First up, IRM by Charlotte Gainsbourg.
Apparently this album was co-written by Beck and you can definitely feel his influence throughout. This album is less a girl w/ a guitar and more chopped up into interesting samples - sampling little bits of things like acoustic guitar, harp, etc. I think the focus for me is on her vulnerable, at times beautiful voice.
There's an overall feeling of darkness and doom throughout, I felt. There's cool, haunting string arrangements which reminded me of her dad's work and weird spoken french interludes between songs.
The music had a cinematic quality; it seems everything about her is heavily stylized, from her look, to her acting roles and now her music.
I like the more pretty stuff on this album like the track Vanities.
The track Le Chat du Cafe des Artistes was straight from Histoire De Melody Nelson by Serge, but is that a bad thing? I would say no; amazingly she has the same scary effect her father did.
It's nice to see Beck doing something worthwhile again - I thought Modern Guilt fell a little flat. Overall this was an interesting listen, but maybe at times a bit to "artsy" - even for me.
Next up, Teen Dream by Beach House.
I'm eating my words folks - while I wrote this band off as fashionable hipsters coming up w/ pretty ideas rather than songs, it seems they have really developed on this new release. I may actually buy this (!)
This record is throughout, listenable. That sure is saying a lot for a Pitchfork Darling band. When I listen to an album in this genre I want it to have good texture, variation from song to song, good melodies and some soul. This record has all of that, and I feel like the songs really progress from within, instead of sticking too much to one musical theme or melody, which may be appealing, but wears on you after a few minutes.
To me, Walk in the Park is the focus track for singer Victoria Legrand's relaxed, husky voice. She reminds me of a more stable, confident Chan Marshall (Cat power).
Throughout the album, the organ and pianos are used in a creative way, while still sounding familiar. In this case I can understand the hype behind the music. Overall, listening to it was a very pleasant experience. Paddles has changed his tune!
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