Gangpol & Mit
The 1000 Softcore Tourist People Club
Ipecac (2011)
It’s a great thing when bands can mesh cartoon visuals with their music. It in turn enhances the listening experience, and Gangpol & Mit’s, The 1000 Softcore Tourist People Club, is quite the listening experience. This French duo created these characters that manage to represent their synth-pop music perfectly. Although it’s mostly synthetic, you somehow feel like you’re listening to a story.Gangpol & Mit open the album with a track simply entitled, “Welcome.” It’s a pretty straightforward electro-dance song that’s reminiscent of another French duo, Justice. Things get a little more eccentric with the second track, “The 1000 People Band (Part 1).” It sounds the original recording of the song has been sped up . There’s an abundance of beats in rapid succession and some vocals that go too fast to understand. Around a third of the way through, there’s a sudden tempo change with so many layers of sounds and melodies that it’s hard to decipher everything going on, but it all comes together nicely in the end. The third track, “Otsuki Sama,” features more vocals and would best be described as synth-pop cabaret. Following is the interlude-esque song, “The Enemy I Never Met.” It’s arguably the most melodic … Read more
August Burns Red
Leveler
Solid State (2011)
August Burns Red have become the face of American metal over the last few years with their unique brand of … Read more
The United Sons of Toil
Until Lions Have Their Historians, Tales of the Hunt Shall Always Glorify the Hunter
Flannel Jammies Music/Sector Five (2008)
The United Sons of Toil probably won’t ever receive the distinguished honor of a 7.1 rating from Pitchfork, but anyone … Read more
Deafheaven
Roads To Judah
Deathwish Inc. (2011)
When I initially read about San Francisco’s Deafheaven, I didn’t expect to be surprised by their recordings. Anytime I see … Read more
