Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell

Tokyo Police Club is a band that I was introduced to months ago, and I had been meaning to procure their EP at the time, and with 2008, they have now released an album. It seems that this was a somewhat protracted venture for the band. However, they have a fresh set of eleven tracks for our listening pleasure. They have a typical Brit-rock sound, with a twinge of electro-synth tone. A combination that plays about nicely. Essentially pulling from the same sound as The Fratellis and The Cribs to name some of the band's contemporaries. The accent on the LP isn't quite as thick as their EPs, but it still adds that memorable twinge of British accent, which makes the ladies swoon, and personally, I don't mind it. It helps to solidify the sound.
The album opens with "Centennial" and the vocals sound almost Gibbard-esque. It seems to make a tender promise with the line: "This is skin you can wrap all of your arms and legs in." Giving the album a kind of sappy start, but the whole sound of it is great. The whole album is well put together and is clearly demonstrative of the current trend of indie-pop of melding synth and buzz with a hint of electronic sound. The track "Juno" really shines in this niche, and if TPC sticks with this sort of sound I see them having a lasting sound. As of now though they risk being lost in the annals of music history as the sound, though good, is somewhat lacking in distinction. They did however make a good move in this production by developing a moderately cleaner sound than on their previous EP, A Lesson in Crime. Overall I can recommend this album strongly, simply because I feel the exposure will help a promising band continue to grow.

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Pershing

Pershing is a great follow up to Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. (Hereafter referred to as SSLYBY, or, "Band with an excruciatingly long name.") It has the same sound that I loved in their previous release, Broom, and it delivers new content as well. I haven't really been bored by this one. The lyrics are fun, and flow well. I am fairly sure that at present I actually like Pershing MORE than Broom. The opening track, "Glue Girls" is a solid, consistent piece of music. It maintains the rock sound that the band has established for themselves. The next track that really sticks out for me is "Dead Right", which is a simple track that sort of coasts along. I honestly think to dissect any of this music might cause me to fail to do it justice, but overall this is a great album. It reminds me of driving on a sunny day with the window down, or relaxing on the beach with your close friends. The track that really shines on the album is "Modern Mystery". It seems to talk about life in a simple context, which is something we can all relate to I believe. Though, I will have to say that my favorite track on the album is, "Think I Wanna Die". It may be my favorite song at the moment. The bassline is so good, make sure that when you listen to it, you turn the bass up slightly so that it can really work it's way into your cerebellum. Overall this album is a great follow up to it's predecessor, and may actually be better in the long run, though only time will really answer that question. Regardless pick it up, it will be a good experience for the ears.

Black Mountain - In the Future

Black Mountain's second release, In the Future, is a solid album, reminiscent of 70's rock. Lots of fuzz, and it makes you wish you did LSD. Not really so much that, but I think you'll get the point if you decide to pick it up, which you should. If for no other reason than because I am telling you to. Trust me on this one, have I ever led anyone astray when it comes to this?
The opening track, "Stormy High" is awesome. it's simple lyrically, but it just rocks. The whole album does. It keeps it up, and I seriously think this album would have done great had it been released 30 years ago. Though that isn't all positive. It is good to come across something as anachronistic as this when perusing the vast library of music we're seeing in the modern age. It's stuff like this that helps me personally to appreciate the old greats, like Physical Graffiti, and the other releases from the past. In fact the album's title only seems to insinuate that this sound is a constant of music, beyond any paradigms that supposedly exist. That since it's inception, the "classic rock" sound will always have a place in the world. This is one of those albums. It doesn't resurrect the sound for it's basis, it merely takes what is an established way of things, and puts it to artful use. In tracks like "Tyrants" specifically from the midpoint on, clearly pull from the ideas put forth by what could be considered the legends of rock. The solo-work on the guitar is entrancing. I can't say too much about each individual track on here, as they all seem to work as a whole to me. Just enjoy it if you happen to pick it up. If you're a fan of Sabbath, Zeppelin, and the Stones, then I see no reason to not own this album. It's not on par with any of their influences, but it is a refreshing sound in a genre that had previously been dominated by cheap imitations.

Destroyer - Trouble In Dreams

When I first heard Destroyer, the side project of Daniel Bejar of The New Pornographers (One of my favorite modern rock bands) it was good to know that his other work has a distinct sound to it. Like their last album, Rubies, Trouble In Dreams has a more subdued, less erratic sound than their earlier work. It is organized, while remaining plainly adventurous on the composition side. I can appreciate this, because it provides a unique experience without sacrificing ease of listening.
The album opens with a relaxed track in "Blue Flower/Blue Flame", which is an elegantly written love song, that does it's thing without getting too serious. "Foam Hands" is a track in which Bejar sort of speaks his way through what seems to be the difficulty of having something to say, but being so lost in thought that he is unable to grasp at the words needed to communicate his thoughts. Hence the refrain: "I didn't know what time it was at all/Foam hands..." He seems to be lost in thought while wrestling with how to say it, yet he feels it's impossible to accurately convey those thoughts. The next song on the album is "My Favorite Year" is an incredible track that just sort of pulls you along, and the piano in the beginning is mesmerizing. Such a great track. Though what I guess could be called the album's anthem is "Shooting Rockets (From the Desk of the Night's Ape)". I can't quite grasp the title, but the track is great, though a little long(eight minutes) for my taste. "Introducing Angels" may be my favorite track on the whole album, and I believe it has something to do with the similarities to some tracks on Rubies. It builds, ever so slightly, and has fantastic strings backing all of the other instruments. The whole of the instrumentation is interwoven so well. Overall, I would definitely suggest that you grab this album, and if you don't have the others, I would also suggest snagging Rubies. Both of them are great listening.

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

MGMT, or The Management is a band that several of my friends came across when they went to see Of Montreal about a year or so ago. They began to tell me about this band claiming the show was, "incredible". Now that they have released a full length album, I can say that after listening, this praise was certainly not unwarranted. The sound is fairly similar to the electronic/rock type composition we've seen becoming common in recent years. Essentially, their style fits in quite well with Of Montreal's. It keeps a steady sound without becoming droning or boring. Overall a pretty good piece of work.
The opening track, "Time to Pretend" is a great listen, and the album doesn't really drop off in quality as it progresses. Though I can say that the song I find myself listening to the most is "The Youth." It reminds of the Arcade Fire almost in that it just sort pulls me in and I find that I have been singing along with it. The only real complaint I could make is that they should have put that track a little deeper in the album so you have to take as decent amount of it in before you reach what I consider plainly the best track on the whole thing. Tracks like, "Electric Feel" are truly reminiscent of disco, and rock the heavy bass line in a really memorable way. Overall though, the album has an incredibly well written and composed array of songs. I can't afford to not recommend picking this one up, as it's likely getting into my Top 10 for this year barring something amazing coming out this year.

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend. VMPR WKND. If you've been reading anything on the internets over the past year regarding alternative music, you have probably heard mention of this group of Ivy League musical misfits. From the hype at various blogs, to full on worship from P4K and the like. I must admit that I was hesitant to even pick up this album after all the hype, as I felt that it couldn't possible live up to the praise that has been heaped upon it.
I am pleased to say... I was not disappointed in the least bit. But I also had no idea what I was getting into until I saw the take away show over at La Blogotheque. It sounded decent, but it was live, so I had to hear the studio work. As I explained to a friend of mine, the sound of this album reminds me of a windy day on a beach. Their brand of island rock, while mixed with the simple, and incredible execution of their music makes for an incredible listen. They deliver a great album, that I wish could have been longer. In fact I thought I had gotten a hold of a slightly long EP, so I was bummed to learn I had the whole album so early. Still it is great, so many tracks are solid. "Mansard Roof" is great as an opener, but I always find myself singing along with the whole thing. Overall, an auspicious sign for music in 2008.

Hot Chip - Made in the Dark

Wow, so it's been a long time since I put a review up. I'd like to attribute that to the lack of time I found towards the end of last semester. I would like to pick it back up with this review, of Hot Chip's newest LP, Made in the Dark.
This album is great, it's got a twinge of house, but also a rock feel to it. I really appreciate this, but I can't help but have a special spot for the album's title track, "Made in the Dark". Ever since I first heard it on via Stereogum, I was plainly impressed. I really enjoy the whole album, and stand out tracks include "Ready For the Floor", "We're Looking for a Lot of Love", and "Wrestlers". Though this isn't to say the album is in any way lacking, and I was very happy to come across something of this quality considering the relative spam of amazing music we received last year. The whole album is incredibly well done, and I would earnestly encourage anyone to check it out.