Category Archives: Review

Favorite Albums of 2008 by Andrew Patton

Posted on December 31, 2008 by | 3 comments

marcoaiello
Marco Benevento (photo by Greg Aiello)

Yessir, it’s been another year, and one that boasted its fair share of fair jams.  Therefore, I have made my annual stab at a list of favorites. Despite any misgivings, I think I have assembled a list of albums that hit me in the right spot at the right time in order to merit a place in my heart.  Please enjoy.

Also, please note that following my Top 15 is a list of my 10 favorite Columbus records of 2008.  Our humble burg cranked out a triumphant pile of tasty crowd pleasers this year, so I was moved to reinstate that list from last year’s absence.

1. Marco Benevento, Invisible Baby
This is the album that I have patiently anticipated from Marco since the Benevento/Russo Duo album Best Reason To Buy The Sun hit me so hard in 2005. After making his first solo splash with the sprawling and just way-too-ridiculous triple-disc Live At Tonic, he returned in 2008 with a focused and concise (well, at least by his standards) studio album that regained the articulate yet playful bombast that the Duo album possessed in 2005. A showcase of technicality and technology, Invisible Baby displays Benevento’s masterful techniques with pianos, keyboards, and boatloads of effects, complimented by relatively basic bass and drums accompaniment. He carefully resists the urge to go overboard, and instead slowly builds and layers melodies towards majestic and unexpected climaxes. Though the victory march of “Bus Ride” and the ice cream truck on a sunny day jam “The Real Morning Party” are my favorites here, all of the songs add variety and emotion to the proceedings.
MP3: Atari | Buy from label

The Real Morning Party Video
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2. SSM, Break Your Arm For Evolution
The Detroit boys’ second full-length record on Alive Records contains more of the sarcastic clatter of their beloved debut, but with further explorations into a plethora of messy sounds. The tunes range from rock anthems to dance-punk ditties to lo-fi funk nuggets, and with sassy lyrics like “You were only living the life/bitches to the left, bitches to the right,” what’s not to love?
MP3: Start Dancing | Buy from label
3. Black Kids, Partie Traumatic
Parallel with the conundrums caused by bands like the Black Angels and Silversun Pickups in years past, this Jacksonsville quintet dropped a full-length that contained all of the songs from their previous EP, an EP ranked highly by yours truly. They helped their position by giving the four old songs the major label touchup, so the snarky energy and catchiness of the album won out over any internal quibblings. New breakthroughs like “Listen To Your Body Tonight” and “I’m Making Eyes At You” are what proved that the band had enough bounciness and catchiness to round out a full album.
Video: Hurricane Jane | Buy on Amazon
4. Empire Of The Sun, Walking On A Dream
The first legitimate newcomer to this list, this Aussie duo’s album caught my attention in the last month and has kept a stranglehold on it since. With their smoother crooning and production on one hand and their more outrageous ’80s aping on the other, these guys have managed to out-MGMT MGMT in my brain. The lyric “Don’t want to talk, all I hear is noise” often makes sense to me. Hopefully this is released domestically soon.
Video: Walking On A Dream
5. The Kyle Sowashes, Yeah Buddy!
Kyle Sowash, a Columbus musician and promoter for the ages, and his self-named band released their second album in 2008 to fine results. Kyle wears his emotions on his sleeve, and turns his stories and dreams into ramshackle “classic indie rock” singalongs. While the songs range from heartbreaking to hilarious, the hooks and the solid playing of the ensemble tie them together.
MP3: Korea | Buy from label | Donewaiting review
6. MGMT, Oracular Spectacular
I know, they weren’t out-MGMT’d by much. These wacky dudes’ album is a bit more gnarled than Walking On The Sun, but the quirky catchiness of these tunes keeps them on repeat. They also show some range in moving from dance jams to acoustic singalongs, while hitting most BPMs in between.
Video: Electric Feel | Buy on Amazon
7. Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend
This is where the list stumbles along on $ellout autopilot…no no, I love this album. I grew up listening to Graceland, so while the guys might have drawn some inspiration there, they have created new worldly anthems for the youngsters. While the album is frontloaded with “hits,” album cuts like “One (Blake’s Got A New Face)” and “Walcott” are also brimming with smug charm.
Video: The Kids Don’t Stand A Chance (Live with Chromeo) | Buy on Amazon
8. Mors Ontologica, The Used Kids Session
Alright, let’s get back to the grime in the shadows. These Mike Rep-recorded lo-fi jams started to see physical life in the waning days of 2007, but the album was “officially” released in 2008. Here’s what I wrote back in January. I’ve heard warning that a new longplayer is coming soon, but for now enjoy this lovely album in MP3 form or in the loving tones of vinyl.
MP3: Entire Album
9. Your Highness Electric, The Grand Hooded Phantom
This quartet originated in Louisville, KY, and the fact that its members are now spread to the four winds may account for numerous periods of inactivity. However, they appear to have returned to life in 2008 and managed to finally release The Grand Hooded Phantom, which includes a few spruced-up versions of old demos but mostly boasts new (to me) material. After a beguiling trumpet-powered intro, they launch into a grungy sonic assault, rife with hooks, triumph, and despair which rocked hard enough for repeated spins on my iPod.
MP3: Bearskin Love | Buy on Amazon
10. Q-Tip, The Renaissance
One of the more apt album titles of the year. Since the demise of A Tribe Called Quest, fans have watched the leading man stumble through a poppy solo debut, a shelved out-there jazz project, and long periods out of the spotlight. However, he returned to form in 2008 with a well-rounded release that shows the rapper finding a soulful, mature sound that is still vibrant and relevant to the better of today’s hip-hop sounds.
Video: Getting Up | Buy on Amazon
11. Envelope, Shark Bolt
Tony Collinger made great strides in 2008. Though his previous producer Amos Famous moved to Cali, he then set to work with production from Weightless boss Blueprint. The result of this collaboration is an album of sonic and lyrical explorations that remains consistent in quality. I agree with Duffy’s predictions of Envelope’s bright future.
MP3: Straight Up (featuring Hugs and Kisses) | Buy from label
12. The Dirtbombs, We Have You Surrounded
We Have You Surrounded shows these veterans of Detroit garage moving further away from such tags. While classic soul stompers like “Ever Lovin’ Man” never get old, Mick Collins also leads the bands into new categories like long noise tracks (!) and French ballads, which often result in exciting compositions.
Video: Wreck My Flow (Live) | Buy on Amazon
13. Hush Arbors, Hush Arbors
This is another one that snuck up on me in the last of the year. The gently warbling vocals of Keith Wood (at times strangely reminiscent of Robert Plant!) are immersed in calming folk settings that even gallop into a backwoods groove from time to time. A new late night favorite.
MP3: Follow Closely | Buy from label
14. Thomas Function, Celebration
This record is likely my most played vinyl LP of the year. Celebration does a more than ample job of capturing the live energy of these Alabamans, who are oft-described as a deep soul version of Television. I’m beginning to think that I can describe most of these albums as catchy, but with songs like “Can’t Say No” and “Filthy Flowers,” I can think of no other way to say it.
Video: Filthy Flowers | Buy from label
15. The Giraffes, Prime Motivator
Though their scheduled 2008 Columbus live appearances were upended by setbacks (Great Power Outage of ’08, lead singer Aaron Lazar losing his voice), their new recorded output almost makes up for it. The metal-edged hard rock here snaps into plenty of hooks and riffs that are honed into songs of most descriptions, even 7-minute laments about Medicaid applications.
MP3: Prime Motivator | Buy from band
My 10 Favorite Columbus-related Releases of 2008
1. The Kyle Sowashes, Yeah Buddy!
2. Mors Ontologica, The Used Kids Session (my review)
3. Envelope, Shark Bolt
4. The Proper Nouns, A Million Hurtful Things (my review)
5. Take No Damage, Shambles
6. Linda Dachtyl, For Hep Cats (my review)
7. The Catalyst, F*CK The Radio Mixtape, Vol. 1
8. Danger Zone, Dangerous Styles
9. Bottom Brick, The Groundbreaking (my review)
10. Rosehips, Rosehips

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RJD2 @ Andyland Factory Wexner Presentation Ball

Posted on November 10, 2008 by | 2 comments

The Wexner Center had a Factory themed party called Andyland that enlisted perhaps the only superproducer in the age of internet/touring fame that is from Columbus, former Huntington Bank teller and Columbus State Calculus student, RJD2. The superproducer turned songwriter that will be the only instrumental hip hop producer that will be acceptable to sample  in the year 2032 because he played instruments and organized the songwrites in loop friendly increments on his last recorded release The Third Hand. The superproducer did not bring a band nor engage in fancy turntable combination arrangements for this this gala. The superproducer was here to play music off his turntables that were hooked up to the Serato computer program channeled thru his mixer for Ladies in waiting, Handsome suitors, townies with charisma, hustlers and general patrons of the arts.

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The Green Brothers – Sticky Funk Vol. 1

Posted on October 30, 2008 by | 3 comments

MP3: Clear Up My Mind

This weekend marks the release of Columbus’ Green Brothers‘ second album, Sticky Funk Vol. 1, on Dove Ink Records.  As you may have already guessed by their group name, their album name, their album cover, etc., the Green Brothers are two weed-loving hip-hop fiends and they want you to join in on the party.  In the time since the release of their debut record Everybody’s Green in 2006, Chicago MC Hiway 411 (AKA Racecar of Chicago hip-hop group Modill) ended the long-distance relationship with Columbus producer Claude 9 (AKA Eyamme), forcing Eyamme to reevaluate the project’s lineup.  He soon found a like mind in Columbus DJ Bern One (AKA DJ Inform), and they united over Bern One’s funk records and…some other stuff.  Sticky Funk was originally intended to be an entirely instrumental release, but eventually Eyamme decided he needed to take on the mic in the interest of their live shows.  The finished product is a patchwork display of the duo’s talents.

Ten of the album’s sixteen tracks are instrumental hip-hop tunes, often based on those gritty funk samples and many featuring Bern One’s explosive turntable work.  The sound of these tracks ranges from upbeat grooves, like the snappy featured MP3, to mellow introspection, as on the back-to-back funky slow-burners “Top Down Funk” and “Crooning Guitar.”  The vocal tracks are mostly message-based songs, like the inspirational “Call Me Cool” and the defiant “Guilty,” or weed party jams, including the entertaining “Girls Gone Weed” and the slick posse cut “Word!,” which features Columbus expatriate Bru Lei.  Eyamme is not at the top of the MC ranks yet, but his concise, confident flow helps fill the gap left by Hiway’s departure.  The album covers a great deal of ground, both sonically and topically, but somehow the different flavors manage to flow together rather well.  This album is an interesting step forward for the Green Brothers, and it will be interesting to see where the weed takes the group next.

The Green Brothers will celebrate the release of Sticky Funk with a party at Skully’s on Saturday, November 1st.  The show is part of Dove Ink’s Open Canvas series, a monthly Gallery Hop after party and live art showcase.  Therefore, the supporting lineup is quite eclectic, highlighted by their Cincinnati-based labelmate, rapper Ill Poetic, and Columbus’ two-man metal maelstrom Big Nasty.  The show is free and the music and art kick off at 9 PM.

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Ancestors – Neptune With Fire

Posted on October 7, 2008 by | 1 comment

MP3: Neptune With Fire (Edit)

Released in August, Neptune With Fire is the debut release for both the Ancestors, a Los Angeles-based metal quintet of varying description, as well as for North Atlantic Sound, a new imprint on Tee Pee Records. The near future of the label (as well as that of the band) will be interesting to follow, as this epic release paints North Atlantic as a label with clear artistic and conceptual standards and, therefore, upcoming releases already have a strong benchmark set for them.

What makes Neptune With Fire different from any other album that I’ve heard in 2008 is that the album’s ample 38:26 running time is composed of only two songs: the 17-minute “Orcus’ Avarice” and the nearly 22-minute title track (a seven-minute snippet of this track is posted above to give you a taste). Therefore, though there are attributes of many metal subgenres on display here (psychedelic, doom, sludge, etc.), the most obvious characteristic of this album is the band’s desire to jam. Both tracks feature lengthy sections with moments of distortion and noise used as transitions.  Neptune With Fire is presented as a concept album, as a metaphorical character experiences a transforming journey.  Unfortunately, the lack of and oft-unintelligible nature of lyrics on the songs (which are apparently sung by committee) hinders my understanding of the quest at hand.  This is not a major detriment, however, because the moods of the different sections of each song and the transitions between these sections shed some light into the pain and glory expressed therein. Continue reading →

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Graveyard – Graveyard

Posted on May 20, 2008 by | 1 comment

MP3: Thin Line

Man, Sweden seems like a happening place these days (or, you know, from my distorted American perspective, it’s been cool for the last decade or so). I wonder how the live shows are over there, as that would be quite the road trip. Anyway, the swelling American rock ‘n roll depot that is Tee Pee Records (Brian Jonestown Massacre, High On Fire, Teeth Of The Hydra) recently issued the self-titled debut from Gothensburg’s Graveyard. This quartet claims old-school influences like Cream and Black Sabbath, and does a respectable job of honoring such touchstones.

From the somber opening drums of “Evil Ways,” it is obvious that producer Don Ahlstenburg (The International Noise Conspiracy, Soundtrack Of Our Lives, etc.) has helped craft a gritty throwback record. Despite that (or inspired by it?), the band goes on to drop nine tracks worthy of today’s rock ears. Lead singer Joakim Nilsson loves to howl on the fierier numbers (“Take Us For Fools,” “Lost In Confusion”), but can also turn out a comfortable croon (though he does verge into “Grover”-esque territory at times during the otherwise-smoldering “Blue Soul”). Though the twin guitar attack of Nilsson and Jonathan Ramm does not delve into mind-bending pyrotechnics, there is a subtle (classically-influenced?) virtuosity in the instrumentation that keeps the proceeds light in front of the thunderous yet agile rhythm section of Bikar Edlund (bass) and Axel Sjoberg (drums). The boys possess a tempered sound that, despite surges in volume and tempo, never allows the songs to come off as “happy,” so this is not a record to look to for a pick-me-up. However, the somewhat-downtrodden subject matter is rotated enough to avoid a severe onset of depression (especially with the sentiment of well-chosen closer “Satan’s Finest”).

Though Graveyard is not exactly an original rock ‘n roll outfit, their style is varied enough to interest fans of both classic hard rock and more contemporary rock sounds. This effort is sufficiently sturdy to show the potential of a bright future beyond the grave.

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M.I.A. Show Intro Video?

Posted on May 14, 2008 by | 1 comment
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While sitting around watching a movie about vagina dentata, I was told that M.I.A. played this video as the intro to her Columbus performance. I guess the video is of radical Kouichi Toyama who ran for a  Japanese Governor  position under the platform of overthrowing and completely destroying his country’s government. He finished 8th out of 14 candidates.

Allegedly after this rabble-rousing clip finished, M.I.A. took the stage performing “Bamboo Banger”.

Also, Detox has contacted me about making my remix concept a reality.

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The Proper Nouns – “A Million Hurtful Things”

Posted on April 30, 2008 by | Comments Off on The Proper Nouns – “A Million Hurtful Things”

MP3: The Lesser Stars

Two years after releasing their first full-length album (Birds & Butterflies) on Columbus Discount, Columbus’ Proper Nouns have returned with A Million Hurtful Things, their first release on upstart local label All Hail Records. Though the boys at CDR recorded most of the album and the relationship between the label/studio and the band appears to be intact, the shift in headquarters seems to make sense stylistically. The Nouns’ precise pop doesn’t mesh very well with the rougher textures of bands like Necropolis and El Jesus De Magico (however unfair the pigeonholing may be), and as they are a bit unique in the Columbus “scene,” the association with a more varied label like All Hail (Paper Airplane, Electric Grandmother, etc.) likely ensures a less biased perception of their tunes.

After the two-year break, A Million Hurtful Things builds well on the foundation laid on their previous release. The band’s lineup has changed, with Justin Riley (Terribly Empty Pockets, Super Desserts, etc.) replacing the departed Dave Gibson on Wurlitzer, other keyboards, and background vocals. Though the keyboards have always been an integral part of the Nouns’ sound, Riley seems to be more assertive in his contributions, especially on the Animals-esque “Conditions Are Worse” and the jaunty “The Lesser Stars.” Lead singer/guitarist and primary songwriter Matt Ogborn has concocted another batch of roughly delicate pop songs. His wit and enunciation are as sharp as ever, lending humor to “Long-Time Correspondent” and the “sneering” “My First Death Ray.” The rhythm section of Travis Kokas (bass, background vocals) and Phil Francis (drums) continues to provide a steady backbone for the band, and Francis’ rumbling fills add excitement.

Though the sound presented here is very similar to that of their previous effort, the main difference (and in my opinion, improvement) is that the songs on A Million Hurtful Things are much more drawn out and relaxed, with a perceptible swagger that was often lacking in their previous material. These longer tunes seem to allow the band to get more comfortable with the task at hand, to pleasing effect. The addition of handclaps is nice too.

The Proper Nouns will celebrate the release of A Million Hurtful Things with a show at Cafe Bourbon Street on Friday, May 2. Joining in the festivities will be RTFO Bandwagon and Heavy Mole.

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Atmosphere, When Life Gives You Lemons…

Posted on April 22, 2008 by | 5 comments
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I sat out to write a review of the new Atmosphere album, When Life Gives You Lemons. Paint That Shit Gold. It comes out today. I play the roll of official indie rap guy to a certain segment of Central Ohio, I suppose. So I feel like I should say something.

However, upon listening to this record I once again came to two reoccuring conclusions.

1. The last Atmosphere album that I was the audience for was LucyFord.

Take the above video of “Shoulda Known”. There are parts of it there for me. I respect the electro-ish beat. The grainy filming has a Terry Richardsonish vibe. Slug sounds like he is dissing cocaine on this too. I ride for that. At least dood isn’t rhyming about windmills, how bad the radio sucks, or saving rap. But still something about the video and song screams Suicide Girls to me. So it loses me.

Thats the best way I can describe why I can’t really bump or hate the new Atmosphere album. I guess I need more Tom Waits (who beat boxes on the album), and less Warped Tour to be into it. But the difference between old indie rock doods, and Emo Pop-punk fans is prolly 100,000 records. And since the last Atmos record pushed 120k, though I don’t like Suicide Girls, you prolly do. Continue reading →

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Wye Oak – If Children

Posted on April 9, 2008 by | 2 comments

MP3: Warning
MP3: I Don’t Feel Young

Formerly known as Monarch, Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack, now named after the Maryland state tree, Wye Oak project the hallmarks of a band too meticulous and maybe even a bit overproduced — long nights, double takes, excessive overdubs, might have sucked some energy from what might translate live. In the style of the trad-Merge, off-kilter, dual sex subgenre (see Butterglory, the Rosebuds, She and Him) If Children, the group’s debut is as varied as leaves from the tree. As we wait with baited breath for the next installment of My Bloody Valentine there’s still time to throw your own Loveless replicate into the ring and Stack shows submits his love letter. Well, at least on “Warning,” a full-on fit of buzzing and massaging waves of guitar fuzz, pure sonic navel gazing.

Coming from Maryland, disbelief is suspended and the mess is that bit of the Dixie seeped over the border. I hear harbor and fog, salty inlets forged by the sea rather than swampland and twang. Sure the duo is guilty of staying up late night with Palace LPs (the barren-soul whimper is a constant) but these songs are more shanty – swaying, low-ended, benders more reminiscent of the Breeders and Come and Scrawl (‘specially when Wasner takes the commanding lead, not just using her the voice as wispy instrument) on the double bummer of “Family Glue” and “Orchard Fair” – these are not death ballads. Hope is prevalent; it’s just wobbling in intoxication.

Stack is a trained songwriter and great at the finger picking (an epilogue to Bon Iver?), which makes his band’s eclectic choice of ideas even the more strange. Pleasantly surprised is the apt descriptor here, as most of If Children doesn’t follow a blueprint, it goes from feeling to feeling. It’s certainly not groundbreaking stuff. Songs like the ballooning mini-epic “I Don’t Feel Young” though, tend to stun more often than not — always a stinging and spacey subversion from slightly similar precious and sensitive albums that battle with mediocrity. In here there’s a beating heart.

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Basic Sociological Awareness PT 1: Twiztid Juggalos

Posted on April 9, 2008 by | 49 comments

This past month I have watched DJ Detox+ friends rock so many packed rooms. Sweatin, Get Right, The Catalyst’s release party, So What Wednesdays, The Milk Bar and even Twiztid at the Newport all got handled.

I am gonna hit you with a series of blogs with pictures and playlists from a gaybar, a downtown nightclub, a boutique, a shitgaze(jokes) haven turned Stretch + Bobbie 89.9 for a night and a sold-out Juggalo event to let you know Home Mortgage scandals don’t need to be the norm

Lets start with the Sold-out Newport.
Might as well set it off with proof that if God doesn’t love ugly, someone else will and make 25 dollars at ticket.

Photos By Danielle Kline

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