May spreadsheet

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May 31st 2012

Sigur Rós- Valtari (2012)

****

This is very much Sigur Rós-doing what only they can do! Its a brilliant album, though from the first listen probably not as good as Takk or (). The swirling ambient electronic sounds really sit well with the more traditional acoustic sounds. The album lacks melody, there isn’t a stand out track. Its definitely an album that needs to be listened to in full to appreciate. This one will be grower compared to their previous albums that have songs that jump out right away.

My favourite track is the final piece Fjögur píanó, it sounds like an old music box chime. It sounds old fashioned but also timeless, I look forward to seeing them live again soon.

Link: Official site

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May 30th 2012

Ultravox – Brilliant (2012)

** Two stars

Its great when bands of another era come back and play live, its another thing to record a new album after all this time. Sadly Ultravox should have stayed out of the studio and stayed on the live stage, as this album is crap. The first track Live and the lead single Brilliant are the only two tracks I enjoyed. The rest of it is just overblown 80′s sounding drums, bombastic guitars with Midge’s tiresome clenched vocals with that trademark Ultravox piano, which sounds so old and samey its ridiculous, I thought it was never going to end! Avoid at all costs, stick to the best of collection.

Link: Official site

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May 29th 2012

Giles Reaves – Nothing is Lost (1988)

**** Four stars

Giles Reaves is a multi-instrumentalist/sound artist from the USA. Its a bit Vangelis meets Pink Floyd with echoes of the Cocteau Twins. Its a lovely dreamy space album, the electronics do sound very 80s at times on the record but I love it. Some of the textures used really took my breath away. Sad to read this album is now out of print, as is many of his other records as I would be interested in checking out more.

Link: Official site

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May 28th 2012

Wu LYF – Go Tell Fire to the Mountain (2011)

**** Four Stars

Was expecting great things from this record, and for the most part it does live up to the hype. The buzz surrounding this Manchester band seemed to put the impression that the music is fresh, when in truth its not. They were obviously influenced by bands such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor with the epic drawn out guitar instrumentals – post rock if you like. That said its still bloody good! 14 Crowns For Me And Your Friends is fantastic, I love how it segues into the final track Heavy Pop with its lovely simple piano intro. A band well worth keeping an eye out for in the future.

Link: Official site

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May 27th 2012

Gardens & Villa – Gardens & Villa (2011)

**** Four Stars

After Spotify’s last excellent recommendation of Future Islands last time out, I again went with them for another synth pop group this time from Santa Barbara. The record sounds much more sunnier, definitely got a California vibe going on. They don’t have a heavy European pop influence in their sound, which is quite refreshing. The sound is crystal clear, almost White Stripes meets Death Cab for Cutie. Make no mistake this is a synth pop record, but with some serious funk it would be unfair to label them as just another synth pop band as they have more going for them, fans of Death Cab would dig this I think. I look forward to their next album!

Link: Official site

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May 26th 2012

Future Islands – On The Water (2011)

***** Five Stars

Another synth pop group, this time from Baltimore, Maryland. These guys use a variety of acoustic instruments as well as the heavy use of synthesizers. They have a Broken Social Scene vibe on (Open) then they have a lovely delicate Krautrock sound on tracks such as Where I Found You. Its an eclectic mix, with a really wide open pallet of sounds on display. Give us the Wind sounds like Klaus Dinger was in the room whilst they were recording! It sounds a bit A-Ha,  but its beautiful.. really looking forward to checking out their other records.

Link: Official site

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May 25th 2012

Handsome Furs – Sound Kaptial (2011)

***** Five Stars

What a brilliant album. An edgy indie synth stramash. Not a duff track on here, really love the track Repatriated. The reviews state this album is influenced by 80s Eastern European synth pop, it could have quite easily come from Basildon too! The group consists of husband  & wife duo from Montreal Canada, signed to the legendary label Sub Pop. Whilst it has that classic 80s sound going on, its very contemporary. If you enjoy Depeche Mode you will love this album.

Link: Official site

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May 24th 2012

 

Paul Sullivan – Folk Art (1990)

*** Three Stars

Paul Sullivan is a Boston MA based pianist and composer. This album blends jazz with classical piano. Its a sombre album, mostly made up of solo piano with some nice touches of French Horn, Trumpet etc. Its an enjoyable listen, though I’m not so sure I’d be tempted to delve further into his work as its not really my thing usually.

Link: Official site

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May 23rd 2012

The Sound – Thunder Up (1987)

**** Four stars

The sound of Echo & The Bunnymen meets the vocals of Lloyd Cole. This is a nice album, I’m told its not their best but its the only one available on Spotify. They definitely sound like they come from the school of early 80s post-punk. I’m going through their best of now as I type this. The lack of a major break out single probably limited their audience/success. From this album I adore Hand of Love. The rest of the album jangles in all the right places, Prove Me Wrong especially. A hidden gem this.

Link: Adrian Borland official site

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May 22nd 2012

Billy Barber – Lighthouse (1986)

**** Four Stars

Billy Barber is a keyboardist/composer who was in the band Flim and the BBs and perhaps more famous for scoring a ton of tv/movie soundtracks. I didn’t know this before I listened, the disc was given to me by somebody at work. The first track Explorer is epic, it really is a euphoric synth at its best. The album from then on goes off into jazz, then some early techno! The album is a bit disjointed because of the different styles, but I love it. He’s done a great job fusing the contemporary synths with some more traditional jazz elements. If you enjoy 80s music you should dig this!

Link: Wiki

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May 21st 2012

Oregon – Oregen (1983)

**** Four stars

American jazz & world music/new age group, is the best way to describe Oregon. I was listening to this at work and a colleague said to me it sounds like a whale dying!! haha It does a little bit at times, but its not so morbid I don’t think. Reminded me allot of early Vangelis, lots 0f big synth sounds fuesed with more classical sounds. A lovely record, definitely not for anyone who isn’t willing to experiment with their music taste.

 

Link: Official site

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May 20th 2012

The The – Infected (1986)

*** Three stars

Reminds me a bit of The B52′s meets The Thompson Twins! Funky loud pop songs, it all sounds very 1980s. Time has not been too kind to this album,the drumming sounds really cheesy now and the production just sounds outdated. That said its a good listen.

Link: Official site

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May 19th 2012

Beirut – The Rip Tide (2011)

*** Three stars

A typical American indie pop album, lovely melodies but nothing earth shattering really. Santa Fe stuck out as the highlight, otherwise I cant think much more to say about this one!

Link: Official site

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May 18th 2012

Wooden Shjips – West (2011)

***** Five Stars

Blistering psychedelic rock album, along the lines of Neu! meets The Doors. This album rocks something silly, its a hugely enjoyable listen. The vocals sit nice with the juggernaut space music thats given plenty time to breath with some wicked grooves behind it. When’s the next album out?!

Link: Official site

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May 17th 2012

Cream – Strangebrew: The Very Best of Cream(1983)

**** Four stars

My first taste of cream, probably wont be the last! Brilliant psychedelic’s rock from these British legends. No single track stuck out, I thoroughly enjoyed the album flow, it was ell put together with both studio & live tracks. A great introduction I think, now need to check out their studio albums!

Link: Official website (a bit outdated!)

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May 16th 2012

The Alabama Shakes (2012)

***** Five Stars

This album is a beast! Roots rock, classic rock, funk, soul and country is all in the mix here. Along with some of the best bass you will hear in a long time! Hold On is just an instant hit and will rightly go down as one of the more memorable singles of 2012. Hang Loose which has a LCD Soundsystem vibe going on is equally as good and is probably my favourite track, One of the best albums of 2012, certainly one of the best debut albums I have heard in a long time. A great album, what are you waiting for give it a spin….

Link: Official site

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May 15th 2012

The Band – The Best Of (1976)

** Two stars

Music for hillbillies! Sorry I just couldn’t get into this at all, ist not quiteone star bad, two stars as the music is good just not my taste at all sorry. Moving on..

Link: Official site

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May 14th 2012

Town & Country – Up Above (2006)

**** Four stars

I knew nothing about this band going into this, it went sent to me via a mate so I dutifully put it the ipod.. This is a great album, its almost folk post-rock.. to be honest I was thinking the album was from the late 90s! Though it doesn’t sound that at all, I know that doesn’t make sense but whatever. This is a beautifully put together album, think the vibe of Fairport Convention with the sound of Godspeed You! Black Emperor without electric guitars, as everything here is acoustic instruments. Sad to hear this band are no more, especially so as they are local to me here in Chicago. Be interested to find out what the band member are upto now..

Link: Label site

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May 13th 2012

George Harrison – All Things Must Pass (1970)

***** Five stars

I’m not the biggest Beatles fan, so I went into listening to this album not expecting a great deal. Holy crap, how wrong could I be?! This album is fantastic and probably is my favourite solo Beatles record just on the strength of one play. This album has everything, great singles, lovely folk, psychedelic rock its all here. All Things Must Pass a song I did know previously is still probably one of the best songs ever written.

Its a long album, but there is not a duff track on here. I look forward to checking out more George solo lps!

Link: Official website

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May 12th 2012

Andrew Bird – Bliss (2012)

**** Four Stars

Ok I listened to this album on Spotify thinking it was the American Andrew Bird, when in fact its not, this guy is British! This is a moving album, almost has a film soundtrack quality to it, with lots of acoustic instrumentation mixed with lovely electronic touches. Its ambient electronic folk I guess? Its an epic chill out album, well worth a listen. Later this week I will listen to the other Andrew Bird!

Link: Soundcloud

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May 11th 2012

Eight and a Half – Eight and a Half (2012)

***** Five stars

Ok another Broken Social Scene side project, or so I thought! Its actually the BSS drummer with ex members from the Stills. This is a great albu, brilliantly put together. Its essentially Canadian indie rock with some electro-synth sounds. It does remind me of Broken Social Scene, but maybe more experimental than they ever got after the first album. This album is a trip, that flows beautifully. Its an unexpected delight to be honest, if you enjoy Broken Social Scene then I would suggest you give this a try!

Link: Official website

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May 10th 2012

Still Blue Still Turning – Hurricanes (2012)

**Two stars

I love ambient experimental music, but this album is just tear gas. I cant tell you how I was looking forward to the end of this record as the same note played after 9 minutes. Its good stuff at times, the Troy Davis tracks are beautiful pieces, as is Motherwell which is just the most sombre epic piece. Anyways on to the next..

Link: Bandcamp

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May 9th 2012

The Trash Can Sinatras – Cake (1990)

**** Four Stars

Sweet melodic pop with a Scottish twist! Love the harmonies, but the song writing skills on here showcases what a brilliant band this is. Loved the singles, but this is my first go at a full album. It wont be my last, this is a brilliant album. Reminds me a bit of The Blue Nile meets the Smiths.

Link: Official website

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May 8th 2012

Mohn – Mohn (2012)

*** Three Stars

Mohn are Jörg Burger and Wolfgang Voigt. Leftfield krautrock, atmospheric ambient album, with hints of slow beat techno. Its intriguing, though kind of sounds a bit stagnant after 30 minutes. Its a nice electronic album in parts, but I probably wouldn’t bother with anything these guys have done before.

Link: Label site

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May 7th 2012

Keane – Strangeland (2012)

*** Three stars

I have a love/hate thing with Keane, they can be brilliant but also equally bloody boring! This album doesn’t change that for me, some great tracks on here, especially the first half. Some lovely hooks, with nice use of some old synths. Then the boring drivel comes out in force for the second half, someone described their music as being ‘music for bedwetters!’ I can’t argue with that sorry. The style is as you’d expect from Keane. Lush melodies, with nice keys. Not bad stuff, just wish they would mix it up a bit.

Link: Official site

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May 6th 2012

The Ocean Blue – The Ocean Blue (1989)

***** Five stars

What a brilliant album, reminds me allot of The Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen & the evocative sound of the Waterboys, The vocalist even sounds a bit like Morrissey! They have that jangly anthemic guitar thing going on with lovely touches of synths for good measure. Whats the biggest shock is that this is an American band! They sound like they were right out of Manchester.

This is a great melodic guitar record, anyone who enjoys the Bunnymen and the likes should enjoy this record straight out of college indie FM 1989!

Link: Official website

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May 5th 2012

 

The Joy Formidable – A Balloon Called Moaning

**** Four Stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this album, its synth heavy feused with some rocking guitar works with awesome female vocals. I can’t quite put my finger on what it reminds me of which is probably a good thing. Maybe Metric meets the Killers? Certainly much better than the Killers thats for sure! A great record.

Link: Official site

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May 4th 2012

Neil Halstead – Sleeping on Roads (2001)

***** Five Stars

Ok I loved yesterday’s album so much I had to check out one of the Slowdive member solo albums. This solo debut by Neil Halstead is a very intimate piece of work. Lots of varying electronic effects on some of the tracks, on others its just Neil with a acoustic guitar and piano. Its beautiful stuff and a world away from the Slowdive stuff I listened to. But this album is every much just as good as that Slowdive debut. A great songwriters album this, well worth spending time with.

Link: Official website

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May 3rd 2012

Slowdive – Just for a Day (1991)

***** Five Stars

A now defunct shoegaze band from Reading England. This is awe-inspring shoegaze with some heavy dream pop thrown in too. Think Cocteau Twins, this album must be listened to from start to finish. If the track ‘Waves’ doesn’t send you on a hypnotic trip nothing will. A sensational album, again another band who’s back catalog I need to investigate further, that’s the beauty of doing this challenge.

Link: Fansite

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May 2nd 2012

The Hidden Cameras – Origin:Orphan (2009)

**** Four stars

The sound of an artist maturing! I enjoyed early Hidden Cameras material, though the output was patchy at times. Here is an album, where Hidden Cameras Joel Gibb seems to know what direction the album is going in. Lots of atmospheric drone music meets Joel’s catchy beats and clever lyrics. A band back on my radar, an album well worth checking out. Check out the earlier single AWOO, just a brilliant pop tune that deserved more attention at the time.

Link: Official website

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May 1st 2012

Au – Both Lights (2012)

***** Five Stars

Luke Wyland is the multi-instrumentalist behind Portland, Oregon experimental pop group AU. This album is truly a masterpiece! Afrobeat, jazz, art-pop fused experimental soundscapes that flow beautifully. I can’t think of any other artist that does anything quite like this. Favourite tracks are The Veil and the quite brilliant Today/Tonight.

Really looking forward to checking out his earlier material!

Link: Official website

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