New Sleigh Bells track..!

Sleigh Bells - Tell 'Em

Man I can't wait for this album.. SB were supposed to play in my town the other night and had to cancel for one reason or another: (I am now focused on doing everything in my power to get them back here)

REVIEW: These New Puritans - Hidden

8.25 out of 10

Find it here.

For a band that only formed 4 years ago having two full length albums, both with massive amounts of praise, is pretty exceptional. These New Puritans consists of twin brothers Jack (guitar/laptop) & George (drums) Barnett, Sophie Sliegh-Johnson (keyboards), and Thomas Hein (main sampler dude). When they started this project it was in the band's full intentions to play off the sounds of The Fall or Public Image Ltd. with a few electronic eccentricities added to the mix. I would say that if that was indeed their intention they succeeded and then some. "Hidden" is the band's second full length, and oh my f^%*ing god is bloody brilliant! Seriously! How can this only be the band's second full length? "Hidden" has such a developed sound. There were no shortcuts taken with this album, the amount of production (co-produced by Graham Sutton of Bark Psychosis) and instruments (taiko drums the size of a compact car, brass and wind orchestrations, children's choirs, etc.) used to create this opus is truly inspiring.

The thing that may catch you off guard when first listening to "Hidden" is the terrific use of Jazz and Classical compositions used in between each experimental "Industrial World-Punk" track. Actually it's hard to believe that really any instrument was forgotten when recording this album, it's THAT full and rich sounding. The moments where the children's choir poke their frightened little heads out to expand the melody even more gives me goosebumps. If Nothing Records was still around this album would fit perfectly on that label. I mean to call it an"Industrial" album may be cutting it a little short, but there are definitely moments through out that remind me of Einsturzende Neubauten as well as Pop Will Eat Itself. I can't find a single thing wrong with this album for the most part. I love the use of angsty Punk vocals speaking their way through epic walls of orchestrations and monster sized drumming, I love the use of wind instruments, I like that it's sometimes Jazzy, and I really can't say this enough THE DRUMMING is soooo good. Either you're being too picky, you're not in the mood, or you just don't like good music if you can't get into this.

One of my favorites of 2010, look for it on my year-end list. I seriously can't get enough of this right now. HIHIHIHIHIGHLY RECOMMMMENDED..

Standout Tracks: We Want War, Three Thousand, Attack Music, Fire-Power (reminds me of Liars), Drum Courts - Where Corals Lie

Sleigh Bells debut album finally gets a date..

From Mom and Pop:

Brooklyn duo Sleigh Bells – comprised of Derek Miller (guitars/production) and Alexis Krauss (vocals) – will be releasing their debut album, "Treats", on May 11th, 2010 with a special partnership from M.I.A.’s NEET Recordings.

This is taking waaay too long, I needs me some more ear crack post haste..

REVIEW: Liars - Sisterworld

8 out of 10

Find it here.

I wish I could say that I've been following Liars sense day 1 of their existence, but it wasn't until 2006's "Drum's Not Dead" that I truly sat down and listened to them. Ever since then I have become a huge fan, I've made it a point to own every single, EP & LP they've recorded. My favorite album of theirs is either "Drum's Not Dead" for it's amazing production or "They Threw Us In A Trench.." for the amazing track "This Dust Makes That Mud (30 minute track!)". My third favorite album of theirs, and close to being my new favorite, is "Sisterworld". Liar's fans be ready for your face to be shredded off with their latest offering of Noise-Punk Terrorism..

If you haven't heard Liars by now imagine a modern mix of the early 80's No Wave scene with a Psych-Punk Rock edge and a few other minimal Industrial Drone sound fx. The music they write can sometimes be hard to swallow if you're not in the mood for in your face "Punk-Rock". Although labeling them as just "Punk-Rock" may be a little too vague, "Art-Rock" sounds better to me (that's a genre right?). Blazing guitars, bouncing bass lines, thumping, splashing & crashing drums, nonchalant/apprehensive vocals, a few keyboard sounds, and stringed instruments give this album the edge that most Liars albums have over all other Rock bands out there. To me the previous/self-titled Liars album was more focused on "commercial" appeal and seemed to stray away from the "weird sound" that make the Liars so terrific. There were a few tracks that I loved on it, but it is probably my least favorite of theirs. With "Sisterworld" it seems as if the have found that middle ground between "commercialism" and "noise/art". If you agree with me about their last being a little lack-luster, don't be afraid, "Sisterworld" will bring you back to an "obsessive Liars listening state-of-mind". Nearly every track on this album has enough punch, fervor, ferocity, and obscurity to keep most listener's happy.

This is the Liars album many fans have been waiting for.. Expect to see this album on many year-end lists. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (especially if you love the Liars;)

Standout Tracks: All, I won't be picky here. Scarecrows On A Killer Slant has a nice "raw" edge to it, Too Much Too Much is a nice Psychedelic ender to the album..