(Matador/Chemikal Underground)
Aereogramme is a three-piece rock band from Glasgow, Scotland, that recently released an album-of-the-year-caliber full-length recording. So why won't actually be seen on any major lists for album of the year? In an industry driven by the hip, the hype and the profitable, Aereogramme will be passed up by the people-pleaser awards who only seem to consider artists on major labels as well as by the indie-minded lists who only seem to consider artists with a solid base of \cred."" As frustrating as this can be, it makes a bittersweet treasure for independent music lovers.
This hour-long tour through the musical mind of former Ganger Craig B discloses his clever tunefulness and astounding visions. Every major element of Aereogramme's music has a counteracting inverse. The sweet voice of Craig B prevails throughout the album, echoing American indie favorites like Wayne Coyne (Flaming Lips) and Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World), while at any moment it can break into abrasive screaming with a screech no less intense than that of Refused's Dennis Lyxz??n. Gently picked electric guitars express so much melancholy that it's hard to believe that the same guitars are also prone to freaking out and crunching down on your head with an enormous wall of thundering metal. The outstanding production alone is a subtle work of art; it is amazing that so many other instruments and electronic sounds became an integral part of the music instead of merely sounding like cheesy studio trickery.
reveals an elegant juxtaposition of the gentle and the jagged, delivering the achingly beautiful listen that so many bands strive to achieve. The constant anticipation of what is around the corner brings an indescribable intensity to the songs, as each song takes on its own personality yet manages to live in harmony with the others.
Some of the best individual songs are the ones that are representative of the entire album. ""Post-tour, Pre-judgement"" stands out for this reason, as do ""Zionist Timing"" and ""The Art of Belief."" Each neatly summarizes both the soft beauty and the loud chaos that coexist inside the collection of 's 13 magnificent songs.
In recent years the bustling Glasgow music scene has spawned a considerable number of underground mammoths like Belle and Sebastian, Mogwai and the Delgados. easily puts Aereogramme in the same league as these bands. Let's just hope that in the coming years they also get some of the deserved recognition that often seems to be unfairly distributed.
(Elektra)
The '80s produced quite the eclectic mix of artists'some have stood the test of time and appealed to today's generation of music consumers, while others have faded out faster than tight-rolled stone-washed blue jeans. One band that has lingered on well past its beginning is The Cure. Is it the sexy somber look? Is it the desperate yet romantic lyrics of Robert Smith? Or is it the constant flow of greatest hits albums the band pumps out on a regular basis? The answer may lie in The Cure's latest effort, cleverly titled .
The album is a double disc collection of 16 of The Cure's biggest successes, including ""Boys Don't Cry,"" ""Just Like Heaven"" and ""Love Song,"" as well as two new songs titled ""Cut Here"" and ""Just Say Yes."" This may seem like a strange choice since the band just released a similar arrangement of songs on Galore three years ago, but the change comes in disc two which is compiled of the same line up as disc one only done completely acoustically. This unplugged version of The Cure's hits provides a stripped-down version of the power existing songs have already established. The acoustic disc gives each song a fresh feel yet holds onto the mood of the originals.
Apparently The Cure wants to keep putting out greatest hits albums, and it needs something to spice it up so people keep buying. Acoustic songs may not be the best route, but they are a bit entertaining. It's only necessary to pick up this album if you are a die-hard Cure fan and don't already own another of its many greatest hits compilations. Otherwise keep your wallet in your stone-washed jeans.
