New music reviews for Spring 2011

Here are my takes on some of the better album releases from late Winter early Spring 2011, which to me has proven to be a great year for new releases from new bands and some old favorites.

Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring for My Halo
Style – Indie Rock, Singer/Songwriter
May appeal to fans of… J Mascis/Dino Jr, Elliot Smith, Crooked Fingers, Jeff Buckley
Song highlights – Jesus Fever, Puppet to the Man, In My Time, On Tour
Rating 4 out of 6
This Philly Singer/songwriter is very gifted guitar man with a lovely set of “study rock” classics. Paired back acoustic guitar plucked masterfully with a smoke and bourbon drenched voice that fits his delivery like a glove. This is a relatively low-key album and great pairing for those reflective rainy day weekend mornings.

Telekinesis – 12 Desperate Straight Lines
Style – Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Power Pop
May appeal to fans of… Death Cab for Cutie, The Caesars, Nada Surf, Foals, Tapes & Tapes
Rating 4 out of 6
Song highlights – I Cannot Love You, Car Crash, Please Ask for Help, Fever Chill
This Seattle band is pretty much actually one guy. A fellow by the name of Michael Benjamin Lerner seems adept at synthy high energy pop tracks. Angular guitar spikes and catchy melodies give this album some legs.

Apex Manor – The Year of Magical Drinking
Style – Indie Rock, Power Pop
May appeal to fans of… Ryan Adams, My Morning Jacket, Fountains of Wayne, Pete Yorn, Jayhawks
Song Highlights – Under the Gun, The Party Line, Elemental Way of Speaking
Rating 5 out of 6
A Pasadena California band that exudes catchy hooks in an effortless manner. Ross Flournoy wrote many of these melodies during an NPR online songwriting contest as it turns out. This is a very tuneful and approachable album that does not have a dud on it.

TV on the Radio – Nine Types of Light
Style – Indie Rock, Art Rock, Funk, Electronic
May appeal to fans of… David Bowie, Prince, Talking Heads, Primal Scream, Peter Gabriel
Song Highlights - You, Second Song, Will Do, Caffeinated Consciousness, Keep Your Heart
Rating 5.5 out of 6
A Great Brooklyn art rock band is one of most creative music purveyors going. Very creatively syncopated as always these hookmeisters deliver their most catchy and inviting melodies yet. Front man Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone’s vocal shards are poetry in motion and organic beauty. Dave Sitek, the bands producer and ultra talented synth man envelopes the listener in Polyrhythmic bliss. Textures and Moods abound as this album has it all. Tragically their Bassist Gerard Smith passed away April 20th of Lung Cancer at just 36 years of age. With this album just releasing it has got to be a tough time for this amazing and unique band. My heart goes out to them.

Great albums/Songs of recent note in my world New and Old

Tommy Bolin – Teaser (Deluxe edition) Guitar virtuosity in Blues Rock style
Adele – Girl can sing. A cross between Amy Winehouse and Bonnie Raitt