Some hardcore fans may miss the sinister overtones that were more apparent on previous albums but despite it’s themes of disappointment and defeat, Lisbon is an utter triumph.
Author Andrew Grillo
Safari – Maybe Tomorrow
Maybe Safari would have gotten away with such ragged indie punk around the turn of the millennium but it’s really not enough any more according to Andrew Grillo.
The Legendary Pink Dots – Seconds Late For The Brighton Line
Andrew Grillo might be a new comer to the Legendary Pink Dots, but having heard their latest, he finds himself daunted by the enormous back catalogue to plough through next…
Laki Mera – Clutter EP
Clutter finds Laki Mera a band concocting a sound that falls somewhere between the whispered minimalism of the xx and the glitchy percussion and abrasive electronica that characterised Portishead’s recent work; what’s not to like?
TLOBF Interview // Bear In Heaven
Following many an eye catching festival set over the summer and a remix album that deserves not to be written off under the term “money spinner” Andrew Grillo caught up with Bear in Heaven for a brief chat about Beast Rest Forth Mouth Remixed.
Blonde Redhead – Penny Sparkle
Penny Sparkle is overall a stronger more consistent work than 23, albeit one that is likely to maintain their position as influential elder statesmen and 4AD traditionalists rather than dragging in any new followers.
Bear In Heaven – Beast Rest Forth Mouth Remixed
Having received glowing praise from Pitchfork among others, last year’s Beast Rest Forth Mouth receives the remix treatment from a whole host of accomplished knob twiddlers, and for the most part it’s a winning marriage of synths and psychadelia.
Midnight Juggernauts – The Crystal Axis
A mix of sizeable hooks and a carefree, proudly unselfconscious attitude has propelled peers Friendly Fires and Phoenix into uncharted and unexpected levels of success so who’s to say the same can’t happen to this Aussie trio.
Wildbirds and Peacedrums – Iris EP
Behind a cold wall of awkward instrumentation and Scandavian aloofness, Swedish husband and wife experimental duo Andreas Werliin, and Mariam Wallentin produce a beguiling vinyl only concept EP about water and eyes (what else?)
Tokyo Police Club – Champ
Second album proper from the Ontario quartet finds them recapturing the magic of their early work while replacing some of their quirks with tunes.
Hjaltalin – Terminal
An Icelandic 7 piece with all the connections you would imagine; Hjaltalin are not perhaps what you may expect from the shores that brought you Mum, Sigur Ros et al.
Stornoway – Beachcomber’s Windowsill
Andrew Grillo finds beauty and maturity aplenty on the much hyped debut by the Oxford based folk-poppers.
Kyte – Dead Waves
Kyte’s debut album is a disappointing and frustrating listen from a band that clearly have much potential.
Jóhann Jóhannsson – In the Endless Pause There Came The Sound of Bees
The Icelandic neo-classical indie movement is now somewhat established thanks to the deserved success of Sigur Ros, Amiina and Olafur Arnolds amongst others. Jóhann Jóhannsson also fits quite tidily into a group of artists that essential make classical music for sensitive indie kids.
Laura Marling – I Speak Because I Can
Much has been written about Laura Marling’s personal life, but on her second album, she lets the music do the talking.
TLOBF Interview :: The Ruby Suns
On the back of excellent new album Fight Softly and ahead of an extensive tour of Europe and North America, Andrew Grillo managed to squeeze in the time for a few questions with Ryan McPhun of The Ruby Suns.
