New albums
Cloud Nothings – Attack on Memory
Indie Rock – Lo Fi
Rating- 5 out of 6
Cloud Nothings started as a way to pass the time for a Case Western Reserve University student named Dylan Baldi. His early EP’s in a basement tapes style were well enough received by indie critics that he was lured into assembling a formal band and releasing this impressive LP. It starts off with a moody crescendo that could have been pulled from the later Nirvana releases. “No Future/No Past” builds in a slow and gloomy manner to a payoff that will feel like great Noise rock bands like The Pixies, and Fugazi. The murky dirge of this track has almost a Phillip Glass feel to it, as if it could have been the background to a scene from Godfrey Reggio’s brilliant film Koyaanisqatsi. The second track “Wasted Days” is a more up-tempo number that starts with a great little guitar line and some frenetic drumming. Baldi’s vocal delivery would most definitely conjure up some memories of Kurt Cobain’s primal out pouring. Steve Albini’s production and engineering are evident to who are aware of the legendary associations with some of the finer underground bands of the last 2 almost 3 decades now. Clocking in at almost 9 minutes this track is not destined for even satellite radio airwaves, but despite the Mogwai-esque instrumental middle portion, this track still captivates and pays off greatly. “Fall In” has a Green Day nature to it keeps it to a more accessible time frame. Nice tuneful yet urgent plucking abound, as this is a very guitar based album at its core. The next track “Stay Useless” is going to work for fans of The Strokes as it is the perfect little Garage Rock revival piece. It transitions to a sweet little instrumental called “Separation” that could have been plucked right from The Pixies’ Surfer Rosa or one of Frank Black’s fine solo LP’s. “No Sentiment” is back to a darker more urgent feel again as it feels a bit like if Built To Spill crashed into Fugazi. Fans of solid Emo work like Sunny Day Real Estate will be quite pleased with most of this work too. “Our Plans” and “Cut You” close out this solid short and to the point album in a solid manner, as this is a great way to kick off the New Year musically. Really solid listen for anybody who is a fan of any of the bands I mentioned above.
Since 2012 has been a bit light on the new release front so far, I will now provide some small capsules on some of the albums from late 2011 and early ’12 that are worth exploring that I may not have fully absorbed yet.
Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost
San Francisco duo heavily influenced by Garage, Punk, and Surf Rock is quite evident on a solid upbeat track called “Honey Bunny.” A more calculated and patient cadence on “Vomit.” “Magic” is also solid one to take away from this little piece of Garage Revival.
WATERS - Out in the Light
A gifted fuzz rocker from San Fran formerly of the more folksy Port O’Brien named Van Pierszalowski teamed up with a number of Norwegian fellows after being inspired by his travels to nautically natured areas of the world. Hence the name WATERS; this album is a bit of a concept album of the fisherman way of life. “For the One”, “Abridge My Love”, and “Take Me Out to the Coast” make this a very compelling listen. This is an Indie Rock album that is not really so Indie sounding.
Phantogram – Nightlife (EP)
An Indie Pop/Electronic outfit from Saratoga Springs, NY has a simply stellar piece of borderline Trip/Hop with their track “Don’t Move” which will without a doubt end up being one of the coolest tracks of 2012. It has an incredibly perfect beat and a lush texture that will make fans of Massive Attack and Portishead giddy with excitement. Make sure to check out this song. “A Dark Tunnel” is my other fave from this short but sweet release.
Chairlift – Something
Brooklyn always being a fertile ground for musical creativity has produced another solid electronically based Indie Pop band called Chairlift. Lead singer and songwriter Caroline Polacheck delivers with an angelic voice like that of Sarah McLachlan. The foundation of the tunes has a bit more Cocteau Twins meets Bjork feel to it, but don’t fret if the Icelandic comparison scares you off, for I am no fan of the ex Sugarcubes weirdo. There are a couple tracks I liken to the feel of Luscious Jackson from the mid nineties. Fans of Feist, MGMT, and Yeasayer might all appreciate what they are laying down. Songs “Met Before” and “Grown Up Blues” are my favorites but the whole album seems solid.
Django Django – Django Django
A must listen for fans of The Beta Band and other Dub heavy neo psychedelic acts like MGMT and Ariel Pink, this UK band has brought in the new year in an impressive manner for sure. Check out their track “Hail Bop” for proof positive. Not afraid of folksy textures as well, explore the song “Firewater.” “Waveforms” has a great flavor and some kicking vocal harmonies. This album is very likely to go from a Spotify exploration to a purchase very soon. Great listen.
Next I want to dig into a couple of old bands of obscurity that the music lovers out there may really dig and I suggest you explore.
The Windbreakers – Power Pop, Jangle Pop, College Rock
For fans of: REM, The Bongos, The Connells, Tom Petty, and The dB’s
If anyone knows this music fan, I am a sucker for some incredible Power Pop. Who thought it could be produced in Mississippi? A duo of fine vocalists and jangly guitar maestros by the name of Tim Lee, and Bobby Sutliff please the ear frequently with a compilation I picked up called Time Machine (1982-2002). The Title track, New Red Shoes, and Changeless are just a few of the five star tracks that litter this collection of nearly perfect Jangle Pop.
Durutti Column – Post Punk, Experimental Rock
For fans of: Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno, Cocteau Twins, Felt, Ride
Subtle and melancholic guitar virtuosos are the name of the game with this Factory Records mainstay. Hailing from Manchester there sound is anything but the typical sound of the working class town’s contemporaries. The magical plucking of a supremely underrated guitarist by the name of Vini Reilly is the foundation for this mostly instrumental art rock act. Two of the members of the band would go on to be in Simply Red. Songs “Otis”, “4 Sophia”, and “Somebody’s Party” are some of my favorite examples of this beautiful work.
