Album Review: El Camino by The Black Keys

I will admit that I'm a fairly new listener to the Black Keys. Initially, I was somewhat put off by their gritty, no-frills sound. After merely a few encounters with their songs, I was hooked. These hipsters from Ohio who audaciously chose bluesy rock won my admiration. First off, they're a duo, Dan Auerbach, singer and guitarist, and Patrick Carney, drummer, and yet their simple, catchy songs reel me in every time. This new effort is a real stunner, because they honestly choose to give the fans what they want: more hits like Tighten Up, with fewer slow, meditative songs. In spite of the lack of variety in many of these songs, each one is so finely constructed that the album as a whole is great to listen to. Beginning with Lonely Boy, a near clone of Tighten Up (but better), we get the picture that we're in for loud songs that don't spend much time on the quiet side. Gold on the Ceiling, the album's other major single, takes the crunchy guitar and sets it front and center, and Little Black Submarines moves dramatically from soft to punchy and raucous, giving us a thrill ride. The two closing tracks, Nova Baby and Mind Eraser quickly move to a lighter sound, with more of a tender side. There are few weak tracks here; the only flaw this album has is that it's songs are somewhat similar to each other, and therefore it has a bit of a "greatest hits album" aura to it. Nevertheless, if you at all like the style of the Black Keys, it is worth listening to,you'll have a blast from start to finish.

New Sigur Ros Track: Ekki Mukk

Sigur Rós - Ekki múkk from Sigur Rós on Vimeo.

Album Review: Mylo Xyloto by Coldplay

Should you buy it? If you like pop music, go for it.

Mylo Xyloto is a difficult album to review. In one sense, it is hard to fault Coldplay's songs, because more than half of them are musically engaging and enjoyable. At the same time, any longtime fan of Coldplay would admit that their sound has changed, and in most respects has approached a more "mainstream" sound. Is this bad? Not necessarily.

Coldplay's older music was mostly mellow; though they had a few real rockers like "Yellow" and "Shiver," it was clear from their albums that they cherished a more melancholy, contemplative sound. With their 2008 album Viva la Vida (produced by Brian Eno, U2 producer), they changed their "classic" style, and chose instead to make almost every song completely different from the last. Mylo Xyloto completes Coldplay's transition to pop music.

The album starts out strong, with possibly the best song on the whole album, "Hurts Like Heaven." As the songs continue through the first half, the problem is not so much with the quality of the music as the lack of variety and drama. The next four songs are all "pretty," but, as good as they are, listening to them in sequence feels a little like eating four donuts in a row. Sure it's good, but after a while we want some fresh, real food.

In the second half, things get more interesting. Major Minus is a 007-style song, produced and intense, and it saves the album from being a big blob of musical cotton candy. Next, we get a more stripped down sound in "U.F.O.," which is the most beautiful mellow track. For one glorious moment, Coldplay starts sounding like their best moments from the past.

Then it all goes up in flames.

Coldplay and Rihanna sing together on "Princess of China," by far the definitive pop song on the album. The old Coldplay is entirely absent from this song, yet for what it is, it can be appreciated. The last few tracks of the album provide a hodgepodge of ballad, raucous finale, and an attempted experimental outro. None of these are unlistenable, but then none of them, except "Up With The Birds" are standouts.

The problem with Mylo Xyloto is not that it's an alternative band's transition to a pop album. The problem is that their music, with a few exceptions, is less adventurous. The same can be said for their lyrics. This is a concept album, but I would only call it that in the loosest sense of the term. In reality, the concept is painted with such broad strokes that it practically disappears. Most of singer Chris Martin's lyrics are sometimes so vague that they don't really matter except as a vehicle for the melody. When I think back on cryptic yet fascinating songs like Clocks and Politik, it saddens me to see Chris reduced to writing such two-dimensional lyrics. If a concept album is about two lovers, than the characters themselves better be interesting, or else it just sounds silly.

That being said, this album still gets a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. The songs are entertaining, with such a beautiful and lush sound, that it is highly re-listenable. It's nevertheless a slight disappointment, because Coldplay has set the bar so high from their earlier music that it seems like they weren't putting their heart and soul into this album.

New posts coming soon!

I apologize that I haven't updated this page in a while. Various events have made my life busy lately. However, I will be back to updating soon, so keep in touch.

New Song: Paradise by Coldplay

Song Link: Saeglopur by Sigur Ros

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgEGVKwURKc

Album Review: F#A#∞ by Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Is it worth a listen? Yes if you like instrumental music with a post-apocalyptic-symphonic sound or are feeling adventurous.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor is a Canadian band of musicians who make post-rock albums. This is their first work, and it is a mind-opening experience. This EP consists of only three songs, and yet it is an hour long. The songs, which can be more accurately described as symphonic works, grab your attention and don't let go. In a sense, the music almost seems like a movie, because each song tells a vague, absorbing story. The beginning track, "Dead Flag Blues," opens with a recitation of an apocalyptic nature, with atmospheric music in the background:

"The car is on fire, and there's no driver at the wheel
And the sewers are all muddied with a thousand lonely suicides
And a dark wind blows"

Needless to say, the music assumes a dark tone that fits with the recitation. As you listen, the music draws you in with an impressive array of instruments, from banjo to cello and violin. Even the glockenspiel makes an appearance. The three tracks have their own movements, like a classical symphony, and yet they are distinctly similar to rock due to the presence of syncopated beats. Despite the many conventional rock instruments, the music is anything but derivative. Morose chords, minor-key melodies, and long moments of sadness are nevertheless so gorgeous that you will want to keep listening, because when the few major-key sections appear, the respite is that much sweeter.

Unlike many modern compositions in the classical music genre, Godspeed You! Black Emperor's music assumes you want to hear something beautiful, even if it is challenging to listen to. Downbeat and slow, but gradually building to the epic climaxes, F#A#∞ is special, precisely because it is so different. While referred to as post-rock, the music is genre bending in many ways, an is worth checking out if you want to have an adventure.

Worldview: While there are no sung lyrics, the beginning of every song has a recited passage, and these are often apocalyptic in tone. For example, the track "East Hastings" begins with a preacher literally yelling and speaking strangely, yet it is clear that the man is preaching Jesus Christ from his speech (this appears to be a live recording of a genuine preacher, but I honestly could not prove it). In the final track, "Providence," we hear a man discount the idea of a coming apocalypse because "I don't take stock in what the preacher man says." Overall, it's ambiguous. While dark in tone, the album is a great sonic adventure for someone who doesn't mind slow build up in their music.