Just in...Rubblebucket: Omega La La

    Amidst a lot of discussion I've heard lately--concerning the best course of action for contemporary bands, to maintain profits and survive, being to release shorter albums, EPs or just singles--Rubblebucket has decided to release a full album, their second studio LP, Omega La La. The album is actually due out June 7th, but last night, I believe, they posted the option on their website of a free download of its entirety. I'd wager that is a pretty bold move that will help them grow their fan base in the long run as well; because, in order to download you have include your e-mail and the e-mails of four friends, and Like the band on Facebook. It seems that free downloads requiring being added to mailing addresses or e-mail accounts to confirm the download are becoming quite popular with bands these days. I've downloaded a number of free tracks this way, from Scattered Trees (whose album Sympathy is out now!), The Strokes, and plenty of remixes of Tokyo Police Club (to name a few). Rubblebucket has also put together some nice pre-order packages and will be selling Omega La La at upcoming shows, see their site here for dates and locations (they are coming as close as Syracuse, where they have come before).
    Right away, I perceive a much lighter style with Omega La La compared to their debut, Rubblebucket. I hear more synthesizer chords that just lay out and provide harmony, along with less grunge alternative that you may remember from "Ba Donsa, We Did This"--still in the MixPod. They are still very folksy, with afrobeat and jazz-ish brass/saxophones, but particularly I hear more of a groove. The bass and rhythm sections are finding grooves and sticking with them, not as much complicated meters. The second track "L'Homme", for example, is that kind of ever present bass that goes back and forth and almost gets annoying after a while (I do love the French they sing in for that track though, as it makes me feel like I'm on the beach in the Mediterranean or something). "Silly Fathers" and "Triangular Daisies" are almost borderline synthpop, but mixed with funk and maybe a bit of psychedelica (not the long solos and jam type though, more the drifting atmospheric kind). "Came out a Lady" reminds me of the previous album the most, perhaps they wrote it first. This album even has some semblance of baroque pop, using the synth as almost a harpsichord sound in "Rescue Ranger", and broken or arpeggiated chords  in "Breatherz (Young as Clouds)" (which starts sounding just like a Mice Parade song!). The track that convinces me the most that Rubblebucket is growing and changing styles a bit is "Lifted/Weak Arms", in which the atmosphere is very ambient with synths and like a dark jazz club with the band playing contemporary progressive jazz the likes of Maria Schneider or something--there's even some feel of metal in the bass and guitars towards the end. The last track, "Pile of Rage", is also very different, slow, dream pop and space rock-ish, while completely psychadelic.
    Well, that is a pretty good preview of the 11 track LP, Omega La La, check it out and download it here. I will have the first track, "Down in the Yards" in the MixPod, because I love the middle sections with the jazz organ hits. You can hear more on their website, follow either links provided and make your way to the main page to hear "Silly Fathers" and "Came Out a Lady". Enjoy another solid new album release!