Short Reviews with meaningful links. Usually presented fairly.
Disclaimer:
Please refer to the laws set forth in your country regarding downloading music and the guidelines inherent on Soundcloud.com and Youtube.com. All links herein are publicly accessible to everyone outside this review site.
The music of 2011 started in such a promising fashion with fantastically fresh albums from The Get Up Kids, Jenn Grant, Toro Y Moi, The Dodos and Braids. I suppose that I can't be surprised that another rocker headed toward retirement needs an effective retirement plan, but this album will be a failing strategy for Liam Gallagher and his old band-mates who are without, it seems, the real creative force of Oasis: Neil. You'll immediately recognize Liam's distinctive groan, but the clever hooks? The occasionally brilliant songcrafting? You won't find either here. You can't sing about The Beatles or The Rolling Stones in order to fit yourself onto the same shelf, but on Beady Eye's new LP Different Gear, Still Speeding, you'll hear many songs that the producer or record company should have considered a re-do or get another producer that will help Mr. Gallagher take some chances. Suppose that you can't blame the ex-Oasisians for trying. Everyone needs to consider their future, but in order for music to properly evolve and for the love of music, ignore this record.
The Dodo's newest album No Color is another certifiably fresh piece of work that helps our modern music continue its evolution. The album opener Black Night is a captivating way to start the LP it keeps your attention for its nine track duration with some unexpected turns. The songs are built like Built to Spill moving mostly acoustic with a Beta Band/The Aliens vocalist, sprinkled with some asymmetrical percussion and then moulded into a shape resembling Love and Rocket's Yin and Yang and the Flowerpot Man from many years ago. No Color is a double-rainbow of goodness.
