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CD Review, Music

CD Review: Rock and Roll [2010]

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Band: Woozy Viper
Release: 2010
Label: ?

1. “You Can’t Find Me” – A
2. “Dinner And A Movie”- B
3. “Dirty” – B+
4. “Party Town U.S.A.” – B
5. “It’s Such A Drag” – B+
6. “I Want To Strangle You” – B+
7. “She’s Mine” – B+
8. “Black Is The New Black” – A-
9. “Real Good Time” – A-
10. “Dislocated Shoulder” – A

Comments: Good stuff. To me, it’s rather run of the mill rock and roll (appropriate title) that plays like your (above) average power-pop/garage rock revue. Not too much on here blows my mind, but there are a lot of fun listens to be had. I’ve read about Black Lips comparisons and that’s simply not appropriate or fair. These guys are more Nobunny than Lips. Lyrically and musically.

Grade: B+ (88)

CD Review, Deerhunter, Entertainment, Music

CD Review: Halcyon Digest [2010]

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Band: Deerhunter
Release: 9/2010
Label: 4AD

1. “Earthquake” – B-
2. “Don’t Cry” – A
3. “Revival” – A
4. “Sailing” – A
5. “Memory Boy” – A_
6. “Desire Lines” – A
7. “Basement Scene” – A-
8. “Helicopter” – A-
9. “Fountain Stairs” – A-
10. “Coronado” – A
11. “He Would Have Laughed” – A+

Comments: Deerhunter is another one of those bands whose releases I greatly anticipate. Last year’s EP Rainwater Cassette Exchange tickled my fancy, as I gave it about as high of a grade as anything else I heard. I anticipated that I’d be doing the same with this LP. Not the case. There are some cuts that seem like leftovers from Rainwater: the jungle-jangle “Revival,” coincidentally the best song on here, the upbeat saxophone-included ditty “Coronado,”and “Don’t Cry,” an engaging encounter with a youngster who’s in a difficult situation similar to the one that Bradford was in at the same age. Though, more likely, it might just be adult Bradford talking to child Bradford. Next topic: atmospheric songs. These are quintessential to Deerhunter’s discography and probably always will be. Atmosphere + singing is a little bit better than plain old instrumental, but I’m a proponent in the belief that a band can do without these. The folk-tinged “Memory Boy” delves into some thought provoking issues. “Is there anyone who wants to see the sun go down, down, down, down, down, down, down?!” “Desire Lines” has Lockett Pundt and crew taking a stab via vocals, dominant bass lines, arpeggios, and consistent drum beats at the sound of ’90s alternative. “Basement Scene” is reminiscent of ’50s and ’60s Buddy Holly/girl group material with, of course, a decent amount of psychedelia thrown in the stew. “Helicopter” is refreshing and, for lack of a better word, chill. The Jay Reatard dedicated “He Would Have Left” is a similarly chill exposition that holds up well over its near 8 minute length. In conclusion, this record deserves a spot among Deerhunter’s best. It might not contain several game-changing songs that Microcastle or Rainwater possessed, but it does come close.

Grade: A- (92)

CD Review, Music

CD Review: Crush [2010]

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Band: Abe Vigoda
Release: 9/2010
Label: Post Present Medium

1. “Sequins” – B+
2. “Dreams of My Life (Chasing After You)” – B
3. “Throwing Shade” – B
4. “Crush” – B+
5. “November” – B
6. “Pure Violence” – B
7. “Repeating Angel” – C+
8. “To Tears” – B
9. “Beverly Slope” – B
10. “We Have to Mask” – C+

Comments: Ha ha! What funny guys Abe Vigoda are. Well, funny…sort of. They’ve all but ditched their lo-fi “tropical” punk aesthetic for something more…hi-fi and softer.  This record sounds a bit like a Bloc Party record in that it combines traditional post-punk revival tendencies with synth/electro pop. It’s a wimpy showcase that is momentarily fun, but rather stale. I sense they had a hard time parting with their earliest asset: tropicalismo. There are some slight elements of that genre present on this record like on “Pure Violence” in the form of reverb-drenched guitar riffs (a la Real Estate and the like). The band gets all Arcade Fire Suburbs on “To Tears.” I might even have to call this out as “chillwave.” Gross. I guess if you plan on falling asleep in the middle of listening to this then it’s all right.

Grade: B- (83)

CD Review, Entertainment, Local Music, Music

CD Review: Black Hole [2010]

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Band: Young Adults
Release: 11/2010
Label: AMDISCS

1. “Reverie 1” – N/A
2. “Let Us Out” – A-
3. “Wasting Time” – B+
4. “Black Surf” – B
5. “Rip It Up” – A
6. “Impression” – A
7. “Over the Edge” – B+
8. “Life Under Review” – B
9. “Annulation” – B+
10. “Bummer Summer” – A-
11. “Drifing” – A
12. “Reverie 2” – C-
13. “Campfires” – B+

Comments: Funny how a band from the East Coast can have a set of influences quite similar to a higher profile band from the other coast and end up having the same album production esthetic and “punk” sound. On that note, these dudes also have an opening instrumental eerily comparable to the other band’s instrumental tracks. Young Adults are more rough around the edges, but quite clearly have direction and polish. Comparison notwithstanding, Young Adults Demo, reviewed on here back in May, was cheaply recorded and that very fact could’ve dulled some hooks and the demo’s overall catchiness…what I’m trying to say is I think that the band re-recorded some of those tracks and obtained a fuller sound for this full-length. This is true (to me, anyway) on “Rip It Up” and the ever-so-Fugazi-in-a-great-way “Impression.” I think he’s singing “leave an impression” on that one.  A highlight of the band’s instrumental get up is that sort of rolling high-pitched notes only post-punk lead guitar line that’s been utilized by a bunch of bands, most recognizably UK dark-rock group Editors. Unlike Editors, Young Adults turn up the punk levels to max, but always seem to have semblances of pop, which is nice for a band that has a sizable Boston following, but hasn’t yet jumped in the cross-country van to play to an ever-so eager underground. “Drifing” is one of the best tunes on here! Not like “yo, I’m gonna keep listening to this song over and over,” but it’s simply an immediate winner. By the way, the band I’m speaking of in the first sentence is No Age and these dudes should open for them when they hit the Middle East Downstairs.

Grade: B+ (87)

Listen To “Drifing” —

Upcoming Dates:
9/28 – Middle East Downstairs – Opening For Best Coast
11/6 – Great Scott – CD Release Show

Entertainment, EP Review, Music

EP Review: Out of Nowhere [2010]

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Band: Prismo Perfect
Release: 2010

1. “TV Dream” – A+
2. “Summer In The Kitchen” – A+
3. “Dead Shadow” – A-
4. “Enable Stop” – A-
5. “Wired Feelings” – A

Comments: Prismo Perfect is a band from France. They’re really good. Like they say, they play fast, but poppy rock music. They seem to be influenced by noise, punk, and garage and no track wears such influences on its sleeve greater than “TV Dream.” I only had to listen to it a couple of times before deciding that it’s amongst the best tracks I’ve heard in this young decade. That’s pretty remarkable for an obscure band from France! Combine one part No Age, three parts Ponys, and two parts Deerhunter (like on “Dead Shadow” really really) and the result might just be Prismo Perfect. I highly recommend people check out this band. They could easily become the next breakthrough Goner act or something.

Grade: A (94)

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CD Review: First Blood [2010]

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Band: Nobunny
Label: Goner Records
Release: 9/2010

1. “Ain’t It A Shame” – A
2. “(Do The) Fuck Yourself” – A
3. “Blow Dumb” – A-
4. “Gone For Good” – A+
5. “Pretty Please Me” – B+
6. “Breathe” – A-
7. “Live It Up” – A+
8. “Motorhead With Me” – A+
9. “Never Been Kissed” – A
10. “Pretty Little Trouble” – A+
11. “I Was On (The Bozo Show)” – A

Comments: Nobunny is a master of bubble gum pop. We learned this on Love Visions, his debut album replete with goodies like “I Am A Girlfriend” and “Chuck Berry Holiday,” among every other song on there. This record is the same way, but it’s quite a progression for Nobunny. Gone is the drum machine and extreme lo-fi production. This isn’t clean by any stretch of the imagination, but you can tell that it’s been worked on more and has more depth than Love Visions. “Ain’t It A Shame” starts out like a cut to a commercial break, but becomes a passionate “ha, doesn’t it suck what I’ve done to you?”  “(Do The) Fuck Yourself,” which is about as easy to understand as a fourth grade short story novel, should win something for being so triumphant and explicitly lucid. “Feels so good. Feels so nice. I do it every morning and night. Bite my lip, close my eyes, take me away to Paradise.” A little cowbell, a lot of power-pop, and a lot of having fun. That’s ‘blowing dumb,” the new way of saying having fun. I think. “Gone For Good” is the album’s first venture into the great musical style that is garage/punk. The chick wasn’t having it. Nobunny loves her (like he does everyone), but that just wasn’t enough! “Pretty Please Me” is an old sounding country number about the most casual of encounters. No love required! Just a little knack for kissing. “Breathe” is full of cheese and nonsensical lyrics. It’s funny and stuff, probably the least catchiest tune on here, but still always worth a listen. “Live It Up” is an excellent ode to turning things around and just start branching. Just do as many things as possible and not be afraid. Sounds so easy, doesn’t it? As people have said time and time again, “Motorhead With Me” will get stuck in your head. If it doesn’t, there’s a problem. It’s probably my second or third favorite Nobunny song ever ever! The toy piano complements the trashy guitars so damn good on “Never Been Kissed.” “Bozo” is the longest Nobunny song ever. It’s the weirdest for sure…especially when the fame circus theme “Entrance of the Gladiators” riff kicks in. After ten songs explaining the ups and downs of having (or lacking) femmes in life, we have “Bozo.” Nobunny is down for anything, y’all.

Grade: A (94)

CD Review, Entertainment, Music, No Age

CD Review: Everything In Between [2010]

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Band: No Age
Release: 9/2010
Label: Sub Pop

1. “Life Prowler” – A-
2. “Glitter” – A
3. “Fever Dreaming” – A
4. “Depletion” – A+
5. “Common Heat” – A-
6. “Skinned” – A-
7. “Katerpillar” – B-
8. “Valley Hump Crash” – A
9. “Sorts” – B
10. “Dusted” – B+
11. “Positive Amputation” – B
12. “Shed and Transcend” – A
13. “Chem Trails” – A+

Comments: No Age is back in No Age form. Once again! What that means is the same as it has ever meant for Dean and Randy: 1)  catchy noise-punk and 2) atmospheric experimentalism. The dudes could have definitely abandoned the filler atmosphere stuff like they did, to an extent, on Nouns. The instrumental sample heavy tracks on that album fit well. Not really so much the case here, but that’s fine! “Life Prowler” is a harmony of the sampler, the drum kit, and the guitar. Dean’s drums hammer away…Randy’s guitar enters a short while later. Dean sings. The samples come on. Noise. This is pretty cool introductory fare; a little taste of what the band is all about. It’s not a life changing track or even close to a great one, but it serves its purpose well. “Glitter” is the first song off this album that we all got to listen to. I’ve heard better, but it captures the “sound” so to speak of the band’s 2009 Losing Feeling EP. I really like how it comes together (via noise assault) toward the end. Y’all want punk No Age? Good. “Fever Dreaming” is moshing material a la “Brain Burner.” It shreds so great, though it doesn’t seem to be mixed as soundly as it could be.  “Depletion” is another heavy yet catchy number. “Common Heat” is slower, but still a really good track. The shaker really stands out! “Skinned” changes up so often it’s almost hard to keep up with, but that’s nearly the beauty of it. “Katerpillar” is a decent little sound collage. “Valley Hump Crash” is lyrically cheesy, but the Minutemen-esque guitars compliment the surfer rock sampling very nicely. “Sorts” is really good. “Dusted” is just as good as “Katerpillar.” And “Positive Amputation” is not too positive. “Shed” is at first a mere noise explosion, but it picks up and becomes…so so fun. I love the back-and-forth on the verses of the closer, “Chem Trails.” The firecracker sound effects are cool, as well. I contemplated not counting some of the atmospheric tracks, but in the end I decided that since they are an inevitable part of the album, I must. Had I not included them, this would be amongst my very very favorites. The songs that rock on here…rock hard. So the tell-tale question…is this better than Nouns? Nope! It’s well-rounded effort, but even the best tunes on here are a few light years behind 75% of the Nouns LP.

Grade: A- (90)

CD Review, Entertainment, Music

CD Review: Interpol S/T [2010]

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Band: Interpol
Release: 9/2010
Label: Matador Records

1. “Success” – B+
2. “Memory Serves” – B
3. “Summer Well” – B
4. “Lights” – B+
5. “Barricade” – A-
6. “Always Malaise” – B-
7. “Safe Without” – C+
8. “Try It On” – B-
9. “All of the Ways” – B-
10. “The Undoing” – B

Comments: I started listening to Interpol a few short years ago, a few short years after their so called glory days. Paul Banks’ crazy voice was really great and the band basically shit out a bunch of excellent tracks over a two year span. Then they signed to Capitol and people accused them of sucking. The songs on their major label debut didn’t suck; they just weren’t as good. Now, the band is back on Matador. Last year Banks recorded a solo album Julian Plenti Is Skyscraper, which had a couple of really awesome songs. I think Interpol have had their day by now. They’ve already gotten to the outer reaches of their musical limit. If you can’t stand this band to begin with, good luck trying to like this! Fans will probably find a few songs particularly worthy of attention. It’s not as terrible as the online community is making it out to be. It’s exhausted and boring with a few somewhat catchy hooks here and there. It drags. I’ve always been able to tolerate Interpol at their weakest, which may be why I’m attempting to stick up for them here. “Lights” has a good build-up and becomes pretty solid. “Barricade” is the most memorable and most catchy tune on this album.

Grade: B- (83)

CD Review, Entertainment, Music

CD Review: God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise [2010]

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Band: Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs
Release: 8/2010
Label: RCA

1. “Repo Man” – C
2. “New York City’s Killing Me” – C-
3. “God Willin’ and the Creek Don’t Rise” – C-
4. “Beg Steal or Borrow” – C+
5. “Are We Really Through? – C-
6. “This Love Is Over” – C+
7. “Old Before Your Time” – C+
8. “For the Summer” – C-
9. “Like Rock & Roll” – C
10. “The Devil’s In The Jukebox” – C-

Comments: This guy. He’s the darling of today’s mainstream folk-pop community. A.K.A WERS Daytime. LaMontagne is bearable and — at times — good, but he hardly has any edge that differentiates him from (insert artist) that played at the (insert year) Newport Folk Festival. The problem with his music is that it’s not memorable. The title track ends before it begins! “Beg Steal” is pretty catchy, if not stereotypically structured. “All your friends in school/They used to be cool.” Yay, I can rhyme! At Ray’s best, he writes like Paul Weller. At his worst, he sounds like…oops, see my second sentence.

Grade: C- (73)

CD Review, Entertainment, Music, The Walkmen

CD Review: Lisbon [2010]

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Band: The Walkmen
Release: 9/2010
Label: Fat Possum

1. “Juveniles” – A-
2. “Angela’s Surf City” – A+
3. “Follow The Leader” – B
4. “Blue As Your Blood” – B+
5. “Stranded” – A-
6. “Victory” – A
7. “All My Great Designs” – A-
8. “Woe Is Me” – A
9. “Torch Song” – A–
10. “While I Shovel the Snow” – B+
11. “Lisbon” – B+

Comments: Probably the most anticipated album of the year for me besides maybe No Age’s new one. I’m telling you The Walkmen are somewhere safely in my top five favorite bands. “Juveniles” is not really as amazing as it was on the first few listens (KLYAM’s Premature Evaluation, if you will), though I must say it’s definitely a fringe A so I gave it an A-. Not a favorite of the year, but memorable and catchy as freak. The surf-y pre-chorus and actual chorus are stunning animals. As some have commented, The Walkmen seem to really do the opening song thing well. “Donde Esta,” “Louisiana,” “What’s In It For Me?” great stuff. “Angela’s Surf City” is probably an A-, but I gave it an A because the explosion of drums and instrumentation in general PLUS high volumes make this their newish answer to “Tenleytown” MINUS the ’80s DC hardcore influence. Got that? “Follow The Leader” sounds like a song that should be :20 long. Now, no song should actually be that short ideally, so I actually take it back. I strangely like how this song is included. I was really convinced it was unnecessary. “Blue As Your Blood” is nice, but is the first real song on here that has only certain parts that are great. The orchestral “Stranded” is really outstanding. At first I was like “oh yeah this is just really good…nothing major,” but now I’m thinking it’s top tier on this record. “Victory” gets nice at the end. After the first set of light vocals in “All My Great” that song becomes high quality. It really does. That little segue into my favorite song on here “Woe Is Me” works out so nicely. Like I’ve said before, I love the surf of “Woe Is Me” and its flow. Immaculate flow. I’m thinking “Torch Song” is top tier material as well. It’s got those light vocals as well as a soft little melody that’s just perfection toward the end. “While I Shovel” is along the same lines, but its slow waltz attribute doesn’t do much in the department of awesomeness. “Lisbon” is quite the album closer. While this isn’t my favorite Walkmen album (that probably belongs to Bows + Arrows), it’s definitely in a class of its own. Gone are the days of straight-up rockers along the lines of “The Rat” and “Thinking Of A Dream”…in is this new sound that was captured on You & Me and taken to a new level on Lisbon. I do much prefer the rock and roll, but this is what it is.

Grade: A- (90)