_Four or More 2010 (Page 4)

Frightened Rabbit – “The Winter of Mixed Drinks”Fat Cat-out now4 / 5 Selkirk, Scotland-based Frightened Rabbit has been faring well on their tours, and no wonder: their fourth studio album brings a selection of upbeat and driven originals to their stage repertoire. Their mixture of straightforward rock and Scottish vocals may not capture the imagination in the age of Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys, but the tracks on “Winter of Mixed Drinks” are certainly satisfying: “Skip the Youth” sticks out on these 11 with an extra juicy build, and helps to support the more streamlined tracks, including the energetic break-up “Nothing Like You” and theRead More →

The Ruby Suns – “Fight Softly”Sub Pop-out tomorrow!4 / 5 Open this new pop/ psychedelia release and just feel it fizz with freshness and glimmer. With a sound as chromatic and vibrant as their latest cover, New Zealand’s Ruby Suns exude a fondness for Animal Collective electronica and layering, while keeping clean, crisp, focused melody and vocals. “Mingus and Pike” sway with 80s-era synth and percussion, creating a soft, full sound that entrances, melodically darts to and fro like a minnow; “Why Kids Fail” is a highlight of a different color, one more earthy and weightier, combining a video-game style hook with driving drums. ThereRead More →

Shearwater – “The Golden Archipelago”Matador Records-out now4.5 / 5 Starting with a tender opening, to the final notes that fall, we have one thing to say about this epic concept album: wow. The sixth full-length from the Austin, Texas band, “Golden Archipelago” is one of those rare albums that do not benefit from distracted car-driving, nor from sweaty, gym-pumping; in fact, the best way to take in the first listen, we’ve found, is simply to kick back and let it spin. Delicate melodies pervade throughout (“Hidden Lakes” carefully unfolds) and the instrumentals here are not merely “played” or “performed,” but orchestrated; the vocals, which alternateRead More →

Field Music – “Field Music (Measure)”Memphis Industries– out Feb. 164 / 5 Since the dawn of time have musicians attempted the double album: Led Zeppelin, Electric Light Orchestra, Donna Summer, The Flaming Lips. In many cases, there simply isn’t enough interesting material to flesh out the more or less 80 minute requirement to hit that magical mark. Now enter Field Music: the Sunderland, England trio’s attempt is no “Blonde on Blonde,” nor is it a “Use Your Illusion.” Thankfully, it hits a strong classic rock vibe, with a Queen-ish tinge to some of the harmonies, while some guitar licks (the title track “Measure”) could haveRead More →