Review of January '07 Releases

Why do several individual reviews when I can write one post with three mini reviews? Yeah, I couldn't think of a reason either. Anyway, here's what came out in January and how good they were.

The Shins - Wincing the Night Away

Rumor has it that James Mercer started the Shins in order to develop and evolve the three minute pop song. Well James, it might just be time to break up the band. While the Shins get off on the right foot with "Sleeping Lessons", a song that starts out with an airy "Oh, Inverted World" feel and effortlessly transitions into a rich, full sound that rivals the high points of "Chutes Too Narrow", the rest of the album lacks the distinct flavor of their previous works. No song sums up Wincing like the first single "Phantom Limb", an inoffensive track thats major characteristic is that it's inoffensive. "Phantom Limb" features standard drum beats, straightforward guitars, boring lyrics and little else. While I would have no problems putting this song (or album) on as background music, it's mostly devoid of anything that would interest Charles Darwin.


Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Some Loud Thunder

Rock criticism works under one rule: The critic is smarter than the reader and assumes it his responsibility to tell the reader what is good for them. If the proletariat starts gravitating toward a band or album, the critic had better bash the living hell out of it before the readers start wondering why they need psuedo-journalists in the first place. Never has this been more apparent than with DIY legends and one-time indie critical darlings Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. With Some Loud Thunder, words like "incomplete" and "indifference" have replaced the "genius" and "revolutionary" labels given to CYHSY's debut.
The truth of the matter is that Some Loud Thunder is much more thought out and complete than its predecessor. While the CYHSY debut succeeded with the basic formula of teaming Alex Oundsworth's unique voice and lyrics with undeniable beats, Some Loud Thunder explores intricacies far more cerebral than "David Byrne over dance rock". By slowing down, distorting and reconstructing their sound, CYHSY have created something more lasting, creative and soulful than their impressive first effort. (oh, and if you still want to bop, CYHSY throw you a bone on the infectious "Satan Said Dance")


Deerhoof - Friend of Opportunity

I didn't hear this record, but I'm guessing it's as shitty as their first.


The Good, The Bad and The Queen - s/t

The Good, The Bad and The Queen seem to fit the part of Damon Albarn's personality that lives somewhere between the audacity of Gorillaz and the sincerity of Blur. Albarn teams up with former member of the Clash and the Verve to form his newest "supergroup" and gets fellow "Gorilla" Danger Mouse to produce.
While this album definitely is not bad, and has grown on me, it has a very sterile feel to it. Almost like four guys taking their lunch pails, going to work and punching out at 4:30. Sure they are good at their jobs and are making a quality product, but there doesn't seem to be alot of emotional investment (the only guy who appears to have been working overtime was Danger Mouse, whose production is top-notch as usual). The album does gain momentum, ending with the incredible "The Good, The Bad and The Queen", but ultimately makes me believe that Albarn doesn't quite know what he wants his post-Blur legacy to be .



Upcoming February Reviews: Fall Out Boy and Bloc Party