A Few New Releases

Here are some recent releases and my quick thoughts:

Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

I think I like Spoon more stripped down - that was always their charm. This release shows them expanding and experimenting more, which is nice, but not Spoon in their element. I suppose variety is a good thing.

Grinderman - Grinderman

Fantastic. This record is stripped and raw. At times it's sweaty and dirty and bluesy. Of course, the vocals take the focus, and are delivered with a sure-footed cockiness that only a veteran could pull off. Very inspiring.

Battles - Mirrored

Good, heavily rhythmic. The vocals were sort of a turn-off at first. I mean, I can handle silly vocals, as long as there are somewhat normal vocals to grab onto as well. This release further pushes the live/remixed motif of certain areas of indie as of late.

Tim Armstrong - A Poet's Life

I didn't expect to get this. It's exactly like if you took all the punk and rock out of Rancid and left only the reggae. I mean, it's okay, but even more formulaic than the punk.

Smashing Pumpkins - Zeitgeist

Sells itself like SP's Year Zero. Also supposed to live up to demi-reunion status. It's not classic Pumpkins, but it still is very good. The loud bits hit the nail on the head, the softer stuff is good but not as good as it used to be.

Dungen - Tio Bitar

A secret worth looking into. This record is a portal back to older (late 60's) psychedelic rock. Only, unlike 60's psych, there is very little attempt at pop sensibility, for a very strange, very wild and crazy, very listenable album. Will be searching for more.