Review #65: Owl City - All Things Bright And Beautiful

Oh God.

Best Tracks: no.

2/10

Next Review: Patrick Wolf - Lupercalia


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Review #64 Bon Iver - Bon Iver

You cannot get away with anything in music in this day and age. So it is a good job that 'Bon Iver' don't make mistakes. The band's self titled second album is truly wonderful. The calming melodies and the textured vocals bring to life what is an ultimately tremendous piece of music.
It seems as if 'Bon Iver' don't have to put effort into making the music that they want to. The beauty that Justin Vernon can produce with his guitar is purely astounding. They way he commands the sound that he produces never ceases to amaze me.
Here on their second album, the band have captured what they feel each city to be and have constructed songs which gives us a real insight into how they perceive each place, yet leaving us with enough room to still create our own views.
It doesn't tend to get much better than this!

Best Tracks: 'Towers', 'Michicant', 'Beth/Rest'

7/10

Next Review: Owl City - All Things Bright And Beautiful


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Vanguard #8: Barry

It's not often that you find raw talent as good as 'Barry'. This Folk trio really are great. Their debut EP release 'Yawnin' In The Dawnin' ' was a real triumph from the Americans. With the recent surge of popular folk music it is great to find a band that sticks to the roots of the genre, like 'Mumford And Sons' and 'Fleet Foxes', but still manages to sound so different.
The wonderful harmonies their vocals create are pleasing to listen to and you cannot fault their playing. 'For Your Own Good' epitomises these harmonies and their overall talent in general.
It shows that bands like 'Barry' are the future of folk music, and the genre will be better for it!


'Carnival(e)'
'For Your Own Good'

Vanguard Excitement: 7/10

Next Weeks Vanguard: Rubber Kiss Goodbye


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Review #63: Destroyer - Kaputt

Let's pretend for a moment that you are in space. No spacesuit. No air. Just floating through the preverbal near vacuum. Just don't think about anything. A completely clear mind. Forget everything.
'Destroyer' seems to me like the beginning of life. The dual vocals, and the relaxed atmosphere really bring 'Kaputt' to life. It feels so relaxed that the trumpets and saxophones act almost as a new age lullaby, but in a good way.
The record relaxes your muscles. It calms your nerves. It is just generally a feel good LP.
I'm sure there are many bands about that sound just like this, but it is the blend of light jazz and fading electronica that sets 'Destroyer' apart from anything I have heard, or will hear for that matter.
It would be fair to say that 'Kaputt' is not only individual, but an illustrious work of art!

Best Tracks: 'Chinatown', 'Song For America', 'Bay Of Pigs'

7/10

Next Review: Bon Iver - Bon Iver

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Review #62: Is Tropical - Native To

It's all very straightforward. It's not so much in your face, but rather sitting nicely opposite you, asking if you want some tea, or if would would like them to turn 'MGMT' up, because they haven't quite used them enough as an influence in their new record yet.
I did actually enjoy the album, I just felt that I had heard it all before. This gamey-electronic kind of music needs something fresh added into it. It's missing that bit of flavour. It's all well and done using a verb and an adjective to make up your band name, but you need some substance behind that. It's almost as if they should be called 'Was Exotic (But Then We Made Music)'.
Okay. I'll stop having a go. All I ask, is for 'Is Tropical' to add some basil or cumin to their music, because at the moment; It is bland at best.

Best Tracks: 'South Pacific', 'I'll Take My Chances', 'Think We're Alone'

6/10

Next Review: Destroyer - Kaputt


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Review #61: WU LYF - Go Tell Fire To The Mountain

'WU LYF' wouldn't work as singles. I don't think 'WU LYF' would work particularly well live either. However, as an album, they work tremendously. Their sounds seems to gel with the idea of an LP, and I respect that they have clearly put their upmost effort into releasing an album that not only defines who they are as a band, but defines their genre too.
There's no doubt about it; The vocals are raspy. But not in a 'Louie Armstrong' way. It's more of a way that a finger can't quite be placed upon. It looks at music from a different way. Like a side on viewpoint. It mixes what music is completely about with what it isn't about. The choral voices, the awful diction. It's the feelings the sound sends though you, is what 'WU LYF' are all about. They take what you see as music, and put it through their eyes. It is very easy to just get locked up inside 'Go Tell Fire To The Mountain', much like 'Glasvegas' 'EUPHORIC///HEARTBREAK\\\'.
It's not an album you will listen to often. It is as if it has such an effect on you, that you almost want to stop yourself from listening again due to the fact that you could have a completely different viewpoint on it by the end of another listen, but you also want to try again incase you come out with a completely different viewpoint. It's relaxing yet exhilarating. It's hard work yet simple.
In essence; It's everything.


Best Tracks: 'L Y F', 'We Bros', 'Spitting Blood'

9/10

Next Review: Is Tropical - Native To


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