Having my dreams dashed of listening to the new RHCPrecord (not on Rhapsody...) I turned my sights to indie folkers Beirut. I liked their debut release, but that was several years ago. Let's skip ahead to see what they're up to now.
Beirut is an indie folk band, which means that they've got all the instrumentation of an Arcade Fire, except that they are way bigger pussies. Which is expressed with casualness all over this record. A thankfully brisk nine songs, the rolling theme seems to be the isolation and loneliness of the musician's wandering home.
It doesn't have that morbidity though, nor is it as clever, as the Magnetic Fields; but I'm still reminded of them through mostly Zach's monotone vocal delivery. On the contrary to Mr. Merritt, who has often fairly fascinating wordplay; Zach is sparse and leafy. "Sound is the colour I know... is what keeps me looking for your eyes."
But I don't want to be too critical. The songs are very pretty. And it's rare that I get comfortable with a horn section that's not funky. A throwaway electronic track, "Santa Fe" which sounds like The Killers were falling asleep, the songs sound like northeastern coastal cities with Ralph Lauren jackets. It's got a mood that fits, but you won't be driving to it. Standout track attached, "Goshen". (3 of 5 stars)
It may sound too perfectly precious, but I'm going to go ahead and celebrate the new Muppet movie with their non-soundtrack. A collection of Muppet classics done by indy-rock's current finest (and has-beens and who?s). It's hip and sentimental, but Muppets are still awesome, no matter how you look at them.
That being said, covering awesome is not always successful.
The theme song to the show is of course kicked off first. And I'm happy that OK Go supplies their own version than a faithful cover. A crazy break beat is the bed of this classic. It's fun, and brings the rock more than any other in this collection. The Fray's "Mahna Mahna" is fun (how could it not be) but certainly brings no rock. Speaking of rock, it is inexplicable that the post-hardcore group Atreyu is represented here, as the drummer/singer Brandon Saller takes credit for the metal rendition of "Night Life".
Alkaline Trio stays in their comfort zone with their "Moving Right Along" cover and keeps the upbeat swing of the original in their pop-punk version. But again, it comes across as filler- and there's no reason to continue the film dialogue in your cover.
Two surprises are included in the middle, the first being My Morning Jacket's Emmet Otter song choice of "Our World". The perfectly represents an MMJ song and is performed with the same integrity that they would tackle their own Jim James' written tracks. That's a good cover. Similarly, if less effectively, is Amy Lee's cover of "Halfway Down the Stairs". I wouldn't say that I like this version, but I can say that it was approached as Amy wanted to approach it and the original is barely noticeable.
Weezer should have taken Andrew Bird's approach, who took the other of Muppet's most-classic tracks, "Bein' Green". Some might call it too precious, but I would aruge that it would be difficult for anyone to take on this song without sounding like you're holding back tears. It's so well written, and whomever took on the violin solo here nailed it.
Similarly sentimental, but no less effective, comes Matt Nathanson, who has to this point evaded my musical knowledge, turns in a perfectly lamentful lovers' quarrel "I Hope That Something Better Comes Along" without any of the playful duet-ness of the Kermit/Rowlf original.
For the most part, like all tribute records, you'll wonder why you're not just listening to the originals. But there is plenty of inspiration of the Henson camp to make for some great listening. (3 of 5 stars)
And I can declare through even just the second song that it is neither loud nor sloppy. Maybe it was the loss of Kurt Vile that mellowed them out. (Or maybe I'm just remembering wrong) But Adam et. al. keep a sunny, mellow upbeat folk rock feel.
"Brothers" which begs the wonderment of "where my friends are going? Wondering why they didn't take me." It's all vaguely Dylanesque, especially the vocals. I get the feeling that Adam's favorite song ever is "Lay Lady Lay". The band itself is a little more modern. Without much multi-instrumentation to use, they otherwise sound like a stripped down R.E.M. at times. Wilco at others. And while I can't place the song, I feel like "I Was There" sounds exactly like some '70s AM Radio Gold track.
Having said all that, right about halfway is about the time Drugs turns the tables and channels their inner Arcade Fire. And then their inner U2.And another that's a little new wave-y. They've got the rock in them too. And I'm okay with eclecticism of the album. Like I said, it's not as sloppy as another band might do with this much diverse material. The only part that slighted me at all was this "Ambient" part of the title. There does seem to be some riding out on waves of sound a good minute or two after each song should have been completed. It may be someone's cup of tea, but that was a limiting factor for this listener. (3 of 5 stars)
I've never been the biggest advocate of the heaviest metal. Love, however, the classical metal form. My favorite genre, as a matter of fact. But once they start growling, drumming 64th notes, I get lost. But I haven't heard new metal forever, so I'm taking this on today.
But they're not kids. Trivium is on its fifth record and have had some success. And I can't complain too much; this one is actually quite well put together. It's definitely thrash; not quite death, but it is quite morbid. And while growling is prevalent throughout; it also runs up into the mainstream a little bit. Some post-hardcore heaviness.
A new drummer helps the proceedings, conjuring visions of Dave Lombardo (more Grip, less Slayer) but still... There's plenty of old school Maiden-like metal grooves, and when the thrash takes over; it's earned. Not speed for speed's sake, but some real compositions that jam.
Vocally, unfortunately, there's nothing there. Growlies aside, Matt Heafy just doesn't have the chops to do anything else. Which could be forgiven if he also wrote with a little more dexterity. But he keeps it close to the vest; general malaise and morbidity. "You taught me what it feels like to feel pain for the first time" and others that tie directly to the sense of drowning that the title alludes to.
It's good though, to find that I haven't lost faith in the genre. Horns up.(3 of 5 stars)
The Ettes(great name, by the way) are a garage rock three piece from LA with five albums under their belt. It's 2/3 women, which explains why I haven't heard of them before. And while no-chick-music is a general good rule of thumb; I'd say I've missed out here.
To that end, "My Heart" is a highlight where the Ettes get out of the strictest of garages and make a little twang rock. It's got the spunk of Wanda Jackson, and I'm sure they're hoping that Jack White is listening.
It's all mostly good, if it keeps itself from being a necessary listen. Sure, the album barely breaks 30 minutes, but at 13 songs, I could still suggest to throw out two to keep them free from the repetition feel. (3 of 5 stars)
