★★★1/2
If Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Devandra Banhart, and Lavender Diamond came together to create a musical baby (album), out would come the Bowerbirds’ third album, The Clearing. The trio’s latest album packs a much greater punch than their first two in terms of instrumentation and lyrical quality. The Clearing, however, sounds much more like an album produced by an indie-rock band rather than a freaky-folk band, like Bowerbirds. Read More »
Concert:★★★★1/2
Album: ★★★★1/2
When I first heard of the Icelandic band, Of Monsters and Men, the first thing I thought of was John Steinbeck’s book, Of Mice and Men, followed immediately by the thought of a group sitting somewhere in a cave with fur coats on. I’m not sure why the latter came into mind. The band released their first album, My Head is An Animal, on April 3rd, and I had the pleasure of seeing them live the night before at Black Cat. The debut album is absolutely amazing and personally reminds me of a weird mix between Arcade Fire and The Head and the Heart, except happier (sort of).
Let’s blame it on the ambition. No, actually, lets blame it on the ambition.
It’s been four years since Delta Spirit’s debut album, Ode to Sunshine, dropped in 2008. But now, Matt Vasquez and his crew of three have come back with a rip-roaring self-titled third studio album. And Delta Spirit doesn’t pull its punches concerning the sound they’re trying to achieve and audience to whom they’re appealing. I daresay it’s an overzealous effort by the band: rather its an excited ambition that fuels their musical souls, and rightfully so.
Put on your headphones; it’s time to listen to Lucky Dragons. Existers, the latest effort from duo Luke Fischbeck and Sarah Rara, can be heard any which way, but the album benefits immensely from the space and texture that a pair of headphones can afford. On headphones, you can almost feel the notes pinch you, as the album opens with an otherworldly pulsation of clicks, whirs and delicate synths that will have your mind glued to its seat. Forget structure. Forget lyrics. Simply appreciate the subtle, haphazard somethings that populate your ears. Read More »
Paste hates it, Pitchfork loves it; Sleigh Bells’ second album, Reign of Terror, has generated a viral debate almost as virulent as the argument over the availability of contraception on Georgetown’s Jesuit campus. Though Rush Limbaugh hasn’t gotten involved (yet), it is safe to say that, if nothing else, the polarizing effect has successfully generated a fair amount of press. Read More »
If you’re looking for some good dance music, you’ve come to the right place. The Knock’s new EP, “Magic,” consists of six songs designed for the sole purpose of getting you up and moving. Admittedly, the first time I heard The Knocks was at 11 pm on a Thursday night at U Street Music Hall so obviously I thought they were great. But, even outside of such a setting, their new EP is enjoyable.
In Be The Void, Philadelphia band Dr. Dog is back with more of their catchy, rhythmic rock. This album is mostly in line with their previous six releases, but at points it becomes a little more raucous, a little more raw. The lo-fi quality is not a step backwards by any means, though.
Everywhere you turn, it seems like an old movie or TV series is getting the remake treatment. This often gets fans of the originals up in arms, and the product can easily become an uninspired retread, where no new life is put into the work. Rodrigo y Gabriela could have fallen into this trap with their newest album Area 52, in which they reinterpret several songs from their previous albums. Fortunately, they’ve managed to come out with an album that separates itself from their early work while, for the most part, maintaining their personal sound.
