Editors
An End Has a Start
Available Now
The Editors' second album has not been lucky enough to avoid critical comparison to its preceding 2005 triumph, The Back Room. An End Has a Start has inspired more than one "Coldplay meets Joy Division meets U2" critical allusion from disparaging and fawning critics alike. Lead singer Tom Smith's vocal style has likewise been alternately compared to Joy Division's Ian Curtis and the Cure's Robert Smith. While comparisons are often useful in criticism, Tom Smith's voice stands on its own. His voice is sugary without inducing diabetic shock and authoritative without sounding holier than thou. Likewise, guitarist Chris Urbanowicz needs no analogous description; his punky, poppy, utterly listenable guitar style makes this album one that you'll find yourself humming along to on your morning commute. The lyrics are not overly pessimistic, with hope getting more than a mere mention, and references to family and forgiveness making the lyrical cut. And the Editors deviate considerably from their trademark guitar-driven style on the plaintive and piano-focused "Well Worn Hand."
If you like this music, you might also enjoy:
We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank - Modest Mouse
Our Love to Admire - Interpol
Icky Thump - The White Stripes
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Neurosis
Given to the Rising
Available Now
Veteran heavy metallurgists Neurosis continue to push the boundaries of the nuanced, sepulchral guitar riff and further the science of unadulterated doom. The band's ninth album, Given to the Rising, proffers the aggressive, erudite Pandora's box of experimental progressive sludge metal that Neurosis fans have come to expect. Neurosis vocalists Scott Kelly and Steve Von Till's post-metal tone and grim cadence are utilized to maximum effect with dirty vocal production. The album's title track is almost nine minutes of mordant riffs and affected vocals that aim to pulverize. Neurosis traverses the sonic landscape, morphing from bleak, intricate, guitar-heavy instrumentation to atomic riffs and vociferous vocals. Given to the Rising is an introspective reflection on Neurosis' 20-year career. But don't think that translates to any softening of the band's signature style. Given to the Rising will definitely stand on its own for at least a couple decades, while Neurosis' imitators and initiates (such as Isis, Mastodon and Pelican) will undoubtedly continue to be inspired by the grandfathers of sludge.
If you like this music, you might also enjoy:
In the Absence of Truth - Isis
In Glorious Times - Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
Anonymous - Tomahawk
Spoon
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Available July 10
Hailing from the black hole of the Bible Belt, Spoon has produced its sixth full-length secular symphony, guaranteed to sate stalwart fans and woo fresh aural acolytes. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga distinguishes itself from previous Spoon releases with the sheer mercurial intensity of this experimental pop pilgrimage. The album opens with the radio-friendly - if repetitive - "Don't Make Me a Target." The succeeding track, "The Ghost of You Lingers," sprinkled with overdub and reverb, is a pristine sentimental segue into "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb," which features Britt Daniel's Jaguar-commercial falsetto. The rest of the creatively spelled tracks on this album balance architectural and dissonant musical composition with quirky and ultimately romantic lyrical reflections on empathy, memory, regret and masculinity. This is Spoon's most authentic, mature and listenable release to date. For a limited time, Spoon is generously streaming the album for pre-release perusal at
MergeRecords.com/gagagajuke.
If you like this music, you might also enjoy:
Baby 81 - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
God Save the Clientele - The Clientele
New Moon - Elliott Smith
