Tag Archives: Indie Rock

Catfish And The Bottlemen – The Ride

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

stomping heart on your sleeve pop rock

Moods

captures the excitement and energy of a 20 something's life in the moment

Thoughts

it's a solid record overall. Bit 'one note' as far as songwriting goes, general pop rock fare. Songs are high energy, rousing and stomping. Lyrically he sings in a highly personal manner with details of relatable memories about failed relationships, getting drunk, and general adulthood confusion.

Sound like a lot of albums? I'd say where this delivers is on the genuineness of those moments and that it sounds exactly like a good night out on the Lower East Side of Manhattan feels: an exciting energy powered only by the moment.

It's fun if you live that or, if you're like me, a bit removed relive those memories for a bit. I imagine this band would be fantastic live.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Catfish-And-The-Bottlemen-The-Ride/release/8580322

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mLD8FL28Nk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjo34xdVyuY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YRi8PCFqfU

Spotify


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Catfish And The Bottlemen – The Ride

Description: Album Review of Catfish And The Bottlemen – The Ride


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Out Hud – S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

spacey instrumental electro dance punk

Moods

Psychedelic dance music

Thoughts

Two of the members went onto major things with !!! And LCD Soundsystem. This LP has the jam band sound without the jamming. It's music made by a traditional rock quartet but as if their trying to sound like a spaced-out electro project with dub sounds and house goodness weaved in. There's a 'raw' element here that provides a nice character, feels very human. It's key as instrumentals acts like this can someone's feel a little too clinical or impersonal without the vocal touch.

I'd be really interested in seeing Out Hud live as there are so many jumping off points for jam noodling. As a studio thing it works and it's interesting hearing it so many years later as their sound has gone on to influence lots of other bands from the disco biscuits to pretty much the entire DFA roster.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Out-Hud-STREET-DAD/release/229420

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XJ_qx0CkRs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cRe_GduF_g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wImsKpTBuH8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFHWjR_D-bI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0zLOcRzQT4

Spotify


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Out Hud – S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.

Description: Album Review of Out Hud – S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

depressing rock with a focus on atmosphere

Moods

A mediocre album for Radiohead fans only

Thoughts

If this weren't a Radiohead record I don't know how I'd feel. I like it overall but I've also given it more listens because I'm a fan of theirs.

There's interesting things happening, the band has become very good at creating an overall vibe, but the songs themselves feel a bit rough. Maybe that's the point: a lot of this is wonderful live and can be fleshed out further into some really engaging live sets. The incorporation of strings reminds me of a smoother version of Beck's string heavy stuff and super furry animals catalog from the 2000's; it's as if Radiohead returns to that period of alt-rock instead of pressing ahead with their own explorations. Maybe they're just getting old, Yorke is pretty lyrical here and I think got divorced right after this came out (might explain the gloom).

Songwriting improves as the album progresses (skip the first three tracks entirely) but this remains a mediocre spot in their catalog.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Radiohead-A-Moon-Shaped-Pool/release/8581632

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI2oS2hoL0k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTAU7lLDZYU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti6qhk3tX2s

Spotify


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Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool

Description: Album Review of Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

The Strokes – Is This It

by ·

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

Modern guitar driven indie rock

Moods

A masterpiece of youth that captures the newfound excitement of urban independence

Thoughts

A simple masterpiece for two reasons:

Compositionally it's an album of quick chord driven indie tracks. Melodic, memorable, Danceable and remarkably varied; it works well in its entirety. Albert Hammond Junior is a competent guitarist whose style fits perfectly, loose and slightly technical, who seems to always sneak in the perfect crunchy solo.

Casablancas observant lyrics which perfectly capture a relatable time in life when you've come into your own independence and a 'is this it?' type of epiphany is made that's a mix of excitement and disappointment. I find 'Hard to explain' to be the precise moment in the record where this all boils over in emotion. He's in perfect form here.

A modern record with a Lou Reed vibe and post punk energy. Hasn't aged a bit and on relistens the strength of these songs is realized.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Strokes-Is-This-It/release/383812

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzO7IGWGxu8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knU9gRUWCno

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOypSnKFHrE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXkm6h6uq0k

Spotify


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The Strokes – Is This It

Description: Album Review of The Strokes – Is This It


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses

by ·

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

British semi-psychedelica jangly 80s rock

Moods

I wanna be adored

Thoughts

There's a certain magic captured on this album that makes this essential music. It's a wanderlust feeling that speaks really well to a coming of age person, exploring relationships with poetry but not sappiness. The twinge of psychedelica gives it this slight haze that serves as a great balance to the expertly crafted pop. It shows it's age in places but I still really enjoy the first half which continues to age well, especially with newer fascinations with 'chill vibes'.

For years this was exclusively a headphone album. Relistening a decade later I think how great this would've been live at an outdoor festival, enjoyed with community. I'm really attracted to the jammy bits which I could see opening up into some cool things live (especially fools gold).

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Stone-Roses-The-Stone-Roses/release/156092

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D2qcbu26gs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD6Pq0bSMPo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NrLBlw9WZE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-WRa8jtZD0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNfHoPIxhXM

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The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses

Description: Album Review of The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Centro-Matic – Love You Just The Same

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

alt bar rock Americana

Moods

Articulate bar-fly

Thoughts

pretty good with solid songwriting, I just find myself having less interest in traditional rock. I can't articulate a specific reason for why I don't like this record, it just plays like a boring drag and I wasn't a less to get through a second listen.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Centro-Matic-Love-You-Just-The-Same/release/1225270

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS_20QTm3Tw

Spotify


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Centro-Matic – Love You Just The Same

Description: Album Review of Centro-Matic – Love You Just The Same


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

The Get Up Kids – Something To Write Home About

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Emo pop rock

Moods

A melodic ode to coming of age relationships.

Thoughts

I've listened to this album a lot, it's impossible to talk about objectively. It doesn't sound as good or profound as it did 20 years ago but I think I'm the one that's changed. Addressing its faults I'd point to overly wordy lyrics and bland instrumentation. However the melodies and just straightforward memorability of these songs is hard to deny. The basic Moog lines add just the right amount of emotional highlight.

I think it does stand the test of time rather than just serving as a nostalgic memento of emos golden age. Is it for everyone? Definitely not but I'm sure this and the rest of the get up kids early catalog could find some modern fans.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Get-Up-Kids-Something-To-Write-Home-About/release/1262915

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgqxFcVD89M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-nuYrZE94A

Spotify


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The Get Up Kids – Something To Write Home About

Description: Album Review of The Get Up Kids – Something To Write Home About


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Atlas Sound – Parallax

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

artsy adult contemporary indie pop

Moods

A dark kind of love

Thoughts

Heartfelt and engaging. The first half is an excellent set of mature chilled-out indie rock. Cox is an excellent lyricist, a natural poet without pretense. His vocal range is limited but he works it well here, changing styles as needed but with a certain drifting casualness. Has a slight twinge of panda bear like psychedelica.

Things drag toward the end, track times get longer and I find it a bit exhausting.

Te amo is a magnificent track.

This album is as good as any great indie album I've heard in the past 10 years. Benefiting from Bradford Cox's steadfast vision rather than a flurry of ideas from a young band. Recommended.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Atlas-Sound-Parallax/release/3650273

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iVRuAUKrds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rY5Uf4E0e4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8YrrkDvZ-8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdBaAGyeKvE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgIGChuG8Og

Spotify


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Atlas Sound – Parallax

Description: Album Review of Atlas Sound – Parallax


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Marnie Stern – The Chronicles Of Marnia

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

edgy pop punk alt indie rock

Moods

Live show, small club

Thoughts

Like it, has an accessible popiness to it while still maintaining an precise edgey quickness (think agile backbeat and little guitar licks ). She's got an art pop thing with her singing that adds a curious dimension. Discogs tags this as experimental which I think is a stretch but it's exploratory.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Marnie-Stern-The-Chronicles-Of-Marnia/release/4378698

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8-pS1yXR8g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P5MSa8EGKE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UdHTtdmQ0A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcbYGQgIqYk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up713oIPRyA

Spotify


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Marnie Stern – The Chronicles Of Marnia

Description: Album Review of Marnie Stern – The Chronicles Of Marnia


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

American Football – American Football

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Golden age emo meets math rock

Moods

Songs I play when walking over to your place

Thoughts

Adds to the typical somber 'classic' emo format with well timed brass and tasteful/tight percussion. All of this additional instrumentation is good with songwriting that builds in a skillful way. I think it's a stretch to call this emo jazz as it's referenced on Wikipedia but it's distinct enough to call out.

‘Honestly’ is a great highlight showing the strengths of this album: mellow catchy introspection breaking into an extended jam type thing; letting emotion and tension playout in a natural way. You can feel the frustration and confusion of a breakup.

This type of genuineness is what drew me to emo initially and is captured beautifully here. Recommended for golden age emo fans who need something more than the pop-punk mold.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/American-Football-American-Football/release/450722

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NfnXdXpjL0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Uj2JpvsvX4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CU4VGgX0nA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsCBUK_mvY4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr_DMGZ-JrY

Spotify


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American Football – American Football

Description: Album Review of American Football – American Football


Rating: 3 out of 5