Review: Deadmau5, At Play Vol. 2

Deadmau5

At Play Vol. 2

A-

         Although I’m not normally one for techno or house music, when given the opportunity, I couldn’t help but take a peek at the newest work of Deadmau5, aka Joel Zimmerman, a critically acclaimed Canadian electro house producer who has taken the scene by storm in only a few short years. Entitled At Play Vol. 2: 10 full length DJ friendly tracks, this latest album is a full hour of rich, thumping bass and hypnotic synthesizer. Of the ten songs, two are done in collaboration with Billy Newton-Davis and not only feature well-chosen vocals but are some of the most captivating songs on the CD. Two others feature Melleefresh, and although they too stray pleasantly away the homogeneity in many of Deadmau5’s songs, the female vocals laid on top are both inharmonious and, in the case of “Sex Slave,” too vulgar to be taken seriously. Overall, I enjoyed At Play Vol. 2 very much, despite my untrained ears. Even if some of his songs to me seem too much alike, they still have the desired effect. The beats contained within this album are irresistibly catchy and entrancing. Whether raging beneath a strobe light or hanging out playing the latest Call of Duty, At Play Vol. 2 is just plain sexy music; a must-have for any diehard house fan’s repertoire. 

-- Andrew Rennie

Host, "Bangers and Mash," Sundays 8-10 AM on WGTB

Review: Brooke Waggoner, Go Easy, Little Doves

 Brooke Waggoner

Go Easy Little Doves

A-

 

Flaunting romantically whimsical lyrics set to a backdrop of instrumental genius, Brooke Waggoner’s long-awaited album, Go Easy Little Doves, promises to delight indie pop fans everywhere.  The meditatively symphonic album reflects Waggoner’s classical music background, flowing into a cohesive piece of art that takes you through the 10-year journey that is Go Easy Little Doves.  The melodious, vocal-centric tracks intertwined with beautiful, instrumental interludes meld together to tell this invitingly complex story. Although Waggoner’s eccentric lyricisms and elaborately ornamented ballads keep her just outside the realm of mainstream preference, many songs on the album including “Go Easy Little Doves, I’ll Be Fine” and “Chromates Soft Love” prove to be inoffensive enough to appeal to mass audiences.  Waggoner’s musical talent apparent in Go Easy Little Doves is sure to resonate throughout a wide spectrum of listeners.

-- Chloe Tanaka

Host, "Facts & Tracks" Wed. 10-11am and Fri. 2-3pm on WGTB

Review: Rogue Wave, "Good Morning (The Future)" (Single)

Rogue Wave

Single: "Good Morning (The Future)"

Rogue Wave’s new single, “Good Morning (The Future),” off their new album, “Permalight” (to be released in early March from Brushfire Records) is a distant cousin of their melodic strummings of the past. In fact, it bears no resemblance at all. It sheds Rogue Wave’s typical calm melodies in favor of a hectic Postal Service-esque electronic beat. It isn’t what Rogue Wave fans of the past would expect or want to see from the group. However, don’t dismiss the full album yet, as their past accomplishments in “Asleep At Heaven’s Gate” and “Descended Like Vultures” prove their musical merit worth exploring in “Permalight.” I, for one, will hold out hope that this single is a mere blemish on an otherwise well put together new album.

-- Andrew Glass

Artist of the Week: The Films

Artist of the Week highlights a new band or musician on the scene that has captured the attention of your loyal WGTB Music Directors. This week brings us the catchy, upbeat tunes of South Carolina-based band The Films, fresh on the heels of their latest release, Oh Scorpio. We like their earnest, Conor Oberst-like lyrics, danceable rhythms, and the a capella opener on "God Bless Your Heart."

Check out The Films' track "Completely Replaceable" here. 
Download "Completely Replaceable"

Review: Vulture Whale, Bamboo You

Vulture Whale 

Bamboo You EP

C

Best Tracks:  “Amerikerr” (5) and “The Pipe” (3)

This new EP from Birmingham, Alabama native band Vulture Whale delivers the same guitar dominated harder rock, but could hardly be called Southern rock in flavor.  Instead this set of tracks gives me the impression that Vulture Whale is directing itself towards a much more 70s/80s British twisted punk/pop rock sound (think The Clash meets The Smiths or a stripped down Joy Division).  I chose Amerikerr and The Pipe as the best tracks on this album for their grittier rock sound and good composition. However, I probably should say they’re the only songs I can actually listen to in their entirety without cringing at the atrociously fake and whiny British accent that lead singer, Wes McDonald, puts on for the other tracks on this album.

-- Britt Shaw

Host, "Under the Influence," Fridays 10-12 AM on WGTB

Review: Asobi Seksu, "Rewolf"

Asobi Seksu

Rewolf

B+

Rewolf, the acoustic adaptations of previously released songs from the band led by Japanese vocalist Yuki Chikudate and guitarist James Hanna, is an enjoyable addition to the group’s earlier, more substantial material. While the structure of the reworked songs remains essentially identical to those on which they are modeled, the instruments and tone have changed completely to create a softer, more ethereal lineup. Accompanied by an ensemble reduced to xylophone and acoustic guitar, the delicate melodies feature airy tinkling and angelic English and Japanese vocals. The fluidity that helps create a cohesive album also renders the distinction between songs a little vague. Rewolf’s consistently beautiful—but lightweight and bordering on repetitive—quality lends itself well to easy listening or napping and amounts to a good album of acoustic renditions.

-- Emma Forster
Host, "Regional Rotations," 2-4 pm Wednesdays on WGTB

Review: Owen Pallett, Heartland

 

 Owen Pallet

 Heartland  

A+

When I was first introduced to Owen Pallett, he was called Final Fantasy. The only way my boyfriend could seem to describe Owen (Final?) to me was as “some guy who loves the Final Fantasy video games and has a violin – he’s a one man band.” So when I first listened to He Poos Clouds I was expecting something akin to all of the teenage girls on YouTube who do tone-deaf Paramore covers. What I got was so much more. It was strange and sad and oddly campy. In short, it was perfect. Owen Pallett’s new album Heartland is the foil pair to his previous album; instead of the melancholy undertones that typify He Poos Clouds, Heartland is an album that puts a skip in your step.

With tracks like “Lewis Takes Action” and “E Is For Estranged” you get the sense that Owen has taken epic movie music and narrated his lyrics over it. In effect, he makes a soundtrack for your life. Suddenly walking to coffee is an adventure; walking up the Lau steps seems more like triumphantly climbing a mountain. The music seems familiar – but not trite.

Owen has certainly grown up from his phase as a videogame-obsessed man with a violin and has moved from “pooing” clouds to making you feel like you’re running on them. Certainly an A+ in my book.

-- Alyson Promes