James Murphy is the man behind LCD Soundsystem, the project, which for the last few years has had us all polishing the dance floor with its classic and lovable electronica.  For this reason, some may assume it will be boring and plain, while quite the contrary. Sound of Silver is sure to make several of 2007’s Best-of lists. It’s a sure-shot that doesn’t deviate from the trajectory of his previous efforts. And if there’s anyone who knows how to infiltrate the albums, clubs, radios and homes of the entire planet with such catchy songs, it’s this kid and his high dose of dance.  The tracks run accordingly, a palatably fitting continuation to the previous album, and it’s a pleasure to discover that the sound has not waned and weighs even more now.  As a matter of fact, you can actually hear more strata’s of sound, for lack of a better term. 

Tambourines, guitars, pianos, percussion, rhythms and rebellious lyrics.  He’s also accompanied by a chorus of girls, plus a range of loops which will surely shake your hips, now that your feet will be commandeered by the characteristic bass capable of making you dance even while you sit.  Hail the celebration, while my only but may be that he couldn’t resist the temptation to add the super-syrupy track “New York, I Love You”.  Fortunately there are other great tracks such as “Get Innocuous”, “North American Scum”, “Watch The Tapes” and “Us v. Them” to shut me up.

File under: Guaranteed for a Saturday with the stench of garlic.

Fabulous, that’s how best to describe the Canadians of Les George Leningrad.  They say wise is he who doesn’t have very good manners.  And the title of their latest album, Sangue Puro (Pure Blood), says it all. Quickly we realize that they continue to say what they feel. And if you sense a crudeness it’s because they’re giving it all they’ve got.  This could be the reason that they are becoming so hyped—and they deserve it. Where are they coming from? Rabid tracks that invite you to make mischief, as proven in “Mange Avec Tes Doigts” (“eat with your fingers”) and which harkens of Steretotal. Ironic and irreverent cuts such as “Lonely Lonely”, and fun ones such as “Mammal Beats”, or louder and richer ones such as “Ennio Morricone”.

And for those more rigorous listens, they show their sincerity and little interest in being stars, with cuts loaded towards the experimental (which might even be considered drone) such as “The Future For Less”. Phew! some might say. While others might say, Nasty!  This album is definitely worth a listen. Electroclash punk is in style and it’s the sound of the streets.  While some bands today may only bear a curious resemblance to those other dark industrial sounds of the eighties, twenty years later, the God forsaken LGL possess a dirty sound which is off da hook and often impossible to classify. Overall, I’d say an ambitious and playful project. Some advice:  if grandma hears tracks such as “Eli Eli Lamma Sabacthani”, she’ll definitely think you’re performing a satanic ritual, so watch the volume.  And enjoy every bit of it.

File under: Please, follow the instructions.

There are those albums whose release you anxiously anticipate. Case in point.  After the incredible Not On Top, this guy held us with baited breath and on pins and needles.  Fortunately, not too much time had elapsed before Giant gave birth again in 2006, and this album is a total delicacy.  At this point, it’s justified to classify Herman Düne as a genius.  The truth is that he’s a great French musician who seems to have a warm Latin heart, or at least that’s how he’s perceived in songs such as “Baby Bigger” or “Pure Hearts”.  He’s not missing anything and he knows how to surround himself with talented people, creating an orchestra with a solid and characteristic style.

There is nothing static or weak about his sound. And he indulges himself with more feminine and sweet voices. He perfectly mixes Spanish guitars and saxophones with folksy/country sounds, which could very well make for exquisite blues, such as in the title track “Giant”.  Everything is in its right place; he doesn’t give too much or take too little, and there’s nothing left to do but play it over and over again and ravish its profound lyrics. It’s a fresh album that gives you goosebumps, it envelops you, and invites you to raise your arms in the air. There is no doubt that Herman Düne was born to make our lives blissful with his soothing voice. And if you haven’t already, please take a bump of this excellent pop rock.  What else can I say?  Wow!

File under: I feel small.

I doubt that an album titled In Stormy Nights would be meant for the masses or ever be taken lightly. The proof is in the dense, addicting, loud, incomprehensible, psychedelic and thick 28:05 minutes that are unleashed only in the second track: “Hemicyclic Anthelion”.  If you survive this track and follow the bolts of the storm, you’ll understand that this is not just any band. Who would have imagined, with the friendliness of initial cut “Motherly Bluster”? In their long history, Ghost appeared as if they were going in the opposite direction; albums such as Snuffbox Immanence (1999) were three times more digestible.

This time, I believe they stay true to their name.  They have launched into a longer and more profound, mysterious and dark album. There is an evident and coherent evolution in their sound. Causing some music lovers to foam at the mouth, while others may choose to take their time finishing the album in one sitting, not an easy task. Hopefully this introduction doesn’t scare you, but entices you to get this incredible album. Take a risk and give your ears the opportunity to get closer to this distinct concept that is sounding throughout the unpretentious and non-commercial underworld. It’s the orchestral sound of medieval battle.

Want to be transported to another time? Allow yourself rip through the bagpipes of the track “Calcedonia”, which is like a hymn sung by a type of wizard/warrior. How do you describe the sound? Like tremendous emotion that I can’t even begin to fathom!

File under: Who was the fool who said that all Folk is just boring, simple guitars? 
Eat your words now