Cougar Microbes

Cold War Kids‘ debut ‘Robbers & Cowards‘ is an album I have given numerous plays over the years and never get tired of. It’s follow up ‘Loyalty To Loyalty‘ left me bitterly disappointed as the Californians ditched much of the angular attack that had drawn me to them in the first place. I worried Cold War Kids would go the same way The Killers did.

I wasn’t exactly looking forward to ‘Mine Is Yours‘ but after just a few minutes it was obvious this was a veritable return to firm.

Let’s be clear, the quirkiness that had originally endeared me to them is pushed to the background only occasionally popping its head out. In its place a new found pop sensibility and a constant delivery that actually works quite well.

Nathan Willett is still showcasing his lyrical wit with his distinctive drawl mentioning the economy, but the characters he invents here are projected onto a far more arena friendly territory.

So perhaps Cold War Kids have “sold out” so to speak and gone out searching for the spark that was at times so evident on their debut. Regardless, the result is a more consistant and enjoyable album.

TRACKS:

Cold War Kids – Skip The Charades

Howling Bells just released their new album ‘The Loudest Engine‘ earlier this month on Cooking Vinyl preceded by first single ‘Into The Sky‘.

The London-based Aussie-formed band recorded in Las Vegas with production duties handled by Mark Stoermer of The Killers. The result is an album soaked in 70s sounds and seemingly influenced by the Nevada state’s expansive desert and it’s most infamous city.

The video for ‘Into The Sky‘ takes this psychedelic message that seeps through these recordings one step further with front woman Juanita Stein looking particularly comfortable in these Austin Powers-esque visuals.

TRACKS:

Howling Bells – Into The Sky

It is quite fitting that we just featured an ode to the fertile musical territory that is Brooklyn because it continues to produce noteworthy artists. Not least mysterious trio Sensual Harassment who have taken the act of providing scarce information on oneself to a new level with a minimalist website and bio to boot.

This is largely irelevant because this bunch have a lot to show in the tunes department. Take the track ‘Boss‘, a personal favourite, with it’s Bronski Beat meets ‘Hot Fuzz‘ era The Killers (with all the influences that entails) melody and riff overlaid with some decidedly modern Justice-like beats for an example of the band’s multifaceted attack.

Elsewhere on tracks such as ‘Fever‘ the band channels Tears For Fears having a very public row with Passion Pit. Sensual Harassment juxtapose sounds that are rooted in two different eras in a captivating way that leans more towards an affirmation than a cheesy tribute.

The album ‘Alpha Draconis‘ is out now through the band’s website.

TRACKS:

Mt. Desolation is the new project from Jesse Quinn and Tim Rice-Oxley, pianist and chief songwriter for Keane. Now there is a band I never thought would get a mention on this blog but ‘State Of Our Affairs‘ sounds both sparse and beautiful.

With contribution from members of The Killers, Noah & The Whale, Mumford & Sons and The Long Winters their self-titled debut could be mistaken for an attempt at celebrity one-upmanship. Fortunately the duo didn’t lose sight of their alt-country aspirations and recorded a collection of stunning tracks.

The resulting album echos a period in American music that remains much sacred and do it great justice.

Mt. Desolation‘s self-titled album is out on the 18th of October.

TRACKS:

“un-ironic lite rock sound ala Hall and Oates and Prince…”

Press releases can be misleading and slightly worrying at times; I read the above statement and imagined padded shoulders, dodgy quiffs and endless Dynasty/Magnum P.I. re-runs.

In actual fact Tigercity are more than your average 80′s tribute band. Yes, their sound is more than a little bit indebted to the golden age of spandex. Then again there is more than a knowing wink to recent indie successes from the likes of the Killers, Passion Pit and Yacht both in production and arrangements.

The Brooklyn outfit’s album ‘Ancient Lover’ has been flirting with my Ipod ever since its release back in November. Fish out your legwarmers. wear your Reebok pumps, apply copious amounts of mascara, temporarily put your Gameboy away and and dance to Tigercity.

TRACKS:

Tigercity – Fake Gold

Up until a week ago my house was free from wailing spirits. Not so any more.

The Banshee‘s 80’s Britpop undertones are reminiscent of The Killers and Franz Ferdinand as well as the inevitable Joy Divison reference, their new single ‘Colder‘ is guaranteed to warm you up quickly. Matter of fact, the whole album will. The choruses lift and the verses, well… they keep lifting. These guys differentiate themselves with keyboard textures and effects augmented by soaring riffs and multiple layers of angular sound. They clearly like their 16-beats with a disco hi-hat, and the tracks – although carefully produced – retain a rawness that conveys the band’s energy.

But it’s for better or for worse,that the album never lets up. It feels like a rollercoaster ride without the uphill parts – it’s fast and furious all the way through. By keeping energy levels up and a constant sharpness throughout, there’s not much time to breathe and savour the anticipation of the next rush.

Don’t get me wrong, the good songs are very good indeed. Tremendous choruses, such as the skilled build-up in ‘Kicks Up‘, and ‘People Around’, with it’s deliciously soothing verses that burst into a chant. ‘Cut Me Clear’with it’s guitar riff and disco-beat on the verses, is another one I liked,  and the aforementioned ’Colder‘ is simply a cracker.

These are clever tunes, and The Banshee certainly has potential for the Indie charts, and despite sounding more British than a bacon sarnie for breakfast, the quartet – believe it or not – are Italian. Their début album ‘Your Nice Habits‘ should be out anytime now, and it’s worth keeping an eye out for.

TRACKS:

The Banshee – Your Nice Habits

———-

Guest post by the mystical Dorian H.

———-