Corrosive Material

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Review: Cults – Cults

June 23, 2011

Cults – Cults

It’s definitely summertime.

Cults are/were an internet sensation last year with the catchy “Go Outside”, they seemed perfectly set up for a completely overhyped debut. But alas, it’s not. It’s a correctly rated summer anthem filled release, that’s just long enough to not be too long, and just short enough to not be too short – if that makes sense. It’s bubbly, and a little mischievous at the same time, like if Veruca Salt had a sunnier disposition – a good mix of obvious bedroom, 50′s, beach pop, and other reverb touched influences.

The only issue with the record. The best three (or four) tracks are first three (or four – I really like “Most Wanted”). Not that the other songs are worthy, but they should’ve put some space in between those first few. It would’ve given the album a fuller listen. (Yes, track listing is an important and highly underrated aspect.)

Grade: B+. It’s a well executed record.

Review: Friendly Fires – Pala

June 7, 2011

Friendly Fires – Pala

This band could probably be a great straight forward pop band, if they would drop the indie pretension, because they make incredibly fun music. Nothing really heavy for the palette, bouncy and effervescent. They will probably end up being a band that will craft 3-5 amazing tracks on every album they do, but may never make that one amazing album. (Nothing really wrong with that though.) But they do some dope things on this – the first track is them coming out in a blaze. But for me the surprises are the treats. The title track and “Hurting” are tracks that I give them tremendous kudos on, with the crazy 80′s funk feel – two of my personal favorites on the album. ”Show Me Lights” sounds like a Justin Timberlake song, covered by an indie band. They take a lot of chances, and for the most part, they make it work. And more importantly, it’s incredibly fun to listen to.

Grade: B+. Very solid sophomore effort. I love this album more with ever listen. Perfect for the summer jams with your (supposedly) cool and in-the-know friends. And your other friends too. Comme de Fuc Down to Earth.

Review: The Pains of Being Pure At Heart – Belong

March 25, 2011

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart – Belong

For me, Pains is a band that I have to feel like listening to, and even then, they aren’t very accessible. They improved on that, but I’m not sure to what effect. The lyrics are as “twee” as it gets, but the loudness sort of overtakes that, but not enough to zap it away. There are some standouts like the first three tracks, “Anne with an E”, “Girl Of 1,000 Dreams”, and “Strange” – good closer. But I dunno….it was sort of boring, like I’d heard everything before, but done slightly better – My Bloody Valentine or Stone Roses, for example. I’m not sure how they’ve made themselves unique. I like Kip’s voice, and the band’s ambition. However, if you’re going to be Cheez Whiz, you should stand out with it.

Grade: C+. It doesn’t suck by any means whatsoever. Just felt too comfortable. And the lyrics were sort of drowned – “She was the heart in the heartbreak”. There are quite a few lines like these. With all the sound, it’s sort of lost.

Pick of the Day – November 16th: Benoit Pioulard – Lasted

November 16, 2010

Benoit Pioulard – Lasted

This album is dreamlike, in a lot of ways, mostly in the ‘good’ variety. It’s like a Tim Hecker produced singer/songwriter album – all the disconnected soundscapes, with a semi-normal song interspersed in the middle parts. It’s well written, and every sound feel purposeful, strong (in a certain way) and well placed. There are some pop tendencies in songs like “RTO” – but even those have some oddly Hecker-ish ambience. (Sorry to use Tim’s name so much, but he’s basically my touchpoint in the sounds I here…and I’m sleepy.)

In any case, this is an excellent album – another one I’m late to. Nonetheless – highly recommended. (Underrated year for music. Lot of really good albums this year.)

Picks of the Day – July 18th: Robyn and Kelis

July 18, 2010

I recently bought a couple albums that isn’t in my usual rotation, but I bought them mainly because reviews were good (and I’ve been wanting to go to Dubai lately). Turns out, they aren’t too bad.

Robyn – Body Talk, Pt. 1

Swedish pop, by indie darling Robyn. You might remember her from back in the day with the “Show Me Love” single. But she become something of a indie pop princess over the last little while heer. Her last full length was also pretty good. While bordering on straight up techno, it’s catchy…..not the pop you’d find on Top 40 radio in the states, which I find a little odd – she’s photogenic and writes catchy tunes. Good album.

Kelis – Flesh Tone

…on the other hand – this is straight up dance/techno. And she sounds good – you could actually tell this would be the direction she would head into eventually. Her voice was MADE for techno/dance. Here she can be as odd as she’d like, and people will appreciate it. She also took a considerable risk here – she has a fan base located in the R&B section, so for this to basically good pretty well, it’s a big deal. Probably won’t see a lot of dance music on my iPod, but she’ll do. Plus damn, she’s fine.