Guster "Keep It Together" (Reprise Records)
College Rock
The college cult band Guster is back with its fourth album, "Keep It Together," taking a step from a former hippie sound and incorporating deeper lyrical content, carefully planned rhythmic energy and overlapping harmonies from vocals and instrumental sections.
"Careful" is friendly and optimistic, offering a chorus with gentle harmonies. "Homecoming King" references Guster's undergrad Massachusetts days with a funky percussion section; this track sounds like it could have commercial appeal as a future single. "Ramona" and "Red Oyster Cult" have a sound reminiscent of '60s rock and surf bands, with dreamy falsetto on the former and an original arrangement on the latter with tambourines and whistling. "Jesus on the Radio" offers a folk sound and the feeling of a warm bonfire gathering. The title track is catchy and uplifting. "Come Downstairs and Say Hello" is a treasure with its clever intensity rising musically and rhythmically. Even though the last few songs fall into the same melancholy mood and drag on somewhat, the album as a whole offers a balance of sounds and emotions.
- MICHAEL MENACHEM
Primus "Animals Should Not Try To Act Like People" (Interscope Records)
Alternative Punk
3 / 4 stars
"Animals Should Not Try To Act Like People" is the recent CD/DVD release from the eccentric band Primus. The CD includes five unexciting new songs. The DVD includes 13 of Primus's videos plus more than two hours of extras.
All three Primus members are notably talented at their instruments, especially Les Claypool on bass. But there are no tracks that compare to some of the band's other stand-out songs.
What makes this release special is the scope and format of the DVD. The videos span the entire career of Primus and include the well known "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" and "Wynona's Big Brown Beaver." But perhaps the highlight of the DVD is a video for the song, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," which includes clay animation. There are also live performances and other extras.
- GARRETT KARRBERG
Catch 22 "Dinosaur Sounds" (Victory Records)
Ska
3 / 4 stars
Though Catch 22 is considered by many to be "the" New Jersey ska band, this new release manages to have a broad appeal without sacrificing the things that make the band great.
Catch 22 is known for its fun and energetic live shows and this aspect dominates "Dinosaur Sounds." Though horns and quick guitar strumming are definitely present, the LP is more concerned with well-crafted songs that make you want to rock as much as dance.
The highlight is the song "Dreams of Venus" that has a pre-chorus melody that is just as memorable as the chorus itself. In addition, the music is energetic and the lyrics are anything but shallow.
On "Dinosaur Sounds," Catch 22 is able to balance the sometimes difficult task of not taking itself too seriously while still writing quality songs.
- GARRETT KARRBERG
The French Kicks "One Time Bells" (Startime International)
Garage Rock
2 / 4 stars
On its debut full-length The French Kicks offer up a quirky garage rock sound that blends lo-fi guitars with artsy keyboards. While The French Kicks attempt to blend minimalist instrumentation with poppy hooks like more successful bands such as The Strokes, the result doesn't seem as polished - instead it's messy and forced.
The Kicks stumble through opening track "Wrong Side" that creates an uncomfortable discord that starts "One Time Bells" off on the wrong foot. However, there are occasions that the Kicks show songwriting talent. "Down Now" contains one of the only sing-able choruses and the title track "One Time Bells" builds a solid verse off a simple drum beat. The majority of the songs, while not all as messy as the dreadful "1985," are easily disregarded.
Unlike indie rock bands like Modest Mouse, The French Kicks don't offer up anything interesting musically, instead feeling like a re-hash of their contemporaries. "One Time Bells" is, despite a few minor exceptions, a clumsy offering with few high points.
- DANIEL LONGINO
Northern State "Dying in Stereo" (Star Time)
Hip-Hop
2 / 4 stars
Hesta Prynn, DJ Sprout, and Guinea Love, three white girls from Brooklyn, lay down some goofy, intelligent, political rhymes on Northern State's debut EP "Dying in Stereo."
The beats hark back to the early '80s and are banging until they start to blend track after track. Thoughts of being emcees and the obsession with writing rhymes occupies a bulk of the album's subject matter. For instance, "beats passing through my system faster than I can spit / if you don't feel my style then you're not down with it." Or: "I'm just an ill emcee who gets the ill reviews." No doubt, Northern State's style is a la Beastie Boys with goofy rhymes and a Brooklyn base. And no doubt the color of their skin has made them have to work hard for respect, but the Beastie Boys, though their voices were not what most would call pleasant, had a lovably annoying quality. Unfortunately Northern State's voices are just annoying.
- MATT MAWHINNEY
Thursday "War All the Time" (Island Records)
Screamo
3 / 4 stars
"War All the Time," the quintet from New Jersey's first release on major label Island records, garnered critical acclaim and commercial success. Featuring powerful guitars and bleakly somber lyrics, the album builds with a looming, intense energy.
An ominous and potent sound is Thursday's focus on "War All the Time." Furthermore, the album marks a retreat from the band's heavy roots as screaming vocals take a back seat to singing. Songs on this album follow the model of "Understanding in a Car Crash," the most played track off Thursday's last LP "Full Collapse" - screaming is used sparingly, only to compliment and strengthen the melody.
One notable transition on "War All The Time" is "This Song Brought to You by a Falling Bomb," a soothing and poignant piano ballad that offers a break from the forceful pace.
Despite a compelling effort, Thursday just missed full potential on "War All the Time" - the magnitude and veracity of the music demanded more vocals with screaming, harsh desperation.
- LAURA KAPLAN
Isobel "Amorino" (Instinct Records)
Indie Rock
2.5 / 5 stars
It may sound trite, but Isobel Campbell's solo debut is like nothing ever heard before.
Or at least, nothing heard recently. "Amorino" is a quiet blend of clarinets, trombones, banjos and a multitude of string instruments, all played underneath Campbell's whimsical vocals.
Campbell writes lyrics that suggest she has had a lot of experience for her 26 years. Her songs all take on a wistful tone, with lyrics like, "Love, there is nothing better than this / Love, think of all the chances we miss."
While these lyrics are endearingly simple and express Campbell's sentiments, they lack the spark that makes an album burn with emotion.
Still, the album does have some tracks that make it worth listening to. "This Land Flows with Milk" is a lullaby, complete with a toy-piano background and Campbell's haunting vocals. Catchy and creepy carnival-like instruments make "The Cat's Pajamas" feel more like vaudeville show-tune than a song recorded in the 21st century.
Belle and Sebastian fans who miss Campbell's innocent sounding vocals may enjoy "Amorino," if they take into consideration that it sounds nothing like anything the band has ever produced. For others who are interested, the album is an uneven, but enjoyable listen.
- BLAIR PAYNE
Grass Stains: A Bluegrass Tribute to Blink 182 (CMH Records)
Bluegrass
2.5 / 4 stars
What could be better than a bluegrass band covering many of Blink 182's greatest hits? Well, a lot of things - hopefully Blink 182's new CD. But this tribute to the infamous pop-punkers is pretty good.
Honey Wagon, the cover band, rolls through blue grass renditions of "M & Ms" and "Carousel" from "Chesire Cat;" "Josie" and "Damnit" from "Dude Ranch;" "Dumpweed," "All The Small Things," "What's My Age Again?" and "Adam's Song" from "Enema of The State;" "Stay Together For The Kids," "The Rock Show" and "Reckless Abandon" from "Take Off Your Pants and Jacket."
Most of the covers are decent, but the stand-out is "Reckless Abandon," on which Honey Wagon plays a totally new take on the song. It almost sounds like a Honey Wagon original. "Grass Stains" is really only for fans of Blink 182 who would like to hear a strange and different take on Blink's music.
- JORGE DEL PINAL
