A lot of the attention on new releases from the same week has focused on Deerhunter and No Age, and with good reason. Their new records are excellent, but we wanted to focus on a couple of other bands that are making equally compelling music: Women and Abe Vigoda.
The music direction Abe Vigoda has taken is certainly a surprise. After being dubbed "tropical punk" after the release of their first full-length, Skeleton, they followed that up with an ep that was more taut post-punk, and carried a much darker edge.
Their new record, Crush, finds them treading the line between post-punk and New Wave. The songs are ominous, and singer Michael Vidal's brooding vocals are reminiscent of David Bowie. The music backing Vidal is synth heavy, but the songs are bolstered by perfectly placed guitar lines and tight drumming, not to mention that underneath all the noise are some seriously melodic songs. The end result is a record that maintains a consistent sound that will remind you of 80's stalwarts like the Cure, but updated for the 2010's.
Women released their self-titled debut in 2008, and it seemed to take until 2009 for everyone to realize just how good the record was. Now, they are one of those code-word kind of bands. Find someone else into them, and the next few minutes of your conversation will consist of the two of you gushing about this Canadian band.
Public Strain is another slab of avant guitar rock from a band that plays in the open spaces of their music while they let the quiet void sit there, or fill out with noise. The record has some glacial paced tracks that manage to hold your attention via subtle melodies and the continuity of the record. The slow tracks are juxtaposed with noisier tracks. Each song perfectly compliments the next, and at the end, you have a second record from one of the most exciting young bands out there.
Recommended If You Like:
The Cure, Joy Division, Gang of Four, Deerhunter, No Age.
Looks Like:
the kids taking over.
Feels Like:
the pleasure of a loose tooth.
Smells Like:
a musty basement.
Listen to When:
you're up late at night with a bottle of wine.
Vinyl the Cat says:
These bands are even cooler than me.
Abe Vigoda - Crush
Women - China Steps
More:
Abe Vigoda on MySpace
Women on MySpace
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