So what else came out this week, nothing as amazing as the new Caribou, but why would that stop me from sharing my opinion:
Other Releases of the week:
New Pornographers - Challengers
While the New Pornographers usually put out fun and energetic records, Challengers shows the band getting off the jolt cola. It makes for a very mature record, similar to lead singer AC Newman's solo material. This is nice and all, it's just not what I was expecting from a New Porno record. Luckily, the songwriting is some of the strongest yet, which maybe why it feels so much more grown-up. The perfect example is the title track, which is sung beautifully by Neko Case, but will probably put the younger indie kids to bed by the time it's over. Destroyer's Dan Bejar is the real star of this record, with a handful of great tracks, including the very unique Myriad Harbor. I think the albums biggest drawback is it's length. At 50 minutes long, you may wish they cut a few back. Not all is essential listening, but the tracks that do hit, hit well. The Pornographers are still one of the strongest, musically and lyrically, indie pop bands around.
7.6/10.0
Architecture in Helsinki - Places Like This
Entertainment Weekly once described this band like listening to the "Muppet Show on acid". That really hasn't changed since the last record, In Case We Die. What has changed is their ability to stay normal enough to sound listenable. Places Like This has a lot of fun tracks like the very B-52s-ish "Hold Music". It's too bad that most of the other tracks border on pure annoyance. It's just too obnoxious at points to really warrant repeat listens. If you want to clear a room, put on "Like Ir Or Not" which literally is "The Muppet Babies on Acid" with a Violent Femmes guitar strum. Sure it's fun to some extent, but don't be surprised if you get a few dirty looks as folks evacuate in fear.
6.4/10.0
Awful release of the Week:
I know I'm going to get a lot of flak for this but...
M.I.A - KALA
What in the world is the underground music community coming to? Seriously guys, MIA is AWFUL. Sorry Duke, sorry Mikey T. I just don't get it. Just because she mentions Pixies and Modern Lovers lyrics in her songs does not make this cool. I haven't heard a more annoying record all year. To be completely honest, I'd almost rather listen to Gwen Stefani then this shit, it wouldn't be that much different. It's a mish-mash of awful lyrics and cheesy ass beats. It makes me want to jump out a window. In fact Im listening to it (Boyz) as I type this, and Im tempted to jump off my balcony. Make it stop. OK, Ive hit the stop button... yikes. I don't really have any constructive criticism here, I just don't like it. I hate it.
0/10
- PS Duke, if I ever hear you mention the words Go Team and MIA in the same sentence again I will vomit on your shoes. NOT EVEN CLOSE BUDDY, NOT EVEN CLOSE.