Get Your Fix: Album Reviews by the CoolJunkie Staff

May 7, 2008 3:40 PM
by Marcos Colón [email]

The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement
by: Marcos Colón

Alex Turner has been in the studio yet again, however, this time the rest of the Arctic Monkey crew wasn’t there supplying the remainder of the sound. Instead, Turner and his friend and former tour mate Miles Kane, formerly of The Little Flames, have gotten together to form The Last Shadow Puppets and record their first album, The Age of the Understatement.

Although, Turner is the face of the Arctic Monkeys and is automatically associated with his quick and stammering guitar riffs, he takes on a different persona with The Last Shadow Puppets, one that takes you back musically to the late 60’s. With their first effort, the duo got some help in the percussion department from James Ford, who also produced the album.

On The Age of the Understatement, the sound the trio produces seems to take listeners on an adventure through an epic that’s been revamped, primarily through Turner’s vocals. On each track they seem to be accompanied by an orchestra that adds the melodic drama, while Turner and company add their ingredients of clever word play and raw energy.

Tracks like My Mistakes Were Made for You and Separate and Ever Deadly, have Turner taking a page out of the Arctic Monkey’s lyric book as he continues his deep and expansive confessions that have him crooning [There’s a handsome maverick/That you don’t talk about to keep me calm/And I can’t help it if I create a version/That pulls you back into his arms].

There’s no certain factor or characteristic about the album that highlights or promises a bright future for the boys’ side project, however, if a US tour is in the works, there’s no telling what us Yanks will take from it. After all, we are the make or break factor for all the new projects that cross the pond.

Stryke - The Narrowest of Paths
by: Aubrey Ford

Despite its entertainment value, the city of Miami struggles at times to summon honest expression from its musicians. This is especially true with many of Miami’s high profile electronic artists. Greg “Stryke” Chin shines as a resolute contention against such a claim.

With The Narrowest of Paths, one of Miami’s most prestigious DJs and producers presents yet another enthralling electronic masterpiece that captures not only the essence of dance music but that of expressive art in its highest form. On this record, Stryke melds together disparate elements of old and new, chill and energizing with seamless precision. The most inspiring aspect of this record is the contrast between its vintage feel and its modern framework. Stryke brings to the table a near perfect mastery of sound design and production that gives all of his work and indelible modern HI-FI sheen.

When vintage elements are introduced into such a sleek framework, they shimmer with an accelerated soulfulness. In many tracks like Her Eyes Are Stars (Acid Symphony) and I Dreamt of You Again the listener is transported back to 1980s Detroit at the advent of modern electronic music as Stryke busts out the Roland TB-303 and TR-808 synths that gave birth to the sounds of techno and acid house.

In perfect balance with his retro tendencies, however, are fresh innovations in rhythm and production as heard in the compelling groove found in Someday Soon. The Narrowest of Paths is unique among electronic music projects in its ability to tell a story and convey true emotion over top-notch dance beats. It is a fascinating journey and an immaculate representation of electronic music in its highest form.

Animal Collective - Water Curses
by: Aubrey Ford

Time for something new and different in your musical life? If you haven’t already heard them, and your answer is yes, then Animal Collective is your solution. With their newest release, Water Curses EP, this group continues to traverse the fne line between complete insanity and visceral passion.

Animal Colletive’s influences are vast, as they cover almost every conceivable class or genre of sound making in existence at some point in their catalog. Some elements are pervasive, however. There is always a tribal element in their music, and their melodies often bring out a sense of influence from African pop like Fela Kuti or perhaps from carribbean styles of calypso or salsa. All of these sounds function in a pop derived framework that keeps their sound accessible.

With Water Curses, Animal Collective pumps out some dynamic songs that live up to their reputation as one of indie music’s finest groups. The title track is a fascinating journey through a world of flutes, tribal drums, and eccentric sounds reminiscent of 1960s musique conrète. It twists and turns without warning into subsequent melodic phrases with the introduction of sudden changes in meter and the absence of conventional section transitions that most songwriters would be crazy to omit.

With Animal Collective, however, omitting transitions not only works but is an integral part of their sound. The remaining three songs are much more low key yet convey the same erratic energy. The Water Curses EP is a fascinating journey through a jungle of noise, rhythm, and melody that contains some of Animals Collective’s finest work.

Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
by: chipi

Death Cab for Cutie is now seven albums into a career that has become both revered and lucrative - a rare feat for an independent pop rock collective. With Christopher Walla at the production helm and Ben Gibbard driving the songs along with the shrill vulnerability of his boy-next-door voice and lyrics, DCFC has consistently released intriguingly layered and increasingly versatile music.

Narrow Stairs marks the groups departure from the whimsical undertones of suburban mythology from previous albums and sounds distinctively urban. It feels almost as if Walla revisits tracks in the vein of "The Sound of Settling" and expands on the concept. Even the eight minute long piano ballad "I Will Possess Your Heart" hits with an aggressive twang, driven by the haunting bass and thumping percussion shared with the aforementioned song. Tracks like "Your New Twin Sized Bed" and "The Ice is Getting Thinner" revisit the framework established in Plans and drag on a little more than others.

It's sure to be another celebrated Death Cab disc. It lacks a certain level of depth but doesn't necessarily merit any intense musical cristicism. "Long Division" is definitely most download worthy, layering lyrics in a way that recalls the pared down style of Photo Album.