It's hard to believe that 2007 is already one-third over. But looking back over the past four months, a lot of exciting music has been released. I figured it's time for a round-up of some of the best and worst I've been listening to:
Communiqué - Walk Into The Light - I really dug their Poison Arrows album because of the consistently strong hooks. But on this EP they've got lots of bluster and no hooks. Avoid. 4 out of 10.
Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City - Bloc Party have lost some of the crackling, live-wire energy displayed on their brilliant debut Silent Alarm, but they make up for it with craftsmanship and skill. The songs strike a balance between direct political broadsides and introspective personal reflections. The album as a whole takes a few listens to really appreciate, which may be why the initial reaction has been mixed. While this may not be the near-masterpiece Silent Alarm was, it's a fine album in its own right, and miles ahead of most of their contemporaries. 8 out of 10.
Cut City - Exit Decades - How badly you need to check out this Swedish group depends on how much you like Interpol, Editors, Joy Division and post-punk in general. If, like me, you are an aficionado, you definitely need to track this down. If the style doesn't really appeal to you, then you can safely skip it. It's a genre exercise, albeit a very good one. 7 out of 10.
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - Living With The Living - It's a bit indulgent at 60 minutes, but there's so much great stuff you can forgive the occasional misstep. Leo is one of the few credible political punk rockers left and he delivers a punk rock smörgåsbord. "Sons Of Cain" is a typically speedy, catchy single. "Bomb. Repeat. Bomb." is a blunt, hardcore political statement. "A Bottle Of Buckie" is an Irish drinking song (a la the Pogues). "The Unwanted Things" is Two-Tone inspired reggae. All of it is worth hearing. 8 out of 10.
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - Sharkbite Sessions - Only available online via iTunes or eMusic, but worth getting a hold of. The Leo original "Loyal To My Sorrowful Country", plus covers of Split Enz' "Six Months In A Leaky Boat" and Stiff Little Fingers' "Suspect Device" given a rockin' full band arrangement. 8 out of 10.
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible - It's hard to follow up a classic like Funeral which may be the best album of the last 5 years. But with Neon Bible, Arcade Fire have crafted a solid successor. The concept album shows off Win Butler's potent lyrics and the band's swirling arrangements very well. When they crescendo at the same time, like in "Intervention" or "No Cars Go", the effect is transcendent. 8.5 out of 10.
Every Move A Picture - Heart=Weapon - They're basically also-rans in the 80's synth-rock revival (i.e. The Killers, The Bravery, etc). "Signs Of Life" is their best song -- if you like it, the album can be found very cheaply used. 5 out of 10.
Fratellis - Costello Music - Yes, "Flathead" is the song from the iPod commercial. But the rest of the album lives up to that uptempo single. "Creepin' Up The Back Stairs" is another catchy rave-up, "The Gutterati?" is a rockin' statement of purpose, and "Vince The Loveable Stoner" is an amusing goof. If you like hard rock and power-pop, you should check this out. 7 out of 10.
Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank - A denser, more elliptical album than most people expected. The addition of former Smiths axe-man Johnny Marr has added another layer of depth to the sound, but Isaac Brock is still an odd duck as a frontman for a major label act. There's no single as catchy as "Float On", but overall the songs are strong. This is probably not the entry point for new fans (I'd go with The Moon And Antarctica), but notch up another one in the win column for Modest Mouse. 7.5 out of 10.
The Kid - La Société Nouvelle - If you are bored with bands pillaging Joy Division for their post-punk sound, check out Swedish group The Kid. They focus on the New Order sound instead. "The Noble Art Of Jealousy" opens with a bit of 80's style guitar noise, but morphs into a fine "Blue Monday" tribute, "Suicide In Bruxelles" sounds like something from New Order's Low-Life, and their finest song, "Kit Club Hotel" seamlessly grafts a number of goth-pop influences onto a pounding dance beat. 8 out of 10.
Fountains Of Wayne - Traffic And Weather - They're such efficient pop craftsmen, their best songs sound effortless. "Someone To Love" is a typical lead-off single -- catchy and irresistible. "92 Subaru" is a fabulous Cheap Trick knock-off (just like "Stacy's Mom" was nothing if not a Cars tribute). Several other songs are solid as well, but compared to their previous albums, there's more clunkers. If you're a fan, then you should get this without hesitation. If not, any of their previous albums would be a better bet. 7 out of 10.
The Sunshine Underground - Raise The Alarm - Dance-punk is dead. Long live dance-punk. If you like The Rapture, Franz Ferdinand, et al. you need to give this a listen. They're late to the party, but they have brought the goods: a rhythm section that can groove, a front-man that can both yowl and croon with aplomb, and, best of all, actual songs! 8 out of 10.
The National - Boxer - The album isn't quite officially released yet, but the whole thing has been leaked, and it's a doozy. It's enjoyable on first listen, but after a few more it becomes clear that this is a front-runner for album of the year. Matt Berninger's lyrics have become more focused, while retaining that impressionistic, free-form quality that made them unique. The band's musical backdrops are jaw-dropping -- they range from dense and complex to simple and refined, perfectly matching the mood of the song. I'm sure I'll have more to say once it's officially released, but for now I say this: "Get this album!!" 9 out of 10.
Superdrag - Changin' Tires On The Road To Ruin - I wish they hadn't called it quits. But this was a band that could never fake it to make a buck. You could tell John Davis felt his songs to the core, and once his heart was no longer in it, that was that. This is a collection of odds and ends, and it's a delight, with several unreleased gems seeing the light of day. If you are a Superdrag fan, it's a must have. 7 out of 10.
More review to come, stay tuned...