Music - Album of the week - Page - 2
6th Feb 12
Woollen Kits - Woollen Kits
R.I.P. Society/Fuse
The debut album from Melbourne trio Woollen Kits successfully weaves elements of punk, lo-fi garage rock and pop into a beautifully unique sonic patchwork. The record's nine songs impress with their memorable melodies and dynamic, stripped back arrangements.
Past Albums of the Week
4th Jul 11
Shabazz Palaces - Black Up
Sub Pop/Inertia
Shabazz Palaces from Seattle are a powerful, original force in modern music. Following from two self-released EPs, Black Up is the group's debut full-length on a label, and fascinatingly the first hip-hop album from the Sub Pop label, a label well known for their work with bands like Beach House, Nirvana, Fleet Foxes, Sebadoh, and The Shins amongst others. Founded by Palaceer Lazaro (aka Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler of 90s Daisy Age hip-hop crew Digable Planets), Shabazz Palaces specialise in a more abstracted form of beat creation, incorporating fractured and distorted soul samples, electronically altered beats and a careful consideration of space and echo between the verses.
27th Jun 11
The Black Angels - Phosphene Dream
Blue Horizon/Warner
With two albums of fuzzy, psych-drone explorations behind them, The Black Angels return with an album of arguably greater clarity, but no less complexity. Diligent students of rock music history, Phosphene Dream also shows the band looking forward, focusing the energy and emotion of previous releases into more refined compositions.
20th Jun 11
Gillian Welch - The Harrow & The Harvest
Acony Records/Shock
The Harrow & The Harvest is a brilliant return for Gillian Welch, offering a superbly crafted collection of songs, produced with partner David Rawlings. The instrumentation and recording elements are sparce, and the sound is very intimate, allowing the beauty of each composition to be clearly felt.
13th Jun 11
Jeff The Brotherhood - We Are The Champions
(Spunk/EMI)
The Nashville based duo of Jake and Jamin Orall introduced their efficient and effective psych-rock sounds on 2009's Heavy Days, and on their latest LP We Are The Champions introduce some fuzzed-out power punk into the mix. More contemplative pacing, and intricate melodic hooks are also presented on certain songs, although none of the energy or intensity is sacrificed on the latest collection. Well regarded for their live performances, We Are The Champions confirms Jeff The Brotherhood's capacity to translate that stagecraft into memorable studio output, with a full-length that references and shows deference to classics in the field from artists such as The Ramones, The Meanies, and even early Weezer.
6th Jun 11
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis - Smoking In Heaven
Sunday Best/Shock
The second album from Kentish Town siblings Kitty, Daisy and Lewis Durham is an extremely authentic exploration of 12-bar blues, rockabilly and boogie-woogie styles. Where their debut consisted of covers, Smoking In Heaven demonstrates the three band members growing songwriting skills, and extends the sonic palette into ska and jazz territory as well.
30th May 11
Gang Gang Dance - Eye Contact
4AD/Remote Control
Simultaneously more disperate in style, and sharper in focus than any of their previous recordings, Eye Contact is the vibrant fifth album from the adventurous New York band Gang Gang Dance. Consistent with their previous output, the album works as a cohesive, extended suite, with explorations of new jack-era soul, jagged UK funky, electronic pop, and RnB along the way.
23rd May 11
Bachelorette - Bachelorette
Mistletone/Inertia
The solo production alias of Annabel Alpers, Bachelorette offers a beautifully resonant style in the tradition of electronic music. Infused with the radiophonic experiments of the 60s, the synth innovations of the 70s and 80s and a distinct interpretation of pop classicism that is Annabel's alone, Bachelorette has created an impressive legacy over four albums. Rumoured to be the final album recorded as a solo artist, this self-titled work represents in some ways a culmination of all the Bachelorette material recorded to date; a brilliant balance of consonance and dissonace the lingers in the imagination and demands repeated listens.
16th May 11
Amon Tobin - ISAM
Ninja Tune/Inertia
Having established a firm reputation for inventiveness, experimentation and innovation, Amon Tobin has again redefined the parameters of electronic music with his latest album ISAM. Where Amon Tobin's earliest output pushed the boundaries of sample-based composition, supermodifying sonic bricolage into new permutations, ISAM is much more focused on high-level sound design. and creating new studio instruments to play with from sophisticated production techniques. Another game-changing album, ISAM demonstrates yet again Amon Tobin's singular creative vision, and forward-thinking approach to music making.
9th May 11
Teeth & Tongue - Tambourine
Dot Dash/Remote Control
The follow-up to debut LP 'Monobasic', 'Tambourine' showcases the depth and beauty of Teeth & Tongue's evolving musical styles. Jess Cornelius, together with collaborators Marc Regueiro-Mckelvie (guitar) and Damian Sullivan (bass) paint powerfully affecting compositions with a palette of spare drum machine rhythms, layered guitar lines, and captivating vocals.
2nd May 11
Crystal Stilts - In Love With Oblivion
Popfrenzy
The second album from New York-based Crystal Stilts develops and extends upon the dark, psychedelic garage and post-punk sounds that characterised their debut 'Alight Of Night'. Filled with tenebrous atmospheres, and cavernous production, the album also offers very focused pop compositions, exhibiting a impressive versatility and dynamism throughout the entire album.
25th Apr 11
Bill Callahan - Apocalypse
Spunk/EMI
Well known for his work under the Smog moniker, Bill Callahan presents his third album as a solo artist, but fifteenth for his career as a recording artist. Entitled Apocalypse, the beautifully sparse and melodically resonant Apocalypse finds Callahan in top lyrical form as ever, expressing poignant reflections and incisive commentary in direct and deceptively complex poetry. Bill Callahan's compositions, informed by country, blues, Americana and '70s rock styles, are also disarming in their elegant simplicity.
18th Apr 11
Pharoahe Monch - W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)
Duck Down/Shock
W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) is an explosive, provocative, and thought-provoking album from an artist well-versed in bold artistic statements. Filled with deeply personal and political lyrics delivered in Pharoahe's inimitable style, the record is supported with classic production from a range of beat-makers, including Melbourne's own M-Phazes, and Los Angeles' futurists Exile and Samiyam.
11th Apr 11
Oscar + Martin - For You
Two Bright Lakes/Remote Control
Melbourne duo Oscar + Martin create songs that love you back. Following from their earlier material recorded as Psuche, Oscar + Martin's 'For You' LP combines elements of percussive, minimalist pop, experimental RnB, and soulful beat-based music. The album is inbued with a rare vitality and originality; each compostion feels both ingeniuously and meticulouslty crafted yet completely spontaneous in delivery.
3rd Apr 11
Seekae - +Dome
Rice Is Nice/Popfrenzy
The second album from Sydney three-piece Seekae is a masterful synthesis of electronic and organic elements, combined to form a balanced and tremendously satisfying full-length recording. Fragmentary, yet harmonious compositions such as Gnor and Blood Bank illustrate some of the records most playful tendencies, and a sense of wonder and adventure permeates all the records deceptively complex rhythms and melodic turns.
28th Mar 11
J Mascis - Several Shades Of Why
Sub Pop/Inertia
Well known and regarded as the singer and songwriter from Dinosaur Jr for the past twenty-five years, J Mascis has just released his debut solo album. In start contrast to much of his band's previous work, Several Shades Of Why is a comparatively minimalist affair, comprising almost entirely acoustic, and percussion free arrangements. The voice of J Mascis also takes a prominent position in the mix, more intimate and perhaps more fragile than fans would be accostomed to.
21st Mar 11
Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo
Matador/Remote Control
As a solo artist, and in his work with The War On Drugs, Kurt Vile skilfully evokes the sonic hallmarks of classic American rock. Smoke Ring For My Halo is Kurt Vile's second album for Matador Records, and presents a slightly more refined and cohesive showcase of Kurt's songwriting, and hazy melodic guitar sound.
14th Mar 11
Collarbones - Iconography
Two Bright Lakes/Remote Control
Living in separate cities, Travis Cook and Marcus Whale began Collarbones via the internet in 2007, and soon were creating fascinating tracks together influenced by their shared love of fractured hip hop, warped RnB and glitched electronic production techniques. Iconography is the duo's debut full length, and serves as an excellent showcase of Collarbone's unique interpretion of sample-based music, and digital methodology.
7th Mar 11
Adalita - Adalita
Liberator/Mushroom Group
The debut solo album from Adalita, one of the founding members of Magic Dirt, is a record of incredible depth and beauty, capturing Adalita's exceptional skill as a songwriter and performer. The layered melodies, and subtle resonances, combined with Adalita's affecting lyrical reflections captivate the listener throughout the course of the record.
28th Feb 11
Toro Y Moi - Underneath The Pine
Mistletone/Inertia
Where Toro Y Moi's debut album 'Causers Of This' exhibited an interest in abstracted disco, electronic, and digital hip hop sounds and textures, second LP 'Underneath The Pine' feels like a more expansive and organic series of songs. 'Still Sound' and 'New Beat' provide vibrant pop-infused jazz-funk workouts, while elsewhere Toro Y Moi showcases more introspective downbeat compositions, tinged with a slight nostalgic haze.
21st Feb 11
PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
Vagrant/Universal
Let England Shake is a complex and captivating album from one of England's most consistently challenging and compelling songwriters. In contrast to the minimal piano melodies and introspection of 2007's White Chalk, PJ Harvey's latest effort is a bold, multi-layered exploration of folk and rock music traditions, socio-politics and history.
14th Feb 11
James Blake - James Blake
Atlas / Universal
Attracting praise as one of the most exciting, and innovative, musical talents in recent times, James Blake is a masterful producer who over the course of several EPs succeeded in redefining the parameters of electronic and urban sounds origininating in the UK. For his debut full-length, James Blake has shifted his attention to more subdued folk and gospel influenced styles, demonstrating a tremendous versatility as a songwriter and composer.
6th Feb 11
Gil Scott-Heron And Jamie xx - We're New Here
XL Recordings/Remote Control
The prodigously talented producer of The xx, Jamie xx, revisits 2010's I'm New Here by legendary musician Gil-Scott-Heron, offering thirteen entirely new and inventive reworkings of the original material. Jamie xx has been ably demonstrating his capacity for advanced, understated electronic production, spatial detailing, and ultra-modern RnB over the course of his career, and on We're New Here continues to explore new sonic terrain. We're New Here succeeds in highlighting the hidden depths of the original Gil Scott-Heron original, and presents itself as an entirely individual work of extraordinary complexity and beauty.
30th Jan 11
Cut Copy - Zonoscope
Modular/Universal
The third album from Melbourne's Cut Copy find the group continuing their explorations of dance, electronic, and experimental pop styles. Zonoscope is arguably Cut Copy's most focused and yet diverse album to date, with a collection of expansive arrangements, and melodically and rhythmically intricate material.
23rd Jan 11
Charles Bradley - No Time For Dreaming
Dunham / Daptone / Shock
The debut album from Brooklyn's Charles Bradley arrives after years of honing his craft in live performances around America. A dedicated student and practitioner of soul music, Charles found a kindred spirit in Thomas Brenneck who has produced this album with the renowned Menahan Street Band as the backing group. No Time For Dreaming displays Charles Bradley's great skill for storytelling and evocative singing, as well as the exceptional musicianship of the Menahan Street Band.
12th Dec 10
Little Dragon - Machine Dreams
Peacefrog/EMI
Swedish band Little Dragon deliver their second album of meticulously crafted electronic pop music, appropriately entitled Machine Dreams. Filled with ethereal ambience, layered instrumentation and subtle, memorable melodies, the album deftly combines gritty urban music signifiers with an otherworldly atmosphere.
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