Fredrik leaves us gasping for air -in the good way- on Trilogi

We’ve been gearing up for quite some time with this record haven’t we? After the spooky “Mujina/Locked In The Basement” track and a video teaser of “Vinterbarn”, Fredrik gave us plenty of material in steady anticipation of their second full-length, Trilogi. Hot on the heels of their stellar, and at times frighteningly addictive debut, Na… Continue reading Fredrik leaves us gasping for air -in the good way- on Trilogi

Beach House’s Teen Dream encapsulates listeners with its delicate reveries

[Ed. Note: Remember Lin from KR Goes Global? Well she’s still looking for great non-Western bands to blog about for us, but in the meantime we couldn’t resist having her review the much-anticipated and highly publicized Beach House release. So, this review is not written by Lee as the byline up top says, but rather… Continue reading Beach House’s Teen Dream encapsulates listeners with its delicate reveries

New Obsession: Milly Beau – Party Glitter

Hey guys, remember Milly Beau? No?? Well let me remind you from a previous post… Milly Beau is fronted by the incredibly talented MaryBeth Doran, just a year removed from George Washington University in D.C. (loving this D.C. NYC connection.) Her voice is stunningly gorgeous; I canā€™t describe it any other way (Iā€™m telling you,… Continue reading New Obsession: Milly Beau – Party Glitter

Surfer Blood changes the way you see surf music on Astro Coast

While some bands have beenā€“making waves (LOLOLOOL)ā€“ with songs about surfing, Florida’s Surfer Blood is knee deep in the beach-themed downer/upper rock. Unlike The Drums, who are quick to denounce their surfing connection as anything but a misconception, Surfer Blood seems to be all about the theme. From the album’s great single, “Swim,” to the… Continue reading Surfer Blood changes the way you see surf music on Astro Coast

Spoon hits a crossroads with Transference

A change of pace. What does that really mean? A transitional period? Re-exploration? Achieving new goals? Possibly. Sometimes we’re so numb from what we’re used to we aim to expand what we know. Our minds are set to want more, whether we deem our lives a success or otherwise. As we age, we look for… Continue reading Spoon hits a crossroads with Transference

Eels’ End Times is maybe the saddest album of 2010

When I first put on Eels’ new album, I was immediately thrown into a fit of crippling sadness.Ā Frontman Mark “E” Oliver Everett said he wrote the album about divorceā€“specifically about a divorce in his own life, the details of which he is keeping to himself. So the album he created walks us from literally “The… Continue reading Eels’ End Times is maybe the saddest album of 2010

Owen Pallett provides an expected followup with Heartland

When Owen Pallett announced he would change his recording moniker from Final Fantasy back to his original name, the primary reason was because “the laws of trademark infringement exist for good reason.” That may be so, but fans could have understandably seen that as something of a distancing from the violinist’s past work. But his… Continue reading Owen Pallett provides an expected followup with Heartland

Laura Veirs pulls out all the stops on the enchanting July Flame

The name Laura Veirs conjures up unrivaled, winsome imagery and an inexpressible feeling of being under an entrancing spell. Yes, it’s abstract; but suitable to the music she makes. Wistful, longing searches through waves of hope and desire, attempts to create lasting relationships, all in the setting of the different worlds Veirs manages to portray… Continue reading Laura Veirs pulls out all the stops on the enchanting July Flame

Vampire Weekend’s Contra is a perfect sophomore effort

I like to laugh at the weirdo middle school girls swept up in the “Team Jacob” vs. “Team Whoever” thing from Twilight. Stupid petty book rivalries! But then I look to the reception of Vampire Weekend’s 2008 self-titled album and the two contentious camps that developed there: “Team Vampire Weekend Is Awesome” and “Team Vampire… Continue reading Vampire Weekend’s Contra is a perfect sophomore effort

Weezer’s Raditude is just silly and bland

Who is Weezer’s audience anymore? Back when they released Weezer (The Blue Album) and Pinkerton, they attracted a sort of indie power pop crowd which slowly changed to the 15-year-old suburban white kid crowd which slowly changed into the random assortment of people crowd and now here we are. The band’s seventh studio album in… Continue reading Weezer’s Raditude is just silly and bland