New Wax
Atlanta's Deerhunter crafts beautifully damaged pop songs on their third full-length album Microcastle, which was just made available as a physical release (it's been on iTunes since August). The songs are roughed up with the same garage-rock aesthetic we'd come to expect from the band, but at its core, the album is more direct and contains less experimental art-noise. Cartoonishly tall and sundress-clad lead singer Bradford Cox supplies the eerie vocals on tracks like the mesmerizing piano-laden "Green Jacket," which bleeds seamlessly into "Activa." The trance-inducing first two-thirds of the album floats by dreamily until the album picks up with "Nothing Ever Happened." Easily the most single-worthy track on the album, the song is a straightforward romp built on a deep-toned bassline and dirty guitars. As an added bonus to those who purchase the album, the previously leaked Weird Era Cont. will serve as a bonus disc. While perhaps not as immediate or unified as Microcastle, the bonus disc's psychedelic nuance offers an interesting contrast to its counterpart's overall feel. Taken as a whole, the pairing of these albums solidifies Deerhunter as one of the more intriguing and complex bands around. -- Capt. Obvious
10.30.2008
Deerhunter: Microcastle/Weird Era Cont. (2008)
10.29.2008
Ben Nichols
You Should Know
Ben Nichols' name might sounds familiar to you. He's the lead singer of Memphis alt. country outfit Lucero, who has put out a string of solid albums over the last 7 years or so. While Nichols' debut full-length won't be released until next year, he's offering a 7-song EP over at Lucero's webstore. Influenced by Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian, The Last Pale Light In The West is more stripped-down and acoustic-based than Nichols' material with Lucero. If you're into whiskey-soaked acoustic tracks with a punk-rock aesthetic (think Chuck Ragan's solo stuff), Nichols' EP will be right up your alley. The songs probably yield even more layers of thematic excellence if you're familiar with McCarthy's novel (which I haven't read yet). For 10 bucks you can get the EP in both digital and physical form, and for 23 dollars you'll get a limited edition t-shirt. I'd also strongly recommend picking up some Lucero albums. -- Capt. Obvious
10.28.2008
October Mixtape
SIDE A
1. Justin Vernon - Hazelton
2. Andrew Bird - Oh No
3. The Antlers - Two
4. Marnie Stern - Transformer
5. The Happy Hollows - Tambourine
6. Longwave - Sirens In The Deep Sea
7. The Calm Blue Sea - We Happy Few
SIDE B
1. Ben Sollee feat. Jim James - Only A Song
2. Future Clouds & Radar - The Epcot View
3. Daniel Martin Moore - Stray Age
4. Dark Captain Light Captain - Jealous Enemies
5. Department Of Eagles - Teenagers
6. Maria Taylor & Andy LeMaster - A Good Start
7. Jonni Greth & The Drones - Chariots Of Birmingham
10.24.2008
Blog Roundup 10.25.08
Props
Don't forget to vote! -- Cap
Rawkblog is a great place to find bootlegs and live mp3s. They offer up the jackpot with Elliott Smith's complete live covers compilation. Lots of gems to be heard here.
Nine Bullets has news on a free Todd Snider album entitled Peace Queer. Very political album. I get the feeling he's not voting for McCain.
The 405 has an insightful interview with Joshua Petker, a great Los Angeles artist.
If you haven't checked out The Black Cab Sessions yet, it's absolutely essential. The site offers an eclectic mix of independent artists performing songs in the back of a cab in London.
Radio Exile has a nice mixtape for you with new songs from Longwave, TV On The Radio, The Sea And The Cake, and many more.
Tags: Blog Roundup, Captain Obvious
The Middle East
You Should Know
Info on this band is scant. I've ascertained the following information: (a) The Middle East is from Australia. (b) The Middle East broke up at some point. Now their frustratingly uninformative Myspace page says (not finished) after their name. For the love of Buddha, let this mean the band has decided to stay together after all. If this isn't the case then I'm willing to trade a finger and a 6-pack of grape sodas for their resurrection. There are talentless overpaid hacks plastered all over the television and spewing worthless dreck through radio airwaves, and then there are unknown bands like The Middle East huddled into dingy basement practice spaces creating gorgeous music filled with complexity and heart. It's sad how most of the worthwhile art is created in anonymity. The band's album The Recordings Of The Middle East combines lush folk-rock with ambient flourishes. The absolutely stunning "Blood" establishes itself with sparse guitar and keys, verses sung with a disarming fragility, and ethereal background vocals. When the song crescendos into its full band gorgeousness, you realize you're listening to something special. If you like what you hear, spread the word. This band is too damn good to be overlooked. -- Capt. Obvious
10.23.2008
Uzi & Ari: Headworms (2008)
New Wax
Uzi & Ari is a Salt Lake City band named after Ben Stiller's kids in The Royal Tenenbaums. All my fellow Wes Anderson junkies probably already knew that though. While you'd expect a band named Uzi & Ari to be one of those twee indie-pop girl/guy groups, they are actually a five-piece band that melds shoegaze sensibilities with electronica and layered melodies. Recent times have been harsh for the band. Lead singer Ben Shepard was recently hit by a couple drunks who fled the scene and left him with a busted car. Then $4,500 worth of equipment including instruments, processors, and synthesizers got stolen from his house. Thankfully the band has chosen to soldier on and their album Headworms was released last week on European label Mine Records. With Shepard's Thom Yorke-esque vocals and the band's Mum-reminiscent electro-tinkering, it seems fitting that the band is well received overseas. I'm just surprised they haven't garnered a larger following stateside. Check out the tracks below. Purchase album. Press repeat. -- Capt. Obvious
10.22.2008
Eels Offer Free Live Manchester EP
You Should Know
Mr. E and company, better known as Eels, are set to release a 4 LP deluxe limited edition vinyl version of their acclaimed 2005 album Blinking Lights And Other Revelations on October 28th. This deluxe release of Blinking Lights will be pressed on 180 gram vinyl and will include the album on 3 LP's along with a fourth disc containing a 17-track live album recorded in 2005 entitled Manchester 2005. The vinyl release, which is limited to 2500 copies, will be packaged with rice paper dust sleeves, accompanied by a hardback book of photography and lyrics, and housed in a box numbered and signed by E himself. If you can't afford to fork over the dough to obtain this limited edition, you still get a consolation prize. In celebration of this momentous occasion, the band is offering up a free EP containing 4 songs in digital format from the exclusive Manchester 2005 album here. Simply enter a valid email address and you'll be sent a link where you can download the EP. The rest of the live album will only be available on the vinyl bonus LP. -- Capt. Obvious
Frightened Rabbit: Liver! Lung! FR! (2008)
New Wax
I was blind-sided by Glasgow's Frightened Rabbit. They seemingly came out of nowhere with their magnificent sophomore album The Midnight Organ Fight, which is by far my most played album of 2008 according to last.fm. The band has just released a live album entitled Liver! Lung! FR!, which is essentially a live mostly-acoustic rendition of The Midnight Organ Fight recorded during a gig in their hometown. While I'd usually frown on this sort of egregious capitalization on the success of an album, I've become one of their many new fans frothing at the mouth for any new material, even if it's not entirely essential. Liver! Lung! FR! is interesting not only because it offers up stripped-down versions but because the band exudes a blue-collared live energy that isn't as readily apparent on their studio tracks. As the unadorned chord progression of "The Modern Leper" gives way to Scott Hutchison's unabashedly Scottish accent, I imagine a crowd soaked in equal parts sweat and beer hanging on his every forlorn word. As an added bonus, the album also contains an appearance by the Twilight Sad's James Graham on the song "Keep Yourself Warm." Besides being a great live album filled with playful banter and musical gems, Liver! Lung! FR! also solidifies the notion that Scottish people just sound cooler dropping F-bombs and saying words like "trousers" and "arse." Highly recommended. -- Capt. Obvious
Listen:
MP3: Frightened Rabbit - Fast Blood (Live)
MP3: Frightened Rabbit - My Backwards Walk (Live)
Tags:
Shearwater: The Snow Leopard EP (2008)
New Wax
Matador recently released this digital EP from Shearwater containing some nice b-sides, live tracks, and radio recordings. The mini-album is built around "The Snow Leopard," which appeared on the band's critically drooled-over 2008 release Rook, and it also contains a handful of interesting covers. While the EP might not serve as the best introduction to the band, it's a sensible appendix to Rook and a must-have for devoted fans. Once a member of Okkervil River, Shearwater lead singer Jonathan Meiburg's voice is otherworldly and his backing band's arrangements approach a majestic beauty rarely accomplished by other bands. If you haven't had a chance to spend some time with Rook, I'd strongly suggest seeking it out. It's easily one of the best albums of the year and it's unparalleled in terms of sheer beauty. Once you've wrapped your brain around the grandeur and complexity of Rook, this EP makes a nice companion piece of supplementary material. -- Capt. Obvious
Graham Lindsey: We Are All Alone In This Together & The Mine EP (2008)
New Wax
I'm embarrassed to admit that I'd never heard of Graham Lindsey until recently, and that saddens me, but some of the most intriguing artists toil in relative obscurity. That being said, Lindsey has racked up a considerable amount of critical praise in his short tenure as folk troubadour. His 2003 debut album was described by No Depression Magazine as "the most audacious roots songwriter's debut since Gillian Welch's Revival" and Lindsey has been heralded by the likes of Rolling Stone and The Onion. After listening to Lindsey's new album We Are All Alone In This Together, which is set to be released 11/18 along with The Mine EP on Spacebar Recordings, I can understand the positive critical reaction. Lindsey's songs are laced with the ragged authenticity singer/songwriters aspire for yet seldom obtain. Primitive yet energetic, We Are All Alone In This Together and The Mine EP play together seamlessly and are best heard together as one huge album. Once a member of punk outfit Old Skull, Lindsey's punk sensibilities carry over to his solo material. His vocals are fiery and authoritative while exhibiting the whiskey-soaked rust and lyrical command fitting of the genre. If you're in the market for stripped-down yet visceral fare of the Roots/American variety, you'd be hard pressed to find a better example of it. -- Capt. Obvious
10.20.2008
The Mountain Goats Get Satanic
You Should Know
Following the Radiohead business model, Durham, NC's The Mountain Goats, otherwise known as songwriting vehicle for John Darnielle, offer up a brand new EP entitled Satanic Messiah. The mini-album will be released in a very limited run of 665 copies on double 7" with Darnielle keeping the 666th copy... how fitting. You can download the EP at www.satanicmessiah.com free of charge, but donations are much appreciated. Darnielle is one of the more interesting lyricists around and he muses over stripped-down piano-driven arrangements on the EP. The title track is probably the most interesting and the most open to interpretation. With its references to "pale blue and washed out red" posters, it sounds like it could very well be about a certain presidential candidate, but aside from its provocative title, the song reads as neither an endorsement or condemnation. The Mountain Goats have also completed a vinyl tour-only EP with guitar virtuoso Kaki King entitled the Black Pear Tree EP and it will be available on their upcoming tour. -- Capt. Obvious
10.17.2008
Whiskeytown: Rural Free Delivery (1997)
Rarities
So I'll be the first to admit that I've cooled a bit on Ryan Adams. Easy Tiger was a letdown and I'm pretty lukewarm on the new songs I've heard, but anyway, in anticipation of the upcoming Ryan Adams & The Cardinals album Cardinology (I'm sorry, but is that the best title they could come up with), I thought I'd throw up some tracks from a hard-to-find Whiskeytown mini-album entitled Rural Free Delivery. Sometimes I like to go back and listen to Faithless Street or Heartbreaker just to remind myself how good Mr. Adams is when he gets it right. The out-of-print 8-track EP was actually released after 1996's Faithless Street and it was released on Mood Food as a compilation of early recordings. You'll recognize a few tracks, such as "Tennesse Square", which is a different arrangement of the song that appears on Faithless Street. This little EP is an interesting look into Ryan's early stages as a songwriter (he was only 20 when these songs were recorded). -- Capt. Obvious
Listen:
MP3: Whiskeytown - Take Your Guns To Town
MP3: Whiskeytown - Nervous Breakdown (Black Flag Cover)
MP3: Whiskeytown - Pawn Shop Ain't No Place For A Wedding Ring
10.16.2008
The Tallest Man On Earth
You Should Know
Despite his musical moniker, Sweden's Kristian Matsson isn't actually the tallest man on earth. That honor goes to 54 year-old Mongolian herdsman Bao Xishun, who stands 7'9". Matsson does, however, create some of the best folk music out there. Armed with his acoustic guitar and banjo, Matsson exhibits the ease of a songwriter worthy of that overused and increasingly dubious tag "Dylanesque". Matsson's full-length debut Shallow Graves was released earlier this year and it's filled with gorgeous fingerpicking and Kristian's crackling vocals and confident poetry. With such an army of skinny dudes with varying facial hair plucking away at their instruments and spouting off thin metaphors, it's easy to tire of the overly saturated folk genre, but this guy's actually well worth checking out. The Tallest Man On Earth is set to play some December shows with Bon Iver, so if those shows are in your general vicinity, I'd highly recommend checking it out. -- Capt. Obvious
Listen:
MP3: The Tallest Man On Earth - Pistol Dreams
MP3: The Tallest Man On Earth - Into The Stream
Tags:
10.15.2008
Boo And Boo Too: No Tempo (2008)
New Wax
Lawrence, KS's Boo And Boo Too follow up their electrifying self-titled EP with a new album entitled No Tempo. The best music usually contains warring elements and Boo And Boo Too is no exception with it's dark yet poppy, anthemic yet unbridled output. No Tempo manages to feel informed by the past while marching forward into musical regions unexplored. It sounds like some strange marriage of Sonic Youth and The Walkmen while exhibiting the noise-rock sensibilities of No Age. No Tempo plays like a drug-induced, ragged hodgepodge of shoegaze, noise, punk-rock vocals, and droning My Bloody Valentine-esque guitars. The songs are so loose they sound like they could fall apart at any moment, but the band maintains just enough control to prevent total chaos. It's that constant threat of disarray that makes the album so intriguing and charismatic. Just when you think things are going to crumble, you're brought back by a hypnotic guitar riff or catchy refrain. No Tempo is a beautiful mess. -- Capt. Obvious
10.14.2008
Manchester Orchestra: Let My Pride Be What's Left Behind EP (2008)
New Wax
Atlanta's Manchester Orchestra has released a new EP/DVD today entitled Let My Pride Be What's Left Behind on Canvasback Music/Favorite Gentlemen Recordings. The release includes What's Left Behind, a documentary film directed by Sam Erickson, two new songs, and three live songs. The EP/DVD combo is available via indie retail stores (see thinkindie.com for participating stores). Highlights include the melodic opening track "I Can Feel A Hot One," and "Badges And Badges," which was performed by lead singer Andy Hull at the Daytrotter studios. The band is currently in the studio in Nashville working on a new album entitled Mean Everything To Nothing, which will be released in 2009. It is being co-produced by Joe Chicarelli, whose credits include The Shins and My Morning Jacket. The band also kicks off a tour with Kevin Devine and Dead Confederate in Carrborro, NC on 11/28. -- Capt. Obvious
Listen:
MP3: Manchester Orchestra - I Can Feel A Hot One
MP3: Manchester Orchestra - Badges & Badges
Tags:
10.10.2008
The Covers Mixtape XI
SIDE A
1. Wilco - Lookin' For a Love (Neil Young Cover)
2. Frightened Rabbit - Set You Free (N-Trance Cover)
3. Grizzly Bear - Graceland (Paul Simon Cover)
4. Mates Of State - California (Phantom Planet Cover)
5. Denison Witmer - Is There A Ghost (Band Of Horses Cover)
6. The Mountain Goats - The Boys Are Back In Town (Thin Lizzy Cover)
7. M. Ward - Story Of An Artist (Daniel Johnston Cover)
SIDE B
1. The Wrens - Nightswimming (R.E.M. Cover)
2. Calexico - Fourth Time Around (Bob Dylan Cover)
3. Julie Doiron - Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon Cover)
4. Castanets - Ashamed (Deer Tick Cover)
5. Colin Meloy - Cupid (Sam Cooke Cover)
6. The Cure - Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division Cover)
7. Patty Griffin - Stolen Car (Bruce Springsteen Cover)
10.09.2008
The Decemberists: Always The Bridesmaid Vol. 1 (2008)
New Wax
I love it when good news seemingly comes out of nowhere, like new material from The Decemberists. The band is releasing the first installation of a three-volume single series entitled Always The Bridesmaid: A Singles Series on October 14th via 12" vinyl and digitally. The first edition kicks off with "Valerie Plame," an upbeat horn-laden ditty about the former CIA operative sung from the point-of-view of one of her inside contacts. "O New England" serves as a worthy b-side. Volume II will consist of two songs entitled "Days Of Elaine" and "Sticking With You" and is due for release on 11/4 while Volume III contains two tracks entitled "Record Year" and "Raincoat Song" and will be available on 12/2. You can preorder the singles on the band's website on exclusive limited edition colored vinyl. -- Capt. Obvious
10.08.2008
Anathallo
You Should Know
If Anathallo isn't worthy of some serious blog buzz, I don't know who is. Come on people, this band is freaking good, and I don't care what those elitists over at Pitchfork might have to say on the matter. Set to follow up 2006's wonderful Floating World with a new LP entitled Canopy Glow, the album will be released by Anticon in November (thanks to Yoni Wolf of WHY? fame). Being that I once unwrapped my Christmas presents early as a kid and poorly rewrapped them in hopes of covering up the dirty deed (I got busted), I couldn't help but give a recent leak of the supposed album a listen or two... or a hundred. As is often the case with leaks, the album floating through cyberspace is not the version that will be released by Anticon on November 18th. According to the band's blog, the leak is actually an early mix of the album that they are referring to as Engine Glow since it was mixed by Neil Strauch of Engine Studios. Judging by the leak, Canopy Glow could very well be one of my favorite albums of the year. It should be interesting to hear the final versions in November. The first two tracks below are from the Engine Glow leak and the third is the Anticon-released official version of "The River," which will appear on the real album. I reiterate.. so freaking good. -- Capt. Obvious
Minus The Bear: Acoustics EP (2008)
New Wax
It always takes some getting used to when a band that sounds as full as Minus The Bear strips the instrumentation down. Still, it's nice to get a different perspective on a band's sound, and Minus The Bear's new fittingly named EP Acoustics reworks six fan favorites and offers up a new track entitled "Guns & Ammo." If anything, the mini-album is a welcome treat for those of us who were slightly disappointed with Planet Of Ice. While the EP is an acoustic album, it's a full-band acoustic album, so expect much more than lone guitar and Jake Snider's vocals. Still, the switch from electric to acoustic gives the material an interesting organic feel, and the wonderful new track "Guns & Ammo" is a must-have for fans. Some of the reworked tracks on the EP work better than others, but there's surely enough quality here to warrant a purchase and it'll serve as a nice bridge between full-lengths. Acoustics will be sold digitally via oline outlets such as eMusic, Amazon, and iTunes. Physical copies will only be sold at the band's live shows during their current tour. -- Capt. Obvious
10.07.2008
Annuals: Such Fun (2008)
New Wax
I have the utmost respect for bands that continually evolve regardless of the repercussions. While six-piece Raleigh band Annuals had a memorable and highly lauded debut with 2006's Be He Me, it seemed to be overflowing with so many ideas that the songs never had a real chance to breathe. Nevertheless, it was met with an absurd amount of buzz and the backlash that often follows such a response (see Vampire Weekend). Fortunately with Such Fun, which was released today under Sony imprint Canvasback Music, Annuals shows measured restraint while still exhibiting a little quirk. Sure, the folksy jangle of "Down The Mountain" or country slide-guitar on "Always Do" might send fans expecting another Animal Collective-type album running for the hills, but Such Fun doesn't aim to please any particular demographic. It's a pleasant step forward for Adam Baker and company, and the album's negative space only enhances the material by providing a contrast to any moments of frenetic energy. Oh, and the album cover was painted by the late Bob Ross. If that's not a selling point, I don't know what is. -- Capt. Obvious
Look Mexico
You Should Know
Tallahassee's Look Mexico showed a lot of potential on their 2007 album This Is Animal Music, the kind of potential that frustrated me. Don't get me wrong, the music was wonderful with its angular guitar parts and mathy American Football-reminiscent stop/starts, but I thought the overall feel of the album was one of a young band still searching for an identity. That's okay, because the band is very young. After undergoing a few lineup changes, the band is back with a new EP entitled Gasp, Asp, and it shows noticeable progression. The band seems to have set aside the playful/fun (yet somewhat adolescent) feel of their debut full-length for a newfound measure of maturity. While This Is Animal Music had plenty of memorable moments, it seemed thematically thin at times. Gasp, Asp is both lyrically and sonically superior to any of the band's past material. With nods to post-punk and math-rock, Gasp, Asp is the sound of a band that's growing up, and if it's a precursor of things to come then we're all in for a treat. -- Capt. Obvious
10.06.2008
Crooked Fingers: Forfeit/Fortune (2008)
New Wax
Former Archers Of Loaf singer Eric Bachmann follows up his excellent 2006 solo album To The Races with another Crooked Fingers album on October 7th. Marking the band's fifth LP and entitled Forfeit/Fortune, the album was produced by Mark Nevers and Alex McManus, whose collective credits include Andrew Bird, Lambchop, Silver Jews, and Bright Eyes. The album marks a bit of a deviation in its recording process. While 2005's Dignity & Shame was recorded live, Forfeit/Fortune contains more intricate layering and production. Guests on the album include Brian Kotzur (Silver Jews), Tom Hagerman (Devotchka), and Neko Case. The album's eclectic nature makes it so rewarding. It opens with the horn-laden "What Never Comes," transitions into the drum-machine based "Luisa's Bones," brings the electric guitars on "Cannibals," and ends on a high note with the energetic Bachmann/Case duet "Your Control." Ultimately, Forfeit/Fortune marks yet another solid release from the criminally overlooked Bachmann. You can catch Crooked Fingers on tour with Okkervil River. I was at their recent show at The Republic in New Orleans, and I can vouch for the awesomeness of both bands. -- Capt. Obvious
10.03.2008
Blog Roundup 10.3.08
Props
Some randomness first. No matter how hard I try, I don't believe I will ever be as cool as Paul Newman. While I've come to grips with this sad realization, I'd like to bid the man adieu. He had undeniable screen presence. Also, our local news anchor Bob Solarski got wasted to the tune of a 0.296 blood-alcohol reading and hit some parked cars at what is probably the crappiest mall in Florida (I get my hair cut there for 12 bucks). While I in no way find drunk driving funny, this is mildly amusing considering what I've heard from insiders about the station's sports anchor flinging profanity-laced tirades (and chairs) at co-workers. What a crew of miscreants. I love my town.
Speed Of Dark does a write up on the new Calexico album, which I really need to give a careful listen to.
A benchmark of quality amidst an increasingly mediocre sea of music blogs, Aquarium Drunkard offers up a wonderful live Whiskeytown set from 1997.
Obscure Sound offers a best of compilation from September. I can't stress how great this blog is for finding music you might not find elsewhere. Songs from Horse Feathers, Land Of Talk, Jesse Sykes, Sparkadia, etc, etc.
My Old Kentucky Blog adds another commandment to his ongoing post series detailing the guidelines to concert behavior. This installation is important: "Thou Shall Not Sing Along Unless Explicitly Directed By The Performer(s)." I'm hoping "Thou Shall Not Wear A T-Shirt Of The Band You're Going To See" makes the list.
Parasites & Sycohpants has some cool news about a re-issue of Death Cab For Cutie's 1998 debut album Something About Airplanes. The limited edition release will include a bonus disc of rare live material and new artwork.
Tags: Blog Roundup, Captain Obvious
10.02.2008
Gregory And The Hawk
You Should Know
Gregory And The Hawk is New York-based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Meredith Godreau, who began playing under the moniker in 2003. Without the help of a manager or label backing, Godreau has managed to cultivate quite a following by marketing herself via YouTube and MySpace. She even managed to sell more than 15,000 copies of her albums on CDR. That kind of feat doesn't go unnoticed and now she's been added to an impressive roster of artists over at UK-based FatCat Records. Godreau now has a full band backing her and a new album entitled Moenie And Kitchi set to drop on October 7th. The album builds on Godreau's melodic vocals and acoustic sensibilities with gorgeous arrangments including strings, keys, and horns. Definitely check out the tracks below, especially "Oats We Sow," which is just ridiculously catchy. -- Capt. Obvious
The Rosebuds: Life Like (2008)
New Wax
Raleigh's The Rosebuds are set to release their fourth LP entitled Life Like on Merge Records on October 7th. Returning to a more acoustic sound and straying from the electro-glam leanings of 2007's Night Of The Furies, Life Like also enlists the help some notable musicians: Bon Iver, Portastatic's Mac McCaughan, and Ashley Stove's Jim Brantley all contribute. Husband/Wife team Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp once again share the vocal duties on the album and the juxtaposition of their voices works beautifully. Laid over driving drums and a murky bassline, the opener and title track features Howard's brooding voice nuanced by Crisp's distant and ethereal background vocals. Other highlights include "Cape Fear," a tale about a killer catfish sung by Crisp, the atmospheric "Border Guards," and the jangly closer "In The Backyard," which muses on Ouija boards and the afterlife. While Life Like is full of production touches including heavy reverb and layered keyboards, the songs still manage to sound consistently organic. Covering genres from folk to shoegaze to dreamy pop, Life Like successfully combines a variety of styles and moods. It's somehow dark yet poppy. It's gorgeous yet foreboding. Most of all, it's just really good. -- Capt. Obvious
