Quick Fixes of Music Reviews
I’ve been switching between albums quite often recently and I end up posting singles but leaving promised reviews behind. Guess the only way to get back on track is to present some quick reviews (otherwise they’ll just never appear). Here we go..
Los Campesinos – Hold on Now, YoungsterThis group from Cardiff actually deserves more than just a quick review but I already justified myself. Reminding the likes of Architecture in Helsinki and Arcade Fire (the music influences of the former and craziness and freshness of the latter), Los Campensinos released back in February a stunning debut album combining punk, indie pop/rock and dance bits in an energetic album filled with strange/funny/witty lyrics in an up-tempo format that will accompany us for the rest of the summer. You really need to get your hands on this…Excellent
Los Campsinos – Don’t Tell Me To Do Maths
The Mystery Jets – Twenty OneThey are back with their second album (although they did release an intermediate one only in the States). This band is kind of tricky; they’re not bad and they definitely know how to produce solid hits. The real problem is they lack something (good or bad) that would set them apart from the rest of their kind. Twenty One also shares the same problem, a solid album that will not annoy anyone but will not make many fans either. I won’t mind if they end up in my music mixes, but I don’t see myself coming back to their album in a few months time…By the way, as opposed to their singles Two Doors Down and Young Love, it was Behind the Bunhouse that kind of stood out for me (which doesn’t really tie in with the rest of the album)
The Mystery Jets - Behind the Bunhouse
The Ruby Suns – Sea LionThere seems to be a real trend (scene) going on with bands experimenting with indie, psychedelic pop and prog-rock and mixing it up with ethic/world elements. It started with Yeasayer and Vampire Weekend and is now followed by Ruby Suns’ Sea Lion. The album is a real trip from Kenya to Thailand and Hawaii to New Zealand. It’s definitely more focused on the ethnic elements than the other bands, mixed however with modern sounds of synths and pop elements. To be totally honest, this is not my style (as opposed to Yeasayer whose album I loved) but the album is indeed something different and worth a number of listenings. If nothing else, it’s a dreamy soundtrack during work-hours..
The Ruby Suns- There Are Birds
Hold on now, youngster is absolutely superb, isn't it? My favourite is knee deep at ATP, minus the opbvious you! Me! Dancing!.
Also, how does Mystery Jets second album compare to the first? the first had a lot of great singles but didn't really stand upto as an album, for me. they got rid of the 'Dad' didn't they? has that made much different? And, most importantly, is it worth my money?
I think the Dad is gone (they were looking for someone to substitute him for some time)..
Now, if it's worth it? It's not bad, but again suffers the same problem as the first album..feels more like a collection of singles rather than an album..there are far better albums around to go and buy (i'll try to review some more this week)..