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pickpocket
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SVE > Sleigh Bells, but I do think Tramp is a bit stuffy and hope she loses that so-serious production on her next album.
Didn’t even know there was a recent Shackleton release. Thanks!
Thanks for indicating that the Lemonade album is online. I’ve been very excited to hear it due to its singles being absolutely cuckoo good. I think the Chairlift album is great but ultimately disposable like a lot of the music on this list. (I love a lot of the Frankie Rose album too, but there’s something about it that screams “ephemeral.”)
I think the Magnetic Fields record got an undeservedly bad rap. I know it’s not on the same level as Merritt’s best work, but that’s only in terms of emotional effect. It’s easy to hear how he can probably write these songs in his sleep, and people tend to forget that that in itself is commendable. Every song on that album is catchy and memorable, just lacking the depth that we’d want from Merritt.
Oh, and it’s insane that no one on staff thought to mention Burial, Perfume Genius, Here We Go Magic, Royal Headache, or Lower Dens. The Shins’ album also has a lot of staying power for me, and I was in no way prepared to enjoy that one.
Personally I think the new BH album sounds more derivative of older stuff like Cocteau Twins and Kate Bush than Teen Dream did. There are a number of killer songs on the album, but overall it doesn’t feel very groundbreaking. Just my opinion.
Vest Coast
Thanks, I did. And I know it’s not a big deal, it’s just annoying that some people use downvotes merely to disagree on this site. It makes things really antagonistic.
Downvoted for making a slight criticism about a band I really love, awesome. What a great community.
Not feeling Pecknold’s vocals here. They’re unmistakeable, and feel like an intrusion. I’m looking forward to this album, though, “Heaven” definitely being the most promising track so far.
The vocals are not hard to hear. If you want to know what she’s saying, you can consult the lyrics sheet that comes with the record.
You complained above about LD missing choruses, and I think this shows you fundamentally misunderstand the band. Beach House are great at writing tightly structured melodic pop songs. That isn’t what Lower Dens are trying to do at all. It’s easy to criticize a band for failing to meet goals they’re not reaching for, but, um what’s the point?
Most of my references are to their first album, since I haven’t spent much time with the new one, but if you want to talk about surprises, THM is full of them. The songs are uniformly hard to predict, which I think is why the album didn’t catch on as much as other things (just listen to the last minute of the first song on that album, for god’ sake). And with Lower Dens, we find a new album that is a huge change-up from their earlier efforts, while Beach House are spending this term coasting on their successful formula (not to take anything away from that formula, it’s really great).
Oh my god, stop comparing Lower Dens to Beach House. Tonally, there is a lot of distance between these bands. If you’ve listened to Twin Hand Movement, you know the comparison is lazy, even if the new album is a bit more ambient and dreamy.
Lower Dens non-threatening. That’s pretty funny.
Blouse/ Craft Spells 7″ of The Wake covers sounds good.
Great comment, man.
There’s no denying the immediate hook of “Know Me.” The rest of the album will take a few listens to figure out whether it’s a memorable work. I do definitely like the Arthur Russell-mode cello loop on the closing track.
I prefer Lorn’s Nothing Else. Idiotic.
If you’re referring to his performances of songs from MBDTF, then no one remembers because they weren’t awful at all.
no
I think you’re absolutely wrong about the Girls album, and I like Bon Iver too, but overall your list puts Stereogum’s to shame, and it certainly doesn’t deserve all these downvotes.
Much better.
Superb album. Best garage of the year I think.
I like how confident this young band seems. They’ve made a super-laid back and understated album when people are probably expecting a massive debut. I’ll admit it doesn’t deliver as many thrills as the briefer Color Your Life, but I also think I’ll be spending a lot of time with it. Good vibe.
I kind of agree with you. It’s iffy, but I think overall she handles it with restraint and a good feel.
///p.s., whoever felt the need to downvote me, let me give you something that might actually merit a downvote: (I am doing something you can’t see but is very vulgar.)
Todd Terje – It’s the Arps
Julio Bashmore – Everyone Needs a Theme Tune
Craft Spells – Gallery (OK, this band is only repeating itself, but they’re still catchy tunes.)