50 Words Or Less: Top Ten Tracks On Elbo.ws
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1. *MP3: The New Pornographers - “Your Hands (Together)”
After the melancholy and melodic restraint of Challengers, first single from album #5 showcases the return of upbeat, effervescent power-pop of past peaks. Suppressed feedback squalor and spectral harmonies add depth, but this is more of the (not too shabby) same.
Grade: B
2. *MP3: The Radio Dept. - “Heaven’s on Fire”
Grade: C
3. *MP3: Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - “The Mighty Sparrow”
Like his New Porno labelmates, veteran songwriter drops upbeat, sharply written nugget that, while obviously leaning more punk than pop, showcases what he does best and why. So how to explain the ambivalence that occurs once “The Mighty Sparrow” stops flapping its musical wings?
Grade: B-
4. *MP3: The Morning Benders - “Excuses”
In terms of the amount of reverb here, Big Echo is an understatement-and-a-half. But ambiance alone does not a great song make. Nor does cribbing excessively from girl groups doe-eyed sonic innocence. But sounding like The Rat Pack discovering psychedelic-folk? Not bad. Not bad at all.
Grade: B-
5. *MP3: Kiki Pau - “an old song”
Without the harmonic drive or grit of a Drive-by Truckers, the blues-rock revival in “an old song” makes Kiki Pau sound just plain…well, not exactly fresh.
Grade: C-
6. *MP3: The Morning Benders - “Promises”
A stab at something more eclectic (and funkier to boot) strongly brings out a group’s strong melodic tendencies, though being slaves to structure and form does dilute “Promises” potential. (Not that these guys have to be Lightning Bolt or anything like that, but you don’t have to sacrifice groove just to get to the chorus either).
Grade: B+
7. *MP3: Shout Out Louds - “Fall Hard” (Passion Pit Remix)
Like the musical equivalent of reading a Smooth B column. Aww, yeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhh.
Grade: A-
8. *MP3: White Hinterland - “No Logic”
Quite intriguing and ethereal mix of non-traditional instrumentation (is that an uke?) and celestial soundscapes which, while setting a bewitching mood, never quite seem to translate into compelling songcraft.
Grade: B-
9. *MP3: Pattern is Movement - “Light of the World”
Venerable math-rock group’s pianos, melancholic tenor vocals, and flexible, but pummeling drum work suggest a band going the way of The Dodos. But a woozy waltz-feel is awfully hard to resist, and much of the band’s sonic polyrhythmic interplay is truly intoxicating.
Grade: B+
10. *MP3: Bettie Serveert - “Deny All”
Glad to hear Veruca Salt is still going strong. Believe it or not, but that’s not nearly as snarky as you think it is.
Grade: C+
Bonus:
11. *MP3: Club 8 - “Western Hospitality”
Good: Leading indie’s appropriation of all things Afro more toward the “beat” side of things. Bad: I get a “…and the gum disease known as gingivitis” sort of feeling from the rhythms and the chanting. But otherwise? More of this please.
Grade: B
Posted 5 months ago
