New Releases Reviewed: First Aid Kit, Nada Surf

Upon first listen, First Aid Kit's "The Lion's Roar" is an album drenched in Americana from two sisters with a harmonious sound reminiscent of Bob Dylan, She & Him, or Jenny Lewis' solo endeavor. The catch is that these girls are from far away Sweden, not wandering a desert in the middle of Nevada. But that doesn't stop them from making music to reflect Native American undertones and folk tributes to Emmylou.
Title track "The Lion's Roar" starts off much like the band's first album ("The Big Black and Blue") with acoustic guitar and campfire singalongs. Drums build a crescendo near the end of the first verse into the chorus before a full multi-layered instrumentation kicks in. We see this is a band growing beyond it's normal boundaries, and producer Mike Mogis (famous for Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley) thrusts his influence upon the sound of the band to help push them in the right direction. Folk poppy "Emmylou" tells a love tale paying tribute to the lady herself along with the Man In Black. Things slow down for "In the Hearts of Men" swaying towards "Blue", a beautifully sad song filled with emotional lyrics reeling from personal pain. Each song tells a different story; the album forming a library of experiences over a folk orchestra background. Closing track "King of the World" features Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) on guest vocals, a fitting match considering the song reads like most of "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning". Another great song "Wolf" (released as iTunes exclusive bonus track) is worth the extra price to add more of an upbeat vibe to the album.
Overall: 7 (out of 10)
Standout tracks: Emmylou, The Lion's Roar, King of the World, Wolf, Blue


Next is Nada Surf's "The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy", a powerful musical snap compared to recent endeavors. Despite having all the failings of a one hit band, they managed to pull it together each time to release a solid record if not a legendary album. On their latest attempt, they revitalize the sound from the earlier work but lack the lyrics to pull it together. Caws' voice has always been a favorite of mine but his lyrics really peaked on "Let Go"; "Jules and Jim" even feels regurgitated from said album. The album starts out strong with "Clear Eye Clouded Mind" ( a boring but solid start) before the best tracks, "Waiting For Something" and "When I Was Young", take over. Unfortunately that energy fades away just as quick as it starts. "Teenage Dreams" could have been this album's "Popular" if it wasn't 15 years too late.
The album tends to flutter out like a candle; a true shame for a great band. Die hard fans will eat it up I'm sure but it will be hard to pull in a newer crowd with this weak release. I recommend putting in "Let Go" or "The Proximity Effect" or "High/Low"; let these albums hit your eardrums and just reminiscence.
Overall: 4 (out of 10)
Standout tracks; Waiting For Something, When I Was Young


~StEvO

Overseas Over Here Vol. #1

Remember the days of early 2000 when it seemed every garage band managed to open their practice space right up to the open air waves of radio? The Strokes, Vines, White Stripes.....we ate them all up. Now it's time to feast on Tribes.
Pulling a major influence from the mid 90's, they wear their love for Pixies and Nirvana right on their jeans while still giving recognition to bands such as Pulp. On "Baby" (a fitting name for a debut album), they combine the rough sounds of garage rock with the refined elements of 90's Britpop. The term "Gritpop" is now being used overseas to describe this combination of grime and glam.

From the first sounds of distortion on "Whenever", this album grabs your eardrums and doesn't let go. You're on for this leather bound express ride of rock but don't worry, they admit they are on the ride of throbbing bass lines singing "I can't say goodbye when I'm handcuffed to you". On "We Were Children", Johnny Lloyd sings "Oh no stranger you're just like me", his own plea for every person who will hear those words to listen. This song pulls you in with its sing along chorus and reminisces over England's patriotic flair in the 90's ("we were children in the mid 90's").
Just because "Corner of An English Field" and "Halfway Home" slow things down a bit, that doesn't make it any less interesting. These songs project a sense of nostalgia and innocence. "Do you really want to be a part of this?" Yes we do! On "Halfway Home", they tell a folk pop tale of a child-like romance, flirtation, and one's first heartbreak. First single "Sappho" starts off with a guitar riff pulled right from the grunge songbook and lyrics telling a tale of confronting a son over the hard topics in life we face in modern times (religion, lesbianism).
The album continues through stomper "Himalaya" (the closest song on the album to a ballad) and "Nightdriving", a lullaby melody similar in tone to "Nightswimming" and "Starman". "When My Day Comes", newest single, bursts forth from the pack, having been barely contained throughout the album. This song is out to cause damage so get ready. The album closes out with psychedelic country-esque "Alone or with Friends" driven by a steady, stomping drumbeat before final number "Bad Apple" brings out their inner Oasis.
What we get is a pretty solid contender for an album of the year. Will it see the light of day over on this side of the ocean? We can only hope; America is due for some more rock music, and Tribes can bring that much needed vaccination against the disease of redundant pop music we suffer from. I myself am very curious to see this "Baby" grow up.
Overall: 9 (out of 10)

~StEvO

Under The Covers Vol. #2

At the beginning of the year, my friend Jeremy and I compared our "best of 2011" music lists. On his list was a guy under the alias The Weeknd. Intrigued by his style and the fact I could get all his music for free right off his site, I went and downloaded the whole shebang. Needless to say "House of Balloons" blew my eardrums away; I was hooked!
However on his last offering, a cover of Michael Jackson's "Dirty Diana" was re imagined without Slash's signature guitar riffs. Retitled "D.D.", he manages to recreate MJ's vocals over a haunting melody before the drums kick into overdrive. You might have to resist throwing your fist in the air when he belts out "Because he's sleeping with me!"; I say go with your gut and pump that fist!



~StEvO