1. Morning Benders “Promises”
2. Wavves “Post Acid”
3. Of Montreal “Coquet Coquette”
4. Cloud Nothings “Hey Cool Kids”
5. Surfer Blood “Floating Vibes”
6. Vampire Weekend “Giving Up the Gun”
7. Miniature Tigers “Bullfighter Jacket”
8. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin “Let It Sway”
9. Arcade Fire “The Suburbs”
10. Ra Ra Riot “Boy”
Guards is essentially just singer Richie Follin with contributions from Caroline Polachek (Chairlift) and Cults. The album is filled with so much sound that one might think it was a five-piece band. There are many instruments used on the album and each does a particular job to create a lo-fi pop experience.
If MGMT was married to Karen O and The Kids and had an illegitimate child with Arcade Fire, it would be Guards. This bastard child croons, chants, and makes sure it is heard on all eight tracks of Guards. Guards seemingly have all the characteristics of its parents: It has the “Oooh Oooh Oooh” backing vocals a la Arcade Fire, yowling vocals set to a magical keyboard a la MGMT, and a childlike wonder tone a la Karen O and the Kids. It has been a while since a debut EP has been so ambitious.
This is not some exasperating brat that steals from its parents’ success, in fact, Guards explores new terrain especially with vocal harmonies. “Sail It Slow” strides forward smoothly as the vocals play off one another in a vigorous fashion. The opening track “Resolution Of One” has a chorus that explodes like a Jerry Bruckheimer movie. On “Crystal Truth”, there is a blissful melody that makes you wonder how no one has written it before. Each song is solid in its own distinct way and it never feels like you have been listening to the same song for too long. This is probably due to the fact that most songs do not go past the three minute point. Also, each song flies by with the help of the harmonizing refrains. Instrumentally, everything is solid especially the thunderous drums. The beat always feels firm next to such sweet-tempered vocals and each instrument highlights another fittingly.
It is impossible not to allude to other bands that Guards sounds like but that does not take away from the achievements of Guards. No doubt, Guards sounds like the illegitimate child of a few notable indie bands but who really cares? At least it is not the illegitimate child of MC Hammer and LFO. This is a wonderful debut EP for the little brat.
Ontario quartet, Tokyo Police Club, have good news for us Yanks, more dates. In support of their sophomore album Champ, the foursome will hit the road with and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and Two Door Cinema Club through most of January before going it alone. The album, produced by Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliott Smith), has garnered serious critical acclaim for the boys’ brand of high octane, gritty pop. Everyone from NPR, The New York Times, Alternative Press, Pitchfork and Paste have given high marks to Champ.
Be sure to catch them in your town.
1/17/11 – Pawtucket, RI @ The Met ^ *
1/19/11 – Boston, MA @ Paradise ^ *
1/20/11 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club ^ *
1/21/11 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5 ^ *
1/22/11 – Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero ^ *
1/23/11 – Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall ^ *
1/25/11 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade ^ *
1/26/11 – Tampa, FL @ Crowbar ^ *
1/27/11 – Orlando, FL @ The Social ^ *
1/28/11 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room *
1/29/11 – Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbit’s *
1/31/11 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon *
2/1/11 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater *
2/2/11 – Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa *
2/3/11 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live *
2/5/11 – Nashville, TN @ Exit/In *
2/7/11 – Columbia, MO @ The Blue Note *
2/8/11 – Columbia, MO @ Firebird *
2/10/11 – Covington, KY @ The Mad Hatter *
* w/ Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
^ w/ Two Door Cinema Club
Self-proclaimed “sloppy pop” band Parlovr has announced the release of two holiday songs called “I’m Santa” and “Spike the Eggnog.” Both songs are available by downloadin exchange for a donation of any amount. Donations will go to www.avaaz.org.
Their EP Heaven/Hell/Big/Love and self-titled LP is available now. Parlovr plans to tour the US later next year. The song “Hell, Heaven” from the EP is listed here:
Christmas time is upon us, which for some means eggnog and carols. We here at Modern Mystery cannot supply you with eggnog, but we can give you the music to brighten up your holiday season.
Little & Ashley, whose music you’ve likely heard in commercials for Amazon’s Kindle, released a dynamite Christmas EP, entitled Winter Night, last month. The title track from that EP is currently available for free download via Amazon’s 25 Days of Christmas, as are a number of other wonderful holiday ditties.
But wait, there’s more! NY based band Sleepy Rebels also dropped a Christmas record this holiday season. The full-length LP, entitled Bah! Humbug!, is filled with original tunes worth adding to your collection. One such tune, “California Christmas,” is available for free download HERE. The band also shot a video for their song “Sweet Things,” which I’ve included below.
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