Showing posts with label lo-fi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lo-fi. Show all posts

Saturday, September 19, 2009

The Antlers: Hospice

Artist: The Antlers
Album: Hospice
Date Released: August 18, 2009
Genre: indie rock, chamber pop, lo-fi, experimental
Rating: 8.9

Review
: Dark and brooding, Hospice is the fourth studio album from Brooklyn's The Antlers. The brainchild of Peter Silberman, The Antlers are like a more experimental version of Bon Iver and The Walkmen. Hospice chronicles Silberman's personal journey through themes of isolation, death and his relationship with the larger world. The stunningly beautiful "Prologue" is a definite standout on what is a very good but challenging album.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Bill Callahan: Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle

Artist: Bill Callahan
Album: Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
Date Released: April 14, 2009
Genre: indie-rock, alternative singer/songwriter, low-fi
Rating: 8.1

Review: Bill Callahan, the artist formerly known as Smog, has returned to more familiar territory on Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle: this album is moody, laid-back and devoid of frills.

As always, his low baritone is front and center, teasing the listener with his limited range. The arrangements are light, spacious and warm, providing a beautiful accompaniment to Callahan's striking voice.

Lyrically, Callahan is somber, angry and introspective. Indeed, it's the strength of the lyrics that power Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle. His statements and repetitive phrasing demand attention. On "Jim Cain" he sings,

Well I used to be darker
Then I got lighter, then I got dark again
Somethin' to be seen, was passing over
And over me
Well it seemed like a routine case at first
With the death of the shadow, came the lightness of births
In the darkest of nights, the truth still dazzled
And I work myself, until I'm frazzled
I ended up in search of ordinary things

But my favorite lyrics come on "Faith/Void," where he explores some more existential territory:

This is the end of faith, no more must I strive
To find my peace, to find my peace in the lie

It's time to put God away
It's time to put God away, I put God away

Callahan's my new hero.


Friday, March 20, 2009

Wavves: Wavves

Artist: Wavves
Album: Wavves
Date Released: March 17, 2009
Genre: noise rock, lo-fi
Rating: 7.3

Review: Surprisingly listenable noise rock that'll satisfy even the most ardent non-conformists, anarchists and surfers.