Howard Ivans
Red Face Boy 7''
Spacebomb
2013
Rating: 7.5 loved things out of 10
Howard Ivans = Ivan Howard, best known as the singer of the Rosebuds. So as not to repeat myself (aka I'm lazy), see my live review from last year here if you need further information about what this is.
This single actually predates the last record from the Rosebuds "Sand + Silence" (I don't think they ever officially broke up, but I would be shocked if they were ever a band again), but it falls right in line with his solo full-length from last year "Beautiful Tired Bodies." Both tracks - "Red Faced Boy" and "Pillows" - sound like modern takes on seventies-era Chicago. Given that the Spacebomb collective not only released this seven inch but also served as the backing band for this recording session, it totally makes sense it would sound like Chicago. Ivan has a perfect voice to compliment this style of funky soul instrumentation, and to nobody's surprise both tracks work quite well.
The Rosebuds
Sand + Silence
Western Vinyl
2014
Rating: 7.5 scratching dogs out of 10
It's not like I ever wrote an unbiased review of any recording by the Rosebuds, but now with one of my best friends touring with them it's definitely right out the window. Nonetheless, I maintain this is a great collection of pop songs, possibly their best since 2005's "Birds Make Good Neighbors." Opener "In My Teeth" is an instant top five favorite by the band, and the following title track isn't that far behind. Unfortunately it goes downhill from there, but only on a slight downgrade; the fourth song "Blue Eyes" seems to be the one I get stuck in my head the most even if it does sound more like a tune from a decade ago they are just now putting on a record. This album is their first since their break with Merge, who have released all of their other full-lengths. Regardless of label, the Rosebuds still manage to churn out catchy songs that I would definitely love even if I didn't know these kids for nearly two decades.
The Rosebuds & Utah!
The Rosebuds Vs. Utah! 7''
Pidgeon English
2002
Rating: 7.5 poor kids out of 10
This was the very first release by local Triangle pop gems the Rosebuds; I have no idea where this figures in the release history of Utah!. Both of the Rosebuds songs are also on their first full-length "The Rosebuds Make Out," but I still like having them on this clear orange vinyl. "Back to Boston" is still one of their all-time best songs. As for the Utah! half of the record, I've listened to this a number of times and I forget what they sound like every time.
The Rosebuds
Love Deluxe
Self-Released
2012
Rating: 8 ordinary loves out of 10
I love the Rosebuds and I love Sade. But Ivan from the Rosebuds really really LOVES Sade, so much so that he decide to record a cover of her "Love Deluxe" album in it's entirety. I sorta went into this from a novelty perspective, but it actually works pretty well. It probably helps that I listened to this Sade album a lot in high school (an album I came to from skateboard videos of all things), so all of the songs are incredibly familiar. The best part - it's free! Maybe you're a Sade fan who doesn't know who the hell the Rosebuds are, or a Rosebuds fan wondering what the hell they are thinking, or even someone like myself who is a fan of both...it costs the same for everyone. Grab it here.
The Rosebuds
Loud Planes Fly Low
Merge
2011
Rating: 7.5 twin engine Cessnas out of 10
In the world of "indie rock", where the hot new band is always everyone's favorite band ever, The Rosebuds have become a known commodity, old hat, maybe even "has-beens" in some eyes. It doesn't matter if they are producing some of the best music of their career, it's just not going to get the shine of some 19 year old kid and his bedroom recording project that Pitchfork gives an 8.9. "Loud Planes Fly Low" is their fifth full-length record, making them veritable old-timers in this world, due for a break-up and reunion tour to shortly follow.
Musically speaking, this album feels like a continuation from 2008's "Life Like" it's neither the shiny pop of "Birds Make Good Neighbors" nor the dance rock of "Night of the Furies", but rather somewhere in-between. The songs often have a stripped-down feel to them, where a lack of instruments at times speaks louder than any guitar could. Letting the songs breathe or something like that, whatever musicians call it. "Woods" is the best song on the record, and easily one of my favorite songs of the year.
Lyrically, this album is probably pretty dense because it's the first record since Ivan and Kelly split up (they ARE the band, for those not aware), and no doubt much of the content deals with this situation. But honestly, I rarely if ever notice lyrics unless they are stupefyingly awful, and that certainly isn't the case here.
The Rosebuds Life Like Merge
2008
Rating: 8 silky jumpshots out of 10North Carolina duo The Rosebuds may not be putting records out at a Robert Pollard-type pace, but four records and an EP in five years is nothing to sneeze at. And on top of that, each and every one of them has been a great slice of indie pop music...not a weak platter in the bunch. This newest outing, “Life Like”, finds the band retreating slightly from their last album of upbeat, electronics heavy dance tracks to a more subdued pop sound. There is a fair amount of synth layering in these new tracks, but it never crosses over into full “electro-pop” territory. This album continues the trend of Kelly Crisp contributing more in the lead vocal category - and where her voice would sometimes come across as tentative in previous releases, it is now a strong addition to the album (especially on the track “Another Way In”). My favorite songs on this record are “In The Backyard”, a song that has been floating around in various forms for a while and finally got the proper full-length treatment; and “Border Guards”, which isn't just my favorite song of this release but one of the best songs The Rosebuds have put out, period. If you are in a catchy, sometimes mellow pop kind of mood, you'd be doing yourself a favor to pick up this gem.
The Rosebuds
Birds Make Good Neighbors
Merge
2005
Rating: 9 fat cardinals out of 10
The triangle of North Carolina has a long history of producing quality
pop music, from The dBs to Dillon Fence to
Superchunk and now The Rosebuds are putting the topic to task.
This Raleigh-based husband and wife duo (with a little help from their friends) craft a brand of pop music that
sounds like a throwback to the era of the Smiths, XTC and the like. "Bird Make Good Neighbors" is their sophmore
release, but you wouldn't know that from just listening to the music - it is poignant and polished and mature in a
way most bands and musicians aim for their entire careers. Some of the bombast from their first release may
be gone but it has been replaced with a far better craft; Ivan's Morrissey-like vocals are as spot on as ever, and
Kelly even steps to the microphone to lend a hand on one of the best tracks of the album "Leaves Do Fall" - a classic duet
in the mold of any one of those Kris Kristofferson-and-(insert any one of the multiple female leads here)
outings from the 70's. This album may fly under a lot of the tastemakers' radar, but that doesn't keep it from
being one of the best albums of the year.
