January 22 Releases, 2013

By: Chris Dobstaff, Editorial Director

Ahhh. Here we are in the wonderful year of 2013. The Mayans didn't kill us, and now we can get back to caring about the things that really matter: new album releases. With ACRN now up and running for the spring semester at Ohio University, we're back to actively seeking out albums to listen to each and every week.

Let's start with Ra Ra Riot, a band that I have a couple of gripes with. The Syracuse-based group's first album, The Rhumb Line, was incredible. There were fantastic string arrangements from Alexandra Lawn and cello and violinist Rebecca Zeller. It came out around the same time Vampire Weekend released its first effort, and honestly, I liked Ra Ra Riot's better. Now, with its third album, I've given up hope. Beta Love largely ignores the gorgeous strings that made me love the band in the first place (in part because of Lawn's departure last year). Still, Ra Ra Riot has shifted to more of a synth-driven band, and it's just not working out.

The Joy Formidable is releasing its second album this week, a follow-up to 2011's The Big Roar. The alt-rock band has returned for more guitar-driven rock, with lead singer Ritzy Bryan's voice sounding both delicate and badass. She's really good at that. I have yet to hear the entire album, but from the few songs I have heard, I'd say that The Joy Formidable is continuing to do what it does best. Though I don't know if the group will ever write a song as great as "Whirring."

There's also the release of Hilly Eye's debut, Reasons to Live. The psychedelic noise pop duo includes Amy Klein, the former guitarist for Titus Andronicus on its tour for The Monitor. I have to admit, Klein was one of the best parts of a Titus live show. She jumped up and down for the concert's entirety, a feat that required great physical endurance. Endurance that I sure don't have. Regardless, it will be exciting to see what she and drummer Katherine Tung have done with their first record. Check out my review on ACRN later this week!

Other records coming out this week include Esben and the Witch's Wash the Sins Not Only the Face, Bad Religion's True North and Hung at Heart by The Growlers. It seems to me that this is a week to try something new. So go out, pick up something you've never heard of before and see if it can capture you. If not, well, we'll just have to try again next week won't we?  

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.