but I shall survive and emerge victorious from what is obviously just a coincidence anyway. That said, would it not be rad if they toured with Sick of Sarah? Oh yes.
“Pretty Girl” sounds like Kelley Deal is singing. Pass the Zima. The record says “Death Treat,” but iTunes says “Death Threat.” I think the former would be more fun, but it seems more likely that iTunes got this one right. The song itself is very structured. It seems easier to play than the others. It doesn’t necessarily need to be blurrier anyway.
The last track is “Eating Hourglasses.” Fun for fans of reverb, it leaves me wanting more. I am pretty excited about Is/Is’s potential.
Archive for the ‘KSCU’ Category
Is/Is “This Happening”
April 3, 2011Prints of China “False Fronts”
April 3, 2011It’s an EP. “Empty Vessels” has “EP” and “MT” in the first word, which is some sort of pun, I guess, although a pure coincidence. It was recorded at Fastback Studios in Seattle. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to find that association. I do like Fastbacks better, but whatever. At least Prints of China are better than Visqueen.
The title track is good stuff. It makes me think of old 10,000 Maniacs. The guitar has a nice power pop feel. “Power Heavy” has an ’80s near-gothic sound, although it’s not depressing, just, um, power heavy.
“No Shame” blew right by, and “Fluff and Fold” is not a Square One TV reference. It’s another one for power pop fans.
Puro Instinct “Headbangers in Ecstasy”
April 3, 2011It’s like I’m in college again. Little bits of Stereolab and Cocteau Twins abound, with maybe some Club 8 and Ivy thrown in for good measure. It’s a little more Splenda and a little less sugar, though. I love synthy dreampop, but this might be just a little too over the top. Soft Cotton County could teach them a thing or two on “Everybody’s Sick.” The lead singer sounds like a distorted Siouxsie Sioux, but why they are distorting her voice in the mix is beyond me. Is it still irony if I don’t get it? (Of course it is.)
“Silky Eyes” is more percussive, like Book of Love. Musically, this is pretty good. Those looking for the ’80s sound can look no further than “Stilyagi.” The song definitely has a shoulder pad feel to it. The singing is a little better here as well, and the samples are a nice touch. Not as good as Sing-Sing but close.
Popcorn synth lovers (think “Close to You” by the Cure) will enjoy “No Mames.” The lyrics are more Siouxsie-like again here, although the guitar stands out in a disruptive way. Something about the neck.
I was excited about “California Shakedown” because I was hoping it would be about earthquakes. I can’t tell what the lyrics are about because I suck at that stuff, but the vocal quality is definitely a lot better. It finally comes together for Puro Instinct on Track 13!
“Luv Goon” rounds out a somewhat disappointing record. My expectations are always really high with dreampop stuff, but poor production values, intentional or otherwise, serve only to depress my idealistic desires.
Typhoon “A New Kind of House”
March 27, 2011It’s an EP. There’s like 10 people in this band and only five songs. Sounds like an episode of the Waltons to me. “The Honest Truth” is standard indie pop with some horns. “Summer Home” makes me think of Counting Crows, although the song is really freakin’ long. My cat likes “Claws Pt. 1.” “Kitchen Tile” and “Firewood” are shorter songs and also fine, but not as good as the others.
They sound like they are from Seattle, but I don’t know where they actually are from. When they play live, they’d be good to take a new date to.
The Dears “Degeneration Street”
March 27, 2011Is it a play on the Cure’s “Fascination Street”? Maybe. Nobody picked this up to review, so I figured I might as well. “Omega Dog” is the first track and has a lot of distortion. It’s fine.
“Blood” is OK. “Lamentation” sounds like OMD a little bit. A little bit.
“Galactic Tides” makes me want to gaze at my shoes. When they play it live, I bet it is needlessly loud. I actually hear some Eagles when I listen to this one. “Stick W/ Me Kid” is in the Bauhaus vein. Yeah, I guess the title is a play on “Fascination Street.” So if they’re trying to go this route, then it is not working because they are too happy to pull it off. The music itself is fine, of course. But don’t go into this thinking it is going to be 1989 all over again.
“Easy Suffering” also has a Peter Murphy vibe and a wee bit of power pop mixed in. This one might be the best on the record. “1854” is another one that I enjoyed.
I can see now why everyone likes the Dears. It’s good stuff!
Imaginary Cities “Temporary Resident”
March 27, 2011Marti Sarbit’s voice is distinctive, but I can’t tell whether it’s bad. Imaginary Cities may be trying to do something here, but it’s not clear how much of a leash I should extend to them. The choruses are generally better than the verses, but when the spotlight is on her singing, it’s a bit rough.
“Calm Before the Storm” is half Ruby, half Phil Collins. The soul flavor (not flava) really brings this one home. It needs an MC, though. “Purple Heart” is very beautiful. It sounds like something Cyndi Lauper would do. Think “Time After Time.”
The title track is a good old fashioned rock song. A lot of people should really be into that one. “Cherry Blossom Tree” makes me think of Duffy. That’s better than it making me think of Amy Winehouse, trust me.
Eleanor Dubinsky “Touch the Sky”
March 27, 2011Adequate singing with good quality synths and percussion rule the day on “Touch the Sky.” There are song titles in French and Spanish. “Jeu de Deux” is the first one. The melody sounds good, but the production value is a little flat, especially for a leadoff track. “Missouri Sky” is a little better.
“Lullabye” is amazing. Honestly, the track order on this record is completely out of whack. You definitely have to give the whole album a chance if you want to judge it without fear. From song to song you just don’t know what you’re going to get.
For those who like long song titles, I give you “Cuando Voy a Mi Trabajo Pienso en Ti (When I Go to Work I Think of You).” However, it sounds as if parts of the song are in French, not Spanish. Que lastima. “We Can Make Music” is a slow song on a record of slow songs. This one is just a little too sleepy, even for here, and the beat doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the track.
Is “Sea Inside” a play on words? I just don’t have confidence in giving that benefit of the doubt because of the songwriting on the rest of this album. She is singing about being on a beach, though, so I guess that counts for something.
This album is clearly therapeutic for Ms. Dubinsky, but I feel we’re all suffering as a result. Life is a zero sum game, after all.
Hank & Cupcakes “HIT” EP
March 27, 2011It’s a little bit Tings Tings, a little bit Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The title track also has a bit of Republica mixed in. And maybe Ke$ha. Everyone likes Ke$ha. The lyrics are a little too tongue in cheek to take seriously, but that is probably the point. That’s the trouble with today’s kids. You never know when they’re being ironic.
“Aint No Love” is a little funkier. It also features Shane MauX, which means absolutely nothing to me. If it featured Shane ManX I would care, because then he would have no tail. He kind of sounds like the Gym Class Heroes guy at any rate.
“Pleasure Town” sounds like Ruby, although the chorus sounds more like Luscious Jackson. “Roses” is how they slow it down. Hank & Cupcakes have too much energy to do this successfully.
“She’s Lost Control” is a Joy Division cover. At least it’s not “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” This EP’s not bad. There’s always room for more of this type of music.
Ben + Vesper “Honors”
March 13, 2011Maybe “Vesper” is the woman to complement Ben. It is some sort of Rilo Kiley-sounding thing, except Ben’s vocals sort of stand out in a strange way. They’re fine, but it is as if the lead singer of Fanfarlo took a visit to Saddle Creek.
“Knee-Hi Wall” is a key track on this one. Lots of harmonizing and a beat that is prominent but not overpowering. I also like “Cheer Up, Cheers!” It’s a bit more somber than the rest, but sometimes happy does not a good song make.
“All Is Forgiven” reminds me of Simon and Garfunkel, if Art weren’t a dude. The title track is the last track. Something has to have the honor of being the last track. It might as well be this one.
The songs are generally all good on this one.
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