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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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Engaging Eight: CD Reviews
Wednesday 12 March @ 12:26:21 |
 by Celeste Tabora
Kinski Airs Above Your Station
The Long Winters When I Pretend To Fall
Hot Rod Circuit Sorry About Tomorrow
Calla Televise
Arab Strap Monday at the Hug & Pint
Alaska! Emotions
Entrance The Kingdom of Heaven Must Be Taken By Storm
Electric Six Danger! High Voltage (EP)
Kinski
Airs Above Your Station
Sub Pop
“They remind me of Mogwai,” someone said to me, and I have to agree that they are rather similar. In classic shoegazer fashion, Kinski craft drawn-out psychedelic rock, dark blurs of songs. Unlike other bands that pursue this kind of music, Kinski do the bare minimum of experimentation, which leads one to believe they’re either novices or they’re into a minimalist sort of aesthetic. If you’re fans of either of the above, reach out and get kinky with some Kinski.
The Long Winters
When I Pretend To Fall
Barsuk
Release date: April 22, 2003
Happy, simple, 4/4 pop ditties are what you’ll find on this great disc. Whoever pegged singer/songwriter John Roderick as the indie version of R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe pretty much hit the nail on the head. Not since Beulah have I heard a release so extremely positive sounding, regardless of whatever meaning the lyrics have behind them. This is a perfect purchase for the Winter-into-Spring months.
Hot Rod Circuit
Sorry About Tomorrow
Vagrant
What’s up with pop punk bands that they think it’s cool to have a nasally singer whose voice always sits at that pitch called “constantly annoying”? Sure, Hot Rod Circuit is a notch (and just a notch) above the other three-chord power punk bands out there, but that still doesn’t make this an exceptional release. They’ve been compared to Weezer, but even with Weezer’s mediocre last few releases, this band doesn’t deserve that compliment. If you must listen to bouncy power-pop-punk, this album will do; if you were looking for some quality rock, I would look elsewhere.
Calla
Televise
Arena Rock
With their third release, Calla continue their tradition of strange electronic, noise influenced indie rock. From now on it may be safe to call them “softcore-industrial.” (It’s certainly a catchier label to pin on the band.) Whichever it is that we will agree on, this is an interesting album by a band that continues to be adventurous in this day and age of the tired and endlessly regurgitated. Thankfully!
Arab Strap
Monday at the Hug & Pint
Matador
Release date: April 22, 2003
The most endearing thing about Arab Strap is probably Aidan Moffett’s nonchalant vocals. With this fifth release, Arab Strap is trying their hand at some dance-inspired songs. At times the perky tempos seem to rush Moffett’s undisguised Scottish accent. You’ll find some discotheque-worthy beats, as well as some tribally inspired and outlandishly orchestrated songs. A few sad, drunk songs remain, too—so no need to fear, you long time Arab Strap fans, you. Thumbs up.
Alaska!
Emotions
B-Girl
This collaboration between Imaad Wasif (ex-Lowercase) and Russell Pollard (ex-Sebadoh) began in San Francisco back in 1998 when the two left their respective bands. If you’re still trying to relive your glory days back in the early ’90s as the hippest guy in your small town who knew about all the indie bands, this is the perfect album for you to cry yourself to sleep at night to. Congrats: you found it.
Entrance
The Kingdom of Heaven Must Be Taken By Storm
Tiger Style
Entrance is Guy Blakeslee, formerly of Baltimore’s The Convocation Of…. This dude is all about making f’d up blues-influenced weirdo acoustic rock. The result: it sounds like the lefty guitar player really, really means it. Only someone who is truly “blue” can wail like Blakeslee does on this album. It kind of reminds me of a punked out Dylan. Next time you feel upset, put this on, turn this up, sing along and don’t forget to run around like mad.
Electric Six
Danger! High Voltage (EP)
Beggars XL
You know, whenever someone says, “You’ll probably really like this band!” I always think to myself, “Oh man, they better be good.” Well, I like the debaucherous vibe that this band implies and love stomping around the house to it while wearing sunglasses and red lipstick, but I can’t help but think the EP is actually the songs that got cut from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” For fans of the White Stripes, Mister Jack White does a remix of “Danger! High Voltage.” Can you dig it?
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