Tag Archives: cultscultscults

2022, 365 days of favorites, music

(365) Days of Favorites//1.22.22

January 22, 2022 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

Cults – Abducted [from Cults]

Cults

#365days2022

2017, 31 days of good, best of 2017, music

(31) Days of Good//12.4.17

December 4, 2017 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

If there’s a theme for 2017, I guess it could be “surprise returns.” The return of Mister Heavenly was easily one of the most unexpected. I loved their debut, but I was always under the impression that it was a one-time offer from the indie-alternative supergroup. Obviously I was wrong…so i’ll continue to hold out hope that Discovery will drop a second album one of these days.

♩ Mister Heavenly – Beat Down [from Boxing the Moonlight]
[misterheavenlyband.com]

On her long overdue, sophomore release, Fever Ray (aka Karin Dreijer of The Knife) creates a dynamic, unhinged, and fascinating sound. It’s hard to believe this is only her second solo album in eight years.

♩ Fever Ray – Wanna Sip [from Plunge]
[feverray.com]

Super happy to have new Cults back in my life this year. I really wasn’t expecting new material from the duo this year (or ever for that matter), so when they started teasing studio sessions and then dropping singles, I revisited their older material and remembered why they’re one of my favorite acts.

♩ Cults – Offering [from Offering]
[cultscultscults.com]

I was lucky enough to see LCD Soundsystem live during their farewell tour in 2012. Easily one of the best shows i’ve had the pleasure to experience. I supported the band’s decision to go out on their terms, but part of me never really accepted it. So when word began creeping out that the band was preparing a return, I couldn’t have been happier and once again supported the band’s decision. Here’s a group of artists that thought they were done, but really just needed some time off. And during that time off they realized they wanted back. They had more music to share. More memories to create. This entire album is a fantastic return to form with numerous standout tracks. But nobody croons like James Murphy and I’m a sucker for his eloquent slow jams.

♩ LCD Soundsystem – american dream [from american dream]
[lcdsoundsystem.com]

#31days2017

2013, 31 days of good, best of 2013, music

(31) Days of Good: 12.7.13

December 7, 2013 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

“There’s a line in that song that just slays me. It says, “Wisdom’s a gift but you trade it for youth. Age is an honor, but it’s still not the truth.” I just love that. I don’t know where you were when you wrote that line, but good lord.” via Bob Boilen, NPR: All Songs Considered

♩ Vampire Weekend – Step [from Modern Vampires of the City]
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I’ve been gushing about Sleigh Bells since I started this here blog back in 2009. Since then, the NY noise-pop duo have released 3 full-length albums, and i’ve loved them all. Bitter Rivals was released this year (not even a year after 2012’s Reign of Terror) and packed full of the duo’s signature pop hooks and epic guitar riffs I love so much. I’m not sure if Sleigh Bells will ever be able to top their debut album, Treats, but if they keep releasing tracks like “Sugarcane”, I won’t complain one bit.

♩ Sleigh Bells – Sugarcane [from Bitter Rivals]
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“’Don’t Swallow the Cap’ (maybe a reference to Tennessee Williams’ unfortunate demise) slowly builds into an anthemic ending, combining lush string arrangements with eery distortion and Bryan Davendorf’s cyclical drum work. It’s an odd melding of styles – Davendorf drums like he’s in Can; the Dessner brothers play delicate, sly melodies; Matt sings with an intimate intensity – but it works, and I’m not sure it ever won’t.” via Pretty Much Amazing

♩ The National – Don’t Swallow the Cap [from Trouble Will Find Me]
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Cults’ self-titled debut was my favorite album of 2011, so needless to say, I was super excited for their sophomore effort. Like Sleigh Bells above, I don’t think Cults will top their debut, but Static did not disappoint one bit. There are a handful of worthwhile tracks, but “We’ve Got It” really showcases the duo’s signature sound of experimental pop and doo-wop vocals.

♩ Cults – We’ve Got It [from Static]
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