Moving

Hi folks,

I will be moving to a different site. No reason in particular.

The new site is here. Please update your bookmarks to http://roadtripradio.wordpress.com.

Regards,
Hoople

Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record

Artist: Broken Social Scene
Album: Forgiveness Rock Record
Label: Arts & Crafts
Genre: Indie Rock
Released: May 2010
Rating: 3 of 5


It has been a long five-year wait for many Broken Social Scene fans but the day has finally arrived. They have returned in good form.

If there was one thing I remember about seeing Broken Social Scene live it was how ridiculous the whole thing looked to have 7 or so guitars up on stage all playing at the same time. I understand having a large band but why would you have so many of the same instrument. Now that I got that off my chest, I must say that in the studio the layering that takes place is rather majestic. They also do a great job of bringing in all sorts of textures without making it confusing or chaotic. A quick listen to "Ungrateful Little Father" reveals a little drum beat supporting guitar, toy piano and an almost citar-like riff.

If I had to draw some comparisons I would have to group a few songs up. I found the there was a little bit of a Paul Simon does Graceland feeling in songs like "World Sick" and "Highway Slipper Jam". Some other songs, such as "Texico Bitches", reminded me somewhat of Wilco. Don't get me wrong though, Broken Social Scene have shown themselves to have a unique sound.

Fans of the band will surely be pleased and the ranks might even increase with this album. Don't be fooled by the very few examples because there are many other surprises.

The Hold Steady - Heaven Is Whenever

Artist: The Hold Steady
Album: Heaven Is Whenever
Label: Vagrant
Genre: Indie Rock
Released: May 2010
Rating: 2.5 of 5


The Hold Steady return with another straight forward rock album. They have shown a few improvements over the last album that I would like to go over.

The monotonous vocals were my nemesis before. Although not much has changed in the lead vocals, they have tried a bit of fancy studio work to lessen the damage. I found that there were some nice background vocals in many spots that drowned out the lead at points. They also turned up the level on many of the instruments (mostly the guitars). Some songs had brass and keyboards and "Barely Breathing" was particularly good on that front.

There were a few tracks with particularly nice guitars. The opening song, "The Sweet Part of the City", had some really nice deep south guitars, complete with slide. I also found that a few songs had a nice Matt Mays feel to them such as "The Smidge". I suppose a better comparison would be the Stone's "Honky Tonk Woman", well almost.

Despite some good steps forward for the Hold Steady, I still had a hard time feeling engaged. Their music just doesn't have that punk edge that I truly enjoy in rock music.

The Futureheads - The Chaos

Artist: The Futureheads
Album: The Chaos
Label: Nul Records
Genre: Post-Punk Revival
Released: April 2010
Rating: 4 of 5


The Futureheads have shown themselves to be a highly consistent group. They've put out a number of good albums and this one is no different.

So what can you expect out of this album? As per usual, they bring some quick drum beats, pumping bass lines and muted guitars backing up some great vocal harmonies. The Chaos is another step forward in defining a sound all their own. I use to love comparing The Cars to this group but I must say that this album has evolved more than any others. "The Chaos" and "This is the Life" are good punk tunes that are very reminiscent of their past.

Something quite different has happened in this album though. It sounds to me like they've started to play with the guitar tones more than before. "The Connector" had some octave effects on the guitar that brought back some different 80s sounds. "I Can Do That" has a guitar solo which brings out some longer notes. They even used some different effects on the vocal tracks. "Sun Goes Down" had an almost spooky feel to it and finished with a cacophony of phased voices. "The Baron" had a cute little guitar riff between the verses and chorus and some almost Queen sounding background vocals throughout.

The Futureheads have managed to take yet another step forward in their musical careers with this one. I was quite pleased with the album.

Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles (2010)

Artist: Crystal Castles
Album: Crystal Castles (2010)
Label: Fiction
Genre: Electronic
Released: April 2010
Rating: 3.5 of 5


Crystal Castles return with their second self-titled album. There were both some improvements and new styles in this album.

The biggest issue I had with the last album was the high gain, high volume tunes. This hasn't gone away but it is not nearly as prevalent; "Doe Deer" is the most obvious of these tunes and about the only one that features the style exclusively. There are also more of those great jittery synth melodies that gave them so much power in the first album; "Baptism" is a great example.

A major theme of the album was brand new from the last. They seem to have done some great space exploring ethereal music. "Celestica" not only takes it name from this style but also provides the listener with a wonderful example. This is not the only vision-trip with the outro to "Year of Silence" and "Pap Smear" bringing the listener back.

Altough some of the better parts of the last album are lacking, I must say the album is a good cover-cover adventure.

Hole - Nobody's Daughter

Artist: Hole
Album: Nobody's Daughter
Label: CherryForever
Genre: Alternative Rock
Released: April 2010
Rating: 2 of 5


Courtney Love and company's first album in over a decade has arrived. For many, this album will be heralded as a great return but I won't be among them.

"Skinny Little Bitch" is the first single from the album and has a riff that reminds me a little of 54 40. "For Once In Your Life" sounded a little more like Train with some nice violin in the background and it showed a little more maturity than many of the other tunes. "Loser Dust" was a little too quick for Courtney to use her normal singing voice and hinted at the Bowery but didn't quite get there.

There were a few nice acoustic riffs in here, "How Dirty Girls Get Clean" is a good example. Unfortunately, Love's vocals overpower any other instruments and sounds so rough. It sounds like someone who would have a bad smoker's cough but this is supposed to be part of the charm. I found that it caused a few botched tunes and sounded too ragged for me.

Hole returns with an album that will surely be more spectacle than talent. We will see how things evolve from here but I'm sure it won't be quiet.

Gogol Bordello - Trans-Continental Hustle

Artist: Gogol Bordello
Album: Trans-Continental Hustle
Label: American Recordings
Genre: Gypsy Punk
Released: April 2010
Rating: 3.5 of 5


Gogol Bordello is back again. The king of gypsy punk brings us yet another installment and this time he does so with the help of Producer Rick Rubin.

The gypsy is definitely present in the music. The great oompa beats are present from start to finish. This also means that there are vast amounts of accordion and fiddle. The music is great for wedding receptions everywhere and it will get everyone up and dancing, from the grand parents to the teenagers to the kids. "My Compenjera" is a great example of this general gypsy feeling.

There are also some new interesting twists here. "Raise the Knowledge" has a great little riff that I find is a little different from the normal Bordello sound and almost has an oriental touch. "Last One Goes the Hope" and "To Rise Above" remind me of vacations in the sun and also show a new side of Bordello. "Sun is On My Side" draws me to the canals of Venice as does "When Universes Collide"; the latter to a lesser extent but the latter has a great crescendo throughout the entire album.

So once again I welcome the gypsy punks back into my speakers. Now we can all look forward to the live shows that will surely follow.

Bloc Party - Intimacy

Artist: Bloc Party
Album: Intimacy
Label: Atlantic
Released: October 2008
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 4.5 of 5


Before I start, let me just say that Bloc Party has been one of my favourite bands since Silent Alarm. They have continued to develop a unique sound that is quite complex when you try and break it down. Their material is always a joy to listen to and I'm looking forward to the next album.

Let's start with what's new. I found that there was a little more emphasis on some deep beats and maybe something from the dance club; a good example of this can be heard in "Mercury". Of course this new style permeates the album and would play great on a big sub woofer. The band has always created great music in the studio but they continue to grow with tunes like "Zephyrus" leading the way.

Not everything is new and we wouldn't want Bloc Party to deny us what we want. I must say that the tempo on this album is much closer to Silent Alarm than A Weekend In The City was and this will be a welcome return for many. Songs such as "Halo" and "Trojan Horse" follow in Silent Alarm's footsteps with punchy guitars and soaring vocals. Of course, my favourite tune on each Bloc Party album seems to be the epic play that they do so well; "Biko" is not quite as strong as "Positive Tension" but it fills the template rather well. And of course the xylophone makes a great appearance in "Signs".

In all, I was extremely happy with the latest entry in the Bloc Party catalogue and I hope that their recent break is exactly that and not the end of Bloc Party.

Jay Reatard - Matador Singles '08

Artist: Jay Reatard
Album: Matador Singles '08
Genre: Garage Punk
Rating: 3 of 5


Jay Reatard, who unfortunately passed away this year, had the reputation for fights and rude behaviour. His music seems like a contradiction that pays tribute to this reputation.

The music in this album is reminiscent of 60s pop rock with catchy hooks and bright guitars. I found a few parts reminded me of the Yardbirds such as the "An Ugly Death" and "Dead On Arrival". The former tune even contains a bit of Chuck Berry guitar which dates some inspiration from even earlier.

The lyrics seem to be true to his reputation. The vocals were laid down in the same scratchy-transistor radio sound that the Strokes made so popular. The words definitely come through with attitude. And although the music has that 60s feel, Jay has sped the tempo up to fuel a bit more of that attitude.

This group of singles, as the album name implies, is a nice collection of tunes that might serve well as some Sunday listening for some punk fans that are used to something a little harder.

The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

Artist: The Hold Steady
Album: Stay Positive
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 2.5 of 5


The Hold Steady are another one of those bands that have been around for awhile but that I just can't get into. This album did not change anything for me.

I find that Craig Finn's vocal range isn't that great. No matter what is happening with the music it just doesn't feel like the song is moving around because of an almost monotone voice. I great example would be the title track; in this song I find that the band do a great job of building and even though the vocals sound more strained than normal, it doesn't inspire the kind of energy the band is promising to deliver. I did find that his voice reminded me of the Counting Crows.

Besides that, I must say that the songs are quite decent. There were a few songs that they brought in some different instruments to change things up a bit like the harpsichord in "One for the Cutters" and the mandolin (or banjo maybe) in "Both Crosses". "Both Crosses" was also one of those dark tunes that I enjoy so much but again the vocals don't sound any different from one of the more formula-based rock tunes that are all over the album.

In all, I would say that some of the songs have great potential but I would just love it if the vocals would follow the mood.

Hercules and Love Affair - Hercules and Love Affair

Artist: Hercules and Love Affair
Album: Hercules and Love Affair
Genre: Electronic
Rating: 2 of 5


I found that this album, named after the band, was quite mediocre. I wouldn't say it was anything special. It served quite well as some background noise, mind you.

I believe the biggest issue I had with the whole affair was the wavering high-pitch tone of most of the leading vocals. It reminds me of Antony and the Johnsons. For some of you, this may be a bonus but for me I find it quite detracting from the music and I would prefer vocals that blended better.

Not all of the songs have been infused with this distracting voice and some of the beats are enjoyable. This album is best served as background noise and the fact that the rhythms are fairly steady help that fact.

In the end, I wouldn't call this a love affair and it isn't something I would listen to on any kind of regular basis.

Harvey Milk - Life... The Best Game In Town

Artist: Harvey Milk
Album: Life... The Best Game In Town
Genre: Sludge Metal
Rating: 3.5 of 5


Harvey Milk have created a rich tapestry within their latest long play. I must agree that life is indeed the best game in town.

The name of the game here is sludge. Harvey Milk create a wonderfully low and consistent beat and keep on going. Play "Decades" and "Skull Socks & Rope Shoes" and you can feel some real power coursing through the speakers. Even with such a slow tempo they come out with some very nice chord progressions. This progression skill is better exemplified in their more delicate moments such as the intro to "Death Goes To The Winner".

I don't want you to think that the entire album takes place under 60 bpm. "After All I've Done For You This How You Repay Me" is a long title that takes longer to say than the main riff. "Barnburner" is exactly what the title says; Harvey Milk get things going and don't let up. This also proves, to me at least, that they definitely don't go back to sludge because they don't know their way around their instruments.

Harvey Milk puts out some epic songs whether they be slow moving powerhouses or the result of a few axes on fire. This is quite the enjoyable album and it is an experience unto itself.

Glasvegas - Glasvegas

Artist: Glasvegas
Album: Glasvegas
Genre: Garage Rock
Rating: 3 of 5


This Scottish band has managed to make quite a stir with their self-titled debut. The band name makes me wonder if the Killers have been an influence or if they see themselves as the median between Glasgow and Las Vegas. I have noted that they seem to send out a mixed message.

The music consists of slow driving tunes drenched in a high echo and phased guitar lead. It feels like something that was made for larger venues although it might be a little early for Glasvegas' presence to fill that space. The intro is a good example of the music although any of the songs would do. They've also put an amazing amount of echo on the vocals. The combination of all this seems to point toward some easy-going rock or at least something without sharp edges.

Next comes the actual lyrics. These songs are filled with rough times and unfortunate events. Take "Daddy's Gone" for example; this is a song about an absent father and a son growing up in harsh times. "Stabbed" is another good example, it is a story about gang revenge. The story is spoken over Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata which enhances the dramatization. In all I find that the messages coming through should come from something much rawer.

In the end, the music is pretty good and the stories become dreamlike. I don't believe the severity is lessened by the music but I do believe it pulls the shade over some dark corners. Perhaps this makes the album easier to swallow.

Gang Gang Dance - Saint Dymphna

Artist: Gang Gang Dance
Album: Saint Dymphna
Genre: Electronic
Rating: 2 of 5


"Saint Dymphna" is an experiment with sounds like most other electronic albums. I like to think for the most part that I can find the worth in electronic albums that are a little more experimental but I couldn't see it this time.

There are a few moments in this album that weren't too bad. There is a piece in the middle of "First Communion" with some nice interplay between a guitar and a few keyboards. "House Jam" feels somewhat more like a song than many of the other pieces with a nice lead vocal track and several backing vocal tracks.

On the other hand, "Inners Pace" doesn't really go anywhere and feels quite odd. It is essentially like being blasted with binary code while being asked to translate to English. "Desert Storm" is littered with female vocals that are either off key or not even notes and more like screeches.

I try to stay open minded when listen to more progressive or experimental music but I just couldn't get around this album. It was like a math equation that just wouldn't balance out.

The Futureheads - This Is Not the World

Artist: The Futureheads
Album: This Is Not the World
Genre: Post-Punk Revival
Rating: 4 of 5


I have begun to notice, especially after this album, how much this Sunderland-based group sounds like an updated version of the Cars. The Futureheads have managed to take the good parts of the Cars and expanded on them.

Like the Cars there songs are full of punchy guitars and some great vocal melodies. Take a track like "Work Is Never Done" that has some quick and unrelenting power chords and the comparison is easy to make. If you still don't hear it then turn to "Sleet". The intro is so close to "Just What I Needed" that I was so pleasantly surprised.

The album, nor the Futureheads, are all about their resemblance to the Cars though. One of their biggest strengths since their first album has been their use of vocal harmonies. A good example of this is in the first track, "The Beginning of the Twist". In this album, they've also done a great job of tearing songs down to their minimum and then rebuilding the song from scratch. Again, "The Beginning of the Twist" is an excellent example but "Walking Backwards" is another great example.

The Futureheads are still improving and this album was a great addition to their repertoire. I can't wait to hear the next one.

Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life

Artist: Fucked Up
Album: The Chemistry of Common Life
Genre: Post-Punk Revival
Rating: 3 of 5


The Chemistry of Common Life won the 2009 Polaris Prize. The Polaris Prize is essentially the Canadian version of Britain's Mercury Music Prize.

There is definitely some merit behind this album. The songs are full of strength and a consistent driving force. Songs like "Days of Last" feel like a tidal wave that cannot be stopped. "Twice Born" has the guitars turned up to 11. Finally the title track completes the album with a grand and explosive end.

There were just a few things that I would love to see improved upon. These tidal waves are not only relentless but they can sometimes become too persistent. The songs seem to become some homogeneous blob and although there are several song structures and even some nice instrumental pieces you seem to just fall in and out of them. I guess the music feels like a mosh pit that you can't quite get out of. This makes it a little harder to step back and enjoy the music itself.

I did enjoy the album but I have seen some better attempts at this genre of sludge-type punk. And I do agree that this album definitely deserved to be on the short list.

Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires

Artist: Friendly Fires
Album: Friendly Fires
Genre: Indie Electronic
Rating: 3.5 of 5


The debut self-titled album from the Friendly Fires shows a great deal of potential. This is not the band's first venture into the studio but it is their first full-length album. They have released three EPs prior to this.

In an effort to describe the band through comparison I would have to say that they are somewhere between MGMT and Bloc Party. In general, the have the same dance, punk and funk mix that MGMT have been working on. A few of their best songs like "In The Hospital" and "Paris" have the slow dance beat that makes MGMT so attractive. Where as songs such as "Jump In The Pool" have some of the effects and vocal harmonies that are the backbone to Bloc Party's repertoire. And then there songs like "On Board" that have a great groove and show some of the bands own strengths.

With all these great styles melding together it would be hard to see any cons but there was something holding me back from rating this album any higher. Unfortunately besides the songs I mentioned in the previous paragraph there wasn't really anything exciting. This may be a case of the band being pushed from writing EPs to writing a full length album.

Friendly Fires come out blazing with a few really good tunes. Hopefully their next album has a more consistent track listing.

The Fratellis - Here We Stand

Artist: The Fratellis
Album: Here We Stand
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 4 of 5


This Scottish band really does know how to rock and roll. Here We Stand is there second album and they are only getting better.

So what makes the music so great? I would have to say it's because they manage to keep things simple. There's no message behind the songs, just straight forward rock. As a result they manage to keep every song fresh and entertaining. On the album they have a knack for keeping the chorus and verse quite separate thus providing some flavour to the songs. There are also some very nice bridges going on.

If I had to choose a few songs out of the bunch I would be hard pressed but let's try. "A Heady Tale" is a great examples of how well the band change pace between the chorus and verse. It is also has a great example of a driving instrumental. "Tell Me A Lie" is another great example of a simple riff that the band hold too and create a good vibe around. The Fratellis also put in a couple good bridges. The first changes the tempo and feeling of the song altogether and the second follows the same basic riff but breaks up the song nicely.

The Fratellis provide us with another rock album with few complaints here. Not everyone can pull off the cookie cutter recipe but this band pulls it off with ease.

Foals - Antidotes

Artist: Foals
Album: Antidotes
Genre: Post-Punk Revival
Rating: 4.5 of 5


From the opening hum of horns to the closing hum of horns this is an album filled with a great energy. There isn't any overdrive here, nor is there an abundance of power chords but as a group no one instrument needs to overtake the others.

Rather than seek their great energy from a single blazing instrument or vocals that drown out the band, the Foals use many instruments with short and quick riffs to create an almost saturated sound. Just listening to the first two songs, "The French Open" and "Cassius", fills your speakers with sharp staccato guitars and backing horns while the vocals blend in with a great melody. Although the horns do not make it on all the tracks, they are a great addition.

Antidotes also contains some great apexes. The entire band slowly and methodically drive a dynamic landscape that easily flows over rises. A long instrumental piece in "Two Steps, Twice" is a great example of a long and determined build back up to the energy that is abundant in the album. "Balloons" also quite successful simulates the experience of floating through currents in the air.

I must say that I was quite impressed with the way that the Foals created a danceable beat without using any fancy effects or instruments. The tracks here create an inspiring listen.

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Artist: Fleet Foxes
Album: Fleet Foxes
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 4 of 5


The self-titled debut by the Fleet Foxes seems to have made quite the stir. After listening to the album I can say that it wasn't without reason.

One of the biggest strengths of the album was all the wonderful vocal harmonies. The album opens with a more traditional sounding harmony and that is just a taste of what is to come later in the song and album. Nearly every tune includes beautiful harmonies placed at just the right points. The ups and downs sang with such precision; it really is a delight.

Another strength of the album is the abundance of great instrumental arrangements. A great example of this is in "Ragged Wood" which contains some lovely harmonies but really shows off the musical abilities of the group. The song has a lovely roll to it and the instruments blend together with the vocals so well.

Hopefully Fleet Foxes haven't just hit a fluke and can come back with another performance to rival this one.

The Fireman - Electric Arguments

Artist: The Fireman
Album: Electric Arguments
Genre: Pop Rock
Rating: 3.5 of 5


For those who were not aware The Fireman consist of Sir Paul McCartney and producer Martin Glover (also known as Youth). Just a couple regular guys messing around in the studio, well maybe not regular guys.

Much of the album takes standard rock tunes and applies a little flare. This can be seen from a couple blues-y tunes like "Nothing Too Much Just Out of Sight" and "Highway". The bonus features are all the subtle changes they make to the sounds coming out like adding a little more fuzz on the guitars during the chorus, adding a little more echo to the vocals here and there and making the drums exist way in the background but take up the entire landscape at the same time.

The other half of this album entails taking songs out of their context and going more extreme with the electronic additions. Take "Travelling Light" that would normally be a nice acoustic guitar picking tune, and transform the song into a mesmerizing tune floating just out of reach. Another well-executed tune is "Lovers in a Dream" that moves from an opening that makes me feel like I'm in a jungle to a fuzzy dream-like reality.

This album transcends the barrier from rock to electronic nicely. At times it was just a little too much but the overall experience was nice.

The Duke Spirit - Neptune

Artist: The Duke Spirit
Album: Neptune
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 3.5 of 5


The question I have is are we talking Neptune the Roman god or Neptune the planet. I examined the songs to answer this question.

There is definitely proof that the album could borrow its name from the planet. I find that the band sound quite a bit like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs with tunes like "You Really Wake Up The Love In Me" and Sonic Youth with songs like "Lassoo". They have a few great tunes. "This Ship Was Built To Last" has an ominous opening that builds into a great climax towards the end of the song and screams Jefferson Starship. So the journey would scream planet.

The Duke Spirit do answer the question themselves though. The tune "Neptune's Call" speaks directly about the sea's call. Their music also has a great rising and descending feeling, especially for tunes such as "Send A Little Love Token" and "Neptune's Call" itself like waves crashing into a ragged cliff.

So it would seem the Roman god of the sea is to thank for the inspiration here. In this case I owe a thank you next time I make it to the ocean.

Drive-By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark

Artist: Drive-By Truckers
Album: Brighter Than Creation's Dark
Genre: Alt Country
Rating: 3 of 5


I've got to say that Drive-By Truckers managed to pack a lot of decent material into this album. "Brighter Than Creation's Dark" contains 19 decent tunes.

If there was one thing that jumped out at me while listening to this album it was how crystal clear everything was. At times there are quite a few different instruments and vocals going on but each one is pristine. You could really just listen to any song to see for yourself.

I must confess that I'm not really a big country fan but some of these tunes are quite good. That being said some of the tunes do remind me of a few rock artists. In particular, "3 Dimes Down" sounds like it could have been a Rolling Stones tune. Also, "That Man I Shot" is the type of thing you'd hear coming out of an early Matt Mays album.

All in all this was a fairly decent country album with a lot of decent material.

The Dodos - Visiter

Artist: The Dodos
Album: Visiter
Genre: Alt Folk
Rating: 2 of 5


Before you go asking why they misspelled "Visiter" let me explain. I had to look this up and it turns out the artwork was a gift from a child. Okay so I will forgive that. There are other things I wasn't as forgiving for though.

I found that the drums were quite persistent throughout. "Red and Purple" have this drum beat that seems to fill in any sense of void and even force any other voices to the side. Unfortunately they seem to stay fairly steady throughout and hence the song turns into a bit of a Chinese water torture. The Dodos really seem to pick a beat and stick to it. Seeing as this is only a two-piece I suppose that can partly be forgiven. Knowing that there isn't any help with the rhythm section should mean that you try and change it up a bit.

I also had a hard time understanding why they go on for so long on some of the tunes. It would have been nice to cut down a few of the epics since I didn't really feel they changed from start to finish. Take songs like the "Park Song" or "Undeclared". A couple of really cute songs. They manage to get the message through in a short amount of time before becoming a nuisance.

The Dodos would definitely do well around a campfire. It sounds like a lot of fun but I won't be listening to the album anywhere else anytime soon.

Dirty Pretty Things - Romance at Short Notice

Artist: Dirty Pretty Things
Album: Romance at Short Notice
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 4.5 of 5


Carl Barat and the Dirty Pretty Things are back with another great album. The longer we go post-Libertines it seems both Carl and Peter are straying further from that sound and finding their own voice.

Things have slowed down just a touch from the last album and the Libertines before that; It also feels just a touch more mellow. "Hippy's Son" has some great contrast between the verse and chorus but even the harder verse doesn't have that much punch. "Come Closer" is a great love tune and one that would have been reserved as a secret track on the Libertines. "The North" sounds like some early Pink Floyd. Finally, "Blood on My Shoes" closes the album with a similar feeling as "Hippy's Son". This contrast seems to fill the album. Almost as if there was a struggle between moving forward and looking backwards.

Carl's earlier days are definitely still a strong presence. "Best Face" has that leather-jacket clad edge that perpetuates any photos or videos of the group. "Chinese Dogs" is the closest thing left to the Libertines that I could find. The song had the energy, drifting guitar riffs, loose choirs and general mayhem that made many of Carl's early songs inspire so many young artist.

The album shows great contrast and the struggle between mellow and grit makes a rather enjoyable listen.

Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs

Artist: Death Cab For Cutie
Album: Narrow Stairs
Genre: Pop Rock
Rating: 3 of 5


I will confess that although Death Cab For Cutie has made the rounds and continues to lead certain groups I have not seen too much of them.

The first thing I noticed about this album is that the band are quite apt in producing very well structured and decent songs. I must start with "I will Possess Your Heart". A low hum starts the song and a great bass riff follows soon. Slowly drums, guitar and piano enter. This ecosystem lasts for quite some time and is quite entrancing. The vocals during the last half of the song fit a gap you didn't even notice was there. The song ends by slowly unrolling.

A second example of this comes from "Pity and Fear". A few different percussion sounds start and we dive into the main riff a lot earlier. The riff is a harmony between guitar and keyboard. The vocals fill in the small gaps in the riff and join the riff at other parts. All voices seem to flow together. They slowly build energy in the background until finally moving into a good instrumental. This energy is held right until the end with an abrupt mid-beat cut out.

Pardon the play by play but "Narrow Stairs" is a good album and not unlike an exciting sporting event between two teams you don't care about I find there is nothing to draw me back. Like that same sporting event, if you cheer for the band then this would be a win.

CSS - Donkey

Artist: CSS
Album: Donkey
Genre: Indie Electronic
Rating: 2.5 of 5


CSS has returned with an album that wasn't nearly as explicit as their first. "Donkey" contains music that was made to play in a dance club like the first.

I do believe that at times some stronger vocals are required though. Don't get me wrong Lovefoxxx, the singer, hits the notes. Harmonies on "Jager Yoga" could have had more force. "Give Up" could have been a far better song had there been more power from the entire band. It felt rather flat.

Seeing as the album feels like it was meant for a party I suppose it's not wrong that the songs feel kind of repetitive. I mean who would care, but if you are listening to this on your own I do find you start to notice.

It wasn't all bad mind you and a few tunes were rather catchy. "Move" had a really nice flow and some notes were actually held. "I Fly" had an instrumental with a great build up. "Believe Achieve" had some rather dark undertones and changed things up from the rest of the album.

I believe that CSS did a little experimenting towards the end of the album and some paid off. Now to see if they try an album with a different feel for number three.

Cat Power - Dark End of the Street

Artist: Cat Power
Album: Dark End of the Street EP
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 3.5 of 5


As the name suggests there is a power behind the music being presented. The "Dark End of the Street", "Ye Auld Triangle" and "I've Been Loving You Too Long" are all great examples of a force that the band keep just below the surface. Perhaps on an LP there would be enough time to explore this space but on this EP I don't feel the band opens up enough.

Even though there are no covers of Janis Joplin here I felt her influence was felt more than the others. If you enjoy covers of the 60s then this is a must have.

Calexico - Carried to Dust

Artist: Calexico
Album: Carried to Dust
Genre: Alt Country
Rating: 3 of 5


"Carried to Dust" is an album that seems strangely familiar throughout. If I were to close my eyes and listen to the album without knowing the artist it would be hard to put my finger on it.

As you can imagine from the Aztec name there is a lovely Mexican flare throughout the album. Great horn sections are abundant as are smooth guitar riffs. "Inspiracion" and "El Gatillo" are as close to standard as we get but Calexico push the envelope on some other songs.

The flare is not what causes the familiarity though. It is songs like "The News About William" that reminds me of Leonard Cohen without the lyrical prowess. Or "Two Silver Trees" that reminds me of a haunting Robbie Roberston tune. Or "Slowness" that sounds like one of Matt Mays more country influenced tunes.

I believe that there was some material that could have been filtered but overall the album is an eerie take on Latin rock.

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Artist: Bon Iver
Album: For Emma, Forever Ago
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 3 of 5


When I was listening to Bon Iver's "For Emma, Forever Ago" I thought of a good comparison for the album. A ghost would be the easiest way to describe it.

From the opening verse, most of the time is spent listening to single vocal tracks and harmonies that have been shaped to sound quite ethereal. The guitar follows along given some depth to the voices like tendrils of mist slowly following along.

Although the album spends much time as a lingering wisp, it does show hints of force. Tracks like "Skinny Love", "Creature Fear" and "For Emma" show hints that the album is hiding some force that just doesn't seem to make its way to the surface.

Unfortunately like a ghost, there does seem to be quite a bit of dead air. I understand that we can't expect a constant barrage of sound but I find that there is too much space between the lines at times and I really cannot discern a message there.

There is something hidden here just like the faces that might exist on the album cover.

Black Kids - Partie Traumatic

Artist: Black Kids
Album: Partie Traumatic
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 3 of 5


The Partie Traumatic is a good attempt at duplicating some work started in the 80s at bringing rock instruments into the disco.

Songs like "Listen to Your Body Tonight" and "Look at Me" make good use of combining the heavy beat of the disco with guitars and synthesizers. Unfortunately not the whole album was as well executed. Songs like "I'm Making Eyes at You" and "I Wanna Be Your Limousine" were off-balance; I also did not like the laser-type sounds that were injected into the former.

A little more cohesion throughout the album would have been nice as well. I found "I've Underestimated My Charms" and "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You" were from different eras as compared to the rest of the tracks.

The Black Kids feel like an awkward teenager going to house parties for the first time. They aren't quite sure what format the party takes but they are there to have fun.

Benga - Diary Of An Afro Warrior

Artist: Benga
Album: Diary Of An Afro Warrior
Genre: Dance
Rating: 3 of 5


Apparently the Afro Warrior is a man of few words because this album is contains very little in the way of lyrics. The album is more an exploration of sound and time.

The various sounds used are highly interesting and Benga makes good use of melding them in and out. I particularly enjoyed the way he incorporated different sounds in "Night" because they made me feel as if there were birds all around. There are many other corners to turn throughout the album.

This Diary also explorers the space and time within a song's tempo. Much time was spent fiddling with the beat while allowing it to maintain a consistent tempo. The different sounds he uses allow him to accentuate quite nicely different parts of each beat as the song evolves.

Unfortunately this was not enough to keep me interested but I would recommend a listen of your own.

Albert Hammond Jr - Como Te Llama?

Artist: Albert Hammond Jr
Album: Como Te Llama?
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 3.5 of 5


I cannot wait for a new Strokes album but in the meantime the individual members of the band have been providing us with solo albums. Albert Hammond Jr was the first to venture off on his own and I must say that the results have been good.

You can hear "Is This It" in this album with a more mellow touch. There are three tunes that I particularly enjoyed on the album. GFC is the first on the list. I rather enjoy the layering within the intro. Slowly bringing in all the instruments in a beautifully constructed verse that isn't the same way twice in the song. While the chorus goes back to the mellow Strokes sound that is Albert.

The second tune is Rocket with the fuzz cranked up to the max and a marching beat in the background, this tune provides the listener with something to sing along with. I also rather enjoy the bridge in this song because it provides a very clear climax.

The last tune is Spooky Couch. This is an instrumental that is about twice as long as any other song on the album. Although this song strays from the standard formula being used on the album it did grow on me. It would be the perfect song to have on if you had to drive through the worst kind of storm. The perfect sense of calm is the best way to describe the track and most of the album.

The Young Knives - Superabundance

Artist: The Young Knives
Album: Superabundance
Genre: Post-Punk Revival
Rating: 3 of 5


There were two aspects that I have enjoyed about previous albums from this very British group. Perhaps it is the fact that they have put out three albums in three years, but they have lost some of their touch. The first album in this run was "Voices of Animals and Men" which set a benchmark. They haven't completely lost their image so don't be worried.

The first aspect that makes the Young Knives the Young Knives is quick, choppy post-punk songs. The song should sound like an archipelago of sound. The voices creating quick and distinct bleeps on the equalizer. You can hear this in the first verse of "Terra Firma". Unfortunately you can hear the new direction in "Turn Tail" where they've added some synthesizers to create a background hum like a bridge connecting the clustered islands. I much prefer the former style for this band.

The second aspect that makes the Young Knives the Young Knives is the stories they tell. I was not nearly as amused as I have been before. I mean "She's Attracted To" set a precedence. For those who haven't heard it before please look up the YouTube video. Of course "Turn Tail" does have an amusing image of fleeing but I'll leave that final decision to you. The witty charm hasn't left completely; it's just been dulled.

Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid

Artist: Elbow
Album: The Seldom Seen Kid
Genre: Britpop
Rating: 3.5 of 5


The Seldom Seen Kid is a delightful experience. The band have managed to come up with a well-crafted piece of art.

Either through extensive use of synthesizers or different instruments it would seem that much thought and consideration was put into the choice of textures to use on each track. So much reading between the lyrics is necessary to enjoy the emotions that the sounds help create. The opener, "Starlings", uses brass sounds that provide a sense of panic, strings to soothe and xylophones to keep a heartbeat. The line "You are the only thing in any room you've ever been" resonates even after the song dies down.

"Mirrorball" is set up to be another quiet song but bringing the drums to the fore-front a touch and keeping a constant rolling piano instill urgency into the song. "Friend Of Ours" closes the album while bringing the tempo so slow that you can just let go of anything that might be ailing you. I can just hear the voice of a hypnotist as they perform their trade.

I must say that I find this album sounds like a version of Sting who has discovered a plethora of new sounds in today's synthesizers.

The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely

Artist: The Raconteurs
Album: Consolers of the Lonely
Genre: Pop Rock
Rating: 4 of 5


Consolers Of The Lonely was an album designed to be played live and I love it. For the most part the album contains great bridges and great instrumental pieces. The dynamics within the individual tracks are great.

The Raconteurs have a great chemistry going on and you can hear it all over the place. The title track, "Salute Your Solution", "Hold Up" and "Five on the Five" are all good examples how the band seamlessly change from one groove to another on the dime at times.

The live feel of the album ensures that the dynamics of the album are accentuated. Songs such as "You Don't Understand Me", "Attention" and "Carolina Drama" are all good examples of the band's ability to change the mood of the song. I can almost see a nice light show in the background to help the visual aspect of playing on stage.

The last song on the album "Carolina Drama" is another great story from Jack White. Jack has a great gift for storytelling and this song plays the same role as "Blue Veins" did on the last album. Just a little something to seal the deal. I know that I'm sold.

Be Your Own Pet - Get Awkward

Artist: Be Your Own Pet
Album: Get Awkward
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 3 of 5


The second installment from the Nashville group clocks in at about 30 minutes. I've got to say it just goes and goes, keeping a good pace from start to finish. The songs all clock in less than three minutes other than "Twisted Nerve" at 3:02 and closer "The Beast Within" at 3:51. And if you like one song then chances are you'll like them all.

Be warned though. If you are looking for some kids fooling around in the studio then look no further, but if you are looking for some maturity look elsewhere. This album definitely feels like some kids who got together and had a few cool riffs, lyrics jotted down on napkins and just recorded. Songs "Super Soaked" talking about getting away from responsibility, "Creepy Crawl" talking about growing up and "Beast Within" talking about staying out all night it puts their age in the fore front. I would also like to say that Limp Bizkit already pulled the track is over bit on their rendition of "Faith".

I also feel like they've fallen into the Duran Duran trap where it sounds like a lot of the music was written before the lyrics. The result is a song that has the lyrics being forced into a constrained melody. I do like the energy throughout the album but some improvements could have been made.

British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?

Artist: British Sea Power
Album: Do You Like Rock Music?
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 2.5 of 5


Before I dive into this I'd like to mention that I generally leave my equalizer flat. I do this because when I'm listening to music I like to hear everything the way it was recorded. I find it gives a more accurate version of what the artists wanted to put across. However naive this idea is there you have it.

This album started quite nicely with a momentous intro song that builds and builds and builds. From here we are launched into "Lights Out For Darker Skies" which has a few transitions and nicely executed bridges. By the fourth track I start to notice that some of the production feels off. I actually had to take a look and double-check the Producers on the album. The album gives credit to the band and Graham Sutton. Sutton helped with the last album but the band was not on the last album.

I found the drums to be much too loud throughout the album, especially on tracks such as "Waving Flags" and "The Great Skua". "The Great Skua" could have been a nice quiet instrumental if the drums hadn't over powered them. There was also quite a bit of experimentation with effects and in many cases they seem to drag things along to provide room for this exercise ("Down on the Ground" and "We Close Our Eyes" both drag on).

All this fooling around payed off in a few places and I did enjoy the coming of realization in "Canvey Island". Unfortunately there wasn't enough pay off overall.

The Kooks - Konk

Artist: The Kooks
Album: Konk
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 3 of 5


This is the second album from the pop-rock brits,. The Kooks. Konk includes a good dose of rockability songs such as "Do You Wanna", "Mr Maker" and many more. For anyone looking for some good guitar tabs I would recommend this album. There are very few power chords and everything is interplay between the guitar and vocal melodies. Good examples of this include "Gap" and "Love It All", the latter of which includes a nice acoustic guitar track.

Unfortunately if you are not really in the mood for guitar then you will need to look elsewhere. Besides the guitar there is not much of interest on the album besides a nice bass intro on "Stormy Weather" which soon turns into a guitar solo and some keyboard in "Shine On". I kind of wish they would adventure a little more in some new space.

The Long Blondes - Couples

Artist: The Long Blondes
Album: Couples
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 3.5 of 5


After going through the entire album I would like to say how fluid the whole album is. As you move from song there is some nice chemistry. Not to say that there are fade in and fade out components throughout but songs compliment each other quite well. The only clear segue is from "Erin O'Connor" to "Nostalgia"; both songs emitting a dreamlike state.

The heavy funk influence is apparent from start to finish as well. Songs such as "Guilt" and "Too Clever by Half" with good bass lines and guitar to match. I have come to expect this from the Long Blondes and I'm glad that it remains a high source of their diet.

As you may have guessed the songs are based on love stories gone right and wrong. The title track certainly sets the stage for the album. A solid song that is duplicated on tracks such as "I Liked the Boys" and "Here Comes the Serious Bit". I felt that the track list was strong and almost wished there was more.

Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles

Artist: Crystal Castles
Album: Crystal Castles
Genre: Electronic
Rating: 3.5 of 5


The band name seems to have been borrowed from the 80s arcade for a good reason. The music on this self-titled debut has many flavours that are recognizable from the soundtracks for many of those old school games. Take those early midi songs and throw on some modern technology and you get an enjoyable album.

The use of effects on the vocal tracks was quite a nice addition in most cases. On tracks such as “Unstrust Us”, “Crimewave” and “Magic Spells” the vocal track is a very important part of the beat and makes for a very catchy beat. “Crimewave” is a prime example of the sound that is Crystal Castles. On top of the great use of the vocal track, it also has a great chorus. This short riff played by a synthesizer, reminiscent of some 90s dance, slowly fills in during the song. At first you need to listen for missing notes but by the end of the track the riff seems to have mutated into maturity. “Magic Spells” is the longest track on the album at just over 6 minutes. The ambiance is quite nice and the track manages to delve into some trance-esque movement. “Air War” shows some of their cosmic side and continues to bring in sounds that would have previously been found on arcades of old. Some more sinister beats, with low rolling charges, follow with songs like “Courtship Dating” and “Through the Hosiery”. The latter of which gives the impression of flying through an asteroid field. “Vanished” seems to have borrowed from AFI but again shows that great technique in building upon the chorus and filling in all the missing notes to keep things fresh. The album goes for 16 tracks and the finale includes “Black Panther”, an up tempo track, and the ethereal “Tell Me What to Swallow”.

For the most part the album makes for great listening except for a style which could have been left out. Three songs “Alice Practice”, “Xxzxcuzx Me” and “Love and Caring” assault you with screaming and aggressive synthesizers that have been fed through high gain effects. The album was long enough to leave out these songs and Crystal Castles would have been better off without them. This album is still a great listen and is a cross between the soundtracks from early arcade games, great electronica and the Go Team.

The Zutons – You Can Do Anything

Artist: The Zutons
Album: You Can Do Anything
Genre: Indie Rock
Rating: 4 of 5


Start to finish this is a great album. Full of the horns and out of the norm chord progressions that you are use to from the Zutons. I have come to enjoy the uniqueness of their sound and come to expect their odd subject material. I remember first hearing of the Zutons as a spin off of the Corals but now they have managed to define their own unique sound. They even managed to throw in some psychedelic with Family of Leeches this time around.

Unfortunately I don’t believe they will break into the Canadian market until they take a look at their lyrics. Lyrics full of adultery are not going to make it mainstream here in Canada although they might fly in the UK. They seem to have moved on somewhat from the voyeurism that plagued their last album, Tired of Hanging Around. I’m not sure if cheating boyfriends, Dirty Rat, and cheating husbands, Don’t Get Caught, are exactly what will turn on the market here. They even cover the hard life of a male prostitute in Freak.

Although you might think that the lyrics would mean a lot of sinister songs the opposite is true. A song like Always Right Behind You remains upbeat despite being about someone waiting for the right time to strike back at their recently departed love. I rather enjoyed Give Me A Reason which creates a sense of urgency with a quick rolling beat and short phrases yet the song stretches six and a half minutes. Finally they finish off with a country song that you would swear came from Nashville and not England.

All in all I haven’t been disappointed with a Zutons album to date and this is no exception.