Upcoming...Tokyo Police Club: Forcefield

    Just found this today, and couldn't wait to put it up. Seems like I've found more free time this week alone than I have in the past 2 months. I love the simple, straight forward indie post-punk of Tokyo Police Club. Though I definitely think this leans toward the pop end, as Pitchfork's review also highlighted, see here. This is their third full release, Forcefield, which drops March 25th, 2014. Gotta thank BIRP!'s March 2014 Indie Playlist for making my aware of this album.
    Ok, a lot has been said about how Tokyo Police Club has been trying to avoid all the trends (or micro trends as Pitchfork called it--even though I think the trends are more here to stay then everyone gives them credit unfortunately). And they claimed along with the title of this album that they were trying to create Forcefield in some sort of bubble. One problem with that theory is they switched producers to Doug Beohm, who has done work for Miley Cyrus and Fall Out Boy. I hate producers. If you're trying to make a pop album because you want to be a confused indie rock band with a dance pop sound then you've made the right move. But, I think all the effects used take away from what made Tokyo Police Club great: guitars. Their sound has also evolved into a more alternative guitar distortion. I think in reality, Tokyo Police Club has followed a lot of trends without knowing it. One song that comes close is "Tunnel Vision", which is ironically poorly named when you look at it in this light. The synth, glam and dreamy pop style is a definitely switch and about the only thing that remains from Champ (2010) and Elephant Shell (2008) is the vocals, though even then there is a sort of blend added to singer David Monk's voice. Either, their previous semi album, Ten Songs, Ten Years, Ten Days (2011) where they covered a bunch of pop songs, like "Since You've Been Gone" and "Party in the U.S.A."got to their head or it was intentional. Thankfully, one trend they barely happened to avoid is New Wave. I will give them that.
    I never cared that Tokyo Police Club couldn't write a song over four minutes long and just want the music world to return to normal. There used to be a time when there were so many unique bands who were just putting out their first or second album and showed such great promise of remaining true to themselves. But, their most recent album drowned in the lack of variety going around these days. Namely, Vampire Weekend, Phoenix, The Freelance Whales and now Tokyo Police Club.
    Well, make up your own mind, listen to the entire album streaming on the NY Times website, here. I've linked their most adventurous song to date under the 'Monthly Sample Tracks', coming in at 8:32 in three "parts"; "Argentina (Parts I, II, III)". Enjoy!

Binge Post...Andrew Bird, Young the Giant, Walk the Moon

    Been a while. Gonna give props to a couple albums at once because I don't have time to write up several posts separately lately. First, Andrew Bird, if you don't know him check out his TED talk here. Love his music! The release is an EP titled, I Want to See Pulaski at Night (Nov. 12, 2013). You might be able to hear it on his website still, here. The main idea of the seven track album is the song, "Pulaski at Night", which gave breath to the other music on the album. Some tracks are epilogues or simply instrumental musical ideas. All quite pleasing to listen to, as if one was enjoying a warm summer evening out on the porch with the sound of crickets. Overly atmospheric description? I do not think so. Check out "Pulaski at Night", my favorite song, over under 'Monthly Sample Tracks' with it's soaring counter melody in the strings. Tags-Indie Folk, Indie Rock

    The next album I've been sampling a lot is by Young the Giant, namely their first and self-titled album, Young the Giant (2010). But, they do also have a new album that came out, Mind Over Matter, in January of this year. Once I listen to that more, perhaps you'll see it up here too. Young the Giant strikes me as your average indie rock band, but found a uniquely smooth ambient leaning style bordering on feel good island music with a good portion of this album that appeals to me. I enjoy the singers voice too and find their simple hooks and melodies memorable. That and the sweet album artwork! Check out the peppy song "Your Side". Tags-Indie Rock

    Lastly, a post-punk, dance rock band for you: Walk the Moon, with their also self-titled album, Walk the Moon (2012). I find their music somewhat brash and constantly driving, but it reminds me a bit of Two Door Cinema Club...maybe throw in Everything Everything and the voice of the singer from Clock Opera? You get the picture if you know those groups. I cannot even say this is one album that will stick in my playlist long, but I'm throwing it out at you for you to decide. It might be too New Wave for me. Listen to "Tightrope". Tags-Post-punk, dance-punk, new wave, indie pop