Palodine - Garden of Deceit
Palodine - Garden of Deceit (Tarnished) [audio] [upcoming shows]
I should have lined this up to run on Halloween. Palomine has followed up their debut with another round of spooky gothic indie folk. You've got scars, graves, Cain running amok, and drowned bodies "floating naked and bloated." Yippee! Katrina Whitney's hypnotic voice, against layers of Michael Aryn's ominous guitars, conjures the atmosphere of an Edgar Allen Poe story. They'd do well on a double bill with The National Lights.
- meredith
The Decemberists - Always the Bridesmaid: A Singles Series
The Decemberists - Always the Bridesmaid: A Singles Series (self released) [audio] [upcoming shows]
The Decemberists are getting better with age, and it's the new material that is sounding more young and fun than ever before. In a three-part singles series, the gang is still offering their trademark melancholy beauty on songs like "Record Year" and "Raincoat Song", but also including a handful of dancey tunes like "Days of Elaine" and a version of The Velvet Underground's "I'm Sticking With You". The standout track might be "Valerie Plame", a song for the outed spy that's potentially as catchy as "16 Military Wives".
- cormac
Kasms - Taxidermy 7"
Kasms - Taxidermy 7" (Trouble) [audio] [upcoming shows]
If this were any hotter, the vinyl it's pressed on would liquify. "Taxidermy" pulls in equal measure from the uninhibited, paint-peeling wail of Bikini Kill and the menace of early Siouxsie & The Banshees—doom and gloom at its essence. "Elevator" and "Siren Sister" are likewise dark in nature, but dispense with the punk and aim at the "post" in post-punk. What Kasms would do with an entire LP remains to be seen, but this single indicates very good things are to come.
- paul
Various Artists - Rachel Getting Married Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Various Artists - Rachel Getting Married Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Lakeshore) [audio]
I can only imagine how the music might be used in the story without having seen the movie, but it's an eclectic mix; many incidentals anchored by more complete songs, evenly splitting the running order. Robyn Hitchcock's two new originals rank with the best of his recent work. Sister Carol East provides a reggae bounce with "Dread Natty Congo". The best thing here, though, is the opener. TV on the Radio's Tunde Adibimpe (also a cast member) sings Neil Young's "Unknown Legend" a cappella, and it gives me a shiver.
- sam
Tunnels to Holland - EP
Tunnels to Holland EP (self released) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Listening to the self-titled EP from New Jersey band Tunnels to Holland is like going on a journey. Their style is like a roadmap of everything that is great about American rock & roll music. This stuff just oozes cool. Comparisons can be made to the music of The Doors, but listen more closely to hear inspiration from Tom Waits, Lou Reed, and more. But don't be fooled into thinking this is some sort of retro trip. This band is taking you somewhere new.
- j.p.
Dar Williams - Promised Land
Dar Williams - Promised Land (Razor & Tie) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Dar Williams' music is a peaceful explosion of melodic folk americana. She has mastered melody with her alluring voice and continues over the years to entertain with her thoughtful lyrics. Dar's songs are like charming mini-stories, exploring topics such as relationships, aging, and the ups and downs of human nature while encouraging you to hum along. In "Buzzer", Dar draws parallels between daily life and a social psychology experiment of obedience and authority, and simultaneously delivers one of the catchiest melodies of the fall.
- cormac
Ralph Myerz - Ralphorama!
Ralph Myerz - Ralphorama! (Beatservice) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Ralphorama! reaches a height often unparalleled; a hip-hop/space age funk/disco tour de force that rolls on for an amazing twenty tracks without ever once spreading itself thin. Producer Ralph Myerz cooks beats thick and extraordinarily musical. But like most producer/performer albums, it's all about the cameos—and there are more cameos on Ralphorama! than a Jay-Z & Beyoncé Christmas Special. Notably, Devin the Dude and Talib Kweli deliver while Karin Park's Björk-like performance steals the show.
- paul
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