4Play: Arctic Monkeys, They Might Be Giants, Regina Spektor, theneeno2
Dec. 13, 2009
Arctic Monkeys - Humbug - DominoProduced again by James Ford, the Monkeys latest set is somewhat heavier and more densely produced than previous albums, as they stretch their danceable, gritty sensibilities into tracks that are slightly more complex. Its nice to hear them show some growth without abandoning the base of the sound that they do so well; first single Crying Lightning doesnt sound much like the Monkeys of ...Dancefloor days, but it still has that pep and hook, as do the energetic Cornerstone, Secret Door, Fire and the Thud, and the slow-burner Potion Approaching.
They Might Be Giants - Here Comes Science - DS
Hipster geeks TMBG may have crafted this album for classrooms, but the quirky, catchy pop contained here is definitely going to appeal to indie-pop grown-ups as well. The album opens with Science Is Real as the guys proclaim that they dig tall tales, too - but science is cooler. Other highlights include Cells with its sassy beat and twinkling keyboards; Meet the Elements with its earworm refrain and the surprisingly punky pop of Speed and Velocity. TMBGs even made CADs Computer Assisted Designs cool with ghostly synths and robotic refrain.
Regina Spektor - Far - Warner Brothers
Spektor is one of the few female singer-songwriters today who actually avoids being overproduced and instead puts the focus on her songwriting craft. She crafts intricate, unusual lyrics, and knows how to accompany them with quirky, sometimes meandering melody lines. That quirky part includes Spektor singing an ode to the mysteries of a lost/found wallet and imitating dolphins, while the melody part sees her succeeding the likes of Fiona Apple with her piano-based (and less annoyingly melodramatic) songs in a great balance of whimsy and smart pop.
thenewno2 - You Are Here - Vagrant
George Harrisons son Dhani Harrison and Dhanis pal Oliver Hecks make up thenewno2, in which Harrison takes on the role of multi-instrumentalist, and Hecks showcases both his digital and acoustic drumming skills. The songs are a wide range of electro-indie pop, leveled out by Harrisons George-like vocal tones and the cohesive songwriting on tracks like the spacey Hiding Out, the percussive Shelter, and the contemplative Crazy Tuesday. Although its a different musical direction, the younger Harrison has obviously inherited some of the elders musical skill.