August: Albums We Haven’t Covered
AUGUST: The rest of the month’s releases
words: Jamie Milton, Gareth O’Malley
A prodigy in the form of The Xx and the return of Arctic Monkeys dominated our devoted-time. But over the last couple of days, instead of being miserable at missing out on seeing Radiohead play ‘Creep’ at Reading Festival, we caught up on some of the other releases that word-of-mouth might have mentioned were worth listening to.
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JAY REATARD – WATCH ME FALL
Jay Reatard is no pop star; hence the name, the album cover etc. But the sound on ‘Watch Me Fall’ takes a more direct route than previous, taking shortcuts rather than admiring the scenery (I know, I love that figurative language too). Pop music it is not but it’s simple enough to admire and dance giddily to at the same time. Don’t expect this record to cure any headaches either: Reatard remains suitably fully charged. Instead, let the likes of ‘It Ain’t Gonna Save Me’ commence your night rather than the next twisted, torrid morning.
mp3: It Ain’t Gonna Save Me
7.1
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MEW – NO MORE STORIES….
The fifth album from the Danish three-piece, ‘No More Stories…’ finds Mew’s sound become more immediate and accessible after the murkiness of 2005’s ‘And The Glass Handed Kites’, with some very impressive results indeed. Time-signature manipulations and unusual song structures are here, as has always been the case with this talented band. For beautiful moments, look no further than the stunning centerpiece ‘Cartoons and Macramé Wounds’, and for joyous ones, singles ‘Introducing Palace Players’ and ‘Repeaterbeater’ should leave you satisfied. Quite an accomplished record indeed, albeit one that, despite its immediacy, takes so many twists and turns that multiple listens are needed before it sinks in. And that’s the best part.
8.8
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MUM – SING ALONG TO SONGS YOU DON’T KNOW
‘Sing Along To Songs You Don’t Know’ is yet another album to file under ‘pretty and dazed’ from múm’s back catalogue. Dreamy yet far from daring, it tangles up modern drum rhythms with natural, plucked string sections and out comes a final product that seems frighteningly familiar to previous works. But it’s nice to see an “experimental” outfit keeping a steady distance from becoming self-fulfilling, ego-centric and far too leftfield. Instead, they keep to writing intelligent pop songs, albeit ones unable to maintain your interest for a good hour.
mp3: If I Were A Fish
6.9
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SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO – TEMPORARY PLEASURE
It was theirs for the taking: James Ford and Jas Shaw have been doing nothing but building momentum and name recognition in production duties, high-profile remixes and the ever-growing popularity of ‘Attack Decay Sustain Release’. ‘Temporary Pleasure’ had the makings of being a landmark album, one to remember the decade for, a career-defining moment. But instead it’s littered with meaningless guest appearances and hooks far less powerful than those on previous material. To call it a let down is an understatement.
5.0
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SLEEPING STATES – IN THE GARDENS OF THE NORTH
Markland Starkie belongs within rich vocal layers and accompanying, soothing instrumental sections, all giving out this mysterious, mellow vibe that makes up ‘In The Gardens Of The North’. It’s magnificent to listen to just how much can be achieved with guitar, percussion and a few extra nuts and bolts, perfectly demonstrated in ‘The Next Village’, a euphoric yet complicated alternative anthem of sorts. This is a coming of age for Starkie, his finest work to date.
MFM @ HYPEM
