Artist: Gnarls Barkley
Album: The Odd Couple
Wikipedia Genre(s): Neo soul, Electronic, Hip hop, Alternative
Matt’s Fav Tracks: Charity Case, Going On, Surprise
# times listened: Moderate (10 – 25 times)
Matt’s Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Buy CD: Amazon
Have a listen: Non-DRM MP3’s on Amazon

With the impossible task of following up the originality and success of their first album, Gnarls Barkley managed to avoid the sophomore slump (for the most part). While St. Elsewhere didn’t leave my car CD player 2 summers ago, I’m finding the tracks this go-around more complicated and varied, yet forgettable.

While this is by no means a bad album, the hooks just aren’t as strong as St. Elsewhere. If you are new to the band, you’ll probably be intrigued by the instrumentation and the multiple layers of musical styles these guys can whip up. Live, they are also quite a treat as they tend to dress up as movie characters, i.e.:

They are going to be on Saturday Night Live next week (April 12, 2008), though I’m interested more in seeing what they’ll do for the performance rather than hearing stuff from the new album. Still, a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Artist: The Mars Volta
Album: The Bedlam in Goliath
Wikipedia Genre(s): Progressive rock, experimental rock, neo-psychedelia, art rock
Matt’s Fav Tracks: Aberinkula, Megatron, Wax Simulacra
# times listened: Moderate (10 – 25 times)
Matt’s Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Buy CD: Amazon
Have a listen: Non-DRM MP3’s on Amazon

I remember hanging out at Flying Fish skatepark in Madison, WI back in 2003 when De-Loused in the Comatorium was playing in the shop area. I’m sure I had a common first-reaction of “what in the hell IS this?!” I had never heard such a strange mix of melodies and epic constructions. Some of you could probably write off Mars Volta as simply a prog-rock band, akin to the lot from the 70’s and 80’s, but there is much more there.

As a lover of slick marketing, some of the things I read surrounding this album are both brilliant and quite scary. While on tour with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, lead guitarist/composer Omar Alfredo Rodríguez-Lopez, purchased a Ouija Board and it became an after-gig pastime of the band. Material for the album came out of these sessions, but while recording they had numerous setbacks (the engineer quit, the studio flooded twice, tracks disappeared, etc. etc.) which the band attributes to the spirits they may have awoke during their Ouija sessions…

So should we believe this, or is it just clever marketing? I don’t think it matters, as this album does sound like something channeled from the afterlife. They even released released the album on a USB thumb drive with MP3’s that looks like a Ouija board controller. Sweet!

So far, of all the people I’ve had listen to this album few have liked it as I have, which is unfortunate. The first track hits you with such a wall of sound that you rarely hear these days. Get this album to diversify your collection… or the spirits may get you! I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Artist: Vampire Weekend
Album: Vampire Weekend
Wikipedia Genre(s): Indie rock, Afro-pop, Indie pop
Matt’s Fav Tracks: None really, mostly annoying
# times listened: Not Many (<10 times)
Matt’s Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Buy CD: Amazon
Have a listen: Non-DRM MP3‘s on Amazon

So I heard a lot of hype about these guys and thought I’d give them a shot. After about 6-7 times through the album, I just don’t get it. For all the attention they are getting, I’ve heard better local bands when I was in college. They sound like a bad Paul Simon tribute band mixed with an annoying hippie jam band. Not my cup of tea.

Now I’ve heard they are decent live which I brings them up a bit, but jeez, these organs/flutes are just annoying. Well mixed, but freakin’ annoying. And the yelling ‘oh oh oh oh’ on A-punk? Ugh. I wish Hank would go to one of their shows and when they play this song, pound these wimps with their own instruments. Maybe I’m missing the point, but these songs are just all really whiny and weak. A lowly 2 out of 5 stars for me.

If you like this kind of droning, maybe try something a little more original like one of my old-school standbys, fIREHOSE. Check out Brave Captain which is a fav of mine.

Artist: Interpol
Album: Our Love to Admire
Wikipedia Genre(s): Post-punk revival, Indie rock
Matt’s Fav Tracks: Whole Album!
# times listened: A LOT (>25 times)
Matt’s Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Buy CD: Amazon
Have a listen: Non-DRM MP3‘s on Amazon

I’m a firm believer that you shouldn’t go around giving 100%’s to everyone, but occasionally, you need to give it up. After spending some significant time with this album, I’m still finding great little riffs and rhythms that I missed the first, second or 30th time. In short, it’s a modern-rock masterpiece.

Being a “grunge boy” in the 90’s, I find myself listening to a lot of indie in the 2000’s. While many would simply classify this as ’emo’ after a few listens, I encourage you not to be so harsh (yes, emo is a derogatory term to me). Additionally, I hate almost all emo (i.e. Death-Cab), so by giving this 5 stars it simply can’t be…

Anyways, on Our Love to Admire, Interpol carefully walks that fine line with what I would call “effective brooding” while avoiding the “annoyingly irritating” whining that plagues many, MANY emo bands and even a lot of indie bands I like. Even earlier Interpol albums have some of the songs that fall under this territory… though I won’t call them out quite yet as I haven’t spend enough time with them.

This album is a must-have and I predict will become a classic for me. Check it

Artist: Cansei de Ser Sexy
Album: Cansei de Ser Sexy
Wikipedia Genre(s): Pop, Dance-pop, Electro, Indie rock
Matt’s Fav Tracks: Music is My Hot Hot Sex, Alala
# times listened: Moderate (10-25 times)
Matt’s Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Buy CD: Amazon
Have a listen: Non-DRM MP3’s on Amazon

Okay okay, yes, I got this after I saw the Apple commercial, for “Music is my Hot Hot Sex“, but when I found out the band was on on Sub-Pop, I felt a little better about myself. While the aforementioned song is quite catchy, I must say the rest of this album is a bit strange, if not quite funny. I have an affinity for foreign bands singing in English, as their lyrics are often right to the point and quite in your face. The track listing alone should tell that story. For as fun and poppy as the Apple ad is, there is quite an edge that a unsuspecting soccer mom buying this for their kid would have never expected. I give it 3.5 stars, and highly recommend it if you’re drunk!