Future Islands
The Far Field
4AD
2017
Rating: 8 tragic publicists out of 10
My first thought was "This new Future Islands record is really good, I should write about it on my stupid website."
My second thought was "It's good, but it basically sounds exactly like everything they've released since 'In Evening Air'."
My third thought was "Who gives a shit? Why would you be upset that they made more songs that sound like songs you already love?"
My fourth thought was "You're right, me. Who gives a shit indeed. This is awesome, and I'm probably going to listen to it a ton."
And then my final thought was "The last thing anyone needs is a doofus like me writing about this new Future Islands record."
Future Islands
The Chase 7''
4AD
2015
Rating: 8 cement bells out of 10
As near as my brain can figure, this is the first release by Future Islands since they done blown the fuck up. And as much as it sucks that I no longer get to see them play in small venues multiple times a year, I'm glad for them - they deserve all the success they get. Certainly no complaints here with theese new songs - both tracks on this seven inch measure up to the high bar these guys set with their last few records, and fame doesn't seem to have messed with their creative process. Title track "The Chase" starts off with a very Kraftwerk-like keyboard line, but then quickly goes down the path already well worn by the band - I'm guessing this track is already a favorite at their live shows. The b-side "Haunted By You" is a little mellower but no less enjoyable - it's like you can see lead singer Sam Herring emoting with his hands through the music, grasping at the air like a high school drama teacher performing Hamlet. My only worry about these two songs is they'll get "lost," having not been put on a proper full-length - because both are certainly worthy.
Camera Obscura
4AD Session EP
4AD
2014
Rating: 6.5 bowling balls out of 10
This EP by Camera Obscura was released as part of the 2014 Record Store Day shenanigans. Despite my having a great love for these Scots, this isn't anything particularly special - all four songs on this release are also found on their most recent (and fantastic) record from 2013 "Desire Lines," and the versions found here aren't different enough to make it necessary. Everyone should get "Desire Lines" though, so many catchy pop songs.
Licorice / Kendra Smith / Red House Painters
Split 7''
4AD
1995
Rating: 7 years away out of 10
Let's ignore the first two artists here because who gives a shit. The key here is the last song, which is Red House Painters covering the Yes song "Long Distance Runaround." The notes say "not available on the CD Ocean Beach," but it was on the double 10'' version of the record (long out of print). It would later also be used on their album "Songs for a Blue Guitar." You're welcome for this useless information! Oh, and it's an awesome cover.
Future Islands
Singles
4AD
2014
Rating: 9 tin whistles out of 10
As with all Future Islands records so far, the question isn't will it be one of my favorite records of the year, it's how high on my list will it finish. What I'm saying is, I'm a big fan, and this new outing "Singles" only further solidifies that position. Their last record "On the Water" was fantastic though a bit subdued. This new one is more in line with 2010's "In Evening Air" - upbeat, catchy, and full of songs that sound like hit singles to me. Hey, maybe that's why they named it "Singles"! Yes, I'm brilliant as you can tell. There's truly not a weak link here..."Doves" should be a hot dance floor jam; album opener "Seasons (Waiting On You)" is the obvious choice for a lead single; "A Song for Our Grandfathers" is a top tits slow jam; and on and on and on...I can't even quantify how much I'm going to listen to this record going forward.
You know what, I've never said a word about what this band sounds like, assuming everyone already knows. Given their connection and popularity in the area I'm from, this is an understandable mistake. The best descriptor I've got is "dramatic, dark electro-pop." I've heard more than a few people compare them to Erasure, though the vocals are much deeper, like Ian Curtis crossed with an art school drama teacher. Or as my lady refers to him, the singing Count from "Sesame Street." I have no idea what she is talking about as he doesn't have an accent and I don't think she's on drugs.
Camera Obscura
Desire Lines
4AD
2013
Rating: 7.5 small stars out of 10
I honestly can't imagine why Camera Obscura isn't beloved by everyone. I can understand that bands like A Minor Forest or Saviours or Whatever Brains aren't for everybody, but when I listen to this group of Glaswegians and their perfect pop songs it boggles my mind that there are people who hear this music and think "that's terrible." Tracyanne Campbell's vocals are amongst the best in all of music, indie or otherwise, so sweet you could mix it in your tea and fool even the most ardent Bojangle's fan (note: this reference may not make sense outside of the south...or in it for that matter). I suppose you could dock them points since "Desire Lines" sounds more or less like everything else they've released, but I like their sound and am personally glad they haven't much wavered from it.
The National
Trouble Will Find Me
4AD
2013
Rating: 7 buckets of sawdust out of 10
I had no intentions of writing about the new National album "Trouble Will Find Me," and I'm not sure what I'm about to write even counts as "writing about it." It would be easy to dismiss it as just another National record because at first glance that's pretty much what it is. But after a few listens I realized, yeah, it might sound pretty much like everything else the band has released over the last few years, but they do it really goddamn well and I always like the end results. This is a very listenable record. And I'm sure I might forget about it from time to time like I often do with this band, but I guarantee every time I remember to play this I will enjoy it very much. If you're already a fan of the band you will love this. You probably already do since it's been out a little while. Never cared for the National? This ain't changing your mind. But are there actually people who dislike this or any other band and then give them a listen after a half-dozen records wondering if they've changed their mind about that band? I doubt it.
Stornoway
Tales from Terra Firma
4AD
2013
Rating: 6.5 best bets out of 10
The previous album by Stornoway, "Beachcomber's Windowsill," would easily be a nominee for my favorite records of the last five years. Because of this, and through no fault of the band, I had unconsciously and unfairly set the bar quite high for this follow-up record from these Oxford lads. "Tales from Terra Firma" is a good album, a very enjoyable album, but sadly it's no "Beachcomber's Windowsill." And that's ok...most bands don't even have one record in them as good as that one, so even if Stornoway never top it they're still ahead of most of crowd. They are still mining the same whimsical folk-rock territory, but tracks just aren't quite as catchy this time around. Still worth a listen by my estimate, but grab "Beachcomber's Windowsill" first.
The National
High Violet
4AD
2010
Rating: 6 morose Midwesterners out of 10
The National probably could have Just named this record "'Bloodbuzz Ohio' and a Bunch of Other Songs You'll Be Indifferent About", or maybe that is just me. Granted, it's a really fuckin' good song, probably their best since "Lit Up", but it's not enough to raise the whole album above "ho hum" status. It's a very National record though, sounding like a depressed former steel town, full of crumbling factories and faded dreams.
The Mountain Goats
The Sunset Tree
4AD
2005
Rating: 7.5 broom teeth out of 10
Having been a Mountain Goats fan for some time, and having met some of
his tightly-wound fans first hand, I could just about hear the collective gasp when John Darnielle
released his previous disc - his first for 4AD and his first to have used any semblance of production at all. Gone was the
tape hiss the typical obsessive-compulsive fan loved, and we entered into a new world of Goats, one
making shiny music with extra members not named John Darnielle. As for myself, I loved the
transformation, and was pleased to hear his witty lyrics in such a crisp fashion; but no doubt some fans were
lost, as is always the case when a band makes a major transformation.
“The Sunset Tree” is his second album for 4AD, and not only is it a lot
like it’s predecessor – fairly clean production, additional instrumentation outside of just Darnielle’s
acoustic guitar…but it is also possibly one of the best albums he’s ever recorded. “Dance Music” was an
instant favorite the second I heard it, and will be considered one of his best tracks when Rhino releases his
“Greatest Hits” album whenever that comes out (Rhino does a greatest hits record for everyone,
right?). This album may well be listed on a lot of top 10 lists at the end of the year, mine included, and it
will be muchly deserved.
The Mountain Goats
We Shall Be Healed
4AD
2004
Rating: 7 pig vultures out of 10
This Mountain Goats album continues along the same path that John Darnielle started
down last year with his first major label release on 4AD titled “Tallahassee”. That is to say, for the most part
he’s stepped away from the Mountain Goats of the past, which was just him, his guitar, and an old boom box to
record on, in favor of a richer and fuller sound involving collaborations with other musicians; in the case of this
album, those musicians include Peter Hughes (DiskothiQ), Franklin Bruno (Nothing Painted Blue), Christopher McGuire
(12 Rods), and engineered by John Vanderslice. Honestly, to me it still sounds like the same ol’ Mountain
Goats, only with a little backing music and recorded on proper equipment, but no doubt there are those purists out
there who hate it. For everyone else, this album is yet another argument for the fact that Darnielle is one of the
best songwriters happening today, and a riveting live performer as well. Particularly stand-out tracks include
“Palmcorder Yanja”, “The Young Thousands”, and “All Up the Seething Coast”.
The Mountain Goats
Tallahassee
4AD
2002
Rating: 8 oceanographer kings out of 10
The Mountain Goats, a.k.a. John Darnielle, has been known over the
years for his ingenious lyrics, heartfelt performances, and the fact that almost everything he has
recorded thus far in his career (and there’s been a lot) has been recorded straight to cassette on
a run-of-the-mill boombox. His music consisted of just a man and his guitar, and a lot of tape hiss.
And while the hiss might have been a little distracting, it also seemed to make the music feel that much more
personal, like a homemade recording
of one of your friends that only you knew about.
This album marks John Darnielle’s first recording for the British
super-label 4AD, as well as his first album to be recorded on professional equipment. What has
changed? Well, there’s no hiss, but I don’t miss it too much. The music still sounds like The Mountain Goats,
but there is some additional instrumentation added to help flesh out the sound - piano, percussion,
shakers, etc. But all of this takes a backseat to what has always been the core of his music - the guitar and voice.
This record is a concept record, about a couple and the deterioration
of their relationship and all of the trappings that go along with it as they move across the country.
Well, it’s actually much more complex than that, but that seems to be the gist of it. And while I may not
like it as much as ‘All Hail West Texas’ (his best record in my opinion), it’s still real damn good. John’s
lyrics are some of the most beautiful and complex I have ever heard; they manage to paint a vivid picture, every
song like reading a short story by one of your favorite authors. I’m usually the type of person who
doesn’t even pay much attention to lyrics, but these grab you whether you like it or not. I highly
recommend this record if you’ve ever been a fan of singer-songwriter type music...and pick up ‘All Hail West Texas’ while
you’re at it too, you won’t be disappointed.
