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Album Reviews

Music Worth Hearing

	Portishead: Third (Go! Discs) - It’s been years, and Portishead resurfaces from the deep cobalt world with their most experimental offering to date. It’s a highly produced recording, where precise percussion drives and glides within layered waves of varied depth. Some woodwinds, strings, Rhodes piano, cello, sax and more are entwined with Beth Gibbons’s theatric, ethereal vocals. Drift away in the “Oceans of movement,” as currents of urgent psychotics and languid spirals telegraph early Sonic Youth, post-industrial and old-time music. Recommended.
	Vetiver: Thing of the Past (gnomonsong) - Vetiver may be best known because of friend/frequent collaborator Devendra Banhart (he was very present on their first two albums), but on this, their third full length release, Andy Cabic and company prove that even without him they are pretty damn good.  This is a covers album, and the songs are all from 1967-1973 and generally not that well known, although there are some bigger names (Loudon Wainwright III, Townes Van Zandt). Vashti Bunyan helps out with the singing on Dia Joyce’s Sleep a Million Yeays and Michael Hurley sings on Blue Driver, his own song. Because of the songs they cover, Vetiver is much more country folk and less freak folk on this album, and it suits them very well.  Highly Recommended.
	Russian Circles: Station (Suicide Squeeze) – Chicago based instrumental post rock experimental ensemble Russian Circles’ sophomore LP has the trio Stationed in familiar territory. Rhythm propels the affair, as drummer Dave Turncrantz sets an insistent groove that’s bolstered by the heavy, droning bass of Brian Cook (These Arms Are Snakes). Guitarist Mike Sullivan serpentines the brooding currents like an aquatic snake. Note: tracks are lengthy. Recommended.
	Atmosphere: When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint that Shit Gold (Rhymesayers) - Minneapolis hip-hop duo Atmosphere (Slug and Ant) return with an albums full of deep funk productions where live synths, guitar, bass and drums meet fractured samples. Whether sparse and soulful or elaborate and bumpin’, the productions are always spot-on with slug’s flows based around fictional narratives on societal issues and themes of parenthood. [radio clean edit] Recommended.
	David Karsten Daniels: Fear of Flying (Fat Cat) - David Karsten Daniels released one of my favorite albums of 2007 (Sharp Teeth- if you haven’t heard the song Jesus and the Devil I highly recommend you go find it now), and I was a little reluctant to listen to this at first because I really didn’t want to shatter my admittedly high expectations.  Happily, they weren’t shattered.  Daniels sounds comfortably normal, nothing about his voice is spectacular or extraordinary but somehow his songs end up being fantastic.  There is something very honest about his voice, something that makes you want to listen to him.  On this, his second record for Fat Cat, his songwriting is pretty excellent too.  Recommended.
	Boris: Smile (southern lord) - Smile, the newest album from Japanese metalheads Boris, is certainly their most accessible album to date.  Leaning more towards psychedelic stoner rock, the trio is just as heavy as expected, but certainly more melodic than they have been in the past.  This album, their second released by US label Southern Lord, features Stephen O’Malley of Sunn0))) and Michio Kurihara of Ghost.  As a side note, Boris has released an impressive 18 albums since forming in 1992.   Recommended
	Cut Copy: In Ghost Colours (Modular) - On their sophomore LP Ghost Colours, Australian indie-ronic trio Cut Copy craft blissful synth pop with a bouncy new-wave rhythms. Dreamy vocals, layered samples and choppy guitar take the euphoric sound even higher. Reference points include New Order and Talking Heads. Recommended.
	Nicholas Payton: Into the Blue (Nonesuch) - Into the Blue has New Orleans trumpeter Nicholas Payton’s focus on his original compositions. The Grammy Award-winning trumpeter delivers a thoughtful, romantic set which moves through emotions akin to relationships. With its ups and downs, the soul and passion remain strong. Recommended. Accompanying Payton is his touring band: keyboardist Kevin Hays, bassist Vicente Archer, percussionist Daniel Sadownick and drummer Marcus Gilmore (who’s the grandson of Roy Haynes).
	Jason Miles and DJ Logic: Global Noize (Shanachie) - Led by jazz fusion keyboardist Jason Miles and turntablist DJ Logic, Global Noize is a jam/jazz affair that brings together global groove and jazz organics with electronic layers and processing. Supporters include Karl Dennison on sax/ flute, drummer Billy Martin and many more. Take a trip to destination unknown from the comfort of your easy chair. Recommended.
	Sally Shapiro: Remix Romance Vol 1 (Paper Bag) - A nearly track for track remix of Sweden's Sally Shapiro's Disco Romance LP. The remixers, picked by Sally's producer Johan Agebjörn, seem to magnify the elements of the original – including her sultry, soft voice with the effervescent synthy pulses of early 80’s Italio disco. Remixers include Juan MacLean, Cansecos, Holy Fuck, Junior Boys, Lindstrom and more. Thanks to, or because of the low bar of digital releases, a second volume is on the way. Good.

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