Album Reviews – Page 75 – The Light Appears

Neko Case – The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love (2013)

Posted on December 1, 2013July 20, 2014 by Michael

When looking at her discography, it is surprising to see that Neko Case has not released an album since 2009’s Middle Cyclone. Case is an artist who often pops up in various spots – whether it’s singing with Jakob Dylan, covering “She’s Not There” with Nick Cave or providing backup vocals for Camera Obscura, she’s never too far removed from the musical landscape. The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love sees Case return to the solo spotlight.

The soulful “Night Still Comes” and rollicking “Man” provide two early highlights that provide a mighty one-two punch. Sung a cappella, the parental failings in “Nearly Midnight, Honlulu” are truly heartbreaking as is the long distance lament in “Calling Cards”. While remaining emotionally raw throughout, a few of the tracks don’t hit with the same impact as what’s come before making for a good but at times inconsistent listen.

7/10

Album Reviews

Chvrches – The Bones of What You Believe (2013)

Posted on December 1, 2013July 20, 2014 by Michael

Through much of 2012, Glasgow synth pop trio Chvrches was making waves with a couple of singles that caught the ear of the blogsphere and saw them named as a band to watch by the BBC. When long-time friends Iain Cooke (Aerogramme) and Martin Doherty started recording in 2011 they asked Lauren Mayberry to sing on a few tracks which lead to the formation of Chvrches. After the release of “Lies” and the equally brilliant “Mother We Share”, the music press were more than ready to embrace third single “Recover” which received high praise upon release in early 2013.

Those three tracks form the backbone of debut, The Bones of What You Believe while fourth single “Gun” could easily be mistaken for an upbeat Young Galaxy. “We Sink” is instantly memorable when Mayberry sweetly declares “I’ll be in a thorn in your side ‘til you die”. Elsewhere tracks such as “Under the Tide” and “Science/Visions” show a darker side to Chvrches sound. A slew of great singles without any filler to be found, The Bones of What You Believe is one of the better debuts of the year.

8/10

Album Reviews

Julia Holter – Loud City Song (2013)

Posted on December 1, 2013July 20, 2014 by Michael

In the past two years, Los Angeles artist Julia Holter has released three albums. The first two, Tragedy and Ekstasis contained nods to ancient Greek plays and Virginia Woolf. Her newly released third, and first for Domino Records, was influenced by the novella and movie Gigi. Lowbrow this is not.

Loud City Song is the first of her albums to be recorded in a studio with other musicians and features a definite jazz flavour on many of the tracks. The first notes heard on single “In the Green Wild” are of a double bass one would normally hear pouring out of a jazz café. A breathless cover of 60s R&B staple “Hello Stranger” shows what a beautiful singer Holter is and does not sound too dissimilar from a slow motion version of Lisa Stansfield. Towards the end of the album, there is a Feist like bounce on “This Is a True Heart”.

2012’s Ekstasis’ dream pop was perfect for falling asleep to but Loud City Song comes alive while walking through the city on a bright and sunny afternoon. The appropriately named “Horns Surround Me” is enhanced by the rustling of fall leaves under feet, the sound of cars rushing by, and birds singing. On Loud City Song, Holter has truly captured the sound of the urban environment and is a vibrant follow-up to her first two excellent albums.

8.5/10

Review also found at UMFM.com

Album Reviews

Moon King – Obsession I & II (2013)

Posted on December 1, 2013July 20, 2014 by Michael

Back in August, the great new Winnipeg venue Union Sound Hall played host to Montreal’s Majical Cloudz. While Devon Welsh’s performance was suitably intense, the highlight of the night belonged to Toronto newcomers Moon King. The duo, comprised of writer/producer Daniel Benjamin and vocal/guitarist Maddy Wilde, stormed through tracks from their two EPs entitled Obsession I and II which they released for the tour as one CD.

The band does a spot on job at combining elements of shoegaze with scuzzy rock energy. “The Fear of Love” recalls MBV at their most dreamy while the floaty vocals of “Dreamtrap” would do Grimes proud before the thrash of “Icarus” blows the fog away. Though Obs I was released a year ago and Obs II is already several months old, these two EPs are absolutely essential listening.

7.5/10

Review also found at UMFM.com

Album Reviews

Franz Ferdinand – Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Actions (2013)

Posted on December 1, 2013July 20, 2014 by Michael

Back in 2003/04 the British music press hyperbole machine was in full throttle mode. Most likely buoyed by flagging magazine sales, weekly articles wrote lovingly of a Britpop renaissance. The leaders of this new school were undoubtedly a four piece from Glasgow named after the Archduke of Austria, Franz Ferdinand. Their 2004 Wire indebted debut featured the breakout hit “Take Me Out” that formed a formidable one-two punch for rock along with The White Stripes “Seven Nation Army”. Two more good but uneven albums followed and now four years on since their last release; Right Words, Right Thoughts, Right Actions see the once mighty foursome reappear.

Lead off track “Right Action” gets things started with toe tapping brilliance. Surely one of the ridiculously catchy songs of the year leads into “Evil Eye” which would have fit in nicely on their self-titled debut – all spiky guitars and shouty slogans. Things don’t slow down until towards the end with the semi-electronic pulses of “The Universe Expanded”.

Back in 2004 Franz perfectly nailed angular indie rock and they have been trying to catch up ever since. On past releases the band had expanded their sound to include bedsit ballads (“The Sound of You Walking Away”) and electronic freak-outs (“Lucid Dreams”), Right Words contains none of those. What you get is back to basics Franz Ferdinand on an album that is unlikely to win new fans and will give doubters plenty of ammunition, but it is one that long term admirers will rejoice in.

8/10