Spencer Hensel
Dan Melchior und Das Menace – Thankyou Very Much
In a world in which attention spans are dwindling, something must be said of the independent prolific artist. For mainstream musicians, the ability to frequently produce material is coveted, but also expected. In recent years, where lines between indie and pop are becoming increasingly blurred, and trendy authorities such as Pitchfork place such an emphasis [...]
The Horrors – Primary Colours
It is, and has been for awhile now, the height of indie fashion to capitalize on a certain romanticized new wave nostalgia. In some cases (TV on the Radio, Bat for Lashes), it results in fresh and exciting sonic explorations. In others, it is derivative and boring, and has us wondering why we haven’t progressed [...]
Grand Duchy
Part 2 Spencer Hensel and Patrick Ryan chatting with Grand Duchy about their album Petits Fours. Interview was done via Skype.
Pogo
Last year, a vividly imagined musical collage composed primarily of sounds from the classic Disney adaptation of Alice In Wonderland became a considerable YouTube sensation. The song is known simply as “Alice”, and features a similarly spliced and equally entrancing visual supplement. Since its original posting in July of 2007, the video has garnered more [...]
Doves – Kingdom Of Rust
Brit-pop lullaby rockers Doves offer their latest – a critically favored piece that revels in minimal composition and big production. These guys are no strangers to the indie rock scene; The band has released four LPs since their full length debut in 2000. In 9 years they have been subjects of near universal critical praise, [...]
Phantogram – Mouthful Of Diamonds
Opening track from the band’s newly released eponymous EP is destined to make waves in the indie music circuit. Complete with electro squeaks, hip hop beats, airy guitar, and the lovely, magnetizing voice of Sarah Barthel, it is both accessible and inescapably modern. Hipsters, take notice. Download: Phantogram – Moutful Of Diamonds
Grand Duchy – Petits Fours
Hubby/wife duo Black Francis and Violet Clark combine forces for Petits Fours – a playful exploration of the couple’s odd, but remarkably fitting musical dynamic. From Black, fans can expect a much welcome return to the primal absurdity of the Pixies. With the addition of Clark, we have decidedly more delicate new-wave elements weaved into [...]
The Thermals – Now We Can See
The Thermals’ 2006 apocalyptic epic The Body, The Blood, The Machine was a triumph of minimalism – rock music at its most primal and basic, with memorable tunes and a tightly framed underlying concept. Quite frankly, given the band’s previous material – it was unprecedented. I will not deny the infectiousness and energy of More [...]
Pomegranates – Everybody Come Outside
Self-professed “art pop denizens” Pomegranates, along with contemporaries Sufjan Stevens and Page France, are yet another addition to the ever-increasing list of indie-tinged Christian pop acts. They share a similar wide-eyed musical aesthetic, and while not as consistently engaging as the aforementioned artists, are continuing to stretch in terms of conceptual and thematic ambition. Though [...]
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz!
In 2002, it took an EP and a handful of live recordings for me to believe the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were one of the best bands in the world. I was, admittedly, smitten by the NYC rock scene at the time, and as such, found the sultry-cum-raucous delivery of frontwoman Karen O absolutely irresistible. To [...]
