Post Tagged with: "music"
Keaton Henson – Birthdays album review
Keaton Henson’s brand of guitar folk is in full swing on his latest release, the first on Anti- Records, titled Birthdays. Yet another folky singer-songwriter imported from across the pond, Henson’s album is a clear evolution from his previous album Dear which had a tendency to become bogged down in it’s own depression. On Birthdays Henson takes an extremely melodic approach and brings back his narrator -esque lyrics, opening the album with the request to “Teach me how to love [...]
The Mavericks – In Time album review
In Time, the latest release from Miami based country group The Mavericks follows the pattern of their earlier works where diversity is the name of the game. Mariachi horns, country melodies, and Roy Orbison-esque vocals are found throughout the record but songs are diverse and almost all bring a new theme to the table whether it is the slinky surf guitar of “Come Unto Me”, which is also recorded in Spanish as the closing track “Ven Hacia Mi” or the [...]
The Milk Carton Kids – The Ash & Clay album review
With their second studio release, The Milk Carton Kids have solidified themselves as yet another 60’s folk revival group that would be as at home in Washington Square Park as onstage at your local coffee house. Simplicity is the name of the game as the group is actually a duo that combines the harmonies of Simon and Garfunkel with high range finger picking. The Ash & Clay, the duo’s first release on Anti Records, sticks to traditional folk music themes [...]
Bobby Womack – The Bravest Man in the Universe album review
Releasing his first proper studio album in almost two decades, soul and R&B legend, Bobby Womack, is back in the limelight with a stunningly modern album, its quality matching, and in some cases, surpassing his best work. The Bravest Man in the Universe is a collaboration between the XL label’s Richard Russell and the Gorillaz’s Damon Albarn (whose 2010 album, Plastic Beach, Womack made a guest appearance on.) The 68 year old singer’s world weary voice and unique personality carry [...]
Joe McKee – Burning Boy album review
Joe McKee’s Burning Boy doesn’t need much of an introduction from me. Actually, this is a much more different review for me than what I usually write. Let me explain this indie nightmare of a record: With what seems to be an orchestral backing, “Lunar Sea” is what opens the record. It slowly but surely continues to build instrumentally, with McKee’s vocal stylings helping out. It’s really strange, and too obscure for my tastes – and I had a feeling the [...]
Future Sounds of Buenos Aires album review
I’ve never thought South America to be a hotbed for emerging artists. Argentina’s ZZK Records and LA based Waxploitation Records have come together to produce this compilation record of the best emerging artists from Buenos Aires: Future Sounds of Beunos Aires. This compilation features a lot of electronic music is not the kind most North Americans have grown accustomed to for the past few years. Sure, there are a lot of similarities: synths, bass, and just pure garbled sci-fi sounds, [...]
Moonface – With Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery album review
If Spencer Krug’s upbeat work with Sunset Rubdown is indicative of his attitude before nightfall, then it seems his joy gets lost in the dark when the moon shows its face. Most know him as an indie-rock nomad, but K rug plays musical mad scientist on Heartbreaking Bravery, his latest release as Moonface. This time around it was a collaborative effort with former tour mates (via Wolf Parade) and Helsinki natives Siinai. The amount of experimentation on Bravery cannot be [...]
Matt Nathanson – Modern Love album review
Brewing new beginnings: Matt Nathanson, “Modern Love” Following a successful, career-defining release with “Some Mad Hope”(2007), San Francisco-based Matt Nathanson is back with new confidence and his ninth album “Modern Love”. “Modern Love,” produced and co-created by long time creative partner Mark Weinberg, is a blend of pop, rock, poetry, and honesty, exploring the synthetic, the organic, life, and love. It is an exploration of compliment and contrast, from musings in Australia (“Love Comes Tumbling Down”), to the technology and [...]
Gang Gang Dance – Eye Contact album review
Gang Gang Dance Maintains with Eye Contact Whenever I get an album from an artist or band I haven’t heard of, I Wikipedia them to start learning. It may not be a deathly accurate way to gain information, but in terms of what I need it for, it’s perfect; I find out what style of music they have in store for me, without tainting my totally naive ears with an opinion other than my own. Gang Gang Dance’s entry reads [...]
Company of Thieves – Running from a Gamble album review
Company of Thieves begins where we left off two years ago with “Ordinary Riches,” bringing back their amalgamation of attitude-filled rock, country and jazzy-funk to electrify “Running from a Gamble.” But this time, building on their strengths and with more stories to tell, and a brazen attitude to boot! Company of Thieves’ fresh and edgy front woman, Genevieve Schatz has already made a name for herself in the indie community. Furthermore, this album solidifies her triumph of becoming an icon [...]
