Teddybears- Devil's Music

Teddybears are a Swedish band that dab in all kinds of music. Often they are associated with blending rock, hip hop, and electronic in interesting ways and this album is no different. In my opinion Devil’s Music does not exactly read as an album, but more like a compilation or collection of songs. All but four of the tracks on this album feature different artists ranging from the B-52’s with Cee-Lo Green to the Flaming Lips. Devils Music is a lot of fun but like I said it reads more like a taste tester for something that could be a little more filling in the future. One of the things I loved about Devil’s Music, but also is almost a fault, is that there are a handful of artists on here that after listening to some of the tracks make me want to go out and listen to their albums more. The album does seem to lose a little bit of steam on tracks that are purely Teddybears and no vocals. Devil’s Music is worth a listen and I feel like anybody who appreciates music will find at least one track on here that they really dig, but as a whole it is weak.  

Final Review- 75


Best Songs- Get Mama A House, Cardiac Arrest, Crystal Meth Christian

Digitalism- I Love You, Dude

I Love You, Dude is the second album release by the busting electronic duo Digitalism. This album will definitely make you want to tap your feet and shake a shoulder here and there but as far as reading as an actual album, and not just a few good singles I Love You, Dude is truly lacking. To me the whole album kind of felt like an electronic blur with high points being few and far between.  It’s not that the album is not listenable; it just has no real direction and is easily forgotten. A real saving point on I Love You, Dude is the strong and very well used vocals. I know they can sound a little too much like Phoenix or The Strokes on a handful of tracks, but I still just think it suits what Digitalism is trying to do here. All in all I would say listen to the singles if you dig electronic poppy music and then just skip the rest. 

Final Review- 50


Best Songs- Circles, Forrest Gump, Reeperbahn, Just Gazin'

Brian Eno- Drums Between The Bells

To say that Brian Eno has been a major influence on the music scene is almost a ridiculous understatement. Eno has worked with pop successes from Coldplay to David Bowie and has been a big player in some massive albums such as the 1974 Genesis album The Lamb Lays Down on Broadway. Drums Between The Bells in a collaboration between Eno and poet Rick Holland. The entire album is spoken word over ambient melodies and hints of beats, but nothing really too overpowering to take away from the poetry being read. For the most part tracks blend well and the whole listening experience is really cool. What Drums Between The Bells lacks is that certain spark that would make you want to keep listening to the album over and over. The idea is neat and the execution is pretty great but at the end of the day I feel it’s just a one listen kind of album and it quickly falls to the back of your brain.

Final Review- 70

Best Songs- Glitch, Pour It Out, Fierce Aisles Of Light

The Wilderness of Manitoba- When You Left The Fire

It was pretty difficult to dig up any information on The Wilderness of Manitoba but one thing I can say for sure is that they are good. When You Left the Fire is a smooth listen that is drenched in acoustic guitars, banjos, and reverbed vocal harmonies. At times the album does run a little long, and though the music is interesting enough, I think you have to be in the right mindset to really dig an album like When You Left the Fire. In a few ways The Wilderness of Manitoba kind of reminds me of Sufjan Stevens, especially with the intricate melodies and the lead vocalist defiantly shares some of Stevens’s style. I enjoyed this album and I think most people who have been getting into this new age of indie folk will share a lot of my positive feelings towards it. I wouldn’t say that When You Left the Fire is a must listen for most, but I would say if you get a chance and it’s on you would not be wasting your time giving it a listen.  

Final Review- 80

The Antlers- Burst Apart

I have never been a big fan of falsetto, but The Antlers front man and founder Peter Silberman is one of the few singers who can really pull it off. I would put Silbermanis’s quality of singing and range right up there with some of the greats like Thom Yorke and Prince. Burst Apart starts a little slow, but when it picks up, it doesn’t stop till the end. I knew almost immediately when Burst Apart started that it wasn’t just going to be another indie rock album from Brooklyn but its own entity entirely. In the oversaturated dream pop and indie scene that’s going on right now I think it’s a big feat to be original the way The Antlers are. There are a few tracks on Burst Apart that will straight up blow your mind, one of them being “Rolled Together.” The track has little to no vocals and is mainly just slow guitar strums, but the drum build is almost overwhelmingly good. I think if you have been waiting for a new and original sound/album then Burst Apart is here for you. This was one of the harder albums to not give a perfect score to. The slower start just makes it a listen that will not stay with you right away, but as it goes on Burst Apart will end up being an album that touches the deepest part of you.

Final Review- 95

The Cars- Move Like This

Move Like This is my first Cars album and I have to say I am kind of surprised I haven’t given them a chance before. Ric Ocasek, the lead singer of The Cars, has a similar tone to Lou Reed, which sounds good with their mix of electro pop and rock pop. Something about The Cars on Move Like This that makes me pretty happy is that they successfully found a way to evolve their ‘80s sound so it feels original and not done to death. Almost immediately after putting on Move Like This I found myself tapping my toes and humming along to the melodies so there are definitely some great hooks going on. It’s when Move Like This hits the fourth track from the end titled “Drag On Forever” that the album starts losing its steam. Up until then I was ready to give the album at least a 95, but with such a poor ending I had to knock it down a few pegs. All in all Move Like This is good and has some charming moments that make you want to keep listening, but like I said: it ends on a pretty weak note. Would I say it’s worth borrowing still? Definitely. Minus its flaws, Move Like This is still a fun listen.  

Final Review- 85

Cat's Eyes- Cat's Eyes

Cat’s Eyes is the newest project of Faris Badwan - best known for his work in the Goth Rock group The Horrors - and Canadian opera singer Rachel Zeffira. Zeffira is also known for her composing and use of different instruments. Cat’s Eyes is an interesting album that does a good job mixing classical arrangements with a ‘60s girl group vibe. In ways their music is similar to Nick Cave, especially when Badwan is controlling the mic with his low and deep voice. The duo is good at complementing each other, and a few of my favorite songs on Cat’s Eyes are when they are taking turns singing. The only parts of the album that are lacking are when Badwan is the only one singing. His voice is good but for the vibe of the album at times it can be a little too dark and that really hurts the overall flow.  All together Cat’s Eyes is a cool listen and honestly there is little to nothing like this out there in the music scene. This group should be producing 100 caliber albums because of how incredibly original and mind blowing they are but this Cat’s Eyes is just not there. Cat’s Eyes is going to be a group to keep your ears open for and I look forward to their future projects.   

Final Review- 85