Review: Los Campesinos – Romance is Boring
Los Campesinos may think romance is boring but the album is anything but. The seven piece band gives us a wild ride of indie pop mixed with electronics and unique sounds. Romance is Boring is full of highs and lows, the fun and upbeat and the darker, more serious tunes. “In Media Res” begins this joy ride, starting off softly, building speed, and plateauing in a beautiful symphony. The opening song often defines an album and this song showcases their unique blend —somewhat erratic but it all makes sense. It’s impossible to figure out where their songs are headed but it’s what holds your interest. It’s what makes you want to keep listening.
A drum beat and unforgettable vocals dominate “A Heat Rash in the Shape of the Show Me State…” All other instruments are secondary but of course, just as essential. Pianos, violins, and saxophones all make an appearance in the song, revealing this band’s complexity. Although Los Campesinos can seem very young because of their convivial style, their music is well thought out and detailed. “Plan A” feels like it belongs in a horror movie. Eerie scratching guitars and frightened singing make up the verses. Electronics in dissonance add to this troubling tune. But the choruses liven up turning the song into something more enjoyable for our fragile ears. There are so many sounds and vocals and instruments flooding each song on Romance is Boring but Los Campesinos somehow keep the chaos organized. They don’t have catchy hooks and they don’t follow any formulas, but somehow these turbulent melodies still manage to pull you in.
Review: The Magnetic Fields – Realism
This album is somewhat diverse in it’s lyrics and subject matter. At some times humorous and others serious. Some of the humor becomes a little too cute for my personal taste (ex. We Are Having A Hootenanny, The Dolls’ Tea Party, Everything Is One Big Christmas Tree. I think the titles say it all). The recording and production are great. Although, I could have done without the toy piano that seems to find its way onto every Indie album these days. The hammered dulcimer was an excellent choice, however. As well as the autoharp. There are no drums, really. I’m a drummer and it was still able to keep me interested, though. The songs are mostly childish or whimsical, so it’s hard for me to take this album too seriously. Although it does work very well for “Walk A Lonely Road” which is an absolute gem. It also makes many of the songs and the album itself memorable. Overall, I would say the album is good and offers something interesting.
Review: Eight Legs – Best Of Me
Rakes conducted by Ray Davies is how the feral post-mod/indie Sam Jolly fronted quartet continues to seek to gather momentum, through edgy and anxious single ‘Best Of Me’. Twining guitars spike the dialogue edged vocals, finished off with the sturdy percussion combinations of Jack Garside. Bemusement and ambivalence seeps out to capture that feeling of emptiness that engulfs us all at some point in our lives.
Sub-three minute B-side, ‘I Understand’, is a lo-fi hovering ambient trampling percussion tilted sojourn that bears out thoughtfulness and mood instilling ability. Eight Legs have made another step towards crawling into the imagination of the off-kilter aficionados.
News: Truck America announces first band, details
The first ever TRUCK America Festival is thrilled to present a special appearance from upstate NY legends MERCURY REV! The three day, 1000 capacity gathering at the Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, NY on April 30 – May 2nd 2010 the weekend tickets will only run $120 per ticket. I really want to go to this. It should be a special weekend.