March-April Best Releases

If March was a slow month for good music releases, April was definitely a richer month with many interesting news!

Liars – Mess (Indie Rock, Indie Electronic)

In my opinion, as you could have guessed from my previous posts, this New Yorker band is one of the most creative and changeable bands. Over the years, they made different styles but with a unique touch. Their last work turned more into electronic sounds compared with the previous ones, but, guys, an amazing work (also for their artwork)! For now it’s the best 2014 LP in my opinion. Uncompromising.

Damon Albarn – Everyday Robots (Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop)

Well i have to say something about him? Beside his career with Blur he made several side-projects (from Gorillaz until The Good, The Bad & The Queen), in my opinion very creative and different from each others. This solo LP is a mix of acoustic and digital sounds, very soft and pleasant company during your busy day. Spacey.

The Faint – Doom Abuse (New Wave, Post Punk, Indie Rock)

I admit i have just discovered this band but i really enjoyed them from the first listening (i hope will be the same for you). Their style is intense and involving. Brash.

Kelis – Food (Alternative R&B)

I know what you are thinking, What? Do you like Kelis? How does she fits into your tastes? I have to admit that i like some rap and R&B artists and she’s one of them. I like her irreverent voice and, obviously, her music! Exuberant.

Eels – The Cautionary Tales of Mark Oliver Everett (Pop Rock, Indie Rock)

Only 1 year after their previous work, comes out this ‘kinda self-titles’ work. Much more quiet than “Wonderful, Glorious”, you can find nice pop-rock ballads dressed with Everett’s scratched voice. Gentle.

Kaiser Chiefs – Education, Education, Education & War (Pop Rock, Brit Pop, Indie Rock)

Still far from their first 2 works -that still are the best- this LP try to get back to their ‘golden time’ and partially they get to the point. But, you know, when you start with a real amazing product, it’s very difficult to stay high. Volatile.

Squarepusher – Music for Robots EP (Experimental Electronic, IDM)

Looking into the future when we’ll probably be replaced by machines, Squarepusher realized this EP where there are not humans but robots. The style is ‘pure Squarepusher’ in his most experimental way! Complex.

Thievery Corporation – Saudade (Downbeat, Brazilian Pop)

Friends who personally know me will think: ‘you have just travelled to brazil, thats why you like it’. Well, i loved Brazil, but before it, i appreciated Thievery Corporation’s music! This american band always like to explore new sounds, from middle east to south america! i like their ‘chameleonic’ style! Laid-Back.

OFF! – Wasted Years (Punk)

As most of the artists i mentioned today, also OFF! come from USA. After their first self-titled first album, they come back with this nice work, pure punk style, short and irreverent songs. Energetic.

 

In our lives we all are Liars!

Nowadays is difficult, in my opinion, to find a band who is creative in all the albums that they published, even more changing their style over the years.

They started to play in 2000 (seems recent but it’s already 14 years ago) in NYC (but originally they are from LA and Nebraska) invading post punk music scene with “They threw us all in a trench and stuck a monument on top”, a very ‘fast’ -in term of short and intense songs- and captivating LP.

Second work -“They were wrong so we drowned”- was more experimental (due also to musicians changes in the band), with some more electronic influences. The fact the LA guys were originally art students is clear when you see their creative videos (check the one below).

They moved to Berlin before their next work and, you know, when you go to Berlin something interesting happens in creativity. They published “Drum’s not dead”, an experimental work combined with short films made by the band and other filmmakers (like in the following video). You can find mellow songs ‘Beck-like’ or more noisy and instrumental ‘Sonic Youth-like’.

After only 1 year (we are in 2007 at this point, the album is called “Liars” itself) they get back to their original style made of scratching guitar riffs like the opening ‘Plaster casts of everything’ (the amazing video below) until the sweet notes of ‘Protection’. Very enjoyable but more commercial work.

Three years after they came back ‘home’ and created the double LP ‘Sisterworld’ in California. More atmospheric sounds but typical Liars changeable style, basically summarized by the song “Scissor”, quite mellow beginning followed by noisy and involving guitars (again also nice music video).

In 2012’s “WIXIW” (read as wish you) Liars turns into electronic sounds more constantly than before.

And now we -finally (especially for you who read)- arrive to their last work “Mess”, an intense work following (permanently?) electro beats and sounds from the previous WIXIW. Nice artworks (pics) and videos announced this last LP (2 trailers in the links below), it was one the few times i was really thrilled for a forthcoming album.

Some songs make it like a disco-electro work, beats are insistent and you cannot be calm without moving a little part of your body. In a certain way it can be a 2Manydj’s work.

I personally like all the styles they are performing over the years. Some people who liked their first noisy rock works can be disappointed but i think that every time some people will like your work, some others won’t.

It’s life and then you can’t believe to Liars.

January-February Best Releases

Winter is almost over! We are going towards outdoor concerts and festivals, pretty excited about that! Winter in Rome, musically speaking, is not memorable and this last one wasn’t an exception. Many new works from California these months, good weather is inspiring apparently.

BECK – Morning Phase (Indie Rock)

We had to wait six long years for a new work and finally we can join! One page is not enough to describe this superb -eclectic- artist, poet, song and music writer. Every little book u can find in his CDs is very well made and it’s worth buying it.  Freewheeling.

MOGWAI – Rave Tapes (Indie Rock, Post Rock)

12th LP for this amazing scottish band! I personally admire who is able to be so creative with instruments only, very difficult (the song i’m posting have words actually). They always are able to make great works (at least for me!). Also in this album you can find mellow songs mixed with more noisy ones and ballads. Visceral.

XIU XIU – Angel Guts: Red Classroom (Experimental Rock, Synth-Pop, Indie Electronic)

Very particular band coming from California formed around 10 years ago. This last work have some more dark influences that, mixed with Jamie Stewart’s (particular) voice, make an interesting combination. Theatrical.

THE NOTWIST – Close To the Glass (Indie Rock, Indie Electronic)

German post-hardcore band originally, they shifted toward electronic influences during their career. Also this work, after 5 years of silence, shows that they have consolidated into electronic. Detached. 

CIBO MATTO – Hotel Valentine (Indie Rock)

How i can describe a japanese band relocated in NYC with an italian name? Well, not easy especially because their style is not easy to define. After their last work, 8 years passed by but the long waiting didn’t affect their talent. Organic.

PLANNINGTOROCK – All Love’s Legal (Indie Electronic)

Interesting work from this extrovert artist (Janine Rostron is also programmer and videographer) coming from UK but musically formed in Berlin. Glam rock mixed with electronic influences. Playful.

WARPAINT – Warpaint (Indie Rock, New Wave)

Not a long career (yet) as the previous artists above, but promising perspectives for this band coming from LA. This self titled work comes after their debut LP in 2010 and is very pleasant (reminding me of Blonde Redhead). Artwork LP is cared by Chris Cunningham. Ethereal.