4Play

June 1, 2008

Diskjokke - Staying In - Smalltown Supersound
“Oslodisco” buzz artist Diskjokke (otherwise known as violinist-slash-mathematician Joachim Dyrdahl) may not be the first person you’d think of to craft innovative electronic music. But the Norwegian is having great success with his unique blend of dub, old-school tunes, and wide-scope disco sounds - he mixes ‘em up like few of his compatriots can, hence that “buzz” label. Cold synths get warmed up by epic melodies on such tracks as the groovy “Cold Out,” the four-four, bass-heavy “Flott Flyt” and the trance-y elevator music that is “The Dinner That Never Happened.” Elsewhere, Dyrdahl goes more Euro via collapsing piano rolls and the ever-morphing synths of tracks like “Glatt” and the title tune.


Spiritualized - Songs in A and E - Fontana/Universal
When Spiritualized toured last year, they took along a string section and a plethora of backing singers, and that richer sound has obviously filtered its way into their latest and sixth studio album, which weaves through blues, orchestral movements, and gospel influences. The set also picks its way through a maze of heavy and lighter arrangements, with some of the songs focusing on pretty melodies (“Goodnight Goodnight”), while others take a heavier, darker turn, such as “Yeah Yeah” and “Death Take Your Fiddle.” Spiritualized’s signature elements are here, too - those guitars are just as scratchy as ever, and the tunes aren’t necessarily ones you’ll immediately hum, but they’ll eventually stick nonetheless.


Gutter Twins - Saturnalia - Sub Pop
What do you get when you put two alternative rockers together for a melancholy side project that takes its name inspiration from two old Rolling Stones? The Gutter Twins, ladies and gentlemen - Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees) and Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs) perform moody, early ‘70s influenced Morrison-esque compositions. Synths box with chugging basslines (“Bete Noir”) while chanted refrains butt heads with aggressive guitars - but Lanegan and Dulli’s respective yet anguished musical viewpoints somehow get along swimmingly, which makes this unexpected album work. A few of the songs, like “Front Street,” offer up some pretty brazenly corny lyrics, but otherwise this is an interesting pairing indeed.


The Futureheads - This is Not the World - Megaforce
Dropped by Warner Brothers Records after their second album, Futureheads didn’t drop a stitch, instead getting right back in the studio and now releasing their third album by themselves, thanks very much. The post-punk revivalists got down to business quick here, with their simple but effective pop-meets-punk formula firmly entrenched in each and every song. From the first single, “The Beginning of the Twist,” to the closer, “See What You Want,” and album highlight “Radio Heart,” and these are quick, punchy numbers that grab your attention immediately, with production knit loosely in order to keep focus on those hooks and beats. An indie hit? You bet - and it’s going in the band’s pockets. Sorry, WB.