Catching Up '09 Round Two

Another collection of abbreviated musical insights. These may not all be quite as recent releases, but not to worry- its all still garden fresh. Here we go...

Bibio- 'Ambivalence Avenue'

A really listenable, fairly down tempo, electronically driven album. Not nearly as organic or free flowing as an act like Four Tet, but the music still breathes considerably for this genre. This is especially apparent on the less beat driven outings like "Lovers Carvings". In criticism, sometimes the vocals Bibio provides don't necessarily make sense in the context of the songs, however they do not distract enough to ruin the ambiance of the work- which really, is what this is all about.

Rating: 8/10
Best Tracks: "Fire Ant", "Sugarette", "Lovers Carvings"


Bill Callahan- 'Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle'

It is a select few singers in the musical world at large who can pull off a low baritone to such great effect in a pop setting. Here, Callahan's voice channels what is a pretty collection of folk tunes, but does so almost casually. This never quite allows these pretty songs to ever transcend into beautiful. That said, the casual approach also lends the collection a certain humility, making it all the more likable. You'll enjoy this record, but it won't change your life in quite the way the heavy lyrical content would like it to.

Rating: 7/10
Best Tracks: "Eid Ma Clack Shaw", "Rococo Zephyr", "Faith/Void"


The Mars Volta- "Octahedron"

Why do I listen to the Mars Volta? For the relentlessly manic guitar playing, unpredictable tempo changes, and unfailing dedication to straight-up dizzying rock drenched abandon. Did I say unfailing? On 'Octahedron' all of the above fail us. The album is soft (in terms of what we've come to expect), and predictable. Unfortunately Bixler-Zavala's latin laments alone do not hold my attention. Maybe Rodriquez-Lopez has been dedicating all his prowess to the solo records lately, and leaving none for his band. Either way, this is not the Volta I know and love.

Rating: 5.5/10
Best Tracks: "Since We've Been Wrong"


Pink Mountaintops- 'Outside Love'

What made 'Axis of Evol' so delightful was the authenticity of it's bedroom nature. A rough edged, blues type vibe being played out through drum machine and home recording techniques just hit a unique and wholly satisfiable chord. This 2009 release comes straight from the studio, and any character from the former album has been scrubbed clean. It's unfortunate, but this sounds more like that heinous Great Northern release from earlier this year than what I was hoping for. The music here is simply bland and over produced.

Rating: 4/10
Best Tracks: "Execution"


Sister Suvi- 'Now I Am Champion'

Now here is an odd release. Sometimes oddly fun and compelling, and at other times just plain weird. Not weird in the shock value sense that were used to however. Opener "Deadwood" pretty much sums it up. A choppy, yet slightly reggae tune sung with a Beat Happening-esque indifference that churns on for five plus minutes. And as much as I worry over it I just can't figure out why. What are they going for here? What is the formula? Answer is that there legitimately probably isn't one, which sometimes opens this record up for some fun tunes. Other times though its just confusing.

Rating: 6/10
Best Tracks: "The Lot", "Champion"


Wilco- 'Wilco (the Album)'

I did a whole write-up on Wilco (the band) about a week ago, but here lets just talk about the music. Despite finding "Wilco (the Song)" offputting, the music here is good. It is a solid collection of safe tunes, which at the least you are sure to find very pleasant. The extended instrumental's of 'Sky Blue Sky' are pretty much absent (which is a damn shame in a lineup that boasts Nels Cline on guitar), but the songs remain consistent; and in a few places excellent. Another good album from who will probably be one of the great American bands of our generation.

Rating: 7.5/10
Best Tracks: "You And I", "You Never Know", "I'll Fight"


I may be indisposed for the next week or more as far as posting is concerned, but keep on listening!