2012 albums

RyanF1 · #26 | Posted: 01/17/2012 12:39 | Post subject:

Only heard two so far but I think it's shaping up to be a good year Smile

Howler - America Give Up

I'm a sucker for a good old fashioned guitar band so I was really looking forward to this, but I was wary of getting sucked into the hype. In the end I wasn't disappointed, although there's nothing mind-blowing going on here. It doesn't have the same impact that 'Is This It' had when it first came out but I don't think anyone really expected it to. However, I'd say that it's a lot more impressive than, for example, the Vaccines album of last year, which didn't really have a lot of depth beyond the catchy guitar hooks. It's more original as well but it's still easy to see where their influences came from, the Strokes being the obvious one. In saying that, every guitar band of the next 50 years are going top be compared to the Strokes. There's also a few Jesus and Mary Chain vibes coming through.
Overall, an enjoyable listen for anyone who likes guitars(me), but unlikely to be a classic.
7/10

Tribes - Baby

There had been a wee bit of hype here in the UK about this band last year but that had kind of faded away. Again, it wasn't quite 'the Vaccines', but hype is rarely lived up to so that's probably a good thing. the hype would have been deserved however, as I was very impressed with this album! Pretty diverse songs has seen them being described as both 'glam' and 'grunge' and compared to the Pixies (personally I don't see it). I think that it's a lot harder to describe than the Howler album so I'll let you listen and find out for yourself, but it appears we have another good guitar band on the scene, one with a few more good ideas than seen in the previous review.
Overall, an album which will probably be near the top of my 'album of the year' list.
8/10
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harkan · #27 | Posted: 01/17/2012 12:44 | Post subject:

First 2012 album purchase:

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

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an_outlaw · #28 | Posted: 01/29/2012 23:45 | Post subject:

Listening to the Maccabee's new album. I listened to their first two albums ealier to get some background on the band. First was fairly weak but proved they had their chops and could put at an okay track. The second was a step up from the first wiith lots of goodish songs and one great called 'No Kind Words'.

Now I listen the 2012 effort. First 2012 release I gave my time to and it is simply fantastic so far. Where the first was 55/100 and the next 65/100 this is aiming for a lot higher. Simply a massive jump in quality and shows that this band of humble origions could really release a classic one day. Shocked

Album is called 'Given To The Wild'. Feels like you're swirling around in space for the most part. Try it out.
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ShaneSpear · #29 | Posted: 01/29/2012 23:58 | Post subject:

Tried to listen to the new mixtape from Heems (of Das Racist) today.

Yuck. Confused

HigherThanTheSun · #30 | Posted: 01/30/2012 01:09 | Post subject:

I'd second Ryan's shout for 'Tribes - Baby'. I've heard the comparisons to the Pixies too but I can't for the life of me see why. It's a decent album though and a good start to the year definately worth checking out.

Favourite track for me is Himalaya.

8/10
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