Grails "Chalice Hymnal"
I hope this doesn’t shatter your whole reality, but these blurbs aren’t written in a vacuum. In fact, they are written in an anti-vacuum… the internet. So in doing research on the new Grails album Chalice Hymnal (Temporary Residence) I came about this prize-winning description of the title track on stereogum.com: “It’s an ominous, jazzy post-rock float with shades of ’80s movie soundtracks and David Bowie’s “Lazarus.” Well jeez, make a guy feel like he isn’t needed why don’t cha? I for one always look forward to when Alex Hall and Emil Amos return to their Grails moniker, as I am a huge fan of their movieless soundtracks, and this one does not disappoint. Check out the aforementioned (by Stereogum) title track.
Majeure "Apex"
Drums? Check! Synths? Check! Promo spiel from the band that sums this record up best? Check! Majeure combines the dark Moog-driven film scores of Vangelis with the relentless drive of Can and the transcendent minimalism of Steve Reich and Philip Glass. The brilliant mix of live and electronic rhythms is the heart and soul of Majeure’s music, which has a funny way of making time either speed up or stop entirely. So if you ever wondered what Phil Collins would sound like if he drummed for early Hawkwind, have i got a record for you! Check out “A Few More Pieces Of Eight.”
OUT "Swim Buddies"
Swim Buddies (Comedy Minus One) is the rocking, anthemic full-length debut from Kalamazoo, MI’s OUT. Shifting from pop-punk to ‘90s college radio seemingly on a dime, it’s pretty obvious that the mates part of bandmates comes first. OUT had a BLAST making this record, and you can hear it in every tune. Thick, Built To Spill-esque chunky guitars, a Teenage Fanclub ear for melodies, and a coat of flaxen gold. Ok, I made the last one up. At least I think I did? I haven’t seen them live yet, so I can’t say for sure anything about their coat. But I do know that hot damn, I love this record. Vital and modern with a touch of throwback indie? Yeah, that’s for me. Check out the Perfect From Now On vibes of “Dance, Like.”
Thievery Corporation "Temple Of I & I"
We were beyond thrilled to sign the laid back trip-hop, smooth acid jazz flows, and dorm room vibes of Thievery Corporation to the roster. So it’s very exciting for us that now they have released a new album. Temple of I & I is a dub-ed up, reggae extravaganza. Midtempo head nodders abound, with elements of ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s disco, hip-hop, and every other beat driven genre (as well as some ambient hints here and there). 20 years into their career and they are still paving the way for electronic music. Check out the anthemesque “Fight To Survive.”