REVIEW: Bachelorette - Bachelorette

8 out of 10

Find it here.

I ♥ Bachelorette. To me, her sound captures what Stereolab has only done on a handful of releases, which is pitch-perfect Dream Pop Psychedelia. VERY easy to listen to, mellow, uplifting & fun, and especially great for fans of "maximum ear usage" (people with good taste in music:--ahem). I still don't know which album is my favorite of hers they're all so similar in sound/vibes, yet they're still completely different from one another. I just love them/her sound/everything she's doing all equally, lets just leave it at that.

On Annabel's (Bachelorette) third official/self titled release she decides to pump up the Electro vibes a little bit, just a little though (think of a "sunnier" Goldfrapp).This is only track one though, after that comes more modern Psychedelia (what you've come to expect from Bacehlorette's greatness). Then another change in style, track 3, which is a bit more organic with it's breezey acoustic guitar tones, this one's especially relaxing (listen/wait for the glitchy vocal harmonies towards the end), ..and then back to her Electro side. What I'm saying is this, this album has a lot of different tones going for it. It sways back and fourth between "slow & sensual Disco dance floor hits" to "relaxing by the pool/beach warm-happiness". Bachelorette is very easy to take in, in any mood really.

You should probably get this, if you've been to this blog you know I love her sound so much. Shouldn't you?? ALSO.. Please do yourself a (HUGE) favor and go see Bacehlorette perform live. Seriously, it's one of the best performances I've ever witnessed. Couldn't believe it was just one woman CONTROLLING EVERYTHING, really amazing.. This will be on plenty of year-end lists, guarantee it.

Standout Tracks: Oh, they're all so good, especially; Blanket, The Light Seekers (this song would sound AMAZING live), Sugarbug (mmmmm), Tui Tui (the whistling makes this one), Digital Brain, Generous Spectre (the album's pleasing "oddity"), Not Entertainment (love that the last song drags on this way)

REVIEW: Sweet Trip - Velocity Design Comfort

8.75 out of 10

Find it here.

Last year a slightly unknown band (a band I've never really heard anyone talk about anyways) released one of my favorite albums. The band is Sweet Trip. The album is "You Will Never Know Why", which was an interesting fusion of Bossa Nova style rhythms/sounds combined with Dream Pop, the end result being "crack addictive music".. Anywho, since then, I've made it point to try and collect most if not all of this band's impressive back catalogue. One of those release would be "Velocity Design Comfort", which still has the element of Dream Pop that I love so much, but instead of a stronger focus on "light hearted/breezy" atmospheres the direction shifts more towards sporadic "noise" and glitchy electronics. Think Jamie Lidell's first album meshed with sounds you could hear on a Broadcast album.

White noise, distorted twinkles, blurps, bleeps, scratches, catchy guitar riffs, easy-breezy (& beautiful) vocals, and a few other sounds that are nigh indescribable make this album a true standout amongst the many Dream Pop acts that currently over populate my Ipod. The thing I actually like the most with this release is Roberto Burgos' playful mix of electronics/distortions. Some of the electronics could have easily been placed on an Aphex Twin album without question, but that didn't stop Mr. Burgos from placing them on a "Dream Pop" album, which honestly just puts the biggest smile on my face. On top of the super sacchariferous music there is an even sweeter sound to be discovered which is Valerie Reyes' cavity inducing vocals. Ms. Reyes sings (and hums) her little heart out on nearly every track. Sometimes I am reminded of Trish Keenan (Broadcast), other times Allysa Masais (Mahogany). Actually, much like the band Mahogany, this band shares the same ideas/concepts, which is this; amazing music that should be waaaaay bigger than what it currently is and a "style" that is unique to said band only.. And truly, if any of the bands mentioned aboves get your mouth salivating with curiosity you need to hear this band right now. Please, if you like some of my recommendations take this one seriously, these guys will melt your heart away/get your blood moving & overall just put you in a good mood.

Sweet Trip should be Warp Records first official Dream Pop band, it just makes sense. Recommended for fans of Dream Pop most definitely. Recommended also for fans of twitchy electronics/IDM intertwined with upbeat pop music. NM, Recommended for fans of good music only, I love this s^!#. HIGHLY RecommENDed.

Standout Tracks: Gawd, they're all so good.. Velocity, Fruitcake And Cookies, Sept, International, Dedicated To All The Dancers Of The World A Round Form Of Fantasy