Wednesday, January 02, 2013

Stars - "The Theory of Relativity"

Stars - "The Theory of Relativity": "Happy new year, everyone! Get the year started off right with this bouncy number. There's some obvious Human League homage with the intro keyboards, before moving into some sharp lyrics from singer Torquil. A good blend of musical nods to the past with lyrics clearly in the present. It's kind of funny to think I started listening to these guys almost thirteen years ago (yipes!), but glad they're continuing to deliver."

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Father John Misty - "Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings"

Father John Misty - "Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings": "Much like Crooked Fingers' "Bad Blood" before it, it's a bitter, sad and raw rock stomp that I can't stop listening to. It comes in a strange, unique record that perplexes and intrigues me - and, while I learn to love the rest of the album in its own peculiar way, this is the sour jewel that I keep coming back to."

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

I Break Horses - "Wired"

I Break Horses - "Wired": "A cool female vocal leads a track that starts out as crisp British new wave, but eventually tilts into increasingly woozy shoegaze, to the point that the song's speed and key start to fray by the song's end. A nice blend of influences that keep the track from being rote tribute."

Monday, April 30, 2012

Crooked Fingers - "Bad Blood"

Crooked Fingers - "Bad Blood": "It's a simple, streamlined, rootsy stomp with a good, dark rock edge, all of which let the song itself shine."

Monday, April 09, 2012

Red Aunts - "Rollerderby Queen"

Red Aunts - "Rollerderby Queen": "This was the first Red Aunts song I ever heard and I was immediately won over by their bad-assness. The song starts off slow and then kicks up the pace - going nice and rough, like a punk spin on Tina's 'Proud Mary'. These ladies want loving but they also want you to stay out of their way, so watch out."

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Hospitality - "Friends of Friends"

Hospitality - "Friends of Friends": "She's your downtown friend that may sometimes be a bit too artfully playful just for attention, but ultimately you always have a good time and you realize that you're glad that you're friends...which is a doubly appropriate description of this song."

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Tanlines - "Green Grass"

Tanlines - "Green Grass": "A modern take on new wave, even if you could still use it for a montage soundtrack in an 80s movie."