Thin, Mythical, Puppies

Skinny Puppy’s latest effort following their much hyped reunion sounds surprisingly less dense, still heavy but this time more “musical” elements permeate the sound of the band. Not to say that the garbled vocals and trippy clicking percussion are missing, they are definitely there, but they are reshaped in a much grander way, like on “Haze” (3). This is a welcome change for me because I always felt that when Skinny Puppy opened up their sound a bit their frightening soundscapes created some bizarrely beautiful tracks. Some examples of the combination of the heavy industrial and the sound sculpting include “Ambiantz” (9) which features an almost classical sounding keyboard, “Jaher” (5) where a spare Spanish guitar melody drives the song and “Pasturn” (8) which drops its percussion towards the end to ascend into some dreamlike synths. The experiments are compelling listening, but like with any experiment what you get in the end isn’t always what you were going for. There are some missteps on the album that just sound cheesy, grating, or just gross. I’m not talking about typical Skinny Puppy lyrics about death, decay and drug use, I’m talking about when Nivek Ogre just says something that you just don’t want to hear, like in “Magnifishit” (1) when he makes references to how your mother urinates, or “Ugli”(10) where he repeats “Jesus wants to be ugly” over and over and over. It’s just uncalled for. It makes songs that otherwise would be entertaining to listen to thoroughly cringe-able. It’s not the religious content or gross content that I’m objecting to; I just don’t understand what the point is behind it. Luckily, there aren’t many moments like that on the album. Overall “Mythmaker” is stripped down back to basics Skinny Puppy, which reveals that even after over 20 years, the death of a core member, and “kicking the habit” that they are still the premier innovators of Industrial music.

Skinny Puppy Myspace

Buy "MythMakers"

MP3 - Jaher - Skinny Puppy

MP3 - Ambiantz - Skinny Puppy

Cinema is Strangely Educational

The Cinematics sound like a combination of the Editors and White Rose Movement, with a pinch of Joy Division. You’d think that with so many bands aping the post punk rock style these days that another band doing this would sound contrived and old, but The Cinematics bring the emotional power to make “A Strange Education” sound fresh. Lyrically most of the album is pretty dark, describing relationship related agony, like the lyrics on “Human” (4): “I’ve been breaking my back with the weight of your heart" and “Rise and Fall” (6) "No it's not what I wanted, at least she's holding my hand." The gloomy heavy atmosphere gives way to some exceptionally bouncy and powerful singles. Like the lead single “Keep Forgetting” (8) which starts off sounding like Carlos D. of Interpol remixing Franz Ferdinands’ "This Fire”, before exploding with it’s own massive hook. “Maybe Someday” (10) reaches the emotional apex of the album with it’s resolute lyrics and Editors-esque sound. There is also a spectacular cover of Beck’s “Sunday Sun” (7) which is easily an album favorite because I loved “Sea Change.” Sonically, The Cinematics go out with a bang with the climactic “Asleep at the Wheel” (12) which sears into a high velocity soundscape. ”Maybe I am just a sucker for post punk British indie rock, but these guys just write great songs.

The Cinematics Myspace

Buy "A Strange Education"

Watch The Video For "Keep Forgetting"

MP3 - Maybe Someday - The Cinematics

MP3 - Sunday Sun - The Cinematics

Check Your Messages! Please!

Right off the bat, I have to say of all the British bands to influx after Franz Ferdinand went big the Rakes were my favorite. I don’t know if it was their well written bass heavy anthems or their quirky immediacy. What I do know is that their video for “22 Grand Job” is among my favorite videos of all time. Could it be all the slim ladies wearing glasses, short black skirts and tight white blouses? Could it be the quirky antics of lead singer Alan Donohoe? Yes, yes and yes. So needless to say the boys from London have a bit to live up to with their “Ten New Messages”. This time around, the songs aren’t as brash; they are more calculated, more intimate. Not to say that you can’t gyrate wildly to songs on the album, which definitely is the case, it’s just that Alan and company are wearier from late night rendezvous and endless gigs and parties. The songs retain their catchy-ness while emoting more, which is certainly an enjoyable progression. Musically, there is a bit of experimentation too, most notably the use of chorused backing vocals, like on lead single “We Danced Together” (3). Another cool trick is when guest vocalists lay down some raps on “Suspicious Eyes” (5) about terrorism; ironically it’s great fun. Alan sounds shockingly like Chris Martin of Coldplay on the propulsive “Time to Stop Talking” (9). The album closes with a perfect example of The Rakes’ witty lyrics, “Leave the City and come Home” (10). It’s about a young woman’s plight in the city (presumably London) and what she has to endure as her stay goes on, while a certain pining someone aches for her to return. It’s absolutely sweet and funny, which is perhaps the reason I never seem to tire of the Rakes, they are pure heart.

The Rakes Myspace

Buy "Ten New Messages"

Watch The Video for "We Danced Together"

MP3- Suspicious Eyes - The Rakes

MP3- Time to Stop Talking - The Rakes

MP3- We Danced Together - The Rakes (SeBastian Remix)

81 Rebel Babies on Black Motorcycles

I’ve known about Black Rebel Motorcycle club for a long time, there was even a poster for them at the first radio station I worked at; when I saw their picture, they reminded me of the Dandy Warhols in their style. I tried to get into their sound a while back but there was just nothing that hooked me. Then their next album that came out was acoustic, well, what does a NYC alternative fuzz rock band sound like without all that glorious fuzz? I didn’t go out of my way to find out. Then I heard that "Baby 81" was a combination of the better of the first two albums. If there ever was a time to check out what B.M.R.C. is all about now would be the time. With all the angular guitar rock spitting out of every which way these past few years it’s refreshing to hear a band that just spits out those huge distorted riffs that at times allude to surf rock or the blues. They just do the riffs right; and they continue to win me over by adding a piano occasionally to their rhythm section like on “Window” (4). They have a great rhythm section; it induces fist pumping anthems to stomping rave ups and even erupts into full on dance beats. Highlights of the album include “Berlin” (2) that includes one of those supremely dance-able beats and tough blues riffs. “Not What You Wanted” (6), delves into a driving pop number. “All You Do Is Talk” (8), is definitely the supreme ballad of the album that goes from riding feedback and spare piano while the vocals build and build until a U2-esque beat falls into place to take them home. One of the tracks that got me right off the bat was “Need Some Air” (10) that definitely sounded to me like what Joy Division would sound like if they mutated and combined with “Get Ready” era New Order. Needless to say it is excellent. This album has been one of the most pleasant surprises I’ve had while reviewing albums, I could go on talking even more about the merits of this effort, but I think you should find out for yourself and start listening.

Buy "Baby 81"

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Myspace

MP3 - Need Some Air - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

MP3 - All You do is Talk - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

I Will Comply with Blue Sky

The new Wilco album, “Sky Blue Sky”, while full of the usual bar band guitars and organ, simply isn’t as commanding as some of their previous efforts. That’s not to say it’s not good, some of the songs are just absolutely soft, sprawling and beautiful. While other songs evolve out of the classic bar band sound to use at times a stomping glam rock beat to shake up the album. Where Wilco always shines though, is in their quirky bluesy ballads. The songs that run along with the familiar themes of losing your baby and wanting your baby back are the ones that stand out to me as good Wilco singles. Jeff Tweedy uses not only his uniquely classic and soulful vocals but also his tremendous heart to make “Hate it Here” (8) and “Walken” (10) the standout tracks of the album. Overall, there is definitely a smooth kind of 70’s rock feel that permeates the entire album, while it may not be mind blowingly amazing, it certainly is a more than pleasant listen and excellent addition to Wilco’s catalogue.

and if you're like me and can't get enough of this post alternative country indie rock:

Buy "Sky Blue Sky"

Wilco Myspace

Wilco World

MP3 - Walken - Wilco

MP3 - I Hate it Here - Wilco

Go Commando! ... wait, this is uncomfortable.

Artist: JDH & Dave P

Title: Go Commando

This is a DJ mix set CD with the tendency to lean toward old school hard house. There are some familiar dance numbers here from notable indie electronic acts like The Knife and the Rapture but their song structure hasn’t been changed hardly at all, if anything is changed its just an annoying blippy squelch or vocoder over an otherwise unchanged song. The mix shines when it plays unknown dance numbers that lend themselves towards mixing more, although it’s kind of obvious that that would work better. It’s strange that the interludes are some of the most enjoyable pieces on the entire disc. Like “Do not Break” (8). The songs that could stand on their own would be “Mr. Oizo – Halfanedit” (9) which features a ferocious beat and some serious scratching. The other is opener “Jaokim – I wish you were gone” (1) which uses an arpeggiated loop and a vocoder to add to its space age feel. As an original work it is lacking, but as a ready made sound track to get down on the town with, I say to you, “Have at it.”

JDH & Dave P Myspace

Buy "Go COmmando with JDH & Dave P"

Mp3 - “Jaokim – I wish you were gone”

Mp3 - “Mr. Oizo – Halfanedit”

Collapsing into Cat Food

Artist: SJ Esau

Title: Wrong faced Cat Feed Collapse

The main man behind this effort is a British rapper named Sam Wisternoff who has freestyled with 3D of massive attack at parties. That said it is very strange that this album sounds like an Andrew Bird wannabe that thinks his slow songs are boring so he puts the sound of a shaking spray paint can over the acoustic strums. It’s like a guy who flips burgers for a living putting together an album over the course of 10 years. Weird but inviting, with surprising points of accessibility. Outsider art for the ear. Songs that are put together enough to sound like actual songs are the violin laden “Cat Track” (2) and the keyboard accented “All agog” (9). This is clearly not for everyone but if you’re willing to endure some of the strangest, but not totally intolerable, interludes and effects you will find one or two things worth listening to. Like the ones I recommended.

SJ Esau Myspace

Buy "Wrong Faced Cat Feed Collapse"

MP3 -Cat Track - SJ Esau

MP3 - All Agog - SJ Esau

Watch the Voltage, Son.

I'll admit, I didn't know about the Uncle Tupelo connection between Son Volt and Wilco when I took this CD to review, luckily I have a friend who loves alt country and the whole resource of the internet at my disposal. So here's the scoop. Uncle Tupelo was the first alt country band to form in the late 80's and play through the early 90's until Jeff Tweedy left to form Wilco. Not to be outdone, the other creative force of the famed Uncle Tupelo, Jay Farrar, formed his own new band called Son Volt. This is the latest album from Son Volt.

Artist: Son Volt

Title: The Search

It’s full of mid tempo alt country glory. The kind of aching, sentimental songs that scream nostalgia, sometimes sad and sometimes full of joy. It’s got that looking out over the country side thinking of friends and family while going for a long drive (maybe even going home) kind of feel. The slide guitar riffs and organ licks fit it perfectly, At first I didn’t like the vocals, I thought they were too close to silly R.E.M. vocals, but if there is one thing that Jay Farrar is, it’s serious about his lyrics and vocals. Notable music moments include the use of horns on “The Picture” (2) to inject a big heaping helping of optimism. “Satellite” (9) feels like getting up on a summer day and driving a pick up truck to work as fast as you can, in the best possible way. My favorite moment is around the 2:29 mark in “L Train” (12) where the piano just opens up and does its thing. Did I mention I love cool little piano solos? Well I do. I also think this album is pretty cool.

MP3 - The Picture - Son Volt

MP3 - Satellite - Son Volt

MP3 - L Train - Son Volt

Buy "The Search"

Son Volt Myspace

Walking with Walker Kong, away from people.

Artist: Walker Kong

Title: Deliver Us From People

The second full length album from Minneapolis based indie pop group Walker Kong features at its best moments the psychedelic guitar reminiscent of Echo & The Bunnymen combined with the unrelenting power pop of the New Pornographers along with what sounds like the rhythm section from Belle & Sebastian. You could write them off as just another power pop indie band, but you would be doing a great disservice to yourself as there are some excellent songs here. “We are The Falling Stars” (2) and “Don’t Give Up” (10) explode with that aforementioned dazzling guitar riffery. “Andy Warhol & The Honey Bees” (5) is a lovely little pop number built on the boppable beat from Iggy Pop’s “Lust For Life” and album closer “Oh Jackie” (11) probably my favorite, builds on a Casio beat with piano and acoustic guitar before a break where it just explodes with a synth bass line. Perfect album for a spring road trip? I think so.

Walker Kong Myspace
Buy "Deliver Us From People"
Mp3 - We are the Falling Stars - Walker Kong
Mp3 - Oh Jackie - Walker Kong

Some Feist(y) Tracks

Artist: Feist

Title: My Moon My Man

When Feist’s first album came out I was aware of her vocal skill from her appearances with both Kings of Convenience and Broken Social Scene, but nothing really grabbed me from "Let It Die", it may have been too meandering and too old time-y to click with me. This single, “My Moon My Man” (2), features a clean bouncy bass and guitar sound that allows her vocals to come out into the forefront, where they should be. When Feist says “Tiptoe” on the title track, it reminds me of the Goldfrapp song of the same name, which is a good thing. In addition to a bouncy radio edit, there is also an excellent remix, “My Moon My Man (Boyz Noise Remix)” (1) which elevates the simple buoyant structure to full on electric disco bliss by riding a garbling bass vocoder and a stomping beat . Rounding out the single is a nice down tempo track from the new album “The Water” (3), but it pales in comparison to such well made upbeat fare. If the rest of the album is more upbeat like most of the stuff here, I think Feist may have a new fan in me.

Feist Myspace
Official Feist Page
Buy Feist Albums
MP3 - Feist - My Moon My Man (Boyz Noise Remix)
MP3 - Feist - My Moon My Man (Radio Edit)

Stooges Huh? Weird.

Artist: The Stooges

Title: The Weirdness

I originally heard of The Stooges and Iggy Pop through reading about Joy Division and how their lead singer hanged himself after listening to Iggy’s “The Idiot”, then I heard about Iggy Pop later when I was reading about David Bowie’s many collaborations. Iggy’s latest collaboration with TeddyBears for the single “Punkrocker” was also excellent. From the forays into finding out more about Iggy and the Stooges, I discovered that most of their songs are based on carefree atonal rocking. I’m not saying that in a bad way, he is after all, the godfather of punk. If you’re looking for a youthful disregard for order, you’ll still find it on this disc; just don’t expect anything like “Lust For Life”. You can hear the strain in Iggy’s voice from all the wear over the years, but that still doesn’t stop him from giving it his best shot. Although most of the songs sound the same, there is one departure that involves a tempo change; “The Weirdness”(5) and it is refreshingly different from what you would think of when you think of a Stooges song. The successful results from the familiar formula include “My idea of Fun” (4), “Free & Freaky” (5), and “Passing Cloud” (11). It’s remarkable that they even released a new album, how could some of the founding punks possibly be around after so many of their followers died so long ago? I think it was because they took up swimming.

The Stooges Myspace

Buy "The Weirdness" (Amazon)

Buy "The Weirdness" (Half.com)

MP3 - The Stooges - My Idea of Fun

Where is Ruby Isle?

Artist: Ruby Isle

Title: Into the Black

While I can't say much for their taste in cover art, Ruby Isle is the combination of lap top funkiness and arena rock aspiration. It’s like Bruce Springsteen producing the Postal Service, except the sound is a little wackier. Not “wacky” in the sense that it’s a pointless mess, “wacky” in the way that it’s playfully fun. “Teenage Riot” (3) sounds an awful lot like an indie dance version of “Dancing in the Dark” by the Boss, and it is quite the pleasurable listen. You can feel the dust shaking off the arena rhythm and guitar for a classically ambiguous hook on “Into the Black.” I look forward to a full length LP. Should be a good time.

The great thing about this album though, is that it's legally free and available for download.

If ambition isn't your defining characteristic, well...

Ruby Isle - Teenage Riot

Ruby Isle's Myspace

Oh, those things. They sound pretty good.

Artist: Miguel Migs

Title: Those Things

If there ever was a modern day throwback to late 80’s and early 90’s club sound this is what it sounds like. Miguel Migs has meticulously included every stereotypical element of an early club/house song. That’s right, from those fast hammering piano chords, crunchy acid bass, echo-y synth leads, cooing female vocals, prince-like guitar and a beat that doesn’t end. It’s all here, but the glorious thing is that it’s never sounded better. Thanks to a uniquely smooth soulful production.

Miguel Migs - Let Me Be

Buy "Those Things"(Amazon)

Buy "Those Things"(Half.com)

Come here and I'll show you a proper mason.

Artist: Mason Proper

Title: There is A Moth In Your Chest

Mason Proper harnesses a sound that is somewhere between the unhinged power of The Pixies and the moody melodies of Radiohead. They are confident in their thrashing alternative rock riffs but they don’t just settle for guitars, there are all kinds of keyboards playfully contributing and accenting various songs; even driving them on occasion. Both “My My (Bad Fruit)” (3) and “Lights Off” (7) have a perfect mix of guitar and keyboard that never interfere with the other, they only accent and amplify. They blaze through so many styles; raw punk energy, “Mr. Charm” (9), quiet loud ballads, “The World is Smaller than You Think” (8), and even something of big beat with album closer “Blue Lips Eternal Inquiry” (13). Not bad for a bunch of guys from Ann Arbor who made an album in their basement.

On another interesting note is that these guys are playing in Syracuse over my spring break for $5. Is this fate? That this CD would fall into my lap? Who knows, but it's sweet that I can go to a good show locally for once. If you're interested check out their myspace for tour dates.

Mason Proper Myspace

Buy Mason Proper

Listen to "My My (Bad Fruit)" (Hype Machine)

Video for Miss Mary Lou Correau (Youtube)

Hey, I've got a symphony in my pocket.

Artist: Air

Title: Pocket Symphony

Right away I noticed much less digital gloss on the tracks and a much more organic feel, which oddly enough, draws me in more. I chalk this up to producer Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Beck). Granted, the mathematically perfect piano loop progressions and androgynous vocoded vocals are still here, notably in “Once Upon a Time” (2) and “Napalm Love” (4), but it is relied upon much less. For example, raw vocals with no vocoder are featured on the acoustic led “Left Bank” (6). Also a few guest vocalists drop by, most notably Jarvis Cocker of Britpop band “Pulp”, to lay down some melancholy lyrics on “One Hell of a Party” (3). Another highlight of the album is “Mer Du Japon” (8), which actually has something of a beat in stark contrast to its largely languid surroundings. Overall this album feels a lot moodier, heavier than their previous effort (Talkie Walkie), and for that I think it will probably stay on my computer longer.

Buy "Pocket Symphony"
"Pocket Symphony" Mini-site

Buy My Product, Man(cino)

Artist: Mancino
Title: Manners Matter

This album is rife with old time-y touches, from off kilter and creepy but weirdly happy melodies to distorted skadoo-bop backing vocals. It made me dizzy, like a circus ride in the 1920’s. When the band breaks away from their dominating strange influences they produce some bouncy piano laden tracks, like “Buy My Product” (10) and “The Anvil and Me” (4) that sound like a busy day on a city street in the 1920’s. I prefer the city streets to the Ferris wheel. After tolerating the strange brass noises and chimes on “Monster Trucks” (9) the song breaks into a surprisingly nice 70’s rock groove. One song that some people might like because of its weirdness is “L’Amour (Or Less)” (7), while it does have its moments musically, as a whole it just sounds silly, which is what I could say about the whole album.

Mancino Myspace

Buy "Manners Matter"

Au (Silver) is for you.

So, the new LCD Soundsystem CD came into the station the other day and I am very excited because of this. Let me tell you a little about LCD Soundsystem so you have a better idea of where my excitement is coming from.

LCD Soundsystem is the project of New York City resident, James Murphy, who is one half (The other half is Tim Goldsworthy) of the production team known as the DFA (Not to be confused with Death From Above 1979). The DFA specialize in producing a disco-punk-electro-rhythmic sound and have produced numerous excellent remixes and brought bands like The Rapture and Hot Chip up out of obscurity and into the spotlight. So you can imagine Mr. Murphy's pet project's prowess. The group released their self titled debut Album in 2005 which was critically acclaimed and scored a Grammy nomination for best dance single with "Daft Punk is Playing at My House". With all this praise surrounding their first record you may be thinking "Is the new album any good?" Well...

Artist: LCD Soundsystem

Title: Sound of Silver

The record begins with noticeably less bass and more of an inclination towards a progressive structure. Don’t think that Murphy and co. have spaced out on us though; they have mastered their tools this time around and understand that a good dance song has to breathe. The LCD dance staple this time around is “North American Scum” (3) which has witty commentary on touring and a killer chorus. The electro flavored, bell melody fueled “Someone Great” (4) is our first glimpse of real singing and it is surprisingly touching. Next is the piano led propulsive jam of a song “All My Friends” (5) that is a perfect balance of a pop song and a dance single. “Us V Them” (6) starts off with a throbbing beat accented by some cowbell after James Murphy commands its presence and the song soon storms into what you’d imagine they would play at the ultimate break-dance competition. The album ends with the piano ballad, “New York I Love You But…”, again featuring no frantic falsetto, some timeless instrumental accompaniment and Murphy’s trademark self-aware post hipster lyrics that I’m convinced could make even the most mundane dance number interesting.

Buy "Sound of Silver"
LCD Soundsystem Myspace

See the Video For North American Scum (You Tube)

Sleepy Buildings for a Sleepy Day

Good day today, my second class was canceled. You know what that means, another excuse to use day time to do another review.

Artist: Buildings Breeding

Title: Buildings Breeding

This album is made of very soft, gentle, indie pop. More often than not, it’s so gentle it makes you want to go to sleep. There are a few tracks worth staying awake for though. Opener “Stacking up Reasons” (1) Has a nice melody and the handclaps make it just bouncy enough to be the perfect song to brush your teeth to. “Emmawood” (3) has soft lush vocals and a sprawling feel thanks to some feedback effects that would be perfect for settling down and drifting off to dreamland. And if we are in dreamland, the gentle psychedelic guitar of “Beesting” (4) lifts us off to a dream of painless beestings. And if there is a point when we wake up it’s to the bouncy guitar and beat of “In My Hands” (9), who knows, from here we might even take a shower and get dressed…or lay in bed all day.

Buildings Breeding Myspace
Buildings Breeding Official Site

Buildings Breeding - Beesting (Hype Machine)
Buildings Breeding - Stacking Up Reasons (Hype Machine)

Feelin' some Fosbury

I learned about this band from a blog a while back. I remember getting hooked on the slick disco pop of Heartbeat. When that phase bendy thing comes in, it reminded me of a cool commercial where everyone is roller skating and smiling in technicolor. Anyway, they had a new album come out recently (2005, that’s kinda recent right?) that I’ve been getting into.

Artist: Tahiti 80

Title: Fosbury

This album has that same smooth dance-y disco balladry that “Heartbeat” hooked me with, but there’s definitely a larger presence of hip hop and r & b on this album. You’ll notice it right away in the beats. “Big Day” (1) has an amped up beat that kicks off the album right. “Changes” (2) continues that crunchy R & B that the airy vocals, keys, and harps just explode out of. Smartly, they abandon the beats for some acoustic adventures like the dreamy “Take Me Back” (8) that are great for the laziest chilling. Also, since I love lo-fi beats, I’ve got to plug “What’s Next” (10) since it starts off with what seems like a default Casio beat but then breaks into that synth augmented pristine disco sound that Tahiti 80 does so well. A great album for waking up or chilling out, I suggest you spend a day the Tahiti 80 way.

See the Video for "Big Day"
Buy Tahiti 80

Reviews and Results of the Long Week

So there it is, the culmination of my tireless efforts late into the night two nights in a row. People have been calling it a dinosaur. I referred to it as 'Gerald'. So given these two designations, one could infer that it was 'Gerald the Dinosaur', or a twelve foot phallus. Depending on what you choose to call it and the implications of that name, just know that it was a conceptual self portrait. Thank goodness for my Zen V, because without it, I wouldn't have been able to get through all the music I had to review while working on my sculpture. First up is a band from San Francisco that sounds like the morose child of Metric and Ladytron.

Artist: Anagram

Title: The Lights Went Up

The main theme on most of the songs is post break up bitterness, or grouchiness surrounding various relationship happenings. The only song that is kind of upbeat a little is “Shelter Street” (2), which features a spoken word interlude from a guy telling his chick friend about a hot chick he sees across the room. I’m sensing some jealousy on this one. “Thrill of Separation” (4) has some “Oomph” using some cool bendy synth and boy girl vocals. “The Right Kind of Love” brings out the gloomy-lovey atmosphere but keeps you awake with the beat. “9:05” (8) once again brings up the down tempo gloom, but busts out some powerful bass and pure 80’s synth to carve some hope into this largely morose album.

Video For "Shelter Street"
Buy "The Lights Went Up"

Artist: Future Clouds & Radar

Title: Promo (CD 1 & 2)

This album is comprised of mellow dreamy pop. There’s timeless pop instrumentation of the piano, horns, guitar, used here. It’s pleasant but often forgettable. “You will be loved” (6) brings together some violin plucking, guitar licks, and a breezy beat that elevates it to catchy tune status. “Quicksilver” (7) sounds like a forgotten James Bond theme. The second CD is better. That disc has increased focus on more tracks, starting off with the rocking “Get Your Boots on” (2) which makes excellent use of guitar riff-age on an album that’s mostly sparkly retro pop. “Build Havana” (3) is a catchy tune aimed at cheering up a broken up girl, and how could she stay down with the island rhythm and soothing chorus. “Dr. No” (4) is a quirky little retro pop number that’s simple yet effective. “Altitude” (9) works the same way in a dreamier smoother way. While the album does feature some experimentation with samples and synthesizers, it’s greatest strength is it’s pop sensibility, because when they bust out the horns and strings and choruses they really shine. The only thing is this is a really long album. They could definitely have cut out a bunch of tracks. Maybe that’s what a promo is for, but it would be a lot better if they just kept the good stuff.

Future Clouds & Radar Myspace
Buy Future Clouds & Radar

Artist: Call Me Lighting

Title: Soft Skeletons

These guys are somewhere in between the Fever, the Datsuns and the Hives. They employ the repetitive cyclical guitar riff trick that works sometimes, but most of the time it gets on my nerves. It’s the songs that they slow down and separate the havoc where they really build up the momentum. Like the Fever-esque “Beaming Streaks” (4) that uses disjointed guitar notes and breaks that build into full on rocking chaos. Album closer “Return as a Child” (11) uses this tension to create a great “training for a fight” montage song. Other notable tracks are bell augmented “Filthy Information” (7), shuffling and dance-able “Little Town”(10) and the crashing “Soft Skeletons”. If you’re in the mood to increase your heart rate and get that blood flowing for a half hour, here’s your treadmill.

Call me Lightning Myspace
Buy Soft Skeletons

Artist: Softlightes

Title: Say No! to being cool

Say Yes! To being Happy

This album is a nice mix of acoustic piano and electronic beats and keyboards. The electronic touches are never enough to overpower the gentleness of most of the songs and it works out well that way. At times the vocals sound like Ben Gibbard, sometimes they sound like Conor Oberst, and sometimes they sound like Colin Meloy. Strange; I know. All of the songs drip with cute-ness over such subjects as relating ones self to a microwave (8) and solving world issues with cookies (10). There’s also a really fun song involving vocoder and arena rock riffs (4). The songs that are the most fun though are the bouncy songs about moving on from past loves. The best example is “A Town Named Blue” (5). Happy-cutesy, sometimes emotionally relevant bouncy indie pop is what we have here.

The Soflightes Myspace
Buy Say No! to being cool Say Yes! To being Happy

Artist: Diet Kong (recommended!)

Title: Diet Kong

This is a rock album made with some click beats, guitar fuzz, and keyboards. I wasn't surprised to find that it is quite fun to listen to since that is right up my alley. When it’s not blasting forth with unique electro infused rockiness "Very Hot" (2), it’s bashing along with a good amount of old school rocking like in “With Magic” (6). The tracks that stand out for me are the ones where the atmosphere comes to the forefront and the sound becomes smoother and lighter, like in “Still Got Heat” (7) and “Kill the r.at.i.o.” (9). I found out that the Brooklyn artist who is largely responsible for this project, Keith Gladysz, designed all the artwork for the release as well as singing and playing various instruments. It's that kind of DIY ethic in art and sound that I have a great respect for. I highly suggest you check out this stuff.

Diet Kong Myspace
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