THE BREAKDOWN (FT. DJ SUB PAR): LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening

DJ Responsible Says:

This is Happening is a whirlwind. Every track is restless (some just fidgety, others epileptic). Emotions and insecurities are strewn about. The dance floor is spinning on a miraculous axis. It's a lifetime, albeit a drunken New York lifetime, crammed into a little over an hour.

The coolness isn't the draw, it's the tunes: there's always a new favorite, but you can't go wrong with the splendidly over-the-top synth-and-squeal of opener "Dance Yrself Clean" or the Bowie-esque "All I Want" (or the extended chug of "You Wanted a Hit", or the outer monologue musings of "Pow Pow"--"We have a black president and you do not, so shut up"--goddamn there's a lot to love here).

Best of all might be "Home," which is all shimmery and warm and full of cowbell. The sentiment is all the more pertinent, given James Murphy's desire to quit this whole album, touring thing. You can't blame a man for growing up, at least when he captures it this magnificently.

DJ Sub Par Says:

LCD broke into the conscious of the indie rock scene with the exuberance and humor of "Daft Punk is playing at my house." Since then he has reused his tricks of danceable beats, synthesized squelches, and jokey talking lyrics to similar effect with the previous single like "North American Scum" and now "Drunk Girls." James Murphy makes the most of these elements and seems to be striving to get past his own cool. The half humor of "Drunk Girls" seems to be a way for him to squeeze in a chorus that claims "I believe in waking up together."

Essential Tracks:

"Dance Yrslf Clean"

"All I Want"



"You Wanted a Hit"



"Home"

WORTH A LISTEN: MGMT - Congratulations

A great, laid-back cut from MGMT's latest. I wouldn't mind another "Time to Pretend," or at least another "Kids," but I guess this is a nice lil' summer strum-along...

THE BREAKDOWN: Local Natives - Gorilla Manor

Local Natives surprised me with their adult contemporary-ness. I mean, look at the formula: much-hyped L.A. quintet releases much-hyped debut, complete with artsy could-be-Vampire-Weekend album cover and incongruous album title (Gorilla Manor). Here we go again, I thought.

But not quite.

It's not that I don't like their adult contemporary-ness, it's simply not as compelling as their more adventurous (and, paradoxically, more traditional) first half of the album. The second half couplet of "Who Knows Who Cares" and "Cubism Dream" could be The Fray with a respectable ghost writer and less restrained drummer. John Kerry wouldn't be offended to hear "Airplanes" on his ham radio. It's nice to see a band with range, it just happens to be at odds with the rest of the album. And schmaltzy, I suppose.

There's a lot of good stuff: "Wide Eyes" and "World News" put the bands amazing-yet-not-overbearing percussion work on full display. These guys are talented, obviously, but still need to solidify their sound.

Essential Tracks:

"Wide Eyes"

"World News"

"Camera Talk"

WORTH A LISTEN: New Pornographers - "Valkyrie in the Roller Disco"

New Pornographers get all Iron & Wine on "Valkyrie in the Roller Disco," the most restrained and immediately memorable cut of their much-hyped Together. Enjoy.

SONG OF THE MOMENT: Local Natives - Wide Eyes

Probably the best opening track of 2010 so far. The ploy is as follows: music fans, listen up.

THE BREAKDOWN: Beach House - Teen Dream

If you are in the mood for wooze, look no further. Beach House have crafted a memorizing, drifting current somewhere between the Potomac and the Milky Way.

Yet, I was also surprised by the density and velocity of the album, which confidently swells and hastens between the more lovely, lucid meanderings. Sometimes these surprises take the form of entire songs, like the mind-melting "Norway" and the bouncy, nostalgic picnic "Used to Be."

The album is a lullaby, built around longer tracks that take time to create their texture, which is both Teen Dreams strength and weakness. This is one of those albums that might be best appreciated alone. Or with a few couch-bound friends.

Essential Tracks:

"Norway"

"Used to Be"

"Zebra"

THE BREAKDOWN: Yeasayer - Odd Blood

Don't get me wrong, I'll be on board when Yeasayer release their follow-up to the uber-frustrating Odd Blood. This band has a knack for songcraft, buried here amongst a host of drivel, peeking out like daisies through cracked suburban sidewalks.

In fact, I'll probably be listening to "O.N.E." until the die I day (at least once a year, maybe more, forever). I think I've finally figured out why that song is so contagious. Every breakdown until the last is a perfect tease, suckering you back full-fledged into the hyberbolic keyboard anthem, and making the real breakdown at the end that much more rewarding. Let's just say the rest of the album can't keep up.

The drop off to "Ambling Alp" is noticeable but not disastrous. Ditto the next drop off to "Madder Red" and "I Remember." And then comes the abyss. Nothing else feels cohesive, compelling, innovative, or built from talented hands. In fact, the rest of the album is sloppy and faux-artsy.

I'd stick to the singles.

Essential Tracks:

"O.N.E."

"Ambling Alp"

"Madder Red"

QUICK RIFFS: Lindstrom & Christabelle - Real Life Is No Cool

If you're looking for something spacey, seductive, and infectious, you've found a great option with Lindstrom & Christabelle. "Lovesick" and "Music in my Mind," are woozy drug-addled dancefloor anthems, "Baby Can't Stop" is (perhaps) the best Michael Jackson song he never made, while "High & Low" is the perfect comedown for the reckless bender that this album codifies.

Essential Track:

THE BREAKDOWN: She & Him - Volume Two

There's not a lot to dislike on Volume Two, the more polished follow-up to the still bizarre M.Ward-Zooey Deschanel pairing's 2008 debut. Admittedly, my fascination with doe-eyed Zooey gives her an initial congratulatory boost; but, hey, I can't say I'll be listening to any Scarlett Johansson serenades in the near future. It's clear that Zooey, given more room to roam around M.Ward's compositions than on the last effort, carries this album on talent, grace and innate charm.

Volume Two is all about pretending the last fifty years of music never happened. Smooth backing vocals, steady four-piece drum rhythms, and quaint, innocent yearnings make this entire journey feel like time travel. M.Ward provides most of the album's compelling wordsmithery, but nothing beats the old-fashioned cover "Gonna Get Along Without You Now." The perfect song for a cocky, springtime jaunt.

Essential Tracks:

"Gonna Get Along Without You Now"

"Thieves"



"Brand New Shoes"

QUICK RIFFS: Owen Pallett - Heartland

Essential Track:

Lewis Takes Off His Shirt - Ow...

I'd never heard any of the (now legally prohibited) Final Fantasy, save for the Andrew Bird-esque "The Butcher." Heartland continues in the same vein, upping both the energy and the eccentricity of the string-heavy formula. "Lewis Takes Off His Shirt" is the pinnacle of the new sound, jittery and impassioned and uplifiting. For a swirlier effort, try "Keep the Dog Quiet"; for more subdued, seek "Lewis Takes Action."

WORTH A LISTEN: Beach House - Norway

Beach House bring an impressive amount of energy and life to their latest Teen Dreams, but manage to maintain their trademark haze throughout. The bending warp of guitar wafting throughout "Norway" provides the essential uneasiness to an otherwise densely upbeat rhythm. The sound is entirely euphoric, like the drugs are finally kicking in.

SONG OF THE MOMENT: Gorillaz - On Melancholy Hill

Damon Albarn's take on dreamy sentiment makes me giddy inside. Even when he closes with the straight faced "Up on Melancholy Hill sits a manatee/Just looking out for the day when you're close to me..."

WORTH A LISTEN: Broken Bells - Vaporize

The Dangermouse-Shins project is complete, and here's an early favorite. You can definitely hear both elements in balance on "Vaporize," blending in and out and together like only the best collaborations manage.

WORTH A LISTEN: Morning Benders - Excuses

This is like the red wine of indie-ism: all lush and poetic and gleeful.

Check out this video from a pretty massive studio session in San Francisco:

FYI...Artists Make Too Much Music

The A.V. Club has a great little piece on the prolific nature of modern indie artists. Animal Collective, for example, have more recorded output than did The Beatles. This piece pretty much sums up the rationale for my blog: in an age saturated with new music, I try to offer a little insight into what is worthy of the hype and what is tripe.

WORTH A LISTEN: Field Music - Them That Do Nothing

Field Music are sort of an uneventful collection, specializing in low key jams. Nevertheless, "Them That Do Nothing" is a memorable slice of folky, hand-clappy 1960's feel-good-ism. Enjoy.

SONG OF THE MOMENT: Yeasayer - O.N.E.

Scoop the song below or check out the video (which makes the band look not very cool) here.

O.N.E. - Yeasayer

QUICK RIFFS: Thao With the Get Down Stay Down - Know Better Learn Faster

This album's a party. One with janky-elbow dancing, Talking Heads posters, black-rimmed glasses and armpit stains, but hell. It's gonna be a damn good time: "Oh, bring your hips to me/Oh, bring your hips/Oh, oh, bring your hips to me." (More fun than the low-budget video might suggest).

SONG OF THE MOMENT: Neon Indian - Deadbeat Summer

Give credit to this song for making something so downtrodden (lethargy) sound so goddamn desirable. If these four minutes don't make your whole summer job plan (whether to get one or to keep yours) seem downright foolhardy, than you're missing something. 'I hope you enjoy working for the man, because we'll be down be the shore just spinning about....'

MY TAKE: Sparklehorse (R.I.P. Mark Linkous)

In addition to last year's inconsistent but occasionally astounding Danger Mouse-teamed Dark Night of the Soul, I will remember Sparklehorse for this lovely slice of restrained sunshine: