Last Three
It's been a bit since I last posted. Nothing really new going on here. I have been slacking on posting record reviews. It's been a couple of weeks since anything interesting has come out. Here's the last three I picked up:
John Vanderslice - Emerald City
My boy JV has released another stunner. This is a guy that can do absolutely nothing wrong. The reviews have been slightly mediocre for this release, but the only reason I see is because he references 9/11. He also referenced 9/11 on his last album, Pixel Revolt. Who cares? It's not the theme of the album. I think that theme of his last album was overblown too. If he references something on a song that he referenced on a song on his last album, I can see past that. This album is magnificent. JV is one of my favorite songwriters and he just keeps getting better. The best thing is that he seems like he still hasn't peaked.
Okkervil River - The Stage Names
Good stuff here from a band I'm still fairly new to. Their previous, Black Sheep Boy, is a masterpiece. The reviews for this one have been even better. I wouldn't go as far as to say it's better, but it's still just great. Catchy and happy at the same time as it's beautiful and sad. It's simple music, nothing overly complex, but just good little songs.
New Pornographers - Challengers
John Vanderslice - Emerald City
My boy JV has released another stunner. This is a guy that can do absolutely nothing wrong. The reviews have been slightly mediocre for this release, but the only reason I see is because he references 9/11. He also referenced 9/11 on his last album, Pixel Revolt. Who cares? It's not the theme of the album. I think that theme of his last album was overblown too. If he references something on a song that he referenced on a song on his last album, I can see past that. This album is magnificent. JV is one of my favorite songwriters and he just keeps getting better. The best thing is that he seems like he still hasn't peaked.
Okkervil River - The Stage Names
Good stuff here from a band I'm still fairly new to. Their previous, Black Sheep Boy, is a masterpiece. The reviews for this one have been even better. I wouldn't go as far as to say it's better, but it's still just great. Catchy and happy at the same time as it's beautiful and sad. It's simple music, nothing overly complex, but just good little songs.
New Pornographers - Challengers
Okay, the New Pornographers, one of my favorite bands, you kinda lost me a bit with Challengers. Twin Cinema was one of the best albums of the last couple of years. It was just a huge 45 minute explosion of power pop gold. Challengers, a little boring. Not terrible, but far removed from what they are capable of. The worst thing about this album, though? The artwork is absolutely awful! It just screams "look for me in the dollar bin next to EMF." The best thing? My boy Dan Bejar once again provides evidence that's he's the coolest dude on the planet. Want more proof other than the few songs on every New Pornographers album? Check out last year's Destroyer's Rubies. Maybe one of my favorite albums.....ever! Gets better after every listen even a year later.
Well that's that. No interesting albums this week. Next week starts off a nice string of releases with the new Animal Collective album. Should be solid.
The only thing I'm interested in tomorrow is seasons 1&2 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia on DVD. I'd stand in line at midnight for that.
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