CD Reviews

Boris | Attention Please

Sargent House (2011)

By JONATHAN DONALDSON | May 25, 2011

3.5 Stars

Two new albums are out this week from Boris. The stupefying Japanese trio have been doing a really good job at playing the PR-game by dangling Attention Please and Heavy Rocks for a number of months, tantalizing fans and critics with whispers of how these twin suns of splendor are going to expand stoner metal and ambient noise-pop into new dimensions. I believe, Lord! Although Heavy Rocks entrances with a slight bit more baking powder for density, Attention Please is notable for being the first Boris LP fully sung by super-sexy, whispery guitarist Wata. "Attention Please" is a great fuck-you of an opener — as sterile as airplane food, and a great juxtaposition into the driving orch-noise pop of "Hope." Grimy fuzzed-out guitars and an accordion (WTF?) saw away in the warped chorus of "Party Boy," while Wata keeps it cool — never reducing herself to a belt or a rock-whoop. The arc of the album confronts and confounds with ugliness and beauty (like the breathtaking folk instrumental "Aileron") with never so much of a wink. For anyone bored of being bored of being bored, strap this one on and ride away.

Pantha du Prince | XI Versions of Black Noise
Outright blandness is the worst sin in all of art.
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This was supposed to be some sort of acoustic jaunt, but Moby reverted to what he does best: sounding like Moby.
Manchester Orchestra | Simple Math
It's not uncommon to find young alt bands testing their boundaries on their third albums, exhibiting growth through darker material and more-complex lyricism.
Owl City | All Things Bright and Beautiful
Odds are, if you're reading this review, you're not looking for an Owl City purchase recommendation.
Krallice | Diotima
The history of pop would have you believe that music has no purpose except to make you hum along and tap your toes, the perfect soundtrack for your participation in consumer society.
Okkervil River | I Am Very Far
From Green Day's American Idiot to the Hold Steady's Separation Sunday, concept albums have been back in style for a bit.
Man Man | Life Fantastic
Man Man fans probably weren't expecting "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head"–levels of optimism from the happy-titled Life Fantastic, but the vibe on the Philly-based band's fourth album is pretty morbid, even by their standards.
My Morning Jacket | Circuital
If there's any band in the universe that knows the meaning of power, it's Kentucky's My Morning Jacket, a five-piece that thrives, more than anything, on the thunder of five hairy men playing instruments together in a room.
tUnE-yArDs | w h o k i l l
Armed with a few delay pedals, a smattering of percussive devices, and a fucking ukelele , she creates a vocal army of one.
Death Cab for Cutie crack familiar Codes
When I phone Walla, who's in Minneapolis with Death Cab on a tour that will bring them to the cozy Paradise a week from Sunday, he's in a reflective mood.
Eddie Vedder | Ukulele Songs
Unless your name is Tiny Tim or you perform with Michael J. Epstein, you shouldn't be putting out an entire album of ukulele songs; something just feels weird about it.
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