Cass McCombs- Wit's End

Wit’s End starts and ends on the same somber note but there is a certain amount of sincerity in it. Listening to Wit’s End has the same feeling that listening to an Elliott Smith album would give you. The feelings are deep and you can tell that the music serves as that outlet for the darker emotions going on in the artist’s life. Cass McCombs's voice works well for what he is doing here and he knows how to harmonize with himself really well. Saying that Cass McCombs is an incredible song writer is putting it just about as lightly as you can. McCombs has an expert knowledge of complicated musical arrangements that’s apparent from the second the album begins. The opening track, “County Line,” was pretty much stuck in my head right away. I think at times Wit’s End can be very dark and unrelenting with depressing lyrics, but it never feels artificial, which, in my head, makes it more bearable. I can see other listeners not being able to listen to Wit’s End just because of the darkness of the music. Though this album to me is one of the best to come out in 2011 I can see why someone else would have a completely different opinion. If you don’t mind drifting into those darker places of your mind then Wit’s End is a must and you will love all the deep melodies, but if you like your music lighthearted and warm and fuzzy I would say this album is a skip for you.

Final Review- 90

Explosions In The Sky- Take Care, Take Care, Take Care

Take Care, Take Care, Take Care is the sixth release from the post rock group Explosions In The Sky. Though I would put them in the same group as Mogwai or even El Ten Eleven because of the lack of real vocals, they definitely have their own sound. I don’t know if you can tell, but a couple things that gets me fired up about a group are outstanding vocals and incredible drumming. While Take Care, Take Care, Take Care has no real vocals the thing that makes me adore this album is the overflowing talent from the group's drummer Chris Hrasky. He pretty much blew my mind this entire album, especially on the track “Trembling Hands” where his presence pulls you away from anything else that is happening. There is some really great guitar work ranging from simple little melodies on the closer “Let Me Back In” to the screeching guitar in the opening track “Last Known Surroundings.” I know a fair amount of people who are not as satisfied with instrumental groups as I am, who just can’t connect with music unless there are vocals, but Take Care, Take Care, Take Care is just too good to be ignored. It’s amazing how much feeling you can get from a song that really isn’t leading you into a feeling by way of vocals but instead by just musical instruments. Would I say this is a must for everyone? Maybe, but I know that for me it is an incredible album that has some of the best builds I have heard in a long time... You know what? Yeah, I think everyone should actually give this a shot. I think you will be surprised.

Final Review- 85

Of Montreal- thecontrollersphere

thecontrollersphere is an EP of extras tracksfrom Of Montreal’s 2010 album False Priest. I usually try to stay away from EPs and solely do reviews of albums, but because I am a pretty big fan of Of Montreal and enjoyed False Priest a great deal, I thought it would only be fair to give this a review.  thecontrollersphere kicks off with “Black Lion Massacre,” a heavy beat rock song with no vocals but instead an ominous voice talking about the transformation of people via masturbation in front yards and slaughtering people. A very interesting beginning indeed. Then the album lightens up on the vulgarities of the first track and sails into “Flunkt Sass Vs The Root Plume.” Any fan of Of Montreal should know by now that it’s not necessarily the lyrics that draw one to Of Montreal but instead their innovative sound and interesting use of instruments. thecontrollersphere is no different and I think that despite the lyrics at times being pretty ridiculous the music is still superb. I wouldn’t say thecontrollersphere is my favorite project from Of Montreal but it still has its charms. If you were a fan of False Priest and can look past the heavy sexuality of the lyrics then you should probably give this a listen, but if this is your first Of Montreal experience you’re probably going to come out of it uncomfortable and not a fan. If you have never heard Of Montreal and are interested in this EP at least give False Priest a listen first but you would be happier starting on their 1999 release The Gay Parade and working through their discography.

Final Review- 80

Times New Viking- Dancer Equired

When I first put Dancer Equired on I could only get through the first half of the album before I had to turn it off because I don’t think my brain was ready for it. I took about two days off before listening to it again and then when I finally did I enjoyed every minute of it. What turned me off initially was I don’t think I could deal with another lo-fi recorded album, and Times New Viking are kind of like the kings of that. Dancer Equired has a lot of charm. Even when the guitar's reverb and muffled lyrics get a little old their overall melodies feel genuine and great. Only one track on the entire album stretches over three minutes and that is perfect for the punk psychedelic sound the band is going for. In fact the album as a whole is fourteen tracks long and only runs about thirty one minutes long. Where some groups seem to only be doing lo-fi to get attention it feels like Times New Viking is doing it because their sound actually gets better with it. I would love to see them live. If they have half the energy or confidence that is on Dancer Equired I feel like it would be an amazing show.    

Final Review- 85

Younger Brother- Vaccine

Younger Brother has an obvious talent for mixing techno pop with distorted rock guitars and I think that’s pretty interesting. Vaccine opens with a pretty downbeat but catchy track called “Crystalline” that sets the mood for the album nicely. With all of the good synth and guitar work going on I love that the thing that ties 90% of the tracks together are the vocals of Ru Campbell. His voice really takes some of the more repetitive sounding tracks and makes them more complex and just easier to listen to. On the track “Train” you get a strong vibe that Younger Brother must be decently influenced by Pink Floyd, but that they take it to a completely different level. I like how they mix the songs on Vaccine and everything is produced really nicely. Where it may fall short is I don’t feel like Younger Brother is completely comfortable in this genre of music. They are primarily known for doing interesting ambient techno with little to no vocals. It’s not that I don’t think this is a great direction for them; I just think that it’s going to take a little time until you can hear them be completely confident in this new bold direction.

Final Review- 75