Look at the blonde-headed monkey!

the listening pile

Nada Surf - The Weight Is A Gift – Barsuk
Everyone knows the story, band starts out, makes a record with Ric Ocasek, signs with major label, has a huge hit, falls off the face of the earth. Then issues a critically acclaimed album on their own, signs with underground label, re-issues records, puts out new record and finds themselves as indie darlings. Happens all the time. In a testament to perseverance, Nada Surf could have called it quits years ago. But no, they kept at it, recordings, playing live, albeit omitting their pop hit "Popular" while doing it. Their last two records, Let Go and the new The Weight Is a Gift, are pop gems. Ironic, isn't it. Produced with Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla, The Weight is a Gift is an album of wonderfully crafted pop songs, with wistful melodies, catchy hooks, bittersweet lyrics, and occasional rock anthems. It took me a bit of time to realize what a great band this is. Let Go took a long time to grow on me, but The Weight Is A Gift was an instant hit with me.


Elbow – Leaders Of The Free World – V2
Leaders Of The Free World, Elbow's third full length, is a wondrous as it's predecessors. To me, they now belong in that elite league of British bands, with Radiohead, Coldplay, Travis and Doves, that consistently put out engaging and inovative albums Leaders Of The Free World, is instantly a more upbeat album than the previous two. "Forgot Myself", "Picky Bugger" and the title track are multi-dimensional and intense. Despite their hopelessness and longing, their songs always seem irresistible and seductive. Guy Garvey's hushed vocals tell stories of heartache, torn relationships and frustration. The record is gorgeous, downhearted, passionate, and and mysterious all at once. Guy Garvey's vocals sound just as heartfelt as always, he is full of emotion and introspection. It is a wonderful album, that reveals itself each time you listen to it.

Soft - Soft EP - Self-Released
The young New York group’s meticulously crafted debut, screams of Manchester’s finest. It is gleaming, shoegazing dream pop that should certainly appeal to fans of bands from that era. The 5 songs here, have incredibly catchy melodies, lush atmospherics with singer, Johnny Reineck’s fay vocals floating gently above them. Droppin, with it's cascading guitars, and punchy rhythm section, could still make dancehalls in Manchester glee. A fine debut from an up and coming New York City band.

Hail Social - Hail Social – Polyvinyl
I'd heard this name for a long time. Hell, they even toured with Interpol, yet I somehow managed to miss this band until quite recently. Their self titled debut is a pulsing rock album with hints of dance beats and a post punk delivery. The sound of Hail Social is minimal and a little rough around the edges. The group's rhythm section, which drives many of the songs with dancy beats, is super tight. The angular guitar lines are heavy and polished. Singer, Dayve Hawke’s smooth vocal delivery occasionally has a deceptively sininster edge. A good listen from the Polyvinyl label.