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You might think that anyone willing to release an album has already resigned themselves to the public dissection that inevitably follows – not so with Jherek Bischoff.

After playing with and producing the likes of The Dead Science, Parenthetical Girls, the Octopus Project and Xiu Xiu, this is Bischoff’s second attempt at a solo project of experimental indie compositions. The first, a self-titled release in 2006, compiled several years of recordings onto a hand-made CD which he would leave anonymously on cafe tables, windshields and trees. But those intrigued enough to listen would not have come away with any real idea of who this enigmatic musician is. Continue Reading »

Popularity: 1% [?]

Grizzly Bear – Cheerleader

Normally when an album has been as anticipated as much as Veckatimest has, it inevitably sinks under the weight of expectation. In the case of Grizzly Bear, everything they have done since 2006’s Yellow House has signalled a band nearing their creative peak. Continue Reading »

Popularity: 9% [?]

[youtube=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Brsw4znRq34]

M. Ward’s new album will benefit greatly from the mainstream exposure that She & Him brought and I know it will do well in its critical reception…I’m just not sure it deserves to. Sure, it’s enjoyable – but the amount of recycled material here is staggering. So many of the melodies and chord progressions retread old ground that they are literally a pale imitation of what has come before. If you are approaching M. Ward’s music from any sort of unfamiliarity, please, please seek out Transfiguration of Vincent, Transistor Radio, and End of Amnesia first. You’ll be glad you did.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Beirut – La Llorona

I’ve had the new Beirut release for about a month now and it’s definitely a departure…but not one I have taken to the way I would have hoped for. For a start, it’s two EPs together rather than an album, each half distinctly different both from each other and everything that came before. The first part is a collection of Mexican funeral march arrangements conducted through a brass orchestra, the second a gathering of ’80s inspired keyboard pop recorded in a bedroom under the new name Realpeople. It’s not without its moments, however. Instrumental ‘No Dice’ is a blast of kitsch fun and penultimate track ‘The Concubine’ is a gem. I would post the latter here but I am not legally entitled to do so. However, it will be on my forthcoming mix CD!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Jenny Lewis – Tryin’ My Best

When Jenny Lewis released her solo debut, Rabbit Fur Coat, two years ago, she felt safe in the knowledge that little was riding on it. Had the low-budget independent release failed to impress, there was always the success of Rilo Kiley to return to. Yet not only did the album outsell anything the Californian band ever released, but the one thing that reviews for the group’s subsequent album could agree on was Lewis’ potential star quality. Continue Reading »

Popularity: 2% [?]