_CD Reviews 2011 (Page 11)

Julianna Barwick – The Magic PlaceAsthmatic Kitty-out. Feb. 222.5 / 5 The ambient nature of The Magic Place makes Julianna Barwick’s latest a bit tough to place. The tones here are celestial in nature, with strings and vocals that map out a sacred – indeed, magical – scenery. On the other hand, the cyclical, repetitive nature of these ambient tones gives it little form. We’re going to go out on a limb here (the one in the album cover, right over there) and suggest that Ms. Barwick add some spoken lyrics to her work, as that would help give The Magic Place form, story arcRead More →

The Low Anthem – Smart FleshNonesuch Records-out Feb. 223 / 5 Since RI’s wunder-quartet released 2008’s “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin,” they’ve toured with Iron and Wine, played several festivals, and, in short, became a national act. But on their new album, Smart Flesh, we’re going to argue they’ve hit their sophomore slump (and this is their third album). While it gets off to a good start with the bluesy “Apothecary Love,” most of the album falls somewhere between a foggy London day and an out-and-out funeral dirge. “Matter of Time” has the pulse of a doomed hospital patient, and “Burn” has a similar diagnosisRead More →

Fergus and Geronimo – “Unlearn”Hardly Art-out Jan. 182.5 / 5 There’s nothing wrong with lacking polish. Some acts benefit from it: it often shows frustration, or grit, or is just a style in and of itself. The blues band Jimi Hendrix started with complained he was out of tune; Coltrane, too, received harsh criticism early on for a lack of a full sound: yet there’s no denying either musician’s pure technical talent. But on the Denton, TX duo’s premiere, a lack of polish is an obstacle to understanding “Unlearn.” One thing that we don’t get is a clear sense of Fergus and Geronimo’s ability toRead More →