The current state of music signifies a total lack of talent and originality or, at the very least, a slacker mentality toward song writing.
It seems that to many people, music is no longer an art form. Instead, many new bands simply take note of upcoming musical trends, latch on, and follow the formula to success—well, sometimes success. Bands crawl out of the woodwork to become a part of the scene. Finally, the trend wears thin and dissipates, but little time will pass before a new trend emerges to follow suit.
The current hot trend—new wave/dance punk revival—is wearing out its welcome. Sure, Franz Ferdinand had a decent album, The Killers had that one catchy song about looking like some dude's girlfriend and Interpol's singer did a dead-on Ian Curtis impersonation, but enough is enough. When a ska band starts wearing black makeup, purchases a synthesizer and changes their name to The Bravery, you know the trend is over.
That being said, I bring you this—a rundown of new albums that are well worth your money, even if Rolling Stone doesn't think so.
Yo La Tengo, “Prisoners of Love”
This band has been around for twenty long years, and the majority of music fans have probably never heard of them. This is a shame. Well, here's their chance with two discs spanning Yo La Tengo's entire career, including a third bonus disc featuring unreleased and rare songs, this retrospective captures each of the many musical tastes of this New Jersey group. Folk, pop, experimental, jazz—this band has done it all, and they've done it skillfully. The only gripe I have with this anthology is that isn't presented chronologically. Considering the quality of these songs, that's an insignificant flaw.
Red Sparowes, “At the Soundless Dawn”
Post rock meets instrumental metal on this debut from Los Angeles band Red Sparowes. The band features former members of Isis , Neurosis and Cignal. Ridiculous band names aside, Red Sparowes creates intensely lush soundscapes in the vein of Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky with just a hint of heaviness. There are no vocals on the album whatsoever, but the music speaks for itself.
A Silver Mt. Zion , “Horses in the Sky”
Those crazy Canadians have done it again. Once thought of as a side project for post rockers Godspeed You! Black Emperor, A Silver Mt. Zion has finally come into their own on their fourth album.
Featuring three members of the aforementioned group, this seven-piece collective no longer gets off on creating music for mourning. The music on “Horses in the Sky” displays more of the elements of folk music in addition to the violins and slow-building guitar parts. Keep an open mind, though. Singer Efrim Menuck's voice slightly resembles Bright Eyes impersonating Roger Waters. If you can get past that, you're in for a pleasant surprise.
Dinosaur Jr., “You're Living All Over Me”
This album was originally released in 1990 and it's not exactly new. Either way, this reissue, released last month, will serve as a great introduction to the quintessential indie rock band. Dinosaur Jr. has done amazing things for guitar rock with their crunchy guitar riffs and blistering guitar solos. This is along the same lines as Pavement and Sonic Youth with a touch of Led Zeppelin. I hope that the band's upcoming reunion tour will result in some new material. |
