album of the week: 7.4

Man or Astro-Man?
Defcon 5…4…3…2…1
(2013)

why you'll love it: Evolved style of a one-of-a-kind rock band
why you'll hate it: no b-movie samples!

A couple years ago, I was sitting at my computer in the middle of the night, lost in a YouTube rabbit hole; as we all find ourselves doing every once and a while.  On this particular night, the subject was Man or Astro-Man?; a sci-fi surf rock group from the nineties.  I watched lo-fi clips of their incredible DIY stage show, with film projectors, tesla coils, space suits. I sip a glass of Scotch in one hand [RETCON] as I lamented a life regret, never seeing this band live.  

Only a month or so later, came a Man or Astro-Man? reunion.  That alone is a dream come true, but who could have imagined that would be followed up with their first new LP in over a decade?  What I'm getting at is that is going to be a very biased review.  MOAM? is a very simple concept, executed with a lot of flair.  Either you love it, or just don't see what the big deal is.  I fucking love this band.  I own two of their records, and don't even own a record player.  That's how stupid I am in my adoration.

If Man or Astro-Man? is new to you, Defcon 5…4…3…2…1 isn't exactly such a bad place to start.  They're a band most well known for their high-energy instrumentals, but there is an unusual amount of singing on this record.  There are a lot of actual songs.  At first I was turned off by this, and the slow grunge pace of them; but eventually grew to like it.  The content of the lyrics, and theme of the songwriting only makes for a more enjoyable and consistent album, that doesn't get as "samey" as even the most beloved MOAM? releases have.  Credit to Steve Albini, for tapping into MOAM?'s themes, and bringing them into this new generation with a gritty/dark edge.

This album isn't perfect.  There is filler in some of the "Defcon" tracks (which only serve as atmosphere).  The 35 minutes fly by as if they were only 10.  I think some of the songs near the end are a little too much like Sonic Youth, and fizzle this album out instead of escalate to a climax.  

I don't care.

It's fucking Man or Astro-Man? putting out new material and touring in the 2010's!  Just let me have this.

album of the week: 7.3

TsuShiMamire
(2013)

why you'll love it: JA-GU-AR
why you'll hate it: all pop, no crazy

How important is change to you?  tsushimamire made their mark for being this bizzaro punk rock antagonist to the cute and cuddly Japanese pop stereotype.  This concept ran fresh up until their 4th full length album, Shocking.  Not only did I praise Shocking for its ambitious concept album format, but for being a completely different sound for the trio.  

Now it seems as if tsushimamire can't return home.  This self titled release is devoid of punk, and lets their pop side flourish without irony.  The only thing close to a fast pace on this release is the single, "Jaguar".  Now, "Jaguar" is a cool song, but I have a real bone to pick with it.  I hate when bands release a single that has absolutely no representation of the album.  I remember how the Jimmy Eat World single, "Bleed American", tricked me into thinking the band was releasing a heavy and aggressive album, and not their most timid and radio friendly one yet.

"Jaguar" is a decoy.  The real album here is filled with the kind of songs you would usually skip on a tsushimamire album, in order to get to the next "Doing Nothing" or "Time Lag".  That isn't to say this album is without charm.  There are actually quite a few innovative melodies and interesting takes on pop.  "in your syrup" has a smooth pace, and great use of cadences.  I really like the driving bass on "はじまりのうた". "SNS" has an innovative motif to it, and "No Punk" is a pretty cool no-wave, shoegazey ballad to close the album on.

All in all, his album is not very strong, and doesn't do enough to stand alongside the sound this band is most known for carving out.  There is some real effort and care put into it, though; which has had me coming back to it all month out of appreciation.  If anything, you'll be able to tell the difference now between when this band wants to do something legitimately cute and fun, and their old bait & switch routine.  I can't help but respect a band that is constantly trying to redefine themselves, rather than play it safe in their niche.

album of the week: 7.1

CocoRosie
Tales of A Grass Widow
(2013)

why you'll love it:  Beautiful and catchy vocals and melodies, and enough depth to justify it
why you'll hate it:  Another awful album cover

CocoRosie is the kind of act that is really easy to discredit, or even despise.  They're pretty close to the character Vulva, from Spaced.  Art beyond the point of saying anything more than "I AM MAKING ART!  THIS IS WHAT ART IS, RIGHT?  PLEASE FIND ME RELEVANT!"  I don't know what any CocoRosie songs are about, or really care.  Their message is of no significance to me.  It's their delivery that I have so much fun listening to.

Unlike most art-house acts, CocoRosie uses enough soothing melodies and enjoyable vocals to make it on to the radio.  "End of Time" has such a catchy beat and smooth delivery.  More than Bjork has ever had during her brief flirtations with pop-culture.  Most of the songs on Tales of A Grass Widow play with this style in different ways.  "Harmless Monster" begins with piano and lyrics sailing off in equally aimless and separate directions; until it's brought together 100 seconds in to create one of the most powerful harmonies on the album.

CocoRosie's astounding vocal abilities play a big role in this album's success as well.  "Villain" is a good example of the range they have.  The first verse goes from frail and fragile to soaring in only 20 seconds.  I love the accent they push on songs like "After The Afterlife".  Very similar to The Knife's Karin Dreijer.   CocoRosie is similar to The Knife in general, in their balancing act between pop and art.  If all the noise and "non-music" parts of The Knife get on your nerves, maybe CocoRosie's devotion to melody will be more up your alley.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

2013 summer jamz from roomrunner on 8tracks Radio.