New Releases - 12th July

New Releases - 12th July

07 July, 2010
by: Music Team

Opinions were split over I Blame Coco this week - so we did the honorable thing and reviewed it twice...

Dan Sartain – Doin' Anything I Say / Bohemian Grove
One Little Indian

Dan Sartain is a bit like a slightly less manic Jay Reatard, the latter's elements of frantic hysteria replaced by something darker and more considered.

'Doin' Anything I Say' is slowly, relentlessly ominous – like a bulldozer, it just keeps on coming. 'Bohemian Grove' on the other hand has a bouncier poppier '60s vibe, with plenty of woah-oh-ohs to keep things fizzing along. Did you know that 'Bohemian Grove' is a weird members' club where Republican presidents get to wander around naked in the middle of a forest? Fact.  4.5/5
TJ

Paul A. Rosales – Crimes
Care in the Community

I don’t know much about Paul A. Rosales. I mean, I know what he looks like, and that he supported Ganglians when they played Barden’s last month, but apart from that I know nothing about where this guy is from or his motivations for making music.

Then again, as long as he keeps releasing strange indie pop records that sound like Neu, Washed Out and Blank Dogs all at the same time I’m not going to worry too much. I like mystery when it comes to lo-fi pop. 4/5
DH

Kate Nash – Kiss That Grrl
Polydor

Ooh, the fear of being overlooked for someone better looking and more interesting, or as Kate Brash puts it someone whose feet don't even stink. Considering Nash's previous storytelling fails, this is really quite sweet, though it doesn't forego her geezer girl threats: "I will think up a thousand ways that I can hurt you" – nice.

It's a happy-sad song, summery and upbeat but ultimately a desperate don't-leave-me with a few promises of violence thrown in. Oh and the BS reason she's spelling it 'Grrl' is because the other woman is a tiger or something (see the video) – twat. 4/5
NK

17th Boulevard – God Moves in Irresponsible Ways
Capital20

This single is released in anticipation of their debut album, 'C.A.T.H.Y.', which is due out in the autumn. Given this track blind one might easily mistake this for a new Deadmau5 tune.

It has the same euphoric trance feel with a few more poppy influences. The added indie flavour in the form of Markus Smaller's slightly whiny vocals is a downer on what would otherwise be a nice summer anthem. 3/5
GL

I Blame Coco – Selfmachine
Island Records

I Blame Coco brings us her second single, a light and catchy pop tune that is easy on the ears. Her voice – with the tone of her father Sting – saves the song from becoming an ordinary pop number.

'Selfmachine' is a nice song to listen to on your iPod while going for a walk on a warm summer evening, although you may get bored after a few listens. 3/5
AA

Panda Bear – Tomboy
Pawtracks
 
Panda Bear, from Animal Collective fame, returns with his new single 'Tomboy'. While Animal Collective’s recent offering was filled with floating melodies and good vibes, this is something of a let down.

It sounds like a choir boy whose voice has just broken, singing in an echo filled church, while a broken keyboard from the '80s bashes out some chords. It’s all very dreary and makes you wonder what all the hype is about. 2/5
TT


Darwin Deez – Up In The Clouds
Lucky Number
 
In which Deez once again demonstrates that he doesn't take himself particularly seriously, and neither should you. Sure, the Strokes-ian hooks may hold your passing interest, but a video with Deez padding around on cuddly clouds and dreaming of a mismatched beau (an air traffic controller, no less) doesn’t exactly scream integrity, much less sophistication. 

Of course, Deez is nothing if not complicit in both his formulaic musical limitations and trite self-deprecation, which could make it a worthy in-joke. If the tunes were as bombastic as the ridiculous tarantula hairdo or '70s porno moustache, we might be laughing too. 2/5
JL

Fanfarlo – Fire Escape
Canvas Back

The video to 'Fire Escape' is incredibly dull, featuring some painfully indie looking people saving others from attempted suicides. It’s so slow moving I can literally feel my life wasting away just watching it, and it doesn’t help that it’s more than a bit pretentious looking.

At least they made a video which was relevant to the song then, which is neither poignant nor moving but really is just a massive slab of inane, tedious soft rock. 1/5
TT

Extra special bonus review!

I Blame Coco – Selfmachine
Island Records

When I first heard this song, I certainly did not expect to hear such a deep toned voice from this tiny, doe-like figure. 'Self Machine' implies a young girl's feelings of angst and insecurity whilst finding her place in the world; the song has rather chilling undertones that are accentuated in her performances by her awkward posture and smoky eyed glare.

For a slightly more playful version, look to La Roux's remix. 4/5
CW

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Music Team