WRUV Reviews

1349 – Demonoir
released April 26, 2010 on Indie Recordings

Rating: 4/5

It’s hard not giving Demonoir a 5.0 after hearing their previous pile of garbage. So yes, 1349 is good again. They’ve been better in the past, but Demonoir is a good Black Metal album.

The songs are interwoven with short instrumental/atmospheric/noise tracks (all named “Tunnel of Set” XI through XVII), in case you’re wondering how a Black Metal album manages to have 13 tracks. The album opens with the first minute-and-a-half instrumental track and pounds into “Atomic Chapel”, which might be highlight of the album. It’s grim and dissonant Black Metal, with many different parts, relentless at heart, but overproduced, as most of 1349 is. The structure of the music is definitely recognizable as being 1349, especially the way Ravn belts out the lyrics in his trademark spoken word style.

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Alcest – Écailles de Lune
released March 29th, 2010 on Prophecy Productions

Rating : 4.5/5

It goes without saying that shoegaze black metal is a miniscule sub-genre, and it can also be assumed that Neige, the artist behind Alcest, stands in the foreground of this sub-genre. Soft melodic and traditional black metal screams are heard throughout the album, which is backed by guitar riffs that range from elegant to aggressive. It’s slowed down a bit from previous albums, and the drums have become a lot more post-rock. If you have heard the Amesoeurs full-length (a previous project of Neige), you can tell a lot of this inspiration is drawn from it. (more…)

Negurã Bunget – Maiestrit
released March 15, 2010 on Lupus Lounge/Prophecy Productions

Rating : 4.5/5

I really, REALLY don’t like it when bands rehash old albums. At least that’s what I used to think before hearing Negurã Bunget’s re-imagining of their 2000 release, Maiastru Sfetnic. For a few years now, Negurã Bunget has been one of my favorites. They are masters at combining Black Metal with folk and atmosphere without resulting in cheese. I will admit though, there are parts of “Maiestrit” that have that lo-fi synthesizer sound that are reminiscent of the early days when Black Metallists didn’t know the difference between a keyboard that sounded like a symphony and a keyboard that sounded like shit. Redemption is made by the beautiful atmospheric gesture of layered instruments and the production, which is commendable for this type of Black Metal.

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“We might be in store for an hour of deranged séances with song-oriented post-punk interpretations thrown in. And it’s partly true true: Indian Jewelry have updated their patented weirdness to embrace a more approachable look, one that even borders on catchy.” (Pitchfork).

What is this? Echoing, draping vocals layered in knife sounds and creams and Bladerunner connotations. Reverbed, post everything snippets of takes of “songs” and extra-terrestrial beats, it’s a little like everything and a little like nothing at all. This post rock duo first brings you Gorillaz-esque intros before throwing you to the curb and beating you with a PVC pipe to create a sonic echo. There’s a fine line between trying to be mysterious and give off that indifferent “This is music man” attitude for kicks and really being authentic about it. It’s a tricky line, but I feel like it deserves a listen or two more before the judgmental hammer comes down. I dig that.

“Indian Jewelry doesn’t use the psychedelic tradition as license to wallow in some ’60s narcosis, but rather to fuel a brave, bleak trip into the future.” (AV Club)

FCC: clean

RIYD: Crystal Castles

Play: 1, 3 12, 7, 9, 12, 14

Wintersleep’s fourth album, rock sweeping in from the Canadian north to deliver it to you in a proper parcel of pulled together, mature post-punk. There is apparently an orchestra at work here too, but unlike many of, say, The National’s songs where Matt Berninger’s voice is sometimes overwhelmed by the flood of empowered chords, here all of those instruments are there, but something underwhelms them. Maybe it is intentional, and the result is a compact, thoughtful ditty that you have to listen to, instead of it turning a head. “Blood Collection” is a good example of this. Almost 90’s alt rock a-la Dinosaur Jr. here, the track delivers quiet wallops accompanied only temporarily after the choruses by the punch you would expect from an orchestra. This is fall music, there’s something nice and warm about it that requires multiple listenings and should keep this around for a while.

FCC: clean

PLAY: 1, 4, 3, 5, 6, 7

RIYD: Interpol, Band of Horses

Sparkydog And Friends self-titled debut single is a mix of alternative and indie with a bit of folk.  Not bad but not a standout.  We’ll see if the full length album will bring more depth.

Chicago rockers, Skybox are back with Morning After Cuts.  A pop indie album with a serious side to it.  The album has an upbeat feel to it but there is a solemn edge to some of the songs.  A pretty good album overall with the more reflective songs tempering the upbeat pop tracks.

Tracks: 3,5,9     FCC: 4,8

The most recent release from Club 8 is The People’s Record.  A pop indie album infused with an Afrobeat sound.  There is also a dream pop aspect as well.  This is a very high energy, danceable album.  The combination of indie and Afrobeat are blended seamlessly and Club 8 has created an excellent sound that is intriguing and engagaing.  A good album for the beach or a barbeque.

Tracks:  All Tracks Good

Quixote’s latest, Quixote, is an upbeat indie album.  Upbeat?  Lets change that to spunky.  This is a toe tapping, head shaking album that gets you moving.  The music has clever hooks that really captures your attention.  This is an excellent album that has a creative, rocking sound.  Check it out!

Tracks: 2,3,8      FCC: 5,7

Following in the footsteps of the original group, The Mynah Birds, which featured such artists as Rick James and Neil Young, The Mynabirds debut, What We Lose In The Fire We Gain In The Flood, is a throwback to 60’s Motown.  Lead singer Laura Burhenn’s deep, rich voice anchors this R&B album.  There’s also a strong hint of a 60’s folk rock sound as well.  Camera Obscura cornered the retro dream pop sound, The Mynabirds have replicated the folk, soul sound of the 60’s.  An interesting album that’s worth checking out.

RIYD: Dusty Springfield, Camera Obscura, Neil Young

Tracks: 2,3,8