His Take - We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat by The Brighton Port Authority

by J.Paul

This record starts out with "He's Frank" a groovy, chilled out tune with Iggy Pop in full on Avenue B, grouchy old man singspeak mode. The music is head-bobbingly catchy and sounds like it might have been lifted from a commercial for sofa coverings, circa 1967. Kind of like something mundane is trying to be really happy and awesome, and it's succeeding admirably.

I break down the rest of the songs after the jump...

Charlotte Gainsbourg - Heaven Can Wait

By Cori

Today marks the release of Charlotte Gainsbourg's new album Irm, a collaboration with and produced by Beck. In honor of that, check out the video for one of the album's singles- "Heaven Can Wait".

(Ed. Note 2/1/10: J.Paul thought this exchange was worth appending to this post)

cori: :) I have good ideas occasionally.

j.paul: hey why don't you review the charlotte gainsbourg album? i just remembered that you posted the video when it released.

there's a good idea ;)

cori: that would mean i'd have to listen to it again.

once is enough

except that one song.

j.paul: hahaha

Muse - Resistance

by Cori

I love this band, and I feel no shame in admitting that. Yeah, they're one of those bands- the ones with huge, major label funding and (shudder) stadium shows- but they also happen to be a group of incredibly talented guys, and they put on one hell of a live show.

This video doesn't have the benefit of some cool concept or plot, but it definitely got me geeked all over again for the upcoming show in April.

Her Take: Beach House- Teen Dream

by Cori

The first time I heard Beach House- 2008's Devotion- it nearly put me to sleep. I couldn’t understand the buzz and excitement about the band, and I hastily stashed them away in the “overrated” section of the filing cabinet in my head. Given that initial experience, I am not entirely sure what prompted me to give their new album, Teen Dream, a spin. The name alone is pretty off-putting, bringing to mind angst and drama and all the things I hated about high school. Maybe that’s just my neuroses showing.

To say that I didn’t expect much from Teen Dream would be an understatement. Happily, this album seems to be the perfect soundtrack for a rainy day with its fluffy, soft ambience and easy melodies. Stand-out tracks on the album include Silver Soul, 10 Mile Stereo, and Lover of Mine. The vocals and music nestle perfectly together for a sound that gives equal weight to both parts, creating a dreamy feeling. While Teen Dream may not have convinced me to put Beach House into regular rotation, hearing something completely different from time to time is really refreshing.

Blankest Year by Nada Surf

by J.Paul

This song pretty much sums it up for me right now.  I think it's become my anthem for right this minute.  It's rare that I'll actually put a single track on repeat, but this one has earned that unique distinction.  Thanks Nada Surf.

The Weakerthans - Sun in an Empty Room

by Cori

The Weakerthans are incredibly underrated and,  for me, are one of the few bands that have the power to evoke deep emotional responses to their songs. Check this song out and see if it doesn't touch you at least a little bit.

Joe Pug - Hymn 101

by Cori

Joe Pug is one of the many great discoveries from last year's SXSW festival. His lyrics are wise beyond his years, and the simple guitar melodies are beautiful. He'll be performing at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix on February 8. Here's the video.

Brandi Carlile - Mad World (Live, Cover)

by Cori

I can't take credit for finding this awesome little gem(Ed. note: No, but I can! -J.Paul), but it's definitely worth sharing. Many have covered this song, originally released in 1982 by Tears for Fears, but this version is by far my favorite.

Yeasayer - Ambling Alp

by Cori

Yeasayer seems to be one of those bands that people either love or hate, but I think their new album, Odd Blood, could be the one that propels them out of relative obscurity. It's good. Really good.

Here's the video for their first single off the new album, to be released February 9.

His take: 'Contra' by Vampire Weekend

by J.Paul

Are you sure it was August, 2007? It seemed more like October or November when we saw them cos I thought that record came out in February. Anyway.

You've got to be fucking kidding me. This record starts with 'Horchata,' which can't decide on what kind of beat it wants to have, and in the least charming way imaginable. It's all over the place and sounds contrived. Also, the lyrics are silly, trite and have no meaning. Which is fine, but I expected more from this band who've already proven they know how to at least tell an interesting story. What a piece of shit. Moving on after the jump.

Her Take: Vampire Weekend - Contra

by Cori

Picture this. It’s August 2007, standing outside a shabby little dive bar on Van Buren waiting for a show to start. Everyone is excited- the band has a unique sound, the songs are intelligent and we all know the words, even though the self-titled debut album won’t be released for another five months. The band is Vampire Weekend, and they experience overnight success.

Moving back into the present, the band has just released their second album, Contra. The naming of the album seems oddly appropriate- as though it were the rebellious teenage phase of the band’s growth. Maybe the boys are still suffering the fatigue of success, but Contra strikes me as lazy, lackluster, and predictable. Let us examine it closer, shall we?

The first track, Horchata, was released well in advance of the album. This song is incredible in that they managed to somehow distill everything great about their style into one homogenized, repetitive piece of crap. I hated it the first time I heard it, and I hate it now. The rest of the album falls pretty flat, with a few notable exceptions. Giving Up the Gun is the only song on the album that I truly enjoyed, and the delicate piano melody of Taxi Cab softened my cold black heart enough that I could almost forgive the band for the vocoder voice effects ala Kanye West in California English. Almost.

I had high hopes for Vampire Weekend- they put on a great live show and that first album was a breath of fresh air. For now, I am going to cross my fingers, put Contra away to gather dust, and hope that this is that mythical sophomore slump- not the direction of growth for this young band.

Miike Snow- Sans Soleil

by Cori

J.Paul sent me Miike Snow's self-titled album awhile back and I loved it instantly. Unfortunately, it hasn't gotten the proper attention it deserved since then, which led to me hearing this song in a bar last Sunday night and not being able to figure out who it was. It gave me goosebumps, so naturally I had to unravel the mystery. What a pleasant surprise to find that it was lurking in my iTunes library all along. Enjoy.

Sans Soleil - Miike Snow

The Avett Brothers- Laundry Room

by Cori

A little behind the times, I just heard The Avett Brothers' critically acclaimed I and Love and You recently. It has a little bit of everything, musically, and the Avetts are wonderful lyricists. This song in particular struck me.

Laundry Room - The Avett Broth...

Spoon- Written In Reverse

by Cori

Spoon is one of those completely underrated bands that no one seems to know, but everyone has heard at least once. I am insanely excited for the release of Spoon's upcoming album, Transference. Here's the first single.