Tuesday, October 2, 2012

October 2 Releases, 2012

By: Chris Dobstaff, Reviews Editor

What up, October? You're looking real good right about now. Hot apple cider, pumpkins and the changing colors in the trees are just a few of my favorite things about the fall. And of course, there's fall music. You know what I'm talking about: good ol' sweater-wearing music. Luckily, we have some interesting records coming out to kickstart October and, just like those leaves, new albums are going to keep dropping throughout the fall season.  

Muse is back in a big (not unexpected) and interesting (again, not unexpected) way. The British band released its sixth studio album, The 2nd Law, on Tuesday and naturally they've already pissed some people off. That's just what Muse does, isn't it? Reviews have generally been positive thus far, but the group is naturally alienating fans by embracing electronica and dubstep influences this time around. I'm all for musicians changing up their sound every once and awhile, but Muse's epic reach may just be going a bit too far for some fans. 

Flying Lotus, on the other hand, nailed it this time around. With Until The Quiet Comes, Steven Ellison has created one of the best electronic albums of the year. Flying Lotus' fourth album is currently flooring critics, including myself, with songs like "All In," and "Sultan's Request." The album is completely organic in a way that too few electronic albums are. These songs are ones to get completely immersed, and sometimes lost in. Thanks to artists like Flying Lotus, I can firmly attest that there is reason for electronic music to exist other than those damn club settings.

The indie world was also well represented this week with The Mountain Goats, The Hood Internet and Matt & Kim all releasing new material. For The Mountain Goats, Transcendental Youth is their 14th (!!!) album, and their second on the Merge label. As per usual, John Darnielle has put together a collection of songs that will ultimately be pleasing to anyone out there who even slightly enjoys the indie genre. That's the thing about bands like The Mountain Goats: it's hard not to like them.

The Hood Internet released a record called Feat, which features lead singer of The New Pornographers A.C. Newman adding his vocals to an electronic track. I'm not gonna say it's bad, but I will say it's weird. A.C. Newman has such a wonderful voice, and hearing it with those darn computerized noises in lieu of an acoustic guitar rattled me just a bit. Additionally, Matt & Kim released Lightning,  the duo's fourth studio album. I may be in the minority here, but I think Matt & Kim are kind of boring. Sure, "Daylight" was a flipping excellent song, but other than that nothing has really hit a chord with me. But that doesn't mean I won't be checking Lightning out, 'cause I definitely will. The group's infectious energy will undoubtedly be fun to turn on for a bit of cleaning around the house.

So there ya have it. October has started off right with what appears to be a pretty interesting week in music. As usual, not all of it's going to be great, but I'm a firm believer that any album one listens to when the leaves are falling can be magical. 

And if that sappy sentiment doesn't work for you, just go listen to Flying Lotus. Seriously, Until the Quiet Comes is damn good.

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