Fri 3 Jul 2009
Posted by Fense under Lists And Mixes
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We’re now half way through 2009, so I figured it was about time to collect a few favorites from the year thus far. I’ve put together 10 must-hear albums from the first half of 2009. To alleviate any bias, and because I’m totally obsessed with this style of categorization, I’m putting them alphabetically. (more…)
Thu 2 Jul 2009
Posted by Fense under Music Videos, W
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The fuzz trend has, in my opinion, two poles. One finds artists dishing out coherent lyrics backed by lightly distorted guitars like this year’s The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. In other words, it’s pure pop. Others, like Wavves, produce mostly indiscernible lyrics and chord progressions. This style is more fitting for the rock/punk classification (more…)
Thu 2 Jul 2009
Posted by Fense under M, Music Videos
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As a band name, Medeski Martin & Wood is a bit strange. The moniker works, but is also fit for a corporate legal group. One gets the impression a missing LLP should follow the name. “Amber Gris” is the trio’s latest video and it comes from their latest album Radiolarians II. They’ve also got new one on the burner; Radiolarians III will be available for purchase August 4. (more…)
Wed 1 Jul 2009
Posted by Fense under Album Reviews, V
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Virgin Of The Birds is the solo project of Jon Rooney, the primary individual behind Abandoned Love Records. His latest project is a slew of EPs available from the ALR website, the first of which is Every Rival. (more…)
Wed 1 Jul 2009
Posted by Ron Trembath under H, Live Reviews & Previews
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Brett and Rennie Spark have given each other an amazing gift to share on their 20th anniversary of togetherness. As lovers in arms, this eccentric folk duo known as The Handsome Family, have recently released their aptly titled album, Honeymoon. And they are more than happy to share their expressions of fondness for one another, as strange as a fashion as it may be, with audiences anywhere. A grand husband and wife duo far more serious than the Bonos ever were are headed to a stage near you. (more…)
Tue 30 Jun 2009
Posted by Fense under Album Reviews, G
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Grand Hallway has created quite a unique place in pop music. Their songs are an interesting medium between baroque orchestral pop and traditional Japanese music. Given their prior releases, hearing the sounds on Promenade is no surprise. Led by master songwriter Tomo Nakayama, Promenade finds Grand Hallway expanding on their musical abilities. (more…)
Tue 30 Jun 2009
Posted by Fense under Album Reviews, D
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Upon first hearing “Old Lives”, the opening track to Daniel Francis Doyle’s upcoming LP, We Bet Our Money On You, I contemplated what the chances were that Doyle was actually Dismemberment Plan’s Travis Morrison backed by Battles. Doyle certainly has a Morrison-esque vocal styling; that perfect pitch that sounds just a bit off-kilter. And his percussion and accompanying guitars absolutely have the math-y noise elements of Battles. (more…)
Mon 29 Jun 2009
Posted by Fense under Features, S
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A few weeks ago, I got a note from Cari Palazzolo of Austin keyboard-pop group Belaire. The reason was her new project, School Police, a similarly poppy group that this time around found her splitting vocal responsibilities with a band member of the opposing gender. (more…)
Mon 29 Jun 2009
Posted by Fense under Features, M
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Denmark’s Mew is prepping to drop their third studio album, this time via Columbia Records. No More Stories… is its name and “Repeaterbeater” is the second track now available from the release. For fans of …And The Glass Handed Kites, the group’s sophomore release, you’ll be happy to hear that, at least on “Repeaterbeater”, the traits that made Glass so great remain in-tact. (more…)
Sun 28 Jun 2009
Posted by Fense under Album Reviews, F
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When I think of indie-pop in the states, I think of a few key labels: Matinee, Magic Marker, Happy Happy Birthday to Me and TwentySeven. These four make up some of the best US released pop music I know. It’s on the second, Magic Marker, that The Faintest Ideas now call home. The Faintest Ideas hail from Sweden, a country I adore and admire, but their name and sound signifies something completely different, removing much of the Swedish pop influence for those a bit more British, circa C86. (more…)
