[Ed. Note: In an effort to provide a diverse range of music, not only in genre but also by location and culture, Lin Lizhuang, from Singapore, writes about music from parts of the world that may go unnoticed on this here blog (you can find more of her work on her blog, Rock Loves Romantic.)… Continue reading [KR Goes Global] Tokyo Jihen and their new album, Sports
Category: New Albums
The Morning Benders are purveyors of indie-pop on Big Echo
On Talking Through Tin Cans, the band’s last proper album, The Morning Benders didn’t seem to have any grand aspirations. “Damnit Anna” was a modest acoustic romp; “Crosseyed” was a Shins-y foray into acoustic pop; “Chasing a Ghost” added some electric elements rock to the formula. But Big Echo is different. The band wants the… Continue reading The Morning Benders are purveyors of indie-pop on Big Echo
Broken Bells’ debut album is good, but doesn’t live up to lofty expectations
James Mercer, Shins frontman, agent of delicious indie pop for the masses. Danger Mouse (Brian Burton), the genius behind The Grey Album and half of Gnarls Barkley, i.e. the ambassador of slick, creative production. A match made in heaven. …Or is it? The answer is that I believe it can be, but unfortunately the duo missed… Continue reading Broken Bells’ debut album is good, but doesn’t live up to lofty expectations
White Hinterland’s Kairos is soothing tranquility with soul power
When Casey Dienel and Shawn Creeden picked the name White Hinterland, maybe they had their reasons, maybe it just sounded cool but it’s definitely appropriate. A hinterland is often an area of rural land separated from urban areas that is often also tied very closely to the city. In other words, a place of solitude… Continue reading White Hinterland’s Kairos is soothing tranquility with soul power
Color of Clouds to release debut album, Satellite of Love, on April 6
I’ve written about Color of Clouds aplenty here on Knox Road, so it’s with much excitement to provide you with this information. The Brooklyn trio who specialize in sweet, subdued electronic pop are set to digitally release their debut full-length, Satellite of Love, on April 6 along with a record release show at Pianos in… Continue reading Color of Clouds to release debut album, Satellite of Love, on April 6
jj’s nº 3 is so Swedish (read: lovely)
I love being the resident Swedish reviewer on Knox Road. Because the Swedes know what they’re doing with pop, period. So it comes as no surprise that Joakim Benon and Elin Kastlander, the duo behind jj, have delivered a stunningly refreshing work of indie pop on their second full-length album, nº 3. You know how… Continue reading jj’s nº 3 is so Swedish (read: lovely)
Liars cordially invite you on a wondrous journey to Sisterworld
I can’t think of a band that revels in changing genre and tearing apart expectations quite like Liars. Since their 2001 debut, They Threw Us All In A Trench And Stuck A Monument On Top, the band has seen changes that have taken them from the dance floor to German witch trials to “Mt. Heart… Continue reading Liars cordially invite you on a wondrous journey to Sisterworld
Band of Horses announce new album, tour dates
Pitchfork just released the latest awesome news of 2010, coming in the form of a new album announcement from Seattle fellas Band of Horses. The album will be titled Infinite Arms and will drop May 18, rather soon for such an announcement, no? Also, the band hasn’t provided us with any news about the label… Continue reading Band of Horses announce new album, tour dates
Rogue Wave is flimsy and unaffecting on Permalight
Where to start? The first single off Permalight, “Good Morning”, was a startlingly not-very-good-first-single-for-a-much-anticipated-album. And by not very good, I mean I was in some disbelief (alright, slight exaggeration) when I first heard it. It’s come to grow on me a bit, but upon that first listen, all hell broke loose (eh, maybe not as… Continue reading Rogue Wave is flimsy and unaffecting on Permalight
[MP3] Tim and Sam’s Tim and the Sam Band with Tim and Sam: “Choices”
Yeah, that’s the name of the band. I almost considered not posting because of the ridiculous title. And it’d really be a shame if I hadn’t, because “Choices” is a gorgeous tune and speaks wonders for the band. Sparkling, shimmering folktronica at its finest. From North Wales, T&S (four members) are set to release Life… Continue reading [MP3] Tim and Sam’s Tim and the Sam Band with Tim and Sam: “Choices”