4Play: Arctic Monkeys, They Might Be Giants, Regina Spektor, theneeno2

Dec. 13, 2009

Arctic Monkeys - Humbug - Domino
Produced 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. It’s nice to hear them show some growth without abandoning the base of the sound that they do so well; first single “Crying Lightning” doesn’t 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.” TMBG’s even made CAD’s “Computer Assisted Design”’s 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 Harrison’s son Dhani Harrison and Dhani’s 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 Harrison’s George-like vocal tones and the cohesive songwriting on tracks like the spacey “Hiding Out,” the percussive “Shelter,” and the contemplative “Crazy Tuesday.” Although it’s a different musical direction, the younger Harrison has obviously inherited some of the elder’s musical skill.