Oh, Brattleboro, VT. What is it about you that produced such amazing bands as Matt & Kim, the Devil Makes Three, Witch, and Feathers? It must be the Nuclear power plant down stream, or perhaps the med-infused water from the Retreat (a mental hospital/rehab clinic). Whatever it is...keep it up. Matt and Kim....you’ve come into your own with this one. Fantastic.
Possibly the truest to the sense of the word Rock Stars of our time. Solid singles....the album oculd have been a little more cohesive, but my interest is renewed. A go to album for waking up, making coffee, and shaking one’s naked-post-shower junk all over the place. No, it’s cool....go ahead and picture it.
I was discussing why I have such a profound dislike of musicals last night...primarily because the drama club at my high school did nothing but, and I was friends with a lot of the drama kids, and they sang the songs from that seasons musical constantly....and with such fervor and passion....it just brought out a strong and unwavering disgust in me. However. Rock operas I can get behind, for some reason. And what with the Decemberists knocking out one every 2 years or so....who knows? Maybe I’ll be taking in the occasional musical down the line. But probably not. Guest vocals by My Brightest Diamond don’t hurt at all.
Visited QuickCrit’s creator awmercy in Portland a few weeks ago and was introduced to TMTS’s new album whilst driving around. I got a copy of it last week and have listened to it at least twice a day since. Modern pop at it’s best - More hooks than a hardware store. Yeah, I just came up with that. You’re welcome..
A meditation on tragedy, grieving, anger, acceptance. This album moves me to tears damn near every time I hear it. Some friends of mine have experienced some pretty incredible tragedies this year, and listening to this album puts my heart somewhere near to what i can only imagine they were feeling. Please listen to this..
Larson and Serena showed me their copy of the "Indie Rock Coloring Book", which features a page depicting the Wisconson cabin where Justin Vernon notioriously wrote "For Emma, Forever Ago" along with a diagram of the water supply line that led to the "Magical Water Source" that made that album possible. Well, either Justin and his collaborators from fellow WI rock institution, Collections of Colonies Of Bees, recorded in that same cabin, or JV’s got more than gnome-enchanted water going for him.
I was floored by their track on Dark Was the Night, and recall writing in my QuickCrit half year roundup "who ARE these guys???" Turns out it’s Jonsi from Sigur Ros and his boyfriend. This is my lullaby album of the year....and just....wonderful.
I can’t recall such a nearly flawless compilation.....ever. This two disk set showcases how incredible the talent out there is right now. This album will remain a classic staple, mark my words.
I can’t pick my favorite songs from this album. As an ALBUM, this flows seamlessly...truly rare in this day and age of cut and paste MP3 playlists. Exudes sensuality - prime make out music.
An amazing melodic, at times dischordant, audio soundscape. The three ladies singing backup show some mindblowingly innovative acapella chops. Stick with it....it grows on you.
Try not to feel alright.
Pretty solid album...didn’t make my top ten, but in the top 20. This is the standout track. Pretty much the "Hey, what about a track for us white kids?" kinda jam.
Cute as shit....they really accomplished what they set out to do here, I think.
Delicious guitar, string, drum-centric track..
I heard this for the first time on KEXP one magical morning....and then I lstened to it 8 more times the same day.
Monday night show.....maybe 30 people there, and it was the small venue show you dream of....everyone having a great time - bands, fans...just great.
The EP chunk of change was my last minute-top-ten-slip-in last year....the LP was just lame, lame, lame. Victim of the hype, I suppose.
Super groups are absoloute bullshit. Why are we relearning this?
I’d hit that.