CD Reviews

Sleigh Bells | Reign of Terror

Mom + Pop (2012)

By BARRY THOMPSON | February 21, 2012

3.5 Stars

At least three unrelated people we know responded to Treats, the 2010 opening salvo from this Brooklynian pop duo, with statements like, "It's drum loops that took five minutes to write, cock-rock guitars, a singer who usually sounds like she's parodying a porn actor faking an orgasm — and it's super cool?" These observations prompted responses like "Well . . . yeah, but it sounds better the louder it's played, and it is super cool, and also you're mean." On the crazily anticipated follow-up, Alexis Krauss abandons her affinity for variations of "oooh" and "aaah," and sings words almost exclusively. That alone would validate propaganda that Sleigh Bells have expanded into heavier stratospheres of thunderous, hyper-exuberant, clamorous power pop. But everything from the urbane, digital blast beats to Derek Miller's swathing, metal-saluting hooks (particularly on "Never Say Die"), to the fact that "Road to Hell" and "End of the Line" could gel with the Pretty in Pink soundtrack serves to support the argument that Treats was just as disposable as its detractors claimed — if only because Reign of Terror is way awesomer.

Various Artists | Casual Victim Pile: Austin 2010
The notion that regional musical flavors exist independently in American cities is quickly becoming an archaic truism, seeing as how the world really is a stage these days, at least in the digital sense.
Bearstronaut | Broken Handclaps
There's a distinct absence of wildlife or astronauts on Lowell electronica quartet Bearstronaut's latest release.
PHX @ SXSW!
Don't be so shocked if the coming week brings with it not just a stretch of balmier weather but also a palpable decrease in the douche point. That's because the vast majority of the music industry has up and JetBlued 2000 miles south to Austin for SXSW (a/k/a South by Southwest).
SXSW 2010: The band who wasn't there
This past Saturday around noon, about a dozen of us were cracking our first Lone Stars of the day at Peckerheads, one of scores of dimly daylit venues lining Austin’s teeming Sixth Street.
Photos: Yeasayer and Sleigh Bells
Photos of Yeasayer and Sleigh Bells on tour.
Avi Buffalo | Avi Buffalo
Look, I get it: the last thing we need right now is yet another band who can be described as “sun-baked,” “reverb-soaked,” or even just “psychedelic.” But Avi Buffalo (I know! An animal name to boot!) are worth your attention for a few reasons.
J the S | The Last Days
J the S has been promising The Last Days since he went by Jake the Snake.
The Punch Brothers | Who's Feeling Young Now?
For a group full of virtuosos, the Punch Brothers refuse to dole out prodigious string-murdering sessions.
Ital | Hive Mind
If there was a broken-record knock against electronic music in the last decade, it's that it all sounded the same.
Die Antwoord | Ten$ion
Moreso than any "controversially-lipped" chanteuse (to borrow from one of Lana Del Rey's many observers), South African rap/rave/meme/satire/knuckleheads Die Antwoord beg the question:"Is that all there is?"
Van Halen | A Different Kind of Truth
Who would've thought Eddie Van Halen would still be innovative in his late 50s?
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[ 05/29 ] Brad Hooper @ Andy's Old Port Pub

[ 05/29 ] karaoke with DJ Ponyfarm @ Slainte

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