Filed under: Editor Picks | Tags: Animal Collective, Camera Obscura, Grizzly Bear, Metric, Passion Pit, Peter Bjorn and John, Phoenix, St. Vincent, Ted Leo, The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
We’re almost at the half-year point, and so much good music has already exploded onto the scene. It seems only necessary to pay respects to the artists and the quality work they’ve exposed to the world so far. I’m not talking about albums with a couple of great songs, this list is about ensembles/full albums that work from head to toe.
(Not necessarily ranked in order)
It’s Blitz! by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
This could be arguably the most complete album with so many quality songs. It’s not just that the album has great songs–this was a transition album for the YYYS to synth-pop, and they pulled it off magnificently.
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix
This was my first time exposed to Phoenix, and I was romanced from the start. Phoenix’s new album is a hit-maker, and could called a success just because of its two big hits, “1901″ and “Litzomania.”
Fantasies by Metric
A very well-rounded album with quality girl-pop songs. “Help I’m Alive” is an instant pop classic, and really brings the whole album together. Plus, I really respect the fact Metric streamed their whole album before releasing it officially.
Living Thing by Peter Bjorn and John
PBJ pushed themselves to evolve their sound with new sounds and methods, and pulled it off pretty well with this album. This album has one awesome song with a handful of good songs. The Swedish trio are great at what they do–making weird pop songs.
My Maudlin Career by Camera Obscura
I think these guys are adorable, and I love the hit track “French Navy.” This album isn’t as complete as the rest, but still gets my respect because I think their sound is so retro and unique.
Notables: Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective, Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear, and Actor by St. Vincent
Projected Hits:
Manners by Passion Pit
the eventual Ted Leo album
the eventual Strokes album
–Jett Wells, Reviews Editor
Filed under: 20W Magazine, Free 4 All, XCLUS!VES | Tags: 2009, dorm room labels, download, free, Hipster Runoff, interview, magazine, Peter Bjorn and John, spring
Filed under: Industry News | Tags: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Black Eyed Peas, Dave Brubeck, green day, Grizzly Bear, Iron and Wine, Margot & The Nuclear So-Sos, Passion Pit, Peter Bjorn and John, Phantogram, Phoenix, Placebo, Presidents of the United States, St. Vincent, Tinted Windows, Tiny Masters of Today
Grizzly Bear
This is just as good a time as any to keep ya’ll up to date on upcoming records and nearby concerts before the semester comes to a close. Keep in mind, some of these albums were going to be reviewed in our print issue, but that’s the way it goes.
Ten upcoming albums to look out for (in chronological order):
1) Tinted Windows (debut album)—April 21st
2) St. Vincent, Actor—May 5th
3) Green Day, 21st Century—May 15th
4) Iron and Wine, Around the Well—May 19th
5) Passion Pit, Manners—May 19th
6) Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus—May 25th
7) Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest—May 26th [Even though it leaked weeks ago]
8 ) Placebo, Battle for the Sun—June 8th
9) Black Eyed Peas, The E.N.D.—June 9th
10) Tiny Masters of Today, Skeletons—June 16th
Nearby shows/Acts that would be worth the road trip (or quick car ride):
1) Margot & The Nuclear So-Sos—Buffalo, April 17th
2) Dave Brubeck—Buffalo, April 25th
3) Peter Bjorn and John—Toronto, Quebec, Montreal, April 25th-27th
4) Presidents of the United States—Syracuse, Aprl 22nd
5) Big Bad Voodoo Daddy—Verona, May 14th
AND…For those lucky bastards staying here in Syracuse for the summer:
6) Phantogram (w/ Flying Lotus, NAS and The Disco Biscuits)—Mariaville, July 16th
- Jett Wells, Co-Reviews Editor
Filed under: Editor Picks | Tags: Drake, Lil Wayne, Lykke Li, Peter Bjorn and John, Santogold
Aubrey Graham, the half-Jewish Canadian 22-year-old who plays Jimmy Brooks on the popular Canadian TV show Degrassi: The Next Generation, has transformed himself into Drake: an R&B singer/rapper who is tight with Lil’ Wayne. Drake is out with a new album, So Far Gone, which I’m loving! He collaborates with an interesting mix of groups and performers; Santogold, Peter Bjorn and John, Lykke Li are just some of the artists featured in Drake’s tracks. It’s great to hear something fresh! The album is available for free at http://www.octobersveryown.blogspot.com/.
-Allison Polster, Copy Editor
Filed under: Editor Picks, Uncategorized | Tags: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Girl Talk, Peter Bjorn and John, The Go! Team, The Strokes
New Album?
This is an old story from January 29th, but for some mind-boggling reason, the story hasn’t gotten that much press. According to BBC 6 Music, The Strokes are working on a new album! Good, God! It has been too long! Three years! This goes down as my most-anticipated album next to the Ted Leo album bound to come out later this year. Oh man, can you imagine what a year it would be if they both came out this year?
The sad thing is, I only started to get into them well into their hiatus. Thus, I’ve been dying of thirst for a Strokes concert. It tops my list of five concerts I have to see before I die. Here’s my list:
1) Strokes
2) Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah
3) Girl Talk
4) Peter Bjorn and John
5) The Go! Team
Fortunately, my #3 concert will come to fruition in March when Girl Talk comes to Cornell. Spread the word! It’s going to be off the hook.
–Jett Wells, Co-Reviews Editor
