4Play

Jan. 20, 2008

Division Day - Beartrap Island -
Eenie Meenie
Saying that Division Day is a diverse band is quite the understatement (hence the band’s name, presumably). It’s rare to hear a band that can very effectively change-up between thoughtful, almost beautiful compositions and more aggressive, heavy tracks as easily as one might change their socks; but that’s pretty much exactly what Division Day does. Recorded on analog in a mere two months, the songs here range from the floating “Dayenu” and the striking “Hurricane” to the churning “Lights Out” and the catchy “Colorguard”.whether the songs are rock-focused or more experimental, it’s all pretty impressive.


Beirut - The Flying Club Cup - Ba Da Bing
Beirut’s Zach Condon spent quite a bit of time pursuing the sounds of Balkan folk music (as evidenced on Beirut’s Gulag Orkestar), and now has moved on to provincial French sounds. It’s fascinating how Condon manages to adapt to so many aspects of a sound and a culture worlds apart from his own; on this set, accordians and full orchestra accompany Condon’s voice (he sings in both English and French), and there are points on the album at which you’d swear you were in Paris in the early 1900s. It’s still Beirut, but with glossier production and French flair, especially on standouts “Le Banlieu,” “Cherbourg,” and “A Call to Arms.”


Gorillaz - D-Sides - V Records
Serving as Gorillaz’ second compilation, hot on the heels of their end-of-the-year demise as a band (leader Damon Albarn is returning to previous band Blur, at least for the time being), this collection has a few experimental, monkeying-around moments; but it’s got even more notable Gorillaz tracks that could stand up just fine on a regular Gorillaz album. Among the highlights are a different, acoustic-guitar anchored version of the band’s Warchild benefit single “Hong Kong,” a demo of the Demon Days tune “Dare” (here called “People” and given different lyrics), the ‘70s-brit-rock B-side “We Are Happy Landfill,” and a whole lot more.


Sigur Ros - Hvarf/Heim - EMI
Hvarf means “disappeared,” which is exactly what five tracks on this album originally did, having been slated for a previous album. Those tracks include “I Gaer,” with its tinkling opening that grows into a near theater-rock production, and “Hafsol,” which is full of unidentifiable noises that still sound familiar. The second portion of the disc, hence the “Heim” (home), is an acoustic set that takes Sigur Ros’ compositions and showcases them in a stripped-down but equally pretty way. “Heysatan”, “Agaetis Byrjun,” “Von” and “Vaka” all take on a delicate but raw feel, helping prove what complex writers and performers Sigur Ros are.