New Music Tuesday: My Bloody Valentine • Eels • Frightened Rabbit • The Bronx • Unknown Mortal Orchestra • Jim James • Thao and The Get Down Stay Down

February 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment

My Bloody Valentine - m b v

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks, album highlights, lowlights and important takeaways for select albums.

My Bloody Valentine – m b v

4-BamsTop Tracks:
“Only Tomorrow”
“If This and Yes”
“In Another Way”

Album Highlights: Much like the bulk of My Bloody Valentine’s catalog, this album feels like a grouping of EPs, which could be due to the lengthy history of this album. The first 3 tracks sound like they may have been from some of the sessions from the mid-nineties that have only now seen light of day. The second trio of songs bring you back to earth with a heavy dose of pop-tinged shoegaze, almost a contemplative section of soaring harmonies brought by Kevin Shields and Bilinda Butcher. The last three songs are serious. This is likely the “new” sound of MBV, which is a little more straight ahead than what we are used to. Songs like “in another way” may sound tame with it’s 4/4 drum beat to some aficionados, but there is enough tweaking with the timing to make it purely MBV. Then to close the album with “wonder 2” is just a stroke of brilliance, as this track is the real deal; an otherworldly rapture of drums, synths and distorted vocals.

Album Lowlight: Very few. The hardcore fans will like it, but potentially grumble as there isn’t any astounding departure of the MBV sound.

Takeaway: It’s been a long time coming for this release, almost 22 years to be exact, and it certainly does not disappoint on any level. Truly jumping back in where they left off when no follow-up materialized after Loveless shows the dedication Shields has to the fuzzy auditory landscape he meticulously crafts. A gem to be enjoyed via one’s best pair of headphones, and hopefully live this year.

~Kevin Quandt

Download My Bloody Valentine’s new record m b v at the band’s website (pay what you want).

Eels – Wonderful, Glorious

3-BamsTop Tracks:
“Bombs Away”
“Peach Blossom”
“New Alphabet”

Album Highlights: Wonderful, Glorious, the 10th studio album by Eels and first since 2010, doesn’t break much new ground but keeps a good thing going. Eels mastermind Mark Oliver Everett (aka E) has been around the block and has had his share of heartbreak, which is a common theme in his music. Wonderful, Glorious, however, has a much more optimistic outlook compared to previous work. He even sings about tiger lilies and marigolds in the song “Peach Blossom.”

Album Lowlight: It probably won’t win over any Eels fans who were on the fringe, although it will please diehard fans. Eels just continue doing what they’ve done best for over a decade: creating introspective indie albums with a side of gritty blues. If nothing else, this album is the next chapter in the fascinating life of Everett. It’s as self-reflective and heart-wrenching, yet liberating as ever.

Takeaway: E’s pain and heartbreak still comes through on this album, yet there is positivity and hopefulness that shines through the bleak cloud cover. This self-reflection and balance between anguish and hope provide a captivating dynamic. E said it best on the track “New Alphabet”: “You know what, I’m in a good mood today. Well I’m so happy it’s not yesterday.”

Well, I am in a good mood today, too — for I have just listened to this record. You should, too.

~Kevin Raos

Frightened Rabbit – Pedestrian Verse

3.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Late March, Death March”
“Housing (In/Out)”
“State Hospital”

Album Highlight: Rhythmically feverish, “Housing (In/Out)” is quintessential Frightened Rabbit and is perfectly placed at the midway point of the album’s narrative. Reflecting upon the style most fans of the band are familiar with while expanding upon their talent as songwriters, this two-part track bookends the strongest section of the album with catchy guitar riffs and a relentless drum beat.

Album Lowlight: “Oil Slick” is an unnecessary and uncharacteristically cheesy love song. With an album already accomplishing a full circle of emotions without compromising the artistic integrity of the band, this track comes off as a last ditch attempt for air play. It would’ve served better as a b-side or bonus track.

Takeaway: From the initial notes, you are aware that “State Hospital” is going to have an epic build up and musical evolution. Lyrically documenting the journey of a journey from pain to redemption, the drum beat guides you throughout the track until it triumphantly crescendos into an explosive finale filled with soaring vocals, a huge chorus and an effortless fade into the emotionally charged ballad.

~Molly Kish

The Bronx – The Bronx (IV)

4-BamsTop Tracks:
“Under The Rabbit”
“Life Less Ordinary”
“Too Many Devils”

Album Highlight: With The Bronx IV, The Bronx are back to its roots, but show more maturity and depth than in its previous offerings, especially in the vocal department. Singer Matt Caughthran sounds much more polished now; he’s actually able to hit notes without breaking into screams to cover up range. His voice and the band’s sound still has a hardcore edge to it, but now legitimate melody comes into play, making it much more approachable to someone not accustom to the band or hardcore in general. “Style Over Everything” is a good example of the back and forth the band delivers between melody and straightforward, ass-kicking hardcore punk.

Album Lowlight: The only downside to the album was some of the songs felt a bit forced in trying to call back to past Bronx albums, and it seemed to trip up the flow of the album at times, especially when I really started to get into hearing the maturity and growth in other songs.

Takeaway: I’ll admit that after hearing the brilliance of Mariachi El Bronx, I wasn’t sure how I would accept a new album after all these years. I feared that it would try too hard to show that the band hadn’t forgotten its hardcore roots by trying too hard to be all heavy guitars and screams all the time, but this album shows remarkable maturity and growth for a band that is talented enough to be two successful bands at the same time. Personal favorites on this album are “Under The Rabbit” (which reminds me of their earlier albums the most), “Life Less Ordinary” (which has a Mariachi El Bronx vocal feel to it), “Too Many Devils,” “Pilot Light,” and “Along for The Ride.” Overall it’s a great album and worth picking up if you’re a slightly more melodic hardcore fan or just a fan of The Bronx in general.

~Sean Little

Unknown Mortal Orchestra – II

4.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Faded in the Morning”
“From the Sun”
“Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)”

Album Highlight: This one is a keeper. UMO’s second record balances catchy psych-pop songs like “From the Sun” with tracks that are dominated by thrashing electric guitar. “Faded in the Morning” combines the psych-pop and guitar work to the most optimal balance. “So Good at Being in Trouble” is a timeless Motown baby-maker.

Album Lowlight: The closing ballad “Secret Xtians” is a bit lackluster. The tracks dominated by electric guitar can do no wrong; Ruban Nielson should allow his guitar hero-tendencies to take over.

Takeaway: There is some early Syd Barrett/Pink Floyd influence in UMO’s second record, but the more recent album often more cohesive than that of Piper at the Gates of Dawn. The one-two punch of upbeat tracks “The Opposite of Afternoon” and “No Need for a Leader” could be the strongest part of the LP. Unknown Mortal Orchestra is a top live act to see in 2013.

~Mike Frash

Jim James – Regions of Light and Sound of God

3.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Know til Now”
“Dear One”
“A New Life”

Album Highlights: As Always, Jim James’ vocals are outstanding and truly shine on his debut solo album. The record is full of many different textures throughout, including full string arrangements and keyboards that gel perfectly together with his angelic voice.

Album Lowlight: I understand that James is getting very spiritual with his writing, but his lyrics are a little to “Bible-Pushing” for me. He based this album off the graphic novel “God’s Man” by Lynn Ward, so I get what he is after. I just feel he might have tried a little too hard.

Takeaway: James made himself a very beautiful album here that I can see myself playing on Sunday mornings or maybe for a sunset, but I don’t see it getting in the Friday rotation. I’m glad that James created this album as an outlet for his work with My Morning Jacket because you can sense this a very personal album for him. I can definitely enjoy this album at the right time and place.

~Pete Mauch

Thao and The Get Down Stay Down – We the Common

3-BamsTop Tracks:
“We The Common (For Valerie Bolden)”
“Holy Roller”
“Kindness Be Conceived”

Album Highlight: Thao Nguyen is ready for the spotlight and radio-play with the release of We the Common. The album’s title track “We the Common (For Valerie Bolden)” will be a hit — and for a good reason. The track plays on multiple genres successfully, weaving together bluegrass, alt-rock beat transitions and poppy, Regina Spektor-like accessible lyrics. By the time the refrain kicks in (“Whooo-a-hooo, haha), it becomes easy to speculate that Thao and The Get Down Stay Down could have a big year.

Album Lowlight: The latter half of We the Common contains clunkers like “Clouds For Brains” and “Age of Ice.” The first half of the record is solid.

Takeaway: One of San Francisco’s finest is about to hit the national stage, but the record is pretty hit or miss. “City,” “Holy Roller” and “Kindness Be Conceived” are delightful songs, but many of the others feel forced and a bit kitschy. The record has its moments and a huge one in “We the Common (For Valerie Bolden) that will put Thao Nguyen on the map.

~Mike Frash

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New Music Tuesday: Ben Harper with Charlie Musselwhite • Tegan and Sara • Local Natives • Emmy Rossum • Tomahawk • Ducktails

January 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Ben Harper with Charlie Musselwhite - Get Up

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks, album highlights, lowlights and important takeaways for select albums.

Ben Harper with Charlie Musselwhite – Get Up!

4-BamsTop Tracks:
“I Don’t Believe a Word You Say”
“I Ride at Dawn”
“Get Up!”

Album Highlight: Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite’s new collaboration Get Up! is one of the best blues albums I’ve heard in a while. A mix of acoustic and electric, Get Up! showcases the strengths of both artists. Musselwhite’s haunting and impassioned harmonica is a constant throughout, while Ben Harper’s signature slide guitar finds it’s moments to shine.

Album Lowlight: This album is very bluesy, and although that is what makes it work so well, it is also the reason it can be a little pedestrian at time. I really would love to hear what Musselwhite can do outside of the realm of blues.

Takeaway: Harper and Musselwhite have created a rejuvenating blues album merging what we love about both artists into one cohesive record. It sounds like Musselwhite had carte blanche to layer his trademark sound throughout. This is a record that will get regular play in my rotation.

~Kevin Raos

Tegan and Sara – Heartthrob

3-BamsTop Tracks:
“Closer”
“Drove Me Wild”
“I Couldn’t Be Your Friend”

Album Highlight: “Closer” is the catchiest and most club friendly track on the album. Tegan and Sara divert from their typically indie-rock, girl band strengths to produce a fantastically successful new-wave dance jam. “Closer” showcases their strong grasp of current pop music trends and signifies their evolution as songwriters. However, the opening track falsely sets you up for a less than exciting sophomore effort.

Album Lowlight: “Now I’m All Messed Up” feels like the overproduced, female vocalized electro-rock bands songs of the late nineties. The track lacks in both lyrical content and musical style. The added effects and distorted chorus almost seem like a cover-up for the lack of song structure and lyrics that sound like a high school journal entry.

Takeaway: “I Couldn’t Be Your Friend” has a great piano hook from the beginning, but takes a minute to pick up. Once involved in the chorus though, it is one song that you can’t help but continue to listen and maybe even sing along. “I couldn’t Be Your Friend” is the best lyrical effort on the album and all around most complete track on Heartthrob.

~Molly Kish

Emmy Rossum – Sentimental Journey

2-BamsTop Tracks:
“Sentimental Journey”
“I’ll Be with You in Apple Blossom”
“Nobody Knows You When You’re Down”
“All I Do Is Dream of You”

Album Highlight: “Sentimental Journey” is the title track and best example of the direction this album should have gone in. This song is a wonderful display of Rossum’s vocals and unlike the rest of the obnoxiously campy show-tune album has a beautifully simplistic blues arrangement, paying homage to the female jazz legends she is attempting to emulate.

Album Lowlight: Although an obvious cover straight off the 1933 soundtrack for Roman Scandals, the final track of the album “Keep Young and Beautiful” further accentuates the actress/musician cross-over effort Rossum struggles with throughout the entire album. It’s over the top within the opening five seconds of the track’s vaudeville monologue and instantly makes me want to listen to it as an actresses’ audition rather than as a recording artists tribute.

Takeaway: Amidst the various efforts on the album to display contemporary jazz ballads, “All I Do Is Dream of You” is the most successful. Rossum clearly has the chops to produce a beautiful love song, best done in this manner of a stripped-down standard.

~Molly Kish

Tomahawk – Oddfellows

2.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Stone Letter”
“White Hats/Black Hats”
“South Paw”

Album Highlight: Mike Patton has always had a knack for the experimental, whether it be Mr. Bungle, Peeping Tom or any of his various acts. “Rise Up Dirty Waters” displays the balance between quiet beauty and maniacal frenzy, always keeping his listeners on their toes.

Album Lowlight: Their sound is kind of stuck in an area of Nu-metal meets Les Claypool. One needs to truly love the singing style of Mike Patton in order to truly appreciate — and enjoy — Tomahawk.

Takeaway: This alt-metal supergroup has been featuring the weird, Patton-fueled sound for over a decade, and this album continues that tradition. A fun romp of a listen for any Nine Inch Nails or Tool fan still holding onto the hard rock heydays of the 90’s and early 2000’s.

~Kevin Quandt

Ducktails – The Flower Lane

3-BamsTop Tracks:
“Flower Lane”
“Under Cover”
“Academy Avenue”

Album Highlight: The Flower Lane is a Steely Dan-inspired album with a fuller sound than previous releases, yet it’s still in the beach vibe of Matt Mondanile. Tracks like “Assistant Director” feature electronic effects and a danceable vibe, a new sound to this once solo project.

Album Lowlight: I feel like a few of these songs might get a better treatment from his No. 1 gig, Real Estate. Vocals could leave a little to be desired, but it doesn’t subtract from the overall sound much.

Takeaway: Ducktails takes the breezy feel of Real Estate and mixes in more 80’s pop and world influence. For fans of heavy reverb! The inclusion of Big Troubles as Mondanile’s backing band adds the feeling of a full band as opposed to the entirely solo efforts previously released under the Ducktails moniker.

~Kevin Quandt

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New Music Tuesday: Bad Religion • Toro y Moi • Ra Ra Riot • The Joy Formidable • Nosaj Thing • FIDLAR • The Growlers • Foxygen

January 22, 2013 by 2 Comments

Bad Religion - True North

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks, album highlights, lowlights and important takeaways for select albums.

Bad Religion – True North

4-BamsTop Tracks:
“Past is Dead”
“Hello Cruel World”
“Dept. of False Hope”

Album Highlight: Bad Religion’s sound has been crafted over three and a half decades, and it hasn’t deviated much from a strong drive, mixed in with educated, anti-establishment lyrics and endless touring. Some faster tracks from the “80-85” era are a pleasant surprise.

Album Lowlight: A few odd songs like “Dharma and the Bomb” could have been omitted, as they are a little goofy and misplaced. If you aren’t a fan of 90’s punk drumming, this album may not be for you.

Takeaway: A must for any fan of Bad Religion or punk-tinged rock and roll fan. There are lots of thoughtful lyrics sung masterfully. True North continues a great punk rock tradition, what you’d expect from vets like Greg Graffin and Co.

~Kevin Quandt

Toro y Moi – Anything in Return

4.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“So Many Details”
“Say That”
“Cola”
“Cake”

Album Highlight: Chazwick Bundick’s new LP Anything in Return is heavily dance-influenced compared to his prior works, and he’s brought a new beat to the table by lacing his first three tracks with UK deep house and R&B sensibilities. The opening section of the record has the freshest sound on the record.

Album Lowlight: It’s Toro y Moi’s longest record, and it does feel a bit long. “Touch” and “Day One” aren’t spectacular, but they aren’t bad either.

Takeaway: Anything in Return blends tracks influenced by dance (“Harm in Change” and “Say That”), R&B (“So Many Details”), micro-house (“Rose Quartz”), disco/chillwave (“Studies”), electronic pop (“Cake”) and funk (“High Living”). It’s a sexy, cohesive album, and Bundick takes a mature look at youthful living with his smooth lyrics. This is a winning record.

~Mike Frash

Ra Ra Riot – Beta Love

4.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Dance with Me”
“Is It Too Much”
“Angel, Please”
“Binary Mind”

Album Highlight: Ra Ra Riot’s new album Beta Love is upbeat and infectious, combining many elements from their previous work with a more developed electronic sound. If Ra Ra Riot was in the alpha phase before, they have certainly progressed into the Beta phase with ‘Beta Love.’

Album Lowlight: Nitpicking here, but the second half of the album doesn’t quite retain the all-out dance party of the first half. After “Angel, Please”, the LP settles down a little and takes the listener into a nocturnal state with “When I Dream”.

Takeaway: Ra Ra Riot has created a tremendous indie electropop album. The band’s sound has evolved, moving away from the heavier, classical sounding music to a more electronic, synth vibe. Ra Ra Riot purists might be skeptical towards the change, but I love it. One of the best albums in a very young 2013, IMO.

~Kevin Raos

The Joy Formidable – Wolf’s Law

3.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“This Ladder Is Ours”
“The Turnaround/Wolf’s Law”
“The Leaopard And the Lung”

Album Highlight: The second half of Wolf’s Law contains enjoyable tracks that don’t sound like the typical, upbeat alt rock this group usually puts out. Check out “The Leaopard And the Lung” and a slow but lovely “Silent Treatment.”

Album Lowlight: Why throw a 70-second gap in the middle of the last track “The Turnaround/Wolf’s Law”? Both the parts within this track are excellent and could have been bridged. I’m sure there’s a reason they weren’t completely merged, but it just breaks up a beautiful final song in an unspectacular way. And “Maw Maw Song” is a little meh.

Takeaway: The Joy Formidable produce a noisy wall of sound that abruptly comes and goes, and Ritzy Bryan’s guitar-work dominates this album. If you’re a fan of The Joy Formidable, give it a spin, but you may be stumped by the odd, yet entertaining second half of the record. Overall, there isn’t anything particularly groundbreaking to be found in this LP.

~Mike Frash

Nosaj Thing – Home

3.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Glue”
“Tell”
“Try” feat. Toro y Moi

Album Highlight: Subtle, yet contemporary beauty at its finest. Tracks such as “Distance” from LA electronic musician Jason Chung feature a fresher take on old legends like Boards of Canada. “Tell” leans closer to the dub-scape sound of London-based beat maker Burial.

Album Lowlight: Though it’s not Chung’s style, one bigger, fuller or faster track could have helped full-album listening experience. I had higher expectations, as this album was nearly four years in the making. I guess when you’re producing for hip-hop stars, it gets time-consuming.

Take-away: It was well worth the wait for Jason Chung’s new album under his Nosaj Thing monicker, as this fresh batch of progressive down-beat tracks is full of his unique sound.

~Kevin Quandt

FIDLAR – FIDLAR

3-BamsTop Tracks:
“Cheap Beer”
“Wake Bake Skate”
“5-9”
“Blackout Stout”
“No Waves”

Album Highlight: “Cheap Beer” is the lead single and party anthem of the album, leading into the record apologetically with screeching distortion, pelting lyrics and surf rock guitar riffs. The song sets course for a 14-track homage to the grittier side of punk rock, highlighting the angst of wasted youth set in the streets of LA.

Album Lowlight: “LDA”, reminiscent of a Ramones ballad, is a song that sidetracks from the anxious energy that keeps this album interesting. Appearing in rotation after the most lively track on the album “5-9”, the song stunts the manic motion of Fidlar’s material in what seems like a forced attempt to squeeze a cheesy love song into the mix.

Takeaway: “Paycheck,” a track which starts off unconventionally slow, is sung in unison, and is placed on the coattails of the least impressive song on the album. One might pass this up the first listen or two. The latter half of this song shreds, slapping the listener in the face with the albums’ strongest guitar solo.

~Molly Kish

The Growlers – Hung at Heart

3.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Someday”
“Naked Kids”
“One Million Lovers”
“Row”

Album Highlight: The opening one-two punch of “Someday” and “Naked Kids” gets the album started in a big way. “Someday” finds Brooks Nielson singing about the future and “when tall boys turn into champagne, and Bologna turns to steak”. “Naked Kids” is a slower-paced psychedelic ode to a lost lover, and he swears he’s changed and has had an epiphany. Great opening tracks here.

Album Lowlight: Every song seems to blend together — it’s hard to distinguish between different tracks. Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys was supposed to produce this album, but The Growlers weren’t happy with Auerbach’s touch, so they went back in the studio and did it their way. It does make me wonder what Auerbach could have done with these songs.

Takeaway: All in all, this album is enjoyable, especially the lyrics and the 60’s SoCal psych-rock vibe, but I feel it could have had stronger material. All the songs are good, but only a couple stand out from the others.

~Pete Mauch

Foxygen – We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic

4-BamsTop Tracks:
“Shuggie”
“We are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic”
“San Francisco”
“Oh Yeah”

Album Highlight: “We are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic” is the album’s title track and undoubtedly the strongest song. A psychedelic freak-out coated with soulful shrieks, impressive percussion, steady guitar riffs and someone ripping on the organ, Sam France and Jonathan Rado showcase their incredible musical talent and chops for songwriting.

Album Lowlight: The least complicated effort on the album, “No Destruction”, lacks in production value and lyrical content. It’s great in the context of a stripped-down country song, but it doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the tracks on this album.

Takeaway: With its borderline obnoxious lyrical interludes, “On Blue Mountain” seems silly at first. I was at first deterred from what ends up being one of the most enigmatic tracks on the album. Approach this album with acceptance of the ironic song structure, and you’ll sure to be smitten by the end.

~Molly Kish

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New Music Tuesday: Jessie Ware • A$AP Rocky • Yo La Tengo • Parquet Courts • Christopher Owens

January 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Jessie Ware - If You're Never Gonna Move

Every Tuesday, we focus on new music releases by naming our top tracks, album highlights, lowlights and important takeaways for select albums.

Jessie Ware – If You’re Never Gonna Move [EP]

4.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“If You’re Never Gonna Move”
“Sweet Talk”

Album Highlight: Tracks from the tail end of the Devotion LP like “If You’re Never Gonna Move” and “Sweet Talk” get the proper spotlight in this EP.

Album Lowlight: Not much to complain about here.

Takeaway: Jessie Ware is already a star to many. Ware should be a force to be reckoned with by the end of 2013 due to her MTV-pop appeal and her credibility within the EDM scene.

A$AP Rocky – LongLiveA$AP

4-BamsTop Tracks:
“Fuckin’ Problems” feat. Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar
“Long Live A$AP”
“1 Train” feat. Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson & Big K.R.I.T.
“Goldie”

Album Highlight: The diversity of beats, track production and supporting players. LongLiveA$AP has appearances from Schoolboy Q, Santigold, Skrillex, Drake, Joey Bada$$, Danny Brown, Action Bronson and Kendrick Lamar, which means A$AP has surrounded himself with some of the most creative names in music from the last couple years.

Album Lowlight: Repeated use of “purple.” We get it, you love purple swag, purple drank and probably the fact that purple doesn’t rhyme with shit.

Takeaway: With his first LP finally arriving — and delivering — A$AP Rocky takes his place as one of the top rappers in the game. It’s not surprising the best tracks on the album are super-collaborations that involve Kendrick Lamar.

Yo La Tengo – Fade Out

3.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Before We Run”
“Ohm”
“Cornelia and Jane”
“The Point of It”

Album Highlight: The amazing penultimate track “The Point of It” and the slow-building, triumphant finale “Before We Run” end the LP on a high note.

Album Lowlight: The pacing of the record slows down around “I’ll Be Around” and “Two Trains,” but the energy lull around the two-thirds mark works to enhance the wonderful ending.

Takeaway: Fade Out is a slow-grower. Give it an extra listen if it doesn’t strike you the first couple times. The subtleties add up to a sum that is greater than it’s parts.

Parquet Courts – Light Up Gold

3.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Stoned and Starving”
“Master of My Craft”
“Borrowed Time”

Album Highlight: “Stoned and Starving” feels like some magical mix of Broken Social Scene and King Tuff. Any way you look at it, this is a great track.

Album Lowlight: The chord repetition becomes a bit monotonous during some of the slower tracks.

Takeaway: Distortion, lo-fi sound, stoner singing and lyrics and surf-rock-meets-Brit-rock chord simplicity. Light Up Gold feels familiar but offers originality with its genre-blending tracks.

Christopher Owens – Lysandre

2.5-BamsTop Tracks:
“Here We Go”
“A Broken Heart”
“Lysandre”

Album Highlight: When the guitar solo allows the record’s best track “Here We Go” to take off. This tracks sums up Lysandre pretty well.

Album Lowlight: It’s a bit too minstrel with the reoccurring Lysandre’s theme. At times, it feels like the pied piper is traveling down a lonesome road with you.

Takeaway: Owen has crafted a record with even more confessional whispers in his first solo since the breakup of Girls. The attempts at cohesive pop are more straight forward than Ownes’ work with Girls, but the themes of insecurity and dwindling confidence continue on.

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