KWCW Adds 5.22.12

Aw hey!

Summer has arrived at kdub. Yusss. This is by far my favorite time of year in the Wallas; Whitties have mostly dispersed, the farmer’s market is in full bloom, and (best of all) I get paid to listen to music.

I started off the summer right, with some sweet adds this week. I was fortunate enough to get to review King Tuff from SUB POP and King Mike (even though it’s a castrated clean version) — both awesome albums. Here are the reviews…

*ARTIST    Album    Label*

KING TUFF    King Tuff    SUB POP

Grungy, dazed and rhythmic music that owes some thanks to Velvet Underground and Kurt Vile. It has a good amount of kick and a sweet distortion. LISTEN TO IT.

TRY #1, 2, 3!!, 8!!!

LISTEN.

KILLER MIKE    R.A.P. Music    Williams Street Records

Being clean kind of wrecks this, but it’s still awesome. Political and influenced (lyrically and instrumentally) by post-industrial NYC. One of Pitchfork’s Best New Music. Recommended!

TRY #1, 2, 6, 4, 10!

LISTEN.

COLD SPECKS    I Predict A Graceful Expulsion    Mute

Soulful, testimonial folk. This woman pours herself out into this album, it bleeds. Art can be entertaining and art can be affecting, this is the latter. All power and grace.

TRY #11!, 12 STAFF PICK: TOM

LISTEN.

EXITMUSIC    Passage    Secretly Canadian

Dark, distorted synth rock with gothic female vocals. Fuzzy and fun.

TRY #2, 4, 1, 8

LISTEN.

YOUNG MAN    Vol. 1    Frenchkiss

Sweeping, earnest indie rock - a little like Yeasayer. Hazy, trippy and a lot of fun - this record is going somewhere!

TRY #2, 4

KWCW Top 5 Adds 4/16/12

Better late than never, eh? 

1. Alabama Shakes- Boys & Girls

KWCW TOP 5 ADDS 4/10/12

1. M. Ward - A Wasteland Companion

M. Ward is a master at what he does - slow steady folk rock. Zoey Deschanel guests as usual, but I think his quietest most melancholic moments are his most profound. -Tom

Try: 1,2,6,9

2. Moonface with Sinnai - Heartbreaking Bravery

Wolf Parade frontman’s solo effort is pretty similar to his earlier work. Dark, deep rhythms and power chords against proto-gothic vocals and sad but epic lyrics. -Tom

Try: 4,6,9

3. Devin - Romancing

It turns out, looks can be decieving cause this dude doesn’t sound anything like Robin Thicke. And that’s a good thing. Blues inspired upbeat rock, pretty catchy! -Tom

Try: 1,2

4. Sarah Jaffe - The Body Wins

Sarah’s bluesy, ballsy (hehe) voice went on a date with a drum machine and a new wave/hip-hop producer for Round #2. Though she’s employed more instrumentation Jaffe still evokes a richly depraced, hollow, barebones, sound. She’s pretty brilliant! - Kaity

Try: 4,5,10!,12

5. Xiu Xiu - Always

Jamie Steward is back with his weird ass growth pop and its just as good as ever. His lyrics are shocking, his voice is brooding. Whats not to love? Probably a lot. But if you like Xiu Xiu then give this one a spin!

Try: 1,3

Top 5 Adds 3/5/12

Better living through cymbals 

1. Lucero - Women & Work

Great, great new album from one of the hardest working rock bands around. Dirty and loud enough to fill up every dive bar in Tennessee. Tracks to Try: 4,5,7

2. Miniature Tigers - Mia Pharaoh 

Tragically this album, along with its review, is currently MIA fron the KWCW studios. If you see it in the crowd, point it out. 

3. Oberhofer - Time Capsules II

Catchy, honest, emotional pop with a simplicity that builds into epic orchestral melodies. Oberhofer’s got a bid sound for just one dude. Tracks to Try: 1,4,6

4. Men - Open Your Heart

“Vintage” Punk. Like the Sex Pistols except not British and no one has heard of them. And not as good, obviously. Pfffft. Pitchfork likes them though! Tracks to Try: 2, 5

5. Dennison Witmer - The Ones Who Wait

Veteran folksy singer/songerwriter with a focus on lyricism. Backed by pleasant guitar melodies Witmer’s simple voice and solid lyrics carry this one. Tracks to Try: 3,5,9

Top 5 Adds 2/28/12

1. Bowerbirds - The Clearing

Bowerbirds’ third lp is notably more rounded and full. Though this duo turned hippie band has always cultivated a minimalist vision, weaving ideas of nature and belonging into quiet, clear melodies; The Clearing is just a bit more sonically diverse and bombastic. Rich and guttural yet characteristically restrained, these songs are not for the jaded but for the young and curious- those unwary of zealous odes where the melancholic and the impassioned emotions meet back on the other side. A few songs on the album burn bright and shine on their own, but if experience is any guide, the true gems of a Bowerbirds record will likely take time to unearth themselves. Staff Pick: Tom

Try:1,2,8,9

2. Hunx - Hairdresser Blues

Half hearted, whiny vocals and minimal rock instramentation. Yet somehow Hunx is a strangely compelling pop songwriter. - Kaity

Try: 2.5

3. Delta Spirit - Delta Spirit

Delta Spirit is one of the premiere indie alt-rock/alt-country bands out there. This record is way more loud and intense but the heartbreak and harmonics are still in abundance. Devour this one!

Try: 1,3

4. Pond - Beard, Wives, Denim

Fuzzy retro rock, like a slower version of The Love Language. Amazing riffs + fueled vocals + punk aesthetics = sweet nostalgia.

Try:3,7

5. Amy Ray - Lung of Love

KWCW TOP 5 ADDS 2/21/12

Yellow Ostrich Strange Land

Bombastic, brilliant. Swerving and confusing, mildly electric, looped and overdubbed into oblivion, yet so freaking clear and understandable. Yellow Ostrich is all about rhythm and melody (as is all music?) but the energy and the emotion here have an undeniable clarity and vision, a prowess. This mostly one-man-band is slowly transitioning from funny pop to serious and complex rock, and I couldn’t be happier. STAFFPICK: Tom TRY #1, 3, 8

Ben Howard Old Pine

Quietly brilliant acoustic music in the vein of Damien Rice or Nick Drake, with a little Jose Gonzalez picking thrown in. He mumbled like Bon Iver but the soaring, brilliant harmonies are all his own. Devour this EP then go find his already re-cased full length!  So GOOD!!

TRY #1, 3

Beth Jeans Houghton & the Hooves of Destiny Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose

Cool and almost ghostly female vocals (think a creepier Imogen Heap) over clean alt rock with classical and tribal influences. Recommended.

TRY #3, 5, 7

FUN. Some Nights

I have a love/hate relationship with this band; Nate Reuss’ lyrics have always been thoroughly self-indulgent, the music behind him has always been glam/punk frustration, the combination is often infuriating. But it’s always so fucking well done, all energy and doubt and pure humanity. Even though they sold out for top 40 stardom this time and autotuned Nate’s voice it’s still worth a listen. Just wait til after dark cuz all the best songs have a few choice words.

TRY #1, 2, 11 FCC #1, 2, 11

Lambchop Mr. M

Lambchop is dad rock at its finest. It’s SO mellow, in the best possible way. This dude just consistently makes good easy listening dad rock. Recommended! 

TRY #1!, 2, 3 FCC #1

KWCW TOP 5 ADDS 2/13/12

Valentines come and ago but loud, obnoxious, self indulgent rock’n’roll is forever. 

1. Tennis - Young & Old

Tennis’s 2nd full length album may be even better than their first. Simple, dreamy, nostalgic pop. Songs about young love, traveling, and dreams. This album is heavenly, can’t stop listening to it! Totally recommended -Julia

Try 1,2!,3,5!

2. Damien Jurado - Maraqopa 

This album sounds like a less ancient Neil Young. Lots of focus on guitars, mostly strummed rhythms but with the occasional psychedelic solo freak out. -Nathan

Try: 1!,3,9

Bright Moments - Natives

Solo project from Beirut’s trumpet player. It sounds a lot like Beirut, but simplified and slowed down a bit. Try it out! -Julia

Try: 1,2,3 

4. Goldfrapp - The Singles 

A collection of singles from UK synthpop duo. Lots of catchy songs. I think the first one was featured in a car commercial. If the cover was any less enticing I might not wanna listen to it. But still, give it a try. -Julia

Try: 2,3,7!

5. Audra Mae & the Almighty Sound - Self Titled

Folk and soul fusion, super fun, energetic and infectious. YES! -Kaity

Try: 5,6,9

KWCW Top 5 Adds 1/22/12

First adds of the year. Potentially the last year ever. Woah. 

1. First Aid Kit - The Lion’s Roar

With Bright Eye’s musicians at the helm, First Aid Kit’s second album is more produced and contained but doesn’t sacrifice their lush, youthful harmonies, more civilian and less folky, they seem to have embraced indie stardom. Or maybe they’re just older. Try: 1,2,4,10 -Tom

Track 1 - The Lion’s Roar

2. Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory

This. Is. So. Good. I really liked Cloud Nothing’s previous work, but here they sound like they’ve grown into their sound. No longer glittery buzzing indie, now they’re getting grungier, dirtier, while remaining moody. Yeah. Think The Vines mixed with Pile and a dash of early Weezer. I would have been obsessed with this in middle school and I still love it! Try: 1, 2 -Kaity 

Track 1 - No Future/No Past

3. Porcelain Raft - Strange Weekend

Porcelain Raft is definitely a fitting name. This music is float, dreamy, simple. The vocals are totally androgynous. Cool. Try 1,6 -Julia

Track 6 - Unless You Speak From Your Heart

4. Rodrigo Y Gabriella and C.U.B.A. - Area 52

A super interesting mix of latin, jazz, and … METAL! Rodrigo y Gabriella are touring for the first time with a backing band, a 13 piece Cuban orchestra. This is sweet. Try 4,3,8 -Kaity

Track 3 - Ixtapa

5. Ani DiFranco - Which Side Are You On?

Equal parts liberal, hippie, feminist manifesto and playful acoustic rhythms, DiFranco sounds both profound and predictable. She’s preachy but palatable and so smooth. At least she has something to say. Try 3,4,5,7! 

Track 7 - J

KWCW TOP 5 ADDS 11/15/11

Oh Hey, Kdub didn’t get a ton of music  this week but quality over quantity amiright? If there was ever a week for clichés, this is it. 

1. Feist- Metals

All understated urgency and smooth melodies, Leslie Feist is a queen of accessible rock. But there is a definite shift on display in Metals; she’s traded some of her pop hooks for a maturity, a minimalism that you never quite realize exists until the few moments she abandons it. Instead of reaching for the peaks of her vocal range, she wrings out her most earthy, bluesy hues. She’s by no means abandoned emotion for stability, but she might have come into her own this time around. Staff Pick! Try: 1, 4, 11, 6 -Tom

Track 4: How Come You Never Go There

2.  Summer Camp- Welcome To Condale

“A love letter to the days of being a teenager.” London duo combines pop elements from the 80s on…calls to mind Madonna, DOM, and other pop act that are simultaneously embarrassing and addictive. Try: 3, 4, 11  -Katie

Track 3: I Want You

3. The Dø- Both Ways Open Jaws

The Dø’s brand of Euro folk-pop is really freaking edible. Simple and sugary but fully human, the female vocals feel comfortable and nostalgic, and just a little bit elusive. Try: 2, 4, 5 –Tom

Track 4: Too Insistent

4. Thee Oh Sees- Carrion Crawler/ The Dream EP

Thee Oh Sees is sorta primo in the lo-fi indie seen right now… no big deal. This EP, I think, is more accessible than their jangly, rushed debut album. Heavy riffs and grooving bass lines drive this EP forward into the realm of decent music. Try: 1, 2, 6 –Katie

Track 6: The Dream

5. Sigur Rós- Inni

Sigur Rós’ peculiar orchestral rock translates super well to a live setting, with only a minimal Coldplay-esque arena rock impression. The songs all feel a little stretched out and slowed down, they’re even more haunting than on the studio albums. Try: 3, 4, 8 -Tom

Track 8: Lúppulagið (New Song)