Music Reviews: Gnarls Barkley, Fleet Foxes, Stereolab, Keane

Before I head out for Seattle tomorrow (to a work-related conference, but with D coming along, so a little bit of recreation in there as well), I thought it best to kick out one more edition of the music reviews. The next couple of them will be devoted to new music (released within the last year) both by familiar groups and ones new to me.

Gnarls Barkley - "The Odd Couple": Not sure the sequel is up to the level of their first effort. There's no smash hit on it like "Crazy", no hot covers... yes they sound the same, the lyrics are more introspective, maybe a more consistent sound, but it's just kind of... I don't know, middling, I guess. Favorites: A Little Better, Blind Mary, Surprise, Going On, Charity Case.

Fleet Foxes - self-titled CD, and the "Sun Giant" EP: This one came recommended to me by someone who knows my musical tastes well - thanks for the tip! Good call. :) They're reminiscent of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in their harmonies (even some later Beach Boys influence can be heard in there), but are definitely part of the currently hot neo-folk movement. Favorites: Gosh, they're all good! It's hard to pick out only a couple, but if you want to download a sampling, I'd suggest Sun It Rises and Your Protector.

Stereolab - "Chemical Chords": Picked this one up at the concert last month. Oooh. So good. And such a consistent sound over the years. Modern electronics, airy female vocals (sometimes in French), retro-60's feel (a'la Strawberry Alarm Clock, except with a girl singer). Wonderful for studying. :) But picking out individual songs is a challenge. They're sort of... nondescript? I guess a sample to download should include Cellulose Sunshine (think "Incense & Peppermints"), Three Women and Silver Sands.

Keane - "Perfect Symmetry": Don't judge the whole CD by the opening track "Spiralling". It's just weird; a throwback to disco and not very well done. But the rest of the album is what you might expect from Keane: piano-driven alt-pop with sensitive lyrics and emo undertones, crafted to help them succeed Coldplay and Death Cab for Cutie as the next big thing. 

Well... maybe it works and maybe it doesn't, but I still like their music. :) Favorites: the title track, plus The Lovers Are Losing, Again & Again, Black Burning Heart, Playing Along, Love Is The End.

So, review done... and after dinner and cards tonight with some college kids we know, in the morning we're off to the glorious (and damp) Pacific Northwest. It's supposed to be 55 and sunny on Sunday, though, so maybe pictures from the Space Needle will turn out. If so, they'll get posted, you can bet. :) 

Ta ta for now; see you late next week!