Young Galaxy - Shapeshifting [Album Review]

Young Galaxy's third LP, Shapeshifting, was released yesterday and it has it's spellbinding moments and others where the spell is broken. Certain aspects and beats become redundant at times making for a few bland songs. But the parts that do captivate like the entirety of "Cover Your Tracks" are like huge arching daydreams, except someone else is writing them for you and sticking it in your head. I keep going back and forth on this album because it seems to only be fitted for a certain mood. When my ipod gets the timing just right and surprises me with a Young Galaxy track that moment suddenly becomes golden, vibrant, and clean. It's up for you to decide on this one, because I clearly can't. Buy here. Make sure to watch the cartoon video for We Have Everything after the jump, it's rather crazy and going viral.

We Have Everything

Cover Your Tracks

Lia Ices - Grown Unknown [Album Review]

Lia Ices' debut LP, Grown Unknown, could lead to her being classified as a singer/songwriter (itunes did) but there is a little something extra floating around in all of her songs that clearly set her apart from the rest, or what one might assume a singer/songwriter to sound like. Her songs are crafted around her high voice that seemingly floats above the instruments no matter if she is using strings, piano, guitar, or tambourines. Even with the variety of instruments, her songs come across as minimalist and her voice is what leaves an impression song after song. The standout track is clearly "Daphne" in which her label mate, Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver), contributes his distinct vocals.

Frankly, "Daphne", "Grown Unknown" and "Love is Won" are the most enticing and complex on her entire album and the rest pale in comparison and unfortunately blend together in a boring way. It's like getting two wonderfully perfect bites of a chocolate souffle only to eat the rest and find out that what's remaining is drier and lacking the consistency of those first delicate bites. But then again, it's still chocolate souffle so it's not a total let down. Buy on amazon. Suggested tracks: Daphne, Grown Unknown, Love is Won, and Ice Wine.

Daphne 

Grown Unknown

Jeremy Messersmith - The Reluctant Graveyard [album review]

I can not stop listening to this album. From the opening track, "Lazy Bones", through the powerful middle of the album with some standout songs, all the way to the end with the short and sweet "Tomorrow" it is truly fantastic. I feel like all of these songs could be used in a Tim Burton movie. Just watching the "Organ Donor" video would make anyone think that.

The best part is you can name your own price for this album over at bandcamp, but it is absolutely worth paying for. His song "A Girl, A Boy, And A Graveyard" is beautiful in it's simplicity that features a small violin arrangement paired with his voice and an acoustic guitar. The lyrics in all of his songs tell stories of life and death and after-life without being morbid or overly depressing. Mainly, I find every song to be poignant in some manner. There is always something to relate to, whether it is the lyrics that tug at my heartstrings or a perfectly composed interlude, the album is consistently beautiful. Go get it.