All posts by G. Gordon Gritty
Panda Bear – “Bros”
The verdict has not been reached on whether Tomboy will top Person Pitch, but that Person Pitch album is a keeper. From the Tomboy singles, it’s not looking as though that LP will be as awesome, but it’s hard to gauge that kind of thing from a mere three singles. Anyway, here’s “Bros” (off of Person Pitch):
Thee King of Limbs = Radiohead New Album
Cover art and release dates for an LP typically are announced a good two or three months before one can hear the damn thing so finding out about an (extremely popular band) album’s release five days before the actual day itself is pretty much unheard of. Radiohead has done some pretty unheard of things in the past and so here it is, their newest album coming in digital form on Saturday, February 19.
SOTD: Ty Segall – “The Drag”
Before KLYAM becomes “that site” with six straight days of Ty Segall vids featuring beautiful women…let’s get this one out o the way.
SOTD: Ty Segall – “Girlfriend”
Back In Time: Angry Angles On WFMU
Jay Reatard, Alix Brown, and Ryan Rousseau play a set on WFMU back in 2006 on WFMU. Included in the set is “Blood Visions” and “Nightmares,” both of which were kept around as Jay Reatard solo songs on Blood Visions.
CD Review: Smoke Ring For My Halo [2011]
Band: Kurt Vile
Release: 3/2011
Label: Matador
1. “Baby’s Arms” – A-
2. “Jesus Fever” – A-
3. “Puppet to the Man” – B
4. “On Tour” – B-
5. “Society Is My Friend” – B
6. “Runner Ups” – C+
7. “In My Time” – B+
8. “Peeping Tomboy” – B-
9. “Smoke Ring For My Halo” – B-
10. “Ghost Town” – B
Comments: Vile’s live show (with the Violators) has always been one of noise and layer. On record, however, the childish prodigy has excelled at displaying a softer side that, while layered in realms of noise, is more delicately catchy and intriguing than the in-person experience. Following the KISS [Keep it simple, stupid…not the band] principle that I’ve always been fond of as a fan of music, Vile can really do a lot with a little. Unfortunately, this record is a continuation of a trend I’ve noticed in Vile’s music over the years: lack of differentiation. I don’t really blame him, but just about every song flows and sounds quite similar to the previous/next one. “In My Time,” which was first released as the title track of his 2010 EP of the same name, belongs in the category of Vile’s stronger set of songs. It features a prominent electric guitar and more memorable melody. In the end, this album don’t impress-uh-me much (to quote Shania Twain), but there definitely are some good listens to be enjoyed in the sea of repetition.
Grade: B (84)
John Norris Interviews Jared Swilley [Black Lips!!!]
Nobunny In Thrasher
LINK FOR LARGER IMAGE: http://www.goner-records.com/Nobunny/NOBUNNY-THRASHER-March2011-72big.jpg
EP Review: He Gets Me High [2011]
Band: Dum Dum Girls
Release: 3/2011
Label: Sub Pop
1. “Wrong Feels Right” – B+
2. “He Gets Me High” –A
3. “Take Care Of My Baby” – A-
4. “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” – A
Comments: This one begins where I Will Be left off. Like its longer predecessor, He Gets Me High personifies the tag noise/pop that has been applied abundantly to Dum Dum Girls music. The first two tunes are of the variety of rock ‘n’ roll that we’ve gotten a taste of before from the Girls while “Take Care of My Baby” is a blissful rockabilly number — light instrumentation, beautiful vocals, a little tambourine. The production on The Smiths cover “There Is A Light” is absolutely stellar. The studio sound captured on here is something that probably couldn’t really be replicated as well live, but it is what it is and that’s really brilliant.
Grade: A- (91)
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 
