http://www.75orLess.com/ Album reviews in 75 words or fewer. en-us Copyright 2010 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:00:22 -0500 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:58:00 -0500 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.36 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss ]]> Fennesz · Daniell · Buck - Knoxville (Thrill Jockey) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Only familiar with the work of Christian Fennesz, I'm using this album as a personal stepping-stone into new musical terrain; David Daniell and Tony Buck. Recorded live, these four tracks capture a trio meandering and then tumbling over each others' distinct sounds. Captured moments of caution and conflict, possibly preserved to compliment your own creative endeavors.]]> - cameron]]> http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/08/fennesz_daniell.php http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/08/fennesz_daniell.php Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:00:22 -0500 ]]> Matt the Electrician - Animal Boy (self released) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Those fortunate enough to see Matt The Electrician live know of this charming troubadour's effect on a crowd, armed only with his guitar, a gruff voice, and some stories. Listening to songs like "For Angela" give a glimpse into this experience, but the full band sound on songs like "College" and "Divided By 13" really impress. They serve as a how-to for any one man band looking to expand their sound in the studio. Expect purists to demand a stripped-down Animal Boy...Naked version of the album in thirty years.]]> - cormac]]> http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/08/matt_the_electr.php http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/08/matt_the_electr.php Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:00:08 -0500 ]]> Tre Orsi - Devices + Emblems (Comedy Minus One) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Producers have to resist the urge to create mirror images of themselves on the band they are recording (see Jeff Lynne 1987-2007). Tre Orsi's first full length is produced by ex-Silkworm/current The New Year member Bubba Kadane. There are similarities such as the dry, subdued vocals but whereas The New Year start their build up from a whisper and konk out at mid-tempo, Tre Orsi begin at the mid-tempo point and then blast into heavy indie rock. Other reference points include Chavez, Polvo and Bottomless Pit.]]> - mark]]> http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/08/tre_orsi_device.php http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/08/tre_orsi_device.php Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:00:36 -0500 ]]> Jack Babineau - Generation of Need (self released) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Acoustic guitar driven love songs, accented by harmonica, slinky soul riffs, and a piano ballad, as if James Taylor stumbled upon the offshoot of the fountain of youth somewhere in the Providence River. The full band treatment adds a little more oomph to the title track and he is joined on "Love Now" by Charise White, who adds booming female vocals. Fair to say, he has mastered all the traits of the sensitive singer songwriter genre, but I'm more looking forward to the album he writes after she leaves him.]]> - mark]]> http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/08/jack_babineau_g.php http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/08/jack_babineau_g.php Mon, 09 Aug 2010 08:00:54 -0500 ]]> The State Lottery - When the Night Comes (Salinas) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Within the first ten seconds of this vinyl-only release, the first blast of saxophone is followed by piano and an avalanche of sweaty, genuine rock and roll; sax wailing behind yelling vocals and a shout out loud chorus. Lyrics about growing up in NYC, suicide, boy scouts, shooting guns, and mortality. The eight minute album-ending "Spring 2008 Detroit" takes all the best elements and rolls it into one giant epic sing-along. A high energy sweat-soaked Benjamin Button version of the E Street Band.]]> - mark]]> http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/08/the_state_lotte.php http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/08/the_state_lotte.php Wed, 04 Aug 2010 08:00:49 -0500 ]]> Best Coast - Crazy For You (Mexican Summer) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Bethany Cosentino debuted Best Coast last year with a pleasant-enough single called "When I'm With You." Now, Best Coast is full-blown thing. There's a trend right now among young bands that focuses on summer and warmth and waves, and it's stretched year-round. Best Coast embodies all these things, but mashes them into pop nuggets that hearken back to a less complicated time. Crazy For You might be the best indie pop album from 1993 you never heard until now. ]]> - sam]]> http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/07/best_coast_craz.php http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/07/best_coast_craz.php Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:00:44 -0500 ]]> The Harvey Girls - I've Been Watching a Lot of Horror Movies Lately (Circle Into Square) [upcoming shows] [audio]

The Harvey Girls are a husband & wife duo based out of Portland, Oregon that use a combination of analog sources, including chanting and hand claps with the studio experimentation of cascading synths, radio waves, sound effects and theremin to create sonically organic pop. "A Letter to the Bees" perfectly meshes Eric's Trip-like indie pop with the space lounge of Stereolab and the seven minute "Caerse Muerto" repeats guitar scales while slowly integrating sound effects and climaxing with flourishes of trumpets. ]]> - mark]]> http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/07/the_harvey_girl.php http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/07/the_harvey_girl.php Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:00:24 -0500 ]]> The High Seas - Threads EP (Kicking In) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Captain Beefheart used to run around his band, showing them different paintings. Play this! This is similar to how I imagine these songs are composed. Trains going offtrack, now you're in a duckboat at Rocky Point. Humpty Dumpty ripping apart scores by Archers of Loaf, US Maple, The Fall, and Television, and putting them back together with silly putty. Multiple sung and screamed vocals, herky jerky grooves, sodimized guitars, this has it all.]]> - eric b]]> http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/07/the_high_seas_t.php http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/07/the_high_seas_t.php Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:00:41 -0500 ]]> Last One Out - Whammy EP (self released) [upcoming shows] [audio]

If Adam Duritz of Counting Crows started a rock band, it would be Last One Out. This piano centered pop/rock band attempts to find their sound on Whammy. From the catchy, sing-along pop, "Last One Out" to the rough rock "Pierce the Crust" which is dripping with sexual references, Last One Out is a new, promising band experimenting with lyrics, rhythmic lines, and piano melodies. ]]> - kelly]]> http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/07/last_one_out_wh.php http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/07/last_one_out_wh.php Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:00:02 -0500 ]]> Morcheeba - Blood Like Lemonade (Pias America) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Morcheeba has morphed from trip-hop to a sound that can't be put in any single category. From airy folk on "I Am the Spring" to full-out techno on "Cut to the Chase," it's amazing how many different styles Morcheeba can pull off. Sky Edwards will send chills down your spine with her vocals, which can border on downright creepy, and the Godfrey brothers will blow your mind with their mastery of sound. Morcheeba has fully matured, and an incredible album stands as proof. ]]> - ashton]]> http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/07/morcheeba_blood.php http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/07/morcheeba_blood.php Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:00:43 -0500 ]]> La Otracina - Woven Wanderers EP (Colour Sounds) [upcoming shows] [audio]

Strap on your seat belts, put on your helmets and prepare to be blasted into space. The album starts like Ummagumma-era Pink Floyd, strummed acoustics,congas, whispers, and delays on everything. This is spiritual music; Joseph Campbell has this piped in his coffin. Quiet for a long time, things get scary and resemble The Shining soundtrack. Heavy drums and guitars come in to end the album in a heavy psych manner. Beautiful, terrifying and trippy.]]> - eric b]]> http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/06/la_otracina_wov.php http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/06/la_otracina_wov.php Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:00:36 -0500 ]]> We Are Scientists - Barbara (Masterswan Recordings) [upcoming shows] [audio]

We Are Scientists continue to refine their sound in this solid release. It is a sound, however, that can take some warming up to. The drums are very forward in the mix, and the sound is very layered and synth-heavy, especially in the first few songs. As the album develops, song by song, Barbara reveals itself to be a surprisingly diverse work. With some genius hooks and great lyrics, this record is a certain road trip hit. ]]> - ashton]]> http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/06/we_are_scientis_1.php http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/06/we_are_scientis_1.php Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:00:27 -0500 ]]> The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You (Sony) [upcoming shows] [audio]

The deceptively poppy "Kick Drum Heart" is not representative of The Avett Brothers' I and Love and You. Look closer: you'll find some jangle and twang, genetically connected harmonies (they are brothers), and surprisingly rockin' bridges that take you on unexpected journeys. Lyrically, this album is the epitome of simple sincerity. From the vulnerable "January Wedding" to the self-aware "Ill With Want," I find new ways to fall in love with each listen. ]]> - stacie d.]]> http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/06/the_avett_broth.php http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/06/the_avett_broth.php Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:00:35 -0500 ]]> The Bird and The Bee - Interpreting the Masters, Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates (Blue Note) [upcoming shows] [audio]

The Bird and The Bee recognize the pop genius of Daryl Hall & John Oates, and have taken on the grueling task of selecting only a handful of their ubiquitous hits to cover. There is no "Out of Touch", "Method of Modern Love", or "You Make My Dreams." What remains is eight electro-chic variants of songs you've been singing for twenty five years. One surprise track is the original (albeit Hall & Oates-inspired) "Heard It On The Radio", a song that not only is in line with the covers, but stands up to the groove of those pop classics.]]> - cormac]]> http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/06/the_bird_the_be.php http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/06/the_bird_the_be.php Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:00:35 -0500 ]]> Ming Toro - self titled EP (Bucket Republic) [upcoming shows] [audio]

With stabs of atmospheric guitar, Public Image Ltd. vocal wailing, and a single Sonic Youth guitar crescendo, at their most accessible there are brief moments of "Killers-esque" synth pop but with seven tracks in under 20 minutes, you will find many more proto-disco drum beats, deep groove bass, high pitched vocals and guitar/synth squeals than the brief ear friendly harmonies. Overall, a brief collection of DFA-inspired punk disco, a milder Brainiac with the hooks of Oxford Collapse. ]]> - mark]]> http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/06/ming_toro_self.php http://www.75orLess.com/?/archive/2010/06/ming_toro_self.php Wed, 16 Jun 2010 08:00:00 -0500