Matters of real life pushed this back later than normal, but better late than never, I guess.
Revolt Revolt - Latah Nights
I was unaware of this band until recently, but they're pretty darn good. They've spent a lot of time opening for Built to Spill, and that pairing makes a lot of sense: they specialize in that 90's alternative guitar-led genre and manage to touch upon a lot of the giants: not just Built to Spill, but The Pixies, Sonic Youth, and Dinosaur Jr. as well. Interestingly, some of their slower songs have a psychedelic feel that more than a little brings to mind Jane's Addiction. Additionally, the album is only eight tracks long, and there is definitely something to say about not wearing out your welcome.
Selections
Flares
Revolt Revolt – Nu Blud
It Echoes On
Revolt Revolt – It Echoes On
Jason Lytle - Department of Disappearance
Jason Lytle's previous band Grandaddy is something of a musical blind spot for me, but hearing this recent album, which is Lytle's second solo effort, makes me want to explore Grandaddy's back catalog.
Lytle's music is an interesting amalgamation: he uses plenty of synthesizers and strings, but he usually grounds the music in driving guitars, and he definitely knows how to craft a song. This means he can do just about any style: driving rock, mellow folk, spacey prog, or straightforward pop rock. Lytle's offkilter raspy vocals are kinda reminiscent to me of The Thrills (sidenote: remember The Thrills?), but they are similarly versatile in their mood, sounding at different times apathetic, whimsical, melancholic, or spaced-out.
The album could probably use a little bit more uptempo songs - it sags a bit in the middle before picking up again with the excellent "Your Final Setting Sun" - but the beautiful moments are awful beautiful.
Selections
Department of Disappearance
