Girls: Album

Artist: Girls
Album: Album
Date Released: September 22, 2009
Genre: indie rock, indie pop
Rating: 8.3

Girls is a much-hyped duo based out of San Francisco -- two guys riding the wave of excitement generated by a trio of highly successful videos for "Hellhole Ratrace," "God Damned," and "Lust for Life," Girls have managed to weather this storm of unrealistic expectations by putting out a remarkably solid debut album simply called Album.

Their sound could be characterized as being a bit retro, with hints of the Beach Boys and other surfer rock bands of the 1960's. You could characterize Album like that, but you'd probably miss the point. Intermixed into their sound are hints of Spiritualized, Pavement and Dinosaur Jr. -- not to mention some dark and sobering lyrics not typically found in the jangly beach-rock of a different era.

Album is a contradiction in terms: the tracks are kinetic, bright and colored by high energy, but the lyrical tone is one of pain, frustration and coming to terms with life's difficulties. It's this juxtaposition (or is it irony?) that propels this album to a higher level. Album is a highly accessible and enjoyable album from a new band that has managed to live up to a lot of the hype.

jj: jj n° 2

Artist: jj
Album: jj n° 2
Date Released: July 17, 2009
Genre: indie rock, indie pop, dream pop
Rating: 8.4

Review: jj n° 2 is the dreamy debut from Gothenburg Sweden's jj -- a little known group that intermixes gentle Carribean beats and African rhythms with a distinctly European melodic sensibility. jj's whisperey and understated female vocals, along with its soothing rhythmic grooves, would be as appropriate on the beach as on the dance floor.

Overall the tracks are mid to slow tempo and awash in reverb. Tracks like "Ecstasy" bring to mind Fever Ray or The Bug -- but with more attention paid to melody and a minimalist nuance. jj n° 2 also features some dynamic arrangements; the album shifts from time-to-time to acoustic tracks like "Are You Still in Valda?"and the uber-cute "Me & Dean."

The tracks "From Africa to Malaga" and "My Hopes and Dreams" best exemplify the band's sound -- but it's "Things Will Never Be the Same Again" that shines brighest, representing one of the strongest tracks of the year.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Artist: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Album: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Date Released: February 3, 2009
Genre: indie pop, noise pop, shoegaze
Rating: 8.0

Review:

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart are the latest shoegaze offering from New York City. This four piece have had critics eating out the palm of their indie-pop hands since the release of this debut self-titled record. With an extensive list of upcoming shows, it's clear to see that this hard-working band is looking to deliver their purist soft-rock far and wide.

This work sounds like the sun peeking through the clouds; the interplay of light and dark is apparent throughout. A creative consistency is held from start to finish, but the listen still allows for tracks like “Young adult friction” and “Come Saturday” to pioneer the pack. This in a easy going work that creates a small degree of playful addiction. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart provide a captivating and relaxing experience served with just the right amount of hearty attitude.

This record may not be big nor clever, but this band's broad approach has created a relatively familiar sounding record that has a modernistic touch. It's a bold musical expression that's similar to artists such as Belle and Sebastian, My Bloody Valentine and The Smiths in terms of execution.

A sure and steady record, it must be respected as an artistic whole. This debut is capable of glowing during any season, it is certain to deliver under any circumstance and it is sure to satisfy in any situation. The sun may be peeking through the clouds, but this is an album that will be appreciated all year round.

Reviewed by Leigh Padley.

Patrick Watson: Wooden Arms

Artist: Patrick Watson
Album: Wooden Arms
Date Released: May 5, 2009
Genre: indie pop, contemporary singer-songwriter, chamber pop
Rating: 7.6

Review: Canadian singer and pianist Patrick Watson weaves together post-rock experimentalism with a vocal style that intersects between Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley. The tracks are strong and command attention. One of the year's most unique musical achievements.

Papercuts: You Can Have What You Want

Artist: Papercuts
Album: You Can Have What You Want
Date Released: April 14, 2009
Genre: indie pop
Rating: 7.4

Review:

The wondrous music of Papercuts is brought to us by the talents of Jason Robert Quever. You Can Have What You Want is the fourth album released by Papercuts since first appearing in 2000 (Rejoicing songs).

The album starts off with the detailed soundscapes of "Once We Walked in the Sunlight". This opening track is modest and somewhat withdrawn -- a suitable indication of what to come.

The floating organ drones and sharp beats of the second track, "Dictators Lament" help the album settle in; a tasteful effort, the listener can't help but be drawn-in at this point.

Fifth track "Jet Plane" opens with pleasant soft guitars, leading the listener into the coming airy vocals. Though "Jet Plane"’ is a relatively melodic track, it doesn’t quite have the lasting power to make it particularly memorable.

As You Can Have What You Want plays through, I find it fails to bring itself up a level. It seems content with either barely altering or attempting to complement the listener's mood; I found it a little too subdued.

This is a good Papercuts record, but its highlights mainly lie within particular phrases or in some of the slightly discordant melodies. The lack of adventure in this record almost make the opening 20 seconds of each track seem like the best parts.

The title track off this record is one of two songs that clock under 3 minutes long. It's a decent song, but I can't seem to find a better term to describe it other than 'nice.'

Overall this music is soft, rich and soothing. Even though the album is abundant in anti-climaxes and lacking in excitement, there is a certain charm hidden amongst the lifeless presence and the up-in-the-air progressions. You Can Have What You Want is not a very bold recording, but it plays as if it was never intended to be. Easy on the ear and gentle with the heart.

Reviewed by Leigh Padley.

Camera Obscura: My Maudlin Career

Artist: Camera Obscura
Album: My Maudlin Career
Date Released: April 21, 2009
Genre: indie pop
Rating: 8.3

Review:

My Maudlin Career is the fourth full-length studio album from Glasgow’s Camera Obscura, a 4AD records release. Confronted by the delightful artwork, I couldn’t wait to give this record a spin.

Kicking straight in with latest single “French navy”, My Maudlin Career's intricate sing-along melodies and smooth flow immediately sets a high standard -- and an indication of good things to come. “French Navy” is not a groundbreaking single by any means, but it holds a presence that many similar bands lack in comparison.

“You Told A Lie” is undoubtedly the album's standout track; its cuteness and swaying rhythms capture the subtle spirit of Camera Obscura. Its bold message indicates that this band is setting their standards a touch higher. Its opening lyrics are sung beautifully by Tracyanne Campbell:

If you were a season you would be in bloom
I wish I had good reason to see you soon
No need to convince me that you’re a catch

With the sound of “You Told A Lie” found somewhere between The Coral and Electric Light Orchestra, this track is full of heart and real substance, a perfect reflection of the aura that surrounds My Maudlin Career.

Towards the end of the album, the terrific “Forests And Sands” is an immediate attention grabber with its rattling percussion and loveable lyrics. Its high-pitched streams of melody shower over the song as the listener becomes increasingly aware of the glistening production put to use on this album. This track takes the listener to places reminiscent of the work on Interpol’s Our Love To Admire.

On the surface, one would imagine that this album's charm lies solely within the power of its many terrific indie-gems, but this record plays as an artistic whole, carrying the listener through a memorable journey of 1960's Spector-pop/shoegaze crossover.

My Maudlin Career flows like a soundtrack, a carefully crafted collection of gleaming songs sometimes delivered with a slight wistful edge. A perfect album to remind you of a sunny holiday or the impact of a new friend. Such a pleasant listen.

Reviewed by Leigh Padley.