Sometimes there is too much music to go around, especially in the fall. With new releases by Bad Lieutenant, Atlas Sound, The Cribs, Fuck Buttons, and El Perro Del Mar landing in the last two weeks (not including new releases by Mission of Burma, The Flaming Lips, Air, Basement Jaxx and Kurt Vile to name a few) it is a good time to be a music fan. With that being said, check out the reviews below and special thanks to contributing writer Pamela Z.
Bad Lieutenant – Never Cry Another Tear
So, have we all come to terms with the departure of Peter Hook and the dissolving of New Order? As Bad Lieutenant happens to be Bernard Sumner’s latest project and as a founder of Joy Division and New Order, we are quick to put under the microscope their debut, Never Cry Another Tear. Although it does not, and cannot, live up to the scrutiny, the band has put together a solid and well crafted bit of music.
With Sumner as a driving force, there is a subtle twist to the proceedings. More akin to modern New Order, the strength lies in the focus on solid pop structures. The album, at times, feels nostalgic and retro without ever feeling stuck in reverse. “Sink or Swim” is a great introduction to the band, in some ways laying the gauntlet down to the audience.
The main issue with Bad Lieutenant, which includes fellow members Stephen Morris and Phil Cunningham, lies in the careful balancing act they must pull off between developing great pop melodies while not treading already tried and true paths. With Sumner leading, the synths and bass are more complimentary. It is more of guitar driven album which plays to the band’s strengths.
It is a pleasurable listening experience but the lack of bite might put some listeners off. Songs like “Twist of Fate” and “Summer Days on Holiday” tend to amble along well, going down smoothly but lacking some staying power. “This is Home” and “Dynamo” provide several highlights including a layered and textual sound in “Home” and a rousing chorus in “Dynamo”. In between some great tracks, there is a clunker or two, including “Poisonous Wealth” which feels a bit dated and too cheesy for me but surely others will deem it as a highlight.
“Shine Like the Sun” gives the second half of the album a burst of speed and a nice boost to the listening experience. “Head Into Tomorrow” wraps up the album acoustically that feels all too familiar.
The album is crafted well but without much experimentation. It’s not that the album is bad, it’s quite good with many enjoyable moments. But we know the band are deft craftsmen with plenty of genius to prove it but maybe the album is too safe. Never Cry Another Tear will not define a career nor will it sink any, just don’t expect it to replace either Joy Division or New Order as the best thing Sumner has done.
Atlas Sound – Logos
Bradford Cox, indie hero and leader of Deerhunter, sets out to create something more than an Animal Collective album with his alter ego Atlas Sound and Logos, his sophomore LP. This album almost feels like an identity crisis, much like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and It’s Blitz. Is it just jumping on the latest trend or is there something more to it? Luckily, like It’s Blitz, it’s the latter rather than the former.
Starting off with a hazy and ethereal “The Light that Failed”, a very minimal composition, it is a good indication of things to come. Combining distorted vocals, folk and electronic, it is hard to avoid the comparisons of Animal Collective, especially when Noah Lennox makes an appearance in “Walkabout”. The song marks a shift from the minimalist formula of the first two track and the well-crafted pop melodies come to the forefront.
The album has an incredibly strong middle with the irresistible “Sheila” and “Quick Canal” being a fantastic one-two that delights the listener. “Sheila” is where the focus becomes clear, and the repetitive nature of the tracks is used to create melody rather than tone and atmosphere. “Quick Canal” featuring Laetitia Sadier, sounds fantastic, a blast of sonic pleasure that comes rushing by like a train. If Logos stayed on this course for the remainder of the album it would be considered a great success, but Cox continues to experiment and propels the album further.
“Kid Klimax” reverts back to more distorted feel of the beginning, but offers a much more vibrant tone to the proceedings, culminating with a dynamic sense of urgency. This optimism of the later tracks makes the album breeze by. In no time, “Logos” is set to end the album. With its snappy tone, playful synths, great drumming and distorted vocals, it is a perfect encapsulation of the songs that preceded it. The small swerves and change of pace are natural, organic progressions of sonic themes that unite Logos and prove it is not just jumping on the bandwagon.
More reviews including The Cribs, Fuck Buttons, and El Perro Del Mar after the jump.
The Cribs – Ignore the Ignorant
When The Cribs announced Johnny Marr’s as the latest addition to the band, it was marked with great interest. How would Marr’s guitar and idol status affect the band? What would be the direction for the brothers Jarman and their fourth LP, Ignore the Ignorant? Not surprisingly, Marr’s guitar injects a new life to the band and their best effort yet.
The first two tracks, “We Were Aborted” and “Cheat on Me” are vintage Cribs. “We Were Aborted” features angular guitar, chopping drums, and anthemic chorus. While there are hints of Marr’s influence in “Cheat on Me”, especially with the intro, it doesn’t become evident that there is more to the band until “We Share the Same Skies”.
Any fear that the band would descend into being a cover band for The Replacements are quickly dashed with “The City of Bugs”. The band is serious in their ambition to grow, and despite minor stumbling blocks in regards to certain lyrical choices, the band is trying out some new sounds that push the boundaries of what we thought The Cribs were capable of. “We Share the Same Skies” embraces many tried and true British musical traditions and adapts them in vintage Cribs fashion.
Later songs on the album are more atmospheric with a sense of restraint that was rarely, if ever, present. “Last Year’s Snow” is nostalgic, almost wistful song. Looking back, the band uses some heavy handed analogies that are a little too direct, but are not without their charm. Further examples of restrain include “Emasculate Me” which is up-tempo but does not fall back on punctuating yells. “Save Your Secrets” shows further restraint with a hushed melody and gripping vocals. The band is not content with pointing out flaws of the outside world; the album tends to focus the gaze inward. The tongue in cheek “Victim of Mass Production” is a nice little ditty about finding love.
Ignore the Ignorant is a sign of the new mature Cribs, and this is not just a vanity project with Marr. The Cribs, channeling where they left off in Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever, have produced their best album yet that shows a very bright future for the band.
Fuck Buttons – Tarot Sport written by Pamela Z
Fuck Buttons might gain more notoriety for their name than their music, but it’s not for lack of trying. For their new album, Tarot Sport, Fuck Buttons pull no punches and aim to hit their audience full-on, but neglect to deviate from their well-hewed formula.
The tracks are a familiar to fans as danceable, high-energy soundscapes, dotted with filtered guitar screeches and earthy percussion, but real experimentation and surprises are too few and far-between. The album’s opener and first single, “Surf Solar,” is a welcome, fast-paced track that starts off well, introducing the group with a bang and inspiring an army of moving feet, but then it goes on … and on. You’ll be tapping your fingers, but the track’s a great indication of the album’s progress. “Olympics” actually invokes the pomp and spirit of the big-time athletic ceremonies, starting off in a
slow, thinly-veiled homage to “Chariots of Fire” and culminating to bursts of sound worthy of a 1960’s sci-fi epic, but never gains the emotional connection that would give Fuck Buttons a leg up on their competition.
Bearing tighter beats and a more frenetic energy than their debut, “Tarot Sport” is a finer effort, but has the tendency to fall short. While the lengthier cuts will push the patience of even the most dedicated New Raver (four tracks push the ten-minute mark) as a whole, “Tarot Sport” segues seamlessly from soaring and pounding atmospherics to, formulaic dance tracks, to marching drums.
The album should be enjoyed in full, rather than chopped into swapped MP3s tracks, although this renders Fuck Button’s sophomore effort destined for the cool-down session after a filthy night on the dance floor.
El Perro Del Mar – Love is Not Pop
El Perro Del Mar’s, Sweden’s Sarah Assbring, latest album Love is Not Pop combines airy and lush vocals with minimal electronic backing that creates a soothing release for any tension. At times the repetitious nature (several songs hinge on repeated phrases) creates a tranquility and beauty that is wonderful but maybe it is too distant to really draw the listener in.
“Gotta Get Smart” is a nice pop song with silky smooth vocals and a simple song structure. The repetition, as noted earlier, provides depth, atmosphere and ambiance to each song. The songs are beautifully produced; the sound is rich despite its sparseness.
Her vocals affect a calming mood, a panacea for ailments but maybe do not push boundaries far enough.It may just be me wanting a little bit more as I would be pulled into a song but would not get lost in it. At times the album can be hypnotic, swirling around and enveloping your ears wonderfully. At times it breezes by without leaving a trace.
The album has an extremely strong second half. “Heavenly Arms” picks up wonderfully and is a highlight. There is a natural progression and a build up to a climax and release. It’s a well paced song that shows what El Perro Del Mar has to offer.
With her gorgeous voice, this mini-album is just a small step for her. The minimal nature seems like a sidetrack. At only seven songs, the album is just a stepping stone in her pursuit of bigger and better things.
