Minus The Bear - Omni

Life has gotten in the way lately but I return with a review of Menos El Oso's new album, Onmi.

I was impatient and shipped it from America because I couldn't wait for the UK release date. It's generally received good reviews with Metacritic giving it an over score of 70/100. Of course they won't please everyone and they sure as hell didn't please Pitchfork, receiving a meagre 35 - then again just exactly what does please Pitchfork these days...

This album will divide and hopefully conquer back Minus fans. It's a much more polished sound, there's no denying that. However, it could be argued as being more accessible too and that's no bad thing - after all a few more fans never hurts. The first single 'My Time' is very Minus, a pleasure to listen to and the video is fun to watch. Once again, Pitchfork bemoans it for being 'over produced as hell' but we'll just tell them to shut up and try being pleasant for once.
The interesting point in the creation of this album is that according to an interview Jake Snider did with Livedaily, the band recorded much of the album live, using single takes capturing the "live vibe" of Minus the Bear.

The rest of the album is psychedelic, dancey, technical and unadulterated Minus The Bear, particular stand outs include: Excuses, The Thief and Into The Mirror. So I give Pitchfork the middle finger and feel smug in the knowledge that myself and others won't be servant to poor reviews because we actually listen to the album. As AbsolutePunk reviewer Drew Beringer writes, "You can waste your time bitching and moaning about how Omni isn’t like Highly Refined Pirates or Menos El Oso. Or you can take the stick out of your ass and enjoy the ride."

The sun is bright and the ride is just fine.

~SouthernHeart

Listening to: Minus The Bear - Animal Backwards

Exit Calm

In this month of great releases (see previous blogs about The National & Foals) another unforgettable release came our way in the case of Exit Calm. The Shoegaze/Psychedelic four piece come from Barnsley and have caused quite a stir amongst avid fans of this particular Genre.

Comprised of Nicky Smith (Vocals), Rob Marshall (Guitar), Simon Lindley (Bass) & Scott Pemberton (Drums), the band have been around a fair few years now. I first stumbled upon Exit Calm in 2008 when they supported fellow Yorkshire band The Music on their 3rd album tour (Strength In Numbers (Which is also a great album. Highly recommended!))

Exit Calm's debut album was officially launched today. My copy arrived last Friday as their record label, AC30, shipped the album a week prior to its official release.

This album will take you all the way back to the brit-pop era. It won't take you to Oasis, It won't take you to Blur or Pulp. Exit Calm will take you to the unmistakable and thoroughly enthralling image of The Verve and in particular their 1993 album A Storm In Heaven.

Nicky's vocals are strong enough to come through the sheer brilliance of the sound which is produced behind him and compliments the band perfectly. He doesn't over shadow the band at all. In particular, Marshall and his ability to take us somewhere no other band really have been able to since early psychedelic movement in the 90's. In all honesty, this is The Verve's era all over again.

But let's make one thing clear, these aren't a rip off, nor are they just aimlessly following in the footsteps of Richard Ashcroft and Nick McCabe. Exit Calm are going on their own journey and one I will follow with close interest after this stunning album!

The album will take a few listens, it's not for the feint hearted or in fact half hearted. You need to sit down and really listen to the album to be captured by it's brilliance. It's not really a "singles" album either. Make of that what you will but it personally doesn't bother me in the slightest! Each song on the album is strong and compliments the previous one perfectly, Each track is individual in it's own merit and all together they produce one of this years must have releases.

Stand out tracks:

You've Got It All Wrong
We're On Our Own
Hearts And Minds
Forgiveness
Reference

.....I could go on, Like I've said it's not really a singles album. If I was to recommend individual tracks to people, they would be the ones I recommend, but in all honesty, You need to listen to the whole album to gauge the true Exit Calm.

Exit Calm - Hearts And Minds


8/10

Northern Soul

Listening to:

Exit Calm - Exit Calm - Forgiveness

The National

Hailing from Brooklyn, A lot would be mistaken in thinking that The National were an upcoming band. They're anything but. The American band were formed in 1999 and have 5 albums under their belt!

So, where have they been? why is it only now that people are slowly trying to take note of the band? There isn't really a definitive answer, and it's one i'm scratching my head with but that's just the way the music world is.

Listening to their new album, High Velvet I can sense Temper Trap and Elbow. Perhaps a comparison with Elbow would be fitting, both bands have been around a while but both bands have only very recently found acclaim. Though The National probably won't be as commercially successful over here.


Stand out tracks for me on the album would be:

Sorrow
Anyone's Ghost
Lemonworld
Conversation 16
England
Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks


All in all, a good album, It will take you a few listens but after a few listens it comes into it's own. 7/10

Northern Soul

Listening to:

The National - High Violet - England

Foals

A bit of background from me. I have never been a fan of the band. I felt they were pretty tedious so I was very surprised that I really liked their single This Orient. Very surprised in fact when I consider that from their previous work, I only really liked Balloons, Cassius was ok.... but that grained on me a little bit.

The 5 piece from Oxford released their second album Total Life Forever on the 10th May and after playing This Orient over and over again, I was eager to listen to the album. And I have not been disappointed. Don't get me wrong, this is a grower. This isn't an album that you will be able to listen to and take everything in on it's first listen. But after listening time and time again you start to see the album for what it is, one of sheer brilliance and beauty.

The band have definitely grown up, They're not the same band they were with Antidote. This album seems more refined, more polished and a more produced sound. Don't take that the wrong way however, It's not over produced. Everything comes through perfectly, Lyrics are soft yet powerful. As with their previous work, rhythm guitar is present throughout but it's more laid back, it's still an important part of their music but it's not overpowering which I thought it was at times previously.

That's about as technical I can get I'm afraid. I'm not a music journalist as I've said on many occasions but hey I try!

All I can say is that this is a new direction from the band and one I like immensely. Fans of the band will have to decide whether they want a new mature direction or if they want to stick to their previous work, which, to me was just trying far too hard.

For me, I know what I'll be choosing. Not only is this a great album..... So far it's one of the best releases of the year.

8/10

Stand out tracks:

Blue Blood
Black Gold
Spanish Sahara
This Orient
2 Trees

Northern Soul

Listening to:

Foals - Total Life Forever - What Remains

Interpol

I feel obliged to comment about this.

Carlos Dengler has left Interpol to pursue new goals. I am quite shocked about the news as are all Interpol fans. I didn't envisage any member to leave and have always seen the band as one solid unit. The band split up around 4 times before the release of their last album, Our Love To Admire which set alarm bells off for myself. I was relieved to hear they were recording their new album (which is now complete) but unfortunately the completion has came with a sacrifice.

Unlike a lot of bass players, Carlos was very prominent in the band. Carlos brought that heavy dark and deep bass which set the tone for so many Interpol songs. However, their new single lights shows a distinct lack of Dengler.

Maybe this was Interpol's way of breaking the news to the music world, Release a song which he doesn't really stand out, then announce the album is complete and Carlos has departed. I think that's just the cynic in me however!

There's nothing really much else for me to say except that I hope he is seen again on the music scene with new bands and projects. I'm pretty certain this is not the last we've heard of the New York native! I wish him luck for the future!

I'll always have the memories Carlos!

Northern Soul

Listening to:

Interpol - Antics - Public Pervert