Frog Eyes
The Folded Palm
Absolutely Kosher (2004)
Make no mistake: Victoria, B.C. based band Frog Eyes aren't the amphibious offshoots of cacophonous rabble-rousers Wolf Eyes. If anything, these 'Eyes' are a whole different breed of animal. On The Folded Palm, the group's first for Absolutely Kosher and third overall, Frog Eyes fuse a unique sound encompassing lush, bittersweet organ melodies, reverb-heavy guitars, the freewheeling antics of a wild-eyed, psychotic vocalist (think Gary Wilson if he really went over the edge) and a deranged cabaret, almost carnival-esque stylistic imprint suggestive of Tom Waits. For the first half or so, The Folded Palm often recalls going a few rounds with a street junkie fighting for a pastrami sandwich; each track manages to one-up the last, each track manages to one-up the last, coming at you like multiple K.O. punches to the jugular. The opening two tracks, "The Fence Feels Its Post" and "The Akhian Press," act as bold mission statements from a band with something commanding to say and set the tempo for the rest of the album. "I Like Dot Dot Dot" rocks like a garage band headed by kids from the short bus while "Important Signals Will Break The Darkness" is a lovely ballad that kind of … Read more
Aereogramme
Seclusion
Undergroove (2004)
Aereogramme have released two albums on Matador, been media darlings over in the U.K, and has even gotten Aaron Turner … Read more
Say Anything
...is a Real Boy
Doghouse (2004)
Sometimes a simple idea for a record can be injected with such brutal honesty and wit that all simplicity is … Read more
Panda Bear
Young Prayer
Paw Tracks (2004)
Though Young Prayer is intended to act as a eulogy for Animal Collective member Panda Bear's (a.k.a. Noah Lennox) recently … Read more
Engine Down
Engine Down
Lookout! (2004)
One of the most memorable experiences of my time in Chico was seeing Engine Down live. Their music isn't what … Read more
