TV on the Radio, High Places, Thievery Corp., and Jenny Lewis

It's a good day. Well not really really good, but health issues aside a good day for music. Four of my favorite bands released music today and not one of them bombed with a major disappointment. So for the first time in months there is actually a New Music Tuesday on a Tuesday...as long as I can type fast enough to get this done in time. So let's get started, I'll even do it in order of best to freakin' Awesome.

CD REVIEW:










Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue

Jenny Lewis' last release Rabbit Fur Coat was and still is a favorite among all the albums I own. The Watson twins accompanied her on that album and their combination was amazing. A great alt-country album, I have an issue with the term 'alt-country' but I'll rant about that another time. Acid Tongue rolls in with a solid track "Black Sand", she loses a little bit of that gravelly tone in her voice, but it is still beautiful. The lyrics in all the songs are a little heart wrenching, captured pretty well in the title track "Acid Tongue" with the opening line "I went to a cobbler/ To fix a hole in my shoe/He took one look at my face/And said, "I can fix that hole in you". Only, two tracks out of the 11 just did not seem to be a good fit with the rest of an otherwise great album. "See Fernando" and "Jack Killed Mom" both fall a little flat and just don't seem to measure up with the rest of the album. This album certainly is no Rabbit Fur Coat but it is still very good. Buy it at some point.







High Places - High Places

Ahh! High Places, consisting of the beautiful Mary Pearson and her partner in crime Rob Barber. They make music that is a little hard to describe but I'll give it a try. Take a techno beat made with various noises including a coffee can filled with random items, add a sing-song style vocalist and you get a sound that you might not at first enjoy. At some point you will be walking down the street or sitting at your desk and for some reason you will just want to listen to High Places. Then you become a fan and listen to them all the time. Sadly though after their release of singles called 03/07 - 09/07 and getting to know their sound, I was very excited to hear new material from the dynamic duo. Their first official release on record label Thrill Jockey is certainly a great continuation of those collected singles release earlier this year. The self titled High Places is much of the same songs and even though it has a great flow, they don't take that experimented sound and grow it as far as I was hoping. The transitions from each song is great and the album will certainly be on a constant rotation for me, but I am hoping for more from one of my favorite new bands. Check out their MySpace or on Imeem.











Thievery Corporation - Radio Retaliation

Thievery Corporation has been around for quite awhile releasing their first stuff in the mid-90's. One of the best ambient electronic sounds ever to grace our ears. Radio Retaliation certainly sounds a lot more aggressive then the album actually is. It is a fantastic disc to just relax to or do other things to....use your imagination. With a collection great guests like Anoushka Shankar and Seu Jorge. The flow is seamless and makes a perfect chill out disc. Most of the tracks are very similar so to call out any one is a disservice to the other amazing tracks. Often timed politically themed albums, which unless you listen closely you don't really hear, Radio Retaliation is no different. The duo of Thievery Corp. make comments on the current political climate. This is a must have album to have in your collection. Buy it today!


TV On The Radio - Dear Science

Is it too soon to name the album of the year? Probably hey? Well TVOTR's latest release is a catchy album then their last Return to Cookie Mountain. Which isn't a bad thing, let me tell you! Every review of this album has got it high marks, you could say it is critically acclaimed. The beat is the most upbeat they have ever been. The lyrics are extremely engaging ranging from death to sex and it is AWESOME! I honestly don't want to ruin anything. This album needs to be listened to, and for many it will be your album of the year I promise you that. Buy it, listen to it, put it on repeat!



Sure, some might say that my reviews get shorter and shorter as they went on. Could be because it is a long day and my energy level is dropping, but I say....well your probably right I am exhausted and just can't type anymore. Enjoy the music! Let me know what you think.

- Dave