New music is coming fast and furious to the team at BIJLM. As we approach the spring, it seems we can’t keep up with the pace. So that’s why we’re introducing our Rapid Reviews series. Three albums, three paragraphs and all you need to know about some of the hottest new releases.
Tennis – Cape Dory
Are we lauding attention on Tennis because they’re that good, or because they’ve become another hyped indie band? After several listens to their newly released debut album, Cape Dory, I tend to lean in the direction of the latter. Yes, there are stand out tracks on the album – “Take Me Somewhere” is a fun laid back jaunt and “Marathon” is a pure two minutes and fourty-nine seconds of toe-tapping-life-is-good bliss. But the remainder of the album becomes rather one-note, and falls somewhere between a washed out Belle & Sebastian meets Best Coast, without the punch and creativity of either.
The Go Team – Rolling Blackouts
Lately The Go Team have been relegated to nothing other then glorified running music. However, within the indie music landscape, The Go Team have developed a style and presence that is truly unique and enjoyable. That said – The Go Team are wearing out their welcome. And I’m not going to say the music isn’t fun to listen to – it is. But at a certain point it becomes tiring. There’s only so much you can do with blown out, remixed, and re-drawn cheerleader music. Because of this, they will never top their debut album, Thunder, Lightening, Strike. Rolling Blackouts is simply a close approximation to their debut, minus the flash and creativity that surrounded that album.
Radiohead – The King of Limbs
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I’m still undecided on this album. In a lot of ways, it reminds me of the best of one of my favorite Radiohead albums, Amnesiac. The instrumental creativity, multi-layered sound and ambient nature of Radiohead’s eighth studio album is eerily similar. Yet, the album lacks a certain something – say, for example, the pop hooks of In Rainbows. After a few listens, I find myself knowing that with time, The King of Limbs will grow, but ultimately I’ll feel jipped knowing a few very long years stand in-between me and another great Radiohead album.
Have you listened to any of the above albums? What did you think? Leave your thoughts belw in the comments!
