Saturday, June 26, 2010

DEASTRO'S MIND ALTARS WITH NEW EP

After completing last year's spacey triumph, Moondagger Deastro (Randolph Chabot) wrote and recorded himself into a frenzy, and now we have the fruit of that labour with his new album length EP Mind Altar. Released originally through his website on cassette and free downloads, it now comes remastered and repackaged with three bonus tracks. Moving on a slightly different tangent Mind Altar is a murky mysterious collection of eleven works which have the indie world sitting up and taking notice again of the young Detroit based artist. Having written hundreds of tracks by the time he was 17, this is one guy who wants to make a difference. Check out two tracks for yourself below, right click to download and enjoy the ride. 

Get Frostied

Deastro (USA)

From the EP, "Mind Altar', Ghostly International

Download here @ Ghostly International

Mowgli The Lynx

Deastro (USA)

From the EP, "Mind Altar', Ghostly International

Download here @ Ghostly International

Track listing

Saturday, June 26, 2010

TRACING THE MYSTERIOUS KAFUKA

There is little information around of Japanese experimental electronic artist Kafuka. However, having just featured in the Music Alliance Pact's monthly list that will in all probability change. What we do know however is that his new track 'Tracer', is a seven minute dose of ambient electronic wonder. A masterful use of melodic guitar chords amidst broken beats, washed out synth, loops and percussion with the off added stilted vocal sample make for an impressive package. Download Tracer at the link below and check out the accompanying video.

Tracer

Kafuka (JAP)

Yet to be released

Download here @ Podshower

Kafuka myspace

Friday, June 26, 2010

OH MY GOD!!! ARE BACK WITH NEW ALBUM

The Brooklyn based groove sextet with the immediately unpronounceable name, !!! are back after somewhat of an extended hiatus. Having wowed listeners and audiences alike across the globe with their last offering Myth Takes in 2007, their new album and fourth, Strange Weather, Isn't It? is set to hit the stores and the digital ether on August 24 in the US and a day earlier in the rest of the world. Recorded in California, New York as well as Berlin, the band took a great deal out of the experience in the latter city stating that 'every band has their Berlin record'. The first track to hit the internet is the familiar sounding, 'AMFM', a track that would have been very much at home on their last offering. Check out the link to download it for free below. !!! begin a short tour of Europe, the US, Canada and Japan to showcase the new tracks in readiness for a full tour once the album is released. Dates are here.

AMFM

!!! (USA)

From the forthcoming album, 'Strange Weather, Isn't It', Warp Records.

Download here @ The Music Slut

Thursday, June 25, 2010

THIS WEEKS RELEASES: BATHS, STARS, NINA NASTASIA

This week sees the release of our feature album, the brilliant electro mash up emotion of Baths (Will Wiesenfeld) debut album Cerulean, out on the Anticon label. Some blogs are saying July 6 but we'll go with Largehearted Boy and KEXP. Look out for our review over the next few weeks. Baths are joined by Canadian indie electro rockers Stars with their album, The Five Ghosts. Nina Nastasia is back with Outlaster, the long awaited follow up, to her 2006 effort, On Leaving which was her first for Fat Cat, who are also on board for this effort. Deastro made quite a splash last year with his album, Moondagger which featured in Indie30's Top 30 Albums of 2009. He's back with an EP called Mind Alter to tide us over until the next long player. Lastly, Los Angeles melodic pop/rock five piece Seasons finally got their EP, Seasons, out to the world, tracks from which started appearing on blogs as demos way back in December last year. Download a track from each of these releases below.

Bloodflow

Baths (USA)

From the album, 'Cerulean', Anticon.

Download here @ audiomuffin

Dead Hearts

Stars (CAN)

From the album, 'The Five Ghosts', Vagrant.

Download here @ The Music Ninja

What's Out There

Nina Nastasia (USA)

From the album, 'Outlaster', Fat Cat Records.

Download here @ The Wheel's Still Spinning

Get Frostied

Deastro (USA)

From the EP, 'Mind Altar', Ghostly International

Download here

...Of Our Discontent

Seasons (USA)

From the EP, 'Winter EP', Unsigned

Download here @ Largehearted Boy

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

AMAYA LAUCIRICA TO RELEASE SECOND ALBUM IN SEPTEMBER

Last week saw the release of the first offerings off the forthcoming second album, Early Summer from Melbourne based singer/songwriter Amaya Laucirica. The double A sided single, 'The World Can Make You Happy' and 'Climb Up High' has been timed to coincide nicely with her support of the upcoming Australian tour by former Screaming Trees frontman and now prominent solo artist, Mark Lanegan and put together they should generate keen interest in the album. Due to see the light of day on the 6th September through Departed Sounds, Early Summer was recorded in Melbourne last year at Atlantis Studios by Dave McCluney, who has done work with Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds and The Drones among others and mixed at Grace Studios in New York by veteran producer Victor Van Guyt (Beth Orton, Fischerspooner, Sons And Daughters, Emma Pollock and Voxtrot).

The two tracks on the double a side provide an insight into the great promise Laucirica has been threatening to unleash since her debut, Sugar Lights in 2008. 'The World Can Make You Happy' has an dense, atmospheric and almost hypnotic feel to it, while 'Climb Up High' is a slow burning number made resplendent by the lasting harmonies contained in the wordless chorus. Check out a stream of both tracks below as well as the track list for the album. For tour dates, see yesterday's 'Whip Around', also below.

Tracklisting

1. Most Times I Feel Alright
2. This World Can Make You Happy
3. Climb Up High
4. When I Think Of All The Places
5. Sun On My Face
6. Sleeping In The Shadow
7. I Am Searching
8. Anywhere She Went
9. Marry Me
10. It's So Wrong

This World Can Make You Happy/

Climb Up High

Amaya Laucirica (AUS)

From the forthcoming album, 'Early Summer', Departed Sounds. Out in Australia on Sept 6.

Stream here

Monday, June 21, 2010

MONDAY WHIP AROUND - VOL 1 : NO 5

FIRST FILM RELEASE BY INDIE LABEL JAGJAGUWAR PREMIERS IN BROOKLYN

Jagjaguwar are hosting a free premier of their first feature film project, R. Alverson's 'The Builder' at Brooklyn's Zebulon on July 7. Featuring unreleased music by Bon Iver, Pan American, Spokane, Robert Donne, Califone, Luke Temple, Sam Amidon and Sharon Van Etten (who will be performing her contribution at the event) the 'foundtrack' will have an ambient indie feel to match the introspective and existential nature of the film. You can check out MP3s from 'The Builder' at the Jagjaguwar website here. 

DAVID VANDERVELDE TOURING WITH BLACK MOUNTAIN AND DELTA SPIRIT

Michigan's David Vandervelde will be touring across the U.S. for the next two months in support of new material to be found on the EP 'Summer Time Hits'. Check out his glam-pop stylings live along with Black Mountain late June and Delta Spirit in July. You can pick up a limited edition 12" at one of the gigs or from Secretly Canadian's website. Full tour dates here.

SWEET SONGSTRESS AMAYA LAUCIRICA TOURING AUSTRALIA 

Aussie singer-songwriter Amaya Laucirica will be touring the cities of Australia early July with Mark Lanegan, offering a perview of songs of her forthcoming album, 'Early Summer'. With music described as having 'rawness, hope and beauty' catch her and the impressive Lanegan live if you get a chance in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne or Perth. Full info at Departed Sounds website here. 

DYNAMIC INDIE DUO TO INVADE AUSTRALIA

More tour news with Xiu Xiu and High Places also embarking on an Australian tour in September. To see one of these great indie bands is good enough, both together just brilliant. Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and the Frankly! Festival in Brisbane is where to see this powerful duo with tickets on sale June 21. Ticket and tour info is here.

NEW VIDEO RELEASE FOR PETER WOLF CRIER, ON TOUR IN U.S.

Fans of the texturally subtle and beautiful sounds of Peter Wolf Crier (Peter Pisano and Brian Moen) are in for a treat with a U.S. tour underway and a new video for their track 'Hard As Nails'. In a time where a camera strapped to the head of a dog let loose in a studio can pass for a music video, it's nice to see some thought and skill go into a clip that offers something a bit more. Collaborating with production team Northern Outpost the video is in perfect partnership with the song and has a delicate use of light that is magical as it moves along a narrative of a troubled couple. Tour dates here and video here. 

Monday, June 21, 2010

NEW TOP 30 JUST ADDED

CLICK HERE

DEBUTS FOR CHEMICAL BROTHERS AND KACEY JOHANSING, TAME IMPALA UP TO THREE!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

FEATURE ALBUM: THERE IS NOTHING TAME ABOUT INNERSPEAKER

The first few dripping notes emanating from Dominic Simper's bass guitar and the jangling guitar work of Kevin Parker and Nick Adams on opener 'It Is Not Meant To Be', give the instant impression that something special is about to unfold on Tame Impala's debut album, Innerspeaker. The impression turns out to be spot on. The pychedelic indie rock act from Perth have produced an immensely impressive, taut debut full of infectious hooks, an ever present groove and a masterful use of spatial awareness. It's a seamless listen, a record easily able to be played on repeat again and again, definitely a true album where tracks complement each other and when hung together, all twelve paint a widescreen full of souped up acid infused soundscapes that have the hallmarks of the best that pyschedelia from the 60s and 70s had to offer.

But make no mistake, Innerspeaker is not merely a homage to those eras, it is fresh and immediate and has 'now' written all over it, revitalising and reinvigorating rather than imitating. The songwriting is intelligently hypnotic leaving a creative atmospheric hazy swirl that looms large across the span of the entire record. It's also very deliberative in that there is no wastage in any of the tracks, each riff, melody, lead, bass line and percussive change is meticulously arranged and laid out for full effect. Take the subtle percussive change that feeds the groove of 'Alter Ego', one of the album's strongest tracks, for it is essential to the driving pulse of the track and leaves you hanging for its entry each time you listen. Similarly the off timing in the chorus as the chord progression of the guitars sits masterfully up against the up tempo beat on the splendid 'Expectation' and then throw in the Lennonesque sounding Kevin Parker's reverb heavy vocal arrangements and you have one of the more memorable moments in music this year or any other for that matter.

Although largely sporting the songwriting fingerprints of Parker, the execution of ideas is a highlight. The immense musical ability of all four members is palpable and not just from a technical standpoint, but there is a definite impression that all are in total control. It's often what they don't do that contributes to such a fine assortment of songs. Innerspeaker could have been cluttered with a myriad of unnecessary elements but it isn't, its economical when it has to be and there is a realisation from each member that space is fundamental to creating a first class psychedelic rock album. The appropriate stick work of Jay Watson is a perfect case in point, fills where they need to be, never overdone, never overplayed, the subtle percussion work a strength, and indeed highlight, of the album.

The album begins with a perfect one two punch with the mastery of the aforementioned relationship between bass and guitar on the opener making way for the intense groove of 'Desire Be, Desire Go', a track that has been given the treatment since its appearance on their self titled debut EP. 'Alter Ego' is a masterclass in synth work thanks to Adams, while 'Lucidity' spins off into a killer riff and sports a classic pysch inspired lead break. The verse-less 'Why Don't You Make Up Your Mind' is probably the most immediately catchy track while listening to single 'Solitude Is Bliss' is to take a masterclass in song arrangement.

The melody amidst the steady beat that provides the centrepiece to the lengthy 'Jeremy's Storm' is outstanding while the cascading chorus of the varied 'Expectation' where Parker's vocals standout provides a perfect counterpoint for the song's many parts. The blues inspired prog of 'The Bold Arrow Of Time' rests on a Hendrix inspired guitar riff while at the same time taking you into the back room to ingest some serious mind altering substances. The busy riff that dominates 'Runway, Houses, City, Clouds' is juxtaposed against a relaxed chord progression that provides space exactly where it's needed. Closer 'I Don't Really Mind' is a 70s synth and effects inspired pop gem with a kiss arse chorus.

The strength of Innerspeaker is the fact that every song is of equal worth and the fact that I've mentioned each one in this review speaks volumes. There's no temptation to skip any of them as the journey through is never difficult. In fact, its probably the easiest run through on an album that I've had in a long time. Its immediacy though does not mean that its worth won't last. Far from it, its multi-faceted nature sparks up something different with each listen. After the recently embarrassing efforts of Wolfmother, The Vines and Jet that so damaged Australia's indie rock credentials, let's hope that Tame Impala has restored some global credibility at a time when it is badly needed. Let's also hope its inspires some creativity in others. With Innerspeaker, Tame Impala have provided an important template with regard to taking the essence of a time in music history and moulding it into something that is well and truly for the here and now and beyond.

James Stocker - June 18, 2010
 

Friday, June 18, 2010

THIS WEEKS RELEASES: LETS HEAR IT FOR THE BROTHERS, THE CHEMICAL AND PERNICE VARIETY

First up, The Chemical Brothers are back with 'Further', a return to their roots with 8 tracks and two bonus ones available with an iTunes pass in the US. No high profile vocal collaborations here, just the standout electro beats reminiscent of the '95 classic 'Exit Planet Dust'. It features their longest track to date with the 12 minute thumper Escape Velocity. The Pernice Brothers return with their sixth LP, Goodbye, Killer, New York based indie rockers We Are Scientists have released their fifth album 'Barbara', South African experimental / prog rock group BLK JKS have dropped the five track EP 'Zol!' to coincide with the World Cup party in their hometown of Johannesburg, set to be an anthem there for sure. Finally, Swedish diva Robyn released her fifth album Body Talk Pt 1 last week with parts two and three scheduled for later in 2010. Check out a track from each below. 

Escape Velocity

Chemical Brothers (ENG)

From the album 'Further', Freestyle Dust/Parlophone

Download here @ Barrygruff

We Love The Stage

The Pernice Brothers (USA)

From the album, 'Goodbye Killer', Ashmont 

Download here @ The Golden Age

Break It Up

We Are Scientists (USA)

From the album 'Barbara', PIAS

Download here @ Indie Rock Cafe

Zol!

BLK JKS (SAF)

From the EP 'Zol!', Secretly Canadian

Download here @ Surviving The Golden Age

and inadvertently omitted last week, how did that happen...?

Dancing On My Own

Robyn (SWE)

From the album 'Body Talk Pt 1', Konichiwa/Cherrytree/Interscope

Download here @ Naive Harmonies

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

REMIX FIX  VOL 1 : NO  8

Tame Impala are one of the best things to come out of Australia indie-wise for a long time and the 'Solitude Is Bliss' remix is a sweet and languid number mixed by UK producer Mickey Moonlight. You can almost smell the Nag Champa on this mellowed down version, check out the original by clicking on the MP3 of the track to the right side of your monitor. Tame Impala; feature album artists of the week here on Indie30. A nice rework of LCD Soundsystem's brilliant This Is Happening closing track, 'Home', by Brooklyn based Diwon will extend your LCD enjoyment. Robyn is Dancing On Her Own to a new beat with this remix by German Fred Falke, kicking along for a hefty seven and a half minutes. Fellow Swede Miike Snow has his track 'Billie Holiday' given the Lightsoverla (yes, one word) treatment, another ambient dreamy mix, with vocals echoing and drifting over the last minute thirty of the track. Finally, The Chemical Brothers. They are back. 'Swoon' is the first single from their seventh album, an album with a difference as there will be no vocal collaborations in the forefront on this one. A return to the boys' roots, just eight killer electro tracks by the veterans, each one with its own 'film' made by the same directors Adam Smith and Marcus Lyal. The album was released two days ago. Stay tuned to Indie30 for more info, and enjoy all the tracks below and the new video for 'Swoon', which is bound to get your arse moving. 

Solitude Is Bliss (Mickey Moonlight remix)

Tame Impala (AUS)

Original from the album 'Innervision', Modular

Download here @ RCD LBL 

Home (Diwon remix)

LCD Soundsystem (USA)

Original from the album 'This Is Happening', DFA/Virgin

Download here @ Kickkicksnare

Dancing On My Own (Fred Falke remix)

Robyn (SWE)

Original from the album 'Body Talk Pt 1', Konichiwa

Download here @ Hejven.se

Billie Holiday (Lightsoverla remix)

Miike Snow (SWE)

Original from the single 'Billie Holiday', Downtown Records / RCD LBL

Download here @ The Music FM

Swoon (Don Diablo remix)

Chemical Brothers (ENG)

Original from the album 'Further', Freestyle Dust / Parlophone

Download here @ Spacetoasters

Official Video

Monday, June 14, 2010

MONDAY WHIP AROUND - VOL 1 : NO 4

WEEZER RELEASE TRACK FOR WORLD CUP

Frontman Rivers Cuomo has penned a song in support of the US World Cup team, 'Represent', which is available as a free download from iTunes here. Looks like it didn't inspire them enough to win their first match against England, but, hey, they didn't lose either. The track is full of power chords, big keyboards and pumped percussion. Look for it on a World Cup montage on a tv near you.  

SPIN MAG TURNS 25, GIGS PLANNED FOR NYC

Manhattan's Terminal 5 will be hosting five nights of music in honour of the Silver Anniversary of Alternative Rock magazine, Spin, July 26 - 30. Check out The National, Flaming Lips, Smashing Pumpkins, Spiritualized and The Black Keys. If you can't get along the whole thing will be streamed at SPIN.com. More info here.

THE HORRORS HEADLINE YET ANOTHER UK MUSIC FESTIVAL

As you may have read last week, festivals abound across the UK this summer.The Beck's Vier event will play in seven more locations across the next two months and they are giving away 350 double tickets through the Facebook page here to the London instalment.The lineup includes DJ sets by Little Boots, Vampire Weekend and These New Puritans, as well as Indie30's current feature album artists, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, New Young Pony Club and the headlining Horrors. 

NEW ALBUM FROM OF MONTREAL DUE LATER THIS YEAR

False Priest is the title, and album number ten from US indie rockers Of Montreal. A more high tech recording this time from LA's Ocean Way Recording studio, they have laid down all the tracks and are halfway through mixing with help from producer Jon Brion. Looking to have 14 - 16 songs, Kevin Barnes has said it will contain 'trunk-rattling booty bass' with a blend of 70s soul. You can crank it up loud when it drops around September this year. 

Sunday, June 13, 2010

NEW TOP 30 JUST ADDED

CLICK HERE

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM REACHES THE TOP - BIG DEBUT FOR TAME IMPALA

Saturday, June 12, 2010

FEATURE ALBUM: A DECADE OR MORE IN THE MAKING, PINK DEBUT A TRIUMPH

Back in 2005, Ariel Rosenberg, aka Ariel Pink, made a statement about his live performances that in part sums up his relationship up to now with the public domain. The one time recluse told LA Weekly,

'People boo me everywhere...they don't even hide their contempt. I'm used to it now. It probably comes from the fact that I'm not very good".

Apart from being humble and wrong, his self-synopsis however, is true to a point in that it only reveals Pink in a superficial sense. Sure, technically he struggled in those early days due in part to self-admitted laziness but also to a single minded and somewhat stubborn determination to filter his musical learning process from within. Quite simply, he never actually envisaged playing the tracks live and only emerged from the comfort zone of his apartment due to 'popular' demand. When creating music, often even getting through one rendition of a creation was hard enough, replicating it live was another thing altogether. His take on his influences was entirely his own though as he squirrelled them away in the inner world of his home and his creative mind and penned hundreds of songs to cassette. When those songs finally saw the light of day to a minimal audience after Animal Collective got hold of a CD-R recording of a collection that would become 2004's The Doldrums and released it on their Paw Tracks label, Pink had announced himself to the indie world as an excessively, yet inwardly talented creative force prone to master the essence of and then sabotage traditional musical structures and deliberately skirt the edges of listenability. Over the years, everything from 60's pop, pyschedelia, 70's AM rock, disco, punk, post punk and 80s new wave and no wave have been given the Pink treatment.

The interesting thing about Pink's musical trajectory is that all of his music up until recently was written before the Paw Tracks era. Succumbing to writer's block in 2005 around the time of his sister's car accident that left her in a vegetative state, all of Pink's releases since 2004 have been assorted compilations of disparate EP's and singles. In 2008, Pink decided to embark on a new phase of his career and set about on in his own words 'get(ting) it together'. His band Haunted Graffiti, made up of keyboardist Kenny Gilmore, guitarist Cole M. Greif-Neill and eventually drummer Aaron Sperske was put together marking the first time Pink had a talented bunch of musicians to assist his creative vision becoming a concrete public reality. The result was a number of kick arse singles that drew the attention of British indie 4AD who backed the collection of tracks that became Before Today, this weeks feature album and Pink's first record using a proper studio and something approaching modern recording techniques.

What Pink and his band have produced is nothing short of a triumph, successfully scuppering the potential argument of whether or not he has sold out his DIY lo-fi roots. The results on Before Today are clear indications that he hasn't, all of the cheek and randomness of past recordings are there but what is also present is accessibility in that experimentation and some real coherent and lasting creative quality. The jittery fragility is ever-present as each song threatens to fall apart at the seams, as Pink's songs have always threatened to do, but they don't, hanging together as creative tapestries of a by-gone era re-working and re-energising radio rock and pop on a level hitherto unknown. Many of these tracks are in fact re-workings of earlier Pink tracks, namely 'Can't Hear My Eyes', 'L'estat' and 'Beverly Kills'.

Before Today is a confounding listen and it makes twists and turns within songs that you'd never pick or expect. In fact, it takes more than a few listens for the entire thing to start to gelling together. Vocally as diverse as ever in tone and style, musically its a scattered, yet strangely seamless journey through the genres and eras of popular music. First single 'Round And Round', a virtually unrecognisable renovation of 'Frontman/Hold On' is probably Pink's most polished recording to date and undoubtedly will figure highly in end of year lists. On the surface its a funky disco number resting its allure on the vocal hook in the chorus. But even here, disaster looms at different times, exemplified by the fact that Pink's vocals in each verse tend to fade away before lines are completed as if to say, 'you need to come to me cos I ain't comin' to you'. The blink of an eye album opener, 'Hot Body Rub' contains a twin sax attack lying over a loose fitting bass line, slightly off drum beat and Pink's indecipherable vocal echo  and is at once alluring but as dishevilled as ever. What follows is rollickingly brilliant take of the track, 'Bright Lit Blue Skies' by 60s group, The Rockin' Ramrods, a take that sees Pink hit heights of enthusiasm previously unseen. The confounding, 'L'estat (Acc to the Widow's Maid) is a undoubted standout, sitting high among Pink's best ever with its sunny 60s feel juxtaposed with a double time move into 70s pop complete with tinkling ivories that then dovetails into a carousel like synth vortex finishing with a flourish of prog rock that hints at a glimpse of Sky.

'Fright Night' sees Pink's Cure influences come to the fore with the bass line reminiscent of 'A Forest'. 'Beverly Kills' is another highlight with its roller disco synths, funky bassline, tight beat and 80s style hubbub - another accessible single perhaps? However, if your looking at this number to sweetly serenade you musically around the rollerskating rink, Pink aims to set you up for a fall as the sweetness and light descend or ascend into, depending on your point of view, a seemingly without focus stop start timing signature, a myriad of interweaving off kilter vocal renditions of the line 'can't stop the press' and a cacophony of monkey noises. Pure Pink!

'Butt House Blondies' is a pure rock gem with its rock out opening and flailing guitar solos but it has that many other influences working away its almost headspinning, from 70s melodic metal to sugary coated yet creepy melodies and vocals that sound at home on an spoof 80s movie. 'Little Wig' seems to be a straight out rocker until the progressive rock elements kick in and ebb and flow throughout. 'Can't Hear My Eyes', is a soft rock gem full of starry eyed synth work and pop perfect sax sensibilities, complete with fills from that long lost piece of drum hardware from the 80s, the Roto Tom. The track first made its way to these ears last May as a single and is further enhanced here with adept production. 'Menopause Man' may seem like an element of lazy comic relief but there is much more to it than first appears. Its stalking bass and casual vocals that break into a swirl of off beats and synths before the giant chorus kicks in is sheer brilliance. 'Revolution's A Lie' is a stomper of a closer that is almost hypnotic in its metronome nature and through this and its Martin Hannett type interferences has the marks of album era Joy Division all over it.

Before Today as a finished product fully digested brings one back to Pink's words of 2005. Again telling the LA Weekly,

'I tell the record company to just get me in a real recording studio...I'll go into mad-scientist mode, and it will be great. But that hasn't happened. They don't want to give me money, because I might release a shit album, which could definitely happen. I've got my good days and bad days, for sure. But the best rock & roll is all stuff you're not supposed to do. Rock & roll is the history of rules being broken and people taking chances."

For various reasons it took Pink another five years to br presented with and take the opportunity to get into that real recording studio and take that chance and boy he did not waste it. He has done what is extremely difficult to do in music and indeed any artistic pursuit, he has taken his music in all his lo-fi DIY glory off to get a spit and polish but instead of coming out all shiny and new has simply grabbed the tools himself and deliberately left more than a few scuff marks. Before Today is new but not that new, an exit but not really a departure and definitely not a sell out as many old fans may attest. Its simply an improvement, an improvement that sees the encyclopedic experimental pop master at the top of his game.

James Stocker - June 12, 2010 

Friday, June 11, 2010

THIS WEEKS RELEASES: ARIEL PINK, BLITZEN TRAPPER, RATATAT, TOKYO POLICE CLUB, DEER TICK, FLORENE, VIERNES.

Here's a list of our favourite release this week. Before Today, the new album from Los Angeles based genre and era hoppers Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti is definitely the standout album among some strong competition. That comes from Portland's Blitzen Trapper with their fifth release, Destroyer Of The Void, New York experimental electro duo Ratatat with LP4, Newmarket, Ontario's Tokyo Police Club with their second album, Champ, Providence's hard edged folk rock outfit, Deer Tick with The Black Dirt Sessions, the debut which we previewed a month or so ago from Texan electronic duo Florene, Homemade Extacy and lastly Florida duo Viernes with Sinister Devices. Enjoy a free download from each below courtesy of the relevant blogs.

Bright Lit Blue Skies

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti (USA)

From the album, 'Before Today', 4AD

Download here @ Obscure Sound

Dragon's Song

Blitzen Trapper (USA)

From the album, 'Destoryer Of The Void', Sub Pop.

Download here @ Listen Before You Buy

Drugs

Ratatat (USA)

From the album, 'LP4', XL Recordings

Download here @ Comfort Music

Favourite Food

Tokyo Police Club (CAN)

From the album, 'Champ', Mom + Pop.

Download here @ DBF Music

Twenty Miles

Deer Tick (USA)

From the album, 'The Black Dirt Sessions', Partisan.

Download here @ Some Velvet Blog

Space Cadet

Florene (USA)

From the album, 'Homemade Extacy', Waaga Records.

Download here @ Nialler 9

Entire Empire

Viernes (USA)

From the album, 'Sinister Devices', Kanine Records

Download here @ The Music Snitch

Thursday, June 10, 2010

BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE FILM RELEASE AND TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

The new film 'This Movie Is Broken' featuring Canadian indie legends Broken Social Scene, is about to be released across North America later this month. Made by Bruce McDonald and BSS it revolves around a real (and free) gig they played on the Sirius stage at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre last year and is a tale described as 'a rock show romance'. Feist, Evan Cranley from Stars, Emily Haynes and James Shaw from Metric and Amy Milan joined them on stage throughout the gig, with 18 on stage at one point. Working a fictional storyline into non-fictional events always proves to add an extra dimension to the usual movie-going experience, Haskel Wexler's 1969 masterpiece 'Medium Cool' being a case in point. No riots here however, just the amazing live experience they are renowned for. 

'This Movie Is Broken' played at the SXSW in March, and will have its official release in North American cinemas June 25. Catch advance screenings in NYC tomorrow (June 11) and next Thursday (June 17). Tickets for these shows here. Toronto will also have a screening on June 17 with NXNE wristband wearers able to attend subject to capacity. Tickets for that one here.

The movie features 'World Sick, 'Forced to Love' and 'All To All' among the setlist. A whole new generation of BSS fans could emerge from this endeavour, well worth the price of admission, because discovering the magic and then exploring something new is priceless.

As for their tour, BSS have announced Sea And Cake are joining them across North America, Here We Go Magic in Europe, and Bear Hug in Australia. After seeing the film you will be wanting more, grab your tickets while you can, we have.

Tour dates at their MySpace here

This Movie Is Broken (trailer)

Featuring Broken Social Scene (CAN) 

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

SONGS IN THE KEY OF BLOG: JUNE (PART ONE)

Songs In The Key Of Blog is back on its fortnightly trajectory with five awesome new tracks doing the blogs this week. First up is Scotland's electro-hiss act Mearsault with a track, 'Crank Resolutions' from their recent release, All Creatures Will Make Merry courtesy of Pop Headwound. Charilft's Caroline Polacheck contributes vocals to the new Washed Out track, 'You And I', lent to the Adult Swim compilation. Download this and the new single, 'Outer Limits' from Austin all girl trio, Sleep Over, thanks to Gorilla vs Bear. Swedish teenagers Klara and Johanna Söderberg, togther known as First Aid Kit, earlier this year released their debut, The Big Black And The Blue and this track,  'I Met Up With The King' thanks to Chromewaves, is a perfect example of their incredibly precocious vocal harmonies. Finally, ex-Titus Andronicus member Andrew Cedermark is set to release his debut album, Moon Deluxe, in August and the title track from it comes kindly from Australian blog Ocean Never Listen.

Crank Resolutions

Mearsault (SCO)

From the album, 'All Creatures Will Make Merry', Song By Toad 

Download here @ Pop Headwound

You And I

Washed Out (USA)

From the compilation, '4', Adult Swim

Download here @ Gorilla vs. Bear

Outer Limits

Sleep Over (USA)

From the single, 'Outer Limits', Forest Family.

Download here @ Gorilla vs. Bear

I Met Up With The King

First Aid Kit (SWE)

From the album, 'The Big Black And The Blue', Witchita.

Download here @ Chromewaves

Moon Deluxe

Andrew Cedermark (USA)

From the forthcoming album, 'Moon Deluxe', Underwater Peoples.

Download here @ Oceans Never Listen

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

FM ATTACK AGAIN WITH NEW EP

If you love 80s italo-dance pop done well, FM Attack aka Shaun Ward, Vancouver's answer to Sweden's Sally Shapiro (he has remixed that act's track 'Looking At The Stars') will be right up your alley. Last week the DJ/Producer of all things sweet released an EP, Astrowave, to follow up his debut album of last year, Dreamatic. The four track record contains, 'Old Skool Daze' which you can download at !tashed below and if your over 35 as I am, it'll take you back there for sure. With infectious grooves and crisp and clean production values, it's sure to be burning up retro dance floors over the next couple of months.

Old Skool Daze

FM Attack (CAN)

From the EP, 'Astrowave', Tonite Records.

Download here @ !tashed

Monday, June 7, 2010

THE MONDAY WHIP AROUND - VOL: 1 NO: 3

THE GUARDIAN STREAMING 'BEFORE TODAY"...TODAY

Out on the 4AD label, Los Angeles lo-fi experimental popsters, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti's new album, Before Today drops on June 8 but is available for streaming right now on the Guardian website here. They are about to embark on a mammoth tour across Europe and North America over the next two months so check them out if you get chance. You're in for some ride if you do. The dates are on the MySpace here. The album is our feature album all this week.

THE NATIONAL RELEASE SECOND SINGLE FROM HIGH VIOLET, ANNOUNCE MORE TOUR DATES 

Following on from the sold out shows in London, the National are playing across North America and Europe for the remainder of 2010 and have added headlining shows across England for November. Glastonbury, Latitude Festival and Lollapalooza, they will be everywhere. Head over to the 4AD website here for full tour dates and also check out the new video for 'Bloodbuzz Ohio'.

CAMERA OBSCURA SET UP SHOP AT BROOKLYN FLEA, JUNE GIGS IN NYC AND CORK

After playing a special gig at the Brooklyn Flea (market) and offering an icecream made in their honour (called 'The Sweetest Cream'), Scots Camera Obscura are playing NYC's Grand Ballroom and then heading to Ireland to play at Harmonic Cork. This gig will be on the 25th and will see them play alongside Grizzly Bear, Midlake and Villagers. Info at their MySpace here.

SUMMER FESTIVALS ABOUND IN THE U.K.

ROCK NESS AT LOCK NESS, SCOTLAND, JUNE

Rock Ness at Loch Ness, Scotland is set to crank the BPM's this weekend (June 11-13) with the help of Underworld, the esteemed Club 75 DJ collective, Friendly Fires, Ian Brown, Aphex Twin and Crystal Castles. A stellar line-up of top dance acts from around the world in a beautiful setting. The whole line up is here.

THE LATITUDE FESTIVAL, ENGLAND, JULY

The Latitude Festival will be in Southwold, Suffolk, 15th-18th of July. Here we go... Sigur Ros, Interpol, Grizzly Bear, Jonsi, Vampire Weekend, Belle And Sebastion, Dirty Projectors, Noah And The Whale, The Horrors, Wild Beasts, The Antlers, Yeasayer, Frightened Rabbit, Girls, Active Child, Spoon and as previously mentioned, The National. Interested yet? This incredible line up will be accompanied by film, comedy and Shakespeare... but with this list of indie music gold you would be mad to miss a second of what these artists have to offer. Info is here.

GREEN MAN FESTIVAL, WALES, AUGUST

The rolling hills of Glanusk Park in South Wales will play host to the Green Man Festival (August 20 - 22). Joanna Newsom, Beirut, Fuck Buttons, Memory Tapes, These New Puritans, Metromony, Neon Indian, Flaming Lips, Tallest Man On Earth, and The Besnard Lakes are among the performers to see in what has been called "the best location of all UK Festivals" and surely one of its the best lineups as well. More info at the festival's webiste here. 

A damn good time to be in the UK.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

NEW TOP 30 JUST ADDED

CLICK HERE

NINE NEW ENTRIES IN BIGGEST CHART SHAKE UP IN INDIE30 HISTORY - BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE HIT NUMBER ONE

This week sees a whopping nine, count 'em, nine new entries on the Top 30 chart. Beginning at 30 with Hooray For Earth's 'Surrounded By Your Friends', other artists to gain entries were Elk City, 'Jerks On Ice'(29), Ghostly International's Christopher Willits, 'Sun Body' (28), Coltrane Motion, 'I Forgot There Was A War On', (24), Wild Nothing, 'The Witching Hour', (23), Big Tree, 'The Concurrence Of All Things' (20), The Drums, 'It Will All End In Tears', (17), Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, 'Beverly Kills', (16) and the ultra impressive Active Child, 'When Your Love Is Safe' (12). There is a new number one this week as well. Broken Social Scene take the mantle off Crystal Castles 'Celestica' with 'Forced To Love'. LCD Soundsystem moved to 2 with 'You Wanted A Hit' while Swedes Club 8 moved into the Top 10 with 'Shape Up' (6). For the full chart with media click here

Saturday, June 5, 2010

FEATURE ALBUM: LCD SOUNDSYSTEM'S SEARCH FOR TRUTH 

James Murphy and his LCD Soundsystem are back with their third and possibly final album, This Is Happening. Having garnered massive acclaim around the traps, the LP has hit Billboard's Dance/Electronica chart at number one knocking Gaga from her five month perch at the top with a resounding thud. What we have here are 65 minutes of electro-infused laments about spaces between people, the fickleness of the industry and personal anxieties.

The Band performed a couple of secret gigs in April at New York's Webster Hall and the Music Hall of Willamsburg in Brooklyn, where Murphy made an impassioned plea with the crowd not to leak the album before its official release on May 17. Onstage and on his knees he stated "If you get a copy of the record early and you feel like sharing it with the rest of the world, then please don't. We spent two years making this record and we want to put it out when we want to put it out. I don't care about money - after it comes out, give it to whoever you want for free but until then, keep it to yourself."

Kicking off the album is the nine minute slow burner 'Dance Yourself Clean', which kicks in at three minutes to become a synth driven indication of what we have in store. The following track 'Drunk Girls', takes a different tack and is the most light hearted on the tracklist. The video for this was done by Spike Jonze and has a nightmarish quality about it, seeing the band pushed, shoved, and basically set upon by a group of aggressive people in white dog costumes. 'All I Want' takes things down a notch, with Murphy's melancholic take on relationships.."Wake with a start, and the dog and the girl are gone, so you pack up your things, and head into the lame unknown, you never had needed anyone for so long". The track ends with him pleading "Take me home..." This mood continues into the next track 'I Can Change', with the blunt and brutal lines "And love is a murderer, love is a murderer, but if she calls you tonight, everything is all right, yeah, we know, and love is a curse shoved in a hearse, love is an open book to a verse of your bad poetry, and this is coming from me". The synths dominate this track giving it a definite retro-Euro feel.

'You Wanted A Hit', is a standout, cynically deriding the music industries insatiable appetite for the next big thing. Murphy's contempt is sustained over nine minutes, the length of the track itself a sabotage of the radio-friendly four minute pop song. It has some nice synth work going on for the first two minutes before the beat picks up in volume and tempo, and it drifts away as Murphy begins his cool and levelled dig, "Yeah, you wanted a hit, but tell me where's the point in it? You wanted the hit, but that's not what we do". 'Pow Pow' is a pumping, percussion laden step in yet another direction. Murphy's spoken word meditation on looking from the inside out, follows on from 'You Wanted A Hit' perfectly. Definitely glints of David Byrne on this one, it's a statement about the media saturated dumbed down world we live in today, knowledge through television. 

Recorded at Rick Ruben's famed LA mansion, This Is Happening highlights Murphy's skills as a savvy songwriter and skilled vocalist. His self deprecating, brash and cynical stance reflect those of his generation while still leaving room for energetic dance-floor tracks. If This Is Happening is the final outing for LCD Soundsystem they are finishing on a high note, showing they are a band with some depth who have something to say. 

You can get a limited edition package which includes a record bag, tshirt, CD, double vinyl and MP3 downloads from their website here.

Buy album here @ iTunes

MySpace here

- Dave Roberts, June 5, 2010

Friday, June 4, 2010

THIS WEEKS RELEASES: TEENAGE FANCLUB, THE DRUMS, BORN RUFFIANS

As promised and this week on time! There are some bumper new release albums and EP's this week led by the indefatigable Scots Teenage Fanclub, back after a seemingly now customary five year hiatus with Shadows. And believe me it's like they never went away, literally. The album is out now worldwide and will be dropped in North America next week. The next big things, Florida's The Drums released their self titled debut album in the UK, Europe and Australia this week and like with the Fannies their countrymen will have to wait another week or so on this one as well. Other notable releases come from Canadian indie pop/rock outfit Born Ruffians with Say It an album that's been released to underwhelming reviews - a little unfairly in our mind. The opposite to that is the overwhelming response to the debut album from Brooklyn's Sleigh Bells - a little over the top in our mind. Fellow Americans Elk City and The Acorn have released impressive albums, House Of Tongues and No Ghost respectively, while there is three excellent EP's seeing the light of day this week from Active Child (Curtis Lane), Hooray For Earth (Momo) and Woodsman (Mystery Tape). Download a track from each of these excellent releases below.

Sometimes I Don't Need To Believe Anything

Teenage Fanclub (SCO)

From the album, 'Shadows', Merge. Out now except US/Can - June 8

Download here @ Devotion

Forever And Ever Amen

The Drums (USA)

From the album, 'The Drums', Moshi Moshi/Popfrenzy. Out now except US/Can - June 12

Download here @ Indie Rock Cafe

Oh Man

Born Ruffians (CAN)

From the album, 'Say It', Warp Records

Download here @ Knox Road

Tell 'Em

Sleigh Bells (USA)

From the album, 'Treats', Mom + Pop. 

Download here @ Music Induced Euphoria

Keith Case

The Get Up Kids (USA)

From the album, 'Simple Science', Vagrant 

Download here @ Indie Rock Cafe

Jerks On Ice

Elk City (USA)

From the album, 'House Of Tongues', Friendly Fire. 

Download here @ Indie Rock Cafe

No Ghost

The Acorn (CAN)

From the album, 'No Ghost', Bella Union 

Download here @ Herohill

Wilderness

Active Child (USA)

From the EP, 'Curtis Lane', Merok/Filter

Download here @ The Line Of Best Fit

Surrounded By Your Friends

Hooray For Earth (USA)

From the EP, 'Momo', Dovecote Records

Download here (courtesy Dovecote Records)

When Morning Comes

Woodsman (USA)

From the EP, 'Mystery Tape', Lefse

Download here @ Stereogum

Thursday, June 3, 2010

LAST WEEKS NEW RELEASES: WILD NOTHING, BEACH FOSSILS AND PETER WOLF-CRIER

We're a little late with our new release column so we have a double play coming at you this week. Today and tomorrow enjoy as we bring the following selection of tracks from what we think are the best new album and EP releases from around the globe from the past two weeks. The first installment below is from the week beginning May 25 and includes the Captured Tracks label debuts from Wild Nothing, the solo project of Virginian Jack Tatum and the Dustin Paysuer led lo-fi rockers from Brooklyn, Beach Fossils. Black Moth Super Rainbow frontman Tom Fec returns with his second album under the Tobacco moniker, the wildly freaky Maniac Meat. Midwest guitar and drum duo Peter Wolf Crier dropped their first album for Jagjaguwar, Inter Be while fellow mate on the tri-label roster, Damien Jurado, released his new album, Saint Bartlett via Secretly Canadian. The final pick from last week is Soft Return the debut album from London producer Rob Smoughton, otherwise known as Grovesnor. Tune in tomorrow for this weeks installment.

The Witching Hour

Wild Nothing (USA)

From the album, 'Gemini', Captured Tracks.

Download here

Youth

Beach Fossils (USA)

From the album, 'Beach Fossils', Captured Tracks.

Download here

Six Royal Vipers

Tobacco (USA)

From the album, 'Maniac Meat', Anticon.

Download here

Crutch And Cane

Peter Wolf-Crier (USA)

From the album, 'Inter Be', Jagjaguwar.

Download here

Cloudy Skies

Damien Jurado (USA)

From the album, 'Saint Bartlett', Secretly Canadian.

Download here

Find A Way To Stop Him

Grovesnor (ENG)

From the album, 'Soft Return', Lo Recordings.

Download here

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

REMIX FIX VOL 1 : NO 7

Following on from their Indie30 entry Shape Up at no. 14, we have Club 8's sublime Western Hospitality remixed by fellow Swedes, Pallers. Karolina Komstedt's honeyed vocals are subtle and sugary, sitting gracefully amongst the gentle hints of afro pop and understated electro beats. This version of the lead track is from their seventh album.

Miami Horror, usually on the business end of the remix thing, will have their debut LP out this year, Moon Theory was released as a single in April. Benjamin Plant's vocals are at the forefront of this remix, the first from 'Illumination', which was worked by US remixer Baby Monster.

Another track from the remix-ready Gorillaz, On Melancholy Hill from Plastic Beach is laid back like a chilled out Sunday and hangover friendly. Albarn's vocals are dreamy and wistful on this, echoing off into the ether supported by loops and an at times retro sounding backbeat. UK girls She Is Danger have proven they have the gift of bringing something new to their remixes without rendering them unrecognisable. And this brings us to the last reworking of the week, their remix of Massive Attack's Girl I Love You released a few months ago. Horace Andy's incredible voice still dominates but She Is Danger have added new layers of percussion in just the right places to make it a new listen while still retaining the Massive Attack trip-hop dub sensibilities.

Check out the She Is Danger MySpace here.

Western Hospitality (Paller's remix)

Club 8 (SWE)

Original from the album 'The People's Record', Labrador

Download here @ Chipped Hip

Moon Theory (Baby Monster remix)

Miami Horror (AUS)

Original from forthcoming album 'Illumination', EMI

Download here @ LivingEars Radio

On Melancholy Hill (She Is Danger remix)

Gorillaz (ENG)

Original from the album 'Plastic Beach',  Parlorphone/Virgin

Download here @ blahblahscience

Girl I Love You (Feat. Horace Andy) (She Is Danger remix)

Massive Attack (ENG)

Original from the album ' Heligoland', Virgin

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

COLTRANE MOTION RELEASE SECOND ALBUM

Chicago based electronic indie rock duo Coltrane Motion today released their second album, Hello Ambition, the follow up to their debut, Songs About Music. Out on the the datawaslost label, singer/keyboardist Michael Bond and guitarist Matt Denewitz have combined to produce an album worthy of a full band, such is the depth and breadth of their sound. To coincide with the release of the record, two mp3s have been made available. The first, 'I Forgot There Was A War On' has a disco beat that's traversed by a calypso inspired melody and the second, 'Please Call It A Comeback' is a more synth focused affair accentuated by distortion and feedback. Download both tracks from the band's website below and check out their American tour dates while you're at it.

Tracklisting

1. When We Were Old
2. Maya Blue
3. I Forgot There Was A War On
4. Wherever This Is
5. Only Again
6. Terra
7. High Tide
8. My Heart Might Go On
9. Please Call It A Comeback
10 . One Year From Now 

I Forgot There Was A War On

Coltrane Motion (USA)

From the album, 'Hello Ambition', datawaslost

Download here

Please Call It A Comeback

Coltrane Motion (USA)

From the album, 'Hello Ambition', datawaslost

Download here

...and from the last week of May...

Monday, May 31, 2010

MONDAY WHIP AROUND - VOL 1 : NO 2

PRIMAVERA FESTIVAL ANOTHER HUGE SUCCESS

The San Miguel Primavera Sound in Barcelona has just wrapped up for the tenth year featuring a who's who of the indie world such as Broken Social Scene, Wild Beasts, Panda Bear, The New Pornographers, Built To Spill and Grizzly Bear. This year saw a specific area set aside for music industry professionals to meet and foster relationships and deals with new acts. Featuring its own stage, the area (known as PrimaveraPro) gave a formal setting for signing, renewing, and discovering the next indie 'big thing'.  Be interesting to see what comes of it.

CENTRAL PARK SUMMERSTAGE CELEBRATES 25 BIG YEARS

There are no shortage of gigs in NYC this Summer, with many free events taking place in Central Park. See Pavement playing benefit shows over four nights (Sep 21 - 24), and check out the Flaming Lips, Hot Chip, the Black Keys, the Morning Benders, Hercules and Love Affair, Gil Scott-Heron, and Melody Gardot. For more info go to the website here.

INTERPOL TOUR CANNED

and...

NEW TOP 30 JUST ADDED

CLICK HERE

BIG DEBUT THE NATIONAL TRACK 'AFRAID OF EVERYONE'

The National's High Violet, last week's feature album has certainly throws up a plethora of options for possible Top 30 tracks. After the mild success of 'Bloodbuzz Ohio' over the last couple of months, we've decided to go with the slow building killer 'Afraid Of Everyone' as its next cab of the rank. It debuts at 5. Foals followed The National in producing a second track to hit the Top 30 off their album 'Total Life Forever'. The funky 'After Glow' got the gong and comes in at 15. Ohio's Brothertiger is the other new entry this week with his excellent track, 'Vision Tunnels' (27) of the self titled EP. Crystal Castles remain at 1 with 'Celestica' while this weeks feature album artist, James Murphy's LCD Soundsystem rose three spots to 3 second week in with 'You Wanted A Hit'. Click here to access the full chart.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

FEATURE ALBUM: THE NATIONAL - LETTING THE MOUNTAIN COME TO THEM

It comes as little surprise that High Violet, The National's fifth album has skyrocketed into the top echelons of the world's mainstream album charts, currently sitting at number 3 in the US, number 2 in Canada and 5 in the UK. But don't fear indie rock bretheren, this much deserved success and attention won't change the Brooklyn via Cincinatti quintet who have never actively sought the limelight. It's a strength of the current indie scene that no longer do bands of The National's stature have to go cap in hand to, get on bended knee in front of or take it up the arse from vulturistic and culturally empty record companies. They remain on an indie, label wise and while the inevitably pyrrhic offers mirage style will come rolling in from blank men with blank cheques, we can be assured that whatever the band choose to do, history demonstrates they will do it to the beat of their own drum. For the world is The National's oyster now, and it has come to them.

High Violet is another slow burning masterpiece that builds on the incredibly strong 2007 release, Boxer. Berninger and the Dessner and Devendorf brothers have an uncanny knack of making simple songs linger yet they never outstay their welcome. It's amazing what unfolds in the minimalist framework from which they work. The secret lies in how the rhythms, melodies and vocals are cleverly and meticulously arranged. The subtle, intuitive and ultimately constructive guitar work of Bryce and Aaron Dessner, the intelligent percussion work of Bryan Devendorf, one of the highlights of the record, the fully formed contribution on bass of brother Scott (check 'Little Faith' together with the orchestral arrangements provided by Padma Newsome, of side project Clogs produces a sound that is unique and owned by no other band. Nothing is left to chance and everything holds together in a form that is organic with an overwhelming air of lyrical honesty. No smoke and mirrors, no gimmicks, no frills and no tricks.

The unique nature of Berninger's voice has been exhaustively written about and apart from stating its absolutely pivotal role at the centre of The National's sound, there's little else that needs to be said. Lyrically High Violet is another personal take on the social complexities of life within and outside of relationships. 'Runaway' is about being resigned to a doomed with someone who slowly chips away at your self worth, 'What makes you think I enjoy being led to the flood' Berninger sings as he states that he won't run away from his claustrophobic and helpless situation. Similar is echoed on 'Conversation 16', 'We belong in a movie, try to hold it together 'til our friends are gone, we should swim in a fountain, do not what to disappoint anyone'. This humility and fragility that abounds lyrically on High Violet is most clearly stated on 'Afraid Of Everyone' where even drugs won't overcome, even in the short term, the unspoken fear.

The other noticeable aspect to this album, apart from its quality, is the way The National have decided to present it, that is the clever and deliberative ordering of its tracklist. Unlike most long players, High Violet actually gains strength rather than loses it with each track. Just like within each song with its noticeable build up of tension and emotion, the journey from opener, 'Terrible Love' to closer 'Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks' is an exhilarating one that only gets more interesting and endearing with each subsequent listen. The fact that the most intense and emotional tracks on the album, 'Conversation 16', 'England' and 'Runaway' are on its second half means that with each of those listens, the trajectory is always up. Other highlights include 'Bloodbuzz Ohio', the album's most up-tempo track that provides a perfect centrepiece to what precedes and follows and its predecessor, 'Afraid Of Everyone' which builds into a maelstrom of reverb that climaxes perfectly.

Its a cliche to say 'there's not a weak track on the album' when reviewing a newly loved long player. In the case of High Violet, the proof will be in the listening years from now as the record is unearthed from said dusty collection and realisation dawns that its importance and worth has probably grown not waned. That's certainly the case with The Alligator and Boxer and that in itself will be The National's legacy, longevity mixed with vitality, two ingredients essential to calling a band great rather than just good.

- James Stocker, May 29, 2010