Manic
Another New Home EP
2007 | Suretone
Los Angeles based band Manic's second E.P. Another New Home pushes the boundaries between moody, lyrical soundscapes and well, just
some good ol' rock. The combination of the lyrics and vocals on their
four song E.P. makes the tracks seem incredibly personal and
introspective, quietly raging inside the mind of someone who has gone
deep into a dark part of themselves. There is an eerie sense of despair
on the album with the whispers of lyrics such as in the song "Nickel
Medication" and the heavy grinding of guitars on the title track
"Another New Home". Plastic faces and ghosts haunt the listener as they
are carried through rising and crashing walls of sound that in some
ways mimic the brain activity of someone who really is manic. What I
like about Manic's sound is that even though there is that "heaviness"
to their music, I don't feel like they're trying to pander to those
gloomier rock audiences.
Another New Home is a strong
E.P. that feels like the band has a good idea of what direction their
music should go. Even though this is just a small taste of what they
have to offer, I look forward to seeing what a full length release
would sound like.
-Elana Rintala
John Vanderslice
Emerald City
2007 | Barsuk
Emerald City, John Vanderslice's follow up to 2005's Pixel Revolt,
is chock full of the fuzzy, lyrical tunes that both seem humble and
shining in their delivery. Vanderslice does not stray too far from the
style of his earlier albums here, but produces a polished piece that
any fan will enjoy.
Vanderslice is known for his love of the
right recording instruments (he's even been known to tell interviewers
that they're using the wrong kind of gear) and that attention to detail
comes across heavily in his music. Notes, instruments, just the general
sounds being created on his albums sound correctly produced; not in the
sense of over-produced, but in the sense of being there and
experiencing the music. Each song adds a new instrument, or at least a
new "noise". This eclecticism ranges from keys to drum machines to what
possibly might be rabbit-ing frogs- whatever works for the song I guess.
I
feel a strong connection to some of the Elephant 6 Collective artists
listening to Vanderslice, especially Neutral Milk Hotel, and a bit of
Elf Power. The connection of NMH is in the vocals and slow, lo-fi-ish
melodic playing in several of the songs ("Time to Go", "Numbered
Lithograph"). In "the Tower", he sings that "Tonight I'm staying in, to
do my tarot, I got stuck on a card and couldn't let it go..." There is
a definite presence in the lyrics of instability and a general dismay
with the current state of the world. The Emerald City correlates to
some degree as the one in the book- one where everything might seem
shining on the outside, but underneath it all, it's corrupt and
unpleasant. And yet the songs are overall a great listen. I'd recommend
"Time to Go", "White Dove", and "Numbered Lithograph".
-Elana Rintala
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Bodies of Water
Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink
2007 | Thousand Tongues
Bodies of Water produce a sound that, upon your first listen, you feel inexplicably good. Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink is the first full-length album from this Los Angeles band, one which I
cannot stop listening to. The songs range from 60's Pop-folk numbers,
full on choral chanting, and even spaghetti western tinged songs akin
to Morricone ("Doves Circle the Sky"). Many feel like mini soundtracks
to movies where the underdog is winning the battle or scenes of all out
happy dancing in fields, somewhere along the lines of the Polyphonic
Spree, just less voices.
Once the entire ensemble of voices and
instruments kick up, there is a slightly Evangelical element about
them, reaching out and forcing you to join in the symphonic chaos. I
find myself wanting to jump out of my chair and wave my hands around,
head tilting back in an unknown musical frenzy. Which brings me to the
Christian influence over the lyrics on the album; namely, they are
there. However, from an agnostic point of view they are not blatantly
in your face, yet rather complementing the harmonies of the songs like
in "We Coughed Up Honey" and "I Turned My Face" where you could always
put your own interpretive spin on them. You have to strain sometimes to
hear the lyrics because they mesh so well with the instruments, in
fact, they almost feel like instruments at times. Songs such as "These
Are the Eyes", "I Guess I'll Forget the Sound, I Guess, I Guess", and
"Doves Circle the Sky" all showcase the band's ability to create whole
stories of sound, adding and subtracting musical elements that
continually build upon themselves until the final apex of the song,
usually ending in their four part roars and pounding of instruments.
It's
funny to think that regardless of how energetic these songs are, Bodies
of Water is a band that must be experienced live as well. Though, "Eyes
Will Pop..." does do the band justice with their sometimes off-key
vocals and wild, lively playing. I usually try to recommend songs to
listen to off an album, but really, from start to finish this is good
listen, although it was extra nice to hear "Here Comes My Hand" again.
-Elana Rintala
Bishop Allen
The Broken String
2007 | Dead Oceans
There
are lots of reasons I like Bishop Allen, including mainly their
persistence in recording. Taking on the huge feat of release an EP per
month last year is pretty amazing, especially when their consistency is
set high above the bar. Oh, and they released them all for only $5
each. With all the chaos and lacking of inspiration that they had after
producing their follow up to 2003's Charm School, Bishop Allen came out
of the fog strong with The Broken String.
Stripped of any
pretentiousness, the band delivers enthusiastic songs that balance
harmony, dreamy pop and soft folky tunes. The re-workings of the older
songs polish them off to more clearly defined tracks. "The Chinatown
Bus" and "The News from Your Bed" both acquire this more developed
sound with vocal and instrument additions. The only track that I prefer
untouched was "Corazon". The original I feel had a bit more energy,
however the new track on its own still stands up- only in a more
over-the-top way.
The light-hearted sensibility on here is
actually what holds the songs together, molding each one into something
different but echoing the sentimentalities of the whole. I would argue
against some opinions that the songwriting here is sometimes too
flippant; it fits the music. People do not have to take themselves
seriously all the time. I'd recommend "Like Castanets," "Butterfly
Nets" and "The News from Your Bed."
-Elana Rintala
Smashing Pumpkins
Zeitgeist
2007 | Reprise
As much as I wanted to embrace a comeback album from one of alternative rock's greatest drummer/guitar duos I'm afraid to say I can't. Musically, Zeitgeist is too tough and over the top for it's own good. The sounds are heavy and thunderous in the guitar arena, which is never a bad thing, but the riffs become redundant and simply flatline, never telling a story or weaving a passage, peak or valley for one's mind to wander.
We could also rip this band for hours about their ridiculous marketing strategies, retarded liner notes featuring Paris Hilton, the obvious political ramblings, or possibly how this is basically a re-heated batch of Zwan b-sides. Nah. Let's talk about a few songs that are worth at least a couple of listens.
"That's The Way (My Love Is)," "Bleeding The Orchid" and "Pomp and Circumstances" have some redeeming short-term qualities. Pomp gets a nod because it basically contains a rip-off of Prince's scorching guitar leads from "Purple Rain," and that's the only reason I dig that tune. "Bleeding the Orchid" is rich and textured musically, unfortunately the ahhhs or ehhhhs during the chorus don't make any sense...maybe it's just his voice that sounds off. "That's the Way (My Love Is)" is the most hopeful moment on the album. It really is catchy and melodic like the Pumpkins should sound. The rest of Zeitgeist is disappointing with many poor choices in guitar sounds and effects ("Bring the Light" = And Justice For All-era Metallica).
Zeitgeist isn’t a terrible record, its just…nothing. Old school fans will be pissed, younger generations will scratch their heads and wonder why this band was such a big deal in the first place, “I swear they used to be good young Jonny Switchblade!” Remember the old days when you’d buy one of your siblings a small present only you’d trick them by wrapping it up in a huge box? Those are priceless moments, and this album feels just like that.
-Scott McDonald
Eastern Conference Champions
Ameritown
2007 | Suretone
A singular voice can really make a band stand out. With the masses of
droning male voices that overpopulate the airways with no
distinguishing characteristics lately, it's nice to hear a band that
makes you pick your head up and notice. Such is the case with Eastern
Conference Champions' release Ameritown.
Josh
Ostrander's powerful voice is backed by a strong musical presence that
is incredibly well-tuned. The electric tracks on here combine elements
of full on rock, catchy sing-a-longs, and some Brit Pop thrown in for
good measure. Ok, maybe a lot of Brit Pop, but they make it work
creating tracks like the opener "The Box" that borders on anthemic,
throwing waves of music and chorus that builds up the mentality of the
whole album. They surprisingly juxtapose quiet snippets with harsh,
rocking guitars in the grinningly fun to listen to "Yuppy Hipster Fuck"
and follow it up with "To the Wind" that makes your toes tap with
musical goodness.
The piano work on the album though flip flops
between either really helping make a song stand out, like on the track
"Stutter" and “Gucci”, or makes the song sag and sound a bit on the
mediocre side ("Some Sorta Light"). But when they have it right, it
completely overshadows those mishaps. "Rabbit Hole" 's slower, more
melodic piano driven song is reminiscent of a poppier Radiohead, while
the closing track "Hollywood" strips down to a fragile, key heavy
lullaby with guest vocal's by Maura Davis. I'd recommend "Yuppy Hipster
Fuck", "Noah" and "Hollywood".
-Elana Rintala
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