Glasser - "Ring"

I first came across Glasser (Cameron Mesirow), around the beginning of this year. But all that I listened to were a few remixes she had done. I didn't think to much of it. What a mistake that turned out to be! When I found out she was releasing an album "Ring" I decided to have a listen. It was good. It was REALLY good. I must say I was more excited about this album than anything else I have heard this year. So obviously when it came out I purchased it as soon as possible. I'm happy to say that it didn't let me down in the slightest.

I can't describe the feelings I felt when I first heard "Apply" or "Home" or any other song on the album, for that matter (seriously, pick one at random, they are all phenomenal). But I would have to say that album opener "Apply" is my favorite at the end of the day. It is the - would be - byproduct of Fever Ray and Animal Collective having a sweet, sweet baby.



Among the many standout tracks this album provides, another favorite of mine would have to be "Mirrorage". Cameron has you moving with the music without even realizing it. Whether you are bobbing your head, bouncing your feet, or dancing like an ass in the middle of your room, your body begs you to groove to this album. Her voice floats over the complex rhythms that she makes seem so effortless.



It is truly hard for me to choose only two songs off of "Ring" to share with you, as I find it to be a total masterpiece. Glasser's music (vocally, instrumentally, lyically) is so complex and startlingly beautiful, it feels as though she has painted you a visual image. I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for her. Cameron Mesirow truly captured me with "Ring" and I would recommend it to anyone with ears.

Glasser - "Ring" released September 28th, 2010 via True Panther Sounds.

Ayar'd - (November 8th, 2010)

Best Coast - "Crazy For You"

I'll be honest. While I have been hearing hype about Best Coast for a long time now, all of the little snippets of them I was hearing/reading weren't catching my interest. Eventually I decided to delve a little deeper into their music catalog and I came across the song "Boyfriend". It opened my eyes a little more and led me to start appreciating their sound. I decided to purchase their latest work "Crazy For You" and I was not disappointed.

The album opens with the previously mentioned, and my personal favorite song by Best Coast - "Boyfriend". Bethany Cosentino's voice soars and dives, in one of the hook(-iest) vocals I have ever heard.



Lyrically "Crazy For You" isn't challenging. The songs all land somewhere between missing you, being lazy, and smoking weed. But as an album to wrap up your summer, you couldn't ask for anything better right? I usually am not too keen on a girl singer with a rock format but something about Bethany's voice and Bobb Bruno's riffs leave you feeling like rock was meant to be this way.



In a few places some of the songs start to blend together, but considering that only 1 song on the entire album breaks the 3:00 minute mark (and it does so by just 2 seconds), you can treat those songs as if they were meant to be one. It's a perfect summer album, the rhythms and melodies are carefree, while the lyrics deliver a odd mixture of seriousness and playfulness. A perfect example being: /I lost my job/I miss my mom/I wish my cat could talk./Every time you leave this house/Everything falls apart./ In the end, "Crazy For You" is definitely worth the money and Best Coast is definitely worthy of the hype.

- Best Coast - "Crazy For You" released July 27th, 2010 via Mexican Summer.

-Ayar'd - (October 16th, 2010)

I will be reviewing soon! (I promise)

Sorry I have not delivered those album reviews as quickly as promised, I came across a cold this week and it got the better of me. I will still be doing them... as soon as I feel better. Also add Sufjan Stevens - "Age of Adz" to that list, because I'll be reviewing it as well. But for now, please accept this picture as a token of my sincere regret.



- Ayar'd - (October 15, 2010)

Big Boi - "Sir Lucious Left Foot:The Son of Chico Dusty" Review

I had always figured Andre 3000 to be responsible for the wacky portion of Outkast. This album blew that theory (and my mind) to pieces. It's ridiculous. It's completely off the wall. It's perfect. In fact, everything falls into place with such ease and style that I am forced to wonder if it was luck, or if Big Boi is a complete genius. I'm going to assume that it's a healthy dose of both.

With a songs like "Shutterbug" it's near impossible not to be in love with the album. Big Boi uses beat's and rhythms that are unlike anything you have ever heard.



The album also has a huge lineup of guests, featuring acts like T.I., Jamie Foxx, and Janelle Monae. It's not just straight music. A few places in between songs Big Boi does some detective work, busting a drug deal. Other songs start off - like "Be Still" (ft. Janelle Monae) - with some dialogue. Most of it, like the majority of the album, have sexual undertones.



In the end, you're left feeling upset that the album is over. You want more. But the beauty of it is, every time you listen to a track from "Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty", it feels like the first time. I must say that this album's wittiness, originality, and sheer genius - land it in the number 1 spot for my favorite rap album of all time. Big Boi changes his flow in nearly every song, proving that he isn't just your every day rapper. /It's that nigga the B.I.G. B.O.I. O.U.T./

"Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty" released July 6th, 2010 via Def Jam.

-Ayar'd (October 8th, 2010)

Upcoming Reviews

I may have been slacking on doing posts, but I have not been slacking on listening to good music. I will be doing a review of the following albums that have plagued my speakers these past months:

Best Coast - Crazy For You


Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot, The Son of Chico Dusty

Brandon Flowers - Flamingo

Glasser - Ring

Twin Shadow - Forget

I'm gonna try to post a review each day, for the next five days.

Active Child - When Your Love is Safe

via Yours, Truly.

The Morning Benders - Stitches

via Yours, Truly.

Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks

Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks

Gayngs - The Gaudy Side of Town

Chromeo - Don't Turn the Lights On

Tennis - Marathon

\We didn't realize, that we had arrived\At high tide, high tide, barely made it out alive.\

Tennis is a husband and wife duo, which is awesome. Alaina Moore has a unique voice, which is even more awesome. They recorded their album while sailing on their sailboat around the ocean, which is the most awesome thing I have ever heard of.

The song feels good, and is a great summer anthem. The vocals are obscured to the point where you can't recognize lyrics, but it doesn't bother you. The song just works. The woah's and oh's touch your brain and release endorphins, and we all know what that means.

The "Marathon" 7-inch drops 7/31 via Underwater Peoples

How To Dress Well - Ready For the World

How To Dress Well

If you liked the post about Washed Out, then you should love HTDW. This song flows naturally and gracefully, and makes you feel a wide range of emotions.

I can't think of a single scenario that this wouldn't be a great soundtrack for. Walking down the hall at school, at a funeral, winning the championship, making top ramen, it all works. And coupled with this song, it all has a little bit more emotion behind it. Entitled 'Ready For the World' it could be one of the most appropriate song names I've ever heard.

Keegan DeWitt - Say La La

Keegan DeWitt




I am in awe of this song. I don't even know what to say about it. I know firsthand that it is incredibly easy to bob your head to it. That's about all I can think of. I am sort of at a loss for words right now. This is amazing.

Well done, Keegan. Well done.

Bill Callahan - Jim Cain

A Young Bill Callahan


\I started telling the story\Without knowing the end.\

When I first heard this I loved the music -- but I wasn't too keen on Bill Callahan's voice.
Now I see the error of my ways.

This song is so hypnotically beautiful and pure, it's absurd. Lyrically it's magnificent, musically it's genius, and vocally it's gorgeous. Bill's voice is simple and perfect for the song. I find myself wanting to sing along every time I hear it.

Yu(c)k - Automatic

\I was always an automatic\Don't assume I'm in control\.

I find Yuck's music to be incredibly beautiful. Which is incredibly ironic. But I'm guessing that's what they were going for?

Their upcoming EP - Weakend is on cassette (!) with a limited edition of 100, and is already sold out. It drops August 2nd. The band's blog can be found here.

Arms - "EP" Review

I was upset when I heard that The Harlem Shakes had broken up. I thoroughly enjoyed "Technicolor Health".

They truly didn't get the recognition they deserved and their debut album was incredible.

But I'm more than a little surprised that Todd Goldstein wasn't featured a little more on the album. I mean, I know he was the guitarist after all, but his voice especially. Don't get me wrong, I love the uniqueness of Lexy Benaim's voice, but I was caught off guard at how great Goldstein's pipes are. On "Arms EP" his voice soars and dives, and before you know it, you are singing the tunes in your shower.

The project has been around since even before The Harlem Shakes, but before he did all of the instruments himself. Now that the Shakes are donezo, he got himself a full band, and really started to get his hands dirty.



One of the first things you notice is that Goldstein has a great mind when it comes to catchy music, and hooky songs. Songs that you can't get out of your head. But in this case, it isn't a bad thing. Not at all.

The EP starts off with "Floaters", which instantly caught my attention. The guitar - as to be expected - is wonderful. The chorus feels powerful while not feeling too overpowering. Goldstein sings \You're born under a bad sign\Just wait until your luck runs out\. The song has a sad, yet optimistic feel to it.

The next song, and my favorite off of the EP, is "Heat & Hot Water". It starts off dark and deep, and constantly builds. His voice bouncing and waving, Goldstein sings \Are you at peace\When you're feeding the beast\Wherever we go?\. This song, to me at least, is the catchiest of the album. Even after just one listen, you find yourself humming the chorus for the rest of the day.

Overall I would say I enjoyed "Arms EP" more than I enjoyed The Harlem Shakes "Technicolor Health". Every song on the EP is absolutely wonderful. You could listen to it over and over again and still enjoy the ins and outs of every song. But we'll have to wait and see until the Arms full album comes out. They are currently working on it and it is going to be called "Summer Skills". I cannot wait to see what it brings.

Oh yeah. The EP is FREE here.

ARMS and Gayngs

ARMS

The Harlem Shakes -- a band that I LOVE -- broke up last September.
Which blows because they never got the recognition they deserved.

BUT, I recently stumbled across a band called ARMS.
I found them to be incredibly intriguing.
Only today did I find out that ARMS is the Harlem Shakes guitarist's Todd Goldstein's band.

AND, His new self titled EP (it dropped in March) is completely free on the bands website.

So I have decided I will be doing a review of it. It should be up in the next couple of days.

For now you can nibble on this.

Gayngs - The Gaudy Side of Town



Gayngs is a supergroup featuring members of Solid Gold, Bon Iver, The Rosebuds and many many more.

I swear I am not trying to follow all of Justin Vernon's work. The guy is just all over the place.

The Shouting Matches - Death Letter (Son House Cover)

the quality on this isn't great -- but it blew my mind anyway.

I have a completely new level of respect for Justin Vernon.

It's hard to comprehend that this is the same man
who sings Skinny Love.

Volcano Choir - Island, IS

Justin Vernon is ridiculous.

Washed Out (Ft. Caroline Polachek) - You and I

Its been awhile since I've heard a song that me feel this much inside.
Without even really understanding the words,

I feel pain, I feel love, I feel alone, I feel remorse, I feel joy.

Thank you Washed Out

Elkland - "Apart"

Jonathan Pierce - Vocals/Best Dancer Ever
Adam Kessler - Guitarist

This is an old song. The aforementioned half of the band is now "The Drums", who were recently declared "New York City's coolest band" by NME Magazine.

Also, I'm pretty sure Jonathan was in Karate Kid.