Unsung: Reviews shorter than a song

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/04/21/toro-y-moi-what-for/ Chaz Bundick's fourth album as Toro y Moi still carries a groove, but doesn't quite set itself apart from synth-pop contemporaries. Agree? Disagree? Somewhere in between? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Toro y Moi/What For?/Carpark/2015 Choice Cut: “Empty Nesters" Next of Kin: Washed Out, Passion Pit, Blood Orange Rating: Yellow Light Want more Unsung? Be sure to subscribe via @unsung-podcast or itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unsung/id955821066. Special thanks to my pal www.getoffloops.com (@getoffloops) for providing my theme music.

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/04/14/mountain-goats-beat-the-champ/ The Mountain Goats' 15 album finds John Darnielle turning his eccentric, detailed story-telling style on the world of underground professional wrestling. Agree? Disagree? Somewhere in between? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. The Mountain Goats/Beat the Champ/Merge/2015 Choice Cut: “The Industry of Distance" Next of Kin: Deafheaven, Mutilation Rites, Altar of Plagues Rating: Green Light Want more Unsung? Be sure to subscribe via @unsung-podcast or itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unsung/id955821066. Special thanks to my pal www.getoffloops.com (@getoffloops) for providing my theme music.

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/04/13/bosse-de-nage-all-fours/ Bosse-de-Nage's excellent fourth LP continues down the road of black metal/punk/screamo fusion, but mixes in elements of noise, doom metal and ambient music. Agree? Disagree? Somewhere in between? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Bosse-de-Nage/All Fours/Profound Lore/2015 Choice Cut: “The Industry of Distance" Next of Kin: Deafheaven, Mutilation Rites, Altar of Plagues Rating: Green Light Want more Unsung? Be sure to subscribe via @unsung-podcast or itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unsung/id955821066. Special thanks to my pal www.getoffloops.com (@getoffloops) for providing my theme music.

Earl Sweatshirt's latest functions as more of an experiment than a super-fulfilling record, but I hope this is a rabbit hole that the young emcee continues to tumble down. Agree? Disagree? Somewhere in between? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Earl Sweatshirt/I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside/Tan Cressida; Columbia/2015 Choice Cut: “Grief" Next of Kin: Odd Future, MellowHype, BadBadNotGood Rating: Yellow Light Want more Unsung? Be sure to subscribe via @unsung-podcast or itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unsung/id955821066. Special thanks to my pal www.getoffloops.com (@getoffloops) for providing my theme music.

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/03/30/this-is-the-sonics/ This Is The Sonics isn't a perfect record, but it's a hell of an impressive contribution from a band that made their genre-defining mark fifty years ago. Agree? Disagree? Somewhere in between? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. The Sonics/This Is The Sonics/Revox/2015 Choice Cut: “Leaving Here" Next of Kin: MC5, Guided By Voices, The White Stripes Rating: Yellow Light Want more Unsung? Be sure to subscribe via @unsung-podcast or itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unsung/id955821066. Special thanks to my pal www.getoffloops.com (@getoffloops) for providing my theme music.

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/03/29/courtney-barnett-sometimes-sit/ Courtney Barnett's proper debut more than pays off on the promise the Australian singer/songwriter showed on earlier EPs. Agree? Disagree? Somewhere in between? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Courtney Barnett/Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit/Mom + Pop/2015 Choice Cut: “Nobody Really Cares If You Don't Go To The Party" Next of Kin: Angel Olsen, Kurt Vile, Waxahatchee Rating: Green Light + GOLD STAR Want more Unsung? Be sure to subscribe via @unsung-podcast or itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unsung/id955821066. Special thanks to my pal www.getoffloops.com (@getoffloops) for providing my theme music.

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/03/26/sufjan-stevens-carrie-lowell/ In his latest LP, Sufjan Stevens delivers brutal, heartbreaking confessions in his most stripped down set of songs yet. Agree? Disagree? Somewhere in between? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Sufjan Stevens/Carrie & Lowell/Asthmatic Kitty/2015 Choice Cut: “Should Have Known Better" Next of Kin: Elliott Smith, Iron & Wine, Andrew Bird Rating: Green Light + GOLD STAR Want more Unsung? Be sure to subscribe via @unsung-podcast or itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unsung/id955821066. Special thanks to my pal www.getoffloops.com (@getoffloops) for providing my theme music.

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/03/25/lightning-bolt-fantasy-empire/ This is the newest LP by Providence, RI noise rock duo Lightning Bolt. It trades in just an ounce of the band's trademark bizarity for a stronger punch to the gut. Agree? Disagree? Somewhere in between? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Lightning Bolt/Fantasy Empire/Thrill Jockey/2015 Choice Cut: “Mythmaster" Next of Kin: Japanther, Parts and Labor, Black Dice Rating: Green Light Want more Unsung? Be sure to subscribe via @unsung-podcast or itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unsung/id955821066. Special thanks to my pal www.getoffloops.com (@getoffloops) for providing my theme music.

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/03/23/kendrick-lamar-pimp-butterfly/ This is the 3rd LP by Kendrick Lamar, an ambitious effort that combines gangsta-rap, psychedelic soul and prog to achieve an accessible-yet-avant garde height that has never been reached in quite this way via the genre of hip-hop. It might just be one of the more important records of our time. Agree? Disagree? Somewhere in between? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Kendrick Lamar/To Pimp a Butterfly/Top Dawg; Aftermath; Interscope/2015 Choice Cut: “The Blacker the Berry" Next of Kin: Flying Lotus, Funkadelic, Ab-Soul Rating: Green Light + GOLD STAR Want more Unsung? Be sure to subscribe via @unsung-podcast or itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unsung/id955821066. Special thanks to my pal www.getoffloops.com (@getoffloops) for providing my theme music.

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/03/17/jeff-brotherhood-wasted-dream/ This is the newest record by Nashville garage rockers JEFF the Brotherhood and their most cohesive, well-sequenced collection of tracks to date. Agree? Disagree? Four leaf rover? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. JEFF the Brotherhood/Wasted On The Dream/Warner Bros; Infinity Cat/2015 Choice Cut: “Prairie Song" Next of Kin: Ty Segall, King Tuff, Pujol Rating: Green Light Be sure to subscribe via @unsung-podcast or itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unsung/id955821066. Special thanks to my pal www.getoffloops.com (@getoffloops) for providing my theme music.

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/03/16/modest-mouse-strangers/ This is the sixth LP by indie rock mainstays Modest Mouse, and their first in 8 years. And, while some tracks stand out above others, this collection of 15 tracks is a welcome return for the band. Agree? Disagree? Knot chocolate? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Modest Mouse/Strangers To Ourselves/Epic/ 2015 Choice Cut: “Of Course We Know" Next of Kin: Spoon, Bright Eyes, Vampire Weekend Rating: Green Light Want more Unsung? Be sure to subscribe via @unsung-podcast or itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unsung/id955821066. Special thanks to my pal www.getoffloops.com (@getoffloops) for providing my theme music.

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/03/12/inventions-maze-of-woods/ Mark Smith (Explosions in the Sky) and Matthew Cooper (Eluvium) embark on their second outing as super-duo Inventions, infusing more experimentation and landscape building into their already successful collaboration. Agree? Disagree? Great big thing crawling all over me? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Inventions/Maze of Woods/Temporary Residence/ 2015 Choice Cut: “A Wind from All Directions" Next of Kin: Eluvium, Dntel, Ben Frost Rating: Green Light + GOLD STAR Want more Unsung? Be sure to subscribe via @unsung-podcast or itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unsung/id955821066. Special thanks to my pal www.getoffloops.com (@getoffloops) for providing my theme music.

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/03/12/inventions-maze-of-woods/ Mark Smith (Explosions in the Sky) and Matthew Cooper (Eluvium) embark on their second outing as super-duo Inventions, infusing more experimentation and landscape building into their already successful collaboration. Agree? Disagree? Great big thing crawling all over me? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Inventions/Maze of Woods/Temporary Residence/ 2015 Choice Cut: “A Wind from All Directions" Next of Kin: Eluvium, Dntel, Ben Frost Rating: Green Light + GOLD STAR Want more Unsung? Be sure to subscribe via @unsung-podcast or itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unsung/id955821066. Special thanks to my pal www.getoffloops.com (@getoffloops) for providing my theme music.

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/03/10/chastity-belt-time-to-go-home (Apologies - The wrong version of this got uploaded; I'll fix this soon.) Chastity Belt's national-label debut combines chilled, surf-tinged indie-rock with raw, well-crafted lyricism. Agree? Disagree? Tyrannosaurus hex? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Chastity Belt/Time To Go Home/Hardly Art/ 2015 Choice Cut: “Cool Slut” Next of Kin: Real Estate, Widowspeak, Best Coast Rating: Green Light Want more Unsung? Be sure to subscribe via @unsung-podcast or itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unsung/id955821066. Special thanks to my pal www.getoffloops.com (@getoffloops) for providing my theme music.

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/03/09/avett-mayfield-elliott-smith/ Singer/songwriters Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield offer some pretty arrangements of Elliott Smith originals, but wind up sounding a bit like an open mic night in comparison to the original. Agree? Disagree? Leaf jerky? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield Sing Elliott Smith/Ramseur/ 2015 Choice Cut: “Memory Lane” Next of Kin: Elliott Smith, Avett Brothers, Bright Eyes Rating: Red Light Want more Unsung? Be sure to subscribe via https://soundcloud.com/unsung-podcast or https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unsung/id955821066. Special thanks to my pal www.getoffloops.com for providing my theme music.

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/03/08/will-butler-policy/ Since he's known for his work in the background on Arcade Fire, and bears that frontman's last name, Will Butler's debut solo record is released under a pretty big shadow. Still, even though I'd like to see the lyrics waxed up a little bit the next time around, this is a pretty good start for the relatively young singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Agree? Disagree? Sour chapels? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Will Butler/Policy/Merge/2015 Choice Cut: “Sing to Me” Next of Kin: Arcade Fire, Mac DeMarco, The Strokes Rating: Yellow Light Want more Unsung? Be sure to subscribe via https://soundcloud.com/unsung-podcast or https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unsung/id955821066. Special thanks to my pal www.getoffloops.com for providing my theme music.

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/03/04/tom-brosseau-perfect-abandon/ I'll be honest: This is my first time hearing anything by Brosseau (out of his rather prolific discography.) But I'm really digging his imagery heavy lyrical style and also appreciate the way this record is delivered via unedited takes around a single microphone. Agree? Disagree? Tiger milk? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Tom Brosseau/ Perfect Abandon/ Crossbill Records/ 2015 Choice Cut: “Roll Along with Me” Next of Kin: Sufjan Stevens, Willie Nelson Rating: Green Light

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/03/03/dan-deacon-glass-riffer/ This is the latest release from Dan Deacon. All-in-all, if you don't like his stuff you probably won't dig this one. Still, I think it's a gem and stands out from some of his recent work with its hooks and stronger focus on lyricism. Agree? Disagree? Peppermint mocha? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Dan Deacon/Gliss Riffer/Domino/2015 Choice Cut: “When I Was Done Dying” Next of Kin: Tobacco, Animal Collective, Liars Rating: Green Light

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/03/02/drake-if-youre-reading-this/ This is the (SURPRISE!) commercial mix-tape (or album, or EP, depending on which label you ask) by Drake. That might sound confusing at first, but dig into this release and the ambiguity of it all will become part of the project's strength and allure. Agree? Disagree? Raspberry truffle? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Drake/If You're Reading This It's Too Late/OVO; Aspire; Young Money; Cash Money; Republic/2015 Choice Cut: “You & The 6” Next of Kin: J.Cole, Future, The Weeknd Rating: Green Light

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/02/26/tuxedo/ Tuxedo is a disco-revival collaboration between Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One and, while I admire the overall execution, it's not quite motivating me to dig my flared jeans out of the closet. Agree? Disagree? Chocolate-covered fire ants? Let me know your thoughts on Tuxedo in the comments. Tuxedo/Tuxedo/Stones Throw/2015 Choice Cut: "Number One" Next of Kin: Chromeo, The BeeGees, Mayer Hawthorne Rating: Yellow Light

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/02/24/screamingfemales-rosemountain/ On their sixth LP, New Jersey hard rock/punk trio Screaming Females step up to a shinier production but offer the same forward-moving rock 'n' roll that they're already known for. Agree? Disagree? Fried bologna? Let me know your thoughts on Rose Mountain in the comments. Screaming Females/Rose Mountain/Don Giovanni/2015 Choice Cut: "Ripe" Next of Kin: Fucked Up, Sleater-Kinney, Jeff the Brotherhood Rating: Green Light

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/02/23/father-john-misty-honeybear/ I sometimes enjoy the throwback, '70s singer-songwriter approach that Father John Misty (Josh Tillman) takes here, but I often can't tell whether he's a satirist or just kind of a jerk. Father John Misty/I Love You, Honeybear/Sub Pop/2015 Choice Cut: "Bored in the USA" Next of Kin: Harry Nilsson, Don McLean, Randy Newman Rating: Yellow Light Agree? Disagree? Marshmallow sandwich? Let me know your thoughts on I Love You, Honeybear in the comments.

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/02/22/aptbs-transfixiation/ Now that they've reached their 4th LP, A Place To Bury Strangers have lost a lot of the weird, noisy edge that I loved about their first couple of releases. Transfixiation is still fun-enough indie rock, but doesn't do quite enough to stick out in a crowd. A Place To Bury Strangers/Transfixiation/Dead Oceans/2015 Choice Cut: "Straight" Next of Kin: Iceage, Deerhunter, Sonic Youth Rating: Yellow Light

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/02/21/torche-restarter/ This is the fourth LP by Miami stoner/sludge metal outfit Torche. They slow things down just a smudge here, but don't sacrifice their hook-centric writing talents and keep things interesting throughout for a hell of ride. This is one fun-yet-intricate metal record. Torche/Restarter/Relapse/2015 Choice Cut: "Annihilation Affair" Next of Kin: Baroness, Kylesa, Helms Alee Rating: Green Light + GOLD STAR

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/02/20/theesatisfaction-earthee/ This is the sophomore effort by Seattle-based duo THEESatisfaction. I loved their debut, and this excellent record hits me even harder on both a musical and emotional level; I’m really eager to dive in deeper with repeat listens. THEESatisfaction/EarthEE/Sub Pop/2015 Choice Cut: "Planet For Sale" Next of Kin: Shabazz Palaces, FKA Twigs, Erkyah Badu Rating: Green Light + GOLD STAR

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/02/19/sheisty-khrist-lofidel/ This is an often psychedelic collaboration by two Lexington, KY hip-hop mainstays-- emcee Sheisty Khrist and producer LoFidel. And, lemme tell you, it’s a weird one, but a damn good one. Sheisty Khrist + LoFidel/Cold Winter/Self-released/2015 Choice Cut: "Dreams" Next of Kin: Lupe Fiasco, Cunninglynguists, Aesop Rock Rating: Green Light

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/02/18/public-service-broadcasting-race-space/ The new record by British electronica/indie rock/performance art duo Public Service Broadcasting combines cinematic dance-scapes with a sample-based narrative of the Space Race. Public Service Broadcasting/The Race For Space/Test Card Recordings/2015 Choice Cut: "Go!" Next of Kin: Gorillaz, Field Music, Air Rating: Green Light

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/02/11/phosphorescent-live/ This is a concert album by Phosphorescent pulls some some energy out of Matthew Houck and his band that varies quite a bit from the studio versions. This record reminds me of classic live vinyls (or CDs) I used to find among my grandparents collection. That’s how I was introduced to Dylan and Cash, and I think it would be a perfect way to become acquainted with the music of Phosphorescent as well. Phosphorescent/Live at the Music Hall/Dead Oceans/2015 Choice Cut: "Wolves" Next of Kin: Other live albums by Bob Dylan & Bright Eyes Rating: Green Light

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/02/11/badbadnotgood-ghostface-killah/ The prolific Wu-Tang emcee and up-and-coming jazz/hip-hop fusion trio make collaborative magic on this '60s-inspired LP. I've been a little hit-or-miss on Ghostface's last couple of efforts, but this teaming puts a fresh spin on his songwriting and delivery. Badbadnotgood + Ghostface Killah/Sour Soul/Lex Records/2015 Choice Cut: "Six Degrees" Next of Kin: Previous Ghostface/live-band team-ups, The Roots, Thundercat Rating: Green Light

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/02/11/six-organs-hexadic/ Six Organs of Admittance's Ben Chasney takes his usual brand of experimental noise-psych and puts it in a blender-of-chance that he calls the Hexadic System. The result is an extremely varied noise-psych record that lands somewhere between the 13th Floor Elevators and Swans. It drones, it roars, it sparkles and it explodes. I really like Chasney’s approach using this system - it reminds me of work by minimalist classical composers such as John Cage, and I hope he’ll use this method or similar approaches in the future! Six Organs of Admittance/Hexadic/Drag City/2015 Choice Cut: "Wax Chance" Next of Kin: Swans, Comets on Fire, Lightning Bolt Rating: Green Light

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/02/08/jd-mcpherson-good-times-roll/ This is the second LP by Oklahoma-based singer-songwriter JD McPherson. His music can best be described as American roots music; impressively loyal to rock’n’roll and rockabilly traditions, but boasting more modern arrangements and production techniques. I’m finding myself struggling with mixed feelings on this one: JD’s talent shines through in waves on this record, but I’m not finding too many reasons to spin this record instead of picking up my dusty single of Fats Domino’s "Blueberry Hill." I have no doubt that I’d have a ball-and-a-half at this guy’s live set, but I’m a little lukewarm on it as a record. JD McPherson/Let The Good Times Roll/Rounder/2015 Choice Cut: "Back to You" Next of Kin: Black Keys, Mayer Hawthorne, Jack White Rating: Yellow Light

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/02/08/twerps-range-anxiety/ Another quick review, and returning to the 3 Min. format tomorrow. This is the sophomore LP by Australian indie-rockers Twerps, and their debut full length for Matador. This is a tight group of earnest, angsty pop songs that remind me of Smith Westerns or Belle and Sebastian. I can't put my finger on it, but there’s something missing from this record for me. A lot of indie bands have been churning out melancholy, passable rock like this, and very little of it takes the step up that, say, Mac DeMarco does for me. The songs on this record blend into one another for me, and are also a bit hard to pick out from the crowd of similar records I’ve heard in recent years. Twerps/Range Anxiety/Matador/2015 Choice Cut: "Back to You" Next of Kin: Mac DeMarco, Smith Westerns, Widowspeak Rating: Yellow Light

http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/02/07/uncle-milk-route-9/ I’ve got to get on the road today but I wanted to pass along the latest LP by Boston-based producer Uncle Milk. This guy has a huge collection of records and singles that he’s pushed out for FREE on a variety of online platforms in the past several years. I am really digging his latest record- a smooth, jazz-influenced electronica record that also gives me some vibes of glitch and hip hop. Uncle Milk/Route 9/self-released/2015 Choice Cut: "poison ivy yard work Next of Kin: Flying Lotus, Prefuse 73, Four Tet Rating: Green Light (Sorry, I forgot to mention that. They call it Super Quick for a reason.)

This is the 3rd LP by Southern California hardcore/metalcore quartet Retox. This is project that span off of Head Wound City, which was a side project itself, of the wonderfully bizarre grindcore outfit The Locust, but the only member the projects now have in common is bassist and vocalist Justin Pearson. Compared to those acts, Retox play a more straightforward brand of metalcore, but that doesn’t mean their records don’t boast their fill of disorienting twists and dives. Retox/Beneath California/Epitaph/2015 Choice Cut: "Let's Not Keep in Touch" Next of Kin: Nails, Trap Them, Daughters Rating: Green Light http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/02/05/retox-beneath-california-3-min-review/

This is the full-length debut from New York pop-punk trio Quarterbacks. These guys jam (cram? slam?) 19 songs into a 22 minute record and - to be blunt- they don’t really give any of these tracks enough room to really grow on me. At their core, these are love-torn, relatively whiny pop-punk songs that would have a much stronger effect if they were hashed out a little more. Furthermore, there’s quite a bit of repetition when it comes to melody, rhythm, chord progressions and even word choice from track to track. I want to be fair and say that this young band does have a lot of heart, and there’s definitely a strong six-or-seven minute EP hidden away in this record. But in its current state, this album wears me out without truly rewarding me for the listen. Quarterbacks/Quarterbacks/Team Love/2015 Choice Cut: "Center" Next of Kin: Joyce Manor, Tiger's Jaw, Spraynard Rating: Red Light Let me know your thoughts: http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/02/02/quarterbacks-quarterbacks/

This is the debut LP from Washington D.C. rockers Paperhaus. Experimental rock has become a phrase without much meaning, but this is definitely a rock outfit that experiments with their sounds. They owe a lot to pioneers of psychedelic blues, as well as 1970s German rock experimentalists like Kraftwerk, Neu! and Faust, but the end result is a thoroughly modern kind of art rock that creates cinematic soundscapes without sacrificing quality songwriting or lyrical craftsmanship in the process. Paperhaus/Paperhaus/Self-released(?)/2015 Choice Cut: "Cairo" Next of Kin: Shark Week, Grizzly Bear, Volcano Choir Rating: Green Light

This is the latest LP by Mademoiselle K, a french rock group fronted by Katerine Gierak. I don’t know too much about this band’s past besides that they have a back catalog in french dating back about ten years, and that this seems to be their English-language debut. I haven’t had a chance to dive too far back into their stuff, but I’m going to have to because I really, REALLY love this LP. This record is full of tightly knit post-punk tunes that build to very fulfilling climaxes, and Gierak is hell of a songwriter and singer. Mademoiselle K./HUNGRY DIRTY BABY/Kravache/2015 Choice Cut: "HUNGRY DIRTY BABY" Next of Kin: Gang of Four, Blonde Redhead, Protomartyr Rating: Green Light + GOLD STAR

This is the North American debut by storied Israeli singer/songwriter Asaf Avidan. Sonically, Avidan runs through a variety of rock subgenres. He’s as comfortable getting loud and vivid as he is being slow and intimate. But what obviously sets him apart is his powerful, calloused voice. Avidan’s vocals transcend the normal gender restrictions of pop; they can be gritty, soothing, chunky or smooth, but are consistently alluring to the listener. Asaf Avidan/Gold Shadow/Telmavar; Columbia; Polydor; Universal/2015 Choice Cut: "Little Parcels of Endless Time" Next of Kin: Mika, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin Rating: Green Light More info & reviews: http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/01/31/asaf-avidan-gold-shadow/

This is the seventh record that Phil Elverum has released under the Mount Eerie moniker. This time around, Elverum treats his droning indie-folk with experimental sound collage that transforms a series of brutal, poetic songs into an artistic feat more akin to a well-conceived sound installation. Mount Eerie/Sauna/P.W. Elverum & Sun/2015 Choice Cut: "This" Next of Kin: Xiu Xiu, Deerhoof, Grouper Rating: Green Light + GOLD STAR

This is the 3rd LP by former post-hardcore act Title Fight. On this record, Title Fight follow a growing trend in the world of underground punk and metal- They go all shoegazey. You’re not likely to find a bigger shoegaze fan than me, but I’m not entirely sold on this band’s move. The songs here are highly melodic and potentially cathartic, but they seem like they could use the burst of energy and defiance that the band’s previous LPs boasted. In my opinion this split in genre doesn't bring the best part of each style along for the ride. Title Fight/Hyperview/Anti-/2015 Choice Cut: "We Are Undone" Next of Kin: Deerhunter, Blonde Redhead Rating: Yellow Light

This is the fifth LP by blues-leaning indie rock duo Two Gallants. For well over a decade, these guys have been putting out intricate and interesting rock. It’s true that I like some of their albums more than others - I was especially fond of The Throes and What The Toll Tells- but they know how to put together a diverse and enticing record each time. This go around the duo presents a range of infectious tracks that focus around breaking points of human discovery. These are songs about discovering truths both personal and universal. Two Gallants/We Are Undone/ATO/2015 Choice Cut: "We Are Undone" Next of Kin: Delta Spirit, Blitzen Trapper, early Black Keys Rating: Green Light

This is a check-in after my first month or so of Unsung reviews. Let me know your thoughts on how the podcast is going, and what you'd like to hear reviewed in the future! (Remember: No artist is too big or too small, but I'm looking mostly for full-lengths.) THANKS! http://unsung-podcast.com/2015/01/27/check-in/

This is the newest release and Epitaph debut of Columbus, Ohio based indie-rock group The Sidekicks. This band plays a kind of emo-leaning indie-rock that will remind you of 90s acts like Built to Spill. Frontman Steve Ciolek is recognizable as a contributing and touring member of Saintseneca, and elements that make him a fantastic supporting player for one band make him an excellent lead for the other. The Sidekicks/Runners in the Nerved World/Epitaph/2015 Choice Cut: "Jesus Christ Supermalls" Next of Kin: Built to Spill, The Shins, Band of Horses Rating: Green Light

This is the debut studio effort by Brooklyn rapper Joey Bada$$. For the most part, my only big complaint of anything I’ve heard by him so far is that he’s sometimes overly focused on the sounds of hip-hop’s past. But on this one, Joey turns that same element around to his advantage. This is an instant classic! Joey Bada$$/B4.Da.$$/Cinematic; Pro Era/2015 Choice Cut: "CUrry Chicken" Next of Kin: Ab-Soul, A$AP Rocky, Earl Sweatshirt Rating: Green Light + GOLD STAR!

This is the self-titled debut by Nashville singer-songwriter Natalie Prass, whose most noted work prior to this release has been as a band member for ex-Rilo Kiley front-person Jenny Lewis. This album dwells on heart-on-its-sleeve songwriting that owes a lot to the aforementioned Lewis, but I’m not always sold on Prass as a storyteller or narrator. That being said, I do really enjoy the orchestral arrangements on these songs - pop music needs more songwriters with this kind of knack for musical development within the genre. Natalie Prass/Natalie Prass/Spacebomb Records/2015 Choice Cut: "Why Don't You Believe In Me" Next of Kin: Jenny Lewis, Fiona Apple, early St. Vincent Rating: Yellow Light

This is the fifth studio LP by Chicago-based emcee Lupe Fiasco. I was a big fan of Fiasco’s Food and Liquor in 2006 and The Cool in ‘07. But then he took a break from releasing records for a little while, and by the time he returned with 2011’s Lasers, he’d lost me a little bit. Tetsuo & Youth is a return to more subtle social commentary in the form of elaborate, well planned story telling and world building. It's my favorite Fiasco album since The Cool. Lupe Fiasco/Tetsuo & Youth/Atlantic; 1st & 15th/2015 Choice Cut: "Prisoner 1 & 2" Next of Kin: T.I., Common, Kanye West Rating: Green Light

This is the sophomore LP by singer-songwriter Jessica Pratt. Her debut showcased her eccentric-yet-sincere style of minimalist folk songwriting, and this effort follows suit while adding the occasional instrumental overdub to add extra character here and there. I’ve really been enjoying this record: While Pratt’s style is definitely a throwback to late 1960s folk- as well as freak-folk- she adds her own unique charm to every track. Jessica Pratt/On Your Own Love Again/Drag City/2015 Choice Cut: "Back Baby" Next of Kin: Angel Olsen, Julia Holter, Joanna Newsom Rating: Green Light

This is the latest record from Indiana singer-songwriter Joseph O’Connell, AKA Elephant Micah. O’Connell is an experienced song-writer with an impressive, prolific history over the past decade or so. Despite his already expansive repertoire, I’m really impressed by this set of songs- especially by his approach to stringing them together as a record. The outside help here is limited to percussion by O’Connell’s brother and the occasional instrumental or vocal assist by Will Oldham of Bonnie Prince Billy fame. The songs here are emotive, complex and expansive. It’s easy to get lost in the spaces created within these tracks, a quality that reminds me of Jason Molina’s powerful-yet-dissonant expression on 2002’s Didn’t It Rain. Elephant Micah/Where In Our Woods/Western Vinyl/2015 Choice Cut: "By The Canal" Next of Kin: Songs : Ohia, Bonnie Prince Billy, A.A. Bondy Rating: Green Light

This is the debut LP from Until The Ribbon Breaks, the electronica three-piece fronted by British producer Pete Lawrie Winfield. But UTRB aren’t newcomers: They’ve been pushing singles and remixes for years, crafting a style that fits comfortably in the realm of trip-hop, but with a wide range of differing influences, including American hip-hop, alternative R&B and post-dubstep. For me, this album has been a sleeper agent; it grows on me more with each additional listen. Until The Ribbon Breaks/A Lesson Unlearnt/KLS/2015 Choice Cut: "Revolution Indifference" Next of Kin: James Blake, Gorillaz, How To Dress Well Rating: Green Light

This is the ninth album from Glasgow indie pop heroes Belle & Sebastian. It’s a tough one for me, because I am a long time fan of the band’s expansive discography. That being said, I only really like or love a little over half of the songs on this one. While much of the album is a return-to-form for the band, there are five or six tracks here that push too hard on aesthetic (often channeling the recent disco-revival craze) without really championing a vivid tale. And, ultimately, what I look to this band for is superb storytelling. Belle and Sebastian/Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance/Matador/2015 Choice Cut: "Allie" Next of Kin: The Smiths, Eels, The Magnetic Fields Rating: Yellow Light