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The haunted man |
Natasha Khan's (a.k.a. Bat for Lashes) star continues to climb with her third outing. Named as a top album for 2012 by many industry magazines, The Haunted Man, is remarkable not only for Khan's gorgeous, seductive vocals, but also for its evocative lyrics. The first two singles, "Laura" and "All Your Gold," wonderfully showcase the depth of this songstress' talent, but there are plenty of other gems that make this disc worth picking up, including "Wall" and "Deep Sea Diver." |
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Bloom |
Hailing from Baltimore this duo has aptly been tagged with the dream pop label. It will come as no surprise then that upon first listen to Bloom the word that springs to mind is ethereal. Their first single "Myth" is a perfect introduction to their sound. It draws you in with its sparse, almost airy feel. "Lazuli," the second release, expands on this style with a bit more heft and an even better display of Victoria Legrand's beautiful voice. Mellow and wistful, this album benefits from repeated listening. It just gets better and better. |
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Sun |
Chan Marshall's first album in six years is a departure from her most recent work. Going solo on the songwriting and production of the album and branching out with addition electronic instruments have definitely changed things up a bit. What hasn't changed is her voice. Instantly recognizable, her vocals are as strong as ever, striking a balance between sultry and edgy. It's what defines Cat Power, and it's in full force here which will please long-time fans and new listeners alike. |
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Time out |
Dave Brubeck passed away late last year, but his legacy as a jazz pianist lives on. The Dave Brubeck Quartet's Time Out is the best-selling jazz album of all time. Recorded in 1959, the critics hated it at the time of release; the public loved it. In this instance, the public was right, and "Take Five" even hit number one on the pop charts. Notable for its unusual time signatures, the album is still very accessible and produced a string of hits. As All Music notes, "It doesn't just sound sophisticated - it really is sophisticated music, which lends itself to cerebral appreciation, yet never stops swinging." |
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A thing called Divine Fits |
A side project of members of New Bomb Turks (Sam Brown), Spoon (Britt Daniel) and Wolf Parade/Handsome Fur (Dan Boeckner), Divine Fits sounds like a band who have been playing together for years, with an approach to indie rock that's disciplined and spare (no surprise, given who's involved). As the band members trade off on vocals, the set is diverse and fresh from cut to cut. From catchy opener "My Love is Real" to the bounce of "The Salton Sea" to the not-quite retro synth of "For Your Heart" and the rocking "Would that Not be Nice," it's an album that keeps you on your toes, never knowing quite what to expect, but that cool, urgent vibe lasts from beginning to end. |
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We are the 21st century ambassadors of peace & magic |
Lots of bands find inspiration in the sounds of older artists, but Foxygen's ability to channel the Velvet Underground and Pyschedelic-era Beatles into something new is exceptional. Songs like "San Francisco" and "No Destruction" may have you looking around for a hidden time machine that brought back a young Lou Reed and John Lennon. The whole album has a late 60s vibe you can get lost in, and you'll want to. They'll be at Pitchfork this summer as part of a typcially amazing lineup. |
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Back to love |
The R&B scene has so many great and talented artists right now that it's like a renaissance. One of the best singers of the last decade is Anthony Hamilton, whose latest album was nominated for several recent Grammy awards. It's easy to see why with a voice like this. Highlights include the title track, "Pray for Me" and "Woo." Recently featured on the Django Unchained soundtrack, Hamilton's profile is as prominent as ever. All his albums are excellent, and this is as good a place to start as any. |
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Celebration rock |
With a name like Japandroids one might expect some kind of electropop from this Canadian duo. It's surprising, and depending on the listener, refreshing to hear some really fantastic rock emerge from this album. They call to mind bands ranging from The Thermals to Guided by Voices, and some even say The Replacements, high praise indeed. Be sure to check out: "Younger Us," "Evil's Sway" and "Adrenaline Nightshift." |
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R.A.P. music |
Killer Mike's sixth album, R.A.P. Music (Rebellious African People), has been compared to Ice Cube's AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, and the comparison is fair. There is certainly a hard edge to Killer Mike's politically conscious, tenacious rapping, but the record was produced by progressive hip-hop beatmaker El-P, a pairing that seems odd at first but translates well on this project. Killer Mike's Southern rap style is enhanced by El-P's gripping beats and makes for an impressive album. |