Hello Dearest Readers, I’ll be taking a brief hiatus from updating my content of Orange Juice Party Noise for a few weeks. I’m going on spring break and then will be in Texas for SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST so I won’t have time to update the blog every day. It will be easier if I take […]
Archive for February 2008
The Slacker Is Currently On Hiatus
February 28, 2008Rivers Cuomo – Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo
February 26, 2008Weezer’s frontman presents us with a collection of lo-fi home-recorded demos that, for the most part – “Buddy Holly” being the lone exception – never made it to a Weezer record. There’s a reason for that. These songs are nowhere near as good as classic Weezer. The recording quality is also very poor, though considering […]
Jim Ward – Quiet
February 25, 2008Jim is the frontman for Sparta and played guitar for At The Drive-In when they were still around. This EP is a stark contrast to the style of those groups; it’s a man and his guitar, the help of some friends, and true to the title, a quiet sound. Nothing like the chaotic style of […]
Ghostland Observatory – Robotique Majestique
February 23, 2008Everyone’s favorite electro/dance/funk/rock duo from Austin returns with their third full-length album! High pitched male vocals. If you like The Rapture, Hot Chip, or even Daft Punk, but wish that they sounded trashier, this just might be the trick. Kind of a weird sound from two guys who appear to be inherently strange, but I […]
The Duke Spirit – Neptune
February 22, 2008The second album from this confident, female-fronted rock band from England. Liela Moss fronts the group and sings in a lovely voice full out authority (and with a British accent!). The band backs her up with tight rock that has bluesy-rock influences, somewhat akin to the older stylings of the Rolling Stones. Very well-done, this […]
Fancey – Schmancey
February 21, 2008The second full-length from Fancey, which is led by the New Pornographers’ guitarist, Todd Fancey, and features the talents of fellow Pornstar Kurt Dahle on drums. Fancey is highly influenced by 1970s “soft-rock” and the resulting sound is one that is very poppy, upbeat, and sunny. I think that I enjoyed this band’s debut more, […]
The B-52s – Funplex single
February 20, 2008The first single from their first studio album in sixteen years (!!!). This is highly exciting for any B-52s fan, 1980’s New Wave Revivalists, and lovers of rock lobsters. If this single is any indication of the new album’s sound, it will have been well worth the wait. ‘Funplex’ is great. I listened to all […]
Born Ruffians – Red Yellow & Blue
February 19, 2008Indie rock, undistorted “clean” guitar lines, and yelp-y male vocals. Reminds me of Vampire Weekend without all of their cutesy indie poppiness, or Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! if CYHSY had a slightly better vocalist. Decent stuff, I’m pretty sure that I like it. http://www.myspace.com/bornruffians http://www.bornruffians.com
Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
February 18, 2008Mainly the work of one man, Justin Vernon. It’s quite nice, very laid-back, layered, a folk sound but not overly so, it’s more indie than folk I suppose. Quite honestly a few songs made me imagine what it would sound like if Wolf Parade attempted folk music. I imagine this would appeal to fans of […]
Bell X1 – Flock
February 16, 2008A rerelease of their 2006 album with a different tracklisting, finally available for those of us who live across the pond from where this band originates from, Ireland. Perhaps you remember this band from their appearance on The O.C. television show soundtrack a few years back? No? Well then, moving on. They play what could […]
The Raveonettes – Lust Lust Lust
February 15, 2008ZOMBIE ROCK! Seriously, I bet zombies would groove to this. Noisy pop with LOTS of feedback and a surf influence. It’s really good! Mostly female vocals with occasional male leads. This is their fourth full-length, they’re from Denmark. Recommended if you like The Jesus and Mary Chain, Sonic Youth, the undead. In addition, the cover […]
Evangelicals – The Evening Descends
February 14, 2008Psychedelic pop/rock weirdness. Reminds me of Animal Collective minus the folk influences combined with the spaced out trippiness of the Flaming Lips. Kinda cool if you like non-conventional music, I suppose. http://www.myspace.com/evangelicals http://www.deadoceans.com/artist.php?name=evangelicals
Nada Surf – Lucky
February 13, 2008Their fifth full-length, they’ve evolved from their beginnings as an angsty version of Weezer to their present state of melodic, midtempo indie pop/rock. They’re rather good and this album is no exception. Overall a very pleasing listen and very nice to simply chill out to. Recommended if you like Death Cab for Cutie, The Weakerthans, […]
Mussels – Little Voices
February 12, 2008From New York City, this is their debut record. It comes in awesome packaging that is hand numbered, very nice. The music is straight-up indie rock with male vocals. A bit sloppy at times, on purpose. I imagine that if the Walkmen, back when they actually rocked, covered Wolf Parade, when they actually put out […]
Grand Archives – Grand Archives
February 11, 2008Mat Brooke fronts this band; you may remember him from his work with Band of Horses and Carissa’s Wierd. This is quite similar to Band of Horses but a bit more pop-influenced; but the folk/country influences are retained. Not as immediately catchy, but the songs are nice and Mat has a very pleasant voice (I […]
The Big Sleep – Sleep Forever
February 9, 2008(The closest I can find to the cover right now…) From Brooklyn, here is the three-piece’s second full-length. Rock with a definite post-rock influence and some noisy bits thrown in (see: Sonic Youth). Some instrumental tracks, some with male vocals, some with female vocals, and some with both. More intense than usual post-rock, they skip […]
Yip-Yip – Two Kings of the Same Kingdom
February 7, 2008Ridiculous spastic electronic noise rock. Craziness. May induce headaches and/or seizures. Visit their myspace for more seizure-inducing content if this album is not enough. For fans of Dan Deacon and cracked electronics. http://www.myspace.com/yipyip http://www.yip-yip.com
Die! Die! Die! – Promises, Promises
February 6, 2008Frantic, fast-paced rock with definite punk and hardcore influences straight outta Dunedin, New Zealand. Like a less-abrasive Blood Brothers that is easier on the ears, but still something I can’t see most people enjoying. Vocals are more spoken than sung, and reminiscent of At The Drive-In at times. http://www.myspace.com/diediedienz http://www.diediedie.net
American Music Club – The Golden Age
February 5, 2008Their ninth full-length and first since 2004’s Love Songs For Patriots, they’ve been around since the 1980s. Their style hasn’t changed too much: slow, kind of depressing, marked by Mark Eitzel’s distinct voice on lead vocals. It could be called “sadcore” or “slowcore” music. Nice stuff, though rather gloomy. Recommended for fans of The National, […]
Tyler Ramsey – A Long Dream About Swimming Across The Sea
February 2, 2008This guy is opening for and playing with Band of Horses on their upcoming tour, and this choice seems logical. This is much slower than Band of Horses and is acoustic, country/folk, but his voice is reminiscent of the Band of Horses’ lead singer. Very mellow. He also does a cover of Jackson Browne’s “These […]
Hot Chip – Made in the Dark
February 1, 2008Hot Chip returns with their third full-length and long-awaited follow-up to 2006’s The Warning. I know a lot of people who loved that one are disappointed with this effort, but I am really liking it. More mellow and laid-back, not quite as dancey, and songs tend to take longer to build-up and kick-in, but still […]
Orange Juice Party Noise 