Phoenix…It’s Never Been Like That…6/10
It seems like the Parisian boys of Phoenix have finally found their niche with their third album It’s Never Been Like That. Although these hipsters clearly have more talent than they’re letting on, their funky soul tunes mixed with waves of electronic rock glitter actually work.
The album opens with “”Napoleon Says,”” starts with some smirky “”huhs”” and reminds us Americans that even if we tried, we couldn’t possess the European smoothness Phoenix excels at.
“”Consolation Prizes”” is just too reminiscent of The Strokes or something that would play in a Gap store, even though it has a catchy beat. “”Long Distance Call”” is undoubtedly one of the best tracks on the album and starts out with an electronic static that flows into vocalist Thomas Mars’ smooth Jackson 5-esque loveliness singing, “”I’m far gone but your long distance call/ And your capital letters keep me asking for more.””
Although each song sounds the same, the album has a complete and uniform sound that makes it a repeat-worthy effort.
– Nicole Santa-Cruz
Pony Up!…Make Love to the Judges with Your Eyes…no rating given
Formed in 2002, this all-female group from Montreal brings the world its sophomore album after 2005’s self-titled EP. With confessional lyricism and alternating vocals from the main women Laura Wills and Sara Moundroukas, Pony Up! has created an amazing album that any indie fan will love.
Sounding like a female version of The Walkmen, with a hint of Something Corporate due to their piano-rocking style, fans of The Fiery Furnaces, The Decemberists and Wolf Parade will love Make Love to the Judges with Your Eyes.
The album starts off with a mellow melancholy kick on the song “”Dance For Me,”” and proceeds to cause the listener to fall in love with these girls on tracks like “”What’s Free is Yours”” where they sing, “”So come and take away my want/ it doesn’t matter what I want/ I hear lobotomies are free these days/ And I doubt now your gestures are sincere… What’s free is yours/ I don’t care if you break my heart.””
This is the soundtrack to moody love, whether you’re looking to dance your body into a frenzy or sit and cry yourself into a stupor.
– Alex Kassman
Alexi Murdoch…Time Without Consequence…8/10
Time Without Consequence is the much anticipated album from Alexi Murdoch since his EP Four Songs, was released in 2002. The EP produced the popular hit “”Orange Sky,”” which was featured in various TV shows and films such as “”Garden State,”” (yet never featured on the soundtrack – just imagine his fame if the song was actually on the famous “”Garden State”” soundtrack).
Although some songs play like haunting lullabies, such as “”Dream about Flying,”” most are just pleasant and simple folk songs. Other standout songs include “”All My Days”” and “”Love You More.””
A few of the tracks are a bit long and tend to drag on. Maybe I’m just ADD when it comes to this slow folky rock or maybe the multiple five- to seven-minute songs get a little boring, but it seems Murdoch needs to just wrap it up on some of these songs.
Murdoch’s voice and sound are slightly reminiscent of other folk singers, like Nick Drake. His British accent is nothing particularly special and it sometimes seems as if he is just talking to the listener and not singing. Still, his voice is more humble and soothing than anything. With his mix of piano, guitar and voice, a great sound is created.
– Amy Wieseneck
