Vampire Weekend - Contra
Released January 12, 2010
Genre - Indie
Album Rating: 3.30
Sophomore album from Vampire Weekend finds them stretching out a bit to mixed results. This may be one that grows more on me over time, but from an initial listen, only a handful of really strong cuts.
Songs To Listen For:
5 Star Songs:
- None
4 Star Songs:
- Track 2 - White Sky
- Track 3 - Holiday
- Track 6 - Run
- Track 8 - Giving Up The Gun
Spoon - Transference
Released January 19, 2010
Genre - Alternative
Album Rating - 3.64
Loved Spoon's previous record, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. Just like Vampire Weekend, Transference finds Spoon exploring their sound, pushing boundaries. A couple of stellar tracks, a few strong songs and nothing that completely misses.
Songs To Listen For:
5 Star Songs:
- Track 2 - Is Love Forever?
- Track 10 - Got Nuffin
4 Star Songs:
- Track 3 - Mystery Zone
- Track 6 - I Saw The Light
- Track 7 - Trouble
Motion City Soundtrack - My Dinosaur Life
Released January 19, 2010
Genre - Rock
Album Rating - 3.92
Motion City Soundtrack continues to bring the crazy tuneful pop-punk / rock sound on this album. Only one track that truly blew me away, but a whole host of other songs that will keep you bouncing your head and singing along. Track 9 is not for little ears.
Songs To Listen For:
5 Star Songs:
- Track 7 - Stand Too Close
4 Star Songs:
- Track 1 - Worker Bee
- Track 2 - A Life Less Ordinary
- Track 3 - Her Words Destroyed My Planet
- Track 4 - Disappear
- Track 5 - Delirium
- Track 8 - Pulp Fiction
- Track 9 - @!#?@!
- Track 10 - Hysteria
- Track 11 - Skin And Bones
Laura Veirs - July Flame
Released January 12, 2010
Genre - Folk
Album Rating - 3.31
I've heard Laura Veirs album being compared to last year's Neko Case album. I can hear where the comparisons come from, with Laura's ethereal voice carrying the melodies over gorgeous instrumental work. If you like Neko, give Laura a try.
Songs To Listen For:
5 Star Songs:
- None
4 Star Songs:
- Track 1 - I Can See Your Tracks
- Track 2 - July Flame
- Track 5 - Life Is Good Blues
- Track 9 - When You Give Your Heart
- Track 11 - Wide-eyed, Legless
Bouncing Souls - Ghosts On The Boardwalk
Released January 12, 2010
Genre - Punk
Album Rating - 3.33
Bouncing Souls come back with another record, continuing their move away from some of the ska punk from back in the day to a more pop punk sound. A few songs hit me just right and others were just so-so.
Songs To Listen For:
5 Star Songs:
- None
4 Star Songs:
- Track 1 - Gasoline
- Track 3 - I Think That The World...
- Track 4 - Ghosts On The Boardwalk
- Track 11 - We All Sing Along
