Legally Bland

Minikon: Hope
My longtime friend James White (aka Denty One, aka Ol’ Doc Tucker), recently completed his third album under the Minikon moniker; the aptly named Hope. If you care for unapologetically bright, electronic tunes with an emphasis on beautiful melodies, then you should have already purchased this album. This newest offering takes a slight departure from the 8-bit video game inspirations of the first two albums and delves headlong into more complex arrangements replete with subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) shoegazey undertones. The only problem with the album; it ends far too soon for my liking. You can buy it now for a paltry $7; A small price to pay for something that will genuinely put a smile on your face.

My Bloody Valentine: Really?!
Okay, admittedly this has been around for a while. In fact, it’s been around in some shape or form ever since my black fingernails ripped open the over-sized box of the Loveless cd in the Turtles parking lot back in 1991. But, unlike the band, this story just won’t die. Sticking true to what he mentioned back in January, Kevin Shields says there will indeed be a new MBV album. Not only that, it will happen this year! I’ve learned to believe only what I see from this man, but it doesn’t stop me from getting excited all the same. Could this be the Christmas present we’ve been waiting for the last 16 years?

Taken By Trees: Open Field
Victoria Bergsman is no longer part of The Concretes, which is a bit of a bummer because they have a great thing going, and Bergsman was a large part of it. She does, however, have a new project called Taken By Trees, and I’m completely taken by it. This is simple songwriting at its finest delivered with beautiful instrumentation. It’s another melodic gem, that seems to exist solely to make the listener happy. It’s a great album for sitting around the house on a brisk fall evening and just sipping on a cup of tea.

I’m currently crushing hard on Le Loup. These guys hail from DC, are currently on Hardly Art here in the states, and apparently just signed to Memphis Industries in the UK. They’re getting a lot of chatter on the netwebs as well as a lot of play on my Walkman. They’re also scheduled to hit the First Unit in December. All of that is fine and well you say, but what do they sound like? A little sumpin’ like thiaaaas:

I’m still digesting the Bodies of Water album (thanks to Luke for the heads-up), but already, this track is a standout. It strikes me as a slightly softer, Funeral era Arcade Fire along with a bit of Danielson Famile-esque joy thrown in, and it makes me smile.

These guys are playing the Chapel at the First Unit Church next month, which is a great, intimate space for an act like this. Check it.

Well, it’s here, and thanks to Radiohead’s unprecedented announcement we only had to wait a little over a week. I’ve been chewing on this thing all day, and I think it’s worth every penny that you may decide to pay for it. Unfortunately, if you haven’t already downloaded it, you may be waiting for a while. In testament to the band’s following and its industry-challenging tactics, the In Rainbows site is currently swamped.

I think what may have gotten lost in all the hubbub over the way in which the album would be released is whether or not this would be a good album. The answer for me, is a resounding “it’s Radiohead, of course it’s good.” I think these guys have reached an artistic maturity that most other bands will never find. They’re taking all the lessons they’ve learned over the years and putting them to deft use on this album. If you don’t love it, you probably have a broken ear.