Three-Sentence Review:
There is something about this album that I am just not connecting to. I have such a intense connection to Funeral, The Suburbs and Neon Bible that I cannot help but feel disappointed to feel so separate from this new album, and I cannot help but hope that it will be a “grower” for me. I want to love this, I really do, its just not there (yet) for me, with a few song exceptions (see below).
Initial Favorite Track(s): Here Comes the Night Time & Here Comes the Night Time II
Rating (1-5 Stars): 2.5
Here Comes the Night Time
Three-Sentence Review:
I always get this infused emotionally-charged reaction to Best Coast as they so remind me of the girl groups I LOVED in the 80’s. This EP is no different in the way it makes me feel except that I may feel it even more here, which is a great thing. These songs are so catchy and infectious that I wish it was a full album worth of music offerings (though isn’t it so delicious to be left wanting more?).
Initial Favorite Track(s): I Wanna Know, Who Have I Become? & I Don’t Know How
Rating (1-5 Stars): 4.5
I Wanna Know
Who I Have Become
I Don’t Know How
Three-Sentence Review:
It is near impossible for me not to be intrigued by an artist who names their musical incarnation/band after Twin Peaks (Diane a reference to Special Agent Dale Cooper’s mythical secretary, and coffee, well, enough said) – I just had to check this album out. This album is a musical adventure that calls to mind so many potential influences, from David Bowie to Elvis Costello to Flaming Lip to The Who to the 60’s psychedelia and 50’s rockabilly sense and sensibilities, and yes, I realize how widespread and not necessarily compatible all that is, but here, let me tell you, it seems to work. This is an artist/band to keep an eye, and both ears, on, one I hope to catch live, as well (I’m thinking it would be an amazing experience).
Initial Favorite Track(s): Hymn, Tale of a Dead Dog, All the Young Girls & Green
Rating (1-5 Stars): 4
Hymn
Three-Sentence Review:
Reminiscent of early John Mayer and Jason Mraz, peppered with some of the more current alt-country-pop singers such as Phillip Phillips, with a little Ben Harper and Mason Jennings thrown in. At times it seems a little over-produced in places I wish were more stripped down, but there is a light and airy catchy feel to the songs that are likable and worth repeat listens. I do like the influence that recording in Nashville, opposed to his Los Angeles home, has had on this album, the songs that it shows just whets my appetite to what potential he has that has not been completely tapped (yet).
Initial Favorite Track(s): Wild Child, When We Were Young & Only Want You
Rating (1-5 Stars): 3.5
Wild Child
Only Want You
Three-Sentence Review:
My first reaction is that this album sounds like the imagined offspring of The Flaming Lips, with added electronic whirs and beeps that recall 80’s Casio keyboards, and arcades from that same era. This album falls flat to me, though, despite all the electric sounds, and seems forgettable. I was expecting something more catchy and cloying (in a good way) than this.
Initial Favorite Track(s): I Don’t Worry (As Much as I Should) & How Wrong Can I Be
Rating (1-5 Stars): 1.5
I Don’t Worry (As Much as I Should)
How Wrong Can I Be
Three-Sentence Review:
Pure pop goodness filled with fun, infectious catchy tunes, and a ton of heart. So filled to the brim with potential hits it is almost overwhelming to listen to in one sitting, but that honestly is not a bad thing. There are spiritual moments, moments of healing, moments of release, and an overall feeling of strength that I love.
Initial Favorite Track(s): Roar, Legendary Lovers, Ghost & This Moment
Rating (1-5 Stars): 4.5
Roar
Legendary Lovers
Ghost
This Moment
Three-Sentence Review:
Dark wave meets new wave meets a newer, updated, modern re-telling to the musical genres made famous and unforgettable in the 80’s, that is what The Sounds, and this album, are made of, to me. This album flows and ebbs and connects together in just the right way, in a near perfect way, making this my favorite album of theirs (so far). There is a lightness in the darkness, a new feel to the new wave, and a hope filled sensibility to every song that I could really use right now, and find myself instantly embracing.
Initial Favorite Track(s): Take It the Wrong Way, Hurt the Ones I Love, Weekend & Panic
Rating (1-5 Stars): 4.5
Hurt the Ones I Love
Weekend
Three-Sentence Review:
Dear darling indie-pop goodness, the likes of Ingrid Michealson, Zooey Deschanel and Stars (on a happier day). This is happiness making songs that are breezy, but not lacking lyrical depth or musical complexity. The real-life boyfriend and girlfriend duo are effervescent and in perfect synch; I hope they stay together for many, many moons, and just as many albums.
Initial Favorite Track(s): Blew My Mind, Tell a Lie & Painting Roses
Rating (1-5 Stars): 4
Blew My Mind
Tell a Lie
Painting Roses
Someday I just might just have to make it though a entire Arcade Fire album. But I like the hits:)
Funeral is a start-to-finish album for me, one that I love each and every song from. Neon and The Suburbs I love, but not the same way.
The hits are really, really good…
Thanks for the suggestion on starting with the album Funeral to listen to from start to finish. And yes the hits are pretty awesome.
For me, Funeral tells a story that takes you through childhood, adolescence, adulthood and into death. At times it is heavy, at time light and hopeful, and throughout it hits a lot of emotional notes for me.
Let me know what you think of it if you get around to listening to it from start to finish.
when i first heard ‘roar’ i was kinda embarrassed that i liked it as much as i do, but now i crank it loudly and embrace it. i haven’t purchased the new Arcade Fire album yet, but i love Reflektor. i had not heard of The Sounds before but i like what i hear. thanks for sharing!
I gave up being embarrassed about music I enjoy, but yes, I know what you mean. Its such a fun song, though, you have to crank it loud and embrace it!
Let me know what you think of The Sounds. I would recommend their album Dying to Say This to You, too.
i really like Hurt The Ones I Love – to me, the guitar sounds very much like the Cocteau Twins, but implemented in a totally different context. sorry to say that Weekend doesn’t really do it for me. any other songs from them you recommend?
Try No One Sleeps When I’m Awake