popwreckoning

Here at PopWreckoning, we’ve officially hit a level of mail that makes it impossible for us to give full reviews to every band. However, this does not mean we believe that these bands shouldn’t be granted some for of press. It simply means we have to scale it down a bit. Therefore, we have opted to create a feature called Bite Size Reviews, which shall appear several times a week. This feature will contain 5 reviews each under 100 words and links to the albums website, MySpace page or label. We believe this is the best use of our mail and hope you too enjoy the reviews. They are as follows:

Thao – Know Better Learn Faster

With a 33-second intro of a chain gang chant, complete with handclap poignancy, you’ll expect a jumper and a revolutionary from albums past. Well, let’s just say that the Thermals split they did earlier in the year for Record Store Day was a preemptive move, since you have a little of the Thermals pop persistent throughout. Maybe even edging out their Alterna-Folk ground that was evident on We Brave Bee Stings And All. Social-mixer-and-mix-tape-friendly, with even a few tracks to dance to, like “Easy” and “Body.” “Fixed It!”, however, is a song made for Wednesday night group karaoke.

website | myspace | @ First Unitarian Church | @ Electric Factory | @ Terminal 5 | interview with | @ Liberty Hall

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Lucero – 1372 Overton Park

This album should be taken with a box of tissues, as Lucero rounds a hill of ragged southern blues to its repertoire. Word is, that this record sounds more like Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers and Tennessee, but those slower unrefined drawls bring on an even stronger Memphis soul, with a seriously smoky edge. True, that “What Are You Willing To Lose” maintains that upbeat organ choir uprising, but the album is a toying game between emotions—rebellious cries both amorous and longing. At least with Tennessee the instruments were creative and full, whereas 1372 just sounds like you’re outside a motorcycle rebel dive bar or a truck stop diner.

website | myspace

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Panther – Entropy

Panther begins by playing a little with your mind. The first track, “Latitudes For Centuries” sounds a bit like a Broadway warm-up, with an echo of ethereal vocals overpowering an introduction of piano. From there, it’s anyone’s guess. True to its history, the play-through sounds like it was a one-man (Charlie Salas-Humara) act that gathered a partner and a brand new direction. This adventure is just that, less electrical and more dancy-melodic. “Control Yr Ships” will quickly be an album favorite—the echo-ey voices returning with definite vociferous and keys presence. “Springwater” gets a bit too Dirty Projectors for me in a short chorus, but what’s left off the record is sincerely intelligent fun.

website | myspace | @ berbati’s pan

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Fink – Sort of a Revolution

This is technically an artist doing the a.k.a. deal, whose real name is Fin Greenall, and whose day job is songwriter, producer, and DJ. A Sort of Revolution is masterfully crafted, from the writing to the production, and given his resume we’re not very surprised. The fourth album strings along Greenall’s beautiful rhythm and blues voice in matching syncopation with intensely focused acoustic guitar plucking. Simply speaking, a record made for chilling out with a slicker vibe. This definitely isn’t folk, so take that you acoustic demographic. And in a flawless addition to his already stellar collection of full-lengths, you’ll be happy to know that it was a John Legend collaboration that set this record to a new tier of awesome.

website | myspace

Here at Popwreckoning, we’ve officially hit a level of mail that makes it impossible for us to give full reviews to every band. However, this does not mean we believe that these bands shouldn’t be granted some for of press.  It simply means we have to scale it down a bit. Therefore, we have opted to create a feature called Bite Size Reviews, which shall appear several times a week.  This feature will contain 5 reviews each under 100 words and links to the albums website, MySpace page or label.  We believe this is the best use of our mail and hope you too enjoy the reviews. They are as follows:

Greg Laswell – Covers
In the history of the world, I would have never imagined anyone could pull off a collection of covers featuring songs by the likes of Echo and the Bunnymen, Morphine, Mazzy Star, Kristin Hersh and Kate Bush without fucking up at least one. However, the aptly named Covers, the latest EP from singer/songwriter/twitter comedic genius Greg Laswell, does just that.  Managing to add his signature sound to each number without butchering the significance of 5 bands with very contrasting styles is impressive to say the least.   His ability to handle these individual sounds while tweaking them just enough to make them his helps make Covers an album and make Laswell an artist instead of that guy singing Jimmy Buffet at for beer money at your local bar.  (8 out of 10 stars)

website | myspace | @ beaumont club | Three Flights from Alto Nido review | @ world cafe live | @ sxsw 2009 | @ martyrs

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Tiësto – Kaleidoscope
So, I need to start off by confessing to fans of Tiësto that I may not be the best person available to give a fair review of this CD.  This is because I really could live a perfectly happy life without house music.  Remixes and samples seldom give me goosebumps.  Generally, I wish the originals has been left the hell alone. However, I’m going to do my best to stay positive regarding Kaleidoscope and simply say that I was rather impressed by the selections of artists Tiësto tapped to sample. When I think of house music, I seldom expect the likes of Priscilla Ahn, Cary Brothers and Tegan and Sara to touch my ears.  This alone should warrant this CD a single listen. I’ll let you choose if you want to keep spinning it after that.  (5 out of 10 stars)

website | myspace

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Asobi Seksu – Transparence
If Asobi Seksu can somehow fail to make you feel alive you might want to run down the street to your neighborhood family physician and place your order for a bottle of uppers.  There are few bands in the business with more charm and addictive tendency than this one.  Their new EP Transparence is par for the course. Sporting three songs and a remix this vinyl only release is the perfect follow up to the groups February 2009 full length Hush.  The only drawback I can find is that i personally have trouble moving past side A, which features a pair of brilliant songs in the title track “Transparance” and “Urusai Tori”. Rather than move on to a fairly reasonalbe side B, I often find myself simly starting the disc again. (9 out of 10 Stars)

myspace

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Imogen Heap – Ellipse
Anyone who knows me, or has been stumbled across my Facebook page in the past 3 months, has no doubt I am a fan of Imogen Heap. I’ve hyped her new album Eclipse the way the United States hyped Obama as the answer for change.  Her last album Speak For Yourself was just short of perfection and her work with Frou Frou doesn’t look bad on her resume either.  However, Ellipse to me feels a bit like a step backward for Imogen.  Her songs lack the catch that sucked you in on her previous records.  There are no golden tracks like “Let Go,” “Hide and Seek” or “Goodnight and Go” mixed in with the filler of her new work, noticeably leaving little reason for me to drop a twenty on the counter.  To date, I would have to call this album the biggest bust of 2009. It is a real let down. (5 out of 10 Stars)

website | myspace

Here at PopWreckoning, we’ve officially hit a level of mail that makes it impossible for us to give full reviews to every band. However, this does not mean we believe that these bands shouldn’t be granted some for of press.  It simply means we have to scale it down a bit. Therefore, he have opted to create a feature called Bite Size Reviews, which shall appear several times a week.  This feature will contain five reviews each under 100 words and links to the albums website, myspace or label.  We believe this is the best use of our mail and hope you too enjoy the reviews. They are as follows:

Into The Presence – Into The Presence
Though glimmers of both Muse and Queen manage to sneak through from second to second on Into the Presence self titled LP, Luis Carlos Maldonado’s larger than life vocals are not enough to keep my attention on their own.  (4 out of 10 stars)

Myspace

Castevet – Summer Fences

The contrast of bright spots to obnoxious spots of  Castevet is pretty fascinating in itself.  Musically this band could go riff for riff with the best of them. Think Get up Kids meets Casket Lottery.  Vocally however, they leave a lot to be desired, for me at least.   (Without Vocals 7 of 10 stars, With Vocals 5 of 10 stars)

Myspace

Caio My Shining Star – The Songs of Mark Mulcahy

Michael Stipe once said, ” Mulcahy is one of the greatest voices of our time.”  I must say I respect his opinion. This album of covers from the likes of Thom Yorke, The National,  Dinosaur Jr, Frank Black,Ben Kweller, Elvis Perkins and others is a fantastic listen and a brilliant way to discover an artist whom may have slipped under your radar. This album is a steal. (9 out of 10 stars)

Shout! Factory Store

The Twilight Sad – Forget the Night Ahead

Obviously from across the pond, The Twilight Sad is nothing but an easy listen for fans of the U.K. sound.  The highly anticipated follow up to the groups 2007 Fourteen Autums and Fifteen Winters is far more cluttered and in your face than Forget the Night Away, it also seems more direct. These changes are for the best.  (7 out of 10 Stars)

The Twilight Sad Myspace

As Tall As Lions – You Can’t Take It With You

Simply stated, Triple Crown Records does not release bad albums. You Can’t Take It With You by As Tall As Lions will end that streak of brilliance.  Shifting in and out of multiple signature sounds happening in the current indie scene, like emphasizing drums, backwards masking, and the UK sound somehow coming out of New York. Soothing trumpets hidden throughout songs like “Go Easy” lead flawlessly into flawlessly contrasting guitar solos, giving the album the creativity and confort of a Coldplay album while managing to keep the edge of Nightmare of You. While it is easy to give a listen, it is difficult to take out. (9 out of 10 stars)

As Tall As Lions Myspace