Over at earshot-online we have posted our review for the debut album by Winnipeg band The Noble Thiefs. Their uptempo take on rock, soul, and reggae has been making fans right across Canada with their blistering live show. One that can definitely sit nicely in your collection beside The Style Council.
Category: Album Reviews
Django Django – S/T (2012)
It’s been three years since the four lads of Django Django released first single, a double A side “Storm”/”Lover’s Dart” but they have finally come out with their self-titled debut release. The four Scottish lads now based in trendy East London, originally met at art school in Edinburgh several years ago. Much has been made of drummer/producer Dave MacLean being the younger brother of John MacLean from the mighty Beta Band, this isn’t just name dropping as “Zumm Zumm” could easily fit in with the Beta’s late 90s output.
Sounding like giddy hippies who have just discovered electronics, in another time Django Django could easily have been a lost cult band from the 70s. Campfire harmonies on the aforementioned “Lover’s Dart” meshes into the dark, clattering “WOR”, a twangy surf guitar line pushing the song forward. The same guitar twang appears on possible future single “Hail Bop” with its handclaps and stuttering drumbeat. Standout single “Default”’s angular sound catches the right side of dance floor friendly post punk.
The only quibble with DD’s sound is that the vocals can blunt the edges of the band’s sound, sounding more like Cosmic Rough Riders instead of the urgent voice of Alex Kapranos and Franz Ferdinand. Minor preference points aside, Django Django have delivered one of the better debuts of 2012.
8/10
Grimes – Visions (2012)
In the past year, Claire Boucher, better known as Grimes has been a busy woman. The Vancouver native, now living in Montreal, has released 3 albums as well as a split 12” with D’eon and toured with Lykke Li. Grimes latest release is Visions and is also her first on legendary label 4AD (Grimes remains on the Arbutus Record label in Canada).
Already making waves across the internet, Visions is absolutely stunning and one that is not easily comparable to other artists. In spots Grimes sounds like a lighter, poppier version of Crystal Castles with a dose of Austra thrown in for good measure. The upbeat “Circumambient” is one remix away from being club ready as is “Be a Body” with its slashing keyboard lines. Visions really shines on tracks such as the Japanese sounding “Genesis”, the haunting echoed vocal effected “Nightmare” and first single “Oblivion” with its buried lyric – “it’s hard to understand cause when you’re really by yourself it’s hard to find someone to really hold your hand”.
The hype surrounding Grimes coming into this year was well justified. Visions is one of the first great albums of the year and sure to hold up as one of the best of 2012.
9/10
Grimes – Oblivion
Seeker Lover Keeper – S/T (2011)
Over at Earshot-Online.com we have a new review up for Seeker Lover Keeper‘s self titled debut that was released in North America a few months ago. With several great tracks, the album also contains one of the better songs we’ve heard in the past while, “Even Though I’m a Woman”…
Sleigh Bells – Reign of Terror (2012)
Bringing the noise in 2010, Sleigh Bells released their debut Treats which was generally well received by the cool kids. Fuzzed up guitars from Derek Miller, cheerleader vocals from Alexis Krauss and drums like machine guns – the first album hit the mark more often than not. The single “Rill Rill” still remains very high on TLA’s iPod most played playlist.
Coming from the hipster enclave of Brooklyn, it would have been very easy for Sleigh Bells to have released one good album, one terrible one then quietly slipped into oblivion. Instead, they avoid the sophomore jinx with Reign of Terror featuring songs titles that read straight out of a hair metal band’s greatest hits catalogue – “Born to Lose”, “Road to Hell”, “D.O.A”, etc.
ROT starts off right where Treats left off, with “True Shred Guitar” and never has a title been more apt. Much guitar riffing while Alexis shout outs the title. The aforementioned “Born to Lose” as well as “Crush” are more of the same. The album really gets going with “End of the Line” which just may end up being one of the tracks of the year. Slower than the normal clattering Sleigh Bells track, an insistent high-hat propels the song forward with the lyrics being the standout – “Can you hear me, can you see me? Well this is the end of the line so goodbye” In amongst the fuzz, later tracks like “Road to Hell” and “You Lost Me” continue this ‘softer’ sound.
While Reign of Terror follows the template laid down by Treats, Sleigh Bells are able to expand their sound and continue to move forward. ROT may not win many new fans but those that tag along with SB will be duly rewarded with a slightly flawed but very worthy follow-up.
8/10
Sleigh Bells – End of the Line
