Wind’s Poem echos a loud sonic force that Phil Elverum has never before been attempted on this scale. Phil’s introspective endeavors from the Microphones into Mount Eerie have always captured an ethereal essence this one brutally grabs hold of it

Everyone needs a few albums in their collection that they can throw on- usually on a whim or during a fleeting moment of giddiness- to capitalize on or add a little musical light-heartedness to the day. For me, Manners, the first full-length release by Passion Pit is that ticket

Conor Oberst has always rode a fine line as far as acclaim came. Some flip flopped, some stuck it through and others never got it.

Their dreamy yet reserved approach is appealing and a nice change of pace, in comparison to a lot of modern acts whom seem to force experimentation.

Jof Owen and Pete Hobbs are armed with the same weapons they used to create 2005’s The Best Party Ever. Pete’s distinctly adolescent music (in spirit, not ability) continues to be the perfect compliment to Jof’s primarily morose lyrics. The glockenspiel’s still there and so is the banjo, but the production is much better this time around.

When was the last time you came across a recording that caused you to examine what you thought you knew about music? Mystery, the first EP from the Johannesburg, South Africa-based quartet BLK JKS (pronounced Black Jacks), packs a potent potential for this type of musical introspection. I don’t know how else to describe it but as an experience. Seat belts recommended.

…a perfect example of Bat For Lashes’ sound; she uses natural, organic-sounding instruments to create a beautiful but decidedly unearthly sound. Khan describes her “musical landscape” as one that melds “ancient and modern, dark and night.” She tries to create layers of noise and lush sounds, but admits to the emotional intensity of her music. “The type of music we giving out is quite spiritual,” Khan told HIP Video. “It doesn’t come across well if you’re feeling bad about yourself.”

Looking at past material like Hutch and Kathy and Urban Legends I can’t help but feel that this current Thermals sound is the purest they’ve been. The Thermals may have started out as a fun project to make music, but the current direction seems to hold what I’ve loved while moving in what direction Hutch and Kathy seem most comfortable with.

So goes the conventional wisdom in indie rock circles. Band forms, Band makes record, Band gains loyal following of hardcore fans. Band gets bored, Band begins to evolve their sound, hardcore fans scream bloody murder, sellout, etc. It’s a tiresome cliché, and not just because it’s asinine to expect hyper-creative people like musicians to keep churning out the same thing year after year. Some of the greatest pop music has been born out of such experimentation.

Foot-tapping percussion and equally catchy (yet simple) melodies have always driven their infectious brand of pop. It’s what makes this kind of music enjoyable; the saddest lyrics in the world can put a smile on your face if you’re dancing along.

The dichotomy of sounds makes Bromst a bit more inviting for listeners without it being entirely accessible. And with the introduction to more organic instruments, this does not necessarily make this record more mature or sophisticated. If anything, it seems a tad easier to be more appreciative of what Dan Deacon is truly capable of.

While The Wrens have been active in the recording industry for some years now, The Meadowlands offered my first taste of the Secaucus, NJ-based band. Purchased used on a whim, I was pleasantly surprised by the offerings contained within.

Fame and success affect everyone differently. For many an MC, a smash debut album is celebrated by cruising through their hood in a brand new Lamborghini, à la Young Jeezy. Others might buy mama her dream[...]

All things considered, there really is nothing surprising about The Hazards of Love, the newest release from Portland, Oregon’s The Decemberists. Colin Meloy has been singing about rakes and rastabouts, corn crakes, villains[...]

The first 37 seconds of the title track on Limbs third album, Seeds on a Stone, evokes a feeling of good things to come. The choppy and abstract drums, along with the heavy bass line [...]

Since OK Computer they’ve always been on the cutting edge with recording and more importantly always pushing what instruments can do and sound. Of course bands have been doing this forever like The VU et all. Radiohead manage to combine the artistic ideas with the fundamentals of rock and roll. This is what really makes In Rainbows stand out on this album. If the true progression of RH started with The Bends then OK Computer marked the pinnacle of these ideas. Each of those albums broke free from what people expected while expanding on the best aspects. Kid A and Amnesiac grasp the listener more emotionally and experimentally. The real start of progression and the biggest test was Hail to the Thief. An ambitious album that told the world they were here to stay. Regardless of the albums, this is where the politics affect In Rainbows. After waiting since 2003 for a new album the direction is so unclear. Thankfully In Rainbows really plays off Hail to the Thief and takes it on a more courageous move for the band. It’s great rock and roll and from side one to four and it never fails to still be creative and innovative…

the band has found what they are good at and have now perfected their art…

If you ask me the perfect recipe for a good band is pretty basic. Take a guitar player or two add a bas player and a drummer then top it off with some smooth vocals. If you want a really good band take the same recipe and add some sex appeal. If you want an awesome band put Jenny Lewis in front of the guys and enjoy your well made band and the just desserts to follow…

Interpol
Our Love To Admire
Rating: 5.0
Label: Capitol
For fans of: Depeche Mode, Joy Division, Editors

So I just listened to the new album from Interpol, Our Love to Admire, for the fourth time through and I get the feeling I just licked a half dead nine volt battery from an RC car I got when I [...]

Stars has a new album under their wing for an Arts&Crafts September release, In Our Bedroom After the War. The first preposition in the album title “In Our Bedroom” is an almost-perfect representation of the record’s entirety.