Man Forever "Play What They Want (Thrill Jockey)"
Man Forever, which is John Colpitts (who is Kid Millions–confused yet?) is a drum-led compositional project that defies genre-labeling. Which is why the album’s name, Play What They Want (Thrill Jockey), is so damn apt. Here Colpitts does whatever he and his guest stars want to do. Do they want to sound like a particularly sharp version Grateful Dead’s “Space” jam? Do they want to sound like a modern jazz orchestra? Do they want to sound like modern classical a la Steve Reich? Yes. Yes. Yes. John, along with maybe the best lineup of guests ever (Yo La Tengo, Laurie Anderson, Phil Manley, harpist Mary Lattimore, Beruit and Sufjan Stevens horn player Ben Lanz) explore every corner of their musical minds in dramatic and sophisticated ways. This is music that demands attention. So you should give it as much as you have to spare and check out the first track from the album, the Laurie Anderson-featuring “Twin Torches.”
White Hills "Stop Mute Defeat (Thrill Jockey)"
White Hills have never been a band to rest on their laurels. Every album tends to reinvent their sound, but never have then gone as sound-redefining as on their latest release, Stop Mute Defeat (Thrill Jockey). They decided to borrow William Burroughs “cut-up” technique, only apply it to music. So instead of dadaist text, we are left with a decidedly industrial sounding White Hills. Sounding at times like a post-rock Primal Scream, these are abstract, art-rock burners. But they retain White Hills’ sense of song somehow, leaving the listener bewildered, yet nodding along. Hey, the punks went to art school! Check out the scream-free version of Ministry’s sound with “Importance 101.”
Hazel English "Just Give In/Never Going Home (Polyvinyl)"
Hazel English’s sound is a tough one to describe. Just Give In/Never Going Home (Polyvinyl) is her first LP, combining her debut EP with new songs recorded just for this collection. The difficult part comes in an attempt to keep up with Hazel. By the time she’s perfected her sound on one tune, she’s off to the next one, complete with a different set of sounds. Sure, indie-pop covers the idea, but it’s definitely a broad term. There are times where her sound might remind you of Alvvays or Best Coast, but there are definite comparisons to Grimes to be made, but maybe if Grimes listened to more Echo and the Bunnymen. You know what? I’m gonna stop now. You’re gonna like this, trust us. Check out the wistful bounce of “Fix.”
Overlake "Fall"
Well this might be a BRM first! A Jersey City band and a classic Hoboken label (Bar/None)! This is a rave spiel waiting to happen, and thankfully Overlake is not just nepotism rock. If you like your bands from Jersey (like I do), while you gaze upon your shoes (Hey look! Saucony Jazz!) this is the album for you. Produced loud and clear by Tom Beajour at Nuthouse Studios in (yes Hoboken), check out the power of the fuzz as you close your eyes and drift away to “Winter Is Why.”