Metric, Pomegranates, TV on the Radio
Hey people! It's Tuesday, so another New Music Tuesday is upon us.
I have three new albums to review, one from a band that I complete adore. I'm really excited about this week's entry because all three albums I enjoyed thoroughly.
The first album is from Metric, Fantasies
This is an album that will bring you out of whatever funk you might be in. It is eletrifying, constantly contradicting the style of their previous albums and re-inventing their sound yet again. Throughout their career, they've maintained the originality that set them apart from the genre. If Grow Up and Blow Away showed their early potential and Live It Out was the rebellious effort, than Fantasies goes back to the basics, blending Old World sound with synch-pop of the highest order, revealing that they still can make great pop music.
The percussion in Help I'm Alive drives this song, with the offbeat count and Emily Haines voice hits like a sledgehammer, dominating the other instruments. I've always enjoyed her voice, from her work in Broken Social Scene to Metric, she could sing the phonebook. The highlight of the album for me is the track, Gimme Sympathy, the strings flowing in and out with the bump-bump-bump takes it to another level. The single, Front Row, which released a few weeks ago doesn't begin to prepare you for the rest of the album, which I think is brilliant. Too many bands release these singles, giving away the best songs before the entrie album drops, making it more of a letdown. They did it right with this one.
I would have to listen to it more than the three times I heard it today before I can say with complete confidence that this is my favorite album yet. It has all the qualities of a great album in my opinion: wonderful hooks, intriguing lyrics and great vocals. I want say that it is my favorite, but it is a real contender. If you enjoyed their best albums, you'll find this a real treat.
Choice Tracks: Gimme Sympathy, Sick Muse and Front Row
The second album is from Pormeganates, Everybody, Come Outside
I've been listening to this band off and on the past few months. I picked up their last album, Everything is Alive on a whim after reading the name of the band. My boss at my record store had been raving about them before I even started working there, when I was a loyal customer. Anyway, I hold his opinion in great respect and this band is another one that he has influenced upon me. While their music is very fun, it doesn't come off as being silly.
Everybody, Come Outside!, the title track starts with single guitar, as layers up layers of techno-pop is added, inviting everyone to join the revolution, the party, the here and now. It's excting and refreshing, not being gimmicky or artifical. The album only grows from there, with such dense songs like Sail (Away wiith Me) and 384 BC and leading up to the epic I Feel Like I'm a Million Year Old that clocks at nearly 13 mintues long. Each song takes you further into this playground of tantric sounds and fantastical melodies, only descending further into the rabbit hole.
Listen to this album. Don't think about it, just do it. I wouldn't steer you all wrong, so listen and fall in love. Here it all for free at last.fm.
Choice Tracks: Beachcomber, Jerusemlum Had a Bad Day, and Sail (Away With Me)
The final album today is TV on the Radio's Read Silence EP
There was no album cover available.
This EP is a few remixes from the 2008 album, Dear Science, taking some well-received songs and kicking them up a notch. One in particular, Stork & Owl transcends the previous album release for me with samples and a soulfulness that the Dear Science version lacked. It's only three songs so check them all out.
You can for free over at last.fm.
Also, if you're a new member, be sure to visit the profile page for a link to a fun challenge. It helps everyone get to know each other and musical interests.
Alright, that's all for this week. As always, if there was a new album that you feel needs recognition, by all means post about it!
Look out tomorrow for Spotlight Artist of the Week... #5!!!