Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Lake - Lake (2006)


I met this wonderful group of people when I opened for them at the Radio Bean in Burlington, VT in November of 2006. Hailing from Olympia, WA, they were so charming and pleasant and really put on a good show. This is their first full-length release, which I promptly bought as soon as their quaint little set was finished. Really a great album.

Lake (2006)

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Beach House - Devotion (2008)


Beach House's sophomore album. Just as beautiful as I had hoped... enough said.

Devotion (2008)

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen Mary (2005)


I love this album. I hadn't heard it until January of 2007, but it threw me for loop immediately. Dan Boeckner's voice echoes through the night while Spencer Krug's heavy keyboards and driving drums back him up perfectly. The song "Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts," has some of the best lyrics on the album:

"Well I've got a hand
So I've got a fist
So I've got a plan
It's the best that I can do
Now we say 'It's in god's hands'
But god doesn't always have the best god damn plans does he?"

Currently, the band is mixed with various other musical projects, most of which involve Boeckner's voice backed up by similar musician ship. Some of these other projects include Swan Lake, Sunset Rubdown, and Handsome Furs. Wolf Parade are currently finishing up their sophomore album, and have been playing songs off of it for some time now. It is expected to be finished sometime in the Spring of '08.

Apologies to the Queen Mary (2005)

Black Lips - Good Bad Not Evil (2007)


Black Lips are a rowdy alt-punk band from Atlanta, Georgia. After listening to this album for the first time, I couldn't help but notice a early Velvet Underground influence, full of the froth that hovered over NYC in the late 60's. These guys are known for their energy during their live shows, which include vomit, urination, nudity, band members kissing, and various other things.

The energy on this album is almost just as fresh as their celebrated live performance. The song "O, Katrina," asks the violent storm "why you gotta be so mean?" and sets up the rest of the album nicely. Grab a scotch and a fat one and listen to this album with an open mindset, because you will no undoubtedly be ready to go after the first listen.


Good Bad Not Evil (2007)

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Animal Collective - Feels (2005)


Then I talk to your breath and we enjoy the air and I creep on your chest to the hut I have where I pluck a few notes on the strands of your hair and I'm singing to you what to do if I'd ask you to make funny faces with me in the mirror of the bathroom..

Feels (2005)

Pete and the Pirates - Wait Stop Begin EP (2006)


Pete and the Pirates are comprised of the same lovely lads that make up my favorite right now Tap Tap from Reading, England. Thomas, who is essentially Tap Tap sings in the band while the other guys handle the musicianship. Though this is just one of their EPs, look for a full-length release soon on Stolen Recordings!

Wait Stop Begin EP (2006)

Monday, December 3, 2007

Swirlies - Blonder Tongue Audio Baton (1993)


Swirlies are a Boston based shoegaze rock band, who have been compared to My Bloody Valentine. They earned a reputation as "bad boys/girls" by the record industry for busting up numerous hotel rooms and causing generally havoc. Despite their late career bankruptcy, this album remains among the greatest of gems found in the rock achieves.

Blonder Tongue Audio Baton (1993)