Average Rating: 3.61 Rating Variance: 0.62 Objectivity Score: 73% (Fairly Balanced)
Sort by: Rating | Release Date | Rating Date | Name5.0 classicThe Forecast The Forecast4.5 superbCrime In Stereo I Was Trying to Describe You to SomeoneI Was Trying to Describe You to Someone marks quite the evolution for Crime in Stereo, but the change probably shouldn't be too surprising to the astute observer. The album finds the perfect balance of aggression and atmosphere, evoking shades of everyone from Sunny Day Real Estate, Engine Down, Dredg, recent Thrice, and most obviously, Devil and God-era Brand New. Punk purists will undoubtedly scoff, but this is the sound of a band that's experimenting, discovering, and still continuing to grow musically. Here, they reap handsome rewards for their ventures.Crooked Mountain, Crooked Sea I Watched It From the RoadsideEveryone Everywhere Everyone EverywhereLocal Natives Gorilla ManorLocal Natives must be a studious bunch, furiously taking notes over the last couple of years, as like-minded acts like Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear rose to prominence. Add a dash of The Dodos' angularity to the aforementioned bands' warm, pastoral rock, and you have the recipe for their hugely successful debut Gorilla Manor. Readily apparent influences notwithstanding, the album is simply too thoroughly enjoyable, memorable, and downright beautiful to be dismissed.The Henry Clay People Somewhere on the Golden CoastWild Orchid Children The Wild Orchid Children Are Alexander Supertramp4.0 excellentAnd So I Watch You From Afar The LettersInstrumental rockers that shouldn't be classified as post-rock, And So I Watch You From Afar deliver sixteen more minutes worth of what made their self-titled debut so awesome across four tightly succinct tracks. There's no need to wait through ten minutes of building for a ho-hum climax with these guys, who clearly think foreplay is overrated. Insistent rhythms, pounding drums and blazing guitar licks hit right from the get go, and for the most part, don't let up.Chatham County Line WildwoodFrontier(s) There Will Be No Miracles HereGun Outfit Dim LightHot Hot Heat Future BreedsRival Schools PedalsSambassadeur EuropeanIt's not likely that Camera Obscura will release an album in 2010, but with European, Sambassadeur have made me feel almost okay with that. While she's no Tracyanne Campbell, vocalist Anna Persson is still mighty smooth and sweet, and the Swedish quartet's shiny retro-pop is squarely in line with their counterparts from Scotland. While a bit cutesy, songs like standout track "Days" are as mellow and carefree as the blue-sky cruise depicted on the album cover.Scanners SubmarineWith Submarines, Scanners offer a fresh take on female-led post-punk popularized by the likes of Metric and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. "Baby Blue" adds a hazy AM Pop feel to their New Wave-y indie rock (along with a guitar line that remarkably similar to that of Minus the Bear's "Knights"), while "Sleepwalking Life" is alternatingly sweet and menacing, suggesting what Interpol might sound like if Paul Banks were replaced by a capable frontwoman. It may well end up being one of 2010's most overlooked releases.Shearwater The Golden ArchipelagoShearwater's sixth LP The Golden Archipelago comes close to matching the beauty and majesty of its picturesque cover art. The record's diversity might at times seem like it results from a lack of focus, but the band's ambitious, wide-ranging endeavors always prove rewarding. Rustling numbers like "Meridian", angular guitar workouts like "Corridors" and bipolar tunes like "Runners of the Sun", which exercises both the rhythmic and the breathlessly quiet sides of the band, fit together to form an (almost) seamless whole. Jonathan Meiburg's quavery falsetto is a beautiful instrument in itself, tying the loose pieces together.System and Station A Series of ScrewsThe Henry Clay People For Cheap or for FreeThe Henry Clay People Blacklist the Kid With the Red MoustacheTindersticks Falling Down a MountainTindersticks have cranked out yet another intimate yet brooding collection of chamber pop shuffles. Despite the silliness of a song like "Peanuts", their woozy tunes bleed beauty and sophistication, and though his baritone is wavering and fragile, Stuart Staples vocals supply a subtle presence, a quiet power at the helm. The occasional touch of grit (see "Black Smoke") provides some balance against the prevailing elegance. Falling Down a Mountain is a worthy entry into the extensive and consistent Tindersticks canon.3.5 greatBalmorhea ConstellationsBalmorhea's organic, classical-tinged instrumentals invoke a rare warmth, led by acoustic plucks, soft piano and silky strings. Constellations is a consistent effort, though certainly a bit one-dimensional. Though it is kind of the point, these sparse compositions are just a tad too precious and airy to carry much heft, making it a suitable soundtrack for studying or relaxed contemplation, but probably not worth revisiting often otherwise.Deer Tick The Black Dirt SessionsEfterklang Magic ChairsWith its lush orchestration draped over sweeping pop songs, Magic Chairs, Efterklang's first release on 4AD, reminds me a bit of Slaraffenland, though comparisons to Radiohead and The Velvet Teen wouldn't be far off the mark. Occasionally, the electronic textures and glitchy percussion bear similarities to a more vocal-centric Album Leaf. Overall, it's an enjoyable, and largely memorable, set of wispy indie-pop tunes.Home Video The Automatic ProcessKings of Leon Come Around SundownShout Out Louds Work"Work" is an odd title for a Shout Out Louds album. Their polished indie pop sounds so effortless, and listening to it is equally easy. However, with all its preciousness, it could have used another jaunty earworm or two like "Walls" and less Adult Contemporary radio-fodder like "Four by Four". Though it fails to be engaging or challenging (in any way at all, really), it's nonetheless a prime selection for light listening.The Brian Jonestown Massacre Who Killed Sgt. Pepper?Who Killed Sgt. Pepper offers a lot to digest, and some of it, like the 10-minute closer "Felt Tipped Pictures of UFOs" seem especially unnecessary, but it's hard not to be hypnotized by the druggy lo-fi buzz that pervades the album. The Brian Jonestown Massacre don't want you drifting off into reverie, though, as they punctuate the haze with muscular explosions not unlike A Place to Bury Strangers. I can see some considering this a murky mess, but those able to look past or enjoy the distortion will also find a melodic and deceptively addictive record.Zeus Say UsWith their debut release Say Us, Canadians Zeus draw influence from a melange of styles from days gone by, like the subtle twang of classic country and rockabilly on "River by the Garden", the organ swirls and fuzzy riffs of '60s British rock on "You Gotta Tell 'Er", and the sunny Beach Boys harmonies of "I Know". The record maintains a consistent charm throughout its duration, though it lacks any defining standout moments.3.0 goodAlkaline Trio This AddictionThis Addiction is a bit too homogeneous to be considered a real triumph, but it's still a palate-pleasing performance from these pop-punk purveyors. If you're compiling a soundtrack for your Warped Tour road trip, a catchy jam or two from this disc would fit in comfortably, but after thirteen tracks, it wears a little thin as a whole. Matt Skiba's trademark dark but upbeat ruminations shouldn't disappoint the Alkaline Trio faithful.Fang Island Fang IslandSargent House Records rarely disappoints these days. However, while it's not a bad release, Fang Island's new self-titled album fails to live up to expectations. Day of the Great Leap was a rare (and, as an EP, all too short) instrumental rock album that actually rocked, but this latest material adds sprightly vocals to most tracks, and though it evokes a celebratory vibe, it's ultimately forgettable and a bit too light ("Sideswiper" could have been the theme for an '80s sitcom). These guys have the potential to craft a truly stunning album that delivers heaping amounts of melody, technicality and force. Unfortunately, Fang Island is enjoyable but doesn't leave a lasting impression.High on Fire Snakes for the DivineSnakes for the Divine is another sludgy, crushing release from High on Fire. While there's some terrific, lightning-fast guitar work from Matt Pike and some machine-gun drumming by Des Kensel, there are songs like "Bastard Samurai" that wallow in the muck too long, interrupting the fury and continuity of the album. This style of heavy metal offers a lot for a wide-range of listeners to like, headbanger or not, but though this release is likable, it doesn't quite measure up to last year's output by genre powerhouses like Baroness and Mastodon.Holly Miranda The Magician's Private LibraryJealous Girlfriends vocalist Holly Miranda takes a break from her day job with this set of late-night ambient ballads. The Magician's Private Libarary smolders with a slow Cat Power-esque burn, but over the course of some of these rather long tracks, it falls prey to the type of languid torpor that often befalls albums that focus heavily on dreaminess while lacking a strong sense of melody.k-os Yes!Alt-rapper k-os has always exercised a fair bit of eclecticism in making records, and Yes! is certainly no different. Here, he borrows hooks from all across the musical spectrum, like the guitar line from Nirvana's "Love Buzz" ("Uptown Girl"), the piano melody from Phantom Planet's "California" ("I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman") and the chorus from Frida's "I Know Something's Going On" ("Eye Know Something"). It makes for a fun, familiar ride, but those looking for songs as original as his arrangements (filled with strings, horns and everything but the kitchen sink) will likely find it less than fulfilling.White Hills White HillsStrip Black Sabbath of almost all of their populism and toss in The Flying Saucer Attack's synthetic whooshes, and you pretty much have White Hills' formula. There's experimental spirit and guitar talent to spare on display on their latest self-titled album, out on Thrill Jockey, but this style of music gets the tag "stoner rock" for a reason. Drugs would undoubtedly make a full hour's worth of spacey noises and solos a whole lot more interesting than it actually is.2.5 averageJaga Jazzist One-Armed BanditJaga Jazzist's fourth Ninja Tune release, and first in nearly five years, One-Armed Bandit is a great example of indulgent song-lengths and displays of technical skill hampering an album's potential. While there are interesting moments like the title track and the multifaceted (and relatively short) "Prognissekongen", songs like "Toccata" seem drone on endlessly, blunting their impact. These Norwegians have proven that jazzy post-rock (or whatever you choose to call it) can be thoroughly engaging, but much of this release is simply too easy to tune out.2.0 poorThe Rocket Summer Of Men and AngelsBryce Avary, a.k.a. The Rocket Summer, has created a major-label pop-rock album in every sense of the term. He's made some legitimately soulful music in the past, but these glossy, formulaic piano-pop tunes seem to be stripped of any real feeling or passion. The lyrics are so relentlessly positive, it almost comes off sounding like empty, pseudo-uplifting kitsch. It's all dreadfully boring, even when compared with kindred spirits like We Shot the Moon. And do we really need fifteen such songs?1.5 very poorNew Politics New PoliticsXiu Xiu Dear God, I Hate MyselfDear God, I Hate Myself? Anyone forcing himself to endure the most pretentious drivel released so far in 2010 surely must. I'm all for tossing rhythm, chord and melody out the window if it's done in an artful and thoughtful manner. Much like their last album Women as Lovers, however, Xiu Xiu's latest is another unbearable and completely capricious cacophony.
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