Archers of Loaf | Vee Vee [Deluxe Remaster]

CD Reviews

Memoryhouse | The Slideshow Effect

Sub Pop (2012)

By LIZ PELLY | February 21, 2012

3.0 Stars

When Evan Abeele and Denise Nouvion created Memoryhouse, they never intended to start a band. Memoryhouse — named after a 2001 record by German neo-classical composer Max Richter — was meant to be a multimedia art project, combining Abeele's classical instrumentals with Nouvion's photographs and short films. But the blog-powered indie-sphere latched onto the hazy home-recorded electro-pop of their debut Years EP, with Nouvion's balmy, buzzing voice and wide-eyed lyricism. At first, they were oft associated with chillwave, but the new LP suggests that maybe all along Memoryhouse were — like many other bands to emerge out of recession-era lo-fi/glo-fi aesthetics — just a young, pensive dream-pop band grappling with the restraints of budget bedroom recording. On The Slideshow Effect, Nouvion's childlike inflection is center stage for all 10 tracks — it's the album's defining element. She sounds calm, composed, and clear-headed, crooning over huge instrumentals that now seem pre-ordained for Sub Pop. The most surprising tracks are the strongest: "The Kids Were Wrong" is their most jangly indie-pop to date, with surfy power-pop riffs; "Punctum" is a nostalgic, finger-picked ballad where Nouvion sings, "It's not enough to live your past through photographs uncovered." Their lush sonics get twangy on "Bonfire," indicative of their self-proclaimed Emmylou Harris influence. This might not be the experimental genre-crossing venture the duo set out to accomplish, but it is a slideshow of timeless pop songs.

What's F'N Next: Niki and the Dove
Of all the near-perfect things to emerge out of Sweden over the past few decades, from IKEA’s meatballs to Peter Forsberg’s playoff beard, perhaps the country’s most impressive import has been electro-pop.
Avi Buffalo | Avi Buffalo
Look, I get it: the last thing we need right now is yet another band who can be described as “sun-baked,” “reverb-soaked,” or even just “psychedelic.” But Avi Buffalo (I know! An animal name to boot!) are worth your attention for a few reasons.
Beach House's artful myth
Victoria Legrand opened her notebook and saw the word "Myths." "There were no other words on the page," says the Beach House singer and keyboardist. VJust JMythsM. . . . I hadn't even remembered writing it. It was magical. A total sign."
Powering up with the Smith Westerns
Sometimes when we settle into the tattered sofa of lo-fi pop music, it's easy to imagine that the artists intended for it to be made this way.
Enjoying Friends with benefits
When I first came upon the video for "I'm His Girl" by the Brooklyn pop quintet Friends, my mind had already been stuck on the idea of liberation for the better part of a week.
Say Anything | Anarchy, My Dear
If Say Anything frontman Max Bemis were an anarchist, he'd be behind the scenes, printing fliers in the dark.
La Sera | Sees The Light
Sees the Light, the second album from this side project of Vivian Girls' Katy Goodman, is a surprisingly difficult album to review.
Madonna | MDNA
There was a time in the mid-'90s when it seemed that Madonna was finally acting her age: with the 1994 release of "I'll Remember" and the subsequent greatest-ballads collection Something To Remember, it seemed as if the Material Girl was resigned to a lifetime of mature songcraft and age-appropriate jams that would serve her well into her 50s and beyond.
Eternal Summers | The Dawn Of Eternal Summers
The Dawn of Eternal Summers is being released by a small record company whose name starts with K.
Mixing and matching with Ed Sheeran
Judging by outward appearances, Ed Sheeran is not your typical pop sensation.
Alabama Shakes | Boys & Girls
In 2012, every other mainstream female pop singer is trying her hand at honest-to-God soul, shooting stylistically for Aretha Franklin (by way of Adele's 21) but usually winding up closer to early-Nelly Furtado.
Less

Topics: CD Reviews , Music, Arts, Pop, More

| More

Most Popular

The Current Issue

Table of Contents

Cover Archive

Masthead | Authors | Contact us

Blogs

Governor 2014 Race Takes Flight
Talking Politics | October 30, 2012 at 9:19 PM

See these [Halloween] films: Nosferatu + Cabin in the Woods @ the Brattle
Outside The Frame | October 30, 2012 at 4:35 PM

[halloween] Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys' Squidhouse of Horror + Darling Pet Munkee record release party @ BMH
On The Download | October 30, 2012 at 4:34 PM

PHX Countdown to Halloween: Night #1: It's Almost Heeeere
Phlog | October 30, 2012 at 3:33 PM

New Moe Pope & Rain Video – “Annie Mulz” – Shot at TC's Lounge Before the Fire
On The Download | October 30, 2012 at 2:34 PM

CURRENT CONTESTS

KISS Monster Album - Giveaway

Rustic Overtones Ticket Giveaway

Warren Miller's Flow State Prize Pack Giveaway

102212_ Rustic Overtones Ticket Giveaway

Silent Hill - Screening Passes

All Promotions . . .

ARTICLES BY LIZ PELLY

WHAT'S F'N NEXT? SWEARIN' | October 18, 2012
Allison Crutchfield grew up in the punk-rock world of DIY. And with her newest band, Swearin', she's released one of the best records of the year.

ROBOT INVASION! | October 09, 2012
Six-legged robots, mechanical snakes, and a friendly dino-bot by the name of Butch will make new friends in Somerville this week at two free events.

BEACH HOUSE'S ARTFUL MYTH | October 10, 2012
Victoria Legrand opened her notebook and saw the word "Myths." "There were no other words on the page," says the Beach House singer and keyboardist. VJust JMythsM. . . . I hadn't even remembered writing it. It was magical. A total sign."

HOW TO DRESS WELL...ON HOW TO DRESS WELL | October 03, 2012
Given his sartorial stage name and his ear for R&B beats and avant-pop minimalism, Tom Krell of How to Dress Well certainly sounds like someone who could compose an excellent soundtrack for a runway show.

SHOPPING WITH KITTY PRYDE | October 02, 2012
A few weeks ago, Florida’s Kitty Pryde — everyone’s favorite red-haired teen-girl rapper — stopped by Brighton Music Hall for her much-anticipated first Boston show.