_CD Reviews 2010 (Page 9)

La Strada – “New Home”Ernest Jenning Record Co.-out April 203 / 5 To be honest, “New Home” isn’t a bad album. Brooklyn’s La Strada has a penchant for orchestration and energetic, boisterous rambunctiousness a la Fun. But what Fun. has over La Strada is the ability to fashion good, singable lyrics and choruses, which is vital in the game of pop. The stronger songs on this album tend to be the simpler ones, such as the celebration of a baby in “The Wedding Song” and “Mean that Much.” While many of these songs have interesting twists and turns, they remain just interesting, and aren’t honedRead More →

Plants and Animals – “La La Land”Secret City Records-out April 20th3.5 / 5 It’s still buzzing in our brains, the absolutely breezy take-out single, “Kon Tiki.” With a summery, Caribbean bluster it gently sways and cools on the musical palate. And when the upbeat, bubbly pop of “The Mama Papa” hits, we’re definitely sold. The rest of the effort from this Montreal trio is strong indie-rock (vocals, guitar, nothing out of the ordinary), but cools a little more than necessary. Take “Swinging Bells” or “Game Shows;” both tracks lack only that special little sparkle or distinguishing mark that might keep it in your player monthsRead More →

Nels Cline Singers – “Initiate”Cryptogramophone-out April 132 / 5 As the lead guitarist for Wilco, there’s the fear that some of the former’s style and sensibility might rub off and assimilate Nels Cline’s offshoot. Unfortunately, that is not the case here: Cline successfully breaks off from the Wilco tag with a 110% focus on extended jams and solos, making for the ultimate jam-fan album. Potentially. But “Initiate” often falls into those lukewarm, eccentric and nonsensical guitar mashings that produce less structure and more noodling, moreso than you can shake a Trey Anastasio at; “Floored,” the opener on the studio side of this double album, hitsRead More →