Allo Darlin' - We Come from the Same Place (Slumberland, 2014)

Allo Darlin'
We Come from the Same Place
Slumberland
2014

Rating: 7.5 easter candies out of 10

I love Allo Darlin' - I loved their first two records & as well as when I saw them perform live a couple of years ago - which makes it all the more puzzling that I slept so long on their newest release "We Come from the Same Place."  And it's not like this third record by them is some great departure - if you told me this batch of indie twee pop was recorded at the exact same time as the rest of their material, it would be believable.  They're a one-trick pony I suppose, but they're really, really damn good at that one trick.  It might just me but it's impossible to not fall in love with singer Elizabeth Morris while listening to her perform - something about her tone drills right into my heart.  Note to self: if Allo Darlin' release a fourth album, maybe listen to it right away okay?

Allo Darlin' - 7777777 7'' (Where It's At Is Where You Are, 2012)

Allo Darlin'
7777777 7''
Where It's At Is Where You Are
2012

Rating: 7 wrapped sandwiches out of 10

This Allo Darlin' seven inch is part of some limited subscription-only series that is apparently already sold out, so if you want this you're gonna have to drop some loot on eBay or scrounge the internets for a download.  Three songs, all mid-tempo affairs...not the catchiest songs the band has ever written but worth seeking out if you're a fan.  And I'm on record that Allo Darlin' is one of the best pop bands currently in existence, so even some b-sides make for a good listen.  Based on the attendance last time I saw them play not enough people are loving this band the way I do - pull your collective heads out of your collective asses people, and listen to this great band.  

Allo Darlin' - Europe (Slumberland, 2012)

Allo Darlin'

Europe

Slumberland

2012

Rating: 8 blue skies out of 10

I would have given this sophomore Allo Darlin' release a high score based solely on the second song of the album, "Capricornia."  As it stands it's the runaway leader for my coveted "song of the year" category.  Luckily, this band is no one trick pony, and the rest of the record is damn near as good - "Northern Lights" is also stellar.  Catchy twee pop from start to finish - I described it to a friend as a more upbeat, less depressed Camera Obscura.  And by "friend" I probably wrote it somewhere, maybe here, on another release of theirs.  No matter, it's a fitting descriptor either way.  No sophomore jinx here at all. 

Fantastic live band too - had the privilege of seeing them play recently and Elizabeth Morris' voice is just as fantastic live as it is on record, maybe even more so.  In two records she's jumped very high on my list of favorite female vocalists.   

Allo Darlin' - Capricornia 7'' (Slumberland, 2012)

Allo Darlin'

Capricornia 7''

Slumberland

2012

Rating: 7.5 whale teeth out of 10

I did not "literally" burn a hole in my copy of the self-titled debut album by Allo Darlin' that came out in 2010, but I very much wanted to work that stupid descriptor in my opening line.  That is to say, I listened to it a whole whole lot, in case you didn't get what I was pushing towards.  This 7'' represents the first single from their forthcoming new album "Europe," and man what a great foot to step forward with - the song is incredibly catchy and so cute it's almost insufferable.  Think of Allo Darlin' as a little more upbeat, less dour version of Camera Obscura and you'll be on the right track.  Great single, and I'm immensely excited for the new record. 

Allo Darlin' - Darren 7" (Self-Released, 2011)

Allo Darlin'

Darren 7"

Self-Released

2011

Rating: 7 golden arms out of 10

I have a well established love of British music where you can hear the accents when they sing.  I've also got a well established love of twee music.  So Allo Darlin' fall right into my sweet spot.  This self-released seven inch is fantastic, both sides.  Side A, "Darren", is apparently about the singer of Hefner Darren Hayman.  It opens up with furious hand-clapping and is catchy as hell.  Side B is apparently an old song actually written by Hayman called "Wu Tang Clan".  It might be about the iconic hip hop group, but not surprisingly it sounds nothing like them.  It's about as white a song as you could ever come up with about rappers, and it's quite good.  I'd be curious if any of them have heard the song, and their reactions.