Music reviews: part deux

I need to review some of the cool music I have listened to recently.

Vampire Weekend - Contra / A-
This band is ridiculously fun and catchy! I don't know how to describe their sound...it's like African, world music, indie rock, and even a little bit of psychedelic combined. They are so unique...just check out the music video for "Cousins!"
Track picks: White Sky, Holiday, Cousins

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend / A-
This is their first album...and it's just as every bit as great as Contra is! This is some amazing stuff. It has a very "beachy" vibe to it that reminds me of The Beach Boys (one of my favorite bands!) I love how they mention the movie Say Anything (one of my favorite movies of all-time!) in "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa."
Track Picks: A-Punk, Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, The Kids Don't Stand A Chance

Paul Simon - Surprise / A-
Paul Simon from the legendary folk duo Simon and Garfunkel is no has-been. He is still writing amazing world songs with meaningful lyrics! In "Outrageous," he sings "who's going to love you when your looks are gone?" I think we all wonder that. However, the real stand-out here is the closing track, "Father and Daughter."
Track picks: Why Do You Live in the Northeast?, Outrageous, Father and Daughter

Broken Bells - Broken Bells / B-
Broken Bells is the side-project of The Shins's James Mercer and hip-hop artist Danger Mouse. Even with all the electronic elements, this album is 80% Shins (because of Mercer's vocals dominating almost all the tracks!) It's nothing at all special, and the last few tracks are a little bland, but it will hold our appetite until the next Shins album...
Track picks: The High Road, Vaporize, Your Head is on Fire

Regina Spektor - 11:11 / B+
This is where it all started for my favorite female singer-songwriter...the very raw and yet blissfully (and jazzfully!) powerful 11:11. This has none of the catchiness of Begin to Hope or Far, her two newest albums, but it's still a fantastic and strong release from a girl who was still trying to discover her musical prowess. Plus, it has "Pavlov's Daughter." You must listen to it. Must.
Track picks: Love Affair, Pavlov's Daughter, 2.99 Cent Blues

Regina Spektor - Far / B
I hate to do this to Far, but after giving it repeated listens, and after Spektor's masterpiece, Begin to Hope, I must say that Far ends up being her least-inspired and most disjointed album. It has some of her worst songs. But guess what? It also has some of her best (The Calculation!) And it's still a solid album. Some of the b-sides, namely The Sword & the Pen and Riot Gear, should have been on this album.
Track picks: The Calculation, Folding Chair, Man of a Thousand Faces


More to come later!