With enough influences to drive a music critic insane, Honey Claws have similar creative range as Danger Mouse and the Beastie Boys. With help from their self-made DJ machine (called the "Junkbox"), they're skilled at mashing up songs, as well as introducing a new sound with their original party cuts.
If we just take it as a given that all post-punk bands are imitating Gang of Four, we can move on to who does the fairest impression. Certainly this New Zealand act is in the running. Razor-sharp guitars, Brixton vocals, and the trademark tricky rhythms are in perfect balance.
Sometimes strange, sometimes otherworldly--but always incredible--marks the striking sound of Detroit-based band The Bodies Obtained. Reminiscent of the gloom and doom of Joy Division (their name is taken from a "Day of the Lords" lyric), The Bodies Obtained resurrect postpunk founding fathers from the grave on their debut album, From the Top of My Tree. With a solid collection of strongly written, synth-heavy songs, the sonic textures from The Bodies Obtained find cathartic joy in an unbridled exploration of postindustrial musical pain.
A quick followup to my post yesterday on the top ten vinyl sellers of 2008: I just called my local record (I do mean record) store, Sonic Boom, to reserve a copy of the new Animal Collective record, Merriweather Post Pavilion, on vinyl. It came out on Tuesday, January 6. The clerk laughed and said he'd never seen such a hot-selling LP. Not only were Sonic Boom's copies one by the end of the 6th, they can't order more because their distributor's out, and they can't find another distributor because the label's out. They'… Read more
Indie rock's bards of the border continue their remarkable hybrid: old Southwest dirges cross-bred with a particularly dark and brooding folk-pop. Few bands in the scene pull off such a natural dignity--or intimacy. "Absent Afternoon" is exclusive release for Threadless.com
London's latest band-of-the-moment takes a "more is more" approach, exploiting producer Ross Orton to mix multiple local obsessions: sweaty post-punk, tetchy synth stuff, and a sort of postmodern soul. The result is loud and garbled and guaranteed to instantly make you hipper.
"Popular" earned Nada Surf heavy MTV airplay in the '90s, but the alterna-rockers have actually been recording their best stuff in the last several years for Seattle's Barsuk label. New '08 album "Lucky" (and their vinyl box set) showcases jangly, clever indie pop that's deliciously infectious.
In a time when '60s pop-soul is back in style, artists such as Amy Winehouse and Duffy are in high demand. Anjulie is right there in the mix with her catchy throwback single "Boom," which has enough bounce for the dance club yet is laid-back enough for headphone listening.
*From the Free MP3 archive* Though they left indie labels behind years ago, Death Cab's indie cred's still in full effect. Singer-guitarist Ben Gibbard's confessional, heartfelt lyrics come wrapped in meticulously placed arrangements and straightforward production that results in sturdy, melodic music.
Synths can be seductive for solo artists; the keyboard gives you options, but it won't solve other problems. Kellarissa's "Flamingo" LP shows what less skilled bards are forever driving at. Processed hazes envelop vocals that would be fine on their own, and the result is an elegant post-torch pop.
Internet & Media
TV and Home Theater
1kFacebook Likes
465Tweets
235Google Plus Shares
Christina Milian and the gadgets she loves
Manage updates with the Download App