The New Year - Self Titled

The New Year
The New Year
(09.2008, Touch & Go)
Verdict = Subtly above “above average”

Do you remember the time when the independent music scene was filled with solid music from all over the map that wasn’t worried about inventing the next hybrid genre? A time when instruments were employed skillfully to flesh out great songwriting? Maybe that era never really existed, but there was a time when I first started listening to “indie music” that I felt like that was all that was out there. The New Year not only remembers this period in indie rock (the band was started in ’99), but has beautifully retained its aesthetics. On their self-titled third album, The New Year has humbly churned out another batch of solid, slightly lonely indie rock tracks. Alternating between guitar and piano based songs. The New Year isn’t breaking down any musical barriers. References to some of the band member’s former projects like Bedhead and Codiene or to note one of my personal favorites of this era of generic descriptors, Idaho, are certainly expected. One can see by the cover of The New Year’s latest that they aren’t out to turn any heads. However, for those who invest their time in the band’s latest, the rewards are boundless. The New Year’s new self-titled album is the definition of a grower. The understated vocals, affecting lyrics, subtle melodic interplay and elusively technical percussion all interlock to create a near perfect album that will never lose its sheen. It may take a few listens, but once The New Year has you in their grips they’re discreet genius will appear limitless.

-Mr. Thistle

Listen to the album Here

Enon - Grass Geysers Carbon Clouds

Enon
Grass Geysers Carbon Clouds
(10.2007, Touch & Go)
6.5/10

Enon fans waited four years for Grass Geysers Carbon Clouds, Enon's fourth full legnth, and from reading multiple reviews, it seems the majority were very disappointed. Having never really listened to Enon before my views are not tainted by expectations from a back catalog. Upon first listening to Grass Geysers Carbon Clouds I was immediately reminded of a more hyperactive Bunky. It's bass heavy pop rock with twists of new wave, punk, and electro. Switching between female/male vocals nearly every other song, it's difficult to tell whose voice I prefer. The female vocals, provided by Toko Yasuda tend to get slightly annoying when she starts sounding like a twelve year old girl, but on some songs I really like her voice. John Schmersal tends to start sounding like Hot Hot Heat singer, Steve Bays, when he sings loudly. The album lacks variety and is easy to get lost in. Maybe I am just getting old, but it's too much for me. Like co Touch & Go signees, Ted Leo, it's slightly too energetic and hard to keep up with. Like The Go! Teams' latest, there are singles I love, but I can hardly digest the album in one sitting. The composition is lose and sloppy, which adds to the appeal of their garage sound. Overall I enjoy their sound, but their songs don't have enough movement in them to keep my attention and if you aren't listening closely the album all sounds the same.

-Sassigrass

Red Stars Theory - Life Inside A Bubble Can Be Beautiful

Retrospective
Red Stars Theory
Life Inside A Bubble Can Be Beautiful
(1999, Touch & Go)
10.0/10

Sharing Modest Mouses' drummer and led by 764-Hero's bassist Red Stars Theory could be labeled a super group of sorts, but this album goes beyond the usual superstar musician studio work that is slapped together. Red Stars Theory is a cohesive, singularly minded band and Life Inside A Bubble Can Be Beautiful is their magnum opus. Recorded during a high point for post rock and slowcore, Red Stars Theory's debut is a high water mark for the genres. With gritty bass, discordant guitars (ala Sonic Youth), inventive drumming, and beautiful string accompaniments, Life Inside A Bubble Can Be Beautiful drifts into your subconscious like a hazy dream, hitting pleasure spots repeatedly along the way. Spanning 7 songs for over 40 minutes, this album used to constitute what I thought was the perfect length/number of songs. Listening to it again just reinforces that idea. James Bertram's fog obscured vocals penetrate perfectly on the songs in which they are featured while the instrumental tracks help tie the album together perfectly. "Sailor's Warning" features previous vocal contributor, Lois Maffeo, back to impose her haunting voice as well as adding a ghostly feature to the album. Each track fits like bricks in an immaculate wall of sound. The tempo may be strained but Life Inside A Bubble Can Be Beautiful is still one of the most exciting albums in my record collection.

Mr. Thistle

Red Stars Theory - "Combinations and Complications"

CocoRosie - The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn

CocoRosie
The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn
(2007, Touch & Go)
4.0/10

CocoRosie are polarizers. There is no way to find a middle ground here, you either fall deeply in love or frantically escape. 2005’s album Noah’s Ark found me firmly in CocoRosie’s camp, defending their bizarro, freak folk (the only time this tag seems accurate). Unfortunately, it seems that their third album has quickly ushered me out of CocoRosie’s discordant earshot. It seems that this circus act has discovered a lost treasure chest of Wu Tang records and has fallen head over heels. Yep, with The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn you are listening to hip hop CocoRosie and this stuff is grating. I am talking about the kind of noise that makes you want to box your ears with bricks. Now, as a reference point here, I absolutely love and seek out unconventional noises and musical weirdness. I thrive on it really. Inventiveness is one of the most enjoyable and respectable attributes I seek when discovering new music, but honestly, Cocorosie is killing me. I have wavered a little bit on coming to grips with whether I liked this album or not. I have given it more than its fare share of “second chances” and the verdict is no. I will not subject myself to this. It is literally nauseating. CocoRosie may smirk at that response like it is an inside joke but I am glad to oblige them because if that is the reaction they are after, they have hit their mark. You’re not usually going to see many reviews here at Forest Gospel below a 7.0 because the intent of this site is to share what we love and recommend. I feel like it is important here to not recommend The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn.

-Mr. Thistle

CocoRosie – Rainbowarriors