Gossip - Music for Men

One of the things I love about doing the whole "album reviewer" thing, is that I get the chance to write about artists that I have long been a fan of. Gossip is one of these bands. And being a long-time fan, I'm thrilled to see them signed to a major label (Columbia), and to see them growing as musicians. The band's new album Music for Men sees Beth Ditto and company taking on more synths than their previous ventures.

It seems like the synth dance thing is rather popular this year with the traditional guitar bands (see Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Julian Casablancas). So see what I have to say about Gossip's turn with Music for Men up on Stereo Subversion:

[SSv Review: Music For Men]

And because it's pretty awesome, here is the video for their latest single "Love Long Distance"

Love Long Distance

GOSSIP

LIGHTS - The Listening

Valerie Poxleitner, the musician and intergalactic superhero known as LIGHTS, is my current "future wife." She's simply the cutest little synth pop chick EVER! And on top of being ultra gorgeous, she is also a very talented artist.

I've written about her several times in the last year or so; including reviewing her self-titled EP, and in my SXSW coverage. I really do enjoy writing about an artist throughout their career as they develop. So I jumped at the chance to review her first full-length album The Listening. The review is up on Stereo Subversion now.

[SSv Review: The Listening]

LIGHTS also has her own motion comic-ish show that has been showing on MTV2. It can also be seen on her website. Here is the first mini episode for you're viewing pleasure.

Audio Quest: A Capt. LIGHTS Adventure Issue 1

And for further viewing pleasure.. reasons why LIGHTS is my new future wife...

Joss Stone - Colour Me Free

Now up on Stereo Subversion is my review of Joss Stone's Colour Me Free. I've always been a fan of hers, even though her albums have been a little give-n-take. But this one seems to be a great step for her. As I say in my review:

Colour Me Free is her most revealing and possibly proudest achievement. We get Joss as singer, songwriter, and producer. In six years she has grown into a more promising artist...

I was real excited to review this one. So go over and check it out...

[SSv Review: Colour Me Free]

The Raveonettes - In and Out of Control

My review of the latest album from The Raveonettes is up on Stereo Subversion. In true Raveonettes form this is another collection of shoegazey surf-rock and drowning vocals. In other words, it's pretty awesome.

I really dig this band, and was quite upset when they had to cancel their recent shows in Austin. Damn immigration laws!! I hope they make a quick turn about and head back this way.

Either way, jump over to Stereo Subversion to read my review of In and Out of Control.

[SSv Review: In and Out of Control]

Bell Horses -This Loves Last Time

Bell Horses is a rather interesting collaborative band. The group's members were never in the same room to record the album. Instead eletronica producer Xian Hawkins pieced together the contribution from his chosen contributors after receiving them through email. It's quite an interesting way for a band to make an album, and leads to some interesting results. The most notable member of Bell Horses on This Loves Last Time is indie singer-songwriter Jenny Owen Youngs. I love her vocals on the opening song "Still Life."

My review is up over Stereo Subversion. Jump over and take a gander...

[SSv Review: This Loves Last Time]

Chairlift @ Emo's, 9.11.09

You're a indie band that just released your debut album Does You Inspire You. On this album is a catchy pop song about doing "handstands for you." Next thing you know, that catchy song ends up in a iPod commercial and now everyone knows who you are. Said popularity continues to grow as you are picked up by Columbia Records who rereleases your album.

In short that is the story of how Chairlift got introduced to the world.

This past rainy Friday (09.11.09) the Brooklyn based trio made a stop in Austin as they played the inside stage at Emo's. It was a show that probably surprised many of those only familiar with band through "Bruises" (the previously mentioned iPod song).

Chairlift's sound goes deeper than that catchy pop tune. The band tends to border more on trip-hop and at times post-punk/synth-pop. Their unique blend was displayed on kick off song "Garbage." Following that was "Dixie Gypsy" one of the few songs where guitarist Aaron Pfenning takes lead vocals, and one which shows off some serious Banshees influences with its heavy tribal-like drum beat and gloom lyrics. But of course all eyes stay on Caroline Polacheck, the petite beauty whose voice sometimes has a Bjork-ish thing going on. One of her highlights on the album became the highlight of the show as the dark turns of "Territory" captivated the crowd. The set ended with the infection song that sprung them into the the spotlight, "Bruises." However even that one was given a shadowy undertone as the performance of it was transformed into a punk rage at the end.

The "Ceiling Wax" video is one that better displays the darker side of Chairlift. It's artsy, atmospheric, and trippy. See it below...

Earlier this year Chairlift's Aaron Pfenning was intereviewed by SSv. So also take a pop over their to read that.