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| Nada
Surf - Let Go Nada Surf returned with a bang in 2003, selling out NYC's Bowery Ballroom in the midst of one of a snowstorm that crippled New York. They opened that show with "Blizzard of '77" which brought a giant smile to the crowd that trudged through twenty-six inches of snow to see hear songs from Let Go. Let Go is one of those records that anyone can find a song to like. They're songs that reek of honest expression of human emotions...of doubt, of longing, of love. And occasionally they hit home so strongly that you can feel the goose-bumps forming on the back of your neck. (Barsuk) |
No Knife
- Riot for Romance! For those unfamiliar with this San Diego band, either from their tours with Sunny Day Real Estate, Jimmy Eat World, and Cursive or their previous albums, they play a very compelling brand of music based on intricate guitar lines and catchy melodies. Unlike No Knife's previous albums Hit Man Dreams or even Fire in the City of Automatons, which hit you right away with how smart the songs are, Riot for Romance! takes a few listens to seep in. The rewards are great, however, as this album is abundant with memorable songs and hooks. The sum of the hooks and tunes combine for a powerful experience from start-to-finish, making this a very complete record and one well worth the four-year wait. (Better Looking Records) |
| National Skyline - Exit Now EP Recorded in the home studio of Jeff Dimpsey, formerly of Hum with his new collaborators (Jeff Garber, ex-Castor, and Jim Minor, ex-Compound Red). The EP opens up all spacey with a great song called "October." The second song, called quite humorously "Identity Crisis", is the best Beck song he's never written. The third song could be a missing Slowdive tune...really nice. The fourth song is a twelve minute soundscape and really wonderful. Find this now! (File 13) National Skyline - This = Everything An odd choice, only because it can hardly be called a "rock" record. But knowing the bands (Hum, Castor, Compound Red) that these guys came from and hearing their evolution (both from their prior bands and from their EP) has to give one pause. The soundscapes and beautiful pop that these guys create is nothing short of majestic. (File 13) |
North of America - These Songs Are Cursed
Halifax, Nova Scotia: home of fishing, Eric's Trip, and the cleverly titled North of America. Opening the album with blips and beeps, NoA launches into their rock attack with the second song, "Central Part of Equal Times," a tune that could be the small place where Don Caballero and Compound Red intersect. I like the contrast between the poppier moments and the more aggressive parts. Please check this out if you are a fan of Pavement, Vitreous Humor, and Built to Spill. (Matlock Records) |
| Neck - Uncrated Distant Star EP The trippy collage artwork through me off. I was half expecting a jam band until I looked at how short the songs were. Fans of Yatsura, Wedding Present, and the Boo Radleys would be well advised to search these Toronto kids out. This is a great EP. My one critique is the drum sound, which makes me think they were recorded in a different building than the rest of the band. Fast jangly guitars and a singer whose voice floats along quite nicely. (Teenage USA) New Radiant Storm King - Singular ~ No Article Just when I was thinking about this band and wondering whether they were still together, I read about this album!! I understand, after doing a stint in Western Mass. , that things seem to move at a different pace out there. For instance, one day it took me 7 hours to travel by public transportation to Boston, a 2 1/2 hour drive. Maybe it doesn't seem like three and a half years since we last heard from these boys and I wonder a bit why an album this good is just seeing the light of day now, two years after it was recorded. This album is mellow at points without ever droning or becoming sleepy, it is chock full of tempered aggression. In earlier days, the boys would have just let loose the noise, but they hold back on these songs to a powerful effect. When they turn it up a bit, as on "The Right Scream" one of their finest songs, it's even better. The drumwork of Garrett Fonts is particularly noticeable in its tastefulness. They provide a unique sound that I have heard in few recent bands and I hope that they will give us fans a chance to hear these songs live. I highly recommend this album and their others!! (Poster Girl Records) |
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| New Rising Sons - Thieves and Angels
EP C'mon heroes - don't f*cking do this to me. Don't make me have to say bad things. When people ask me how the New Rising Sons are, I'm not going to lie. I'm going to say, "Well, partner...it sounds like the bastard child of the Black Crowes, Lynard Skynard, Oasis, the Stones, and Jason Lee's band in Almost Famous. Yeah, I know Garrett from Texas is the Reason and Drew from Into Another is in the band. But despite Garrett's former bandmate's proclamation (Norm Arenas called this a "different nod to their punk roots"), this has all the cahones of a Vienna boys' choir. Don't get me wrong. They're nearly at something good. The third harmonies had me for a while. It just doesn't rock...it rambles. If you like the above bands, you may dig this, but I found a lack of that special thing to get me hooked. (GrapeOS) |
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| New
Sweet Breath - Acceleration and Distortion This had to be their longest stretch without a release since the band started. Probably one of the most overlooked and under-appreciated bands in the country, they've never really put out a song that wasn't worth the listener's two minutes and wasn't immediately memorable. Another interesting thing about these Seattle-ites is that they've progressed with each release to the point that this EP finds them a full 180∞ from Supersound Speedway. This is slow and smooth with a couple of louder moments thrown in. The opener, "The Light is Green" sounds like a lost Motown hit (as does the closer, "Twilight Exit") and is simply one of my favorite songs going right now. The pace picks up toward the middle of the album as "Check Out Queen Anne" and "Shine" rock with the best of the rest of their impressive catalogue. Like ice on an engine... (Mag Wheel) Neutrino - motion picture soundtrack Thick as thieves bass-lines (courtesy one the rock gods from Lustre King) and sounds mixed with clear-sounding guitars and razor-sharp drumming. Mostly instrumentals (and when there are vox, they're extremely low in the mix rendering them a non-issue). The songs go from quiet meditations to monstrous-size riffs that belonged on a bigger stage than any club in Chicago. (Divot Records) |
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