Spring Break
New Music Review
Clayton Dillard
Issue date: 11/3/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
"continent" by cfcf
Electronic artist CFCF (aka Michael Silver) has nothing new to offer; normally, this would render his music insubstantial or unworthy of seeking out. Somehow, though, his techno synth is quite - yes - electrifying. The best track on the album is "Half Dreaming," an impressive blend of moods that he ultimately forms into a cohesive whole. The progression in the sound is ironically organic, given the manipulated process. This is how the best music functions though, through a seeming fruition of its own. Hear also the heavy drum beats of "You Hear Colours," which blend into and juxtapose a smooth synthesizer. Then, he throws down a little acoustic guitar for good measure. It works particularly well at constructing a mix of tones that doesn't feel uneven. That's a hard feat to pull off, but CFCF clearly knows his theory, which makes listening to this album a genuine pleasure
"Late Night Tales"
by Snow Patrol
Don't be misled by the band name; the only relation this album has to Snow Patrol is a single track, a cover of the INXS song "New Sensation," which is likely the weakest on the entire album. That, and it's a mix-tape of the influential and favorite artists who have inspired them. The choices reflect the eclectic tastes of the band, and also reveal their extensive knowledge of all things music. The album includes tracks as diverse as A Tribe Called Quest's "Midnight," the definition of a hip-hop classic, to Jim Noir's "Eanie Meany," an idiosyncratic pop mash-up. The idea is to tie this wide range of songs to a late night vibe, and Snow Patrol does this through not only a superb mix but an expertise in track choice. It's even enough to forgive their somewhat uninspired cover.
Concepts
by Little Girls
The debut album from Little Girls is nothing more than a misreading of post-punk sound and meaning. As the title reveals, they are interested in experimentation, not in any honed craft or form. This is exemplified throughout the album, in which each song parades out inaudible vocals to accompany the admittedly adept musical choices. The band sounds good, that's to be certain. Yet if sound is all they're going for, why not make an instrumental album? The fact that mumbled vocals permeate each track only devalues the accomplished sound and proves the band to not be interested in "concepts," but merely pseudo-provocation - their seemingly elusive nature only meaningless jargon. Tracks like "Imaginary Friends" and "Salt Swimmers" are esoteric enough to solidify what's wrong with most modern underground music: An unearned sense of importance, which gives way to pretension.
"Unreleased Songs Volume II" by Unknown Component
Keith Lynch, the one-man band behind Unknown Component, is a true talent: Not only does Lynch play every instrument by himself, but his sincere rock has actual gravitas to it, at times evoking a young Bob Dylan, especially with the track "On Air." If his lyrics aren't as profound as Dylan's or his sound isn't as revolutionary, he's at least a worthy successor. He isn't glossing over superficial culture either; the track "The Customer Is Quite Often Wrong" is a lovely, but searing, simultaneous lament for love and honest economics. Only a track title like "The Mandatory Choreography of a 4 Way Intersection" gets too quirky. This is a singer/songwriter with actual words on his mind and music to share. His self-given title as "unknown" deserves to be reversed as soon as possible.
Electronic artist CFCF (aka Michael Silver) has nothing new to offer; normally, this would render his music insubstantial or unworthy of seeking out. Somehow, though, his techno synth is quite - yes - electrifying. The best track on the album is "Half Dreaming," an impressive blend of moods that he ultimately forms into a cohesive whole. The progression in the sound is ironically organic, given the manipulated process. This is how the best music functions though, through a seeming fruition of its own. Hear also the heavy drum beats of "You Hear Colours," which blend into and juxtapose a smooth synthesizer. Then, he throws down a little acoustic guitar for good measure. It works particularly well at constructing a mix of tones that doesn't feel uneven. That's a hard feat to pull off, but CFCF clearly knows his theory, which makes listening to this album a genuine pleasure
"Late Night Tales"
by Snow Patrol
Don't be misled by the band name; the only relation this album has to Snow Patrol is a single track, a cover of the INXS song "New Sensation," which is likely the weakest on the entire album. That, and it's a mix-tape of the influential and favorite artists who have inspired them. The choices reflect the eclectic tastes of the band, and also reveal their extensive knowledge of all things music. The album includes tracks as diverse as A Tribe Called Quest's "Midnight," the definition of a hip-hop classic, to Jim Noir's "Eanie Meany," an idiosyncratic pop mash-up. The idea is to tie this wide range of songs to a late night vibe, and Snow Patrol does this through not only a superb mix but an expertise in track choice. It's even enough to forgive their somewhat uninspired cover.
Concepts
by Little Girls
The debut album from Little Girls is nothing more than a misreading of post-punk sound and meaning. As the title reveals, they are interested in experimentation, not in any honed craft or form. This is exemplified throughout the album, in which each song parades out inaudible vocals to accompany the admittedly adept musical choices. The band sounds good, that's to be certain. Yet if sound is all they're going for, why not make an instrumental album? The fact that mumbled vocals permeate each track only devalues the accomplished sound and proves the band to not be interested in "concepts," but merely pseudo-provocation - their seemingly elusive nature only meaningless jargon. Tracks like "Imaginary Friends" and "Salt Swimmers" are esoteric enough to solidify what's wrong with most modern underground music: An unearned sense of importance, which gives way to pretension.
"Unreleased Songs Volume II" by Unknown Component
Keith Lynch, the one-man band behind Unknown Component, is a true talent: Not only does Lynch play every instrument by himself, but his sincere rock has actual gravitas to it, at times evoking a young Bob Dylan, especially with the track "On Air." If his lyrics aren't as profound as Dylan's or his sound isn't as revolutionary, he's at least a worthy successor. He isn't glossing over superficial culture either; the track "The Customer Is Quite Often Wrong" is a lovely, but searing, simultaneous lament for love and honest economics. Only a track title like "The Mandatory Choreography of a 4 Way Intersection" gets too quirky. This is a singer/songwriter with actual words on his mind and music to share. His self-given title as "unknown" deserves to be reversed as soon as possible.
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