Music

It's been a LONG time since I reviewed any music. I would say I've been busy with "real life" and that is sort of true. But I also have been wasting a lot of time on the internet. Just not here.

But here are some quick comments about some music I've been listening to:

• The Antlers - Hospice: I LOVE this album. Yes, the lyrics are depressing and about death and illness and whatnot, but the music has this sense of intensity that I find really beautiful. I saw them live last Thursday, as well, and I was not disappointed. Great small LA venue that I'll probably be frequenting since there are quite a few good upcoming shows there (the Bootleg on Beverly, for anyone in the LA area). There was just a ton of emotion in the music and the performance. The people I went with also enjoyed it, and one of them had never heard the music prior to the show.
• Circulatory System - Signal Morning: When I listened to this last week, I remember thinking, "oh, I like this." Now I can't remember why - or even what they sound like. I will need to listen again.
• Fool's Gold - S/T: Everyone seems to be raving about this band, but I just can't get into it. They're an LA band and have been playing around a lot lately, so perhaps I should see them live to see if I change my mind. They are also touring with a couple of really really great LA bands (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and Local Natives) - the latter I will write about in this post.
• Headlights - Wildlife: I really liked their last album. A lot. It was fun, catchy pop music. This feels like too much. Like when something is just too sweet and sugary...
• Imogen Heap - Ellipse: I love her. I don't care if she's overplayed now or if her songs sound the same or whatever. If I'm in a bad mood, I can just listen to one of her albums, including this one, and I feel better. It's quite phenomenal, really. Works particularly well if I have headphones on and turn the volume up high.
• Jenny Owen Youngs - Transmitter Failure: I can't actually remember if I've already posted about this. I've been listening to it for quite a while, but just in case I missed it... I think this is pretty good. Not every song is great, but there are some definite stand-outs. I love "No More Words."
• Jupiter One - Sunshower: I liked this the one time I listened. They are touring with Regina Spektor, who I love. This is pretty typical indie pop/rock. Nothing too amazing, but pleasant and nice in a way that is, well, pleasant...and nice.
• Local Natives - Gorilla Manor: I first heard of this band when they played on the same line-up as my friend's band Red Arrow Messenger. They had tons of energy and were really great to see live. Makes sense that they are playing some shows with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, another LA band with tons of energy.
• Ramona Falls - Intuit: Yet another album I have only listened to once through, but so far I am really happy with it. It's a new band from Menomena's Brent Knopf. Justin Harris is my favorite Menomena member, but that's only because I think he's beautiful. Music-wise, I apparently really like Brent Knopf - if Ramona Falls is something to base that decision on. If you like Menomena, you will probably like this, too.
• The Rest - Everything All at Once: Ida made me get this album. I really really like it. It's exactly my kind of music, which is why Ida suggested it. There are 7 people in the band. This means there are harmonies and lots of instruments and layers and layers and layers.
• Sea Wolf - White Water, White Bloom: I've only listened once, but my response is "eh." I so wanted to like this album because I LOVED their last one and loved them in concert, etc etc. But honestly, I was a little bored by this album. Maybe it will grow on me. I'll keep listening and keep you posted. Update: with another listen, I realize that I DO like it, but I expect more from them. So compared to, say, Jupiter One that I just said I liked, this is just as good if not better, but I guess my expectations were too high...
• Tegan & Sara - Sainthood: Again. I wanted to like this album because I liked The Con so much. And I read reviews ahead of time saying it was great. But I was bored...
• Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - Know Better Learn Fast: First listen was "eh." Second listen I liked it. Maybe I was in a bad mood the first time? This is the problem with music reviews. They can be totally mood dependent. Now I think I might like it better than the last album...
• Volcano Choir - Unmap: If you like Bon Iver, then you will probably like Volcano Choir. I think that's all I have to say.
• Why? - Eskimo Snow: Typical Why? Not as good as Alopecia, in my opinion. But worth listening...
• The xx - xx: Sounds like another band - although I can't put my finger on it at this moment. This is why I will never be paid to write music reviews. It's good, but nothing spectacular.