Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool (XL, 2016)

Radiohead

A Moon Shaped Pool

XL
2016

Rating: Unnecessary

There is absolutely no point in reviewing a new Radiohead record.  Unless you're a little kid just now getting into music or you've been in a coma for twenty years, you know what you're getting here.  I will say: I like it, but it's not my favorite record by the band.  Aesthetically, feels pretty much like their last record "The King of Limbs."  Might make my favorite records of the year list, I'd say it's a toss-up at this point.  It always takes me a while to fully digest my feelings on any given Radiohead release. 

I doubt Radiohead fans are gonna be disappointed, and I doubt anyone changes their mind about the band based on "A Moon Shaped Pool."  You pretty much already know what this is and whether you give a shit about it. 

Sigur Rós - Kveikur (XL, 2013)

Sigur Rós
Kveikur
XL
2013

Rating: 7 empty coffee cups out of 10

This new Sigur Rós album sounds basically like any other Sigur Rós album, to no one's surprise.  Maybe a little more rock-based and a little less atmospheric, but not drastically so.  I'm not sure I have any particular insight other than that to be honest.  Good record, I'll listen to it a few times, but I'm guessing if I'm really itching to listen to Sigur Rós I'll just put in their masterpiece "Ágætis Byrjun."

It's also entirely possible I've said basically this same review in reference to past
Sigur Rós albums.  So be it.

Atoms for Peace - Amok (XL, 2013)

Atoms for Peace
Amok
XL
2013

Rating: 5 drug addled candles out of 10

I'm attempting to give a shit about this record by Atoms for Peace, and I'm not succeeding.  It's not bad it's just...there.  For those not aware this band features Thom Yorke and Flea and some other randoms and basically sounds like Radiohead outtakes.  Yeah, you could do worse but that isn't saying much is it?  Just listen to a Radiohead record.  If you need more than that, just pretend Thom Yorke is wearing those stuffed animal pants Flea wears in Young MC's "Bust a Move" video.  That sounds a lot more fun.

Sigur Rós - Valtari (XL, 2012)

Sigur Rós

Valtari

XL

2012

Rating: 7.5 baby goats out of 10

Now on their sixth full-length release, if you haven't formed an opinion on Sigur Rós by now I'm guessing you're not going to.  While musically they're sorta in their own world of orchestral space pop, they remind me a lot of the great instrumental post rock bands like Explosions in the Sky or Mogwai in that from album to album you don't get a lot of variation, but they've developed such a compelling and engaging sound that you don't mind that they just sorta keep writing the same song. 

So really what you have to ask yourself here - is this a good Sigur Rós record compared with their other work?  And it is.  Not amazing, but certainly good.  They're not likely to ever top the glory of "Ágætis Byrjun," but this is just as strong an album as their last couple for sure.  Maybe not as upbeat as "Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust," but just as enjoyable.  Put it this way - fans of the band have nothing to worry about before purchasing this record.  And like with everything they release, it will be one of my favorite records of the year. 

Jonsi - Go Out EP (XL, 2011)

Jonsi
Go Out EP
XL
2011

Rating: 7 barren valleys out of 10

Say, did you like that Jonsi record? I agree, it was pretty great, sounding like what you'd get if his parent band Sigur Ros decided to make a pop record. Another question - how do you feel about remixes? You're right, if the parent material is good and they don't step on the original too much or get too hammy, it can be a great way to rediscover a song you already love. So it sounds like you might like to check out this "Go Out" EP Jonsi released, four remixes of three different songs from his album "Go". I don't think anyone who dug that record would be disappointed.

As a side note, it had never struck me until this EP how much Jonsi's voice reminds me of Jeremy Enigk at times, especially when Jonsi is singing in his lower register.

Radiohead - The King Of Limbs (XL, 2011)

Radiohead
The King Of Limbs
XL
2011

Rating: 8 royal elbows out of 10

Part of me would like to make fun of Radiohead, be one of those cool kids denouncing then as the emperor without any clothes. But fuck it, I like their music...and while I've only spent a little time with "The King Of Limbs", I really like this record.

I've honestly been a little ambivalent on their last couple of releases, preferring their material from the late nineties and early aughts. Luck for my ears, this album sounds like it should have come out right after "Amnesiac", as if it were recorded during the same sessions of that album and "Kid A". Lots of glitchy techno-pop with Thom Yorke wailing over top of it, songs that get stuck in your head even if they aren't stereotypically catchy. Plus that is what almost amounts to a ballad, "Codex", that instantly catches the ear. I can just see some kids with sharp angular haircuts slow dancing to it. These kids I'm picturing may or may not look like cartoon characters from the show "Daria".

I can already tell I'm going to listen to the shit out of this album...it's going to be one of those that gets left in the CD player of my car for weeks on end. I like already knowing that. I like already knowing I'll have a good friend riding around with me for the next few months, and for years after that.

Mull Historical Society - Us (XL, 2003)

Mull Historical Society
Us
XL
2003

Rating: 7 supermarket asylums out of 10

A beautiful pop record is a truly wonderful thing. The sophomore release by the one man band Mull Historical Society (Colin MacIntyre) is exactly that, taking the rich and textured sounds that he displayed in his debut ‘Loss’ and fine tuning them into a record that’s even better. Imagine the morose pop songs that come from living in an isolated area like you might hear from Grandaddy, mixed with some of the unique British-isms similar to Badly Drawn Boy and you might have a starting point as to the sound of Mull Historical Society, only it doesn’t really sound like either of those comparisons all that much. There is also a certain nostalgic feel to his music, reminding me of some of my favorite bands from the 70’s like Electric Light Orchestra and Supertramp (two fantastic bands that everyone should go back and listen to again, and you can often find their records at thrift stores for cheap; check out ELO’s greatest hits record and Supertramp’s ‘Breakfast in America’ if you’re so inclined). If you’re ever looking to put some beautiful pop music in you life, look no further than this record.