Sleigh Bells - Treats (Sony)
“This LP starts as it means to carry on with a swaith of distorted, choppy and very raw guitar”
t’s a rare delight when a band comes along that makes every organ in my body feel like it’s lifting right out of me. The first time I heard Sleigh Bells, around 6 months ago, I thought I was being raised to heaven itself. I’ve literally bombarded everyone I know with their myspace address, I’ve heard them played on the radio, and now…NOW…I get to tell you about their debut album. Duo Alexis and Derek, with collaborator M.I.A come straight outta Brooklyn and you can hear that geographical influence in every song, from Beastie Boys to Vivian Girls.This LP starts as it means to go on with a swathe of distorted, choppy and very raw guitar accompanied by the light voice of Alexis. The 11 track album continues throughout with the most rough, chaotic and yet tightly constructed indie rock music to come out for a while.There are, I admit, a couple of duff tracks on the album, the quieter Rill Rill for example, but the outstanding tracks, A/B Machines, Crown on the Ground and Infinity Guitars are TOTALLY MONUMENTAL. Sleigh Bells have already found a large space in my musical crowded heart, I hope they will in yours. And yes, this is a TEN out of TEN. God, I just love them. Lizz
I Kirsty Almeida – Pure Blue Green (Decca Records) I
am incredibly bored of all of the “amazing”, “exceptional”, female singers that are being fire bombed on my unsuspecting ears at the moment. Due to the recent volume of female artists wrapped up in the same package, described as unique and spectacular, none of them are actually
doing anything original anymore. Almeida is being promoted in exactly the same way but there is a difference – she doesn’t need it. Behind her wondrously smoky voice and theatrical stage-wear is a girl in love with sound, shows and experimentation. Her entire existence has been doused in travelling, art and music and as a former member of the travelling theatre company Carnival Messiah and lead singer of Latin band La Gran Descarga, she is more than qualified. Armed with a seven piece band, the talented chanteuse’s debut album, produced by Youth, is a mesmerizing mix of soul, folk and blues. Less than a minute long, “Gather Round” opens the album, enticing you into Almeida’s carnival inspired world, leading straight into “If You Can’t Make me Happy”, a bluesy, country- tinged song of timeless wonder. Not a package created by a PR company, her magic is naturally effortless and genuine. This fact alone makes the Manchester based vocalist stand out from the rest. Miss Lightyear
Everything Everything – Man Alive (Geffen Records)
“this is like Tenacious D meets University Challenge. Believe”
man has some clout. It’s by no means unfounded though, as the output from four-piece is as original as you’ll hear this year. With vocals sliding from the easily palatable to the sinister falsetto, Everything Everything approach each song with curious intention and intelligent songwriting. You can almost hear the Northumbrian legacy in their songs, with the pace and vigour of Futureheads and Maximo Park not a clear comparison, but with passing familiarity. However, while there are moments of sensitive beauty, ‘Nasa is on Your Side’ being my case in point, some bits are harder to swallow; I mean sure, they do sound like they’re doing a canny impression of Tenacious D’s inward singing on some tracks, but when they’re fitting in lines as clever as “I’m as giddy as a baby in a centrifuge”, you’ll forgive them it all. Yes, in my strangest simile to date, this is like Tenacious D meets University Challenge. Believe. Emma Roberts
T 44 / August 2010 /
outlineonline.co.uk
hat rabid New Zealander is the kind of plucky mutt that grabs hold of the end of a rope and never lets go. I’m talking about Zane Lowe of course, and the musical chew toy that he’s currently got his teeth into is Everything Everything. This is no bad thing for them, as the radio
“Her entire existance
has been doused in travelling, art and music”
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