Brooklyn’s Parts & Labor lose the guitar and turn up the synthesisers as they grow in confidence, but risk getting lost on their galactic fifth album, writes David Newbury.
March, 2011
Those Dancing Days – Daydreams & Nightmares
Daydreams & Nightmares does just about everything you could ask from a sophomore effort, it refines the groups original appeal whilst pushing out in interesting new directions. A bold step forward writes Chris Tapley.
[Premier] Acid House Kings – Would You Say Stop
“If someone breaks my heart, I hope it’s you” – sings Julia Lannerheim over a chord progression reminiscent of Belle and Sebastian at their most vital. Littered with moments of absolute grace, the deft production that interweaves the strategically placed handclaps, castanets, shuffling drums and flute creates a sense of aural candy. The only thing you can do is keep on sucking.
TLOBF Introducing // Polock
If the quality of debut album Getting Down From The Trees, US tours and appearances at SXSW suggest anything, and they must do, then the column inches that have been dedicated to Polock so far must just be the beginning…
Noah & The Whale – Last Night On Earth
Noah & The Whale have created a much-needed hook-heavy AOR escape, one that resonaces with it’s pathos, and sends home the message that being young and reckless doesn’t always have a price.
Stream ‘Over The Sea’, the debut EP from Therapies Son
Released by the increasingly vital Transparent Records on a super sleek looking 10″ vinyl, Over The Sea sees the painfully young songwriter dip his toes into the often treacherous waters of baroque pop with absolutely devastating results. Stream the entire release inside.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – The Old Vic Tunnels, London 11/03/11
Bearded, wild-eyed men and cute-as-a-button ladyfolk peddling old-timey revivalist singalongs: Adam Elmadhi reviews Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros in the middle of their five night London residency.
Airlines – Burial Grounds // Song Of The Day #215
Airlines’ ‘Burial Grounds’ is like imagine Baltimora’s 80′s hit ‘Tarzan Boy’ if produced by Miike Snow. In other words, this is pure pop perfection.
SXSW: Extolling The Virtues Of Flying By The Seat Of Your Pants
The first in a series of short SXSW blogs and diary entries from various members of The Line Of Best Fit’s extended family. Today, after a week long road trip across the States, News Editor Lauren Down ponders the actual benefits of her rigorous and neatly printed schedule and tips a glass to happy accidents.
All Smiles – Staylow and Mighty
Jim Fairchild used to be the guitarist in Granddaddy, and now spends his days with Modest Mouse. As All Smiles, he still has time to release solo records, but can this album live up to the reputation of those big-hitters?
New Beastie Boys album ‘Hot Sauce Committee Part Two’ due May 2
Yep, the post title pretty much sums it up. Surely veering steadily towards OAP status now, the Beastie Boys return once more with their eighth studio offering – Hot Sauce Committee Part Two. Produced by Beastie Boys and mixed by Philippe Zdar, Hot Sauce is the Brooklyn trio’s first full length effort since 2007′s Grammy-winning all-instrumental The Mix-Up.
Primal Scream – Screamadelica (20th Anniversary Edition)
Has it really been 20 years? Primal Scream’s evergreen dance-rock statement gets the deluxe edition it deserves, with a remaster of the original album, plus remixes, live tracks and the Dixie-Narco EP.
Yuck – Holing Out (The Line Of Best Fit Session)
We met up with Yuck last month for a quick session just before they performed their biggest headlining show to date at London’s Bush Hall. Fresh from an extensive tour around the States, the band were on particulary fine form – blasting out recent album highlight ‘Holing Out’ with their usual vigour and slacker charm.
Tu Fawning – Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London 10/03/11
Tu Fawning are one of those rare bands that defy easy categorisation. Sure, at various points they recall a number of different acts from across the musical spectrum, but their influences and touchstones are so diverse that it’s difficult to pigeonhole them into one genre or style, explains Adam Elmadhi
Ryan Adams announces solo European tour
Posted on Ryan Adams’ Facebook wall last night was the following brief message “I wrote some new tunes this winter on my acoustic guitar. I think I’d like to play them for whoever wants to hear them. Please don’t yell at me.”
Erland & The Carnival – Nightingale
“An unmitigated success” – writes Adam Nelson of the ambitious second album in little over a year from London’s Erland & The Carnival. TLOBF Recommended.
