Viva Voce
Get Yr Blood Sucked Out
Barsuk Records
Viva Voce are Anita and Kevin Robinson, a dynamic husband and wife duo from Portland, Oregon. With a truly tight-knit sound indicative of the relationship behind the music, Viva Voce’s latest album is a well-balanced combination of pensive and smoothly flowing ballads and lively independent rock. Continue Reading »
Jim Noir
Tower of Love
Barsuk Records
Since his first EP came out in June 2006, Alan Roberts, aka Jim Noir, has enjoyed the buzz created by his cheerfully vintage music. When Tower of Love, his debut full-length album, was released only two months later, interest only continued to grow.
Many indie rock bands have adopted vintage nuances as a part of their sound. Jim Noir, however, has taken this to a new level. Throughout Tower of Love, Noir does not waver from his middle-60s pop/rock sound. From melodies, to instrumentation, to background vocals, Jim Noir has me convinced of his mission to bring back the carefree music of the 60s era. With guitar and backup vocals very similar to those found in The Beatles’ “Tax Man,” “Tell Me What To Do” is a song that would fit in exceptionally well on the influential band’s Revolver album. Continue Reading »
The Big Sleep
Son of the Tiger
(French Kiss Records)
One of New York City’s most prized independent music possessions, The Big Sleep is a rock band that combines the driving and defined beats of today’s rock music with the mind-expanding influences of their predecessors. New York media rave about them, and things are sure to continue heating up as more and more fans pre-order their copy of Son of the Tiger, which is due out on September 19.
Touted as one of New York’s best rock bands, The Big Sleep’s latest is sure to hit the streets with a bang. Psychedelic sounds combined with well-articulated drums allow listeners to let their minds wander without getting lost. “You Can’t Touch The Untouchable” is one of the defining tracks on Son of the Tiger. The bass and drums tightly hold everything together while the guitar and synthesizer take the listener to another place with drones and melodic nuances. “New Strings” is hopeful, expansive, carefree, and an excellent conclusion to the album. Melodically simple, the song gradually builds around a basic but beautiful three-cord guitar line.
Catch The Big Sleep’s exciting and energetic wave early–their music will carry you for miles.
MP3
Murder
You Can’t Touch the Untouchable
Websites
http://www.thebigsleep.net/
http://www.myspace.com/sonofthetiger
http://www.frenchkissrecords.com/
Ratatat
Classics
XL Recordings
Brooklyn duo Ratatat has just released their exciting and infectious second album on XL Recordings. An album that is overflowing with danceable beats and multi-layered melodies, Classics is a must-listen. Evan Mast and Mike Stroud, the masterminds behind Ratatat, establish their signature sound by recording multiple tracks upon one another and working on individual sections of a song until deemed perfect. They don’t shy away from using samples, either. Ratatat’s music is voluptuous, vibrant, and instrumental. Each song is equipped with a memorable melody and a catchy beat. Continue Reading »
The Low Lows
Fire On The Bright Sky
Warm Records
Fire On The Bright Sky, a desolate and down-tempo album, is the debut release of the remaining members of Parker and Lily, newly re-formed as The Low Lows.
Described by the band as “a radiant, desperate prom-night of a record,” Fire On The Bright Sky is quiet but noisy, hopeful but sad, and distant but in your face. The Low Lows cry out to their listeners with reverb-enhanced guitars, echoing vocals, and a sprinkling of Farfisa organ. Lyrically, their first album is poetic and laden with hidden meaning. “Wolves Eat Dogs” seems to inadvertently discuss a fallen love, and “Dear Flies, Love Spider” is endearingly imaginative. Continue Reading »
Cassavetes
Funny Story
Headphone Treats
Cassavetes, an Atlanta-based band, have just released their first full-length album. And for those who have been patiently waiting, it was well worth the wait. A mix of previous band mates and “Craig’s List” finds, Cassavetes began by developing songs lead singer Robbie Horlick wrote while playing in the now defunct !The Killing’s Gotta Stop, Ese!. As they grew, Cassavetes started performing and writing songs together. Funny Story is the fruit of their labor. Continue Reading »
Comets on Fire
Avatar
SubPop Records
Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area and originally from Santa Cruz, CA., Comets On Fire pays homage to the psychedelic rock of the 60s and 70s that the area is so famous for. The band got its start in 1999 when singer and guitarist Ethan Miller and bassist Ben Flashman decided to work on a small recording project together after listening to album upon album together. With Chris Gonzalez (who has since left the band) on drums, the cassette tape they recorded together was their first album. Noel Harmonson and his Echoplex joined soon after, along with guitarist Ben Chasney, and Utrillo Kushner, who replaced Chris on drums after he left the band. All are drinking buddies who came together to make music, and the band has remained in this form ever since. It can be said that Comets On Fire’s longevity and steadfastness, in addition to their well-formed rock ‘n’ roll, may be a product of memorable nights of partying together. Continue Reading »
A band that truly stands apart from the rest, Dengue Fever was a crowd pleaser at San Francisco’s The Independent at a recent Saturday night performance. With energetic fans at the foot of the stage and rows of enthusiastic attendees crowding in behind them, Dengue Fever has gained quite a following in the Bay Area. With music that the band members don’t even try to describe, it is best said that one should simply pick up a copy of their latest CD, Escape From Dragon House, or better yet, attend a show. See a brief band history and this writer’s description of their one-of-a-kind sound here.
Shortly after their performance I had the opportunity to speak with bassist Senon Williams about the show, their latest album, and the band’s trip to lead singer Ch’hom Nimol’s native Cambodia. Continue Reading »
Bardo Pond
Ticket Crystals
ATP Recordings
Psychedelic sound experiments are the wellspring of everything Bardo Pond is about. Several of their song titles are derived from drug epithets, and the music behind them drips with echoing guitar riffs, eerie and droning violin and flute passages, and occasional vocal nuances. Laid-back bass and drums are the glue that holds these mental excursions together. Continue Reading »
Lone Wolf and Cub
Wonder, Is Ground on Frost?
The New Beat Records
Music without words? Some say instrumental albums are boring and that if they wanted to listen to music without words, they would just dust off that old Classical album on the shelf. For those of you who prefer the rock, there’s no need to worry: Lone Wolf and Cub create the alt/indie music you’re used to hearing. Continue Reading »
