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Review: Bon Iver – Bon Iver

June 28, 2011

Bon Iver – Bon Iver

I wanted to wait a while to let it sink in, and to not let the hype sort of cloud my judgement. So here we go…

If you’re a (semi) regular on this blog, then you probably know something about Bon Iver, so I will spare everyone the Kanye connection and talking too much about For Emma, Forever Ago. You should be up on this by now. With all that said and unsaid, Justin Vernon is on the edge of greatness. It’s not hyperbole, because this album makes that statement plausible (or fact, if you’re an Iver fanboy/girl.)

Sometimes, you have to dig into an album to find out what it is. Not Bon Iver. You understand from “Perth”…and it continues on from there, as something of a builder. The first thing you’ll notice is that it’s a turn toward (1) a larger, ensemble sound, and (2) a sound supported by electricity. It swells and emplies out with large, amplified horns and strings. It retains some folky tendencies in the individual song builds, but it’s not long before instruments slowly make their way in. Collectively, the album has a certain depth that grows, like you’re dreaming about walking into the ocean, at night, wading out into nothing (and everything). And the lyrics are….I honestly got emo with a few of the tracks. He is an A+ level songwriter.

Now for the bad part, if you can call it that. It’s a little uneven toward the end. There is a clear Roger Hornsby thing happening, which I like. Don’t get me wrong. But it sort of seemed out of place for some reason, like they belonged on a new album, with it’s own theme. I think that’s nitpicking though – because the songs are still strong, and grounded emotionally with the rest of the album.

Grade: A-. I’m feel like saying more….but I think the grade should be enough. Outstanding. Worthy of your coin.

Review: Bright Eyes – The People’s Key

June 24, 2011

Bright Eyes – The People’s Key

Conor’s a long way from what I thought his home was on this album. However, the effects of his travels aren’t negative. I’ve been vacilating on this album, because I’m not sure what to make out of it, even after a couple listens. It’s just not the same guy I knew from Cassadaga. It’s not that I expected the same stuff, since he’s done a lot of work over the past four years, to include the Monsters of Folk situation. Early on, I wasn’t really on Conor’s bandwagon. I liked the lyrics, but I wasn’t a fan of the delivery, nor was I a huge fan of his brand of folk.

On this album, there is a very clear turn toward electricity. There’s not a lot of the folk stuff, and his voice seems different to me. It’s not the actual auditory experience, it’s the immediacy that I like. He rolls on this album with (a lot of Arcade Fire-ish) songs like, “Haile Salassie”, “Triple Spiral”, and “A Machine Spiritual.” The best song is “Ladder Song”, which, in the past, would have been something I would’ve gotten bored with because ALL of the other tracks would’ve sounded similar. But here, it’s fresh and refreshing, after the pace of the other songs. My favorite song is the last track, “One for You, One for Me.” It has this 80′s pseudo political soft rock feel, that somehow doesn’t sound corny in the least bit. The vocal samples tie the album together, from beginning to end. It’s a sign of growth, as a man and as a musician.

Grade: B+. It’s a very, very good record. I really enjoy the change in direction.

Review: Low – C’mon

May 5, 2011

Low – C’mon

Low can be an interesting proposition at times. They shift in different directions pretty well and often, but they maintain that “slowcore”-ish feel. For me, the Drums and Guns version was the best, but this version is cool – more direct, more emotional in a way. I’ve always liked Low for it’s ability to show that sort of dour telling of relationships/life. It’s also a bit more mainstream as well, which might ruffle a few feathers. However, I don’t think they made that move with the intention on being more like Arcade Fire, or anything like that. That being said, it’s not particularly new ground, which for me is a very slight minus. But double lead combination still works like a charm – one of the best vocal arrangements in any band ever. And they still make well written, well played songs – like “Try To Sleep”, “$20″, and “You See Everything” – my favorite.

Grade: B. Still going strong since ’93.

Review: Metronomy – English Riviera

April 27, 2011

Metronomy – English Riviera

One of my favorite albums of this year. Even when I listen to other new albums, I come right back to this when I’m done. It’s just a generally fun, easy to digest, album to listen to. There are a lot of 80′s references, but not so many that you’re turned off. For me, the only downside is that there aren’t a lot of twist and turns, like this wrote the album with a singular tone in mind (too much Cure maybe.). Other than that, I think the album is cohesive, consistent, and unusually catchy, though some of them seem a bit downcast – though it really isn’t that gloomy at all. Standouts include the two songs I have below, and Love Underlined, one of the strongest album closers I’ve heard in a while.

Grade: A. There are some diverging opinions on this album, but I’m in the positive category. It’s just cool and casual for your evenings, and it’s very replayable – which counts a lot for me.

Review: Broken Bells – Meyrin Fields (EP)

March 31, 2011

Broken Bells – Meyrin Fields (EP)

Good set, but nothing particularly new. I suppose that would be the flaw – why bring out new songs that really aren’t breaking new ground? I consider this to be an addendum to the first album. My favorite tracks: “Windows” and “An Easy Life”.

Grade: B-

Pick of the Day – December 1st: Glasser – Ring

December 1, 2010

Glasser – Ring

After a week of dubstep and dance music….an unusual album to break the bass overload. It seems to be a bit like Kate Bush fronting some indie band at times…it’s easy to see the Bat for Lashes comparisons, and the like. A lot of tribal sounds, and low tones through out…plus some oddities like the bass on the super excellent “T” – see below. Not all of the songs seems to mix together well, but yet they make sense as a whole – it’s definitely an album listen. The differences from song to song can be a little jarring, but the connector is always Cameron Mesirow’s voice. Very crisp, and prevailing – she’s uses her voice as the lead instrument more than anything. And it’s done to excellent effect. Recommended.

Pick of the Day – November 23rd: Girls – Broken Dreams Club (EP)

November 23, 2010

Girls – Broken Dreams Club (EP)

Keeping it brief today – day off from work. Nice little EP for a newish San Francisco band – who dropped a really good debut last year. However, if you’re looking for the exact same thing you heard then, you might be disappointed. It’s still cool, just different. (see below….and a nice break from Kanye’s album) Nice holdover for the 2nd album.

Pick of the Day – October 1st: No Age – Everything In Between

October 1, 2010

No Age – Everything In Between

I’m a little shellshocked from listening to the Deerhunter album, so I’m not sure I should’ve followed it up with this album – but I did it anyways. And it wasn’t too bad. I usually like No Age, and this album improves the feeling. It’s a bit dirty, distorted and lo-fi, as usual. The songs are excellent – the lyrics and the delivery are honest and straight forward. It’s definitely different from the last album (Nouns), but I actually like this one a little better. (I’ll probably like it even more a month from now, when I’m a little separated from the Deerhunter, and back from vacation.)

Pick of the Day – September 30th: Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest

September 30, 2010

Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest

Awesome. Basically describes the album to a tee. It’s sort of everything the Atlanta, GA band seemed like they might be capable of, and them actually doing a little bit of it. It’s not a concentrated album, but it’s almost not necessary. The songs, individually, are outstanding (especially the track/video below.) It’s a coming-on-age album or sorts, specifically of an age located in between post-collegiate and pre-family. Maybe some in their late 20s, who’s sort not in a phase…but looking for something specific, but intangible. Maybe even looking in the recent past for something familiar to press forward into future with. A lot of the tracks are current, and of the times, but are situated next to wistful, older sounding tracks. It makes for a little bit of a disjointing listen toward the end. But, as stated before, the songs are so dope….it almost doesn’t even matter. Unfortunately, I can’t say it’s perfect, if only for that reason. However, it’s definitely one of the year’s very best – HIGHLY recommended.

Pick of the Day – September 7th: Interpol – Interpol

September 7, 2010

Interpol – Interpol

More of the same isn’t always a bad thing. That was my thought after the first listen. It wasn’t groundbreaking in any way, like the debut….but it is a return to something familiar, something they weren’t doing on the major label album, Our Love To Admire – which was an “unfortunate” album. One the next listen, I was happier about it because it seemed like an extension of the first and second album. They’ve returned to what I first liked about the band – they even went back to Matador. I’ve read some stuff about how they’ve beat their sound into the ground – but my thing is that you know what you’re going to get with them, for the most part. So, how can you be angry when they do more of it? Is it legendary? No. Is it original, even for the band themselves? No. But in grading the album, as a standalone event – it’s more than passable. I think they are fixing to pass through a critical point, now that Carlos D is gone (he quit basically because he started to get bored and disliked playing bass and touring). In any case – Recommended.