Album Review: Perfume Genius: Put Your Back N 2 It (2012)

By: Scott Jeffrey

Perfume Genius is a Seattle chamber pop solo act from the mind of Mike Hadreas his second release Put Your Back N 2 It, came out in just this past week and has been generating a fair amount of blogger buzz.

When I gave it a listen I didn’t quite know what to expect. This is the first time I had really listened to Perfume Genius. Hadreas seems to have patented a very unique and emotional sound. The vocals on this album are downplayed a bit, almost with a filtered sound. Where some heavily produced studio albums really have vocals that push to the front of every song, Perfume Genius allows the vocals to echo and become just like another instrument. It’s an older sounding record and I like that.

Awol Marine fades in from nothing. I had to make sure that my speakers were on when I started the album. Twinkling keys seem to hesitate as if they are holding back emotion as well. The instrumentals sound like a cleverly thought out Casiotone For The Painfully Alone arrangement only with Sufjan Stevens singing the lyrics. Synth and a classical piano work with the spacey vocals to make this track sound like the next great sad sack anthem.

Take Me Home reminds me a bit of Dead Man’s Bones. It has older swing style vocals and the lyrics that seem to be plucked right out of a graveyard love story. The guitars added in have a very cool ghostly reverb effect and make this song very spooky sounding.

Dark Parts is an ongoing piano roll and stands as one of the more uplifting songs on the album. While other tracks have a down in the dumps feel this one is a bit more happy. With Celtic sounding drums and a very faint sound of a heavily distorted guitar in the background this track builds and suddenly stops into a beautiful freeze-frame moment where Hadreas comes in clear as day. “I will take the dark part of your heart into my heart.”

The title track Put Your Back N 2 It couldn’t be much more of a confusing "getting it on" song. The main chorus is “Let me be the one to turn you on.” But the delivery of this line is done in a way like someone just died. I don’t know whether to lay someone down by the fire or burst into tears. This is probably one of the least interesting tracks on the album.

Sister Song sounds like it could be in a movie soundtrack. The lyrics are delivered so softly over one of the quietest piano tracks on the album. The whole thing sounds as traditional and familiar as an old folk song. It is the perfect track to finish off this album.



8.5/10

Take Away Thought: I really enjoyed this album. Though I recommend you are prepared for one of the saddest sounding albums to come out in some time. I found a bit of a similar sound among a few of the tracks and the album is fairly short at only 32 minutes. The sound quality and emotion put into this album make it worth a listen. If you are a fan of getting a bit emo with your indie pop, give this one a go.

Album Review: Grouplove: Never Trust a Happy Song (2011)

By Scott Jeffrey

I know I am a little bit late on this one but I just found out that this album came out.

In the past summer Grouplove put out a short EP that was so enchanting it seemed to make every car playlist that I created for road tripping.

I’ve finally got my hands on the full length from these American indie rockers and I like the other stuff they have to offer.

Itchin On A Photograph starts off really slow and deliberate and by the end has the same intensity as the groups, hit Colors. Christian Zucconi sounds like hes having a tantrum by the end, it’s amazing to hear how this track goes from slow jam to angst ridden rock.

Lovely Cup sounds like the ultimate feel good song. With a light bass and a sound that you can’t help but bob your head to. Even a few “sha la las” thrown in for good measure. I really like the arena rock distortion that seems to mesh in a very interesting way with Hannah Hooper’s backing vocals.

Colors appears on this album as well, and I’m sure that everyone has probably heard it by now. It had some decent radio play and made it on the soundtrack for a few EA games (NFL, Fifa). This is a great example of the band’s sound and should be the first track to check out.

Get your lighters ready for Cruel and Beautiful World this is the slower song on the album. This nearly country sounding track, features slide guitars, accordion and classical acoustic. This reminds me of a good old fashioned drinking song.




6.5/10

Take away thought: The album is very different from the EP, I was kind of surprised at just how much depth that grouplove has. Although Colors is still the standout track there are a few other notable songs on this album. I would say if you’re a big fan of the EP give this a go. If you haven’t heard of Grouplove maybe get the EP over the album, the extra songs may leave you a bit disappointed.

Album Review: Bowerbirds: The Clearing (2012)

By Scott Jeffrey

Bowerbirds are back with a new album The Clearing. You may remember Bowerbirds from their outstanding performance on Vincent Moon’s Lablogotheque. The new album is a bit different from the older percussion driven sound of their past hit, In Our Talons.

There are bits and pieces of this sound still existing in songs like This Year, but it’s almost muted back and taken over by a sad guitar. The build in this song is amazing, starting off a romantic classic it nearly reaches the same arena rock sound of an Arcade Fire Jam.

Every song seems to unravel like a riddle, usually starting off small and turning in a different direction than you thought it would. A song that starts particularly sad, somehow leaves you with a smile.

Tuck the Darkness in has got some great instrumental bridges, with a rolling piano and ghostly strings. This is another song that builds into an amazing reprise.

Hush seems to break free of a musical forms, taking almost a Caribbean beat in the end. This is a real experimental folk song. Beth Powers takes the lead on vocals and takes the verses to a sultry jazzy level. It’s an interesting piece worth a listen.

Overcome With Light is the classic Bowerbirds sound. Give Phillip Moore a guitar and a microphone and watch him amaze you. This is a slow nearly gospel track, no drums light strings and heavy on the emotion. I’d take it as my lullaby any time.

In Sweet Moment, the harmonization does get to be a little much, but if any indie film makers are planning on making a romantic montage, this understated love song would be the perfect soundtrack.

7.5/10

Take Away thought: This is a good album, there are certain hits and misses, a few tracks I couldn’t get into. This Year and Tuck the Darkness In are good places to start if you want to check it out. 

Album Review: Ben Kweller: Go Fly A Kite (2012)

By Scott Jeffrey

I haven’t really listened to Ben Kweller since Sha Sha way back in 2000. The San Fran native has had a number of different singles and albums in between now and then. His latest, Go Fly A Kite is like listening to a completely different artist.

Ben Kweller has certainly evolved since the simple homemade recordings we heard on Sha Sha. Starting with the single Mean To Me, I can hear ben trying to channel a Heatmiser kind of sound only he comes up a bit short. The song is simple but I honestly don’t want to listen to it a second or even a third time, it is talent show material at best not a radio chart topper.

Free has a bit of a southern rock vibe. The lyrics and strange hooting noises seem to ruin this one for me though. Didn’t The Sheepdogs already make this song? Why did you have to sing over it?

The Rainbow is very interesting; the urgency that Kweller delivers the lyrics and the fast and slow dynamic is intriguing. Maybe I just like it because it’s the shortest song on the album.

Time Will Save The Day is also worth a listen, it starts off with an acoustic attitude, until the reprise which is literally just repetition of the title for over 60 seconds. By this point Kweller has succeeded in giving me a headache.

3/10

Take Away Thought: I expected to enjoy this one, but in general the repetition just killed it. He’s emulating, at best, and butchering it. If anything my advice to Kweller, get back to your DIY roots, write another song like Lizzy and record it in your basement. Or just do covers. 

Album Review: The Cranberries : Roses (2012)

By Scott Jeffrey

Now it has been a while since the cranberries have produced some material, over ten years to be exact. But hooray they are back!

A lot has changed since 2001’s release Wake up and Smell the Coffee. But it seems like the Irish foursome have not fallen off the wagon one bit.

This latest release is a 90’s pop time warp. Songs like Tomorrow sound like they should nearly be on tape or at least spinning around in your cd player, not coming out of an Ipod. Dolores O’Riordan really is singing the same old song but with new lyrics. The chord progression is simple and predictable over some soft played drums this is a 90’s pop anthem that you thought you have heard before, but you haven’t.

Fire and Soul uses kind of a loud soft dynamic which leaves it as a good standout on the album. Its sort of modern like an indie song of the present. It’s good to see a contrast on the album.

Schizophrenic Playboy is a bit of the rockier side of the Cranberries sound that we are used to. This song is their new Zombie. Granted it can’t touch the iconic nature of that song, but it is done in a similar style. It’s rare to hear an acoustic guitar played so angrily.

Roses, the title track, is a romantic heartbreaker song. It kind of reminds me a bit of Bjork. But only because it’s such an existentially beautiful song filled with emotion much like the style Bjork would do.  An acoustic is plucked softly over strings and muted drums. With some electronic sampling adding a modern spin. O’Riordan delivers chills on this track.

5/10

Take Away Thoughts: This is a pretty high quality album, though it does not sort of fit into the scheme of our modern music scene. It is great to hear new tracks from the cranberries, they aren’t necessarily doing the same old stuff, but they also aren’t producing the same kind of hits they once were. A lot of this album is sort of 90’s filler pop. But a few of the tracks I think are something fans of the Cranberries could get into. 

Album Review: Sleigh Bells: Reign Of Terror (2012)

By Scott Jeffrey

The follow up to the smash 2010 hit Treats. Alexis Krauss and Derek E. Millar of Sleigh Bells are back with their new album, Reign Of Terror.

With a title like this one we expect maybe an even heavier sound than Treats. Which is not always true on this record. End Of The Line is a slower song in fact that reminds me of a track in a teen movie. The loud guitar sound that blasts you out of your seat is turned down really low, mostly replaced by synth. Though it remains pretty fast and upbeat something about the song is melancholic and not fitting the fun time vibe this band is usually all about.

You Lost Me takes me right back to the time at a wedding ceremony where the band breaks into 80s revival and everyone is left thinking of the last time they slow danced to Lady In Red By Chris de Burgh. This is another downer song for sure.

Fear not, there are heavy, fun songs on this album however. Demons might as well be in Blade movie. It’s the perfect sort of riff to kick some bad guy ass to. The really heavy machinegun drums sound through the whole song with a really calculated riff that just sounds so badass. It is simple and iconic of the Sleigh Bells sound.

Born To Lose is the definite standout. I love the opening guitar riff, the whole thing is just the same style as Treats, but with a bit of sad spin that this album seems to have on it. The song sounds extremely happy until you listen to the lyrics. It has a really infectious quality and sticks in your head like a tumor.

The final track DOA is a great send off as well. It just bops along in an almost classical way ending abruptly leaving you wanting more.

6.5/10

Take away thoughts: I didn’t like this album quite as much treats. It shows some real progression from the band and isn’t just the same old, same old. I would recommend checking it out if you are a fan, but I also wouldn’t go in with high hopes, Treats will remain on heavy rotation but I can see a few of the tracks on Reign of Terror finding their way off my playlist.

Feature: Grammy Recap

By Scott Jeffrey

So another year of the Grammys has gone and past. Where last year we were singing the praises of Lady Antebellum, this year’s awards were swept by Adele.

Where some of our office predictions favoured what we thought would be the popular choice via radio popularity, perhaps we should have gone with our first gut feeling. I was pleasantly surprised by some of this year’s picks. It is hard to be angry when the Foo Fighters and Adele walked home with as many awards as they did.  

I have to tip my hat to Bon Iver for winning best new artist, and best alternative album. We thought this was a hopeless category choosing Skrillex and Nicki Minaj as the shoe in’s.

I have to say as well, what in the sweet holy hell was Nicki Minaj’s performance about? The greatest entertainment lie in watching the altar boys look uncomfortable as the scantily clad dancers writhed about on their altars and the booty genies slithered across the floor. It was an exorcism indeed, of all entertainment value.

In a second strange performance we also got to witness Chris Brown fans waving a sea of angry glow in the dark dildos at the Stargate. That’s entertainment!

Kanye West cleaned up for his masterpiece My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Taking home best rap colab, album and song. Jay Z got in on the action as well winning best rap performance for their song Otis from Watch the Throne.

I can say the only real award that really surprised me was when the Tron:Legacy Soundtrack didn’t win anything. Bested by The Kings Speech OST, Daft Punk should have walked away with this one in my opinion. Just for how pumped up the song Derezzed made an audience feel watching the trailer for Tron:Legacy, before the subtle disappointment that was the feature film. 

With 2012 still young we have just got to hope for the same caliber of music and performance as we had in 2011, to make the Grammy awards as entertaining as they were this evening.

Album Review:Dr Dog: Be The Void (2012)

By Scott Jeffrey

Dr. Dog might just be one of the longest running bands you have never heard of. Until now. These Pennsylvania,  psychedelic, indie, rockers have been at it since 1999 and have just now released their sixth album.

Their latest release Be The Void has more of their 60’s lo-fi jams packaged up in a modern studio with an indie rock twist.

The opening track Lonesome  has a very cool riff that sounds like its missing off of Beck’s album Odelay. A blues driven slide guitar and some good stomping drums make this a fine drinking song. Those that really enjoy the recent Beck material will really dig this track.

How Long Must I Wait has great single quality. The vocals weirdly remind me of Bob Marley. The style of harmony used in the chorus has a strange almost reggae style to it. This is an older sounding jam as well, I love the use of the harmonic notes that jump in and out of a funky bass line almost resembling steel drums.

The track Vampire sounds like something the band might play at the old sock hop. You could slow dance to it, but only if you were sucking face. This is an angry spiteful track, it sounds like it was a good release of some pent up frustration. Although it’s in two step form there are plenty of harder sounding guitar breaks and raw vocals to take the romance away.

Warrior Man  Reminds me of Blur a bit, with the harmonies during verses and just the bass style, it is very reminiscent of their album 13.

The rest of the tracks do have their own intricacies that set them apart from one another. There isn’t necessarily filler on this album but there are standout singles and other songs that are alright for the occasional listen.

5/10

Take Away Thought: Have a listen if you are into Beck. The psychedelic new age 60’s sounds of doctor dog might not quite be for everyone. If you are curious at all start with How Long Must I Wait and Lonesome before going further with the album. 

Predictions: 2012 Grammy Awards

@speedrocketENT

Record of the Year:

Scott: Rolling in the Deep - Adele (wants: Holoscene - Bon Iver)

Aaron: Rolling in the Deep - Adele (wants: Rolling in the Deep - Adele)

Album of the Year:

Scott: 21 – Adele (wants: Wasting Light – Foo Fighters)

Aaron: 21 – Adele (wants: 21 – Adele)

Song of the Year:

Scott: Grenade – Bruno Mars (wants: Holoscene – Bon Iver)

Aaron: Rolling in the Deep - Adele (wants: The Cave – Mumford & Sons)

Best New Artist:

Scott: Skrillex (wants: Bon Iver)

Aaron: Nicki Minaj (wants: Bon Iver)

Best Pop Solo:

Scott/Aaron: Someone Like You - Adele

Best Pop Duo/Group:

Scott: Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5

Aaron: Pumped Up Kicks – Foster the People

Best Rock Song:

Scott: Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Coldplay

Aaron: The Cave – Mumford and Sons

Best Rock Album:

Scott: Wasting Light – Foo Fighters

Aaron: The Whole Love – Wilco

Best Alternative Album:

Scott/Aaron: Bon Iver – Bon Iver

Best Rap Album:

Scott: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy – Kanye West

Aaron: Watch the Throne – Kayne West / Jay-Z

Best Score Soundtrack:

Scott/Aaron: Tron: Legacy

Take Away Thought: Make sure you watch the 54th Grammys on Sunday, Feb. 12.

Album Review: Mark Lanegan Band: Blues Funeral (2012)

By Scott Jeffrey

If you are a  fan of Queens of the Stone Age you have probably also heard of Mark Lanegan.

Lanegan was in fact, a member of QOTSA (Queens of the Stone Age) from 2000-2005. The Washington based punk/blues rocker has been collaborating and focusing on his own solo work while playing in Queens and after Lullabies To Paralyze, his last album with the band.

Blues Funeral, his latest full solo LP recorded with QOTSA member Alain Johannes, dropped just this past Tuesday. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect.

The Gravediggers Song is pretty much straight off of the QOTSA album Songs For The Deaf  the machinegun drums and desert rock sound are like a time warp back to 2002. This is a single for a reason and a good track to ease you into Lanegan’s solo sound.

Quiver Syndrome  is another track that feels a bit like QOTSA but with Lanegan’s twist on it. By making use of a 90’s style synth sound and some backup singers to add a bit of levity to pounding desert rock.

Bleeding Muddy Water is an older style, bluesey track. It sounds like it could be a bond theme. If I had to describe the sound I would almost tip a hat to Chris Rea. These are slow, dark, methodical blues.

Ode To Sad Disco Is sort of a curve ball on the album. It is strangely up beat, with a disco synth the title basically describes this perfectly. It is an ode to sad disco, which seems a bit of a throw in on an album called blues funeral. This is a track I have yet to get through; it seems a bit like filler.

Phantasmagoria Blues is haunting, using a very unusual minor progression for the verses this is something that feels strangely right but shouldn’t. It’s a blues song at heart, but may not sound like the same old same old.

6.5/10

Take Away Thought: The album as a whole isn’t the strongest showing, only because the tracks are sort of unsorted changing sound and genre at will. It’s kind of a collection of songs and there are definite hits and misses. That being said there are songs for everyone as well, classic blues, desert rock, pop and other genres all pop up. I would recommend listening to the single’s but it might not be an album worth picking up unless you really like what you hear.