Soap&Skin: Lovetune for Vacuum

Artist: Soap&Skin
Album: Lovetune for Vacuum
Date Released: March 16, 2009
Genre: sadcore, singer/songwriter, alternative
Rating: 7.6

Review: Soap&Skin, the Austrian wunderkind also known as Anja Plaschg, intertwines multi-generational influences like Nico and Kate Bush along with more contemporary arists like Bjork, Cat Power, Sigur Ros, Aphex Twin and Autechre. The music is nearly impossible to describe -- suffice to say that it's powerful, bold and highly original.

On "Thanatos," Plaschg rhythmically pounds the piano while her richly layered vocals drive the piece forward. And then on the following track, "Extinguish Me," the violence of the piano is replaced by gentle string arrangements and a buzzing accordian. Each track stands out on its own, seemingly unrelated to the other, but ultimately they comprise a coherent and rewarding whole.

Soap&Skin is definitely an artist to watch.

St. Vincent: Actor

Artist: St. Vincent
Album: Actor
Date Released: May 5, 2009
Genre: alt-rock, singer-songwriter, indie-pop
Rating: 7.8

Review:

Nearly two years after her debut album, Marry Me, Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent) has released Actor, an effort she wrote entirely herself and co-produced with John Congleton of The Paper Chase. Clark plays guitar, bass and keys on the record, but brought in some extra help in the form of Hideaki Aomori (Sufjan Stevens) and Alex Sopp (Bjork).

"The Neighbors" sets in with an unpredictable tempo, and throughout the track synthesizers shimmer and build to create a breathing, shaking sound, feeding the album with a fresh and unique potential.

The slow dancing violin introduction of "Black Rainbow" is seductive and fresh, with a lovely accompanying synth looping throughout the track. The vocals from Clark resoundingly carry while remaining mellow and calm. Towards the end of the track the synth becomes heavier, with the violins raising dramatically, becoming higher and higher as the swift change in sound changes the dimension of the album.

Just under the minute mark, "Marrow" bolts into a stark and uplifting beat, which catches you off guard and naturally makes your whole body jive to the rhythm; it's an excellent example of music changing direction to make you listen. "Party" helps Clark to build on one of her strengths in the shape of her addictive vocals, as a smiling piano twinkles to add solid foundation to the song.

A sumptuous beginning to the final track "The Sequel" involves brass and woodwind instruments which diffuse into acoustic guitar and Clark’s now familiar voice.

Actor cements itself as entrancingly listenable. But for all its moments of joyous unpredictability there are too many average expanses within the tracks, often leading to glorious climaxes cut short. Despite this, however, the album as a whole is a fine piece of work which many will find both soothing and embracing.

Reviewed by Asa Masters.

Duncan Sheik: Whisper House

Artist: Duncan Sheik
Album: Whisper House
Date Released: January 27, 2009
Genre: adult alternative, singer-songwriter,
Initial rating: 7.5

Bon Iver: Blood Bank [EP]

Artist: Bon Iver
Album: Blood Bank [EP]
Date Released: January 12, 2009
Genre: indie, alternative, singer/songwriter
Rating: 7.1

Review: It was probably a good idea for Bon Iver to release an EP after their wildly successful debut, For Emma Forever Ago. It's time for the band to take stock and plan for a sophomore release that will undoubtedly be met with unfair expectations; Blood Bank gives Justin Vernon the chance to try a few things out as he plans for #2.

The title track is pleasant and pretty, but its production is weak and sounds like something that should have been left on the cutting room floor. "Beach Baby" is very For Emma-esque and features a beautiful pedal steel outro -- but it's painfully short. Blood Bank starts to get interesting with "Babys" as the band brings in some percussive piano, followed by Vernon's laid back harmonizing; there's no urgency here as the band makes some great use of open space. "Woods" is easily the most experimental of the 4 tracks; Vernon channels all the vocals through a voice processor giving the song a soulful quality that's otherwise absent on the album.

If Blood Bank offers any indication as to what Bon Iver is up to, it's that they're not going to depart too radically from their initial sound. Given that so many artists 'crank up the band' after a mellow and gentle introduction, this will be a welcome and refreshing thing.