Author: Michael

Posted in Album Reviews

Warpaint – Warpaint (2014)

Posted on by Michael

41mRLXmbmyL__AA160_Back in 2010, LA band Warpaint were much buzzed about in the indie rock community. Their debut album landed them festival slots at Glastonbury, Coachella and Lollapalooza. This time around, veteran producer Flood (U2, Depeche Mode) handles the production for the all-female band’s self-titled sophomore effort.

Notably, the band wrote the songs together working them up from various jam sessions. This shows in first single “Love Is To Die” where the rhythm section locks in tightly, continuing a groove started with the aptly named “Intro” and “Keep It Healthy”. A 90s trip hop influence is all over the atmospheric “Feeling Alright”.

Most of Warpaint takes on a haunting quality (“Biggy” and “Hi”) but on “Disco//very” the hushed vocals are replaced with disco beats, a shouted chorus and a menacing bassline. Not sounding like anything else on the record, this really stands out. There is much to like on Warpaint, however, there are a handful of tracks that aren’t quite hypnotic or ethereal enough to be truly memorable which lessens the overall impact.

7/10

Review also found at UMFM.com

Posted in Album Reviews

Cults – Static (2013)

Posted on by Michael

61UHPZyq0kL__SP160,160,0,T_Back in October, New York duo Cults released Static, the follow-up to their 2011 self-title debut. Most articles at the time of Static’s release centred on the fact that it was formed in the midst of Madeline Frolin and Brian Oblivion’s break-up. A quick scan of song titles can attest to this – “Keep Your Head Up”, “I Can Hardly Make You Mine”, and “No Hope” are just a few examples.

While the reviews at the time were generally positive, the album seemed to get lost in the big fall release schedule. This is a shame as while not being a huge leap forward stylistically, the 60s influenced indie-pop is still intact, Static is a more consistent album than the debut. Both “I Can Hardly Make You Mine” and “Keep Your Head Up” bristle with energy with the latter being a stomping battle cry. “Always Forever” sees Frolin singing at the top of her vocal register to an updated early 60s beat whereas “We’ve Got It” recalls the sound of the swinging late 60s. While “Go Outside” will certainly be the song they are most known for, Static adds considerable punch to Cults’ (hopefully still) growing catalogue.

8/10