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University of Richmond Radio

 

 

 

 

10

Album Reviews

Music Worth  Hearing

 

Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes (Sub Pop) – The s/t debut LP from Seattle’s Fleet Foxes borrows elements from Appalachian & British folk, soft & progressive rock in crafting a refreshing, timeless take on folk-rock that’s spun with a sophisticated spiritual sense. Delicate baroque touches color the music, yet never feel overblown.  Traditional themes of nature, family and death embody the works.  Robin Pecknold's warm voice maintains an underlying grit that plays off the inspired harmonies.  [Pitchfork 9.0]  Highly Recommended.

 

Shearwater: Rook (Matador) – Considering the relative short run time (under 40 minutes) Jonathan Meiburg's softly sung lyrics and avian imagery sure pack a punch.  The careful compositions peal back the reverb, revealing fresh intricacies and diversity.  From the sparse piano the full fledged rockers, atypical instrumentation of woodwinds, Hammond and pump organs, glockenspiel, harp, hammer dulcimer, vibraphone, etc. bring out the colors of these haunted, engaging mini epics.  [a Rook is a large bird of the crow family, native to Europe and Asia] [Pitchfork 8.0] Recommended.

Black Taj: Beyonder (Amish) - Black Taj is a quartet that features former members of Polvo and Idyll Swords.  For their sophomore LP Beyonder, they loosen the restrains of their Math sounds.  The incendiary swells and dynamic shifts are omnipresent, however there is a more relaxed feel to the works.  This one was recorded in five days at Track & Field studios in Carrboro, North Carolinia.  Recommended.

 

Tape: Luminarium- (Häpna) - For their 4th LP, the Stockholm-based trio Tape (Andreas & Johan Berthling plus Tomas Hallonsten) craft headphone electronica that unites minimalism with post-folk-rock.  A blanket of warm synth tones wrap organic tingles of guitar, piano, folk instrumentation and pillowed percussion.  Escape the summer heat with an exploration the torch-lit cavernous spaces.  Recommended.

 

Free Kitten: Inherit (Ecstatic Peace!) – Eleven years after their 2nd LP on Kill Rock Stars, the trio of Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth), Julie Cafritz (Pussy Galore) and Yoshimi P-We (Boredoms) return with a 3rd LP.  Their psychedelic tinged noise rock stems from two guitar, pedals and drums.  Kim’s predominate vocals recall a stripped-down Sonic Youth.  Set yourself free.  Recommended.

 

War on Drugs: Wagonwheel Blues (Secretly Canadian) – With their debut LP Wagonwheel Blues, Philadelphia’s War on Drugs join the American Underground.  Consider the Travelin Wilburys meeting Sonic Youth.  Earthy vocal styles and perspectives are combined with music-scapes of varied density.  Shoegaze, roots, rock, and jangle appear within the strata.  Guitars take center stage - acoustic, electric, and 12-string, as textures of vintage keyboards add to the haze.  Recommended.

 

Sonantes: Sonantes (Six Degrees) - Sonantes is essentially a collective of São Paulo, Brazil based musicians centered on CéU, Rica Amabis (Instituto), Pupillo & Dengue (both of Nação Zumbi) and Gui Amabis.  Their concept was to create scores for imaginary films.  Naturally, that opens the door for a myriad of influences to coalesce image-filled exotica.  As the extras (including Lúcio Maia, Beto Villares & Apollo 9) make their appearances, they mysterious mix of warm and shadowed soundscapes transport you through the various “scenes”.  Recommended.

Head Like a Kite: There Is Loud Laughter Everywhere (Mush) - In 2006, guitarist Dave Einmo of Seattle rock band Sushirobo created Head Like A Kite, and crafted an exceptional LP for Pattern 25 based on samples of his parent's 1970s Super-8 home movies.  For his sophomore LP, he combines pop song craft with big-beat productions that mesh live instrumentation, exotic details, electronics, and samples.  With guests from The Long Winters, Smoosh, Radio 4, Crooked Fingers, and Preston School Of Industry, you know its gonna be a party.  Recommended.

Dr. Michael White: Blue Crescent (Basin Street) - Post Katrina, acclaimed New Orleans-based jazz historian, educator, clarinetist and bandleader Dr. Michael White spent two months in residency at Tulane’s A Studio in the Woods, a forested preserve along the Mississippi River in New Orleans.  It afforded him an opportunity for spiritual soul searching.  One might call the result reborn.  He takes a fresh approach to the New Orleans tradition by incorporating his personal experiences and outside influences.  A thoroughly engaging set.  Recommended.

Graham Reynolds & The Golden Arm Trio: The Cult Of Color: Call to Color [Soundtrack to the Ballet] (Shamrock) – A renowned / versatile composer, Graham Reynolds has written for orchestra, opera, concerto and chamber on their own and within contexts of film, shorts and theatre.  This work brings to life the three act, 11 scene ballet The Cult Of Color: Call to Color.  A precise, image filled, headphone experience that brings together crime jazz, Jewish alternative, experimental sound design, dense classical passages and Asian percussion.  There is a nice sense of balance and flow as dramatic, moody textures confront the ominous, atmospheric and playful.  Recommended.