Lower Dens – Nootropics

Lower Dens - Nootropics

By Rob Barker

Between the concept behind their latest album and the marked change from their previous output it’s obvious that Lower Dens are taking Nootropics seriously.

The title is a result of the band’s interest in the concept of extending human ability through technology, a blend that’s apparent from the album’s opening track. Where their last album, Twin Hand Movement sometimes felt like a meandering jam session, Nootropics is streamlined, mechanical by comparison. … Continue Reading

Real Estate – Days

Real Estate - Days

By Rob Barker

Some bands concentrate on writing ‘hit’ singles, others create grandiose concept albums, but then there are bands like Real Estate, who seem to capture a specific feeling in everything they do. Picking up where their self-titled debut left off, Days shows Real Estate’s ongoing quest to distill all things summery into just 10 tracks. … Continue Reading

Xeno And Oaklander – Sets And Lights

Xeno And Oaklander - Sets And Lights

By Rob Barker

If you’ve listened to previous Wierd Records releases, chances are you’ll know roughly what to expect from Xeno and Oaklander’s latest release. Consisting of Sean McBride (aka Martial Canterel) and his Three To Forgotten bandmate Liz Wendelbo, X&O dish out analogue synth driven coldwave, while adding their own flavour and modernity. From the opening title track of Sets And Lights, it’s clear that the pair’s dedication to analogue equipment has paid off, with the pounding bass and arpeggiated synths setting the scene for a gloom-laden, but wholly danceable album. … Continue Reading

Youth Lagoon – The Year Of Hibernation

Youth Lagoon - The Year Of Hibernation

By Rob Barker

The one man band of the awesomely named Trevor Powers, Youth Lagoon is a bedroom music project that exceeds all expectations. Powers’ first LP, The Year of Hibernation, is an album with hidden depths. Born out of a need for catharsis, the record deals with his memories and anxieties, putting them in black and white for the world to see. … Continue Reading

Blitzen Trapper – American Goldwing

Blitzen Trapper - American Goldwing

By Rob Barker

Americana is an odd thing to define, especially for someone like myself who’s managed to spend just about their entire life in the UK, disappointing European holidays not included. Yet with American Goldwing, Portland’s Blitzen Trapper have exceeded themselves in conjuring up images of a USA in days gone by.

While their previous release, last year’s Destroyer of the Void brought in elements of Eagles-style 70s rock, vocalist Eric Earley’s Dylan-influenced tones and soft folk acoustics, American Goldwing takes the classic rock vibe and takes it to another level. … Continue Reading

Cold Cave – Cherish The Light Years

The release of Cold Cave’s first album, Love Comes Close, was something of an oddity. Of all the projects for former hardcore frontman Wesley Eisold to persue, retro inspired dark synthpop was one of the least likely. Even more surprising was that the album wasn’t just Eisold stretching his creative legs, it was actually a great example of what could be done within the genre. … Continue Reading

Singles of the Week – 4th April 2011

The singles of the week column is a tricky bugger to write. As you’d expect, every week sees the release of a shedload of tracks and it’s difficult narrowing them down to just six choices for people to wrap their ears around.

Still, after scouring the internet, albeit while also watching squirrels out of the window, I’ve found a handful of tracks that can almost compete with the sight of tiny energetic mammals. … Continue Reading

La Sera – La Sera

When it seems as though every band member has one, side projects are hardly a remarkable thing. The bands formed are often ill-fated, with their creator realising that they were, after all, better off staying where they were. … Continue Reading

Braids – Native Speaker

With some albums it’s clear that the band have just put together a selection of hopeful singles, joined together with a random handful of tracks to make something more than an EP. Montreal’s Braids, however, are trying to change that. … Continue Reading

Wire – Red Barked Tree

For the most part, the bands that came from the punk explosion of the 70s fell into one of three categories as the decades passed. The most common was attaining mild success before falling into obscurity, others became legends, and others caved in and revelled in commercialism. … Continue Reading