Review by: Sean Kayden
Foster The People – I’m hailing these LA natives the next MGMT. While MGMT failed to capture any resemblance to their breakout debut album with “Congratulations”, their sophomore slump of last year, “Foster The Group” seem prime and fitted to fulfill that void. Their debut 3-song EP is a musical frenzy embedded with the summery, low and high tide beats that one can play all year long. Although it may be the winter season, this short yet sweet compilation trickles with estival synthesizers alongside an air of breeziness. The sure-to-be tantalizing echo of 2011 that’s bust-a-groove commendable is driven with pure, uncompromised fun. Melodies are floating on a cloud nine atmosphere. “Foster The People” is a four-piece band that materialized back in late 2009. Now they’re creating a buzz like a pack of bees nestled in an artistic hive. A forthcoming untitled debut LP is set to hit store shelves sometime this summer. It’ll definitely be that record you’ll be blasting in the car with the top and windows down, feeling most alive in the moment where dreams come true.
Gauntlet Hair – Great things come in pairs. A relatively unknown duo from Colorado has burst onto the indie rock scene like Fruit Gushers in one’s mouth. With a single and a b-side out on iTunes, followed by another released song on the Internet, “Gauntlet Hair” may appear unarmed by lacking an arsenal of tunes. However, their multi-layered impetuous songs will turn your head inside out. “Gauntlet Hair’s” exiguous collections of tracks are adventurous, wild, and energetic - all of which bears a similarity to the likes of Animal Collective. In this case, it’s not nearly as sporadic or tumultuous as Animal Collective, but a sound refined and innovative. It’ll have one stopping in their tracks once they hear these infectious tunes. A highly anticipated debut album set for later this year is leaving me voracious for what ostensible surprises are in store.
Young The Giant – Arguably the most mainstream pop-rock band on this eclectic list, “Young The Giant’s” lighthearted debut LP shouldn’t keep the underground indie lovers wandering too far away. There is just an inherently likeable feel to the self-titled album that came out in late 2010. An album that caters to the mainstream masses and under-the-radar listeners, these Newport Beach idealist dudes have the potential to be ferocious in the year ahead. A record with catchy arrangements, smooth vocals, delicate lyrics and crescendo tracks, this California vibrancy makes it effortless to grant “Young The Giant” my highest recommendation. Call me bias to the scattering array of bands taking this summery, breezy, and dreamy induced sound to new heights, but in the midst of all the chaos, “Young The Giant” have the aptitude for irrefutable stardom.
Memory Tapes - Dayve Hawk is the craftsman behind the chillwave band “Memory Tapes”. Yes, we have another band that’s emblematic of the summer season. “Memory Tapes’” first album, “Seek Magic”, arrived in 2009. Poised to take it to another level, Hawk recently released a new single this year entitled “Today Is Our Life”. It’s one of the coolest electronic tunes I’ve heard in a long time. The song consistently changes tempos throughout its entirety, which allows for one to discovery something new each repeated listen. The familiar beginning of the song will please fans of “Memory Tapes”, but the song quickly changes gears and never settles on easing up. “Today is Our Life” is the song to guide us from the unpredictable junctures in our own personal world to our most memorable intervals. “Memory Tapes’” follow up album is set to be released in the coming months and from the looks it of it already, the sophomore slump curse will likely not be a concern.
Noah and The Whale – The heartbreak kids from England are back to liven things up a bit. Lead singer Charlie Fink, wrote their entire second album due to the painful breakup with his girlfriend (who was a band member in their first album). It inspired true substance and was tragically beautiful. Most of all, it proved “Noah and The Whale” have more range than just merely pop-folk rock performers. The new single, “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N” puts them back to their roots, which isn’t a bad thing at all. It’s an easy, laid-back, simple tune that can easily make anyone crack a smile. The true gem is another song released on the band’s site called “Wild Thing”. Wistful, beautiful, haunting lyrics, wrapped up in this sort of Lou Reed’s “Transformer” vibe, “Wild Thing” proves heartfelt songs don’t always have to be such downers. Without a doubt, this forthcoming album will put them on the map while confirming that these Brits have reached new heights. “Noah and The Whale’s” third record, “Last Night on Earth” is set for March 7th and so am I.
Published on February 12, 2011 by Mountain Views News.
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n08/p10.htm
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