Mar16

Freelance Whales – Weathervanes (Review)

Freelance Whales

Weathervanes

Released by French Kiss/Mom + Pop


Maybe it’s all the banjo that gives the amiable sounds of this New York band’s debut an almost naïve charm. There are bright chords and fresh-faced sounds aplenty, but make no mistake, Freelance Whales' indie-pop sounds are distinct and fully realized as their debut album shows depth, range and inventiveness. Belying their urban origins, the band’s music evokes the pastoral spaciousness of rural isolation. However, this is no backcountry outpost lost in time, but a high-tech organic operation producing rich sounds by cross-pollinating synthpop’s energetic melodics with folk-driven instrumentation. The results have a charismatic earnestness that avoids being cloying, and Weathervanes plays out with a wondrous sense of open-eyed adventure and finely crafted compositions.

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Mar16

The Strange Boys – Be Brave (Review)

The Strange Boys

Be Brave

Released by Rough Trade


It would be easy to make comparisons when it comes to Austin, TX garage rock band The Strange Boys--all the requisite Southern rocking, croaky singing, fuzz-boxing elements are there. On their second studio album, Be Brave, the once-punk, six-member band do their best to subvert any cliches about their musical M.O. by channeling dusty guitars, harmonicas and organs. The decidely lo-fi production renders the music more modern than old, more organic than glam.

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Mar15

Choc Quib Town – Oro (Review)

Choc Quib Town

Oro

Released by Nacional Records


Choco Quib Town is a highly acclaimed Afro-Colombian trio from the blackest and poorest region -- the city of Quibdó in the state of Chocó, and this is their US debut album, Oro. More than one-third of Colombia’s population are of African descent, and the trio is representing a sound that is different from the typical majority of South American music -- actually, it’s similar to that of Brazil. They mix tropical hip hop, traditional Latin and African rhythms, ragga, merengue, and electronica (no cumbia). These are the hybrid urban sounds of Colombia's Pacific coast and it represents the Afro-Colombian neighborhoods they grew up in and the various musical styles that surround them. They were nominated for best new artist at the Latin Grammys, and Oro is a compilation of tracks previously released outside of US, and features production by Richard Blair (Sidestepper). Choco Quib Town have been going strong for a decade, but just now getting the rest of the world to take notice.

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Mar15

Twin Tigers “Gray Waves¨ is a Rendezvous In The Park (Review)

Twin Tigers

Gray Waves



When a friend of mine told me about the band Twin Tigers and recommended I check them out, I was reminded of the awkwardness surrounding the average blind date. I´d never heard of the Athens, Georgia band and was nervous that after I listened to them my friend would ask me the usual questions one might after having introduced you to a certain someone they hope you'll pursue. What if my friend loves this band and I'm simply unimpressed? I fretted. Would my friend feel differently toward me? Would I feel awkward around my friend after? I deliberated. I wondered if I should make up an excuse about hair washing, a death in the family, or a sick pet, but despite the uncertainties, I manned up and gave Gray Waves, Twin Tigers' first full length album, a listen, and am pleased to report that my first impression of their music wasn't bad.

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Mar14

Canibus – Melatonin Magik (Review)

Canibus

Melatonin Magik

Released by War Lab Records


At one time, Canibus was the next coming of the lyrical messiah. In the mid '90s, he was the guest that everyone wanted on their tracks. He scored classic verses for Common, Lost Boyz and of course the infamous LL Cool J appearance. The expectations for his first album was extremely high, perhaps too high. While Can-I-Bus had some moments, it was viewed as a disappointment by the masses. The knock on that album was the lyrics didn't make up for the lackluster beats. This has been the common perception on Canibus throughout his career, even though he does enjoy a cult-like following. Going on studio album number nine, Canibus releases Melatonin Magik. While Canibus has the potential to drop a classic, he always seems to come up short. Will Melatonin Magik change that?

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Mar13

Internal Tulips – Mislead Into a Field by a Deformed Deer (Review)

Internal Tulips

Mislead Into a Field by a Deformed Deer

Released by Planet Mu


In a 2003 interview (one I conducted, one that never made it to print), infamous L.A. musician Brad Laner responded to a question about his then-brand of music-making techniques with, “It's always been about me making more spontaneous/non-pop song music, using whatever interesting technology I have around at any given time. Mostly (technology) exists as an excuse for me to learn new methods of working... it's my woodshed, basically.” A gleaning of his career – from the Birthday Party-esque Savage Republic to shimmering distortion maven with Medicine to plug-in-gutting drum ‘n’ fragmenter Electric Company to post-rocker with Christopher Willits and their North Valley Subconscious Orchestra – validates this statement; Laner has always operated with a “he mixes that with that?/hey, it works” style, forging adept, attractive work several degrees removed from and ahead of trends.

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