Pack A.D.- It Was Fun While It Lasted (2020)
Posted by KB on 5/18/2020 to
Reviews In Brief
"It Was Fun While It Lasted" is a break up album. The duo, Maya Miller and Becky Black, have decided to go on indefinite hiatus which is presaged by the album's title. If IWFWIL happens to be truly their last then they did it right. Their grungy, garage rock is pretty powerful evoking Royal Blood, Little Hurricanes and vintage Black Keys with prominent, booming drums and echoed power chords. Their songs have chorus hooks that take them to a new level instantly drawing you back in if you by chance were losing interest. It is an uneven release being strongest on the thumpers with a couple of mid-tempo skippers. In any case, nothing on IWFWIL feels like they have lost a step or faith in creating with each other, which leads me to believe that this may not be their permanent swansong.
Favorite Songs: Reprogram, It's Okay, Soul Warden, No Good
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EOB- Earth (2020)
Posted by KB on 5/14/2020 to
Reviews In Brief
EOB (Ed O'Brien from Radiohead) creates an ecclectic, esoteric mix on "Earth" his recent solo effort. It's part dance funk, part nuanced ambient and part late night folk which can make for a challenging listen in one sitting. As you get into one vibe it then veers 180 in the other direction. The bass beat funkier tracks work best for me, though the closer, Cloak of the Night, is a nice, delicate ending. The other acoustic songs border on self-indulgent pretentiousness. The arrangements are loosely intricate being just precise enough without becoming overly complex. "Earth" is good to pick and choose from depending on your mood and Shangri-La may be one of the best songs of the year. IMHO.
Favorite Songs: Shangri-La, Brasil, Bankster, Olympik
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X- Alphabetland (2020)
Posted by KB on 5/12/2020 to
Reviews In Brief
X was a band I appreciated and respected for their raw energy and for being the trailblazers on the LA punk scene, but they never quite resonated with me. With that said, "Alphabetland" is a pretty raucous ride. Not once do they act their age and this sounds like they really wanted to record it. It's genuine and would fit in comfortably with their set back in their day. The punk is present, the guitars wail, the drums push the tempo to the limit and the vocals are emphatic. X sounds like a grizzled band ready to get back into the grind and have a few laughs while at it. Is it a perfect album? No, but it does demonstrate that punk can, and in this case, ripen on vine just fine.
Favorite Songs: Water & Wine, Strange Life, Star Chambered
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Car Seat Headrest- Making a Door Less Open (2020)
Posted by KB on 5/11/2020 to
Reviews In Brief
Will Toldeo, and the gang are not resting still. "Making a Door Less Open" is almost an oxymoron as CSH have most definitely opened a few new doors sonically evolving their sound by adding electronic elements and layered arrangements over their trademark minimalist hooks. What I believe makes MADLO a success is that once you are comfortably immersed in a song all of sudden it becomes a different animal. For example, Deadlines (Hostiles) starts stripped down then kicks in power chords for the chorus. CSH has always been unpredictable in structure and pacing and that is present here with different vocals in different channels, trumpet flourishes, deliberate cheesy organ, multi-tempo percussion ... etc. There are a couple of artsy toss offs (Hymn (Remix) and Famous) but they don't really detract from the rest of album. Lyrically not much changes from past efforts. Will still sings about personal observation on life, family and relationships but a little more guarded as the title alludes to. CSH has ventured from the Teens of Denial/Style successfully and has proven they aren't a one time hype group- skipping the last release as it was a re-do. To fully enjoy the brilliance of MADLO embrace and walk through CSH's new open doors.
Favorite Songs: Can't Cool Me Down, Deadlines (Hostile), Hollywood, Martin, There Must Be More Than Blood
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Brendan Benson- Dear Life (2020)
Posted by KB on 5/6/2020 to
Reviews In Brief
It's been 7 years since Benson's last outing and it was worth the wait. Benson has re-invented his sound by adding modern electronic elements (Good To Be Alive, I Can If You Want Me To) and slight country bro-vibe (Half A Boy (Half A Man)) to songs that can easily be identified as his by their structure and arrangement. Like the interchange between instruments in the forefront and/or those that drive the melody. It's also apparent the influence Jack White has had with his tempo changes and hard edged accents. He has stepped away from his folk nuances but his pop chops are still prevalent. "Dear Life" is an apropos title as he sings about his life and contradictory feelings and inadequacies as a partner and father. Personally I welcome his new direction and arguably put "Dear Life" on par with "Lopalco".
Favorite Songs: Richest Man, Baby's Eyes, Freak Out, I Quit.
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Hala- Red Herring (2020)
Posted by KB on 5/5/2020 to
Reviews In Brief
Hala (22 year old Ian Ruhala) is pleasant, like a 70 degree, sunny day. His songs have an easy gait to them and frame his voice perfectly. "Red Herring" is keyboard forward and not edgy with zero here to offend. It's geared to a young, glass half full, coffee house audience. Not that us more weathered folk won't find enjoyment from his breeziness, but it will feel a little 'lite'. Ruhala performed each instrument on the record, including guitar, piano, bass, drums, baritone ukulele, xylophone, vibraphone, and all vocals, creating a fairly dense sound. The guy has talent and with a dash of angst (or something similar) could put out that killer Ben Folds Five album. Airier of course.
Favorite Songs: Red Herring, Turn Out Right, Why Do You Want Anything To Do With Me, Lies
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