Lydia - Paint it Golden

I'll admit it. After the rather sad excuse for an album that came out 2010, I wasn't expecting much from Lydia. It wasn't a bad album, but compared to the masterpiece before that (Illuminate) it was clearly a downhill drop.

The news that Lydia was breaking up. For good. No more chances for a new favorite album, no more letting Leighton Antelman's soft voice put me to sleep (I'm not gay for him I SWEAR). Assailants was rather disappointing, and for a while I thought Illuminate would be the only thing to hold onto. Then, out of Limbo, they returned to the world.

I will admit, for a while, I was really concerned the band would return to the style of an old album. Either to their most recent attempt and be insanely mediocre, or try a full album of hits, similar to what they tried with It's December, It's One More and I'm Free. And through all of that, we get to the release of Lydia's rise from the ashes, Paint it Golden.

Their sound is something only defined as true indie rock. Both bold and soft at the same time, Lydia's mix of beautiful vocals, simplistic guitar riffs, sweet sounding piano, and gentle drums leave a sound that is truly an impression that won't be leaving you anytime soon. I can't think of a single band I know of that really sounds like Lydia. Like or hate the music, it's truly a class of its own. This album manages to hold on to that feeling in Illuminate that made it so incredible as well. Every single song isn't trying to be a hit. You get songs like I'll Bite You, which can be cut straight from the album and still be heavy hitters. But just like their best work, this is something you listen to the whole way through. When you sit down and think "Oh, I'm gonna listen to some Lydia" you don't pick one song from this album. You simply can't. The flow between songs is back, the leading straight into the next track, no stopping in between. That's one of the most beautiful things about this album. It's actually a whole piece of art, not split into a dozen little pieces. The subject matter and sound to the music is different enough to constitute a different track on the CD, but it's like listening to several different movements of an orchestra, all of the same piece of music.

All in all, give a few songs a listen on Youtube, and pick up the CD if you like it. Birds, I'll Bite You, and Ghosts really stick out of the bunch, but any of them will do. Obviously I'm already a huge fan of Lydia, but this is really incredible music. Cheers, and hope you give these guys a listen.

The Republic of Wolves - The Cartographer [2011]

Ah, back in the saddle again. I meant to post this album several months ago, but never quite got around to it. Before we move onto the new stuff, lets go over my favorite album of the year.

What it is: a simple seven song album from the indie rock outfit, Long Island natives the Republic of Wolves.

At least, that's what I expected upon my first listen.

What I got, however, was a variable Smörgåsbord of different genres from song to song, with the album swinging between post-rock, to indie rock, to folk, to shoegaze, to metal, and heading right back to alternative with the album closing. All with the same topic; that is, the wide open ocean and maps. They, in these seven songs, manage to encompass all my favorite genres, and do so flawlessly. How they manage to perform in so many different circumstances is beyond me, but hell, it sounds incredible. Truly my personal, if not THE album of the year so far.

If only more bands managed to do this... (in a semi acceptable/decent fashion.)

The Decemberists - The King is Dead

A fitting title to the previous "The King of Limbs" it seems.

I recently got into The Decemberists, A LOT. After hearing about this new album at the very beginning of the year, I gave it a listen and found an alt-rock, alt-country, folkish sounding sound that was present in each of their songs. Listening to a few you will either want to get down and square dance, or pick up an acoustic guitar and walk down some railroad tracks for miles. But if you dislike country, like I do, (I really do hate that shit [more power to you if you listen to it]) this album will not convey any sort of tractor loving-girlfriend beating cacophony of drunken superstars. The use of an orchestra and other instruments besides the norm add to the beautiful sound that is "The King is Dead".

Lyrically, it's pretty good. Not amazing, but just good. But after listening to their previous albums I just figured that was the norm. If you are looking for a great fall-winter and maybe even spring album, check this out.

Radiohead - The King of Limbs [2011]

I'm sure i've outgrown Radiohead. Actually, i'm positive I have. That being said, I decided to give their new album a listen and found a satisfactory piece at best. Nothing new seems to have been experimented and in some cases that's not terribly a bad thing. Thom is still cranking out some "deep" verses, and the music is about par with any other 7 minute long drum line and a syth heavy track. It just seems a bit, lackluster, boring. But maybe I'm just comparing this to previous albums that scored monumental success. Being that the album released earlier than expected, on a weekend, and with much press on it, most Radiohead fanatics will already have this by now and be paying homage to their closet Yorke statues in the near future.

Iron & Wine - Kiss Each Other Clean [2011]

As a new found Iron & Wine fan, I became drawn into the intricate folk and rhythmic patterns of their previous albums. Poetic and what it seems like, story driven lyrical themes etc. etc.

After hearing the new album, "Kiss Each Other Clean", It's easy to see how the band has evolved into a newer and stronger sound than before. With Added electronic-sounding ambiance, and instruments from around the world it makes for a interesting listen. From what it seems, and coming from a new listener of Iron & Wine, their new music direction is straying away from their folk roots on such albums as "Our Endless Numbered Days".