_CD Reviews 2011 (Page 9)

Starfucker – “Reptilians”Polyvinyl Records-out now3.5 / 5 Okay, so the band name sounds like an insult a Stormtrooper would throw during a South Park episode. But give us a minute, because we think this Portland, OR electro-pop group is onto something. Right out of the gate, Starfucker has us right away, with a bit of guitar and Flaming Lips-styled electronica melting into a dense, pounding dance/pop groove. Then most fun thing about Starfucker is its, ummm… sheer fun. They play well, play hard, and don’t take themselves too seriously. And just because Starfucker lacks a serious bone in their collective bodies doesn’t mean they don’tRead More →

The Longwalls – “Careers in Science”Static Motor Recordings-out now 3 / 5 Nothing against Boston’s Kurt von Stetten, but his quartet’s blend of Americana/ country comes off a bit tepid. The Longwalls hit a good stride in title opener to “Careers in Science,” introducing us to the band’s sophomore full-length with a simple, catchy whistled hook that erupts into full-on guitar and drums; it’s got pep, step, and sway. But after this solid opening, the rest of “Careers in Science” leaves much to be desired. This is what we think they’re lacking: the fifth element, the quintessence of music. You break down their individual elementsRead More →

The Honey Pies – “Think of England”Self-Released2.5 / 5 -out now The Austrailian punk (yes, not British) of The Honey Pies is much like any other punk: rough, agitated, and pretty bad (in a good way). Coming off like a punkish Strokes on their debut, The Honey Pies have some good things going for them: a rough, distorted sound, some grit, and that album cover. They also have some detractors, including that band name (my girlfriend thought they’d sound more like Ms. Deschanel). Their biggest detractor, however, is just a lack of song stickiness, that is to say, these songs come and go, and don’tRead More →

Noah and the Whale – “Last Night on Earth”Island Def Jam-out March 153.5 / 5 London’s pop quartet sends out an uplifting album rife with tender melodies, handclaps, and general cheeriness. Their third full-length, “Last Night on Earth,” cements Noah and the Whale’s ability to craft enjoyable choruses filled with bright instrumentation and a general upbeat attitude. Now, let’s be very clear: depressing is good. We like depressing. But that’s not to say Noah and the Whale hasn’t done a fantastic job on “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.,” the clear single here, as well as on the rest of the album. That track, on which one of the charactersRead More →